Lin Yu simply couldn't believe that Tang Xue would break up with him. He had sacrificed so much for Tang Xue; how could he possibly accept this outcome?
"If thinking this way makes you feel better, then so be it." Tang Xue's tone was very calm, as if what she was talking about was not her own business, but someone else's.
[Host, you're amazing! You've separated the male and female leads so easily!] 099, who hadn't spoken for a long time, couldn't hold back any longer.
It thought that driving the male and female leads apart would take a very long time, but who would have thought that it would only be a short time before they were about to break up.
"Don't be too happy yet. It's just a breakup, it doesn't mean we won't get back together in the future." Although Lin Xiaoxiao was also happy, she didn't think she had accomplished her mission.
To eliminate any future worries, Lin Yu must be completely prevented from ever recovering. Ideally, he should be sent to prison and made to disappear forever.
"Tang Xue, how could you break up with me? How could you leave me? I pursued you for a year and sacrificed so much for you. Now you just want to abandon me? Let me tell you, don't even think about it. I will never agree to break up with you."
Lin Yu stared with bloodshot eyes, leaning forward, his eyes filled with obsession and madness.
Tang Xue subconsciously leaned back, seemingly startled by Lin Yu's appearance; this side of Lin Yu was unfamiliar to her.
The Lin Yu she knew was always gentle, never raised his voice at her, and never lost his temper with her. But the person in front of her, staring at her like a ferocious beast, was completely unfamiliar.
"Don't be afraid." Lin Xiaoxiao picked up the hat from the table and put it on Tang Xue's head, pulling the brim down to cover her eyes and isolate her from those bloodshot eyes.
Tang Xue bit her lip, and her previously tense body relaxed. It was amazing, amazing even she couldn't understand it.
When that gentle voice rang in her ears, and when the hat, imbued with that person's scent, was placed on her head, Tang Xue found herself miraculously calmed down.
Tang Xue remained silent and did not speak again. Lin Xiaoxiao, of course, did not know Tang Xue's inner thoughts and assumed that Tang Xue was frightened.
He reached out and patted Tang Xue's hand, which was resting on the sofa, and whispered again, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. I'll protect you."
At this moment, Lin Xiaoxiao, who was only thinking about comforting people, naturally had no idea what kind of ripples her words, "Don't be afraid, I'm here, I will protect you," had stirred in Tang Xue's heart.
Chapter 19
==================
When Lin Xiaoxiao noticed that Lin Yu's mood was a bit off, she sent a text message to her secretary, asking her to bring a few security guards over.
Therefore, the moment Lin Yu lost control of his emotions and showed violent tendencies, several strong security guards arrived in time.
"Tang Xue, I don't agree to break up, I don't agree, don't even think about getting rid of me, you'll never get rid of me in this lifetime."
Lin Yu, who was being restrained by several security guards, shouted loudly at Tang Xue. His bloodshot eyes looked as if he was about to pounce on Tang Xue and tear off a piece of flesh at any moment.
As for Lin Xiaoxiao, she waited until Lin Yu was dragged away by several security guards before taking off the hat that was on Tang Xue's head, saying, "It's alright now."
Looking into those smiling eyes, Tang Xue nodded gently. The scarlet eyes were no longer there; all that remained was the man's gentle smile and those bright, sparkling eyes.
"Tang Xue, you live alone, right?" Lin Yu's mad dog-like behavior made Lin Xiaoxiao a little uneasy about letting Tang Xue live alone, and she was already thinking about finding Tang Xue a different place to live.
"Your current accommodation is definitely uninhabitable. Please make do with the hotel for the next few days, and I will arrange alternative accommodation for you."
"No need to trouble President Lin, I can handle this myself." Tang Xue had no intention of changing locations; she hadn't witnessed Lin Yu's earlier outburst.
She felt that even if Lin Yu didn't want to break up, he would at most come to her a few times to try and win her back. She didn't think Lin Yu would do anything to hurt her.
