Tsundere

Waiting in the small tattoo parlor, White Hair had assumed Lin Yu would take a while to arrive, given how far his home was from here.

Not to mention the city was blanketed in snow, and taxis wouldn’t dare speed through it.

But to White Hair’s surprise, it wasn’t long before a sleek blue-and-white motorcycle screeched to a halt outside the shop.

Watching Lin Yu storm off the bike, his face dark with anger as he strode toward the entrance, White Hair was stunned.

Seriously, Brother Long?

This urgent?

Riding a motorcycle in this blizzard—you’re really not afraid of wiping out and ending up in the hospital, huh?

As Lin Yu pushed the door open, White Hair stood up to greet him.

“Long—”

“...”

One look at the fury etched across Lin Yu’s face, and White Hair wisely shut his mouth, deciding it was best to stay out of it and just observe.

The moment Lin Yu stepped inside, his glare swept over the room like a raging storm. He looked exactly like a father who’d gotten a solid tip that his truant kid was holed up in this internet café.

His furious gaze quickly locked onto his target, and he marched straight toward her.

Tang Manman stood timidly to the side, too nervous to sit down since the moment she’d entered the tattoo parlor.

And after White Hair called Lin Yu? Her anxiety had only skyrocketed.

Like a kid who’d messed up and was now waiting for a parent to arrive, she fidgeted in place, her fingers twisting together helplessly.

She looked utterly pitiful—enough to soften anyone’s heart.

Well.

Almost anyone.

Lin Yu closed the distance between them in long, swift strides. Without a word, he grabbed Tang Manman’s delicate ear and yanked it upward sharply.

A pained expression instantly twisted her sweet, innocent face.

Not a trace of gentleness in his actions, Lin Yu dragged her by the ear, storming back toward the exit.

Poor Tang Manman, too short to match his pace, had to half-run on tiptoe just to keep up, desperate to spare her ear further torment.

Watching the two of them leave like an angry father hauling his misbehaving daughter, White Hair couldn’t help but grin like a delighted fangirl.

Honestly.

Brother Long was such a tsundere.

All tough talk, but his heart was soft.

Just a while ago, he’d insisted he and Tang Manman had nothing between them.

And now look at him—this worked up and furious?

That didn’t scream “no relationship” at all.

Then again…

White Hair stroked his chin, feigning deep thought.

Maybe it was time to revive the old nickname—“Dragon’s Wife”?

After a moment’s consideration, though, he shrank back, shaking his head.

Nah. Better not.

Brother Long’s infamous neck chop was no joke.

Stretching lazily, White Hair glanced at the tattoo designs covering the walls, his earlier enthusiasm gone.

Ugh.

What’s so fun about tattoos anyway?

Watching other people’s love drama is way more entertaining.

...

...

Maybe he should try dating someone too?

...

...

“Tang Manman!”

“You actually wanted a tattoo?!”

“What the hell else are you planning, huh?”

“Do you wanna fly up to the damn sky next?”

Lin Yu was truly about to be driven mad by Tang Manman.

What kind of bad influence did she have to pick up?

Of all things, she chose to get a tattoo?

Was that something good?

He had worked so hard to pull her away from the tragic ending written in the original storyline.

And what did she do?

Turned right around and charged headfirst into another disastrous path!

What, were you trying to imitate Gu Yue with that tattoo?!

A mutual descent into ruin—why don’t the two of you just get together already?

Furious, and already running a slight fever, Lin Yu was so agitated by Tang Manman that he started coughing.

Tang Manman wasn’t faring much better either. Whether it was from the pain, Lin Yu’s scolding, or both, her eyes were glistening with tears, red-rimmed and filled with a mix of anguish and grievance. In a pitifully soft voice, she murmured,

"I’m sorry."

Hearing Tang Manman’s tearful apology didn’t calm Lin Yu down—if anything, it made him even angrier.

Tightening his grip on her ear, he snapped,

"You’re not apologizing to me!"

"You’re letting yourself down!"

Tang Manman sniffled, choking back another sob as she repeated,

"I’m sorry."

Despite his frustration, seeing her like this—teary-eyed and miserable—Lin Yu couldn’t stay completely harsh. He loosened his hold slightly but didn’t let her off the hook, pressing further,

"Talk!"

"Why did you suddenly decide to get a tattoo?!"

Under Lin Yu’s sharp interrogation, Tang Manman suddenly lifted her head to look at him. Her tear-filled eyes were brimming with hurt and a faint trace of resentment.

That wounded, pitiful expression.

It made Lin Yu wonder if he’d sleepwalked and texted her, forcing her into this.

Just as he was puzzling over the meaning behind Tang Manman’s accusing gaze, she lowered her head again. Her voice trembled with suppressed sobs as she spoke, laced with sorrow,

"I’m sorry."

After a pause, she bit her lip lightly, hesitation flickering in her eyes. Then, as if steeling herself for something monumental, tears rolled down her cheeks one after another. In a shaky voice, she confessed,

"I wanted you to like me..."

The words, fragile and tear-laden, struck Lin Yu’s heart like a hammerblow, rattling both his body and soul with the raw, scorching honesty of her admission.

For a moment, Lin Yu was stunned. He hadn’t expected Tang Manman to say something like this, and he had no idea how to respond.

But soon, he caught the flaw in her reasoning.

His anger softened, and though he kept up the act, his grip on her ear gentled as he sidestepped the real issue, stammering,

"You—you like—"

"What does that have to do with getting a tattoo?"

Lin Yu fumbled over his words, flustered beyond belief.

Tang Manman looked up at him again. This time, Lin Yu wasn’t pulling her ear hard, yet her tears inexplicably fell faster, streaking down her pale cheeks in rapid succession.

Her beautiful, tear-filled eyes now held even more reproach as she mumbled resentfully,

"Don’t you like tattoos?"

"Who told you I like tattoos?!" Lin Yu shot back, exasperated.

Tang Manman pouted, her voice small and wounded.

"I always see you sitting with Gu Yue, talking about tattoos..."

"I... I also want to share common interests with you..."