Chapter 13: First Date

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

It was already afternoon. The scorching sun had faded and a cool breeze swept across the land.

Jiang Jinshang’s words caught Zhang Liyun off guard. She had wanted to take the opportunity to vent her anger on Tang Wan.

She wanted to reprimanded Tang Wan for making a mountain out of a molehill. That she did not care about the Tang family’s reputation and did not care about the sisterly relationship with Tang Mo. She did not expect Jiang Jinshang to hit the nail on Tang Mo with merely a few sentences and completely cleared Tang Wan from any wrongdoing.

Zhang Liyun had never suffered twice humiliation by the same person on the same day. Yet, she could not do anything against him.

“Is that so? Who exactly are Momo hanging out with? I’ve already told her to be careful with the people she brings home.” Zhang Liyun was so angry that she gritted her teeth.

“Wan Wan, I’m really sorry.”

Before Tang Wan could speak, Jiang Jinshang said, “Did you just find out, Mrs. Tang?”

“Fifth Master, what… do you mean?”

“It’s also your house. Even if no one at home said anything, I thought Ms. Tang Mo would tell you. You only found out after the police were alerted. Rather surprising, if you ask me.”

Jiang Jinshang rubbed his fingers. His voice was gentle, but his words sharp and unforgiving.

Old Master Tang narrowed his eyes. His expression was subtle.

“Since I’ve sent Ms. Tang home, I’ll take my leave.” Jiang Jinshang stood up and prepared to leave.

“Jinshang, I’ll see you the door.” Old Master Tang clearly wanted to have a private chat with him.

***

The old man returned. Fifteen minutes later, Zhang Liyun left. Tang Wang and Old Master Tang were the only ones left in the hall.

“Grandfather, I haven’t unpacked my things yet. I’ll go back to my room first…” Tang Wan heard a long sigh before she stood up.

“Dear, you’re lucky to have left early. The children nowadays are giving me a hard time…”

Tang Wan’s eyelids twitched violently.

“Say, these two children of the Jiang family, right? You took a fancy to them all those years ago. It’s a pity that our granddaughter didn’t take a fancy to them. It’s a waste of your efforts.”

“I promised you that I will make sure Wan Wan marries a good husband. I’m afraid I’ll have to break that promise.”

Tang Wan braced herself and sat beside him. “Grandpa, what nonsense are you talking about?”

“What nonsense am I talking about? Did you reject Jiang Jinshang today?” Old Master Tang said seriously.

“Do you think we’re suitable for each other?”

“What’s wrong with that kid, except…” Old Master Tang coughed.

“He’s going to die in a few years!”

“But…” Old Master Tang deliberately raised his voice as if what he said now was the truth. “With breakthrough in medicine being made everyday, he might be able to live a long life!

“Besides, how can you believe in rumors?”

“Why do you want me to marry into the Jiang family?” Tang Wan didn’t understand why her grandfather was so obsessed with the Jiang family.

“I just think it’s suitable! You have to believe in me, your grandfather. At my age, I can’t be wrong about people.”

Tang Wan smiled bitterly, “Remember when you went to the small park to play chess, someone tricked you into buying two thousand dollars worth of health care products. You said that he looked honest. Later, the police came to your door and said that you bought a bunch of fake drugs. They even asked you to cooperate with the investigation. Have you forgotten?”

Old Master Tang was so angry that he snorted. Who wouldn’t encounter a few swindlers in their entire lives.

***

After Tang Wan returned to her room, she kept thinking about how she could return the favor of Jiang Jinshang.

After thinking about it, it was nothing more than giving gifts and treating her to a meal. After thinking about it for a while, she realized an actual problem.

She didn’t have Jiang Jinshang’s contact!

In her circle, the only person who could get in touch with the Jiang family was her grandfather. However, she didn’t know when Jiang Jinshang would return to the capital. She couldn’t drag this matter out for too long, so she bit the bullet and knocked on her grandfather’s door.

Old Master Tang wore his reading glasses and squinted his eyes. He flipped through the contact list of his ancient phone. The corner of his mouth curled into a strange smile.

You don’t like him but you want his number. Funny how young people nowadays behave.

Under her grandfather’s mischievous gaze, Tang Wan went back to her room. She didn’t call Jiang Jinshang directly. Instead, she sent him a courtesy message.

[Fifth Master, Hello, I’m Tang Wan. Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to treat you to a meal. If it’s convenient, you can decide the time and place. I’ll arrange it.]

Jiang Jinshang was currently in a hotel. He was dressed casually and had blanket covering his knees. There was a cup of hot tea and a computer on the table in front of him. On the screen, there were a few people huddled together. It was obviously a video call. 

“… actually, it’s normal that she doesn’t want to marry into our family. It was just a verbal agreement. We just need to make it clear to the Tang family. After all, it’s not our family rejecting the marriage, and it’s not a bad thing for the Tang family. There’s nothing we can do even if the young lady isn’t willing.”

“You’re being too direct today. What do you mean by she’s not willing to marry you? Do you think you’re proposing?”

“By the way, this is the first time Jinshang has gone out to eat alone with a girl, right? And he’s even rejected?”

At this moment, a man who was sitting in a corner said in a deep voice, “As long as this girl isn’t stupid, doesn’t it makes sense that she’ll reject him?”

***

The members of the Jiang family huddled in front of a computer screen. Jiang Jinshang’s expression was indifferent from the beginning to the end.

At this moment, his phone suddenly vibrated. He picked it up and looked at it, but his gaze never left it!

“Jinshang, it’s okay. If it doesn’t work out with thde Tangs, there will always be more women in the future.” The person in the video was still “comforting” him. “Jinshang? What are you doing? Whose message have you been looking at for so long?”

“It’s from Tang Wan.” After Jiang Jinshang said this, the other end of the video fell into a silence. He frowned slightly and looked at the computer screen.

“She asked me out.”

At this moment, the Jiang family was completely silent. After a few seconds, a chatter erupted!

“Do you want me to go?” Jiang Jinshang’s tone was gentle and his gaze was even more indifferent.

“The girls have already taken the initiative to ask me out. Why not? You have to go!”

After all, they had been brought together by their families. Every move they made, the elders of both sides would keep the others notified…

When the Jiang family found out, they also informed Old Master Tang of the “relationship” between the youngsters at the first opportunity!

***

As the next day arrived with drizzles in Pinjiang, it was a chilly autumn day.

When Tang Wan went out for the engagement, the old man was in the living room, leaning against the rattan chair and watching the opera channel while humming a tune. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that she had changed her clothes and came out with her bag. He raised his eyelids and said, “Going out?”

“Yes, I have to meet a friend. I won’t be back for lunch. After you finish your lunch, remember to take your medicine.”

Old Master Tang snorted, “More like a date with Jinshang!”

The corner of Tang Wan’s mouth twitched. She was only going to return the favor.. When did it become a date?