Chapter 633 - 636: Tang Xin
Chapter 633: Chapter 636: Tang Xin
The following dinner went on without any absurd incidents. Li Dun repeatedly tried to engage Tang Xin in conversation, but Tang Xin only responded politely and mechanically, clearly showing no interest in extended discussions, which made some members of the Tang family quite displeased.
Fortunately, Li Dun didn't seem to mind at all. On the contrary, he appeared increasingly interested, frequently looking at Tang Xin with sparkling eyes. This made the Tang family members determined to work hard on Tang Xin's side, hoping to establish a marriage alliance between the Li and Tang families.
Meanwhile, Yang Chen, who was originally supposed to be thanked, was left undisturbed as he focused on eating. He occasionally chatted with Tang Wan and her mother but otherwise ate quietly until the meal was finished.
As the banquet was about to end, Li Dun suddenly addressed Tang Xin, who was about to attend to Tang Zhechen, "Miss Tang Xin, could I have a word with you in a quieter place?"
Li Dun made his request openly in front of everyone. Although Tang Xin detested this man, she had a vague idea that Li Dun was interested in her, which made her blush even though she found it inexplicable.
Just as she was about to refuse, Tang Xin noticed that her uncles and other Tang family members were all giving her suggestive looks. Even Tang Zhechen and Tang Wan had hopeful expressions. Tang Xin knew she couldn't refuse too harshly. Thinking she could just let him talk and treat it like wind passing by her ears, she nodded and agreed, "Let's go to the back garden."
"Hehe, anywhere is fine. Miss Tang Xin, please lead the way," Li Dun said joyfully, following her eagerly.
After Tang Xin led Li Dun away, everyone was eager to follow and listen to what he would say. However, the Tang family members knew that Li Dun was a renowned expert in Yanjing, and eavesdropping might not end well. Therefore, they instructed the servants to stay away from the back garden to create an undisturbed environment for the young couple.
Yang Chen, feeling quite full, burped and stood up to address Tang Zhechen, "Mr. Tang, I'll be leaving now. Thank you for the meal."
It wasn't until he finished eating that Yang Chen realized he hadn't decided on a place to stay yet. He knew he would need to stay in Yanjing for a while before returning to Zhonghai, waiting for Cai Yan to visit the Cai family and trying to resolve the issue with Cai Ning. Moreover, after encountering Yang Lie and Meifeng's situation, Yang Chen thought he should spend more time with Hui Lin, at least until her album release and concert were successful.
Although he was worried about Mo Qianni in Zhonghai, Yang Chen couldn't be in two places at once and hoped time would help Ma Guifang become more understanding.
For now, he needed to find a place to stay and considered asking Zhuang Feng from the branch office to help him find a good hotel.
Tang Zhechen didn't answer immediately but looked at Tang Wan, "Wan'er, your health has just recovered, so don't rush back to Zhonghai. Stay at home for a few more days."
Tang Wan, being intelligent, quickly understood the implication and blushed slightly, nodding gently.
Only then did Tang Zhechen say to Yang Chen, "Yang Chen, I assume you haven't decided on a place to stay yet. Why don't you take advantage of Wan'er staying in Yanjing and let her show you around? It's not good for her to be around this old man all the time."
Tangtang, with a hint of mischief, smiled and said, "Great-grandfather is really considerate. I also think mom should take Uncle to explore."
Tang Zhechen, with a fond smile, pinched his great-granddaughter's nose, laughing happily.
All the Tang family members present favored Tang Wan, so they were pleased to see Tang Zhechen value her so much. As for allowing more interaction between Yang Chen and Tang Wan, it was all the better.
If Yang Chen were just an ordinary married man, they would oppose it. Despite Tang Wan's complicated situation, she was one of the Tang family's future heirs, and they couldn't afford to lose face. However, Yang Chen being a descendant of the Yang family, made the situation different. Even if Tang Wan had to sacrifice some reputation, it didn't matter much. In the complex relationships of large families, things could be messy, but if things worked out, others would only envy them.
"I'll take you to the villa where Tangtang and I live. It's spacious enough to arrange a room for you," Tang Wan said, handling her emotions quickly and stepping forward with poise.
Feeling the ambiguous looks around him, Yang Chen felt a bit uncomfortable. He nodded and said, "Lead the way then." He was eager to get away from the crowd.
Meanwhile, in the Tang family's back garden, the dim metallic glow of the lamps, reminiscent of Western classical art style, cast a soft white light, illuminating the garden's night. The path was paved with pebbles, and various vibrant flowers appeared serene and gentle in the night.
Wearing a light yellow dress, Tang Xin pouted, her oval face, similar to Tang Wan's, showing a look of annoyance. She walked to the center of a quiet wooden pavilion, her fragrance lingering in the air.
Facing Li Dun, who had followed her, Tang Xin glanced at the so-called "Young Master Li," one of Yanjing's two kings. He wore simple short sleeves and long pants like a common worker, his robust body far from the image of a bodybuilder, resembling more a lifelong laborer.
Combined with his goofy smile and the eye patch covering one eye, he looked like a clumsy one-eyed bear!
How could such a person be as famous as her beloved man? Tang Xin wanted to shoot Li Dun on the spot!
"Speak. What do you want?" Tang Xin asked coldly, her gaze shifting from Li Dun to the flowers.
Li Dun, though smiling awkwardly, showed no shyness in his words.
"Miss Tang Xin, I like you."
Li Dun confessed! He said it without any warning!
Tang Xin turned sharply, even though she had guessed he liked her, but this was too straightforward!
"Are you playing with me?" Tang Xin gritted her teeth.
Li Dun swallowed and shook his head, "Miss Tang Xin, today was the first time I saw you at the hospital, but since then, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind. Before coming to the Tang family dinner tonight, I decided I liked you and came here specifically to tell you that."
Tang Xin thought, but I want to kill you! She sneered, "Like me? Just one look and you like me? Do you think I'm a three-year-old who believes in love at first sight?"
Li Dun replied earnestly, "Miss Tang Xin, what if I say I really fell in love with you at first sight?"
"Are you a pig? I don't have time to joke with you!" Tang Xin said angrily, frowning.
Li Dun remained unfazed and instead smiled, "Miss Tang Xin, I believe you are well aware that I am Li Dun, the legitimate grandson of the Li family. In other words, the Li family, which controls the Yanxia Security Bureau and most of Yanxia's special forces, will be entirely under my command in the future."
"Yes, you're the great Young Master Li, and I'm just an insignificant, unimportant girl from the Tang family. Please, stop teasing me," Tang Xin replied with a sarcastic sneer.
Li Dun continued to smile, "You see, Miss Tang Xin, you are aware of the disparity in our statuses. But this is precisely why I like you."
"What?" Tang Xin began to feel puzzled.
"Miss Tang Xin, do you know that any girl who comes near me, unless she is unaware of my identity, will try every means to win my favor? They all want to become the mistress of the Li family. Given our special background, the Li family can only have one mistress; more would be dangerous." As the controller of the Security Bureau, the Li family's mistress would naturally have access to some confidential information, making Li Dun's words understandable.
Li Dun then shifted his tone, "But Miss Tang Xin, you are very special. This is the first time I've seen a girl from a prestigious family who, upon knowing my identity, still shows feelings of rejection and disdain towards me. The key point is that I can see you genuinely detest me. You even wish I were dead."
Tang Xin was stunned. She hadn't expected Li Dun to see through her so clearly!