Chapter 12: The Secret Marriage Is Purely Imaginary

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Tang Yu spoke calmly and politely, “Miss Zhou—”

“What did you just call me?!” Zhou Ruanwen shouted in surprise, “Shouldn’t you be calling me sister?”

That one sentence made Tang Yu inwardly roll her eyes in frustration.

“Miss Zhou! I used to call you sister because I wanted to marry Zhou Ruancheng, but now I don’t want to. Why should I keep calling you sister? I’m not into self-torture, being despised and still having to endure it.”

“I admit we broke up, and I broke up with him openly and honestly! But when did I ever cheat?! I have always conducted myself with integrity and a clear conscience!”

“Look at yourselves honestly. Whenever your family asked for money or things, when have I ever refused? You say this and that about me—when have I ever snapped back? You act one way to my face and another behind my back. Did I ever expose you? Miss Zhou, please don’t recklessly sully the reputation of someone as good-hearted as me, it’s just asking for divine retribution!”

Zhou Ruanwen’s face turned pale with anger. She choked on her words before firing back.

“How dare you say you didn’t cheat? My brother saw with his own eyes last night as you entered a villa with some wealthy man and didn’t come out all night! Your best friend even told my brother you have a new boyfriend, claiming he’s a thousand times better than my brother! Frankly, aren’t you just never satisfied, looking down on my brother because he doesn’t earn enough after you hooked up with a rich man?”

Tang Yu had thought Zhou Ruancheng had just coincidentally bumped into her on the street last night, but she never expected he had been stalking her!

This was terrifying—domestic violence after marriage could very well happen!

At this moment, Tang Yu felt dealing with his sister was a waste of time and she had no energy left to keep going.

“Think whatever you want. I have a clear conscience! Let your brother marry Yu Shuang if he wants! I won’t be part of it!”

Tang Yu turned and walked away.

Zhou Ruanwen immediately reached out to grab her.

“You must come with me to see my brother and tell him you don’t want to break up! He’s wasting himself for you. Are you trying to destroy him just to be happy?”

“If you don’t let go, I’ll call the police!” Tang Yu was too annoyed to argue and took out her phone.

Seeing Tang Yu was serious and not acting like a crazy shrew, Zhou Ruanwen had no choice but to let go.

“Tang Yu, I really misjudged you!”

“Thank you for your misjudgment. From now on, please never say you know me. Thanks!” Tang Yu was full of gratitude.

Zhou Ruanwen watched as she turned and left so gracefully, gnashing her teeth in fury.

Back at the office, Tang Yu sat at her desk. Sister Li slid over on her chair.

“Xiao Tang, look! President Lou actually responded to that rumor Yu Shuang spread.”

Tang Yu was quietly surprised and took her phone to look.

It was true.

Lou Xizhou had simply issued a brief clarification, saying the secret marriage was completely fabricated.

Just that one sentence had been shared across multiple platforms—it was incredible.

Lou Xizhou, as a businessman, actually had a built-in flow of attention.

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While watching, Tang Yu’s phone received a message from Lou Xizhou—

“This year’s International Equestrian Culture Week will be hosted by my Xiqing Equestrian Club.”

Tang Yu had heard the equestrian week was quite popular and sometimes thought about entering a competition just for fun.

She replied simply, “Okay, thank you, President Lou, for the notice.”

They had even talked about this topic during dinner last night, and now there was news so early in the morning.

Just after Lou Xizhou sent the message to Tang Yu, he received a call from Lou Huainan.

“Uncle, can you get me a spot in the equestrian week? I want to compete!”

Since Tang Yu, a reporter, would definitely be there, he wanted to show off a bit in front of her. Sharing a hobby was the only way to get closer!

“Don’t you only like racing?” Lou Xizhou said flatly.

“No way! I like a lot of things. It’s just that Uncle is too busy and never pays attention,” Lou Huainan said. “Uncle, please?”

Lou Xizhou didn’t think twice and agreed.

“Uncle, I’ll get a good ranking and make you proud!”

“What’s there to be proud of? It’s about participation; just stay safe.”

“Got it! Can I train at the stables?”

“Yes.”

After hanging up, Lou Xizhou opened a shopping app and bought a set of equestrian training gear for Lou Huainan.

Lou Huainan excitedly called Tang Yu.

Tang Yu was about to go to a meeting and didn’t want to answer, but for some reason, she picked up.

“Student Lou, what’s up?”

“Big sister Tang Yu, are you free? Want to go horseback riding at the stables?” Lou Huainan asked with a smile.

His voice carried excitement and anticipation; Tang Yu noticed but only raised an eyebrow slightly.

Before she could respond, Lou Huainan continued, “I’m competing in the Equestrian Culture Week and need someone to advise me. None of my classmates know anything about it, so I have no choice but to ask you.”

This piqued Tang Yu’s interest since she truly loved horseback riding—it felt like flying.

“You’re competing in the Equestrian Culture Week? Your uncle approved?”

“He only said yes after I asked him to!”

Tang Yu assumed Lou Xizhou knew he was reaching out to her and started thinking about her work schedule.

“Alright.”

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Lou Huainan was overjoyed. After hanging up, he messaged his friend—

“Bro, I’m going to start chasing my goddess!”

That afternoon, Tang Yu found some time and met Lou Huainan. Together, they went to the Xiqing Equestrian Club.

Once there, Tang Yu drew on her years of riding experience to pick two fine horses, and they ran a few laps together.

On horseback, Tang Yu moved like a glowing butterfly dancing through the air. Lou Huainan, chasing after her, watched the radiant light she emitted, his heart racing.

He realized one thing for sure: he truly liked her!

Tang Yu believed only thrilling sports could release the pressure in her heart—like racing or horseback riding. The gym just wasn’t for her.

After several laps, Tang Yu was satisfied and stopped, lightly breathing as she stroked the horses’ necks.

“You’re amazing, buddy!”

Then, pulling the reins to turn the horse’s head, she glanced back at Lou Huainan running behind her and asked suspiciously, “I thought you had great stamina. Why are you always lagging behind?”

Lou Huainan dismounted, handed her a bottle of water in a thermos, and said, “Big sister Tang Yu, this is warm water. I was worried you didn’t bring any, so I brought it for you.”

Tang Yu wanted to say she had brought some, but seeing his genuine smile, she couldn’t refuse and took the water.

“Thank you, Student Lou.”

Seeing her accept his kindness, Lou Huainan was secretly delighted, his youthful, handsome face beaming with a deeper smile.

“Big sister Tang Yu, I’ll run a few laps while you watch here!”

Nodding, Tang Yu took a sip of water.

An hour passed quickly. After telling Lou Huainan to train well, Tang Yu left.

Near the entrance of the news agency, she unexpectedly saw her family car parked there and slowed down.

Upon closer look, she saw her mother sitting in the driver’s seat.

Mrs. Tang Lin Ke also noticed her. Her previously stern expression softened instantly upon seeing her daughter for the first time in two years.

Mother and daughter met inside the car, exchanging warm greetings filled with maternal love and filial respect.

Then Lin Ke said, “You’re not getting any younger. Take your time choosing a partner, but meet a few more people, okay?”

Tang Yu’s face darkened immediately.

“Mom, I don’t want to go on blind dates.”