Xu Quan knew exactly what Long Yecheng meant with that question, but as a servant, it wasn't his place to ask further. So, he simply stayed silent.
He had just finished refueling the car and was about to test-drive it when his phone rang—apparently, the old master needed him.
"I'll test it out," Long Yecheng offered. "I've got time anyway."
Xu Quan didn't think much of it and handed over the keys, reminding him, "Then I'll trouble you, Second Young Master. Once you're done, please bring the keys to Nian Garden."
"Alright." Long Yecheng took the keys, watched Xu Quan leave, and then approached the Audi.
Though the car had been purchased years ago, it still looked brand new since no one had driven it in a long time. Like all cars in the Long household, it had been regularly maintained.
He opened the door with the keys and sat inside, slowly inspecting everything. His voice turned cold, "Everything that once belonged to you is going to be replaced."
Tang Mianmian had just finished tidying up and gone upstairs when Long Yejue's video call came through.
She was already in her pajamas, so she hurriedly threw on a jacket and fixed her hair before answering.
Long Yejue's brows furrowed slightly when he saw her still in formal wear. "It's this late and you're not ready for bed yet?"
"Yeah, soon." She wasn't about to admit she had been ready for bed and dressed up just to take his call.
"Couldn't sleep because you missed me?" His voice was low and seductive, lips curved into a charming smile on the screen.
She could tell he was in one of his arrogant moods again, so she pretended not to hear him. "Are you well-rested?"
"Yeah, just about to head out."
"Then go. Don't let me delay your work," she urged.
But he didn't hang up. Instead, he turned the camera outward.
At first, she didn't pay attention. But when she saw the large sign in the background, her eyes lit up. "Is that the Russell City jewelry market?!"
"Not bad. You know your stuff." He chuckled.
"Aren't you in Italy? Why are you in Belgium?" she asked, confused. Did she remember wrong?
He turned the camera back to himself, smirking. "Just passing through. I'll head to Italy later."
"What are you doing in Belgium?"
There was a seven-hour time difference. It was around 8 p.m. in Jiangcheng, and 1 p.m. there. He had just woken up due to jet lag.
Although Belgium wasn't far from Italy, this detour still felt a little unusual.
"Work," he replied casually. "Get some rest. I'll bring you here one day."
It was a place she'd always wanted to visit—a dream destination for any jewelry designer.
"Before you hang up, how about a goodnight kiss for your husband?" he teased, smiling devilishly, his heart softened by her beauty.
The more time he spent away, the more he realized how deeply rooted she'd become in his world.
He even regretted not bringing her along.
Tang Mianmian blushed, her hands trembling as she held the phone. "I'll give it to you when you're back."
"How about I just don't hang up then?" he pouted.
"…Are you five?" she muttered.
Unable to argue, she quickly shut her eyes and planted a kiss on the screen.
Then she backed away in embarrassment. "You know this is the ugliest camera angle, right?"
He just laughed, charming and devilish. "I've seen your ugliest already."
"When?" she asked, puzzled. Was it when she was sleeping?
Long Yejue's lips curved, his starry eyes sparkling. "When I pulled you out of the pool that time. I've never seen a woman look that tragic."
"You…" Tang Mianmian was mortified. "Don't bring up such embarrassing stuff!"
"But it's true. And you know what? When I pulled you out, there were two pieces of tissue paper floating nearby."
"…"
Tissue paper…
Her face twitched.
If she remembered right… that was what she'd used to stuff her bra.
"Maybe… someone else threw it in," she mumbled. Over her dead body would she admit it was hers.
Long Yejue was puzzled, but didn't think further. "I've never seen someone look so pathetic in a gown."
"Can you stop hitting where it hurts?" she huffed. "Say one more embarrassing thing and I'm hanging up."
He knew his little lamb was getting prickly and smiled, coaxing her, "Alright, I won't say more. Besides, there's no returns anyway."
"Long Yejue!" she snapped again.
How dare he even think about returns! Not a chance—not even a crack in the window!
"Hm? I miss you." He hit her with a sweet line.
