Chapter 12: I Aspire to Be Your Brother-in-Law

Chapter 12: I Aspire to Be Your Brother-in-Law

The person standing before Tang Fei, whom she found strikingly familiar, wasn't plump at all. He was tall and broad, clad only in a leather jacket on this freezing day. He had an athletic and well-proportioned figure, with a clean-cut and handsome face.

And where does this nickname come from?

Tang Fei pondered over the memories of those who had bestowed nicknames upon the chubby children. These individuals materialized in her mind, forming rows and clusters—four or five from kindergarten, seven or eight from primary school, and five or six from junior high.

And nine out of ten had sent her love letters in the form of chocolate candies. "Fatty" was indeed a common nickname.

Tang Fei, in her original life, had grown accustomed to receiving numerous declarations of affection from classmates and friends since childhood.

Any who mustered the courage to approach her directly were promptly rejected.

The original Tang Fei's life had been exceptionally smooth, with people adoring her at every turn.

No wonder the original owner had an emotional quotient close to zero. From the moment she could remember, she had coasted through life on her good looks; it seemed Heaven had opened one grand door for her while closing a small window of challenge.

With "Pudge" and "pursued her" as keywords, Tang Fei couldn't pinpoint a specific person. She eventually gave up on trying to recall who this 'Pudge' from her childhood might have been.

The moment he dismounted his motorcycle and removed his helmet, his face lit up with an enthusiastic grin, his eyes crinkling into slits and his smile stretching all the way to his ears. He stretched out his arms, calling out to Sister Fei for a big hug.

Seeing this, He Zhou's eyes widened, and he dashed over, swiftly positioning himself between them. With open arms, he embraced Tan Youming warmly, "Ah Ming! It's me, He Zhou. Long time no see."

The two of them acted like long-lost relatives, pounding each other's backs affectionately and forcefully, their excitement evident. He Zhou playfully leaned in close to Tan Youming's ear, chuckling, "I consider you a friend, but do you want to be my sister's husband?"

"I don't want to be your sister's husband, who would consider you a friend?" Tan Youming replied decisively. "Did you think your popularity back then was because of your irresistible charm?"

"Well then, I'll persuade my sister to leave right away," He Zhou pushed back with both hands, only to be pulled back into Tan Youming's embrace. "Friend, let's talk things through calmly. Don't act impulsively."

With a jovial smile, Tan Youming and He Zhou finally parted ways. Tan Youming led the way, saying, "Sis Fei, Bro He, this is my shop up ahead. Come on, I'll show you around. I've met quite a few wealthy people, and plenty of spoiled brats come here too. There are lots of girls who love cars. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"Sis Fei, you really don't remember me? I've lost weight now. You even hit me before, and you've forgotten?" Tan Youming walked over to Tang Fei, attempting to jog her memory.

Tang Fei shook her head—she truly had no recollection.

"Good job hitting him! He clung onto my sister's legs outside school and wouldn't let go. If I'd seen that, I would've beaten him up too." He Zhou flexed his fists. This guy had blocked Tang Fei after school, confessing his love. When she refused, he held onto her leg, refusing to budge. That earned him a sound beating, and the incident had become one of the top ten most famous moments in campus history.

Only then did Tang Fei connect the face with the information. This was the chubby boy who had confessed to her, relentlessly pursuing her despite being rejected, only to be knocked down by her punches.

Back then, during the acid scandal when she was heavily criticized, it was revealed to prove that she was a troublemaker. "I was young and ignorant back then. I've never come within three meters of Sister Fei ever since," Tan Youming led his guests into the customization shop. "Don't stand out in the cold. Come in quickly."

He greeted the mechanic working under a car before leading them to the office.

Tang Fei took a look at the customization shop. The interior design mainly used black as the base color, with some exaggerated hues for contrast, and a touch of the cold mechanical vibe.

The space was vast, capable of accommodating seven or eight cars simultaneously without feeling cramped. The roaring noise of machinery echoed continuously.

As they moved further in, it became slightly quieter. The office also adopted a black-themed decor. She was offered a seat on a sofa, and Tan Youming tossed her a futuristic-looking soda. "Sister Fei, would you like this?"

"Hell, Tan Youming, you've made it big? You're doing pretty well!" He Zhou scanned the office. It wasn't lavishly decorated, but many intricate details showed elegance.

Being familiar with film crews and prop masters, He Zhou could tell that the office decoration alone cost a fortune.

