Spoiled by Love – Sweetheart, Don’t Tempt Me

With a triumphant start in the first round of the competition, the afternoon’s second round was skipped, allowing direct advancement to the third round. Thus, a large group decided to head home, but not before sharing a meal together.

The chosen spot was naturally Xia Miqi’s favorite place-Youran Restaurant.

After a delightful feast, everyone dispersed. Zhan Niantong, mindful of Gong Xiaoqiao’s situation, pulled her along to return home.

Upon arriving home, she hurriedly dragged Miss Qiao inside for a little interrogation.

The little guy, feeling neglected, pouted but was content watching her favorite cartoon, not bothering with the adults. Still, she mumbled a bit, “Mom and Aunt Qiao are going to talk about grown-up stuff again. The adult world is so complicated, why are there so many things?”

The little adult’s furrowed brow and helpless demeanor amused Zhan Niantong, “Wait for Dad to call back before you start the video chat, okay?”

“I know, I know. If Dad hasn’t called, he’s busy. I won’t bother him. You go talk about your grown-up stuff with Aunt Qiao!” Oh dear, Mom’s getting so repetitive; she’s said this so many times my ears are going numb.

Feeling a bit guilty about leaving the little guy alone in the living room watching TV, Zhan Niantong quickly went to the kitchen, made an apple salad, and handed it to the little guy before pulling Gong Xiaoqiao into the room.

Miss Qiao knew her friend’s intentions, aware of the impending questions, and her face showed a hint of discomfort, as if contemplating how to explain.

Pulling her to sit on the edge of the bed, Zhan Niantong didn’t beat around the bush, asking directly, “Xiaoqiao, what’s going on? Why were you crying this morning?” Her expression was still so troubled; look, her brows were furrowed into a little hill.

When had she ever seen this carefree, bubbly young lady looking like this? Even when Ye Weijia betrayed her, she only cried for a bit and moved on.

Gong Xiaoqiao hadn’t intended to hide anything, but the matter seemed hard to articulate. She pursed her lips, glanced awkwardly at her friend, sighed, and finally managed to squeeze out the words, weakly, “Niantong, I think I’ve had a breakup.”

Of all the things she imagined, she never thought Xiaoqiao would say this. A breakup? She’s single, how could she be talking about a breakup?

But she wouldn’t say it without reason; there must be something to it. “With whom?”

Miss Qiao’s expression turned a bit sorrowful at the mention of someone, “You know him.”

Zhan Niantong immediately thought of her husband’s cousin, “Xing Chengyi?”

Miss Qiao didn’t respond verbally, just nodded, her expression a mix of emotions.

“What happened?” When did this young lady have a new story with Xing Chengyi? Why didn’t she tell me, and now there’s talk of a breakup? Zhan Niantong anxiously grabbed Gong Xiaoqiao’s hand and asked urgently.

“Well…” Gong Xiaoqiao awkwardly touched her nose, her curled eyelashes fluttering as she looked at her friend. She decided to spill everything without hesitation, “You know, I had a gathering the night before last, drank a bit, and when I left the hotel, I accidentally threw up on someone. It turned out to be him. I was too drunk to go home, so I went to his dorm. Then I remembered this saying, ‘If you bump into someone three times, it means you’re destined, so you should take the initiative.’ So I boldly told him I think I like him. He said I was being silly, then he kissed me, and I told him he had to take responsibility. So we started dating.”

Although Miss Qiao’s explanation was a bit muddled with a lot of “then,” Zhan Niantong understood immediately. This girl had been secretly dating someone for two days already. “That’s great!”

She thought Miss Qiao was perfect for Xing Chengyi to manage her wild nature.

Hearing this, Gong Xiaoqiao awkwardly asked, “You don’t think I’m… you know, do you?”

“What?” Zhan Niantong was baffled by her sudden nonsensical question. This young lady’s thoughts were jumping too fast for her to keep up.

“I just broke up with Weijia not long ago, and then…”

What a silly girl. Who said you can’t fall in love again shortly after a breakup?

