Chapter 171: I Will Only Grow Braver With Every Setback!

"Auntie doesn't mean to pressure you, but you should be a bit calmer in how you handle things in the future. When we couldn't reach you that day, Xi Xi didn't sleep all night." Xiao Qin gently handed a steaming cup of tea to Tang Ye and said earnestly.

Tang Ye took the teacup with both hands, nodded slightly, and said with a serious expression, "Auntie, I will definitely learn from this lesson."

"Just remembering the lesson isn't enough. You should go out and socialize more during this time. I hear you have a good relationship with Secretary Hong; you should properly maintain that connection." Xiao Qin continued to urge him.

"Mom, stop talking." Fearing that Tang Ye would feel bad, Du Xi frowned slightly, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

Tang Ye shook his head at Du Xi, then looked at Xiao Qin and said sincerely, "Auntie only says these heartfelt words to me because she treats me like family."

Xiao Qin was quite satisfied with Tang Ye's response and was just about to speak when the doorbell rang crisply.

She turned around, walked quickly to the courtyard, and opened the door.

Subsequently, two women walked in; one was around fifty, her eyes revealing a hint of shrewdness;

The other was around thirty, with an ordinary appearance, an average figure, and heavy makeup.

As soon as the middle-aged woman stepped into the room, her gaze landed directly on Tang Ye, and she asked, "Xi Xi, is this your boyfriend?"

Du Xi clearly had no affection for her; upon hearing this, she responded coldly, "Mm, yes."

Immediately, she leaned close to Tang Ye and whispered, "This is my aunt."

Tang Ye looked at the middle-aged woman, guessing that she had come with aggressive intent, and greeted her politely, "Hello, Auntie!"

Du Xiaofeng frowned, her tone stiff: "Don't try to get close to me. I haven't given my blessing to you and Xi Xi dating yet!"

Du Xi was furious and raised her voice to retort, "Who I date—why should I need your approval?"

Du Xiaofeng put on an earnest expression and advised, "Xi Xi, as your elder, I have a responsibility to remind you. You are a civil servant; if you marry someone who has been under 'internal disciplinary investigation,' you are very likely to be implicated."

"You've gone too far!" Du Xi was so angry that her eyes turned red and her voice trembled slightly.

Du Xiaofeng acted as if she hadn't heard her and continued to address Tang Ye: "Young man, I know what you're planning. Are you thinking that by latching onto Du Xi, you can save yourself twenty years of struggle? Du Xi's parents are kind-hearted, but I'm not so easily fooled."

Hearing this, Tang Ye felt a bitter smile in his heart; no wonder Du Xi had mentioned before that her aunt was dead set on playing matchmaker between her and Hu Zhongping.

Du Xiaofeng's family was like a parasite living off the Du Family.

The house they lived in now belonged to Du Chengfeng; the jobs for the aunt and uncle back then were arranged by Du Chengfeng; from school to work to marriage, the cousin had received plenty of help from Du Chengfeng.

Du Xiaofeng was single-mindedly hoping for Du Xi to marry into a promising, wealthy family so that she and her daughter and son-in-law could continue to benefit.

Now that she heard Tang Ye had first been placed under 'internal disciplinary investigation' and then dismissed, she was more anxious than anyone, fearing that the "big tree" of the Du Family would have problems and cut off her own family's future.

"Xi Xi, I think Little Hu is really quite good. His uncle is Mayor Zhao, and he is deeply devoted to you. The reason you two split up back then was also because of him. He even came to find me yesterday, asking me to properly persuade you." Du Xiaofeng said relentlessly.

Xiao Qin had always had a poor impression of this sister-in-law and had warned Hu Zhongping multiple times before; how could this person still be like a lingering ghost?

She couldn't help but frown and said, "Xiaofeng, stop talking!"

Deep down, Xiao Qin had already accepted Tang Ye's character and ability.

"I'm doing this out of kindness!" Du Xiaofeng snorted coldly, her tone icy. "Sister-in-law, I know you are kind, but don't be kept in the dark. With Du Xi's qualifications, what kind of person couldn't she find? Why bother with a burden who has no future?"

