Chapter 229: Chapter 229

Tang Yanqing finished speaking, gave a look to Luo Xiansheng, entrusting Shi Nian to him, and then turned to go upstairs himself.

Luo Xiansheng sensibly came over to keep Shi Nian company and even got her a glass of red wine.

Shi Nian subconsciously looked around for Xiang Yuan, seeing that he was talking to someone and hadn’t noticed she was alone, she quietly let out a sigh of relief.

For some reason, after seeing Shen Wan’s gaze tonight, she kind of hoped to avoid being alone with Xiang Yuan in this courtyard as much as possible.

Tang Yanqing went upstairs to his mother’s study. As soon as he entered the door, Shen Wan greeted him and gave him a hard pat on the shoulder.

Tang Yanqing covered his shoulder, pretending to be hurt, and cried out softly, "Mom... you’re going to beat your son to death!"

Shen Wan put her hands on her small waist and reached out to pinch his arm—actually, she was too petite; otherwise, she would have loved to pull on her son’s ear if she could reach it.

"Mr. Xiao Tang, I’m asking you, who is that girl? If you dare lie to me, I’ll really beat you to death today."

The Tang Family has two police officers. Tang Family’s second uncle, Tang Mingxiang, is "Mr. Da Tang," and Tang Yanqing is "Mr. Xiao Tang." But unlike the playful way others usually call him that, when his mother calls him that, it means she has a serious matter to discuss.

Tang Yanqing didn’t dare to be careless and, seeing his mother’s expression, suddenly said, "You guess!"

"Get lost!" Shen Wan really couldn’t do anything with this son. No matter how anxious she was, in front of his careless demeanor, any anger couldn’t come out properly.

Shen Wan could only sigh, "I just want to ask you, is she that Shi Nian?"

Tang Yanqing chuckled, "Wow, I didn’t expect she has become so well-known in our family that even you recognized her."

Though he was still smiling, there was a coldness rising in his eyes, "Who told you, Xiao Yi? Or did you simply ask Xiao Yi on your own?"

Her son’s coldness indeed made Shen Wan feel a bit saddened. For the sake of such a girl, he was treating his biological mother with such a defensive attitude.

Shen Wan then patted him on the other shoulder, "Dare you talk to me like that? Mr. Xiao Tang, you’d better be careful, or I’ll straight send you to Little Tangshan!"

Because of the SARS outbreak back then, Little Tangshan Hospital was also very well known in the overseas Chinese community. For years, Shen Wan had been using Little Tangshan to threaten Mr. Xiao Tang.

However, Tang Yanqing’s gaze continued to cool, "A son’s duty is naturally to understand the rules between mother and son. But the premise must be a kind mother and a filial son. If you, Mom, also choose to speak to me in Guo Zhengmei’s tone and values, then even if you’re my mom, as a son, I’ll only use an even harsher tone to speak to you!"

At 27, he still "purely" hasn’t caused his mother any worries over young women, so he didn’t know if his mother would become like those archetypical fierce mother-in-laws in family dramas—no matter how excellent a woman used to be, once they age, once they have a daughter-in-law, they all become like a lunatic.

If his own mother could not escape the norm and one day became such a mother-in-law, then he wouldn’t give the person he loves a chance to quarrel with her, he would first have it out with his mother.

In his view, all mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts really stemmed not from the two women, but from the incompetence, avoidance of conflict, and lack of promise from the man caught between them.

So he involuntarily thought of Xiang Yuan again. No matter what, Xiang Yuan was willing to quarrel with Guo Zhengmei face to face for Shi Nian. Just for this, he still retained a bit of fondness for Xiang Yuan.

Her son’s attitude made Shen Wan feel a bit of bitter sorrow; she snorted, "Even if you use such a tone trying to scare me off, I still have to tell you: you naughty son, there are plenty of women in this world, mother doesn’t mind what kind you bring back, be it black, white, or brown, I can accept. But it can absolutely not be this Shi Nian."

"Qingqing, she is your Uncle Xiang’s daughter-in-law. Right now, your Uncle Xiang is helping your father in the election, and your Brother Xiang Yuan is making every effort to save this marriage... even if you like her more, you can’t act at this time, or else how will the Xiang Family, outsiders view our Tang Family, view you, and view your father!"

His mother’s concerns and the family’s interests were not something Tang Yanqing did not consider. Especially since his father’s election was at a critical stage, he couldn’t really be the selfish and reckless prodigal son for his own sake.

