Only I Understand His Gentle Heart - Chapter 101.4

Tang Xin leaned closer to the fridge to inspect its contents: chicken wings, braised pig trotters, fried yellow croaker, and more. There was enough food for at least two meals. Taking out the small container of yellow croaker, she tasted a piece. “Mmm, so good!”

She held out the fish to Tang Yu, who leaned down and took a bite.

Satisfied, she munched on another piece before urging him, “Tang Yu, hurry and cook. I’m starving!”

Tang Yu glanced at her lazily. “I’ll cook, but you’re in charge of taking the food out and plating it.”

“Okay!”

Tang Xin happily set about finding plates and arranging the food. She glanced back at Tang Yu, who had rolled up his shirt sleeves and was rinsing rice at the sink. A laugh bubbled out of her.

“Wow, Tang Yu. You’re a CEO, and yet on your first day of living together, you’re at home cooking dinner with your girlfriend? Shouldn’t we be out at some fancy French or Italian restaurant? Isn’t this a bit too… ordinary?”

Tang Yu turned to her, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “If you want French or Italian, fine. Put the food back in the fridge, and we’ll head out.”

Caught mid-bite, Tang Xin quickly replied, “No, no, let’s save that for tomorrow.”

As she ate another bite, she teased, “This pig trotter is so delicious… Big Pig Trotter Tang!”

Tang Yu chuckled, shaking his head at her childish antics.

Later, Ming Zhu messaged in their group chat, asking if anyone wanted to join her for a boxing match.

You Huan: Too busy, can’t go.

Tang Xin: I’m in! Tang Yu and I will come. Who’s fighting?

Ming Zhu: Xu Jingyu and Lu Zhuofeng.

It turned out there really was a small match happening. Lu Zhuofeng was on leave, and the match would be a post-game sparring session between him and Xu Jingyu.

The day of the match, Tang Xin and Tang Yu arrived early.

When Tang Xin saw Xu Jingyu in the ring—shirtless, clad in black shorts, exuding raw masculinity—she couldn’t help but gush, “Wow, Xu Jingyu is so handsome!”

Tang Yu shot her a sidelong glance, then looked up at the ring. He and Xu Jingyu knew each other, and he’d watched a few boxing matches before. Leaning down, he murmured in Tang Xin’s ear, “Keep drooling over him, and I’ll make sure you pay for it tonight.”

Tang Xin froze, her face turning red as she glanced around nervously. Thankfully, no one seemed to have heard him.

A few minutes later, Ming Zhu and Lu Zhuofeng arrived. Ming Zhu wore a deep navy qipao that accentuated her elegant, curvaceous figure. Had she not carried such a gentle aura, she would’ve looked downright bewitching.

Walking over with Lu Zhuofeng’s arm around her waist, Ming Zhu smiled at Tang Xin. “Have you two been here long?”

Tang Yu was momentarily awkward but quickly recovered. Considering Ming Zhu was both a screenwriter at his company and Tang Xin’s friend, gatherings like this would become common.

Tang Xin smiled back. “Just a few minutes.”

The four of them sat down together as the match began. An Qing, still working as a ring girl, was performing her duties, while her boyfriend He Cheng watched her from the sidelines. Ming Zhu pointed toward the ring and said to Tang Xin, “That’s He Cheng, An Qing’s boyfriend.”

She then gestured toward a strikingly attractive woman seated nearby. “And over there—that’s Xu Jingyu’s girlfriend.”

“She’s gorgeous,” Tang Xin murmured, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “You know, I’ve noticed that attractive people always seem to be surrounded by other attractive people. Look at Lu Zhuofeng, Xu Jingyu, their girlfriends, An Qing, He Cheng…”

“You’re attractive too,” Tang Yu said.

“And you’re the most attractive,” she quipped back with a grin.

They exchanged a look and burst into laughter.

Both Lu Zhuofeng and Tang Yu glanced at their respective partners. Lu Zhuofeng affectionately ruffled Ming Zhu’s hair, while Tang Yu gave Tang Xin’s cheek a playful pinch.

After the match ended, the group went out for dinner.

An Qing was lively and sharp-tongued, her witty jabs at her boyfriend keeping everyone entertained. Tang Xin was fascinated—she’d never met a woman who could roast her boyfriend so fearlessly.

Turning to Tang Yu, she said, “Look, Tang Yu. He Cheng is so patient with her!”

Tang Yu shrugged dismissively. “It’s all for show.”

Tang Xin spent the rest of the evening observing Tang Yu carefully. By the time dinner ended, she realized something, his attention was entirely on her. Ming Zhu was just a passing thought in his mind now.

Around midnight, the group headed to the parking lot.

Lu Zhuofeng, carrying a tipsy Ming Zhu, leaned down and murmured in her ear, “Time to go home?”

Ming Zhu, leaning against him, replied softly, “Okay.”

As Tang Xin climbed into Tang Yu’s car and fastened her seatbelt, a thought struck her. “If Ming Zhu ever has a daughter, I’m definitely having a son.”

Tang Yu glanced at her, puzzled. “Why a son?”

“I just know Ming Zhu’s daughter would be gorgeous,” Tang Xin explained with a sly smile. “If I have a son, he can chase after her. You couldn’t win Ming Zhu over, but if our son wins her daughter, wouldn’t that make up for it?”

Tang Yu, “…”

For the sake of family harmony, Tang Yu decided her twisted logic on love and revenge might need some work.

🎭 Behind the Curtain with Kliraz—Global Vibes and Tang-Tang Sparks!

Tang Yu cooking at home? That’s a modern twist. Traditional Chinese gender norms often expected men to avoid housework, yet today’s relationships—especially in urban China—are shifting toward equality. In Nordic countries like Sweden, cooking together has long been a cornerstone of egalitarian relationships, while in Italy, cooking is often tied to romance. Who else imagines Tang Yu tossing pasta like an Italian chef? (⌒‿⌒)

Tang Xin’s fascination with boxing highlights how sports once considered “masculine” have gained broader appeal. Historically, boxing in China was niche, but today it’s trendy, especially among younger crowds. Globally, it mirrors shifts in places like Mexico and Japan, where boxing was male-dominated but now attracts diverse audiences.

Did you notice Tang Xin’s comment about “good-looking people attracting good-looking people”? This is a universal perception. In Brazil, beauty is celebrated openly, while South Koreans link appearance to social success. Behavioral science backs this, the “halo effect” shows that we assume attractive people are more capable or likable.

So, readers, do you agree? Are gorgeous people surrounded by equally stunning friends? What’s your most “halo effect” moment? (≧◡≦)ノ