"No." Lin Xiaoxiao's tone was firm. "You have to change your place. I don't feel comfortable letting you stay in the same place anymore." Tang Xue didn't have a clear understanding of Lin Yu. She didn't know that Lin Yu was a pervert.
Tang Xue looked at Lin Xiaoxiao and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "President Lin, thank you for worrying about me, but I can take care of myself."
“You saw what he was like just now. He’s a madman. Your breaking up with him has completely enraged him. He even knows where you live. After seeing what happened just now, how can I let you continue living in the same place?”
Lin Xiaoxiao was genuinely worried. She knew Lin Yu would never honestly agree to break up with Tang Xue. He was a paranoid madman. Recalling the scenes of Lin Yu tormenting Tang Xue, Lin Xiaoxiao's face turned even uglier.
"Tang Xue, listen to me." Lin Xiaoxiao squatted down in front of Tang Xue. "I know that Lin Yu is your boyfriend. You've known each other for so long. In your heart, he is a good person and a devoted boyfriend who cares about you in every way."
But you need to understand, a man's pride is a terrifying thing. No one knows what a crazy person might do. Please, even if you just want to stay somewhere else for a while, that would be better.”
Lin Xiaoxiao, who was only focused on getting Tang Xue to agree to let her move to another place, was completely unaware that there was anything wrong with her current posture.
Tang Xue, whose hands were being held tightly by Lin Xiaoxiao, was truly frightened by Lin Xiaoxiao's actions. Her mind felt like it had been filled with a spoonful of paste, and she was completely dazed. She tried to sort out her thoughts, but the more she tried, the more confused she became.
Bai Bing, who was standing aside watching the two, was also completely dumbfounded. Although she had already accepted that Lin Xiaoxiao liked Tang Xue, seeing Lin Xiaoxiao kneeling on one knee, Bai Bing still felt that the progress was a bit too fast.
She closed her eyes briefly to bring her wandering thoughts back to reality. Seeing that the two were still deadlocked about whether or not to move, Bai Bing thought for a moment and decided that now was the perfect opportunity.
"Since Tang Xue is unwilling to move, for her safety, let her stay at your house for the time being."
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoxiao stopped her incessant chatter, and Tang Xue's brain, which had been filled with mush, seemed to finally start working again. The two of them turned to look at Bai Bing.
Bai Bing adjusted her glasses and calmly repeated her suggestion.
"Of course, you're welcome." Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up. Her place was very safe. Even if Lin Yu knew where she lived, it would be useless if he couldn't get in.
As for why Lin Yu was able to enter without any hindrance last time, it must have been because someone helped him. As for now, Lin Yu's desire to enter her place is simply wishful thinking.
"Tang Xue, since you don't want to move, why don't you stay at my place for a while? Besides the cleaning lady who comes over regularly, I'm the only person here. Just think of it as staying at a friend's house for a few days. Once it's safe, if you want to move back, I definitely won't stop you."
What kind of eyes were those? Bright eyes filled with twinkling anticipation and nervousness. Tang Xue subconsciously shook her head.
But as he watched those faint hopes gradually fade away, he seemed to be bewitched and nodded gently.
Then she saw that the anticipation and tension in those eyes vanished without a trace in the next second, and the joy in those eyes was like a dazzling firework blooming in the night sky, dazzling people's eyes and seemingly disturbing people's hearts.
"Alright, get up now." Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao laughing like a fool and kneeling stupidly in front of Tang Xue, Bai Bing finally couldn't stand it anymore and reached out to pull Lin Xiaoxiao up.
Lin Xiaoxiao stood up with Bai Bing's help, her mind filled with the joy of Tang Xue agreeing to live with her. She didn't notice what Bai Bing had said at all, nor did she realize how suggestive her actions had been.
As for Tang Xue, once her mind returned to normal, she naturally saw Lin Xiaoxiao being pulled up by Bai Bing in a posture that resembled a marriage proposal.
