C5 I will Not Let the Evil Couple be Happy

"Lingyuan? You seem quite fond of him. Didn't you chase after him in school too? Sadly for you, Jiang Lingyuan only had eyes for me. You stood no chance. And now, what's this? Getting cozy with Tang Ruoyun—are you trying to make a move on her?" Tang Xinran fired back at the so-called sisters with a sneer.

"Manna... You chased after Lingyuan too? That's news to me," Tang Ruoyun said, casting a loaded glance at Faang Manna.

Damn it, she couldn't let Tang Xinran stir up trouble and jeopardize the hard-earned friendship she had with Ruoyun—especially since her father had explicitly instructed her to maintain a good relationship with the Tang family, given the Jiang family's interest in a major business deal with them.

"Ruoyun, don't pay any mind to Tang Xinran's spiteful words. Jiang Lingyuan is River City's most eligible bachelor; countless girls are smitten with him. At the school festival, each class sent someone to present him with flowers—it didn't signify anything special... You're here to pick out an engagement ring, right? Let me help you choose..."

Tang Ruoyun blushed and nodded, heading towards the "Eternal Love" rings that Tang Xinran had been eyeing. "I'd like to see this pair of rings, please."

Driven by some inexplicable urge to thwart the evil couple's wishes, Tang Xinran impulsively cut in, "I spotted this ring first. Shop assistant, I'll take it—please wrap it up."

Faang Manna couldn't help but retort, "Tang Xinran, have you no shame? Ruoyun's father has supported you for over a decade, and here you are, using the money he earned to snatch away the ring Ruoyun has her heart set on."

"Faang Manna, if you're clueless about the real story, then keep your accusations to yourself. The Feida Group was my father's legacy."

"Big deal, so it was your father's. Doesn't everyone in River City know you were orphaned at thirteen? If Uncle Jiang hadn't taken over and expanded the Feida Group, it would've crumbled in your inexperienced hands, leaving you without a penny for your fancy overseas education or for splurging on luxury jewelry like this."

The fact that an outsider like Faang Manna knew so much about her family's affairs was telling; clearly, Tang Ruoyun had been busy disparaging her behind her back.

Tang Ruoyun blinked and coaxed in a gentle voice, "Xinran, even though Dad gives you two million a month for expenses, it's all hard-earned money. You shouldn't be spending it so carelessly—even if you've saved some. This is an engagement ring, and since you don't have a boyfriend, you don't need it. Let me buy it instead!"

Tang Xinran felt nauseated by the affected display. She was eager to leave and promptly handed her card to the sales clerk, saying, "I saw it first. Please, charge it to my card."

Tang Ruoyun blocked her path. "There's only one pair of 'Eternal Love' in River City. It symbolizes the everlasting love between Lingyuan and me. Xinran, please let me have it!"

Annoyed, Tang Xinran pushed her aside, only to watch Tang Ruoyun dramatically collapse to the floor in apparent agony.

She hadn't pushed her that hard, had she? Tang Xinran was momentarily taken aback.

Then a man's stern voice rang out, "Tang Xinran, what are you doing?"

The icy tone sent a chill through Tang Xinran's heart.

Glancing down, she caught the triumphant glint in Tang Ruoyun's eyes and everything clicked into place.

As expected, Jiang Lingyuan hurried over, scooping Tang Ruoyun into his arms and setting her down on a chair to examine her for injuries. "I was just parking the car; how could you let her mistreat you like this!"

Tang Ruoyun nestled into Jiang Lingyuan's chest with affected tenderness. "Brother Lingyuan, please don't be angry with Xinran. She's upset, and I understand that... But I wanted to buy the 'Eternal Love' as our engagement rings, and Xinran tried to snatch them away..."