He lowered his head, "But Mom, what if her marriage with Xiang Yuan was a mistake from the start? If, that so-called love between her and Xiang Yuan was a lie from the beginning by Xiang Yuan? Or if the Xiang Family’s attempts to keep her were not out of pure emotional consideration... can I really just watch powerlessly as the person I like is trapped in such a mire, struggling desperately?" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel_fіre.net

"What are you saying?" Shen Wan was also heavily stunned.

Shi Nian didn’t expect to have such an enjoyable conversation with Luo Xiansheng.

As a journalist, Shi Nian had heard a lot from entertainment section colleagues about "Starry Sky Network." They said that on the surface, "Starry Sky Network" was a platform for recommending models and actors, but in reality, it was a high-end escort service. Those self-proclaimed models and small-time actresses, with their uniform sharp-angled faces and big eyes, besides getting a few small advertisements or magazine spreads, mainly did escort-related business.

As a result, Luo Xiansheng, an investor in "Starry Sky Network," had a somewhat negative reputation among journalists. They said he was a playboy who set up such a website just to enjoy the company of beautiful women.

Having heard such remarks frequently, Shi Nian was actually wary of Luo Xiansheng. But the encounter at tonight’s event revealed that he was humorous and witty, without being frivolous. His humor stemmed from sharp, unique insights that were always spot-on and made people laugh out loud.

Then a chill suddenly came over.

Before Shi Nian could turn around, Luo Xiansheng greeted first, "Hi, Madam, off duty?"

Shi Nian turned around to see Tang Yan Yi, in full police uniform, already by her side, looking her up and down with a sarcastic expression.

When Luo Xiansheng went to get a drink for Tang Yan Yi, Shi Nian sighed, "I was going to express my admiration for Miss Tang’s dedication, but seeing Miss Tang’s expression, I think I should save it. Why not just tell me plainly, what have I done to rub Miss Tang the wrong way?"

Tang Yan Yi sneered, "Turns out you can laugh so heartily not only with my little brother but also with Mr. Luo."

Shi Nian frowned. Was Tang Yan Yi insinuating that she was fickle?

Shi Nian took a deep breath, "Actually, I laugh just as heartily with many men, like Mr. Bean and Xiao Shenyang, I can’t help but laugh heartily."

Tang Yan Yi didn’t expect to be countered and was momentarily caught off guard, only able to reluctantly exclaim, "You!"

Shi Nian calmly returned Tang Yan Yi’s gaze, "Actually, smiling at people is a good thing, much better than putting on a cold face, or nitpicking. Miss Tang, wouldn’t it be nice if you could genuinely smile when facing me?"

"Such a sharp-tongued one!" Tang Yan Yi originally thought this was her domain, that Shi Nian coming to the Tang Family should feel inferior, but didn’t expect her to be .

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Tang," Shi Nian accepted calmly, "As a journalist, having a sharp tongue is a basic job requirement."

From afar, while welcoming new guests at the entrance, Tang Yan Sheng also saw Tang Yan Yi in her police uniform.

Since Tang Yan Yi was not the Tang Family’s biological granddaughter, Tang Yan Sheng, as the eldest sister, was very considerate of this second sister, so she led the new guests and approached where Tang Yan Yi and Shi Nian were standing, making small talk along the way.

"What are you discussing?" Tang Yan Sheng hugged Tang Yan Yi’s shoulders from behind, "Look at our Madam Tang, so heroic and sharp, indeed the daughter of our second uncle."

Shi Nian then automatically kept silent, only giving a smile to Tang Yan Sheng.

Suddenly, she felt a fierce gaze next to Tang Yan Sheng. It was cold and sharp, but when it landed on her face, it burned.

Shi Nian frowned and turned to look.

The night was dark, and that person stood in the shadows, perhaps because of his height, his face was covered by shadows, only his attire was visible.

A formal black suit, even in the night, the opulence of its material and workmanship was apparent.

Shi Nian’s heart involuntarily skipped a beat.

For some reason, even without seeing the person’s face, she instinctively felt that he stood in the shadows, his gaze filled with a smile, intently staring at her.

As if sensing Shi Nian’s gaze, Tang Yan Sheng quickly introduced, "Oh, so sorry, I forgot to introduce my new friend to everyone, who’s also a distant relative of the Tang Family—Mr. Huangfu Huazhang."

When the name finally rolled off Tang Yan Sheng’s tongue and lingered in the air, the tall man in the black suit slowly stepped out of the shadows. His face blended into the light and shadows, his piercing gaze only falling on Shi Nian.