Heart Stealer

Xiao Tuobang sat opposite his junior sister, listening to her crying patiently, every word piercing his heart like a needle.

When Zhang Sufang talked about the situation where she had to jump into the sea under the coercion of Wu Xin, Xiao Tuobang's hands clenched into fists involuntarily.

His teeth were chattering and his eyes were filled with anger and hatred towards Wu Xin.

He suppressed his anger and comforted Zhang Sufang in the gentlest tone possible: "Junior sister, you have suffered, and I will never let that bastard Wu Xin go. You are safe now, and everything will be fine."

After comforting Zhang Sufang, Xiao Tuobang's gaze inadvertently swept over Jing Tianxin who was sitting next to him. He almost thought he was dazzled.

Isn’t Jing Tianxin in the city?

How could he appear here? Xiao Tuobang rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not mistaken.

"Tianxin, it's really you! You came to Platycodon Town without even saying hello. Isn't that really rude?"

Xiao Tuobang said with a hint of blame in his tone.

Jing Tianxin smiled slightly and explained, "Sufang came back with my parents on the same cruise ship. I was sent back by my parents."

The two good friends chatted enthusiastically, and the topic ranged from their student days to their current life.

Jing Tianxin suddenly asked, "By the way, why don't you see your new wife Qiu Xue?"

Xiao Tuobang replied: "The company has been a bit busy recently, and she is helping her family run the company."

Zhang Sufang listened from the side, her eyes revealing a hint of complicated emotions. She asked cautiously, "Brother, are you...are you really married?"

Xiao Tuobang glanced at his junior sister, then lowered his head and answered softly, "Yes."

There was a hint of guilt in his voice. He remembered the promise he had made to his junior sister before the fishing boat accident, a promise that could no longer be fulfilled.

He didn't dare look directly into his junior sister's eyes, for fear that she would see through his guilty conscience.

After hearing this, Zhang Sufang nodded silently and said nothing more.

All three of them have different thoughts and feelings.

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Xiao Tuobang's face, and he avoided his junior sister's gaze somewhat unnaturally.

He understood that the story between him and his junior sister had become a thing of the past, and his life now had a new chapter.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became a little heavy. The old captain noticed this and coughed lightly, trying to break the silence.

"Tuobang, Sufang has returned safely. We are very happy, old couple. We want to hold a banquet at Mingyue Hotel and invite all relatives and friends to celebrate together. Can you help me prepare it?" There was a hint of expectation in the old captain's voice.

Xiao Tuobang looked troubled. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Master, I..."

The old captain was a discerning man, and he immediately saw what was on Xiao Tuobang's mind.

He said sympathetically, "Tuobang, don't you have time? It's okay, just tell us straight away, we won't blame you."

Xiao Tuobang nodded and said, "Master, my father-in-law called me today. There was a small problem at the company, and he asked me to go back and deal with it as soon as possible."

The old captain nodded in understanding.

"Tuobang, you and Qiuxue have been helping us a lot. The company's affairs are indeed important. You should go back and deal with them as soon as possible."

Xiao Tuobang was still a little worried.

"Master, what about the banquet?"

At this time, Jing Tianxin stood up and said confidently: "Uncle Zhang, if you trust me, I can help prepare this banquet. I have some experience in this area."

When Xiao Tuobang heard that Jing Tianxin was willing to help, he happily stood up, shook his hand and said, "Tianxin, I feel relieved with you here."

The old captain lowered his head and said nothing. He and Jing Tianxin had known each other for less than a day.

Besides, Jing Tianxin is unfamiliar with the place, so why would he let him prepare the banquet?

Xiao Tuobang saw the old captain's doubts.

"Master, Tianxin's family's company is even bigger than my father-in-law's. Preparing a banquet won't be a difficult task for him. You can rest assured and let him do it."

When the old captain learned that Jing Tianxin not only came from a wealthy family but also had experience in organizing banquets, his worries immediately dissipated.

He said to Jing Tianxin sincerely: "Young man, we'll leave this banquet to you. We have full confidence in your ability."

The old captain asked his wife to rearrange the tableware, and everyone sat together, enjoying the wine while discussing the preparations for the banquet.

As the night deepened, everyone said goodbye one after another and returned home to rest.

Xiao Tuobang was the last one to stand up. He said goodbye to his master and his mistress one by one.

Before leaving, he specifically gave Jing Tianxin some instructions to ensure that everything would go smoothly.

Only after confirming that everything was correct did he leave with peace of mind.

He had just walked out of the old captain's house when Zhang Sufang chased him out.

"Senior brother..."

Xiao Tuobang stopped and did not look back. He did not dare to look his junior sister in the eye because he was the one who betrayed his oath first.

"Junior sister, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhang Sufang hesitated, shook her head and said, "No... nothing..."

Xiao Tuobang tried to keep his voice calm: "Junior sister, if you have nothing else, I will leave first."

After saying this, Xiao Tuobang left without looking back.

