"Besides, I'm not interested in those who come onto me uninvited." Tan Linyuan turned his head, his gaze sweeping indifferently across her face, his eyes oozing nonchalance.
Nan Yu didn't respond to his words.
She knew he looked down on her, and any further conversation would only subject her to his endless humiliation. "If you're not interested in me, then why do you keep pestering me?"
Tan Linyuan curled his lips and tapped the steering wheel nonchalantly, hinting at something. "This car is already a model from a few years ago. There are newer models to replace it, but it's good to use."
As Tan Linyuan said this, he was extremely cold. There was no trace of pity in his eyes, only indifference and something meaningful. "Coincidentally, Miss Nan is just like this car."
It wasn't because of any special significance. It was just that she was as "useful" as the car.
"I believe Miss Nan can still handle her private affairs while preparing for the wedding."
Without even looking at her and directly ignoring the dark look on her face, his eyes were as unfathomable as thick ink.
He casually issued an order to leave. "I'm not in the mood today. You can get off here."
...
The big black G-Class drove past the intersection, its wheels kicking up a thin layer of dust on the road, leaving Nan Yu standing alone in place.
Since the Nan family's downfall, she had heard more than her fair share of cynicism. She thought she had become numb enough not to be hurt by words or looks.
But Tan Linyuan's attitude towards her was more elegant than anyone else's, yet the words he said were sharper and harsher than any she had ever heard.
A long - unexperienced sense of sourness and shame flowed from her heart to every part of her body, making it hard for her to stand up straight.
Even so, Nan Yu still stubbornly straightened her back. The twilight had fallen, and the street lights were blinding, making her face look extremely pale.
She had long learned how to control her emotions. She let out a breath and expressionlessly hailed a passing taxi.
The moment she got into the taxi, Nan Yu was still thinking that the damned Tan Linyuan had made her spend money on a taxi.
She had just told the driver her address when her phone in her pocket rang. It was Shen Yanche calling.
Nan Yu answered the call expressionlessly and listened to his concerned words on the other end. "Yuyu, are you home yet?"
"I'll be home soon."
If Tan Linyuan hadn't dropped her off by the roadside on a whim, she should have already been home by now.
Shen Yanche said gently, "Uncle is a good man. He often does kind deeds as a matter of course. We'll have to trouble him for more care in the future."
"Yeah, Uncle is a good man." Nan Yu mechanically repeated his words while raising her face and smiling. She perked up as if nothing had happened. "I'm so sleepy. I'm going to rest."
She said it easily and naturally, casually infusing a hint of tiredness into her tone to cover up the honking of the passing cars by the roadside.
Shen Yanche's attention was drawn to her words, and he didn't think much of it. "Then you should rest early. You've worked hard today."
Just as Nan Yu was about to hang up the phone, Shen Yanche suddenly called out to her, hesitating. "By the way, the date for getting the marriage certificate may have to be postponed. My dad just told me that the date we set before is inauspicious."
The Shen family had always believed in feng shui. The timing of all the ceremonies, big and small, from the engagement onwards, had been determined by a master.
It was really ridiculous that they were changing their minds at the last minute.
And Nan Yu knew exactly why.
Thinking of this, she tightened her grip on the phone and forced a smile. "I have no objections. Everything should be done according to what Uncle Shen said."
In fact, she didn't have any qualifications to negotiate with the Shen family now.
...
The next day, Nan Yu was woken up by her phone alarm.
She was going to give piano lessons to the daughter of the Song family today. The payment was quite high, and since the Song family was a well - known and prominent family, she couldn't afford to be the least bit negligent.
Just a few minutes into the lesson, Shen Yanche called in a hurry, interrupting the sound of the piano in the music room.
Shen Yanche asked her to go to the Yunjing Restaurant immediately, saying that there was an urgent matter to deal with.
Nan Yu covered the phone and lowered her voice. "Must it be now? I'm still teaching piano at my student's house."
Shen Yanche's voice on the other end was even lower. "Yuyu, it's hard to explain on the phone... You'd better come as soon as possible."
Nan Yu bit her lower lip and hesitated for a long time. Finally, under Mrs. Song's displeased gaze, she hastily said that she had an urgent matter and had to end the lesson early.
With her eyelashes lowered, she bowed and apologized before leaving. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Song. I'll definitely make up this lesson for Wanwan another day."
Her submissive gesture was so smooth that it seemed almost instinctive.
The glamorous eldest daughter of the Nan family was long gone.
Mrs. Song snorted and wasn't impressed at all. She deliberately raised her voice. "Miss Nan is really lucky. Just as your family has fallen into decline, the Shen family has come to support you."
Nan Yu's heart tightened, and she had a bad feeling.
Mrs. Song crossed her arms in front of her chest, lifted her chin, and disdainfully announced the end of her job. "Taking leave and leaving early from time to time. Our Wanwan can't afford a teacher like you. You don't need to come again next time."
Nan Yu was stunned. Her palm tightened unconsciously, and she pleaded embarrassedly in a low voice. "Mrs. Song, I promise this is the last time."
Her current situation didn't allow her to continue playing the piano. Only when she was giving piano lessons to her students could she touch the black and white keys.
This was her only indulgence.
Mrs. Song waved her hand impatiently and mercilessly asked the nanny to show her out.
Obviously, there was no room for redemption.
The sense of loss and regret in Nan Yu's heart flashed by in an instant. She didn't have much time to waste and quickly rushed to the Yunjing Restaurant.
...
The Yunjing Restaurant was in a great location. Since it was built by the sea, customers could enjoy the sea view while chatting and dining.
It was a great choice for tycoons and businessmen to conduct business. The seats in this restaurant were often fully booked, and one had to make a reservation in advance to dine here.
The noon sun was just right. The sunlight shone on the light - blue waves, and the white waves rolled. The light refracted from the water was so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.
But Nan Yu had no intention of appreciating such a beautiful view. After reporting the room number that Shen Yanche had sent her in advance, she quickly followed the waiter upstairs.
As soon as the door of the private room opened, Shen Yanche immediately stood up and his eyes fell on Nan Yu, who had rushed over in a hurry.
"Yuyu, you're here. Quickly greet everyone."
Nan Yu walked in calmly. She stopped at the door and looked at the people sitting at the table.
She greeted them. "Hello, Uncle Shen."
Shen Suhai's eyes were full of impatience. He was probably blaming her for being late and only nodded.
Nan Yu didn't mind. Her gaze fell on the person sitting in the main seat.
The man was wearing a dark - blue shirt with the buttons neatly done up. There was a string of Buddhist beads hanging from his hand as usual.
His eyes slowly lifted and met hers unhurriedly.
With just one look, she felt a sense of stillness as if all the turmoil had ceased.
Nan Yu paused for two seconds. She heard herself clearly open her lips, obedient and submissive -
"Uncle."