Xu Tang himself didn’t know where he got such courage—he had actually blocked Zong Xuan… Maybe it was because Zong Xuan refused to divorce, plus he truly didn’t think Zong Xuan would come tie him up, so he just went ahead and did it. He felt that starting today, maybe he should change his name to Xu Bold!
Actually, blocking him was just blocking him—nothing to be scared of. Anyway, Zong Xuan was about to leave to film, and they wouldn’t see each other for at least one or two months. That meant he wouldn’t need to worry about facing Zong Xuan’s questions. By the time Zong Xuan came back, maybe he’d already thought things through and agreed to divorce him. Then this matter would naturally pass, and wouldn’t that be wonderful?
If Zong Xuan really wanted to contact Xu Tang, it wouldn’t be hard anyway. He could still call.
But Zong Xuan didn’t call. If he pushed Xu Tang too hard, that wouldn’t be good either. He decided to wait until he understood Xu Tang a bit better and figured out his limits and bottom line.
Three days later, the affectionate buzz generated by the red carpet event faded.
A week later, Zong Xuan went to Shanfeng City to film, and the two still hadn’t added each other back on WeChat.
Xu Tang had also been busy with work lately, flying all over the country. He didn’t really have much energy to think about Zong Xuan.
That day, right after getting off the plane, Xu Tang received a call from Zong Yi asking him to come home for dinner. The family had specially made soup for him. Before leaving, Jiang Jie had given Zong Yi a task: make sure Xu Tang came home and had a good meal.
A few days ago, Jiang Jie had called Xu Tang to ask about his schedule. He hadn’t thought much of it and just told her. He hadn’t expected she was asking so she could prepare food for him.
Xu Tang naturally couldn’t refuse the Zong family’s kindness. “Okay, I’ll head over now. It’ll probably take a little over an hour.”
“Alright. Take it slow on the road,” Zong Yi said.
By the time Xu Tang arrived at the Zong residence, it was already dark. Only Zong Yi was home, but dinner had been prepared lavishly.
“You must be hungry. Go wash your hands, let’s eat,” Zong Yi said with a smile.
“Okay.” Xu Tang wasn’t unfamiliar with the Zong family. “Where are Mom and Dad? Is big brother not coming back for dinner either?”
“Mm. Dad and big brother went abroad. Mom has a charity gala to attend. Tonight it’s just the two of us.”
Xu Tang smiled. That was good too. The fewer people there were, the less likely he was to expose the fact that he and Zong Xuan hadn’t been in contact for a long time.
The dishes prepared were all Xu Tang’s favorites. The two chatted while eating, and Zong Yi also asked about Xu Tang’s work.
“Zong Xuan hasn’t been home lately, so take good care of yourself. Work never ends,” Zong Yi said with a smile. In the past, he might not have been in a position to say such things, but ever since getting together with Xu Zhou, he had begun enjoying a balanced lifestyle. At the very least, he took two fixed days off every week.
“Mm, I know.” Xu Tang felt like sometimes he really acted the part well. “How are you and my brother doing?” He was still very concerned about his older brother’s life.
“Pretty good.” Zong Yi’s smile was warm—clearly genuine happiness.
“That’s good. My brother can be pretty quiet sometimes, and he’s not very good at saying sweet things. Don’t hold it against him.” Most people in relationships liked hearing sweet words from their partner, even if only occasionally. But Xu Tang felt his brother wasn’t that type. He worried Zong Yi might dislike that, especially since Zong Yi’s work was stylish and romantic. He wasn’t sure whether his brother even understood what romance was. At least in his memory, his brother had never been romantic.
“I’m not someone who likes sweet talk anyway,” Zong Yi said. “When you hear too much flattery and praise, it gets tiring. Xu Zhou is just right. He tells me the truth, and it helps me correct things I’m not doing well.”
“I’m worried sometimes he says things too bluntly without realizing it.” Xu Tang believed his brother was entirely capable of that.
“Not at all.” Zong Yi waved his hand. Being with Xu Zhou made him feel relaxed. Whether good or bad, he wasn’t afraid of letting Xu Zhou see it, because Xu Zhou would accept him and guide him.