Tang Xue lowered her head, looking at her hands that Lin Xiaoxiao had just tightly grasped. The warmth of Lin Xiaoxiao's hand seemed to still linger in her palms, and Tang Xue suddenly felt her face burning.
Why did things turn out this way? Tang Xue looked up at Lin Xiaoxiao, and in that instant, under the gaze of those eyes, she couldn't utter a single word of dissent.
In that instant, Tang Xue felt that her refusal would be a very cruel thing, but thinking of what she had just agreed to, Tang Xue regretted it. "President Lin."
"Hmm?" Lin Xiaoxiao turned her head. "You should be free of anything else, right? I'll take you back to pack your things now, and you can move in today."
Lin Xiaoxiao was getting impatient. Living together would be very helpful for her to get closer to Tang Xue. As long as she performed well in front of Tang Xue, she could eventually get Lin Yu out of Tang Xue's life.
"I..." Tang Xue opened her mouth, she wanted to say, I just thought about it and decided not to trouble President Lin.
But looking into those bright, sparkling eyes, into the joy and anticipation within them, Tang Xue simply couldn't bring herself to say those words. When exactly did everything go off track?
Chapter 20
==================
Unable to refuse Lin Xiaoxiao, Tang Xue was forced into the car by her. Even after Lin Xiaoxiao led Tang Xue to her door, Tang Xue still couldn't come up with a suitable reason to refuse her.
"Mr. Lin, would you like something to drink?" Tang Xue's lips curved into a small smile without her even realizing it as she looked at Lin Xiaoxiao sitting obediently on the sofa.
Previously, she and Lin Xiaoxiao actually had very few opportunities to meet. As a nobody in the company, she had no chance to meet the president. The few times they did meet, Lin Xiaoxiao never even looked at her properly.
If her former agent hadn't let it slip, Tang Xue probably wouldn't have known why she had no chance to get ahead.
It was because she was targeted by Lin Xiaoxiao that, in Tang Xue's memory, the name Lin Xiaoxiao was synonymous with viciousness.
Their first real contact came after the incident when Lin Xiaoxiao saved them. After that, things seemed to get increasingly out of control.
Looking at Lin Xiaoxiao's upright posture, Tang Xue couldn't help but think of Lin Xiaoxiao's well-behaved posture, which resembled that of a kindergarten child, when she was at Lin Xiaoxiao's house before.
Sometimes, Tang Xue couldn't help but wonder which Lin Xiaoxiao was the real one—the one who was hostile towards her and would never look her in the eye, or the one who was kind to her and willing to be close to her.
"I'm not thirsty, you don't need to serve me. Um, if you don't mind, I can help you pack your things." Lin Xiaoxiao's tone was slightly tentative.
She also wanted to see how much Tang Xue's impression of her had changed, if Tang Xue was willing to let her help pack her things.
That meant that their relationship could barely be considered as friendship, but unfortunately, Tang Xue's next sentence shattered Lin Xiaoxiao's little expectation.
"No need, there's not much stuff, I can pack it myself." Tang Xue already regretted agreeing to Lin Xiaoxiao's request.
So, since there was no way to back out, she didn't plan to stay for too long. She just wanted to stay for a day or two and then leave under the pretext that there was no danger. As for what would happen after she left, Tang Xue couldn't predict it at the moment.
"Okay." Although she was a little disappointed, Lin Xiaoxiao's disappointment was quickly dispelled by the warm milk that Tang Xue brought over. "Wait for me a moment, I'll be right there."
"Okay." Lin Xiaoxiao held the milk cup in both hands, like an obedient little baby. Whether it was because of the warm milk in her hands or Tang Xue's rare kindness, Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes were filled with tenderness and happiness.
Looking at the well-behaved and adorable Lin Xiaoxiao, Tang Xue's heart skipped a beat, and her hands unconsciously clenched together. The moment Lin Xiaoxiao looked up at her, she immediately turned away.
