The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)

"They have been stalking us all this while?"

Mango asked as she ate.

Nathaniel's gaze was cold and unwelcoming.

"You can have your meal as I'll deal with them."

Their conversation ended when several people approached and surrounded them.

One of the brawny men put his foot on the stool and said fiercely with his hands on his waist, "You aren't locals, are you? Do you know who owns this area?" Mango couldn't help but laugh when she heard such a classic line.

"Hey, little girl, do you think that this is a joke? You'd better pay me the fees and don't even think of leaving this place if you can't take out at least a million dollars!" Nathaniel's expression darkened in an instant.

"You'd better take back your words."

"What's wrong? I can even repeat it again! No... I can directly show you in action and there's nothing you can do about it!"

As he spoke, the man reached out his hands to

Mango as he intended to touch her face.

At that instant, Nathaniel's eyes became fierce as he grabbed the man's arm in a swift movement before twisting it. The man started whining all of a sudden as his arm broke. "Ahhhhh! My arm!"

However, Nathaniel remained expressionless as he asked, "Who sent you here?"

"What are you talking about? Let go of me or else I'll make you suffer!"

Nathaniel kicked him without a second thought and the man was shoved to the ground.

On the other hand, Mango finished her meal peacefully and she sighed while shaking her head as she watched the scene before her.

"Sigh, what a pity for you as you aren't even clear of who we are before you try to trick us. Do you have a death wish?"

The remaining men witnessed how skillful Nathaniel was and they felt afraid all of a sudden, so they started retreating one by one. "Hey, don't go!"

The man who was kicked by Nathaniel was wailing on the ground and he shouted as he saw his counterparts running away in a flash. Nathaniel turned a deaf ear to them and he asked in a gentle voice after seeing that Mango had finished eating, "Have you finished eating?" "Yea, let's go."

Mango got up and Nathaniel helped her to their car before they realized that someone had deliberately punctured the car tires.

Nathaniel's brows furrowed.

Then, Mango stopped him and said, "It's okay, you couldn't finish your food just now as you're fighting, so have some food now."

Mango handed the takeaway food to Nathaniel as she spoke.

Nathaniel whispered, "I don't have the appetite... I'll go to the 4S shop nearby to buy another car."

"There's no need to do that as some other people could still puncture our tires even if you buy it again, don't you think so? These people are trying to stop us from going to the Fang family's house and although we don't know who is the mastermind, I'm sure the person will keep blocking our way."

Nathaniel paused for a moment after hearing Mango's words and he asked in a low voice, "If that's so, are we still going?"

"Definitely, but we don't have to drive as we can take a taxi or a bus there though it would be a whole new experience for you, will it?"

Nathaniel's mood lightened up as he saw the playful expression on Mango's face.

"We'll go with your suggestion then."

Nathaniel started eating the food that Mango had took out for him and it was so delicious although it was just typical pasta.

After their meal, they rested for a while before leaving their car behind and they hitchhiked to the Fang family's house.

It was a young couple that decided to give them a free ride. The girl said enviously after seeing how close Mango and Nathaniel were, "Does a man treat a woman so nicely only when she's pregnant?" Mango looked at Nathaniel and said with a smile, "He has always been like this and this is not my first pregnancy."

"Oh? Not your first? Girl, you're so courageous!"

Mango felt somewhat embarrassed as the girl seemed really surprised.

Then, the boy quickly said to the girl after seeing Mango's reaction, "Cielo, don't disturb her and let her rest.."

"Oh..."

However, the girl stretched out her hand to Mango.

"Hey there, my name is Cielo Fang and this is my boyfriend, Padraig Tang."

Mango was about to introduce herself but she thought about their current situation and decided not to expose their identities, so she said with a smile, "My name is Paola Gerner and this is my husband." "Paola, you shall take a rest now and I'll wake you when we get there."

"Alright."

Mango ended the conversation with a smile.

On the other hand, Nathaniel was noncommittal to Mango's response.

He just sat quietly by Mango's side the entire time.

Mango felt at ease being with Nathaniel.

She leaned her head on Nathaniel's shoulder and whispered, "I'll take a nap."

"Alright, sleep well as I'm here."

Then, Mango fell asleep after hearing Nathaniel's reassurance as she basked in the familiar scent of him.

