And just like that, the duo of brothers became a trio: two brothers and one "sister." Tang Xiao became the eldest, Ah Yin was the second sister, and Tang Hao… was the youngest.
Originally, Ah Yin should've been the younger sister. But she refused. She insisted she only saw Tang Hao as a younger brother—thus this peculiar order came to be.
(So when Tang San is born in the future… does that make him Tang Er?)
As they traveled, Tang Xiao felt like he was living in a jar of honey. Ah Yin was gentle, thoughtful, and incredibly attentive. She was good in the kitchen, elegant in public, and an excellent cook, taking meticulous care of him.
Tang Hao, on the other hand, was suffocating in frustration.
From the moment he first laid eyes on Ah Yin, he had fallen in love with her. But no matter how earnestly he confessed, no matter how much he tried to win her over, in Ah Yin's eyes, there was only ever Tang Xiao.
When the three of them sat down to eat, Ah Yin would prepare a table full of dishes just for Tang Xiao. She even lovingly picked up food with her chopsticks and placed it into Tang Xiao's bowl.
Out of "big sister-in-law" kindness, as she considered herself, Ah Yin did make an extra dish for Tang Hao—a fish dish named "Plenty of Fish".
Tang Hao sat there eating his "Plenty of Fish," watching his brother being hand-fed by Ah Yin. It was like being stabbed in the heart with every bite.
He regretted it deeply. Why… why did he activate his Killing God Domain the moment they met? Why did he lose control and leave such a terrible impression on Ah Yin?
If only he had been the one to gently catch her when she stumbled, then maybe—just maybe—it would be him sitting where his brother now was.
As the three of them continued their travels, they arrived at a city called Mali.
Ah Yin spotted a noodle shop and pointed to it excitedly. "Xiao-ge, I've been to this noodle shop before! It's so good. Want to give it a try?"
Tang Xiao smiled. "Alright, let's try it. I trust your taste, Ah Yin."
Ah Yin then wrapped her arm around Tang Xiao's and walked into the shop, with Tang Hao trailing behind them like an unwanted third wheel.
They ordered a large spread of dishes. Tang Hao sat watching the lovey-dovey pair across the table, his heart aching more and more. He channeled his sorrow into his appetite, shoveling food into his mouth.
While eating, he suddenly let out a loud burp.
Ah Yin wrinkled her nose and frowned. "Hao-di, can you eat a little more politely?"
Tang Hao scratched his head in embarrassment, trying to smile and appease her. "Sorry… it won't happen again."
Meanwhile, Tang Xiao was slurping down his noodles in big mouthfuls and even picked up the bowl to drink the broth. When he finished, he too let out a loud burp.
Seizing the moment, Tang Hao straightened up and said seriously, "Xiao-ge, can you eat a little more politely?"
Tang Xiao scratched his head in embarrassment. "Sorry… it won't happen again."
To which Ah Yin replied warmly, "It's okay! A man eating like that is bold and manly."
"Ah—" Tang Hao felt like he was about to crack apart inside.
That night, the brothers stayed at an inn, while Ah Yin had a room to herself.
Tang Xiao lay in bed, deep in thought, before turning to Tang Hao. "I've decided. Tomorrow, I'm going to confess to Ah Yin."
Hearing that, Tang Hao's fragile heart shattered. Although Ah Yin clearly favored Tang Xiao, as long as they hadn't officially gotten together, Tang Hao still held onto a sliver of hope. But if she accepted the confession tomorrow, that last bit of hope would be crushed.
"But, brother… I love Ah Yin too." Tang Hao's voice was full of pain.
"Hao-di," Tang Xiao sighed, "feelings can't be forced. Love is love. If she doesn't love you, she just doesn't. From what I've seen… Ah Yin doesn't return your feelings. Yours is a love doomed to go unreturned."
Tang Hao tried to hold on. "Brother, how can you be so sure if I haven't even tried? Maybe there's still a chance."
"…Fine," Tang Xiao relented. "Then tomorrow, we'll both confess to Ah Yin. Let her choose. Whoever she doesn't pick, backs off without any more drama. Deal?"
"…Alright."
"Then it's settled."
That night, while Tang Xiao slept soundly, Tang Hao tossed and turned. He couldn't sleep.
From the first time he saw Ah Yin, he felt there couldn't be a woman more beautiful in the entire world. He was hopelessly smitten—her scent, her clothes, everything about her.
Tang Hao swore he would love only Ah Yin in his lifetime. If not her, then no one.
But his brother… was like an insurmountable wall between them.
Over time, he felt the distance between him and Ah Yin growing wider. In her eyes, there was only Tang Xiao—never a place for him.
Even though they had agreed to confess at the same time tomorrow, and even though there was technically still a chance… deep down, Tang Hao knew he was lying to himself.
He wasn't stupid. He could already guess how it would end. Ah Yin would accept Tang Xiao's confession. This "dual confession" was just a formality to help him move on.
But he couldn't accept it—not when it was his Ah Yin marrying someone else… even if that someone was his brother.
If Ah Yin says yes to him tomorrow… what am I supposed to do?
Am I supposed to spend the rest of my life clinging to a Blue Silver Grass in the dead of night, seeking comfort in my loneliness?
The more he thought about it, the more bitterness swelled inside him. Eventually, in torment and sorrow, Tang Hao drifted off to sleep.
Late at night, the inn was utterly silent.
A divine thought belonging to Huo Yuhao silently entered the room where the three were resting. Suspended in mid-air, he gazed at the two sleeping brothers with a cold, amused smile.
In the original timeline, the one Ah Yin fell for was the strong, domineering Tang Hao—not the gentle and reserved Tang Xiao. Changing that outcome was Huo Yuhao's doing.
But he wasn't some matchmaker granting lovers their happy ending. Helping Tang Xiao to "win" Ah Yin out of spite for the Tang family? That was never his goal.
He was a fox—and foxes deal in bigger games.
"Well then… our little side director's script has reached the next act. Time for the star of this scene to take the stage."
A glowing orb of light appeared in Huo Yuhao's hand. He gently floated it over to Tang Hao, and the moment it touched his forehead, it merged into him.
Watching Tang Hao sleep, Huo Yuhao sneered.
The world of Douluo was filled with love triangles. Most often, two people would end up together, while the third would be left behind—eating "Plenty of Fish." That third person would usually be the noble one, quietly bowing out, embracing a lifetime of unrequited love.
That was Tang Xiao. That was also Flender.
And now… what about Tang Hao?
If this love entangles not just emotions but vast, ancient interests—Tang Hao, what will you do?
Will you fight… or give up?
I can't wait to see.
So begins the revenge on the Tang family—the one that toyed with his fate in a past life.
And it all starts with you, Tang Hao.
Having done all this, Huo Yuhao's divine sense faded back into the shadows.
(End of Chapter)
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