Chapter Twelve: How Did You Know I Like White?

In the corridor, Wang Jun instinctively reached for a cigarette, but remembering where he was, he withdrew his hand.

“Chu, your father's attitude is really important in his condition. Try not to say too much—just humor him,” Wang Jun advised.

Having returned from the restroom, Wang Jun caught the two of them arguing inside and lingered in the hallway. When Tang Zhichu turned around, the two exchanged a glance and stepped aside to talk.

“You know his temperament. If I say nothing, he gets angrier. By the way, have any of the relatives come?” Tang Zhichu asked.

Wang Jun hesitated before answering, “Auntie did stop by once. The others said they’ll come together when they find the time.”

Tang Zhichu nodded. The aunt Wang Jun referred to was his younger aunt. Tang Maode’s branch of the family had four siblings—two brothers and two sisters.

Tang Maode’s bad temper, alcoholism, and occasional gambling had always caused friction. He used to borrow money from relatives, leading to less frequent visits over time.

Tang Zhichu was not surprised by this.

“Jun, I’ll have to rely on you for a while. If the shop needs more staff, just add another. I’m forced to stay here by the old man, so if any relatives come, give me a call,” Tang Zhichu said.

Wang Jun nodded solemnly. “Of course. We’re family—no need for formalities. You focus on your own matters; I’ll handle things here.”

Tang Zhichu left, realizing his presence was only making things worse.

Once he was gone, Wang Jun turned and entered the hospital room.

Inside, Tang Maode was gulping down soup from a bowl. Wang Jun paused in surprise.

Tang Maode wasn’t refusing food to be difficult; the illness severely affected his appetite. Wang Jun had grown used to this and would take any opportunity to coax him into eating.

It was rare to see him drinking soup so eagerly.

Apparently, Chu had his ways.

Hearing the noise, Tang Maode put down his bowl and glared at Wang Jun. “That brat’s gone?”

Wang Jun nodded.

“Damn it, that brat hasn’t sparred with me in ages. He caught me off guard. Now that I’ve thought it over, I should’ve called him a perpetual bachelor to really get him riled up. Damn, I’m furious. Is there any more soup?”

Wang Jun replied, “Huh? Ah... I’ll call and have some sent up right away!”

...

Inside the villa, it was precisely noon.

On the second floor, in the lounge area, the three female guests gathered together.

On the table lay three gifts, each in a different-sized box with distinct wrapping. The boxes were colored teal, white, and blue.

Chen Siyang’s eyes were drawn first to the blue box—or rather, it was the one she noticed most. Just as she reached out for it, Zhou Yun interjected, “I like the blue one best, but can I open it?”

Since someone had spoken up, Chen Siyang naturally withdrew her hand, feeling a pang of regret. Was it really so hard to say “I like it too”?

Jiang Lan didn’t make a move, only remarked, “It should be fine to open them.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun picked up the blue box and opened it without further ado.

Chen Siyang glanced at Zhou Yun, not out of envy for the blue box, but rather admiration for her personality—so unafraid to consider others’ feelings.

“Wow, perfume!” Zhou Yun exclaimed.

Instead of immediately smelling it, she looked to Chen Siyang and Jiang Lan. “Let’s open the other two, shall we?”

All three gifts were unboxed.

The blue box held a bottle of perfume. The teal box contained something resembling a trophy. The white box revealed a beret.

Zhou Yun’s eyes flickered as she glanced at Chen Siyang several times before finally saying, “Then I’ll go with the blue box, okay?”

Jiang Lan hesitated briefly, then turned to Chen Siyang. “Siyang, which would you like?”

Everyone was guessing whose gift was from whom.

Why did Zhou Yun snatch the blue box?

Because public information showed Chen Siyang liked blue.

As for the gifts, there was no clue.

A trophy—who would that be for? Obviously Chen Siyang, given her achievements. The hat? Among the three girls, only Chen Siyang wore hats daily. Perfume? It had to be in the blue box.

A straightforward expression from the box’s color suggested it was Yang Jiaxing’s.

So Zhou Yun grabbed the blue box. If she couldn’t compete on stage, at least she could try her luck with the celebrity’s boyfriend.

The white and teal boxes were left out of her calculations.

Chen Siyang had first noticed the blue box too, but not because she was after Yang Jiaxing.

She thought even if Tang Zhichu was introverted, he would make it clear the gift was meant for her. Otherwise, what was the point of exchanging messages for two days?

But with all three gifts laid out, Chen Siyang hesitated. They all seemed tailored to her.

So, the blue box might not be Tang Zhichu’s after all, which made her feel a bit relieved.

Actually, Chen Siyang didn’t even like blue. When that topic came up, it was just to match the company’s publicity.

Their girl group was called Planet Girls, and Chen Siyang’s public persona was gentle and uncompetitive, like water. The company dubbed her the Mercury Girl, so she was forced to like blue.

No one else knew this, but the blue box was the obvious choice.

After seeing the gifts, it felt too superficial, not like Tang Zhichu’s style.

That left two gifts. A trophy for career blessings, a hat for daily wear—which to choose? Or which was Tang Zhichu’s?

Finally, Chen Siyang gritted her teeth and chose the white box—the beret. She decided to take a risk.

...

Wan Hua Square bustled with crowds.

Only because of the sheer number of people did no one notice a few suspicious figures lingering in one spot, some holding filming equipment.

It wasn’t unusual—this place was packed with influencers, some even live-streaming dances.

Tang Zhichu was watching a girl doing a livestream. She acted as if no one was around, smiling sweetly at her phone, and when the mood struck, stepped back to dance a bit.

With every wave and twist, her fair waist flashed enticingly...

“What are you doing?”

Someone suddenly blocked his path. Tang Zhichu instinctively tried to push the person aside, but stopped midway as he realized who it was.

“Wow, you look stunning today!” he blurted out.

Chen Siyang was still wearing a hat, but today her look was more vibrant. A white T-shirt with a plaid jacket thrown over it gave her a casual, youthful vibe—common among young people, but somehow especially charming on her.

Chen Siyang glanced at the livestreamer, then turned back to fix her gaze on Tang Zhichu. “Do you really think so?”

Tang Zhichu grinned sheepishly. “I’ve been waiting over an hour. Got a bit bored.”

Hearing this, Chen Siyang’s tone softened. “Did you eat?”

Tang Zhichu countered, “Did you?”

“I’m asking you first. Answer me.”

Tang Zhichu thought for a moment. “If I said I ate, but you hadn’t, would you say you ate too?”

Chen Siyang froze, then fell silent.

Tang Zhichu stepped closer and nudged her gently with his elbow. “Don’t worry, you won’t go hungry today. The movie’s about to start.”

“A movie?”

“Yeah. The last time I saw a movie with a girl, it was my aunt taking me. Since you’re a public figure, these chances are rare. Let’s just enjoy it together.”

Chen Siyang murmured her agreement, and the two walked side by side.

After some time, as they neared the mall entrance, Chen Siyang suddenly asked, “How did you know I like white?”