Tang Ye didn't want to say anything more to Du Xiaofeng, but staying any longer might lead to a loss of control, so he slowly stood up, his expression calm, and said, "Auntie, Du Xi, I'll be going now."

Having said that, he lifted his feet and walked toward the door.

Xiao Qin hurriedly signaled to Du Xi.

Du Xi understood and hurriedly chased after him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Du Xi kept apologizing as she chased him, tears streaming from her eyes and sliding down her cheeks.

Seeing Du Xi in this state, the anger and grievance in Tang Ye's heart instantly vanished without a trace.

He said softly, "You didn't do anything wrong; it's just that I'm not good enough yet."

Du Xi shook her head desperately, choking back sobs as she said, "No, you didn't do anything wrong; it's my aunt who spoke too hurtfully. She's been like this since I was little, always loving to boss others around."

Tang Ye sighed lightly and advised, "Go back. After all, she is your relative; don't make the relationship too stiff."

Du Xi insisted, "I want to stay with you."

Tang Ye looked at Du Xi, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly to reveal a reassuring smile. "If you leave with me, Auntie will worry. Trust me, I'm not that fragile; there is no hurdle I cannot overcome. I will only grow braver with every setback!"

Du Xi's eyes filled with tears as she reached out and grabbed Tang Ye's arm tightly.

Tang Ye patted the back of her hand gently and said softly, "Give me some space to clear my head."

Du Xi hesitated for a moment before finally slowly loosening her grip.

Watching Tang Ye's figure gradually disappear from her sight, she turned around with great reluctance.

She ignored her aunt entirely and walked into the bedroom.

On the way home, Tang Ye's mood gradually calmed down.

He understood in his heart that whether it was Shao Jinbo or Du Xiaofeng, they were merely stating bluntly what many people thought.

Everyone felt that since he had been placed under 'internal disciplinary investigation' and then dismissed, his official career was completely ruined.

But Tang Ye did not yield.

He firmly believed that the organization would not turn a blind eye to his efforts in Pinghu.

At this time, Du Chengfeng returned home. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Du Xiaofeng sitting on the sofa, leisurely eating fruit.

He couldn't help but frown and asked, "Why are you here?"

Du Xiaofeng spat out a longan pit and complained with a face full of grievance, "Brother, I heard that Du Xi's boyfriend was placed under 'internal disciplinary investigation' for investigation, so I specifically came to persuade Du Xi to break up with Tang Ye as soon as possible. That kid definitely has bad intentions in approaching Du Xi. You are kind-hearted, so let me be the villain."

Xiao Qin walked to Du Chengfeng's side and told him everything that had happened today.

After listening, Du Chengfeng's eyes widened in fury, and he flew into a rage: "Du Xiaofeng, what on earth are you playing at?"

Sensing that her brother's tone was unkind, Du Xiaofeng felt a bit nervous and explained, "Du Xi isn't married to him yet, so isn't it good to break up early? Besides, there are plenty of people pursuing Du Xi, and Hu Zhongping is so devoted to her."

Du Chengfeng pointed his finger at his sister's nose and scolded, "My family affairs are not for you to meddle in. Who is worthy of being my son-in-law—is that for you to say? Even if Du Xi liked a beggar, I would support her. Get out, and don't come back again."

Du Xiaofeng's eyes turned red, and she wiped her tears, saying, "You're being so fierce to me for the sake of an outsider!"

Du Chengfeng snorted coldly, his tone icy: "I think you're just a snob. Do you think Du Xi would fall for an ordinary man? Let me tell you, Tang Ye's dismissal is only temporary. Before long, he will have a new appointment."

Hearing her husband say this, the heart Xiao Qin had been holding in her throat finally settled.

Du Xiaofeng was scolded by Du Chengfeng until his face turned bright red, feeling so ashamed he could not show his face, and could only slink away from the Du Family.

Xiao Qin followed Du Chengfeng into the study and asked softly, "Where will Tang Ye be assigned next?"

Du Chengfeng picked up a pen, wrote a few words on a piece of paper, handed it to Xiao Qin, and urged, "Before the document is officially issued, this matter must be kept confidential."

Xiao Qin took the note, glanced at it, and finally set her heart at ease.