Chapter 228: Chapter 228

Despite trying his best to control his temper and soften his tone towards her, his innate arrogance still emerged like invisible needles, penetrating and standing out from his skin. It was as if the sharpness was embedded in his bones, impossible to conceal.

Shi Nian raised her head coquettishly: "Are you angry? Are you angry at Mr. Luo just now, or are you angry at me?"

Tang Yanqing’s gaze remained fixed on her face, never once shifting towards Luo Xiansheng.

Shi Nian nodded: "I know, you’re angry at me."

She then glanced around the surroundings briefly, stepping forward and standing in front of him, speaking in a volume only he could hear: "Do you need to fight me to vent your anger?"

September’s autumn chill soaked the night, distant and close the fragrance of clothes and shadows of hair. Amidst the crowd, the two of them found this small, relatively independent space veiled by the nighttime. At least for this moment, she was separated from Xiang Yuan, belonging solely to him.

Tang Yanqing stared at her mischievously twinkling eyes, hearing as if a string in his heart silently broke, stirring dust in the sunlight.

"Hmph," his mood suddenly relaxed without knowing why, little by little infected by the surrounding joyful atmosphere, and he couldn’t help but slowly curl his lips.

Shi Nian glared at him with her eyes clear black and white: "Oh, Mr. Tang, looking down on me, huh? Is it because you’re a policeman, deeming your combat skills extraordinary?"

"Or is it because as a professor of behavioral analysis, having jointly published several monographs with Kangchuan University, you’re confident that I can’t match you in this area?"

Seeing her revealing a sly smile in front of him, his heart began to itch pleasantly yet indescribably: "Isn’t it?"

"Yes, as a student I naturally admit, I bow down to you in both these areas. Unfortunately, I didn’t say I want to compete with you in these."

She raised her face high, displaying her expressions openly in front of him.

"How about we compete in... washing clothes by hand? See who can wash them faster and cleaner!"

"Pfft—" Tang Yanqing, caught off guard, burst into laughter, stepping back two steps, yet leaning forward and subconsciously supporting Shi Nian’s arms: "This could work?"

"Why not? Professor, are you prepared to surrender before the battle?"

She was confident in winning this by a wide margin. After all, he was a big man, used to having his every need attended, a spoiled young master. During his time at Kangchuan University, despite his careful avoidance in this aspect, his slight OCD indicated he had to wash his bed sheets and covers every day. Thus, she inevitably found out that this young master secretly took dirty clothes to the communal laundry rooms on each floor, solving it directly with washing machines.

Underwear and clothes, if reluctant to use public washing machines, he’d simply buy new ones every day... From this, how could she not know this young master doesn’t even know how to do laundry?

Tang Yanqing grasped her arms, laughing uncontrollably. The two of them appeared like a small embrace, although the distance between their toes was still a bit far. Yet, his gaze was intense, and she met his gaze with such bravery and naturalness...

Then, accompanied by her father-in-law and husband, Shen Wan descended the stairs, taking in this entire scene from above.

As soon as word got out that the Tang Family elders were coming downstairs, all the guests paused their conversations, collectively turning towards the stairs and clapping, eyes filled with respect and affection.

Old Sir Tang Tang Dongsheng waved to everyone with a smile: "Actually, the main character tonight is Yan Sheng, and those invited are the children of our Tang Family’s close friends. Some of you are peers with Yan Sheng, or grew up playing together, your friendships surpassing your affection for me, the old man."

Everyone laughed, Luo Xiansheng leading the cheer: "Who’s the old man? Grandpa Tang seems to be only 25 years old!"

Tang Dongsheng laughed heartily: "Good lad, accompany me for a run to the bottom of the hill and back later then!"

Luo Xiansheng was immediately scared, retreating with legs trembling, hastily clasping his hands to plead for mercy.

Everyone laughed again, joking that he shouldn’t be called "Grandpa Tang," but "Grandpa Luo," after all, Luo Xiansheng is the one who seems aged.

Tang Dongsheng had laughed enough, then returned to the main topic: "Actually tonight, according to the plan, your Uncle Tang and Aunt shouldn’t be here, just letting you, the children of the same generation, laugh and chat among yourselves would be best, saving our presence from making you feel uneasy."

As Tang Dongsheng spoke, he reached out to his eldest granddaughter, Tang Yansheng, who smiled and stepped forward to hold her grandfather’s hand.

