Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 641: Chapter 644: Going Home Early

As it was nearing noon and seeing that the situation had been resolved, Yang Chen didn't stand on ceremony with Liu Qingshan and dragged him to the restaurant for a meal. The facilities at the Qinglong Resort Hotel were all five-star standard, and with Liu Qingshan, the chairman himself, hosting, they received the highest level of service.

However, when it came to eating, Liu Qingshan's face was dark with displeasure.

Yang Chen, perhaps intentionally, didn't order anything else but two large twenty-ounce ribeye steaks, cooked rare. Having just witnessed the bloodbath in the meeting room, Liu Qingshan's appetite was already diminished, and now Yang Chen was devouring bloody, juicy steaks right in front of him!

Fortunately, Liu Qingshan wasn't an ordinary person unaccustomed to blood. Suppressing a wave of nausea and with a dark expression, he finished his lunch, seemingly determined not to let Yang Chen get the better of him.

Yang Chen had indeed intended to disgust Liu Qingshan a bit, as a small revenge for bringing him here to showcase his "might."

After eating, Yang Chen wiped his mouth and noticed his phone vibrating. It was a call from Cai Yan.

With a sense of realization, he answered the call, "Director Cai, are you leading your troops north already?"

Cai Yan chuckled on the other end, "What troops? I'm just calling to let you know that I'll arrive in Yandu at ten tomorrow morning. Make sure to be at the airport to pick me up."

"That soon?" Yang Chen was momentarily stunned.

"What do you mean? Are you unhappy that I'm coming to see you sooner?" Cai Yan said, sounding displeased.

Yang Chen quickly realized his slip. He had expected Cai Yan to arrive in three or four days, thinking he could enjoy a few more days with the beautiful Tang Wan. But with Cai Yan arriving tomorrow, it would be inappropriate to continue his nights with Tang Wan.

Feeling a bit regretful, Yang Chen thought if only Cai Yan and Tang Wan's relationship were as close as Mo Qianni and Rose, he could enjoy some benefits on this trip. But such little schemes would have their chances later. For now, it was best to resolve Cai Yan's concerns.

"Of course not. I'm just surprised and happy. Yan Yan, remember to bring a jacket on the plane; it's cold with the air conditioning. Don't catch a cold," Yang Chen said earnestly.

Although Cai Yan knew Yang Chen was deliberately being playful, she was still quite happy and teased, "Pretending to care. You've probably been having fun with other women and forgot all about our matter if I didn't call you."

Yang Chen almost blurted out, "How did you know?" but quickly checked himself, righteously protesting, "Director, I swear I'm innocent. I've been anxious every day, wanting to meet your parents and formalize our relationship!"

Sitting across from Yang Chen, Liu Qingshan wore an iron-blue expression. He had already figured out that Yang Chen was talking to another lover, but he didn't expect him to be so shameless, discussing such matters openly in front of him.

Liu Qingshan even started doubting whether it was right to send Liu Mingyu into this "tiger's den."

After a lengthy conversation, Yang Chen finally ended the call. Newly in love, Cai Yan had endless things to say. Although Yang Chen wasn't impatient, he was indeed quite exhausted.

Thinking about having to pick up Cai Yan tomorrow, and that it wouldn't be convenient to have someone else do it, Yang Chen looked up at Liu Qingshan with a mischievous smile. "Father-in-law, your son-in-law is so lonely in Yandu without anyone to take care of him. It's even inconvenient for me to get around. How about lending me a vehicle?"

Liu Qingshan snorted, "You can't get a car yourself?"

Yang Chen sighed, "Isn't it because we're close? Family should help each other, right?"

Liu Qingshan was speechless. Now Yang Chen was playing the family card again, yet he had deliberately grossed him out earlier! Still, Liu Qingshan wasn't petty. He knew this son-in-law might be his greatest ally in the future, so he called a subordinate to fetch a car from the garage for Yang Chen. The hotel frequently entertained important guests, so there were plenty of luxury cars available.

