With a sigh, she stood up and walked over to Long Ruoshui, initiating the conversation. "Ruoshui, I don't know how to play golf. Can you teach me?"
Long Ruoshui was a bit baffled by Tang Mianmian's sudden request and refused without hesitation, "I don't like teaching."
Tang Mianmian didn't get upset at the rejection and continued to persuade her, "Come on, just teach me a little. I want to learn before your brother comes back."
"Where did my brother go?" Apparently, Long Ruoshui didn't know that Long Yejue had gone on a business trip.
"He's away on a business trip," Tang Mianmian replied honestly. "So just teach me a bit, please."
Long Ruoshui still looked unwilling, until Tang Mianmian leaned in and whispered, "If you teach me, when your brother gets back, I'll put in a good word for you and help get your credit card reinstated."
Tempted by the offer, Long Ruoshui finally gave in. "Fine. But I don't have much patience, so be smart about it."
Delighted, Tang Mianmian grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the golf course. Shen Xiao'ai, seeing this, could only stomp her foot in frustration.
Su La, not to be outdone, ran over and clung to Long Yechen, asking him to teach her.
Long Yechen, always gentle with women, didn't refuse and began teaching her hand-in-hand.
Long Ruoshui, on the other hand, kept her distance, arms crossed, giving one instruction after another in a cold manner.
Thankfully, Tang Mianmian was very focused. It didn't take long before she managed to hit a ball—though her posture was awkward and the ball flew off wildly.
Shen Xiao'ai walked over, saw this, and laughed mockingly, "Your stance is awful! How can anyone be this bad at golf? Watch me."
With that, she set her ball, gave a gentle swing, and made a beautiful shot—elegant and precise.
Tang Mianmian clapped openly, full of admiration. "That was really good."
Shen Xiao'ai had expected Tang Mianmian to be angry, but she wasn't fazed at all. That robbed Shen Xiao'ai of any sense of triumph, and her attempt at provocation ended in failure. Frustrated, she walked off.
After a round of golf, everyone returned to the lounge to rest. Shen Xiao'ai sipped her juice while playing on her phone.
Seeing the others arrive, she immediately said, "I've got a juicy piece of gossip! A Weibo post just leaked that a certain rich family's young wife in Jiangcheng is a total gold digger. After marrying rich, she arrogantly told her besties that she found herself a lifelong meal ticket."
She glanced deliberately at Tang Mianmian as she said this.
But Tang Mianmian, wiping her sweat, didn't notice at all.
Su La, however, was intrigued. "Let me see!"
Shen Xiao'ai generously handed over her phone.
It was a long post from a Weibo user called Never Back Down, basically echoing what Shen Xiao'ai had just said.
The post was quickly picked up by multiple media outlets, especially because the author had emphasized that it involved someone in Jiangcheng.
Local media began speculating furiously, even using shadowed images to hint at different elite families.
The focus fell on the four major families.
The Mo family and the Hexi family quickly issued clarifications, as none of their young masters were married.
That left the Long family and the Qi family under public scrutiny.
"I'm telling you, it's always these low-born girls who are the most manipulative. Marrying into wealth is their life's goal—shameless," Su La criticized.
Shen Xiao'ai agreed. "Exactly! They don't even consider how someone from their background could marry into a rich family."
She looked at Tang Mianmian again as she spoke, making her meaning perfectly clear.
Tang Mianmian heard it this time. Her hand paused, but she simply chuckled softly, showing no strong reaction.
Long Yechen came over then and snatched Shen Xiao'ai's phone, his voice cold. "Is this how socialites spend their time? Reading pointless gossip all day?"
Su La instantly distanced herself. "She was the one reading it! I don't even like gossip."
She was desperate not to fall out of Long Yechen's favor.
Shen Xiao'ai shot Su La a glare, then snatched her phone back. "I like it—what, are you going to control that too? And besides, if someone's a manipulative gold digger, why can't people talk about it?"
"And you never schemed to marry Long Yejue?" Long Yechen asked bluntly, giving her no face.
That completely humiliated Shen Xiao'ai. Stomping her foot, she shouted, "Long Yechen, you're unbelievable!" and stormed off.
With Long Yejue absent, she had no more reason to stick around.
Tang Mianmian just shook her head at Shen Xiao'ai's spoiled temper.
But Long Ruoshui seemed uneasy after hearing that gossip, as if she had a bad feeling something was going to happen.
Back at the old mansion for dinner, Tang Mianmian felt strange without Long Yejue by her side.
Still, she composed herself gracefully.
Long Zhenfei asked her a few questions, which she answered politely.
The table was large, and with no one beside her to serve her favorite dishes, she simply ate what was in front of her quietly.
She kept glancing at her phone, guessing that Long Yejue must've arrived by now.
But no matter how many times she checked, the phone didn't ring.
After dinner, no one accompanied her home, so she rode her electric scooter back by herself.
