Sun Ting pressed on, "So was it because she had a boyfriend who rejected you, or was there another reason?"
Tang Ze drained his glass of red wine in one swift motion and said coolly, "I don't know, but she wasn't bad-looking. Still, compared to you three, she falls short."
These words brought a sense of comfort to the three women.
"Even though she's not as good-looking as you, to others, she's still a beauty. All the staff at the hotel adored her; she was quite the sought-after woman. Naturally, I was among them."
The three women listened intently, their minds conjuring up an image: a poor young man confessing his love to a flamboyant woman, only to be cruelly rejected...
Poor Master, they thought sympathetically. A wave of compassion washed over them, and they yearned to comfort the wounded man and bring him some happiness.
"At that time, my salary as a doorman was 800 yuan a month."
Ye Qingyi exclaimed, "Only 800?"
"Later, I found out they were just using my probation period as an excuse."
Ye Qingyi couldn't help but feel sorry for Tang Ze. No wonder he sought revenge.
"I remember it was a bright, sunny noon. I spent a fortune treating her to the highest-grade meal from the hotel canteen."
At this, the three women couldn't hold back and burst into giggles.
Tang Ze's lips twitched. Here he was sharing such a painful memory, and they found it amusing?
An Bai looked apologetic, "I didn't laugh. It was them."
Tang Ze sighed helplessly, "I thought she'd accept, but reality is harsh. I got rejected."
The three women could already guess the outcome. If it were them, they would have done the same.
But Tang Ze wasn't finished. He continued, "She flipped the tray, sending all that expensive food crashing to the ground."
Everyone around turned to look.
Hearing this, An Bai stopped her playful act, disbelief evident in her eyes. Even if she wanted to reject him, was this really necessary?
Then Tang Ze added, casting a meaningful glance toward Sun Ting, "Your 'loser' comment really doesn't compare."
Sun Ting inwardly cursed herself. Why did she lash out at him back then? It was just that the toxic comments on the live stream had gotten to her, and she'd taken it out on Tang Ze.
"She called me a country bumpkin, told me to lift my leg and take a piss to see what I was worth, and asked what right I had to invite her to dinner."
The living room fell silent. Ye Qingyi couldn't believe there were women like that. How despicable! A simple rejection would have sufficed—why the need to insult him? Although, to be fair, Tang Ze wasn't exactly a saint either. More like a devil.
"Did you hit her?" An Bai asked hopefully, eager to hear that Tang Ze had taught that vile woman a lesson.
Tang Ze chuckled and shook his head. "I picked up the fallen food. It cost 199 yuan—I wasn't about to waste it, even amidst everyone's laughter."
The three women were astonished.
Was the Tang Ze of the past really this timid and weak?
This was a far cry from the ruthless killer they knew.
"So, before it even began, it was over," Tang Ze shrugged, lighting a cigarette. Looking back now, he realized how naive and powerless he had been.
"Then just ignore her. Let her starve," An Bai said angrily.
Ye Qingyi suddenly interjected, "That would be letting her off too easily."
Tang Ze and the other two women turned to look at her, surprised by her sudden change of tone.
The clever Ye Qingyi knew the importance of aligning herself with Tang Ze. Keeping him happy was her best chance.
But she seemed to forget that her opportunity would come at the expense of someone else's suffering. In a way, Ye Qingyi's mindset was slowly shifting.
"So, what do you think would be an appropriate response?" Tang Ze asked, curious to see their reactions.
Ye Qingyi volunteered, "Master, why not let me handle the reply?"
Sun Ting and An Bai exchanged glances. You've got some nerve.
Tang Ze paused, intrigued by what Ye Qingyi might do, and handed his phone to her.
Ye Qingyi thought for a moment before typing a reply.
"Good for you."
Shanhu Community in Hua'an City was considered upscale, with an average price of 20,000 yuan per square meter. It was close to the city center, with a subway station right downstairs, making it incredibly convenient.
The residents here were naturally elites, and while they hadn't yet faced the same situation as Tang Ze, it was only a matter of time.
On the couch, Cao Yu, clad in a flimsy nightgown, gazed vacantly at the television. What was playing didn't matter—her mind was preoccupied with one thing. That country bumpkin from the past was now thriving, surrounded by girls even prettier than her, with supplies piled up in half the living room.
Looking at her own dwindling supplies, Cao Yu frowned deeply. If only she could swindle those supplies for herself.
"Hasn't he replied yet?" A man in his fifties emerged from the bathroom, a full generation older than her.
Given Cao Yu's financial situation, she couldn't afford a place like this. The apartment belonged to the man, who used it to keep his mistresses. He was also the deputy general manager of Hua'an Hotel. However, he was morbidly obese—at least 300 pounds—while Cao Yu weighed only 90 pounds. Sometimes, his weight made it hard for her to breathe.
"Not yet," Cao Yu replied helplessly.
Bi Jian settled down next to her, his massive hand gently yet heavily resting on her slender shoulder. "Men like him, once they gain power, love to show off, especially to those who've rejected them in the past. So he'll definitely reply. Maybe he even wants to have you."
Bi Jian whispered sinisterly, already scheming how to seize the supplies. Without them, those two beauties would surely leave Tang Ze, and then they'd be his.
Ding.
"See? He's taken the bait."
Cao Yu picked up her phone and breathed a sigh of relief. She'd thought he might ignore her.
"Be direct. Give him what he wants," Bi Jian advised.
Cao Yu took a deep breath and replied, "I miss you."
On the other end, Ye Qingyi couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the woman's shamelessness.
Tang Ze smiled without a word, pinching Sun Ting's delicate cheek.
A former receptionist from years ago was no match for the live-streaming beauty by his side.
Ye Qingyi continued typing her reply.
"Now you miss me? Where were you before?"