As if trying to avoid something, she hurriedly entered the bedroom. Perhaps, Tang Xue herself was unaware of this moment of avoidance and panic.
Tang Xue packed her things very quickly. Before Lin Xiaoxiao had even finished her glass of milk, Tang Xue had already come out carrying a backpack.
Because Tang Xue thought she would only stay for a day or two and then come back, she only brought a few changes of clothes and didn't prepare anything else.
Looking at the backpack in Tang Xue's hand, Lin Xiaoxiao blinked. She wasn't stupid; Tang Xue's posture didn't seem like she was planning to stay at her place for ten days or half a month.
But Lin Xiaoxiao didn't say anything. She didn't want to scare people away. She picked up the cup and drank the milk in two gulps. "I'll wash the cup."
By the time Tang Xue tried to stop her, Lin Xiaoxiao had already nimbly bypassed her and run into the kitchen. Tang Xue's place was not big, just a one-bedroom apartment.
Although she lived alone, it wasn't cold or desolate at all; on the contrary, it was very cozy. After washing the cups, Lin Xiaoxiao came out and naturally took the backpack from Tang Xue's hand. "Let's go."
Tang Xue reached out, but found nothing. Looking at Lin Xiaoxiao who had already left, Tang Xue suddenly felt a headache coming on. How could she have nodded in agreement as if she had been bewitched?
No matter how much she regretted it or how much she wanted to travel back to that time, Tang Xue still lifted her heels and stepped forward. However, her heavy steps revealed her heavy mood at that moment.
Tang Xue's place was quite a distance from Lin Xiaoxiao's place; even by car, it would take an hour. So, by the time the two returned to Lin Xiaoxiao's place, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon.
"Once you're here, just make yourself at home. Don't be so reserved." Lin Xiaoxiao originally wanted to take Tang Xue's hand, but she was afraid of scaring her, so she tugged at Tang Xue's sleeve instead.
"You'll be staying in this room from now on." After placing Tang Xue's things on the bed, Lin Xiaoxiao looked at Tang Xue, who was still a little uneasy, and said after thinking for a moment, "You should unpack your things first. I'll go make something. You must be hungry."
When people arrive in an unfamiliar environment, they always need time to adapt. Lin Xiaoxiao felt that her staying here was not conducive to Tang Xue's adaptation.
So she decided to cook first. Lin Xiaoxiao had only drunk a bowl of porridge because Lin Yu, that scumbag, had ruined her appetite at noon. As for Tang Xue, she only ate a few bites at the beginning and then didn't touch her chopsticks. She must be hungry now.
When Lin Xiaoxiao came to the kitchen, she didn't plan to make a lavish meal. Since it was just the two of them, and in the spirit of not wasting food, Lin Xiaoxiao decided to make four dishes and a soup.
First, Lin Xiaoxiao steamed the rice in the pot. Then, she took out the ribs from the refrigerator to make sweet and sour ribs. She marinated the ribs with seasonings. Lin Xiaoxiao also took out a tomato and two eggs.
Wash and chop the tomatoes, beat the eggs and set them aside, soak the wood ear mushrooms in hot water, and peel and chop a yam.
Lin Xiaoxiao took out another piece of chicken breast, diced it, put it in a glass bowl, added cooking wine, cornstarch, pepper, and light soy sauce, stirred it well, and set it aside to marinate.
Pick up the okra that was placed to the side, remove the head, add salt and a little cooking oil to the hot water, put the okra in to cook, and then Lin Xiaoxiao went to check on the ribs that had been marinating for a while.
Briefly fry the ribs in oil, then add water, vinegar, and sugar. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat. Lin Xiaoxiao then moves to the other side, takes out the okra, soaks it in cold water, and prepares the sauce, setting it aside.
All the dishes Lin Xiaoxiao prepared were made according to Tang Xue's taste. After all, Tang Xue had a special ability to win people over. As the saying goes, if you want to win someone's heart, you must first win their stomach. Lin Xiaoxiao felt that there was some truth to that.