As soon as she arrived at Nian Garden, her phone rang—it was Long Yejue.
She lit up immediately and answered, "You've arrived?"
His tired voice came through, "Just got to the hotel."
Even though he'd taken a private jet, the trip was still long.
"Then get some rest," she said, heart aching for his fatigue, not wanting to talk too much.
But Long Yejue didn't hang up. "I want to hear your voice."
"But you're tired…"
"You talk. I'll just listen, okay?" he insisted.
Unable to win the argument, Tang Mianmian relented. "I practiced golf with Ruoshui today. I'm still clumsy, but at least I got the basics."
His voice was weary, replying only with soft hums.
Still, that was enough to make her happy. She continued, "We had your favorite squirrel fish tonight, but it was too far down the table—I didn't dare reach for it."
"Tell Uncle Xu to place your favorite dishes closer next time."
"Hey! I'm supposed to be the one talking—you're not supposed to comment!" she protested.
"Alright. Go on."
"And then…"
She went on and on, not really saying anything important.
Eventually, Long Yejue interrupted, "Did you see the note I left you?"
"I did."
"So?"
"…"
Her heart skipped a beat. After hesitating a while, she said, "Also… I miss you."
"Mhm." His deep voice came through the phone, and her heart filled with joy.
Though they were far apart, their hearts were close.
It was their first real "phone porridge" (sweet, long phone chat). They talked until late, and Tang Mianmian didn't even know when she fell asleep.
She woke the next morning to find the call still ongoing. She said "hello," but there was no reply. Guessing that he had fallen asleep, she quietly ended the call.
Then she sent a message.
[Good night, hubby.]
It should be nighttime on his end by now.
As she walked downstairs, phone in hand, it rang again—it was Long Yejue.
She answered quickly, "Weren't you sleeping?"
"Just fell asleep. But your thoughts woke me," his voice was still as deep and seductive as ever.
Tang Mianmian felt a bit awkward. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"Going for breakfast?"
"Mm."
"Then eat my share too," he said gently.
Her expression softened into a look of pure tenderness. Even the butler Xu Quan didn't dare disturb her, and he signaled the other servants to move more quietly.
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles—this was clearly the young master's sweet morning call.
Only after hanging up did Tang Mianmian come out of her daze. Seeing the servants moving carefully, she blushed. "Uncle Xu, you're here."
"Young Madam, will you be dining at Huayuan today?" Xu Quan asked. He usually came every morning to check. If Tang Mianmian wasn't up, he'd report back so the family could begin breakfast without her.
She was the only person in the household granted this exception—proof of the old master's affection.
Tang Mianmian nodded happily. "Yes, I'll be going."
Xu Quan nodded and drove her to Huayuan.
By the time they arrived, several people were already there. Seeing her, Wang ** raised an eyebrow and said with a knowing smile, "It's nice when the young master's away—now our young madam can eat normally."
Tang Mianmian could only offer an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.
The old master shot Wang ** a glance, then turned to Tang Mianmian with a warm smile. "You're looking well."
"Grandpa, I'm heading out later today." She wanted to visit Mianmian and ask her advice on how to win her parents back.
"Go ahead. Let Master Zhang drive you."
"No need, I can drive myself." She didn't want to trouble anyone.
Zhu Wenyi immediately objected, "You're not alone anymore. How can you drive yourself? Let Master Zhang go with you."
"I…" Tang Mianmian opened her mouth, unsure how to explain. But knowing she couldn't keep it hidden forever, she said, "Mom, actually, I'm not pregnant yet."
"What?" Zhu Wenyi shot up from her seat, staring in disbelief. "You're not pregnant?!"
Long Zhenfei's face darkened. He glared at her. "Why are you so loud? Is that so shocking?"
"Dad, I didn't mean it like that," Zhu Wenyi muttered, clearly annoyed but too afraid to cross him.
She was furious, thinking Tang Mianmian had deceived her. No wonder she was upset.
Why was the old man always defending her?
The old master snorted. "She's not pregnant now, but that doesn't mean she won't be. It'll happen sooner or later."
After that, Zhu Wenyi didn't dare say anything more, but she clearly harbored resentment.
Long Fengteng, who had been eating silently, gave his wife a side glance. "Just focus on your own life. Let the children have theirs."
Zhu Wenyi was already in a bad mood, and his comment only made it worse.
Fearing a fight would break out, Tang Mianmian quickly tried to reassure them. "Dad, Mom, we'll do our best."
Of course, she could only say such a thing when Long Yejue wasn't around. Otherwise, she'd be too embarrassed.
Zhu Wenyi gave her a sideways glance, said nothing, and continued eating.
Tang Mianmian felt a heavy weight in her heart. She finished her meal quietly and left the dining room.
Zhu Wenyi's attitude toward her had just started to improve, but now, after what she said… she probably hated her again.