Tang Dongsheng said, "It’s just that Yansheng’s parents are not in the country right now; they’ve gone on a visit to Europe. So today, I, as the old man, along with your Uncle Tang and Aunt Tang, have to represent her parents and thank everyone for coming today; and also, as guardians, we entrust my granddaughter to everyone."

Tang Dongsheng and the guests all had their focus on Tang Yansheng, but Shen Wan couldn’t help but glance at her son again. Especially at the girl standing beside him.

Undeniably, the girl was genuinely beautiful and outstanding, even among the group of girls from these families, she stood out. Her attire highlighted her sweet temperament, yet the gray-blue colors she wore clearly suggested independence and calm.

What was even more striking was the calm light in her eyes, making them appear exceptionally clear. Shen Wan knew that a girl with such eyes must possess a bright and just heart.

Just from the appearance, Shen Wan scored her highly. Especially since her son’s body language had already said it all. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NoveI[F]ire.net

Among the whole crowd, he could only see her; even though he’d always had an air of arrogance since childhood, he was willing to bend for her. And there was a joy on his face and in his demeanor that he couldn’t hide—this kind of joy, even as a mother, she felt that she had never been able to give to him.

Shen Wan could only sigh silently and secretly pray that this girl was not Shi Nian, the daughter-in-law of the Xiang Family.

As long as it wasn’t Shi Nian, Shen Wan knew she could completely disregard the girl’s family background and open her heart to accept her, as long as her son liked her.

The appearance of the three elders of the Tang Family also slightly stirred something in Shi Nian’s heart.

Having seen Xue Ruke, who valued rules outside the door, she was once worried that the Tang Family elders would have a high-and-mighty demeanor. But what she saw was: Grandpa Tang was whimsical, Tang Mingyi was incredibly charming, and the woman beside Tang Mingyi was petite and lovely.

It seemed that all the imaginable virtues for elders in the world were embodied in the elders of the Tang Family. Shi Nian began to understand a little why even people like those in the Xiang Family liked to gather around the Tang Family—not just because the Tang Family’s status and position could bring resources and benefits to them, but perhaps more because the charm of the Tang Family naturally radiated from within, unconsciously attracting those around them, who willingly gravitated towards them.

However, Shi Nian didn’t ignore the glances from that woman. Those gazes were clearly not a mother’s gaze at her son, but rather one filled with evaluation and concern directed at her.

She couldn’t help but frown, lowering her head slightly to avoid Shen Wan’s scrutiny.

Tang Yanqing sharply noticed this too; rather than stepping aside due to his mother’s gaze, he stepped even closer to Shi Nian, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and looked back at his mother with a slightly proud expression in his eyes.

Fortunately, all attention was diverted by the humorous Grandpa Tang... Shen Wan inwardly cursed quietly, "You little brat, you’re really asking for it!"

After the three elders of the Tang Family finished their simple speech, they tactfully retreated upstairs, leaving the floor for the younger ones to enjoy freely.

Shen Wan quietly instructed Tang Yanyu, the second granddaughter in charge of tonight’s catering, to discreetly call Tang Yanqing upstairs.

Tang Yanyu, wearing a chef’s white outfit and a tall white hat, carried a silver tray filled with neatly arranged delicate desserts. She made her way through the crowd to Tang Yanqing. She first offered the tray politely to Shi Nian, inviting her to choose a dessert. Women always have a hard time resisting exquisite little sweets, so Shi Nian bent over to carefully select one, and Tang Yanyu took this chance to make a gesture at Tang Yanqing.

Tang Yanqing raised his brows high, drawing a threatening line across his neck with his finger.

Tang Yanyu was undeterred, making a long-tongued ghost face at him, then shrugged sympathetically.

By the time Shi Nian finished selecting, the siblings had completed their little game of making faces. Tang Yanyu, returning to a serious demeanor, lifted the silver tray and disappeared into the crowd with a straight posture.

Tang Yanqing, watching her seriously eating the dessert, could only sigh softly, "What, really hungry?"

"Yes." Shi Nian swallowed the dessert contentedly, smiling a bit sheepishly, "I didn’t dare eat dinner tonight to fit into this dress without a belly."

Tang Yanqing could only roll his eyes, "Wait."

What did he mean for her to wait for?

Tang Yanqing suppressed a sigh, "I have to go upstairs for a bit, I’ll be back down soon."

[Second update of the morning~]