Her Wild Rose - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Getting Married

#WhereDidTangTangGo
#“Besties”Suspended
#SuQianChenShen
#LiXiangApologizes
#LiXiangQuitsTheIndustry

On the third day after Tang Tang was discharged from the hospital, a series of trending searches about her suddenly climbed to the top. As she watered the plants, her hands didn’t stop, but her eyes kept sneaking glances at Su Qian, who was slicing fruit while holding a tablet.

That woman’s long fingers moved deftly across the screen, slashing through virtual fruit with exaggerated “slice-slice-slice” sound effects echoing from the speakers, drifting into Tang Tang’s ears from the living room.

“Such a fake goody-two-shoes.”

Rolling her eyes, Tang Tang muttered as she scrolled through the trending post about Li Xiang—and was immediately so shocked by what she saw that she forgot to finish her complaint.

On Weibo’s real-time feed, almost every marketing account had gone into full attack mode, collectively posting screenshots of damning evidence and testimonies from victims, exposing years of Li Xiang keeping both boys and girls as “sugar babies.” Some of these victims were now minor celebrities or influencers still active on Weibo—and they all reposted the accusations, clearly ready to go head-to-head with Li Xiang.

At this point, even the best PR team seemed useless.

@NoLemonsForMe: “Is this the same Li Xiang who gave that speech at last year’s charity gala? I thought he seemed shady even then.”

@WhatDoYouThink: “Exactly! He gave me a bad vibe too.”

@1921: “They say the entertainment industry is deep water… and now I believe it.”

@PeaceAndJoy: “Honestly glad I never got into celebrity worship. The stars under his agency must be sobbing right now.”

@NoTopGradesNoNewName: “Isn’t ‘Besties’ already suspended for a week? Wonder if it’ll even air this week.”

@You’reAllRight: “Heard some canary he was keeping caused Tang Tang’s accident. That’s why Su Qian went after Li Xiang. As for the show resuming—I think it’ll wait until Tang Tang’s fully recovered.”

@TianYa: “I agree. Su Qian seems to really care about Tang Tang—she wouldn’t let her work while sick.”

…

Netizens were terrifyingly resourceful. Tang Tang had thought she’d buried that night’s incident deep enough—there were no paparazzi reports, after all—yet in just three days, everyone somehow knew the gist of what had happened.

She sighed helplessly, feeling her hard-earned break was likely coming to an end.

“Something on your mind?”

She’d poured half the watering can into a single rose pot. The small planter couldn’t hold so much water, and droplets mixed with soil trickled down, dirtying the floor.

“Mm,” Tang Tang nodded at Su Qian’s question, eyes lowered to her fingers. “Chen Shen’s trending. I should’ve blurred out his name.”

So that’s what she was worried about.

Su Qian’s lips curled into a knowing smile. She reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope she had already prepared, handing it to Tang Tang.

“I called Chen Shen’s doctor yesterday. She said he’s doing much better—he’s started speaking and communicating again.”

Before she finished, Tang Tang’s sulking face brightened. She was genuinely happy for Chen Shen; being able to communicate meant he was on track to return to normal life.

“I already had the legal team terminate his contract with Li Xiang. I also got in touch with a foreign psychiatrist. Once the public heat dies down, I’ll send him to Florence. When he’s well enough to reenter society, we’ll talk about whether he wants to stay there or come back.”

Su Qian outlined her plans in an orderly manner. Each word reassured Tang Tang. She held Su Qian’s hand in hers, gently rubbing it.

She didn’t know what to say. But her feelings were clear in the way she held her.

“You trying to thank me?” Su Qian chuckled and pinched her cheek. “Maybe when you’re fully recovered, we can explore… other ways of expressing gratitude?”

!

Tang Tang heard the teasing in Su Qian’s voice and immediately threw off her hand, glaring with puffed cheeks in protest.

She was always like that—like a little firecracker. Say something too suggestive, and she’d bristle instantly.

“Aww, don’t be mad. We’ve got plenty of time together.”

Since reconciling, Su Qian had learned Tang Tang’s boundaries well—easily flustered but soft-hearted. Just offer a proper apology, and everything would be fine.

“Hey, Su Qian—how long did you take off from the show?”

After leaving the hospital, Tang Tang had been driven straight back to Liaoan by Su Qian. Since this rare downtime was so precious, even a work-committed person like Tang Tang adopted a no-discussion-of-work rule.

“Haven’t said,” Su Qian blinked, pausing in thought. A small wrinkle formed between her brows. “But I’m guessing filming in Liangcheng is probably wrapping up around now.”