Zhang Sufang watched Xiao Tuobang disappear into the night without any attachment, and her tears flowed like beads from a broken string...

Xiao Tuobang heard faint crying sounds coming from behind him, and his heart seemed to be pulled hard by someone, but he still did not look back.

One step, two steps, three steps... He didn't know how to face the woman he once loved deeply, so he could only choose to escape.

Zhang Sufang stood in front of the courtyard gate, tears flowing unconsciously, blurring her vision.

She wiped away her tears vigorously, not wanting anyone to see her inner vulnerability.

"Sufang, is your ex-boyfriend Xiao Tuobang?"

Jing Tianxin's voice suddenly sounded in Zhang Sufang's ears.

She looked up in surprise and found that Jing Tianxin had been standing beside her without her noticing.

He handed her a tissue, but Zhang Sufang turned her face away stubbornly. She wiped away her tears with her hands and walked quickly into the house.

Jing Tianxin looked at Zhang Sufang's hurriedly leaving back, which disappeared from his sight like a streak of lightning. He shook his head helplessly.

As soon as Zhang Sufang entered the living room, she heard her mother clearing the dishes in the dining room and loudly asking, "Sufang, where did you go?"

Zhang Sufang walked up to her mother and forced a smile, saying, "Mom, I just felt a little hot, so I went outside to get some fresh air. Let me help you."

As she spoke, she reached out to help clear the dishes.

The old lady quickly waved her hand and refused: "Sufang, our house is the only guest room next to your bedroom that has been cleaned up. It's getting late, you should take Master Jing to rest quickly."

Zhang Sufang looked back at Jing Tianxin who followed in, and had to lead him upstairs.

She opened the door of the guest room and said with her head down, "Master Jing, my house is a little shabby, please don't mind."

Jing Tianxin responded optimistically: "Sufang, I don't mind. It's good enough to have a place to sleep."

Zhang Sufang returned to her room and sat blankly at the head of the bed.

Before she could collect her thoughts, there were several knocks on the door.

She opened the door and saw Jing Tianxin standing at the door with his bare chest and a towel hanging on his shoulders.

"Sufang, there's no hot water in my room. Can I use your bathroom?"

Zhang Sufang's cheeks flushed. She didn't dare look directly at Jing Tianxin and stammered, "Oh, well... come in, feel free to do whatever you want..."

Jing Tianxin went into the bathroom, while Zhang Sufang hurried downstairs, turned on the TV and pretended to watch it.

After finishing her chores, her mother came over and saw that Zhang Sufang was still awake. She asked, "Sufang, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Zhang Sufang turned her head and smiled at her mother. "Mom, I haven't watched TV on the island for a long time. Now even the commercials seem interesting to me."

After hearing this, Zhang's mother couldn't help feeling sad. She gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeves.

"Sufang, I'm sorry you've been wronged these past two years. If we had known Wu Xin was such a person, we shouldn't have taken pity on him and let him live in our house."

"Mom, let's not talk about the past anymore."

When Zhang Sufang saw her mother crying, she quickly put down the remote control, walked over, hugged her mother tightly, and comforted her softly.

Zhang Sufang snuggled in her mother's arms, and she seemed to have returned to the carefree days of her childhood.

The mother and daughter snuggled up to each other, confiding their thoughts and longings to each other.

Mother Zhang lovingly stroked Sufang's shiny black hair.

"Sufang, Tuobang is already married. Have you ever thought about your own marriage?"

Zhang Sufang pouted and said somewhat willfully, "Mom, I don't want to get married. I just want to be with you all my life."

Mother Zhang patted Zhang Sufang's shoulder and consoled her, "Silly girl, you're just being angry. Men should get married when they're old enough, and women should get married when they're old enough. This is the law of nature. Only when you find a good home can we feel at ease."

Zhang Sufang grumbled in dissatisfaction: "Mom, I just got home and you're already urging me to get married. If I had known this would happen, I might as well not have come back."

Mother Zhang smiled and shook her head: "Okay, okay, I won't rush you."

At this time, Jing Tianxin finished washing up and walked downstairs with a cup.

"Auntie, I want to get a glass of water. Where is the water dispenser?" Jing Tianxin asked politely.

Zhang's mother pointed to the corner and said, "It's over there."

Jing Tianxin got a glass of water and drank it as he walked upstairs.

Mother Zhang looked at Jing Tianxin's back and couldn't help but have a glimpse of fantasy. She thought to herself: "This child is so polite and handsome. I wonder if he can become my son-in-law?"

Mother Zhang asked cautiously, "Sufang, what do you think of Young Master Jing? I heard from Tuobang that his family is well off. Have you ever considered it?"

A blush crossed Zhang Sufang's face, and she whispered, "Mom, they come from such a wealthy family, how could they possibly look down on an ordinary family like ours?"

Mother Zhang sighed softly. She knew that Zhang Sufang had a strong sense of self-esteem and didn't want to be looked down upon.

She decided not to mention the matter anymore and just hoped that her daughter could find her own happiness.