Soon, Mango woke up after the car had traveled for some distance and she stretched her body seeing that the sky was getting dark.

"You're awake?"

Nathaniel asked hurriedly.

"Yea, why did we stop here? Where are Cielo and her boyfriend?"

"They went to the bathroom."

Nathaniel took off his jacket and draped it over Mango's shoulders.

"Put this on as it's getting cold... Would you like to go to the bathroom too?"

"Yes."

Mango adjusted the jacket before getting out of the car.

It was indeed quite chilly outside because of the wind.

Mango tucked her jacket as she walked to the nearby public toilet and she heard Padraig's voice coming from inside before she could enter the toilet.

"Cielo, why did you tell them our real names?"

"Why can't I? I have never done anything suspicious and there's nothing I need to hide from others, so why should I lie to them?"

Cielo said nonchalantly.

However, Padraig said helplessly, "Why are you still so sincere when they lied to us? We'd better find an excuse and let them get off the car somewhere in front later."

"How could you do that? Paola is pregnant and it's really unethical of you to leave them behind."

Padraig sighed and answered, "How can you believe her just because she said she's pregnant? Who knows if she's lying to us? To tell you the truth, this woman is Mango Shen and not Paola Lerner." Mango's brows furrowed at that instant.

It was really surprising to her that Padraig knew who she was.

Similarly, Cielo was shocked.

"How do you know her true name?"

"To be honest, I went to my uncle's place yesterday."

"Your uncle is Abyss Tang?"

Mango understood everything after hearing Cielo's words.

Abyss was Padraig's uncle!

Mango had lived in the Tang family for five years but she never knew how big the Tang family was. She was only aware that Abyss was the youngest son with four brothers and two elder sisters. However, she had never expected this issue to have something to do with Abyss.

Perhaps the Tang family was involved in this matter since the beginning when Abyss told Zion that something had happened to Desmond.

Nevertheless, Mango had no idea why the Tang family had a grudge against her and Nathaniel.

It could be because Nathaniel's previous deed was a big blow to the Tang family.

Anyhow, it could also be due to other reasons.

Mango and Nathaniel overestimated Abyss's kindness and it was naive of them to think that Abyss would show his mercy to Zion just because of their close relationship during the five years. They shouldn't have ignored the fact that Abyss tried to harm Rita in the past although she was just a simple-minded kid.

Mango felt crestfallen deep down.

At that moment, Padraig whispered, "Let me tell you, Mango used to be with my uncle and their relationship lasted for five years. Mango even had a child but they didn't hold a wedding as my grandmother doesn't agree with their relationship. Later, Mango went overseas and she abandoned my uncle as she somehow hooked up with Nathaniel. What's more, she joined hands with Nathaniel to overthrow the Tang family and we almost went bankrupt. So, this woman has been blacklisted by our family and my grandmother had sent us her picture, so I can recognize her really well. Yesterday I went to my uncle's house and he was asking someone to stop her from coming to Bredeforth as I think that my uncle still has some feelings for her. So, we'd better find a place to drop them and I'm already really polite for not beating them up."

Rage pulsed through Mango's veins at that instant.

Who was the one who created this rumor?

How could they defame her as a flirtatious woman!

She had never been in a relationship with Abyss!

It was even more absurd that she was pregnant with Abyss's child!

This was surely something that the Tang family's old lady said to the children in order to protect the Tang family's reputation.

However, Mango didn't act impulsively and she knew that she and Nathaniel wouldn't be at ease now that she knew Padraig's identity. So, she had decided to leave the car even if Nathaniel asked her to stay. Cielo said after hearing Padraig's words, "Wow, I didn't expect Mango to be such a sl*t... Why do you think they're going to Bredeforth and how did she know that you and your uncle came to this city? Will she attack the Tang family? Why don't we knock them out and send them back to Ocean

City since they came from that city, right?" "There's no need for that as my uncle is very influential in the Tang family and I'm afraid that he'll put me into trouble if I attack Mango. Though, it'll fine as long as we pretend that we haven't met them."

Mango retreated furtively after Padraig finished his words.

Nathaniel asked in a hurry after Mango returned, "Why did it take so long?"

"Let's go as the driver no longer welcomes us."

"What's wrong?"

Nathaniel was puzzled.

Mango briefly explained what she had heard just now to Nathaniel.

