CHAPTER 79: 71. DON’T THINK YOU CAN ACT ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY IN FRONT OF ME (2 UPDATES, 1)

Shi Nian was taken aback.

But the girl seemed not to notice Shi Nian; her gaze was hidden behind sunglasses, yet Shi Nian knew she was staring intently in the direction of Ye He and Tang Yanqing.

Shi Nian hurriedly patted Ye He: "Do you know that girl?"

Before Ye He could react, the girl had already walked up to Tang Yanqing, raised her head high, and smiled coldly: "Little bro."

Then she tilted her head and glanced at Ye He, raising her chin slightly: "Is this the person you’re protecting?"

Her gesture conveyed—contempt. Shi Nian narrowed her eyes.

Such a bold and valiant girl, could it be that she was born with sharpness in her mannerisms? Shi Nian stared at the aura of hostility enveloping the girl and couldn’t help but feel a small edge rising within herself.

Clearly, this contempt should not be directed at Ye He, but rather at her, Shi Nian.

Who does this girl think she is? And based on what?

Ye He, being good-natured, didn’t notice the hostility coming their way and, instead, genuinely praised: "Wow, she’s so cool!"

Shi Nian reached out to pull Ye He over, protecting her at her side, and proactively extended a hand to the girl: "I’m the one Mr. Tang is protecting. Hello, I’m Shi Nian."

As their hands clasped together, Shi Nian smiled: "Miss Tang must be a sharpshooter."

Tang Yan Yi was completely caught off guard, greatly surprised.

"Have you... seen me before?"

"No."

With a smile, Shi Nian watched contentedly as the overbearing air on Tang Yan Yi’s face gradually faded, replaced with incredulity.

Tang Yanqing had been slightly nervous earlier, but now that anxiety had completely dissipated, replaced with a proud smile, as he squinted at Shi Nian.

"Having never met me, how did you know my identity or that I’m a sharpshooter?"

Ye He also found it strange, "Yeah, how did you know, boss?"

"It’s simple."

Shi Nian quietly glanced at Tang Yanqing, seeing a warm encouragement in his eyes, with a hint of—provocation.

She smiled more confidently: "When Miss Tang walked up to Mr. Tang and called him ’little bro’ earlier, it was easy to deduce her family background; as for the sharpshooter part..." Shi Nian flipped over Tang Yan Yi’s hand, revealing a layer of calluses at the base of her thumb: "Calluses appearing in this position, with this width, are most likely the result of long-term rigorous firearm training."

Tang Yan Yi also noticed the proud smile on Tang Yanqing’s face, furrowed her brow, withdrew her hand into her left palm, and suspiciously stared at Shi Nian: "Have you attended police academy?"

Shi Nian shook her head with a smile: "No. It was just basic deduction, showing off in front of experts. Please don’t mind, Miss Tang."

Ye He hugged Shi Nian’s arm admiringly: "Boss, you’re amazing. I think even without Mr. Tang’s protection, you surely have the ability to protect yourself."

Shi Nian’s face felt a bit warm, and she glanced up at Tang Yanqing: "Not really. Deduction only uses the mind, sometimes protecting yourself requires a bit of physical action."

Tang Yanqing was pleased to hear this, walked over with a humph: "Physical action... well said."

Tang Yan Yi’s gaze flickered quickly.

Shi Nian’s face turned bright red, quickly explaining: "Sorry, I misspoke again. I meant—move your hands and feet."

He shrugged, leaned forward, and grinned at her: "Essentially, it’s still about physical action."

Tang Yan Yi was stunned to see this.

At this moment, all little bro’s eyes saw was that woman. He watched her intently, his gaze—lingering longingly.

Tang Yan Yi frowned: "Little bro, aren’t you going to give us a proper introduction?"

Tang Yanqing lazily shifted his gaze: "Why bother introducing? Haven’t you already met?"

Shi Nian noticed Tang Yan Yi’s displeasure and proactively stepped forward to introduce herself again: "Miss Tang, I’m Shi Nian."

Tang Yan Yi quickly adjusted her mood and smiled brightly at Shi Nian: "Hello, Sister-in-law Xiang. I’m Yanyi."

Tang Yanqing interjected inappropriately: "Xiao Yi, you don’t have to keep calling yourself ’little sis.’ You’re actually a year older than her."

Tang Yan Yi’s face suddenly turned red, and she turned and stomped her foot at Tang Yanqing: "Little bro!"

She turned back to Shi Nian: "Besides, I’m calling based on Sister-in-law Xiang’s status. Brother Xiang Yuan is older than me, so I’m not wrong, am I?"

Shi Nian quickly tried to smooth things over: "Of course, I’ve been married four years, so I look mature. But Miss Tang, you’re youthful and vibrant, you certainly look much younger than me."

