The Zong family all knew Teng Yizheng. After all, he was Zong Xuan’s friend. But the other layer of relationship between Teng Yizheng and Zong Xuan, Zong Shi and Jiang Jie did not know.
So when Zong Shi and Jiang Jie saw Teng Yizheng, they were a bit surprised, but had no other thoughts, only thinking it was normal for a friend to come visit. Zong Huang did not fully understand the later issues between them, but when he saw Teng Yizheng, he was not very pleased. As for Zong Yi, his gaze toward Teng Yizheng was full of disgust, thinking this person was perhaps a bit too fond of “performing.”
Zong Xuan was still asleep, his face not looking much better.
“Yi Zheng? When did you arrive?” Jiang Jie asked softly with a smile, also not wanting to disturb Zong Xuan’s sleep.
Teng Yizheng smiled and greeted the Zong family one by one, then said, “I was here on a business trip. When Zong Xuan was poisoned, I happened to be here, so I followed along to take care of him.”
“You took care of him all night?” Jiang Jie was a bit surprised, and subconsciously looked at Xu Tang.
Xu Tang just stood there, without any reaction.
Zong Shi and Zong Huang slightly frowned. Xu Tang also came last night. Logically speaking, it seemed more reasonable for Xu Tang to stay and take care of Zong Xuan. But in reality, Xu Tang went back to the hotel, while Teng Yizheng stayed here overnight and still hadn’t left.
They did not think Xu Tang was unwilling to take care of Zong Xuan or did not care about him—otherwise he would not have rushed over so quickly. So Teng Yizheng staying here seemed very abrupt. What exactly made Xu Tang leave, while Teng Yizheng stayed?
Jiang Jie was not stupid either, and felt something was off. “How could we let you work so hard? Zong Xuan has Tangtang here. It seems Zong Xuan didn’t arrange things properly and didn’t let you go back to rest.”
Teng Yizheng smiled and said, “Auntie, no need to be polite with me. It’s only right that I stay and take care of Zong Xuan.”
“That won’t do. Even if you and Zong Xuan are close friends, it’s enough that you came to visit him. Staying to take care of him would delay your own matters,” Jiang Jie felt there was an underlying aggression in his words, even though they sounded polite.
“I don’t have anything important. Besides, with Zong Xuan like this, I wouldn’t have the mood to care about anything else,” Teng Yizheng said with a smile.
That sentence was far too ambiguous, causing the Zong family to frown slightly. As a friend, coming to visit was fine. But there was already someone taking care of Zong Xuan—Xu Tang was here, and Xie Shaoqian was also around—there was no need for Teng Yizheng to stay at all.
Even if Xu Tang truly did not care much about Zong Xuan, he had still rushed over. Would he not at least put on a proper act of care? Otherwise, what was the point of coming at all?
Xu Tang stood closest to the door, not wanting to step in at all. It felt as if Teng Yizheng was the one truly standing as Zong Xuan’s partner, while his presence only added chaos.
He had already prepared himself mentally before coming, so he remained relatively calm.
Zong Huang looked at Xu Tang, then at Teng Yizheng, then at Zong Yi’s unpleasant expression, and suddenly seemed to understand something. His already unsmiling face grew even colder.
At that moment, Zong Xuan slowly woke up. Seeing his family, he showed a faint smile. Then, upon seeing Xu Tang, his mood brightened slightly. Just as he was about to call Xu Tang over, the door opened.
Xuzhou walked in wearing casual clothes, but his face was anything but relaxed.
Seeing the situation in the room, his expression turned even colder.
“Xuzhou is here? Come in,” Zong Shi said.
Xuzhou glanced at him, then at Teng Yizheng, and coldly said, “Mr. Teng, a pleasure.”
“Mr. Xu, hello,” Teng Yizheng replied with a smile. He had seen Xuzhou at the wedding of Zong Xuan and Xu Tang, and remembered him.
“Mr. Teng is very smart, but intelligence must be used in the right place,” Xuzhou said coldly.
“I’m not sure what Mr. Xu means,” Teng Yizheng smiled.
Xuzhou gave a cold laugh and no longer bothered speaking. He looked at the Zong family and said, “I won’t disturb you all. I’m taking Xu Tang away.”
With that, he turned and grabbed Xu Tang’s arm, leading him out.
Jiang Jie and Zong Shi exchanged glances, and Zong Yi quickly reacted, chasing after them.
“Xuzhou,” Zong Yi blocked them at the elevator.
Xuzhou looked at him and said, “I don’t want to talk right now. We’ll talk later when you’re back.”
Seeing his attitude, Zong Yi knew anything he said now would be pointless.
Xu Tang tugged at Xuzhou’s sleeve, “Ge…”
Xuzhou patted his hair, “It’s fine.” The elevator arrived, and he pulled Xu Tang inside.
Zong Yi stood outside, not following. Watching the doors close, he suddenly felt that what closed was not just the elevator, but also his relationship with Xuzhou.
Xuzhou showed no concern for reporters, openly taking Xu Tang away in front of them, not sparing any face for Zong Xuan.
They returned to the hotel, picked up Yuan Shang, and headed directly to the airport.
Tickets were already booked—they would return at noon.
The whole journey was silent. Xuzhou was angry at himself for not realizing the problem sooner. Xu Tang was uneasy, knowing his attempt to hide everything had been completely exposed.
As for Yuan Shang, sitting in first class for the first time, he did not dare make a sound the entire way.
After landing, they went straight to a restaurant where Xuwan and Kang Duo were waiting.
“Let’s eat first,” Xuwan said, smiling gently.
“Okay,” Xu Tang nodded.
At the Zong family side, Zong Shi used Zong Yizheng’s lack of rest as an excuse to send him back. Zong Yi stayed behind to take care of Zong Xuan, while the rest left.
Zong Xuan, still weak, asked: “What’s going on with Xu Tang’s brother? Why did he take Xu Tang away?”
Zong Yi didn’t answer.
Soon, Xie Shaoqian arrived with food, along with Wen Hui.
Wen Hui asked about his condition, then said: “Xu Tang has been in a tight schedule. We didn’t even set a time for the visit.”
Zong Yi then directly said: “Zong Xuan, Xu Tang has liked you for eight years. He married you because he liked you, and he waited for you all this time. Don’t you understand?”
Zong Xuan froze.