Yeah… I wonder how Dong Yu and Chen Zhi are doing.

Tang Tang felt a bit of regret. She never felt particularly close to Chen Zhi, but after going through everything with Chen Shen and Li Xiang, her perspective had shifted.

“Why don’t we go back this Friday?” Tang Tang suggested. It was only Wednesday, and they could still enjoy two more days of leisure. Seeing Su Qian wasn’t objecting, she quickly sent the director a message that they’d return to work soon.

Now that Su Qian had entrusted her with Su Corporation, Tang Tang knew she had to take her new breadwinning role seriously.

Just then, her mostly-unused second phone buzzed on the couch. Tang Tang glanced at the screen—it was a new DM on Weibo.

@TianQingqing: “Tang Tang, are you free tonight to meet? We’re in Liaoan too.”

Her?

Tang Tang looked at Su Qian, and found the same surprise mirrored in her eyes. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating before stopping entirely.

Somehow, replying—or refusing—both felt a little… awkward.

@TianQingqing: “Qiqi and I are going abroad for a fresh start. Since you’re here, it’d be good to say a proper goodbye.”

Tang Tang stared at the new message. Whatever reason she had to say no suddenly felt flimsy.

She looked at Su Qian, and in the warmth of that gaze, replied: “You pick the time and place. Su Qian and I will be there.”

5 PM – Xu’s Hotpot Restaurant

As Tang Tang and Su Qian arrived at the entrance, they saw Tian Qingqing and Gu Qiqi already waiting, both in padded coats. Tian Qingqing looked thinner—her once edgy buzzcut had grown into a shoulder-length bob, softening her appearance.

“Hi, Tang Tang-jie, Su Qian-jie.”

Maybe there was still some lingering awkwardness, because Tian Qingqing hesitated a moment. It was Gu Qiqi, always the more outgoing one, who first stepped up to greet them.

“Did you two walk here? Your faces are all red from the cold.”

“Yeah, we live nearby.” Tang Tang replied naturally, glancing at Tian Qingqing and smiling as usual. “You look much better now. Everything going well lately?”

“Everything’s going fine.”

Tian Qingqing smiled politely and led them inside. “Come on, let’s talk inside.”

With the Lunar New Year approaching, the student crowd had gone home, and Xu’s looked much quieter than usual. The elderly couple who ran the shop were lazily chatting while washing vegetables.

“Auntie, one spicy butter hotpot, please.” Tang Tang walked over cheerfully and handed the couple some gifts she and Su Qian had prepared. “Guess who I brought today?”

“Oh my! Su Qian! Come let Auntie have a look.” The old woman smiled, squinting fondly. “You’ve really grown up—so much prettier than before.”

Su Qian smiled and wrapped an arm around Tang Tang’s shoulder. “Auntie, Tang Tang and I are getting married next year. You must come to our wedding.”

“I will, I will! Auntie will prepare a big red envelope for you!”

They sat down in a private room. Steam from the hotpot blurred their faces, making everyone’s expressions hard to read.

Maybe the past still hung between them, because for a long time, no one spoke. It was Gu Qiqi who finally broke the silence.

“Tang Tang-jie, you’re really getting married?” Her voice was full of excitement. “When’s the wedding? Qingqing and I will definitely come back no matter what.”

“October,” Su Qian answered before Tang Tang could, clearly having thought this through many times already.

“We’ll definitely be there.” Gu Qiqi grinned at Tian Qingqing, then turned to explain, “Qingqing’s not fully recovered yet. And honestly, the environment here isn’t the best for healing. So I’m taking her abroad to start fresh—wherever we like, we’ll settle there. Once she’s better, we’ll come back.”

“If there’s anything you need help with, just tell us.” Su Qian looked sincerely at Tian Qingqing, offering an olive branch for the first time.

She knew Tang Tang wasn’t someone to hold grudges, so she needed to learn to let go too.

“Thank you.”

Tian Qingqing nodded, touched. For the first time since studying abroad, she looked Su Qian straight in the eyes. She’d spent so long wondering why she wasn’t enough—why Tang Tang chose Su Qian.

But now, having set aside her pride and bitterness, she had to admit: Su Qian really was more worthy of Tang Tang’s love.

And just like that, a ten-year crush came to an end.

Because she had bet—and lost.

“Well, here’s to your journey ahead.”

Su Qian was the first to raise her glass. Smiling, she looked at the two women. Tian Qingqing and Gu Qiqi lifted their glasses too, hope shining in their eyes.

“To the road ahead.”

This drink was for the future.