As he drank his soup, Zong Yi asked, “Have you been in contact with Zong Xuan much lately?”
“More or less.” Xu Tang smiled. In reality, they hadn’t contacted each other at all.
“Mm. Zong Xuan… he’s had things easy all his life, so he’s developed some bad habits. But he’s not a bad person. There are just some things he hasn’t figured out yet.” Zong Yi tried his best to say a few good words for his younger brother.
He had only recently found out that Xu Tang truly liked Zong Xuan. That day, he’d gotten a good bottle of wine and went to drink with Xu Zhou. Xu Zhou had drunk a little too much and ended up talking about it.
For a moment, he really felt sorry for Xu Tang. Such a good kid—how had he ended up falling for his bastard brother?
He knew a little about Zong Xuan and Teng Yizheng. Later, after learning that nothing had developed further between them and that Teng Yizheng had gotten married, he knew Zong Xuan would never destroy someone else’s marriage, so he hadn’t specifically said anything.
After Zong Xuan married Xu Tang, he sincerely hoped Zong Xuan would live well with him—that they would slowly develop feelings and support each other through life.
At that time, he hadn’t known Xu Tang had liked Zong Xuan from the start. He had thought they were on equal footing emotionally, so taking things slowly was fine. Given Zong Xuan’s personality, since Teng Yizheng was married and had chosen his own marriage, even if he got divorced, Zong Xuan wouldn’t get together with him. On that point, Zong Yi wasn’t worried. He only hoped Zong Xuan and Teng Yizheng wouldn’t keep contacting each other too frequently.
Later, though, he realized Teng Yizheng wasn’t simple either. Already married, yet still occasionally flirting ambiguously with Zong Xuan, sending him gifts here and there—almost as if stringing him along.
Zong Xuan had stopped actively giving Teng Yizheng things, but he still accepted the gifts Teng Yizheng sent.
That was why, when he saw that bottle of perfume at Zong Xuan’s house that day, he had given him a few subtle reminders. But at that time, he still didn’t know about Xu Tang’s feelings. If he had, he wouldn’t have been so indirect.
Now he knew, but after much thought, he still hadn’t told Zong Xuan.
First, since they weren’t speaking face to face, he couldn’t judge Zong Xuan’s emotions clearly. Second, if stress and exhaustion caused Zong Xuan to make some wrong decision, that would help no one.
So he wanted to wait until Zong Xuan finished filming and came back, then talk to him properly.
Likewise, he wouldn’t mention any of this to Xu Tang.
His own younger brother had failed badly, and he didn’t want to selfishly interfere with or delay Xu Tang’s emotional life. If during this time someone more suitable for Xu Tang appeared, and Xu Tang no longer wanted to continue with Zong Xuan, then that was entirely Zong Xuan’s fault. He would respect whatever choice Xu Tang made.
He could also tell that Xu Zhou didn’t know about Teng Yizheng. Xu Tang was probably the type to share good news but hide bad news at home.
Otherwise, given Xu Zhou’s temper, even if Xu Tang still liked Zong Xuan, it wouldn’t matter. Xu Zhou would absolutely force Xu Tang to divorce Zong Xuan. And even if they couldn’t divorce, the relationship between the two families would probably become ugly.
He didn’t want things to reach that point, so for now he could only stay still and wait.
But that was dangerous too. If the Xu family learned through other channels, then both he and Xu Zhou would be finished.
“I know.” Xu Tang nodded with a smile.
Anyway, he had already made his decision. Now he was just waiting for Zong Xuan’s response.
He didn’t want to go through a divorce lawsuit with Zong Xuan. There was no need, and it wouldn’t be good for either of their reputations.
They had no property to divide and no children to raise. As long as Zong Xuan nodded, they could smoothly handle the paperwork.
After dinner and sitting for a while, Xu Tang left first.
Zong Yi rubbed his forehead and sat on the sofa, troubled.
Logically, he should discuss this with his older brother Zong Huang. At least the pressure would be lighter.