Then, Nathaniel's brows furrowed.

"The Tang family is really shameless."

"Alright, let's not argue with them, though I'm really curious why did Abyss tell Zion to inform us about Desmond's issue yet he send someone to stop us from going to the Fang family's house? Don't you think that his action is rather contradictory?"

Nathaniel hurriedly said after hearing Mango's words, "Let's not talk about this now as we'll find out about it sooner or later. We'll leave now after leaving them some money and just pretend that we don't know anything." "Alright."

Mango and Nathaniel packed up their belongings and left some money on their seats before leaving the car.

When Padraig and Cielo returned, they didn't see Mango and Nathaniel but they found the fare on the car seat instead.

"Did they really regarded us as taxi drivers?"

Cielo looked at the money disdainfully.

"Forget it and it's best that they left as we won't be troubled now. Let's go and we'd better pretend that nothing had happened today. Also, don't tell my uncle about this."

"Got it."

The two of them continued their journey and disregarded this incident.

On the other hand, Mango and Nathaniel went into a coffee shop after they left.

Nathaniel ordered a cup of hot water for Mango.

Then, Mango whispered, "Do you think Cielo is a member of the Fang family? How much do you know about the Fang family?"

"Not much, I know that Marissa's father is a famous professor but I haven't met any of his family members...what are you pointing to?"

Nathaniel could tell that there was a hidden meaning behind Mango's words.

"I first met Abyss at the entrance of the Fang family and it's weird how my appearance is so similar to Marissa's after Abyss did my plastic surgery. I didn't think much about it before but I have a feeling now that this is all someone's schemes that we aren't aware of. Celio is a member of the Fang family while Padraig is from the Tang family, and they are a couple...Was it an arranged marriage? I've never heard of the Fang family before and it could be because this family's house is located in Bredeforth, but I still feel that something is wrong."

Mango said in a low voice.

Then, Nathaniel took out his phone quickly and called Newell.

"Help me investigate the Fang family... Yes, Professor Fang's family."

Then, Nathaniel noticed that Mango was still frowning after he hung up the call, so he said softly, "Alright, don't think too much about it as we will know more about it sooner or later. Don't worry too much about the issue now considering your condition and just leave this to me."

"Alright."

The two of them sat in the cafe for a while before

Newell called.

"Mr. Ye, I've found something."

"What is it?"

Nathaniel put the call on hands-free so that Mango could hear everything clearly.

Newell whispered, "The Fang family is a mediumsized family due to its downfall during the remote past although it has been a formidable family before that. Later, someone appeared in the Fang family and gathered all their family members together but they kept a low profile. Strangely, it's very common for the girls of the Fang family to be dispersed to separate locations."

"What do you mean that they're dispersed?"

Mango asked in a hurry.

Newell paused for a moment but he soon realized that Mango wouldn't be able to hear him without Nathaniel's permission, so he continued, "It's no different from what happened to the women's fates in ancien times. Basically, the Fang family uses the girls as pawns to build business or political connections through marriage, or they could also be married to influential local nobles. As such, the Fang family has an extensive connection with acquaintances everywhere including in the government, business, or military forces although the Fang family doesn't seem

powerful."

Nathaniel and Mango looked at each other and their gaze was solemn.

"Have you discovered anything else?"

"Yes."

Newell paused for a moment before saying, "The granny of the Ye family, Isla Fang, is a child of the Fang family and I also found out that Delilah and Cyrus are both related to the Fang family although they are usually ignored. I'm not able to look into more details of the situation and I can only say that the Fang family is immense."

Mango was shocked.

Isla was actually from the same family as Delilah and Cyrus!

Also, could it be that Delilah had other intentions for marrying Carter since she was dispersed out according to the rules of the Fang family?

Or did the Fang family have greater intentions?

Mango was really worried at the thought of Walter's current condition.

On the other hand, Nathaniel knew what Mango was thinking and he held Mango's hand as he whispered, "I'll talk to Walter later."

"Alright."

Mango nodded her head.

Then, Newell faked a cough when he realized that they had completely ignored his presence and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Ye, I have another big discovery."

"Spill it."

Nathaniel was really anxious as he had never expected the low key Fang family to cause so much trouble! Could it be that Cyrus's death had something to do with the Fang family and that the Fang family was the mastermind behind this series of events?