Chapter 97 Without the slightest lingering attachment

Tan Zhaojing moved out of Xiyuan, and everyone except Tan's father, who was kept in the dark, knew the reason.

Mr. Tan didn't ask any further questions, simply assuming that the company was busy and it would be more convenient for his son to live in an apartment.

Life went on like this, neither exciting nor dull.

Lin Zaoyi saw Tan Zhaojing again at the end of October, on Tan's second uncle's birthday. She hadn't planned to come, but Tan You personally went to pick her up.

There was a sound of footsteps in the entryway. She unconsciously turned her head away, and unexpectedly, her gaze met that deep look in the air.

She glanced at it casually, picked up the cup in front of her, and sipped it slowly.

I didn't invite any outsiders for my birthday today; it was all family and friends, so the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

During the conversation, the topic turned to the children. The second wife had recently been looking for a wife for her son, and after looking around, she thought Zaoyi was the most suitable.

She shifted her position, moving closer to him. "Zaoyi, do you have a boyfriend?"

Upon hearing this question, several people simultaneously shifted their gaze.

The second wife didn't think anything was wrong, assuming everyone was just interested in the topic.

She squeezed the girl's hand. "Just ask. Don't feel pressured."

Lin Zaoyi smiled, her face serene and calm. "Second Aunt, I don't have a boyfriend."

Tan Zhaojing suddenly pulled back the five fingers that were resting on his lap.

Tan You was in a bind. His mother was digging his grave. The wisest thing to do was to take Zao Yi away.

Stay away from haphazard construction.

The second wife was actually happy to see this, because she believed that such a relationship required time alone, and the more time spent together, the faster feelings would develop.

I asked the eldest brother, "Do you think these two kids are secretly dating behind our backs?"

Mingxian didn't reply, but lowered her eyes and drank her tea.

Tan's father smiled and said, "Why don't you ask him later?"

Madam Tan had this plan.

"They didn't talk about it," Tan Jiani couldn't help but interject. "Lin Zaoyi and Tan You-ge aren't together."

The tone was extremely certain.

The second wife shifted her gaze. "You knew?"

"Of course."

Tan Jiani remained low-key, saying, "Anyway, they're not together. Second Aunt, please stop trying to match them up. They're not a good match at all."

She and her older brother are a good match.

If Lin Zaoyi said a few nice words to her, she would reluctantly nod and agree to let her be her sister-in-law.

The second wife adjusted her silk shawl and smiled, "I think she looks quite nice. By the way, it's my daughter-in-law getting married, why are you so excited?"

Tan Jiani remained silent, thinking that the topic had passed by by not responding. Little did she know that her second aunt would set her sights on Aunt Ming, "Why don't we take advantage of the second son's birthday today and get the two children engaged?"

Mingxian: "..."

Before the words of refusal could even leave her lips, Jia Ni interrupted, "No way!"

She looked over there.

Tan Jiani tried to avoid Aunt Ming's gaze, but sometimes the body acts before the mind, and trying to move away later would only make it seem like she was trying to hide something.

She forced a smile. "Aunt Ming, they say the eldest brother is like a father... Shouldn't we ask my brother's opinion about them being together?"

She herself found the reason far-fetched.

Mingxian didn't say anything, only smiled faintly.

The second madam glanced at the girl, but since she had already asked, she decided to ask as a formality.

"Zhaojing, what do you think? Are the two of them a good match?"

The lid of the cup in Tan Zhaojing's hand scraped against the rim of the cup, making a few crisp sounds. He slowly uttered two words, "Unworthy."

The second aunt was clearly not expected to receive this answer, and her face froze, leaving her speechless for a moment.

Mingxian's brow furrowed instantly. She turned to him and said, "Didn't you say you were going to buy the bracelet last time? Take me to see it."

The topic then shifted.

The second wife didn't think much of it. "Let's go, we've been looking for a chance to show off."

Tan Zhengli, who had been silent until now, glanced at his eldest nephew, then looked at his niece and beckoned, "Come here."

Tan Jiani sat down next to her uncle. "What's wrong?"

Tan Zhengli asked vaguely, "Do you know?"

Tan Jiani: "You know that too?"

The uncle and nephew exchanged a glance, their gazes both turning to the right, then turning back after half a second, before looking at each other again.

During their silent exchange, Tan Jiani also learned that Tan Youge was also an insider.

If you calculate it that way, besides my second uncle, second aunt, and grandfather, only my own father was kept in the dark.

A figure moved in front of me; it was my older brother. He strode outside.

In the courtyard.

Tan You's sighs grew louder and louder, "They really broke up?"

There was no immediate answer to her question. After a short while, Zao Yi finally spoke, her voice ethereal and serene, "To be precise... we're not officially together."

He was speechless for a moment, then managed to stammer, "You're so cool."

The girl turned her head. "Does it have to be a life-or-death situation?"

Her tone was harsh, but he only saw sadness in her eyes. He wanted to sigh, but he held back and instead paced back and forth.

Lin Zaoyi felt dizzy and tugged at his clothes, "Sit down."

"I can't sit still, I'm in a hurry!"

What's your rush?

Tan You didn't know either, "I'm just anxiously waiting!"

Then he asked, "What made you turn back from the wrong path?"

Lin Zaoyi leaned back on the long wooden bench, her gaze unfocused and fixed on a certain spot. She answered casually, "My mom found out."

Tan You: "..."

The expected yet unexpected.

I'm just curious, "Were you caught red-handed by Aunt Ming?"

Lin Zaoyi shook her head.

Tan You: "What's wrong?"

Lin Zaoyi took a few seconds to concentrate. Her mother had asked about her necklace that day... As for how she got in touch with Tan Zhaojing, she had no idea.

It doesn't matter anymore.

The outcome was already decided long ago; it was just a matter of time.

As for that necklace... it shouldn't be kept.

We've already broken up, so there's no reason for me to accept gifts from them again.

As the last rays of the setting sun faded, Tan You patted her on the shoulder and said, "Let's go."

The pavilion is the only way to pass by. There is a figure standing there, wearing a black trench coat. The wind blows and the hem of the coat flutters.

Tan You stopped walking, but the girl beside him showed no intention of stopping, not even glancing at him.

My tendency to worry isn't going to change anytime soon. I reached out and grabbed the person, "The scenery here is nice, want to stroll around a bit more?"

Lin Zaoyi's eyelids drooped slightly. "No, thank you."

An aroma approached, and besides the familiar scent of wormwood, this time there was a faint smell of smoke.

Did he...smoke?

His fingers, hidden in his pocket, tightened involuntarily.

The light above her head dimmed, and she unconsciously looked up, meeting his gaze for only half a second before saying, "You guys talk."

She swiftly pulled her arm free from Tan You's grip, her steps decisive and without the slightest hesitation.

Tan You was heartbroken. Even if he didn't shed tears, he could at least make some eye contact. But Zao Yi was so decisive. Her usual tranquility and brightness were completely shattered, leaving only coldness.

Let's go for a walk.

Halfway there, they ran into Grandpa getting out of the car, with the butler supporting him on one side. He walked to the other side and said, "Didn't you say you couldn't handle the noise?"

The old man glanced at it indifferently, "It's fine to have some liveliness now and then."