Hearing this, Zhan Niantong was annoyed and flicked her friend’s forehead, “What’s in your head, water and mud? Mix them and it’s all mush! How can you think like that? Others might not know you, but I do. I’ve told you before, your feelings for Ye Weijia weren’t love, just like treating a big brother! But in front of Xing Chengyi, it’s different. I can see it; you’re like a shy little girl in front of him. That’s the expression of real love, being with him is right, and I support you.”

Previously, she hadn’t been in love, so she didn’t understand. She thought her relationship with Ye Weijia, childhood sweethearts, was love. But after falling deeply in love with a man, she experienced the taste of love and realized Miss Qiao’s situation, daring to comment.

“Really.” Her friend’s encouragement and affirmation were important to Miss Qiao. Upon hearing it, her eyes lit up, and she laughed foolishly, “Haha, I was afraid you’d think I’m… you know.”

This tendency to overthink, who knows where she picked it up from. “Always overthinking. Is that why you didn’t dare tell me?”

Miss Qiao sheepishly nodded.

“Pig brain.”

“Alright, alright, I’m a pig brain.” Gong Xiaoqiao admitted without argument, her expression turning dejected again, “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been dumped just two days after we started dating.”

Concerned, she asked, “Yeah, what happened?”

“I think I was just being wishful. He definitely doesn’t like me. Last night, I invited him to watch your match this morning, and he agreed. But this morning, I waited for him, only to get a call saying he couldn’t make it because he had a sudden assignment in A City. What’s going on? He promised me, but then he broke his word.”

As Miss Qiao spoke, her anger flared up. It’s easy to imagine how furious she must have been when she received Xing Chengyi’s call in the morning, telling her he couldn’t come. Being used to getting her way, she surely threw a fit and acted a bit spoiled: “What did you say to him?”

“I told him he definitely didn’t like me and was just lying to me. I said I hated him, and then I angrily and sadly hung up on him.”

Gong Xiaoqiao’s anger flared up again, only to quickly die down, leaving her looking dejected: “He must not like me, that’s why he acted like this.”

Sigh! Always overthinking things, Zhan Niantong couldn’t help but feel inferior in front of her friend: “Your brain really is like a pig’s brain.”

Her expression turned serious; some things needed to be clarified with this carefree young lady: “Xiaoqiao, I need to tell you, if you truly like him, you need to be prepared. His job is so unique that he’ll often have assignments, leaving him no time to be with you. He might even break promises because of work, like today. But instead of getting angry and throwing a fit, you should worry about him, worry about whether his missions are dangerous.”

With her friend’s sudden serious tone, Gong Xiaoqiao realized the gravity of the situation. She thought about it and realized she might indeed be at fault: “Ah, maybe it was my mistake. What should I do? I got so mad at him. Will he ignore me now, not like me, not want me anymore?”

The naive Gong Xiaoqiao was at a loss, her eyes reddening as she was about to cry.

Zhan Niantong quickly comforted her: “Don’t worry. If he really ignores you and doesn’t like you anymore, then he never truly loved you. You shouldn’t love him either. But if he truly loves you, he’ll understand and won’t be angry.”

“No, I need to call him and apologize.” Miss Qiao was impulsive, ready to dial his number, but Zhan Niantong stopped her: “His work is so special; he might be busy now. Wait for him to call you later.”

“Right, right, you’re always so thoughtful.” Ugh, even though she’s three months older than her friend, her friend seems like an adult, while she feels like an immature little girl who doesn’t understand anything, not even considering his feelings. But it’s okay; she’ll work hard to grow up.

“Okay, okay, can I send him a message?” That way, he can see it as soon as he’s free.

“Alright!”

“Niantong, I’m going home to wait for his call and apologize properly.” Anxious Miss Qiao stood up to leave, and Zhan Niantong didn’t stop her.

Just as she was about to step out, the little guy’s excited voice came from outside: “Mom, come out quickly! Dad called and said he has time for a video chat. Hurry up, I want to video chat with Dad.”

“Coming!” With her dear husband wanting to video chat, Zhan Niantong was naturally eager, carrying the little guy into the study, turning on the computer. Her dear husband’s icon lit up, and she was delighted, clicking on the video. The other end quickly connected.

On the other side of the video, Xia Zhennan was sitting in his study, leaning back in his chair, his gaze gentle as he looked at them through the computer screen.