Tang You took out the cello and played a few pieces Fang Lai liked.

She wasn’t particularly focused, somewhat distracted, and played more by feel than concentration, relying on her well-practiced skills.

Fang Lai closed her eyes and listened, unaware of any issues, very satisfied with Tang You’s performance.

At that moment, Tang Yuanxiao suddenly called her daughter via video.

Tang Yuanxiao was actually more fond of his daughter and wanted to stay in C City to accompany her, but he was under Fang Lai’s strict control. When Fang Lai decided to pursue the jewelry deal, he had no choice but to go along with it.

When the video call connected, both faces appeared on screen.

Tang You greeted dutifully: “Dad.”

“Yes, yes, my precious daughter.”

The father and daughter chatted about recent events, with Fang Lai occasionally joining in. The family of three shared some laughs, and the atmosphere seemed warm and cozy.

Just as they were saying goodnight and preparing to hang up, a text message suddenly popped up on the screen.

Though it was brief, Tang You saw it.

So did Fang Lai.

【Y Ge: Is there something you need from me?】

There was a brief pause, and Tang You instinctively reached for the phone on the sofa. Fang Lai also quickly reacted.

Both of them grabbed the phone simultaneously. Tang You pressed the lock screen button with all her might until the phone powered off, then she released her grip.

Fang Lai didn’t know her password.

The mother and daughter looked at each other.

“Y Ge?” Fang Lai was the first to speak, asking with a smile that carried a heavy sense of pressure.

“A friend,” Tang You replied.

“What kind of friend?”

“Just a friend.”

Fang Lai took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and continued with a forced smile, “Is this friend from C City or Haicheng? Does Mom know them? What do they do, and do they—”

“Nothing. They’re just an ordinary person.”

Tang You’s frustration began to show. In Haicheng, every friend she made had been subjected to such intrusive questioning, to the point where she had grown weary of Fang Lai’s scrutiny and had started to keep to herself.

This oppressive environment had gradually stifled her, and she longed for freedom, understanding, and personal space, none of which Fang Lai ever granted.

“Mom,” she extended her hand, feeling a rare impulse to resist, “please give me back my phone.”

Fang Lai looked at her with a now serious expression.

“Tang You,” she said firmly, “Your father pleaded with me to let you have some freedom during your senior year and keep your phone. Now, I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve been too lenient.”

Fang Lai put the phone into her pocket. “I don’t care who this Y Ge is, but you need to remember—”

She hesitated, and after a moment, her tone softened. “Y You, there are many bad people out there. You have to believe that Mom will never harm you.”

Fang Lai had been young once and knew that Tang You was at an age where emotions could easily be stirred. She didn’t want her daughter to be swept away by immature feelings and waste her time.

Her daughter had always been a jewel, deserving of nothing but the best.

Tang You gave a cold smile. “In your eyes, are there any good people in this world?”

Fang Lai’s lips moved as if to say something, but she swallowed it and remained silent.

Calmly, she got up to leave. “You’ll understand Mom’s intentions in time.”

…

The mother and daughter, separated by a text message, parted on a sour note.

As the door closed behind Fang Lai, Tang You sat on the bed, feeling defeated. After several minutes, she finally accepted that her phone had been confiscated.

She still hadn’t replied to Zhou Qinyao.

But maybe it didn’t matter.

He might have already moved on to something else after sending his message, not waiting for her reply.

Or perhaps he was having dinner with a beautiful woman.

Tang You lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind swirling with emotions. Her eyes were slightly stinging, but she fought to hold back her tears, unwilling to let her feelings of frustration show.

Outside the villa, beneath the phoenix tree, a man’s shadow was stretched long by the streetlight. Several cigarette butts were crushed on the nearby trash can.

On his way to catch up with Tang You, Zhou Qinyao had received an urgent call from Wu Zhiyu, who said that Xiao Yang had suddenly developed a high fever. The old lady was frantic and alone, so Zhou Qinyao had to turn back to the alley to take Xiao Yang to the hospital before returning.

But now, it had been twenty minutes since he sent the second message, and Tang You still hadn’t replied.

Her room was lit, and there was still music from the cello, indicating she was home and not asleep.

So why wasn’t she responding to his messages?

No matter how hard he tried to stay calm, Zhou Qinyao couldn’t stop the frustration burning inside him. The emotion felt like a fire on the tip of his heart, and Tang You’s delayed response was like throwing gasoline on it.

The fire grew fiercer, even to the point where it began to hurt.