Chapter 27: Tang Hao's Unrequited Love
And so, the duo of brothers turned into a trio of siblings—Tang Xiao the eldest brother, Ah Yin the second sister, and Tang Hao the youngest brother.
Originally, Ah Yin should have been the youngest sister, but she refused. She said she would only treat Tang Hao as her younger brother, so that's how the order was set (does that mean when Tang San is born, he should be called Tang Er?).
During their journey, Tang Xiao was practically soaking in honey. Ah Yin was gentle, considerate, and understanding, capable both in the kitchen and in public, cooking delicious meals and taking excellent care of him.
But Tang Hao felt endlessly suffocated. From the first moment he saw Ah Yin, he had fallen deeply in love with her. Yet no matter how he tried to confess or show affection, Ah Yin's eyes always held only Tang Xiao.
When the three of them ate together, Ah Yin would prepare a full table of dishes for Tang Xiao, personally picking up food with her chopsticks and placing it into his bowl with tenderness.
Out of "elder sister-in-law" affection (as Ah Yin considered herself), she made one extra dish for Tang Hao—steamed fish with extra sauce.
Tang Hao ate Ah Yin's fish dish while watching his brother being fed one bite after another by her hand, and his heart ached as if being sliced apart.
He regretted it deeply. Why, at their first meeting, did he have to use the Killing God Domain? Why did he lose his senses and leave such an unpleasant impression on Ah Yin?
If only, at that moment when Ah Yin had stumbled, he had been the one to gently catch her, then the one sitting beside her now should have been him.
As they journeyed on, they arrived in Mali City.
Ah Yin spotted a noodle shop and pointed excitedly. "Brother Xiao, I've been here before—it's delicious! Shall we try it again?"
Tang Xiao replied, "Alright, let's go in and try it. I trust your taste, Ah Yin."
And so, Ah Yin linked arms with Tang Xiao and entered the shop, while Tang Hao trailed behind like a little tagalong.
After sitting down, the three ordered a large table full of food.
Tang Hao watched as Ah Yin and Tang Xiao whispered sweetly to one another, and his heart felt even heavier. He turned his sorrow into appetite, stuffing mouthfuls of food down in frustration. As he ate, Tang Hao suddenly let out a loud burp.
Ah Yin frowned slightly and said in mild annoyance, "Brother Hao, could you eat a little more elegantly?"
Tang Hao scratched his head and said awkwardly, "Sorry, it won't happen again."
Meanwhile, Tang Xiao was also eating heartily and, after finishing his noodles, drank the soup directly from the bowl. When he was done, he too let out a big burp.
Tang Hao immediately saw an opportunity to strike at his rival and exclaimed sternly, "Brother Xiao, could you eat a bit more elegantly?"
Tang Xiao looked just as embarrassed and said, "Sorry, it won't happen again."
"That's fine! A man who eats like that is bold and straightforward."
"Ah—" Tang Hao felt like his very soul was cracking apart.
That night, the brothers shared a room at the inn while Ah Yin had her own room.
Tang Xiao sat in thought for a long while before saying, "I've decided. Tomorrow, I'm going to confess to Ah Yin."
Hearing this, Tang Hao's fragile heart shattered completely. Even though Ah Yin's affection was clearly leaning toward Tang Xiao, as long as they hadn't made it official, Tang Hao still held onto a shred of hope. But once they confirmed their relationship…
"But, Brother, I love Ah Yin too," Tang Hao said painfully.
"Tang Hao," said Tang Xiao gently, "love can't be forced. When you like someone, you like them; when you don't, you don't. I can tell Ah Yin doesn't feel the same way about you. Your love is destined to go nowhere."
Tang Hao tried to argue, "But Brother, how can we know what's destined unless we try?"
"Alright then," Tang Xiao said after a pause, "tomorrow, we'll both confess to her. Whoever Ah Yin chooses, the other will step back voluntarily. No pestering, no resentment."
"…Fine."
"It's settled, then," Tang Xiao said firmly.
That night, Tang Xiao soon fell asleep, but Tang Hao tossed and turned restlessly. He couldn't sleep.
From the very first time he saw Ah Yin, he had thought there was no more beautiful woman in the world. He was hopelessly captivated—by her scent, her clothes, her everything.
Tang Hao swore that he would love only Ah Yin for life, and no other woman would do.
But his brother's existence was an insurmountable barrier between them.
As time passed, Tang Hao felt the distance between him and Ah Yin growing. In her eyes, there was only his brother, leaving no space for him at all.
Though he still clung to a tiny hope for her acceptance tomorrow, deep down he knew it was self-deception.
Tang Hao wasn't stupid. He could already imagine the outcome—Ah Yin would accept Tang Xiao's confession, and he would be left to nurse his broken heart in silence.
But he was unwilling to accept it. He couldn't stand the thought of his Ah Yin becoming someone else's wife, even if that someone was his own brother.
If Ah Yin agrees to Brother's confession…
Then what will I do?
Will I just spend my life alone, clutching blue silver grass to console myself?
The more Tang Hao thought about it, the more tormented he felt. He finally drifted into an uneasy sleep amid bitterness and despair.
Late at night, the silence was absolute.
Huo Yuhao's divine sense silently appeared within the inn where the three slept. He floated midair, lingering over the two brothers, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
In the original timeline, the one Ah Yin fell in love with was the bold and mighty Tang Hao, not the reserved, mild Tang Xiao. The reason Ah Yin's heart now leaned toward Tang Xiao—this was entirely the handiwork of Huo Yuhao. But he was no matchmaker weaving red strings to unite lovers. He would never help Tang Xiao for the sake of the Tang family he despised. Because—he was a fox, and a fox must reap his rewards.
"Well then, the next act in our little play begins. Time for our new protagonist to make his entrance."
A glowing orb appeared in Huo Yuhao's palm, drifting gently toward Tang Hao. The instant it touched his forehead, it merged seamlessly into his mind.
Staring down at the sleeping Tang Hao, Huo Yuhao sneered coldly.
The Douluo World was full of love triangles—two found happiness, one was left behind. The lonely one was always the "extra dish," graciously withdrawing and growing old in unrequited love.
Tang Xiao was like that. Flender was like that.
Now, with such a parallel fate, what would Tang Hao choose?
If behind this love lay endless webs of interest and consequence, Tang Hao—will you fight, or will you yield?
I'm looking forward to it.
And so, as vengeance for the Tang family that once made a fool of him, Huo Yuhao's plan began—from this very moment, with Tang Hao.
Having done all this, his divine sense vanished into the darkness.
(END CHAPTER)
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