Chapter 572：The Lonely Top Student 35

Tang Wan felt a little embarrassed hearing that, but Jiao Tong nodded seriously, staring at the childhood photos with bright eyes.

“Uncle is right! She’s really cute!”

Hearing this, Father Tang immediately felt like he had found a kindred spirit and excitedly continued flipping through the album.

“Let me tell you, she was very destructive as a child. Things in the house would break every couple of days! If it weren’t for how cute she was, I would’ve thrown her out long ago!” he said, accidentally revealing the truth.

Tang Wan: …

So I survived purely thanks to my looks?

…

At that moment, Mother Tang came over with dishes and called out cheerfully, “Come, time to eat!”

Only then did Father Tang and Jiao Tong reluctantly tear their eyes away from the photo album.

At the dining table, Father Tang and Mother Tang took turns praising Tang Wan endlessly.

Tang Wan was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear, but Jiao Tong listened carefully, smiling the whole time and nodding from time to time.

By the end of the meal, the two elders looked at him with increasing satisfaction—their expressions had already shifted into that of parents looking at a future son-in-law.

Tang Wan: …

Are you really that worried I won’t get married?

…

After lunch, as Jiao Tong prepared to leave, Mother Tang immediately nudged Tang Wan.

“Wanwan, go see him off! Make sure you escort him downstairs!”

“Oh.” Tang Wan nodded, put on her gloves, and left with him.

Inside the elevator, she glanced at him sideways. “Now do you understand why I said there’s nothing to worry about?”

Jiao Tong chuckled softly. “Mm. Uncle and Aunt look like they can’t wait to pack you up and hand you to me.”

Tang Wan shot him a glare.

Seeing that, Jiao Tong quickly added, “Of course, I’d be very happy to receive you.”

That instantly made her smile again. “That’s more like it.”

…

When they reached downstairs, Tang Wan said reluctantly, “Then… go back safely.”

“Mm.” Jiao Tong nodded.

But when he saw her looking at him so affectionately, he suddenly stepped forward, pressing her lightly against the wall.

After a long moment, Tang Wan finally murmured, “Go… go back.”

Jiao Tong gave a soft hum.

Tang Wan smiled and turned toward the elevator, her steps light and cheerful.

Watching her leave, he couldn’t help but smile before turning away.

…

Monday morning.

As soon as Tang Wan came downstairs, she saw Jiao Tong already waiting with his schoolbag.

The moment he saw her, his expression softened.

“Have you eaten breakfast?”

“Yes! What about you, Tongtong?” she replied.

“I’ve eaten too. Let’s go.”

He wheeled out a new bicycle and got on.

Tang Wan’s eyes curved into a smile as she carefully arranged her skirt and sat on the back seat.

…

From then on, the two went to and from school together every day, and spent weekends going out. Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was July 15th.

The Ghost Festival.

The day when the gates of the underworld were said to open—the most yin-heavy day of the year.

…

That evening, after Jiao Tong sent Tang Wan home, he returned to his own house as usual.

At first, nothing seemed wrong.

But as midnight approached, he suddenly felt a violent force stirring inside his body.

His expression darkened instantly.

The relaxed warmth he’d felt these past days because of Tang Wan vanished, replaced by a heavy gloom.

Then—

A familiar, vicious voice echoed in his mind.

“You ungrateful wretch! You actually dared to find a Taoist to suppress me?! I won’t let you go!”

It was Jiao Chun.

And in the next moment—

The presence inside him surged violently, launching a frenzied assault.