But Zong Huang had always believed Zong Xuan and Teng Yizheng had already settled things.
If his older brother found out that wasn’t true—and that Zong Xuan still hadn’t drawn boundaries with someone he should’ve let go of, while failing to cherish the one he should—then Zong Xuan getting beaten up would be the least of it.
After that, the whole family would likely know.
Their mother had always been close with Su Ling. She would definitely feel guilty and tell Su Ling.
And when that happened, the relationship between the two families would likely be ruined.
Right now, no matter what he did, it felt wrong.
In the blink of an eye, two months passed.
That day, Xu Tang had no work and could relax at home.
Thanks to his carefulness, the fact that he and Zong Xuan were living separately still hadn’t been discovered.
Xu Tang still lived in his small apartment. Yuan Shang had already gone to the villa to bring over his clothes.
Life now felt like returning to how things were before marriage. Although he still occasionally thought about Zong Xuan, he had slowly begun to get used to it.
After breakfast, Xu Tang browsed online and saw that last night’s latest episode of a famous interview show featured Zong Xuan.
Zong Xuan had been filming nonstop, so updates had been slow. It had been a month since his last photo release. Naturally, the interview episode exploded among fans.
Xu Tang opened it and watched.
The interview had clearly been filmed during production and covered some things about the new movie.
This time, Zong Xuan was filming a modern suspense crime movie. He played the male lead—a police officer.
The program showed a still from the movie.
Zong Xuan wore a police uniform, a wicked smile curling at his lips. It didn’t quite match the upright, serious image of a police officer.
But that was Zong Xuan.
Looking at the photo, Xu Tang felt emotional.
Being handsome wasn’t the issue.
But being handsome, charismatic, and overflowing with sex appeal?
That was a huge problem.
Xu Tang watched the entire interview.
Throughout it, not a single mention was made of him.
Normally, for ratings, he and Zong Xuan were basically treated as a bundled pair during interviews.
This time, not one word.
That definitely wasn’t the program’s choice. It had to be something requested by Zong Xuan’s side.
Zong Xuan was no longer willing to be linked with him.
Looks like agreeing to divorce is getting close, Xu Tang thought.
Just as he closed the interview page, his phone rang.
“Hello, Sister Kang.”
“Mm. Sister Wenhui just called and asked when you’re free. She wants you to visit the set,” Kang Duo said.
This was practically routine.
Sometimes Xu Tang went and never even saw Zong Xuan. They just needed photos taken to create buzz.
Once, Xu Tang hadn’t gone at all. They’d only taken a photo of him at the airport and had reporters write a few lines.
Thinking of the interview just now, Xu Tang said, “Tell Sister Wen I’m not going. You can handle the coverage however you want.”
“Huh?” Kang Duo was surprised.
In the past, even if he didn’t get to see Zong Xuan, Xu Tang was always happy to go on set visits.
And now he was refusing on his own.
What kind of wind was blowing today?
As she thought this, Kang Duo even opened the window and stuck her hand outside.
Mm. No wind today.
“I don’t want to go. There’s no point,” Xu Tang said. He didn’t want to explain further—just making his meaning clear was enough.
Kang Duo didn’t persuade him.
“Alright, I’ll arrange it. Your schedule will be pretty packed in a couple of days, so get some rest. If there’s nothing urgent, don’t go out.”
Ever since Xu Tang moved out, his mental state hadn’t been as good as when he lived at the villa, but nothing serious had happened, so she wasn’t too worried.
Previously, when Xu Tang went to visit Zong Xuan on set, sometimes he didn’t even get to see him. That had irritated her too.
The only reason she hadn’t complained was because Wen Hui and Zong Xuan’s assistant Xie Shaoqian had both treated them well.
Now that Xu Tang wasn’t going, that was fine too.
In the film industry, Zong Xuan was undeniably top-tier.
But her Xu Tang wasn’t inferior either.
In the music industry, Xu Tang’s name carried serious weight too.
Since neither was beneath the other, and Xu Tang was willing to stand up for himself, she naturally supported Xu Tang.
Let Wenhui go find reporters and hype things up herself.