Chapter 1196: Chapter 1196: Extra Story of the Eel 33

She was lost in her thoughts when the car pulled up right in front of her—

The window rolled down, and the man inside looked at her with great curiosity, as if he had just spotted some rare species.

Su Man was stared at for a few seconds. Unable to take it anymore, she blurted out in irritation, “What are you looking at?!”

Li Li adjusted his glasses and chuckled, sighing, “Not bad~ I didn’t expect a tomboy to clean up so well. What’s the occasion? Another charity gala?”

Su Man: “…”

… Tomboy…

Fine!

Screw feeling guilty or embarrassed!

Her face instantly turned cold. Spotting a ride-hailing car slowly entering the neighborhood not far ahead, she lifted her dress and walked away with a stony expression.

She didn’t say another word to Li Li.

From behind, Li Li laughed loudly and called out, “Hey! Take smaller steps! Don’t scare the guests at the gala!”

Su Man really wanted to go back and beat him up.

…

She got into the car, and it drove out of the villa complex.

Rows of straight streetlights lined both sides of the road, their light alternating between bright and dark as the car moved, as if it were driving into a new dimension, a new world.

All her old emotions seemed to peel away, left behind in that place.

The remnants of her earlier anger dissipated entirely, replaced by a sense of desolation.

So, he really didn’t care…

Even after seeing her dressed to the nines, his first assumption was that she was going to some banquet. He didn’t even bother to ask further questions.

He wasn’t the least bit worried whether she might meet another man at the event.

… He outright called her a tomboy. He must’ve concluded that no man would ever be interested in her anyway.

So, this relationship… it’s all one-sided. All that talk about no one else wanting her, so he’d marry her—clearly just jokes, right? And all the talk about that childhood promise his family made to hers? Also just jokes, huh?

All of them were just joking. Only she took it seriously.

…

While Su Man was in the car, wallowing in her tangled emotions, little did she know that back at home, her mom was over the moon with excitement.

Su’s mom could not wait to call Su’s dad at the hospital!

“Guess what I saw when I got home today!”

Su’s dad: “…A burglar?”

“Can’t you say something nice for once?!” Su’s mom’s mood was instantly deflated. “I saw Manman!”

Su’s dad, confused: “Isn’t that obvious? If you went home, of course you’d see Manman. Unless you accidentally went to your parents’ house instead.”

Su’s mom: “Who’s talking about my parents’ house?! Can’t you ask how Manman is doing?!”

Sensing that his wife’s reaction wasn’t normal, Su’s dad seriously thought for a moment before cautiously saying, “Manman… was supposed to have dinner with Xiaolu tonight, wasn’t she?”

“Exactly!” Su’s mom said excitedly. “Xiaolu bought her clothes! Shoes! And even a set of jewelry! I told you long ago he has a thing for our daughter, but you didn’t believe me. Now, look! Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Hearing this, Su’s dad felt both pleased and a bit dismissive. “At least he’s got good taste… But thinking he can win our daughter over with money? That kid is still too naïve.”

Su’s mom couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Who cares if it’s a money tactic? He’s still better than the guy next door who hasn’t made a single move in over a decade!”

“Hey, hey, why’re you talking like that…” Su’s dad said leisurely, “The kids are still young. Don’t be so anxious…”

“Still young?!” Su’s mom’s voice jumped a few decibels. “Manman is already 23! Because of that guy next door, she hasn’t had a single boyfriend in 23 years, and he still hasn’t given any clear sign! If she were 17 or 18, I wouldn’t say a thing, but she’s 23! Twenty-three! Do you want me to wait until our daughter’s 32 before I start panicking?!”