Yang Chen didn't pick anything too flashy, opting for a new deep-sea blue BMW Z4. In the domestic market, this car was around eight to nine hundred thousand yuan—not too rare and unlikely to attract too much attention.

With many issues to address after the massacre of the Qinglong Association elders, Liu Qingshan bid Yang Chen a simple farewell. Yang Chen drove off from the resort hotel alone. Perhaps due to his habit of driving an M3 in Zhonghai, he naturally continued to drive a BMW, even though this model's acceleration was three seconds slower than the M3. But in city traffic, high performance wasn't necessary.

With the GPS system installed in the car, Yang Chen easily found his way to the Tang family residence. The Tang family servants watched curiously as Yang Chen drove in. He had left on foot and returned in a car—had he gone out to buy one?

After parking, Yang Chen was about to head to Tang Wan's villa when he noticed a crowd gathered around a nearby Tang family member's villa. Most of them seemed to be servants, watching some commotion.

Curious and with nothing else to do, Yang Chen squeezed through the crowd and saw the spectacle. It was none other than Li Dun, who had come over again, this time to the villa of Tang Wan's third uncle and his daughter, Tang Xin.

Dressed in a white suit, Li Dun looked quite dapper, holding a large bouquet of white roses, and kneeling on one knee at the villa's front door. On the doorstep, Tang Xin, dressed in a simple house dress, looked at him with knitted brows, her hands clasped in her lap, utterly helpless.

Tang Xin's father, whom Yang Chen had met the previous day, was pacing behind her, looking anxious and annoyed.

Yang Chen grabbed a nearby male servant and asked, "What's going on here?"

The servant respectfully replied, "Mr. Yang, Young Master Li just came to propose to Miss Tang Xin, but she refused. Now, Young Master Li is kneeling and won't get up, and Master Tang is worried."

Yang Chen almost burst out laughing. Proposing? Li Dun really was eager to get things moving! He hadn't expected Li Dun to be such a passionate lover, which reminded him a bit of himself. With a smile, Yang Chen walked over and patted Li Dun on the shoulder. "Old Li, most people propose with red roses. Why did you bring a bouquet of white ones?"

Li Dun had seen Yang Chen arrive but had maintained his kneeling posture. Now, glancing sideways at Yang Chen, he muttered, "Damn it, do you think I wanted to? For some reason, the price of red roses has skyrocketed recently, even though it's not Valentine's Day. I had to settle for white roses because of my budget!"

Yang Chen confirmed that Li Dun was indeed a penny-pincher, feeling a bit comforted about their previous ramen incident. "You can't just kneel here forever. You need to say some touching words."

Li Dun pulled a mournful face. "I've said everything I could, almost poured out my heart. If I had anything left to say, I wouldn't still be kneeling here!"

At this moment, Tang Xin bit her lip, seemingly making up her mind, and shook her head. "Young Master Li, please go back. I really can't accept your proposal."

Li Dun pretended not to hear her, responding with a non-sequitur, "Miss Tang Xin! Marry me!"

The surrounding servants struggled to contain their laughter; Li Dun's shameless persistence was highly entertaining to them.

Tang Lao San, Tang Xin's father, was pacing anxiously. He couldn't understand why his daughter was so unreasonable. For the eldest son of the Li family to want to marry her was an incredible fortune. If not for Li Dun's inexplicable affection for her, she would never have had the chance to marry into such a prominent family.

"Tang Xin! Stop talking nonsense! Do you want to ruin your father? Marrying into the Li family is immensely beneficial for our Tang family!" Tang Lao San urged his daughter.

With tear-filled eyes, Tang Xin whispered, "Father, is my marriage only for the benefit of the family?"