"Who said that..." Ye He finally caught on and noticed the hostility from Tang Yan Yi. Ye He hugged Ye He tightly, "Boss, you’re not old at all. Let me tell you, when you first arrived, several male colleagues from the neighboring team said you look like you’re eternally y—"

Shi Nian quickly pinched her, making Ye He jump in surprise and swallow the last word.

Tang Yan Yi felt a little happier, "Sister-in-law Xiang, you’re really too modest. Actually, if you change your hairstyle and the style of your clothes, you could at least look five years younger. Right now, you do kind of look like you’re in your thirties."

Shi Nian nodded with a smile, agreeing casually. But her mind couldn’t help but spin around the memory of being at Kangchuan University, wearing a youthful short skirt bought by Tang Yanqing, the moment Tang Yanqing took off her hair tie...

A brief moment of distraction made her quickly shake her head to clear it.

.

The conversation between the three women was coming to an end, so Tang Yanqing waved to Tang Yan Yi, "Let’s not stand at someone else’s company entrance anymore. Xiao Yi, you go home; we’re going home too."

"Little brother!" Tang Yan Yi stomped her foot in frustration.

Why did he say "go home"? He was staying at the Xiang Family’s home; how could he so casually say "we’re going home"?

Tang Yanqing sighed, "Are you here to bring me food? Just give it to me, and I’ll take it back."

"No." Tang Yan Yi’s eyes shone brightly, yet she was firm, "I am here to deliver food, but not ready-made meals. I’ll go over with you and cook for you myself."

Tang Yan Yi’s cheeks turned slightly red as she spoke, "You’re so picky with food that outsiders don’t know, but how could I forget? You won’t eat if the food is cold, and won’t eat if temperature changes cause the flavor to alter. Instead of bringing it here for you to toss aside, how could it beat me cooking the freshest meal with my own hands?"

She pointed back at her car, "I’ve already bought all the ingredients."

.

Shi Nian and Ye He were both stunned by the words, exchanged a look, one sticking their tongue out and the other shrugging shoulders.

Such a big fuss.

What surprised them more was that even in this era, there’s still a sister who’s so attentive to her brother.

Tang Yanqing noticing Shi Nian and Ye He’s expressions, although being mentally prepared, couldn’t help but feel a twinge in her heart.

She not only felt no jealousy at all, but treated him as an outsider and took what’s happening as an amusing matter.

He grew irritated, directing all his temper toward Tang Yan Yi, "Who asked you to come? Didn’t I say there’s no need? I’m on duty, not on a picnic. Besides, this is Brother Xiang Yuan’s place, treated like a rented public kitchen?"

His sudden temper surprised Tang Yan Yi.

Shi Nian also found it strange and couldn’t help but look over, "Mr. Tang..."

Tang Yan Yi grabbed onto Shi Nian like a lifeline, changing her previous attitude, "Sister-in-law, you wouldn’t mind me being there? Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble. I’m just borrowing your kitchen for a bit."

Shi Nian generously patted Tang Yan Yi’s hand, "No problem, come on."

Tang Yanqing bit her teeth in frustration, but was helpless.

Ye He saw the situation and quickly clung to Shi Nian, "Boss, tonight looks like it’s going to be lively. Can’t I come too?"

Before Shi Nian could speak, Tang Yanqing chimed in first, "Come on."

Ye He let out a small cheer.

The Tang siblings each went to get their car, while Ye He and Shi Nian lagged behind, with Ye He muttering, "Boss, Tang Yan Yi’s attitude toward her brother is a bit off."

"You just noticed?" Shi Nian sighed softly, "Though they share the same last name and both use the same initials, they’re not blood-related."

"So that’s how it is!" Ye He’s apple-cheeked face tensed up, "Then I’m really going to the right place tonight!"

.

Just as she got into the car, Xiang Yuan’s call came through. The gentle voice over the receiver was enough to make one feel tremble, as if bringing Shi Nian’s memories back to four years ago when their relationship was at its best.

"Done with work? What do you want to eat tonight? I’ll leave work early to prepare."

Shi Nian sighed softly, "You really don’t have to go through all this trouble... You’re always busy with work, don’t feel the need to leave early just for me."

Upon recognizing it was Xiang Yuan, Tang Yanqing’s gaze reflected back through the rear view mirror. Shi Nian noticed it and quickly lowered her gaze.

.

When they arrived at Shi Nian’s house, Xiang Yuan had already come out to greet them. He was wearing casual cotton pants and a simple short sleeve round-neck T-shirt. But even the most basic style emphasized his physique, highlighting his long and well-toned body lines.

Men from the East don’t favor building up bulky muscles like men from M Country; his muscle tone is firm but not exaggerated, showcasing Eastern charm to the fullest.

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[Stay tuned for the next Chapter~]