Song Ze watched Tang Tang climb into the black sedan. As the car glided away, his gaze lingered for several seconds.
He had seen that model online. It was far beyond the means of an ordinary family, and the driver’s deferential manner made it clear that Tang Tang’s background was not as simple as it seemed.
Beside him, Zhou Nian’s expression darkened, her voice tinged with displeasure. “Look at her, always hanging around you as if she has something to prove. And you’re still watching her leave.”
Song Ze was already wondering about Tang Tang’s origins, but his expression remained composed. He reached out and loosely put an arm around Zhou Nian’s shoulders, his tone gentle. “Don’t overthink it. She only transferred here recently and hasn’t gotten used to the place yet. Come on, I’ll walk you back to the dorm. You have class tomorrow.”
Zhou Nian shrugged off his arm, still visibly upset. “There’s definitely something wrong with Tang Tang! She’s only been here a few days, yet she’s always seeking you out. And all day long she wears that pitiful expression. Who knows what she’s plotting? Stay away from her. I don’t like seeing you with her.”
“Got it. Don’t make such a big deal out of nothing.” Song Ze answered perfunctorily, patiently accompanying Zhou Nian to the entrance of the women’s dormitory.
Before leaving, Zhou Nian repeatedly reminded him to keep his distance from Tang Tang. He merely raised a hand in vague acknowledgment. The moment Zhou Nian’s figure disappeared upstairs, he turned around and hurried back to his place.
That night, Song Ze tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Tang Tang’s hesitant expression from that day kept drifting through his mind. His doubts were no longer rooted in simple concern.
That car, the spectacle surrounding it, and the effortless composure Tang Tang usually displayed—seemingly low-key, yet revealing itself in countless small details—all convinced him that she was absolutely not from an “ordinary family.”
He wanted to uncover her background and find out what kind of backing she really had. More importantly, he wanted to know whether that background could become a stepping-stone for him to climb higher.
A few days later, Song Ze found an excuse to ask Tang Tang to take a walk with him in the grove on campus.
It was afternoon. Sunlight filtered through the branches, scattering dappled shadows across the ground. The grove was quiet, with no other students around.
He slowed his pace, glancing at Tang Tang from the corner of his eye as she walked beside him with her head lowered. His voice carried just the right amount of concern, every word concealing a probing intent.
“Tang Tang, I’ve been thinking about what happened that day. I haven’t been able to stop worrying about you.”
Tang Tang looked up at him, her eyes filled with just the right amount of confusion. Her fingers lightly clenched the hem of her clothes, making her look utterly helpless.
Seeing this, Song Ze made his tone even more “sincere,” deliberately lowering his voice.
“The person who came to pick you up that day looked pretty serious, and that car wasn’t something you see every day. I was worried that someone might be giving you trouble.
“Is someone forcing you to do something? Or is there some trouble at home?
“Your mother already has a hard enough time running a stall outside the school. If you’re in trouble, don’t try to bear it all by yourself.”
He paused, watching Tang Tang’s reddening eyes, then continued in an even more “caring” tone. “I know you’re a private person and don’t want people knowing about your family situation. But tell me the truth. I may not be able to help much, but I can at least think of something with you. That’s better than carrying everything alone.
“You didn’t look well that day. I’ve been distracted in class these past few days because I was afraid you’d been mistreated.”
His entire speech was delivered under the guise of “doing what was best for her.” Tang Tang’s eyes immediately reddened. She sniffed and remained silent for a long while before finally speaking, her voice thick with bitterness.
“My father is the general manager of Tang, but my mother was only his mistress. Mrs. Tang couldn’t tolerate us, so she drove us out when I was little. I grew up with my mother, running a stall outside and living through all kinds of hardship.”
She raised her eyes to Song Ze, tears pooling in them as her shoulders trembled slightly.
“The person who came to get me that day was my father’s driver. He came secretly because he was afraid Mrs. Tang would find out.
“My father values me, but when it comes to matters at home, Mrs. Tang still has the final say. I actually have no standing in the Tang family.
“I’ve never dared tell you about my identity because I was afraid… afraid you’d look down on me for being an illegitimate daughter, Brother Song.”