While He Zhou observed the office, Tang Fei, upon realizing Tan Youming's wealth, switched to a learning mode. She studied Tan Youming and found that his demeanor possessed certain qualities suitable for Xu Wan's character—rebelliousness and nonchalance. Tang Fei thought it would be fitting to give Xu Wan a small hobby, such as a love for riding motorcycles at high speeds.

A rebellious soul seeking solace alone.

"Modesty aside, my family benefited from urban redevelopment. My parents used the compensation to start a toy factory. After a few years of building a reputation, we earned some money. As for me, I just pursue my hobbies." Tan Youming forced a laugh and discreetly glanced at Tang Fei and He Zhou. Seeing a hint of envy on He Zhou's face, he felt relieved. Before, he thought himself unworthy of Tang Fei due to his obesity and short stature. But after slimming down and growing taller, and with his parents' successful business, he had hoped that he might now hold some appeal to her. He turned to look at Tang Fei again...

Coincidentally, Tang Fei was also staring at him. His heart skipped a beat, but instead of excitement or thrill, he sensed something akin to a dream goddess observing a piece of pork or a genius studying a math problem.

Tang Fei's gaze cooled his initial enthusiasm.

In the past, she seemed indifferent and uninterested in everyone. Now, it seemed she was indeed interested, but her manner was far from what he had imagined.

"Heavyweight, with your newfound wealth, you must have met plenty of rich people. My cousin is vying for a role of a mixed-race heir with a complicated family background. The parents barely have any emotional connection with their child. Have you come across such a character? Any distinguishing traits?" He Zhou delved straight into the topic.

"Money doesn't change a person fundamentally; they're still ordinary folks at heart." Tan Youming rubbed his hands together, lowering his head to hide a fleeting awkwardness, inwardly sighing to himself, "Ordinary people have their quirks, and so do the wealthy. They're just ordinary people with extra cash, displaying all sorts of personalities."

"There are those who form cliques to exclude newcomers, some are vulgar while others are haughty, some are refined and excellent, and then there are those who use their wealth to bully. There are the meticulous and the slovenly, those who strive independently and those who boast about their family's wealth. In the end, like attracts like; similar individuals tend to flock together.

Miss Fei, is there any more specific description for your character? I've dealt with quite a few complex family backgrounds, even ones where aunts and stepmothers coexist peacefully."

"The character has stunning looks. Both her parents have extramarital affairs, neglecting her and leaving her feeling estranged. They frequently change partners and bring them home. She doesn't believe in love or family but yearns for a normal one. So, she runs away from home to observe happy marriages for courage. She struggles to engage in relationships, and I'd like to delve deeper into her background, creating detailed reactions and emotions for various scenarios. I want to grasp the mindset of such a character."

"A beautiful girl, huh? Miss Fei, isn't that a reflection of you? Surely, you must have had many admirers, with ample confidence in your beauty. No one could compete with your looks."

"Chubby, hey, rein it in. There'll be plenty of opportunities to flatter her, let's focus on the main points," He Zhou interrupted Tan Youming, whose eyes were gleaming with adulation.

"Oh, right, sorry, ha ha. I've encountered people with family issues before, but she didn't run away from home. She has numerous properties, so she can live wherever she wants. It's true that she doesn't want to see her parents and avoids them.

...

She has had many boyfriends and changes them frequently. She jokes that she's morally corrupt and a scumbag due to her parents' genes. But so what? She embraces being a scumbag.

Moreover, the way she looks at men feels like she's picking vegetables in a market – it's rather unsettling. I hope this information is helpful." Tan Youming finished his description after finishing a bottle of water.

"Very helpful! It already is," Tang Fei's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Wealth is merely a social attribute, and its influence on one's personality is less significant than their family environment. I should pay attention to how her family relationships shape her character and consider how she would react in different scenarios with her current personality.

Her background and personality stem from the problems in her parents' marriage, which means that there's a myriad of variations among wealthy individuals, as I observed today."

Tan Youming rubbed his hands together, glad that he could be of assistance. At least he had left an impression on Tang Fei.

After the conversation, Tan Youming drove Tang Fei to her dormitory building. As he watched He Zhou and Tang Fei walking further away, he reminisced about Tang Fei's past self. In his memory, Tang Fei was straightforward and followed her heart, sometimes being a little absent-minded.

Despite sensing the change in Tang Fei, who no longer resembled the girl he had once loved in his youth, Tan Youming felt an irresistible urge to try again. Seizing the opportunity before He Zhou and Tang Fei got too far, he called out the question he had held back for hours, "Sister Fei, there's something I'd like to ask you."