Only I Understand His Gentle Heart - Chapter 97.2

Kind of dumb, isn’t it?

Tang Yu stared at her. “I like you.”

Tang Xin smiled smugly, tilting her chin up. “Keep going… say it 99 times!”

“The rest can wait. I’ll say it slowly over time. If I say it all at once, I’m afraid you’ll get bored.” With that, he pinched her cheek and opened the car door. “Alright, let’s get you upstairs. Go take a good rest.”

Tang Xin, “…”

She’d actually thought he was going to say all 99!

She got out of the car as Tang Yu retrieved her oversized suitcase. Too tired to deal with it herself, she simply let him carry it upstairs without protest.

Tang Xin lived on the 15th floor. As they stepped into the elevator, she pulled out her phone and checked the time—11:30 p.m. “Tang Yu, once you drop off the suitcase, you have to leave. I’m going to shower and sleep.”

“What if I don’t want to leave?”

“…Not happening. Don’t even think about it.”

Ding!

Tang Yu pushed the suitcase out of the elevator. Tang Xin rummaged through her backpack for her keys, warning him as she unlocked the door, “You can sit for ten minutes—no more.”

Tang Yu, knowing how exhausted she was, didn’t plan to stay long anyway. He impatiently pinched her cheek again. “Hurry up and open the door.”

The door swung open, and the air inside felt slightly stale.

Last month, her father had stayed there for a couple of days during a business trip, but the apartment had been unoccupied since then, with no ventilation. Tang Yu stepped in and asked, “Want me to take your suitcase to your room?”

“No, no, no, I’ve got lots of stuff in there. I’ll sort it all out here in the living room.”

Tang Xin ran off to open the windows for fresh air, while Tang Yu placed the suitcase beside the couch.

When she returned, she flopped onto the sofa, clutching a throw pillow like it was her most prized possession. “Finally home!”

Tang Yu chuckled and bent down to ruffle her hair. “Go to bed early. I’m leaving now, okay?”

“Okay.”

She got up and followed him to the door.

Standing by the entrance, Tang Yu gave her a mischievous smile. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? I could help you unpack… or finish saying the other 98 times. Hmm?”

Tang Xin’s face flushed. “No need! Just go!”

“Really?”

Tang Xin opened the door, smiling sweetly as she gestured for him to leave. “Mr. Tang, have a safe trip home.”

Tang Yu stopped smiling, leaned down to plant a quick kiss on her lips, and left.

Is there even a difference between us and an actual couple at this point?

Tang Xin shut the door, then went back to the living room. Opening her suitcase, she pulled out the shoes and various compartmentalized bags of odds and ends, digging through the pile of clothes until she found a small, elegant box.

Inside was a luxury Jaeger-LeCoultre men’s watch, one of the latest models she had seen in a magazine. She’d immediately thought it would look perfect on Tang Yu.

It had cost over 100,000 yuan—the most expensive gift she had ever bought.

Even when she splurged on designer bags, she’d never spent so much.

But then again…

Considering how much money Tang Yu had sent her in red envelopes, it didn’t feel like she was spending her own money at all.

She carried the watch to her room and placed it in a drawer. Once Tang Yu finished saying “I like you” 99 times, she would give it to him.

By the time she finished her shower, Tang Xin was so sleepy her eyes could barely stay open. She collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

…

Tang Yu returned home, stepping out of the shower dressed in a robe, towel in hand as he dried his hair. He walked into the living room, grabbed the phone he’d left on the entryway table, and flopped onto the sofa.

After glancing through some emails, he opened WeChat.

On his way home, Tang Xin had posted a new update to her friend circle.

“I’m back! Come find me to hang out!”

The attached image was a humorous meme: One day, I’ll become a rich person.jpg.

The corner of Tang Yu’s mouth quirked up. He planned to send her a red envelope to tease her. Just as he was about to press “send,” he paused, smiled, and changed the message from the usual “Wishing you wealth and good fortune” to “I like you.”

Ninety-nine times, right?

Fine.

Propping his chin on one hand, Tang Yu leisurely yet swiftly sent her 99 red envelopes, each with the same message, “I like you.”

By the time he finished, it was already 1 a.m.

Tang Xin slept like the dead. It wasn’t until noon the next day that she finally woke up.

Her peace, however, was shattered by the blaring ringtone of her phone.

Groggily reaching for it, she saw an unknown number. She answered, only to hear a syrupy voice on the other end:

“Hello, miss, would you like to apply for a loan? We offer amazing rates…”

“I need 10 billion. Do you have that? No? My boyfriend does—didn’t you know? You’re trying to scam someone who’s practically a rich lady, with a boyfriend who’s loaded. Do your research!”

“…”

Tang Xin promptly hung up.

Ugh, scam calls ruining her precious sleep.

Her irritation dissipated as she opened WeChat and saw a 99+ message notification from Tang Yu. She froze for a moment. Did Big Spender send me 99 red envelopes again?

Curious, she tapped into their chat. The sight of 99 red envelopes neatly lined up made her jaw drop.

Each envelope came with the same note, sent at 1 a.m. last night:

[I like you][I like you][I like you][I like you][I like you][I like you]…

All ninety-nine of them.

If she clicked to claim them, she’d be accepting this over-the-top, flirtatious move of his.

This was… outrageous.

Tang Xin stared at the screen for a long while, completely unsure if she should tap or not.

🌟 Kliraz’s Tidbit: Love Notes, Red Envelopes, and 99 Reasons! 🌟

Let’s talk about red envelopes as love notes! In Chinese culture, red envelopes (hóngbāo) are traditionally given during celebrations like Lunar New Year, weddings, or as blessings. But here, Tang Yu uses them as modern love confessions—what a playful twist! Compare this to handwritten love letters in Victorian England or ema (wishes on wooden plaques) in Japan. In the digital age, China’s WeChat has turned this age-old tradition into a flirtatious tool. Isn’t it amazing how culture evolves while staying rooted in tradition? (*≧ω≦)

Historically, numbers carry meaning in Chinese culture. The number nine (jiǔ) symbolizes longevity or eternity—perfect for a romantic declaration. Similarly, in Italy, lovers may give 101 roses to signify undying love, while in India, odd numbers like 99 could signify continuity. What’s the number of love in your culture? (o´▽`o)

Tang Xin’s over-the-top response to a scam call is a universal mood. Behavioral science tells us humor reduces stress—her playful sass is a psychological win! Plus, rejecting scams with wit? Globally satisfying!

So, readers, if someone confessed to you with 99 texts or gestures, would you think it’s sweet or overkill? Share your thoughts—don’t leave me hanging! (*￣▽￣)ノ♡