After the White Lotus Drops the Act

Before entering the house, Tang You had already confirmed there was no one else in the room. Ignoring the pain in her scalp, she struck swiftly—her fist landing squarely on Jiang Tao’s eye.

Jiang Tao let out a shriek and stumbled backward, tripping over a chair and crashing to the floor.

Hearing the commotion, Tang Nan rushed out in her slippers, the sound of her hurried footsteps echoing.

Tang Xiao followed right behind her, his expression darkening the moment he stepped inside and saw Jiang Tao sprawled on the floor and Tang You standing there.

Tang Nan, who was barely half a month younger than Tang You, turned red-eyed at the scene, looking as if she was about to cry. “Sister, Mom is already sick, why would you—”

Before she could finish, Tang You collapsed delicately onto the sofa, covering her face with both hands as she sobbed. Her voice was softer, more fragile, and even more pitiful than Tang Nan’s.

“Daddy, Auntie pulled my hair so hard… It hurts so much… And the things she said were so mean…”

She tilted her face up, revealing the stark red scratch across her snow-white skin. Her voice trembled with grievance.

“Auntie even tried to scratch my face. Grandpa Xiao’s birthday is coming up in a few days. If he sees this and asks what happened, what should I tell him?”

Tang Nan hiccupped in shock.

Tang Xiao’s face darkened instantly.

Old Master Xiao had no granddaughters of his own, and he doted on Tang You the most. His favoritism was undeniable. Even though Tang Xiao didn’t care much for this daughter, he still had to consider the old man’s influence.

After a long pause, Tang Xiao’s expression stiffened. “Nan Nan, your mother’s condition is acting up again. Take her back to her room.”

Tang Nan hurried to help Jiang Tao up. Jiang Tao was truly unwell this time, muttering curse words under her breath in an endless loop.

Tang Nan half-dragged, half-pulled her away.

Tang Xiao then helped Tang You sit down, hesitating for a long moment before sighing, “Youyou, I know this has been hard on you.”

Tang You didn’t respond. Some orange juice had gotten into her eye, making it sting unbearably. She grabbed a tissue and dabbed at it, but the discomfort wouldn’t go away.

She spoke softly. “I understand Auntie’s struggles. Thank you, Dad.”

—Bullshit.

If Tang Xiao truly felt sorry for her, he would have gotten Auntie a decent therapist long ago to treat her madness. Or, at the very least, he should have locked Jiang Tao in her room before Tang You got home instead of letting her spew her insults first before stepping in to play the hero.

He let others beat her down so he could swoop in and offer a so-called kindness afterward.

Tang You genuinely believed her father was a PUA expert.

If not for the fact that she needed to reclaim her mother’s assets from him, she would have long since torn apart this sham of a father-daughter relationship.

Feigning innocence, she tilted her head and asked, “Dad, why did you call me home today?”

Tang Xiao’s expression soured. “Xiao Weijing was seen with Wen Ling again. What do you think about that?”

Tang You looked timid, her voice soft. “I don’t really think anything about it. Brother Weijing never liked me in the first place…”

Tang Xiao was so furious he nearly spat blood. “Don’t forget—he’s your fiancé! Old Master Xiao personally arranged this match for you. Are you really going to let someone else take him away just like that?”

Tang You lowered her head, twisting her fingers together in silence.

Tang Xiao’s chest heaved violently. He grabbed the tablet beside him, pulled up a few damning photos, and shoved them in front of her.

His voice was filled with bitter disappointment. “Look at this—how could Xiao Weijing do something like this?”

Tang You glanced at the photos.

The image quality was so blurry it was comparable to a certain type of romantic action film. All she could make out was a well-dressed man standing at the entrance of an apartment, holding a slightly slender person in his arms.

Scrolling further, the pictures weren’t particularly shocking.

The last one, however, was an article draft, already written and ready for publication. The headline was especially eye-catching—

“Seventeen Minutes of Sneaking Around Outside the Apartment—Xiao Weijing Passionately Kissing a Perky-Bottomed Young Man”

The so-called perky-bottomed young man was actually Wen Ling.

That cheerful (manly), generous (boyish), straightforward (shameless) person in Xiao Weijing’s eyes.

Ever since Wen Ling retired from the city’s swimming team due to an injury, she had been living quite comfortably, running a gym funded by Xiao Weijing’s money.