And despite knowing it was a trick, the little lamb melted immediately. "I miss you too."
After finally hanging up, her face was burning.
She'd never thought she'd be the type to say so many sweet nothings.
Even with Su Shijie, it had always been polite greetings, simple "I miss you" texts.
She never imagined she'd yearn for someone this deeply.
Was this the difference between love and not?
She shook her head and was about to go to bed when Long Yecheng's voice came from outside. "Sister-in-law, are you asleep?"
Long Yecheng?
Surprised, she stopped unbuttoning her coat and went to open the door.
She hadn't misheard.
There he was, standing outside. "What's up? It's late."
"Late? It's not even nine." He smiled warmly and lifted a set of car keys. "Uncle Xu asked me to bring these to you."
"Oh, sorry to trouble you," she said, taking them.
"It's no trouble." He made it sound effortless. "Well, since you're heading to bed, I won't bother you. You've got an early drive tomorrow—best sleep early."
She nodded and smiled as she watched him leave, then looked down at the keys.
Even though she picked the Audi for its low profile, it was still a luxury car. Would her parents get suspicious?
What a dilemma...
Meanwhile, Long Yecheng's smile faded with every step he took.
From just a few simple sentences, he could already see the happiness written all over her face.
He had called earlier, but she didn't answer—clearly, she'd been talking to Long Yejue.
So they were really that close now?
His fist clenched.
Everything in Nian Garden, once so familiar, suddenly felt foreign.
Looks like he needed to come back sooner than planned.
Tang Mianmian left early the next day, not even staying for breakfast.
Only Xu Quan, under the old master's orders, saw her off.
She didn't mind. After all, Zhu Wenyi clearly didn't like her.
She called Chen Qiuhua to let her know she'd arrive around noon, then hit the road.
Long Yejue never allowed her to drive when he was home, but she actually drove quite well.
She obeyed all traffic rules, so accidents were unlikely.
Except… the car broke down!
Not long after entering the highway ramp, the car had problems.
She panicked.
Didn't Uncle Xu say it had been regularly maintained? Why was it acting up?
She got out, checked under the hood a few times, but couldn't figure it out.
The engine wouldn't start at all.
She had no idea who to call.
Fu Ranjanran was at work. Long Yejue was overseas…
Even An Yi, her backup, had been transferred out by Long Yejue.
Should she call someone from the Long family?
Probably not a good idea—Zhu Wenyi already didn't like her, and the old master was getting on in years. If he sent someone else, it'd be even more of a fuss.
She sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. She was ready to toss the car.
"Come on, move!" she shouted, smacking the steering wheel, but the only response was a chorus of honking.
Just then, her phone rang. She immediately hoped it was Long Yejue.
But it was an unknown number.
She hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"
"Sister-in-law." A warm male voice—it was Long Yecheng.
She practically jumped. "Thank God you called! Are you free right now?"
"What happened?" he asked.
"My car broke down on the highway, and I can't find a tow. Can you help me out?" In her mind, he was the most reliable Long after the old master.
Without hesitation, he asked, "Where are you? I'll come right away."
After giving her location, she finally felt a weight lift off her chest.
Only after hanging up did she realize—maybe he had called her for a reason? She hadn't even asked. Oh well, she'd ask him when he arrived.
She waited patiently inside the car.
With the engine dead, the AC didn't work, and it was drizzling outside.
The chill was unbearable.
She wasn't dressed warmly either, and now she was shivering, huddled in the seat.
She prayed he'd arrive soon.
As if in answer to her prayer, a bright yellow Lamborghini appeared on the highway.
She nearly cried with relief, jumping out and waving.
He parked skillfully in front of her, jumped out, and approached with concern. "What's wrong with the car?"
"It won't start. I checked, but couldn't figure it out," she said miserably.
He popped the hood and inspected it. "Looks like the battery's dead. Probably from sitting unused too long."
"What?" she groaned. "I was supposed to be home for lunch. My mom's waiting."
"I'll drive you home," he offered.
She blinked, surprised. "Won't that mess up your plans?"