Tang Lao San was at a loss for words and, unable to reply, hurried down the steps to try to pull Li Dun up, smiling ingratiatingly. "Young Master Li, it's just that Tang Xin doesn't understand. I've spoiled her. Please, don't kneel. It makes it look like our Tang family doesn't know how to treat guests properly. Let's get up and talk this through. If you like Tang Xin, it's a blessing for her. We fully support you marrying her."

Li Dun, however, was immovable. No matter how Tang Lao San tried, he remained on his knees.

"Father-in-law! You don't need to pull me up. I won't get up until Miss Tang Xin agrees!"

The crowd erupted in whispers and giggles. Father-in-law?! Even Tang Lao San was stunned. Li Dun was causing quite a scene, addressing him as father-in-law before Tang Xin had even agreed!

Tang Lao San didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing Yang Chen nearby and remembering that Yang Chen and Li Dun seemed to be friends, he pleaded, "Mr. Yang, please persuade Young Master Li. This is causing me such distress!"

Before Yang Chen could say anything, Li Dun shouted, "Father-in-law, may your blessings be as boundless as the East Sea, and may you live as long as the Southern Mountains!"

The servants burst into uncontrollable laughter, while Tang Lao San was on the verge of collapse.

Yang Chen rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit embarrassed to be associated with Li Dun. His thick-skinned friend seemed to be a bit much, though Yang Chen conveniently ignored his own tendency for such behavior.

At this moment, Tang Xin seemed to steel herself and spoke clearly, "Young Master Li, to be honest with you, I cannot accept you because I already have someone I love. There's no point in you continuing this."

Everyone was taken aback by Tang Xin's bold statement. Since when did the quiet third Miss of the Tang family have someone she loved? And to reject someone like Li Dun for this person?

Li Dun's face stiffened, the fervor in his eyes dimming as he tried to determine the truth of her words.

Tang Lao San frowned and stepped up to ask, "Tang Xin, is that true? Which family's young master is it?"

Tang Xin remained silent, her head bowed, unwilling to say more.

Li Dun interrupted, "Father-in-law, no need to ask. It doesn't matter who Miss Tang Xin loves. I have confidence that I can overcome any rival!"

His voice was filled with conviction, nearly turning it into a pledge of allegiance.

Tang Xin looked up at him, her eyes filled with bitterness and helplessness, while Li Dun's eyes burned with determination.

But this time, Li Dun stood up on his own. "Thank you for telling me the truth, Miss Tang Xin. I'll leave for now, but this doesn't mean I've given up. I'll keep pursuing you with all my sincerity. I know you need time to think. I have duties to attend to back at the barracks, so I'll be leaving."

With that, Li Dun took off his white suit jacket, revealing the short-sleeved military uniform beneath, his demeanor turning serious.

He nodded at Yang Chen and, holding the bouquet of white roses, strode away from the villa.

With Li Dun gone, the servants quickly dispersed. Yang Chen glanced at the dazed Tang Xin and her father, Tang Lao San, who was still chattering away, and smiled knowingly.

A short while later, Yang Chen returned to Tang Wan's villa. He noticed the hall was empty, and a graceful figure was busy in the kitchen.

Tang Wan, with her hair tied back, wore a beige lace dress paired with a pleated grey skirt. Her fair, delicate legs looked like they were meticulously crafted works of art. Even from behind, the sight of her made Yang Chen's heart race.

Noticing Yang Chen entering, Tang Wan turned and smiled warmly before resuming her task of preparing fresh snap peas, removing the inedible ends.

"Why are you home so early? Weren't you going to visit some relatives with Tang Tang?" Yang Chen walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing closer, inhaling her fragrant scent.

Tang Wan blushed and bit her lip. "Stop being so handsy as soon as you get home. We were supposed to stay out longer, but Tang Tang insisted she was tired and wanted a nap. So we had to come back. Why don't you watch some TV while I finish preparing dinner?"

Yang Chen spread out his senses, scanning the villa. Satisfied that only a sleeping Tang Tang was upstairs, he relaxed and started to get affectionate with Tang Wan...