Though, Tang You did wonder—after seeing herself mistaken for a man by the paparazzi, would Wen Ling still be able to laugh?

Tang You muttered, “…Did the person who wrote this article just quit working at a Hong Kong tabloid?”

“That’s not the point!” Tang Xiao fumed, exasperated. “If Xiao Zexing hadn’t stepped in to block this article in time, it would’ve been published by now! Do you have any idea how people are mocking you? They’re saying you’re just a pretty vase, brainless, incapable of even holding onto your own fiancé!”

Tang You looked up, her voice soft and timid. “Isn’t that true, though?”

Tang Xiao: “……”

Well. It kind of was.

His hands trembled as he fumbled for his fast-acting heart pills, quickly gulping one down with water. After taking eighteen deep breaths, he finally felt like he had pulled himself back from the brink of a breakdown.

He forced himself to focus on the main topic. “In two days, it’ll be Old Master Xiao’s birthday. From what I gather, he intends to have you and Xiao Weijing finalize the wedding date then.”

Tang You said nothing.

Tang Xiao observed her expression carefully and emphasized, “It won’t just be Xiao Weijing attending. Xiao Zexing will be there too. Tang You, make sure you behave well.”

Although Xiao Weijing’s father was Old Master Xiao’s eldest son—the only child from his marriage to his first wife—Xiao Zexing had far surpassed Xiao Weijing in both ability and connections. No one knew who would ultimately come out on top in the future.

No matter what, it was best to build a good relationship with Xiao Zexing first.

Tang You, however, had no such considerations. She didn’t care about Tang Xiao’s interests.

He pressed down on her shoulders and said, “Aren’t you still thinking about your mother’s company? Everyone knows that as soon as Xiao Zexing took over, Old Master Xiao handed Mingjian to him. Mingjian is now the leading company in the construction industry. After you get married, I’ll return the company to you. As long as Xiao Zexing lets even a little slip through his fingers, it’ll be more than enough for you…”

This was the first time since she became an adult that Tang Xiao had ever mentioned her mother.

Tang You smiled sweetly and obediently. “Okay, Dad, I understand.”

—

Before Old Master Xiao’s birthday banquet, Tang Nan also wanted to attend. She couldn’t bring herself to ask Tang You directly, so she went to Tang Xiao instead.

Feeling guilty toward his illegitimate daughter, Tang Xiao tentatively brought it up with Tang You.

Tang You didn’t say a word—just let two tears fall.

Tang Xiao immediately dropped the subject.

They say tears are the ultimate weapon against men. Turns out, it’s true.

But when it came to Xiao Weijing, tears would only make him more annoyed.

As the future granddaughter-in-law, Tang You had to dress appropriately for the occasion.

Regretfully letting go of a rose-red velvet dress, she selected a soft bean-green gown from her “white lotus backup wardrobe.”

Square neckline, below the knee, simple and pure.

Just as she finished changing, Miao Jiaxi protested. “No way, Youyou! Why aren’t you showing off your tiny waist?”

The dress had no cinched waist design, completely hiding one of Tang You’s best features—her slender waist.

Miao Jiaxi found it a real shame.

Tang You casually pinned up her hair in front of the mirror. “No need. I’m not here to seduce a man.”

She only needed to play her role as a delicate little white lotus.

Old Master Xiao’s past birthday celebrations had always been low-key, but this year’s was extravagant, with many distinguished guests in attendance.

The moment Tang You stepped inside, she spotted Xiao Zexing in the crowd.

The man’s towering height was a natural advantage, his presence understated yet dazzling. Even in a sea of people, he seemed to emit a quiet radiance, effortlessly drawing attention.

Tang You adjusted her expression and walked over, her voice crisp and sweet. “Mr. Xiao!”

Not far away, Xiao Weijing heard the clear, refreshing voice.

Pure and bright, like spring water.

He instinctively turned toward the sound—and saw Tang You.

Frowning, he immediately felt a headache coming on. Just as he was about to avoid another entanglement with this woman, something felt off.

He stopped in his tracks and looked again.

Wait.

Tang You wasn’t calling him.

His fiancée of four years, the meek, obedient girl who always followed his every word—

Was now standing there, looking gentle and sweet.

But that smile…

It wasn’t for him.

It was for his second uncle, Xiao Zexing.