When Song Ze saw her like this, a layer of sympathy first rose within him. He felt they had something in common.
His own mother had barely supported them by taking odd jobs, and his family had been desperately poor. He had been looked down on since childhood and had experienced every kind of coldness from others. Getting into this university through his outstanding grades had taken everything he had.
But in the next instant, calculation overtook sympathy.
The Tang family was a renowned wealthy household in Rong City. Even if Tang Tang was only an illegitimate daughter, she was still Mr. Tang’s daughter, with her father’s support behind her. This was far more than an “ordinary hardship.”
He reached out and patted Tang Tang’s shoulder. The “heartache” in his voice sounded increasingly genuine, while in his mind he had already made his plans.
“Don’t be sad. I won’t look down on you. My family isn’t much better off than yours. My mother worked odd jobs to raise me, and we had to scrape together my tuition. I was looked down on and judged by others from the time I was little too. We’ve both suffered, so we should look out for each other.”
“Really, Brother Song?” Tang Tang looked up, the moisture in her eyes mingling with “delight.” Her hand lightly brushed against Song Ze’s arm, carrying a hint of deliberate dependence.
“Really.” Song Ze nodded and wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye. He had a handsome, upright appearance, and there was still a youthful quality between his brows. When he softened his expression, he was especially captivating. It was one of the few advantages he possessed.
“If you ever need anything, or if the Tang family gives you trouble again, just tell me. By the way, hasn’t your father said anything about what he plans to do with you in the future?”
A flicker of smugness passed through Tang Tang’s heart. She knew she was not as attractive as Zhou Nian, and her grades were far worse. The only thing she had that could attract Song Ze was her identity as the daughter of Tang’s general manager.
She sniffed and continued to act aggrieved. “Actually, my father has only two daughters—me and Tang Xin, the daughter he had with Mrs. Tang. He personally told me that at least half of the Tang family’s assets would belong to me in the future.
“But Mrs. Tang has always interfered and targeted my mother and me at every turn. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had to live such hard lives, following my mother around and running a stall.”
She was not entirely certain that what she said was true, but she could not help wanting to believe it. After all, it was a promise her father had made with his own lips—and it was the only trump card she had.
Song Ze’s greed was instantly awakened. The thought of “half the Tang family’s assets” spun endlessly through his mind, making his heart pound.
When he looked at Tang Tang again, she was no longer the transfer student who had shared his hardships. She had become a stepping-stone that could lift him out of the lower class and send him soaring overnight.
He had excellent grades and an attractive appearance. Those were precisely the qualities he could use to gain control over Tang Tang.
Thinking of Zhou Nian and everything about her, Song Ze realized that her family was ordinary and her personality stubborn. If he stayed with her, he could only live a cramped, struggling life.
Tang Tang, however, had the Tang family behind her. Even if she was down on her luck now, her future was limitless.
Compared with her, Zhou Nian instantly became worthless in his eyes.
Song Ze made his decision on the spot. He gently brushed away the tear at the corner of Tang Tang’s eye, his tone growing even more tender, carrying almost the weight of a promise.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Whether it’s the Tang family or any other trouble, I’ll protect you.
“You don’t need to worry about Zhou Nian. She’s just hot-tempered and lets her imagination run away with her. We don’t have to pay her any attention.”
From that day on, Song Ze became increasingly attentive toward Tang Tang. It was no longer mere concern and tentative probing; he began to openly court her and win her favor, making the most of his good grades and striking looks. He would take the initiative to tutor Tang Tang, and he would patiently listen whenever she confided her grievances.
He began secretly dating Tang Tang behind Zhou Nian’s back, taking her only to the inexpensive restaurants and street-food stalls around the school.
In his spare time, he took part-time jobs handing out flyers and tutoring. Once he received his wages, he would buy Tang Tang small gifts—not expensive, but chosen with care.
Of course, they were all inexpensive little things, the sort that could make a girl happy.
The price didn’t matter. What mattered was the thought behind them.
In return, Tang Tang knitted Song Ze a scarf by hand, embroidered a bookmark with his name on it, or bought him a few affordable yet reliable fountain pens.
