บท 17: Chapter 17: Tang San Coughs up Blood, Xiao Wu???

T/N: Finally, Webnovel has added support for Bold and Italics, a feature I've been requesting for about five years. From this point forward, characters' thoughts will be presented in italics, while system-related text will appear in bold.

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Tang San found himself increasingly restless.

Over the years, even he had not realized how profoundly important Xiao Wu had become in his heart.

His eyes were tinged with red as he pressed himself against the door, straining to hear any movements inside the room.

Under such circumstances, any man would lose composure. Imagine hearing another man's voice in the room of the woman you care about; it's unbearable for anyone.

"So comfortable," Xu Ran deliberately announced, aware that Tang San was eavesdropping from the other side of the wall.

"If you like it, that's good," Xiao Wu nodded. Seeing some color return to Xu Ran's pallid face, she couldn't help but massage him more diligently. In her mind, Xu Ran was not just a powerful ally; he represented her hope for avenging her mother.

The moment Xu Ran had agreed to assist her in her quest for vengeance, his life had gained a significance in her eyes that surpassed even her own. Her sole purpose in honing her skills was to exact revenge. No matter the cost, she was willing to pay it.

However, Xiao Wu was oblivious to how her words could be misinterpreted. She was also unaware that Tang San was eavesdropping just outside the room. Most importantly, she didn't realize how many games Xu Ran was playing.

No, no he thought in disbelief.

Xiao Wu, how could this be?

Tang San felt like he was about to cough up blood. What had he just heard?

Comfortable?

Comfortable in what way?

When a man and a woman are together, in what context could they possibly be "comfortable"?

A void formed in Tang San's mind. Was Xiao Wu seriously involved with another man? Had she left in such a hurry today just to meet this other man?

A sense of desolation filled Tang San's heart; he even felt like crying. He and Xiao Wu had been together for so many years, and only now did he recognize the depth of his feelings for her. It took this jarring moment for him to realize just how deeply he cared.

What had six years of emotional investment brought him in the end?

Now fully aware of his deep feelings for Xiao Wu, Tang San couldn't help but wonder if it was too late. She had already embraced another man, after all.

A bitter smile emerged on Tang San's face, his heart weighed down by sorrow. He couldn't help but recall Xiao Wu's anxious demeanor from a few hours earlier. She had been so eager to see that man that she had pushed him away just to find him.

That man must be extraordinarily important to her, Tang San thought. She treasures every moment she spends with him, prioritizing him over anyone else—even me.

Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, his teeth clenching his own lip, allowing trickles of blood to escape. Yet he felt no physical pain; the emotional anguish he was experiencing was far worse.

Xiao Wu, I never thought you'd make this choice. Am I really that unworthy? What did those six years even mean? Tang San's heart felt lifeless, as if covered in ash. What could he possibly do now to change what had happened?

Xiao Wu was with that man right now, engaged in an act he couldn't bring himself to articulate.

Should he barge in? To catch them in the act would devastate Xiao Wu, and they might never even remain friends afterward.

What would be the point of that?

Watching Tang San's emotional turmoil from inside the room, Xu Ran nearly burst into laughter. He hadn't expected Tang San's imagination to be so vivid, to conjure such an elaborate scenario from just a few words.

Originally, Xu Ran had thought that Tang San would burst into the room in a fit of anger, only to realize his misunderstanding. Although he might still feel upset seeing how caring Xiao Wu was toward him, Xu Ran never expected this level of reaction.

Unexpectedly, Tang San simply walked away—so decisively.

Did Tang San really think he and Xiao Wu were doing that kind of thing? That was impossible. Even if he were so shameless, Xiao Wu was not that kind of person.

Then again, considering this was Tang San's first experience with such a situation, his emotional struggle was somewhat understandable. After all, he had been a loner in his past life. Faced with such a dramatic event, involving the woman he deeply loved in a room with another man, it was natural for him to lose control and even abandon rational thought.

However, given Tang San's intelligence, he would probably realize his mistake soon enough.

Would Xu Ran let him off the hook so easily, though?

Of course, he intended to further manipulate the situation involving Tang San, deepening their misunderstandings. Even if Tang San were to catch on later, Xiao Wu would already belong to him.

"Xiao Wu, do you have any classmates at your school with the last name Tang?" Xu Ran asked. What would Xiao Wu think if she knew about the relationship between Tang San and Tang Hao?

"In Nuoding City, Tang Hao has probably been watching you closely. If I'm not mistaken, there's a student at your school with the last name Tang, who is a descendant of Tang Hao. Tang Hao hasn't acted against you because he intends for his offspring to kill you and claim your soul rings and soul bones," Xu Ran said.

"A person with the last name Tang?" Xiao Wu's expression changed suddenly, and she abruptly stopped massaging Xu Ran's hand. She stood there, somewhat incredulous.

Isn't Tang San's last name Tang? Could he be the son of Clear Sky Douluo?

His spirit is the Blue Silver Grass; could it have been inherited from Sister Ah Yin?

Xiao Wu trembled slightly. With Xu Ran's hint, she was almost certain of her suspicion. How could a place like Nuoding City produce someone with innate full soul power?

If he's not Tang Hao's son, then how could he possess both the Blue Silver Grass spirit and innate full soul power?

Could it be that he purposely got close to her?

Did Tang Hao figure out the lineage of her spirit beast and then have Tang San approach her from a young age? Would he eventually kill her when he became powerful enough?

Xiao Wu felt a chill throughout her body, and her face turned pale. She stood there motionless, as if she had received a huge shock.

It can't be, he's not that kind of person.

But what if he truly came for my soul rings and soul bones...

How could his act be indistinguishable from the truth? Can he really act that well?

Xiao Wu sat on the edge of the bed, thinking to herself. At that moment, she appeared exceptionally vulnerable, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

"What's wrong?" Xu Ran tightly gripped Xiao Wu's hand, feeling a pang of heartache. He didn't want to see Xiao Wu in distress. However, this was an experience she had to go through. Otherwise, in the future, Da Ming and Er Ming would also become soul rings for Tang San. Tang San, such a righteous character, is just like his father—targeting those close to them. Even later, the father and son both managed to earn the reputation of being lovers.

To be fair, Xiao Someone from next door is nowhere near Tang San's level. If Xiao Someone also let Xun'er and Cai Lin die in front of him, only to seek revenge later, could he perhaps maintain his character image?

T/N: I don't know what the author is on about but I sense profoundness...

Since when did one maintain their character through the death of their spouse? How tragic is that?

But since he had come to the Douluo Continent, since he would completely outshine Tang San, he wanted to show Tang San what kind of loser he was.

"The Hat of Destiny controls the fate of the world. I have a hat imbued with endless fate here. Put it on his head; if the hat glows, it signifies that everything he's done and said to you is a lie," Xu Ran said, producing a green hat. What kind of fate did Tang San have? It didn't need to be said. A fate of being cuckolded, a fate of being a loser.