POP! At the sound of the balloon bursting, followed by applause from the crowd, Liuu Yuming let out a shriek and pounced, clinging to Tang Jing like a koala. "Jingjing, you’re amazing!"

Tang Jing took two steps back to steady herself. After dodging Liuu Yuming’s effusive attempt to kiss her, Tang Jing couldn’t help but shake her head. She was too reserved; she could never be as passionate and outgoing as Liuu Yuming. But she had to admit, being with Liuu Yuming made her genuinely happy.

’It would be even better if she didn’t keep calling me Jingjing.’ Pinching the bridge of her nose, Tang Jing patted Liuu Yuming on the back. "Can you get down now?"

"Okay, of course!" Liuu Yuming hopped down. "You’re seriously so amazing!"

A smile touched Tang Jing’s lips as she accepted the large white bear from the stall owner. "I hope you like it."

"I do, I absolutely love it." Liuu Yuming snuggled her cheek against the big white bear. "Jingjing, you’re so sweet."

Tang Jing said with a helpless air, "No one has ever called me gentle. I think you all have very strange taste."

"What’s so strange about it? I just think you’re wonderful," Liuu Yuming retorted. "You’re incredibly charming. I’ve been making some beautiful clothes for you. Not just dresses, either. You’ll look amazing in them."

Tang Jing was also a straightforward person. "If you’re making me clothes, I won’t be able to afford them."

"They’re a gift from me," Liuu Yuming said, just as magnanimously. "No charge. The most I’ll ask is that we hang out more often."

Holding the big white bear in one arm and linking the other through Tang Jing’s, Liuu Yuming smiled until her eyes curved into crescents. She wasn’t greedy. One gift she loved was more than enough. Why would she need to make Tang Jing charge into the fray for her again?

When Xu Jia came to pick Liuu Yuming up after work, he felt a wave of exhaustion. "Look at you, so happy. So does this mean she’s my love rival?"

Liuu Yuming threw herself at Xu Jia, who caught her in a full embrace. "Slow down. You’ve been walking around for so long, aren’t you tired?"

"Jingjing is the one who’s really tired," Liuu Yuming said, waving at Tang Jing. "Go home and get a good rest tonight! Tomorrow night..."

"Tomorrow’s no good. We already made plans to see a movie," Xu Jia interrupted before Liuu Yuming could finish. He gave Tang Jing a small smile. "Sorry, Yue Ming can be a bit... enthusiastic."

"Don’t be. I quite like her personality." Tang Jing smiled back. "I’ll head home first, then. See you."

Watching Tang Jing’s figure retreat into the distance, Liuu Yuming sighed. "Ah, why does she have to be so exceptional? Why can’t I be like that?"

"She can lift me with just one arm..."

Xu Jia was amused. "Let’s get going. Liuu Jun has been complaining to me forever about you taking Tang Jing out to dinner today. If he and she actually get together, you’ll have all the time in the world to see each other."

Liuu Yuming shot him a look. "How much did Liuu Jun bribe you to get me to be his wingman? He wishes! My friendship with Tang Jing is our own thing. If he wants to win her over, he needs to do it himself."

Xu Jia sheepishly rubbed his nose. "What can I say? I’m jealous. Ever since you met Tang Jing yesterday, you haven’t taken your eyes off her..."

They bantered back and forth for a bit longer, but after they got into the car, Xu Jia’s expression turned serious. "Chen Wei is having a hard time."

Liuu Yuming raised an eyebrow. "You work that fast? Nice job! I couldn’t be happier to see him suffer."

The tension around Xu Jia’s eyes eased. "I was worried you might be angry."

"Why would I be?" Liuu Yuming asked, surprised. "Do I seem like the kind of person who can’t appreciate a good thing? You’re sticking up for me and getting even on my behalf. Of course I’m happy. Besides my family, you’re the first person who’s ever cared about me this much."

"Besides, why should a guy like Chen Wei get to have a good life?"

Liuu Yuming didn’t like to dwell on her past hardships, but when it came to people like Chen Wei, she wanted nothing more than to see them dragged down into the dirt.

"I was even thinking of handling it myself."

Xu Jia’s mood lifted instantly. "So you won’t object to anything I do to Chen Wei?"

Liuu Yuming grew wary. "As long as it’s not illegal. Other than that, go for it."

Xu Jia smiled. "Alright. Leave it all to me."

While those two were heading back, Tang Jing arrived home. Unlike many young people nowadays who prefer to live alone, Tang Jing lived with her parents. And as luck would have it, they were both still awake when she walked in. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"It’s already eleven. You’re not in bed yet?" Tang Jing glanced at the time, her steps faltering for a moment.

Tang Jing’s mother sounded a little anxious. "Oh, Tang Jing, I heard a young man has been pursuing you lately? And you’ve even met his older cousin?"

Her father cleared his throat. "That young man, Liuu Jun, seems like a good kid. I asked around. He’s a decent young man with a clean slate. You should seize this opportunity."

Tang Jing sighed. "Dad, running a background check on someone is illegal."

Her father snorted. "Of course I know that. I didn’t run a check on him, I just had someone ask around a little."

’Tang Jing was certain her dad’s ’asking around’ was far more than just that. She figured her parents probably knew more about Liuu Jun’s family situation than she did.’

Her mother smiled. "Your father has a good impression of him. He even made a point of asking an old classmate about them. Little Liuu and his cousin’s company has operated with integrity for years, with no skeletons in their closet."

"What’s his cousin like? Is she easy to get along with?"

Tang Jing recalled how Liuu Yuming had been clinging to her earlier that evening, and a smile involuntarily graced her lips. "She’s great. A very passionate person."

Her mother advised, "Good men are a rare breed these days. Since he seems to like your type, and if you don’t dislike him, you two should just get to know each other. No one is telling you that you have to start dating immediately."

Her father smiled, too. "That’s the spirit. You’re young. Even if it doesn’t work out romantically, it’s still good to make a friend. I think both of those cousins have good hearts. If you make more friends, you won’t just come straight home after work all the time. You can go out with people your own age, have some fun, and relax."

Tang Jing was genuinely surprised. "You really think that highly of him?"

Her father replied, "Based on his character alone, I think he’s a fine young man. He and his cousin have supported each other, starting from nothing to build their business bigger and bigger. The fact that their relationship is still so strong today says a lot. That kind of disposition is rare."

"These days, it’s not uncommon to see fathers and sons turn on each other over money, let alone cousins."

Tang Jing lowered her gaze. "I understand. I’ll give it some serious thought. And like you said, if nothing comes of it, being friends would be nice, too."

Her mother sounded a little concerned. "We do want you to get married, but we’re not trying to rush you. Your own happiness is what matters most. As long as you’re happy, you could stay home with us forever. Your father and I are just worried that you’ll be lonely later on."

"That’s just how life is. If being with someone can make your life better, there’s no need to force yourself to be alone. But the most important thing is that it’s what you want, not something you’re doing for anyone else’s sake."

A smile finally broke across Tang Jing’s face. "I get it. It’s not that I’m avoiding relationships, I just find the whole thing a bit dull. We’ll talk about it later. I have my own plans."