Chapter 123: Therefore, Please Apologize to Him

In the café, Tang Yu’s hands rested quietly on her knees, fingers clasped together, her back straight as a board.

The two men seated opposite her studied her subtly, while she, without a sound, observed them in return.

Last night, with no lights on, the dim interior had obscured their features.

Now, sitting upright across from her, Bian Cheng’s sharp, defined features were clearly visible in the light. His brows were stern, his eyes dark and profound, and an inherent noble aura seemed etched into his very bones.

Bian Yang bore about thirty percent of his appearance and forty percent of his temperament, yet he was more refined, carrying a rebellious, carefree rogue’s charm.

The man beside Bian Cheng appeared younger, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a calm and gentle presence, with warm eyes that suggested elegance. His features bore a closer resemblance to Bian Yang’s.

“Little one, don’t be afraid. We mean no harm,” Bian Cheng said deliberately softly, his tone a stark contrast to his cold exterior.

The atmosphere shifted oddly the moment he spoke.

It felt... like a creepy uncle trying to abduct a child.

Qi Mingzhou smirked, “Brother-in-law, can you be a bit more normal?”

Bian Cheng tilted his head and glared at him. “What’s abnormal about me?”

Qi Mingzhou remained unfazed. “Fine, go ahead. Let’s see if you can get any answers.”

“I’m asking, that’s all!” Bian Cheng looked at the young girl opposite him, mouth opening and closing, then after a long pause, managed to utter, “Little one, have you eaten?”

Qi Mingzhou was speechless.

The girl was quiet and gentle, dressed like a well-behaved student, her dark eyes clear and doe-like.

Just the idea of associating the word “cohabitation” with her felt like a sacrilege.

“Well then.” Bian Cheng cleared his throat, signaling Qi Mingzhou with a glance, “...Forget it, you take over.”

Qi Mingzhou sighed inwardly, as expected.

He turned to Tang Yu, who had a face that disarmed suspicion easily, and now spoke with a soft, courteous tone.

“Hello, I’m Bian Yang’s uncle, surname Qi. This is Bian Yang’s father, whom you met yesterday.”

Tang Yu’s gaze swept from Bian Cheng to finally rest on Qi Mingzhou, her voice soft and polite. “Hello, uncle. My name is Tang Yu.”

Qi Mingzhou adjusted his glasses with a finger and smiled gently. “Don’t worry. We’re just here to understand the situation.”

After a brief pause, he naturally asked, “How long have you and Bian Yang been together?”

He addressed her as Miss Tang, treating her as an adult.

Bian Cheng took a discreet sip of water, listening attentively.

This guy really knows how to ask the right questions.

Tang Yu’s eyes were clear and honest. “We officially got together just yesterday.”

“Yesterday, huh,” Qi Mingzhou glanced at Bian Cheng.

Bian Cheng set down his glass, seeming to exhale in relief, but his brow quickly furrowed again.

“You’ve only been officially dating for a day, and you’re already... living together?”

Tang Yu was momentarily taken aback. Seeing his complicated expression, she quickly understood and waved her hand to explain, “We’re not living together.” She chose her words carefully. “It’s more like staying over.”

“I had some issues recently, so I had no choice but to stay at Bian Yang’s home temporarily. But I’ll be moving out tomorrow.”

She had finished her college entrance exams and had no reason to stay any longer. Besides, she wanted to return to care for her grandparents.

Bian Cheng suddenly understood. “...So it’s just a temporary stay.”

Strangely, he felt a hint of disappointment.

“Yes,” Tang Yu nodded, carefully watching Bian Cheng’s expression. “Did uncle misunderstand something?”

Bian Cheng choked on his words.

Qi Mingzhou’s eyes softened, and he chuckled lightly. “He was just worried and got flustered, which led to a bit of a quarrel last night. I suppose it scared you. I apologize on his behalf.”

They thought that would settle it.

Just then, the waiter brought over some juice. Tang Yu held the glass delicately and said softly, “Since it was a misunderstanding, the apology should come from the person involved.”

She looked up at Bian Cheng. “Uncle Bian, it’s you who should apologize.”

Both Bian Cheng and Qi Mingzhou were momentarily stunned.

The young girl in front of them was so small and delicate, as if a gust of wind could sweep her away, yet she seemed to carry a subtle resilience—like a soft thorn, slender and seemingly insignificant, but sharp enough to pierce.

They had clearly underestimated her.

Qi Mingzhou’s eyes sparkled with newfound respect, then he smiled at Bian Cheng. “Brother-in-law, I think Miss Tang is right. The one you really owe an apology to is Bian Yang.”

“Stop egging me on!” Bian Cheng no longer tried to soften his presence; his tone was colder and harsher than before.

“There’s no way I’m apologizing to that kid!”

If he apologized, Bian Yang wouldn’t appreciate it; he’d just get even more arrogant!

Tang Yu’s lips pressed into a thin line, then she spoke again. “Uncle Bian, when I first met you, I felt that you and Bian Yang didn’t see eye to eye. You were impulsive, but your intentions were for Bian Yang’s good. However...” She sighed softly, “It seems Bian Yang was right after all.”

Bian Cheng ground his teeth, furious. “What has that brat been saying about me behind my back?”

“He said you’re arbitrary, stubborn, and never listen to anyone’s advice,” Tang Yu replied. “I argued back then, saying that most fathers’ conflicting words come from a clumsy way of expressing deeper love. But now...”

She glanced sideways at Bian Cheng, puffed out her cheeks, and looked dejected. “It looks like I was wrong. You really are one of those few.”

Bian Cheng had met more people than she had eaten grains of rice; he knew she was deliberately setting him up.

Yet, he truly had no way to deny it.