Pampered Rose

Chapter 2 : Now…Have you already grown up this much?

As soon as the words were spoken, the private room fell into complete silence. Everyone present was stunned.

Fu Qingyang also froze, looking confused as he said, “Uncle, what do you mean?”

The man in the main seat maintained a cold, detached expression, his dark eyes showing a trace of unreadable amusement. He remained silent, his gaze still fixed on Tang Li, examining her with a cold, indifferent look.

Tang Li, however, remained calm. She slightly pressed her lips together and met the man’s gaze directly, replying softly, “Uncle, I don’t understand what you mean.”

Her eyes were clear and unassuming.

Fu Qingyang, unsure of what to do, could barely bring himself to speak. He noticed how the term “Uncle” seemed oddly fitting when Tang Li used it.

Fu Jiuye remained silent, and those at the table also kept quiet.

Tang Li raised her gaze and continued to meet the man’s eyes with a composed demeanor.

The black beads in the man’s cold, white hands were lightly rubbed, and he seemed intrigued. His lips slightly pressed together, and his sharply arched eyebrows showed a hint of interest. His gaze sliced through her curvaceous form and the straight, beautiful legs beneath the dark blue qipao.

“Clunk—”

The tea cup in his long, slender fingers tapped on the table, breaking the silence. Fu Jiuye’s expression remained indifferent as his dark eyes slowly moved away from Tang Li. He finally spoke, addressing his nephew with a detached tone, “Your girlfriend’s clothes are soaked. Aren’t you going to take her to change?”

Fu Qingyang was taken aback but then relieved. He quickly raised his head with a pleasing smile, “You’re right, Uncle. I almost forgot.”

Fu Jiuye showed no reaction, not even a glance, as he nonchalantly pushed the tea cup aside.

Tang Li, her fair fingers gripping the hem of her dress, continued to gaze at the man in the main seat. Her pink lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something.

“What are you standing around for?” Fu Qingyang frowned and pulled Tang Li.

Tang Li came to her senses as a waiter approached the entrance, bowing to her, “Miss Tang, please follow me.”

Tang Li acknowledged with a nod, adjusted her dress, and followed the waiter out to change.

Once she left, the private room started to buzz with low murmurs.

Fu Qingyang took the initiative to pour tea for Fu Jiuye, ingratiatingly asking, “Uncle, what do you think of Tang Li?”

Fu Jiuye’s hand rested on the table, his black beads rubbing together. His expression remained indifferent as he replied coolly, “Average.”

Fu Qingyang’s heart sank, nearly spilling the tea, with a few drops splashing onto Fu Jiuye’s sleeve. He quickly reached to wipe it away.

“Do you like her that much?” Fu Jiuye observed his nephew’s disoriented look, picking up his tea cup and speaking mildly.

Fu Qingyang’s face was awkward. “Well, she’s quite good-looking, but Grandpa and Dad don’t like her much, so I thought I’d bring her for you to see…” His voice trailed off.

Fu Jiuye understood his implication, and a faint, ambiguous smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Creak—” The door to the private room opened.

Tang Li returned in a new outfit.

She had changed out of the dark blue qipao into a light crimson one, adorned with fine floral patterns at the collar. Her previously tied-up black hair was now loose, giving her the appearance of a serene beauty emerging from a traditional ink painting, breathtakingly beautiful.

The room fell silent, and the people at the table were instantly mesmerized, with audible breaths of astonishment.

Many of them had seen beautiful women before, and many had seen women in qipaos, but none had seen someone like Tang Li, who brought the qipao to life in such a captivating manner.

Fu Qingyang was also stunned. Although he knew Tang Li was beautiful, he was still taken aback. Recovering quickly, he stepped to the side to block her and harshly chided, “Who told you to let your hair down?”

Tang Li seemed not to hear him. With her delicate, fair chin slightly lifted, she focused on Fu Jiuye and spoke directly, “Thank you, Uncle. The qipao is very beautiful.”

Fu Jiuye’s expression remained cold, his well-defined profile showing only a slight lift of the eyelid as he glanced at her. His gaze lingered briefly before he returned to playing with his black beads, seemingly indifferent.

“Miss Tang, you’re from the Tang family?” someone at the table suddenly asked.

Fu Qingyang frowned, internally cursing, and was about to interrupt.

Tang Li, who had been mostly silent, spoke up, “Yes, I’m Tang Li, Tang Li of the ‘Tang Li’s Winter Snow.’”

She spoke clearly and confidently, meeting the man’s gaze directly.

The questioner was taken aback, and others around them began to speak.

“Tang Li? Could you be the Tang family’s Little Goddess of Kunqu?”

“Indeed, she really does resemble her.”

“I noticed it as soon as she walked in. It’s really like her.”

The table buzzed with conversation as everyone focused on Tang Li.

The Little Goddess of the Tang family, known for her remarkable Kunqu performance at sixteen, had been well-known in the circle, but after some trouble, she had disappeared. Today, they were finally seeing her in person.

Little Goddess of Kunqu, Little Goddess of Kunqu, no wonder.

Fu Qingyang clenched his fists nervously, glancing at his uncle.

Fu Jiuye, hearing this, showed no particular emotion. He leisurely looked up at Tang Li, who was standing gracefully.

He vaguely remembered the Tang family’s Little Goddess but recalled that the last time he saw her, she was only thirteen. At that time, she wasn’t much of a Little Goddess of Kunqu, her water sleeve dance wasn’t impressive, her Kunqu singing was off-key, and she liked to hide in the garden to cry.

His eyes narrowed, and his dark, deep gaze coldly swept over her qipao’s curvaceous lines. His sharp brows lifted slightly as he thought, “Now…Have you already grown up this much?”