Therefore, no matter how much he slandered Yan Bo, his trust in Yan Bo never wavered.

For a person to avoid being blackmailed, the prerequisite is that they must be strong enough.

This is the key point Tong Xiaohuai gleaned from his father's words. Because his father believed that Yan Bo could become powerful, he did not think that Yan Bo's family background or his parents' opinions could threaten or influence him.

Her father's words were like a wake-up call, jolting her out of her despondency.

Yan Bo is undoubtedly a strong person, but what about her? Should she just stay behind him and be the weak one being protected?

Or, like this time, after hearing someone's somewhat objective assessment of his background and family circumstances, she only knew how to retreat and hide away in self-pity, instead of actively trying to win over the relationship and doing her best to bridge the gap between them.

Admittedly, no one can change their family background, because no one can choose where they are born.

But much of what happens after that is in your own hands.

Even someone like Yanbo, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth in the eyes of others, still works so hard and does not choose to waste his life because of his parents' wealth.

Shouldn't a child from an ordinary family like her work several times harder than him? Even if she can't catch up with him, at least she shouldn't let the gap between them become so huge!

Having fully come to his senses, Tong Xiaohuai pried open his mother's embrace, first kissing her on the cheek, then moving closer to Tong Laoda and giving him a loud kiss on the cheek as well.

"Dad, Mom, thank you!"

The gloom from before had clearly vanished, and Tong Xiaohuai, with a smile on her face, jogged back to her room.

Tong's mother watched with a look of satisfaction as she slipped into the room, before turning to glare at Tong the eldest.

Why didn't you tell me about Xiao Yan's family situation?

Old Master Tong patted her back to pat her back and soothe her, "I was just afraid you'd overthink things and worry about me."

Tong's mother glanced at him again, "However, it was unexpected that Xiao Huai could figure it out so quickly. I thought she would be stuck on it for a long time."

Old Master Tong, with a smug look on his face, boasted, "Isn't it because I know how to persuade her? Just look at how wilted she was when she came back; I knew something had happened to her. But our daughter isn't one to give up so easily."

Although the eldest son appeared calm and composed, Tong's mother, being a woman, naturally thought things through more carefully than the eldest son.

"Yunxiang, do you think we should visit the Yan family first?" Although Tong Ma was asking for Tong Laoda's opinion, before Tong Laoda even replied, she had already quickly considered the feasibility of the matter.

"Although I have no dealings with the Yan family, I do have a good friend who can help me out. Would you like me to give it a try?"

Tong Laoda's expression wasn't very pleasant, but because this was his wife, he didn't dare to argue with her loudly. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "No way. The Yan family's son is a treasure, but my Tong family's daughter isn't? Why should we be the ones to visit first? If we're really going to do this, shouldn't the man be the one to do it first?"

Tong Laoda didn't care what the Yan family thought; as long as Yan Bo treated his daughter well, that was enough.

Moreover, since Yanbo has the audacity to pursue his daughter, but lacks the determination to give her happiness and clear obstacles for her, what future is there to talk about?

Tong's mother originally wanted to persuade him, but Tong's eldest son was terribly stubborn in some ways. In the end, Tong's mother respected his opinion and left the matter to the two young people to handle themselves. After all, they were still very young.

After returning to her room, Tong Xiaohuai took the phone, opened the balcony door, leaned against the railing, and dialed Yan Bo's number.

The phone rang once and was answered, "Xiao Huai!"

Yan Bo's voice was full of surprise; clearly, he hadn't expected Tong Xiaohuai to call him so quickly.

"Where are you now? Are you with Tao Jia?"

At this moment, Tong Xiaohuai felt deeply guilty. She had promised Yan Bo that she would spend time with Tao Jia, but she got upset after hearing some unexpected news.

"We just finished dinner at a restaurant and were still thinking about where to go next."

Originally, Tong Xiaohuai had confidently assured Yan Bo and Tao Jia that she, a true local, would handle Tao Jia's schedule for the next two days without any interference. However, she went off on her own at noon, leaving Yan Bo unsure of where to go.

"Yanbo, I'm sorry!"

After hearing his father's words, Tong Xiaohuai felt deeply ashamed of his unfounded cowardice and retreat.

"Xiao Huai, it was wrong of me to keep things from you at home. I'm the one who should apologize!"

Yan Bo seemed surprised, after all, just a few hours ago, Tong Xiaohuai had been pleading with him in a very low mood to let her think it over.

Tong Xiaohuai had no intention of going around in circles about this matter. In any case, she had completely figured it out and would no longer dwell on it or back down.

As for how to face the future and what to plan for, Yanbo will definitely work with her to find a solution, so there's no need to worry too much.

"Yanbo, we were both wrong. Let's put this aside for now and talk about it when we meet. Give me your address now, and my driver and I will come pick you up."

Now that she has come to her senses, she must keep her promise to entertain Tao Jia.

"You're coming out with us?" Yan Bo seemed to think he had misheard, his tone full of surprise.

"Yes, I was originally planning to invite Jiajia to Tongyao KTV, or maybe a bar. You and Jiajia can discuss it and see where you'd like to go?"

In the end, Tao Jia and Yan Bo both chose to go to a karaoke bar. Yan Bo was worried about tiring Tong Xiaohuai, so he asked for the karaoke bar's address and he and Tao Jia called a taxi.

Tong Xiaohuai went to the KTV closest to Yanhuang first, so Yanbo and Tao Jia arrived before her.

As soon as the two entered the lobby, the KTV manager jogged over to greet them.

"Young Master Yan, Miss Tao, this way please!"

Unaware of the inside story, Tao Jia tugged at Yan Bo's arm and teased him in a low voice, "Looks like you've become a local tyrant after being here for half a year?"

Yan Bo smiled at her but didn't explain anything.

The manager led the two into a VIP room, poured them drinks, and left quickly after making sure they were comfortable.

Once only Yan Bo and Tao Jia remained in the private room, Yan Bo dropped a bombshell.

"Jiajia, I'm not a local bully. This is my first time here."

Tao Jia didn't believe it. "How could that be? That person was very respectful to you just now!"

"Because this KTV belongs to Xiao Huai's family!"

Tao Jia was drinking ice water when she suddenly sprayed it all over the floor.

"You're saying this is Xiao Huai's house?"

She always thought that Tong Xiaohuai was just an ordinary college student.

"Yes, not just this one. Xiao Huai's family owns at least ten KTVs like this, and the bar she originally planned to take you to is also part of her family's business."