Chapter 112 - 104 Fifth Master Got Dumped? Even the Bootlickers Have No Good Ending (2 Updates)

Chapter 112: 104 Fifth Master Got Dumped? Even the Bootlickers Have No Good Ending (2 Updates)

As soon as the phone’s ringtone sounded, everyone in the living room focused their attention behind the folding screen. Tang Wan held the phone as if it were a hot potato, her heart pounding violently.

Jiang Jinsang raised his eyebrows and gestured for her to go outside, but Tang Wan clenched her teeth, asking him to stay put and she herself walked out, steeling herself.

What would it look like if two people went out together?

Staying hidden behind would inevitably look sneaky.

"Wanwan, you’ve made it all the way to the front courtyard, hiding like that, it couldn’t be on purpose, could it?" Teng Jun said with a smile as he got up.

"I heard your laughter just as I was coming over, I didn’t expect that my dad would call me right then."

Tang Wan’s words might fool others, but Tang Yunxian probably guessed what was going on, yet he didn’t expose her.

He just instinctively glanced at the folding screen, thinking to himself: How long has this girl been hiding, and she didn’t even notice?

Feeling guilty, Tang Wan walked directly over, blocking Tang Yunxian’s view, "Uncle Teng, please don’t stand, sit."

The three of them sat down and chatted for a while, and Teng Jun then said, "What about that young man from before?"

"Which one?" Tang Yunxian sipped his tea, urging him to try the pastries, "They’re freshly bought, give them a try."

Teng Jun clearly had a good relationship with their family; he didn’t stand on ceremony at all, enjoying the pastries and tea, "The one we met twice at the hospital, the one who is really pale and looks fragile."

Fragile...

Tang Wan lowered her head, stifling a laugh.

Actually, when she grabbed his arm just now, it didn’t seem as frail as she thought. Holding onto him, he felt quite strong and dependable.

"It’s the one your grandfather took a liking to; actually, aside from looking frail, he handles matters quite reliably. He finished up everything at the hospital—seems hard to approach, but he’s actually easy to talk to." Teng Jun laughed, "Wanwan, what do you think of him? Any possibility?"

They knew each other very well, closer than typical relatives, so these words were spoken directly without any avoidance.

But it was different for Tang Wan. With Jiang Jinsang just behind the folding screen, she really couldn’t speak carelessly.

"Why are you hesitating, do you have feelings for him?" Teng Jun chuckled.

"You’re overthinking it," Tang Yunxian replied leisurely sipping tea, yet his gaze firmly fixed on Tang Wan.

"A girl being shy and not speaking—that means she’s interested. If she wasn’t, she’d have said so directly," he said, sounding like he knew it all.

"Uncle Teng, please don’t make random comments, we’re not in that kind of relationship."

"So you’re not interested?" Teng Jun looked at her.

"You know the kind of person Uncle Teng is—straightforward. If you’ve already got someone in mind, then for me to do this is just a thankless task, but if not, your dad is busy and often can’t attend to you, I have lots of free time, and if I happen to find someone suitable, I’ll keep an eye out for you."

Tang Wan scoffed lightly: You really have a lot of free time!

"If there really isn’t any interest, then I might start introducing people to you!"

Tang Wan was in a dilemma, unsure how to speak.

To say she wasn’t interested meant facing arranged dates; admitting interest meant Jiang Jinsang and his father hearing it, and that could only make things worse.

After much deliberation, she decided to first get past the immediate crisis, "I’m not interested in him."

Jiang Jinsang stood to the side, knowing her predicament and guessing she would sacrifice herself, but still, when she declared her disinterest, he felt a sting in his heart, rubbing his fingers and silently leaving.

The Jiang family members, standing far away, couldn’t clearly hear the conversation at the front courtyard, but saw Tang Wan leave shortly after their grandfather exited.

On the surface, all seemed normal, but having followed him for so long, they could still differentiate his moods.

He was very sad.

Jiang Cuo nudged the person next to him, "What’s going on? When he was flirting earlier, he was all fired up, almost clinging together, how come it suddenly turned into something like a heartbreak?"

"Shut up, and you might live a few years longer."

"..."

**

Jiang Jinsang returned to the East Courtyard and didn’t even enter the house; he just stood in the yard, watering the flowers and enjoying the cold breeze.

His phone vibrated, and he answered it.

"Jiang Xiaowu!" someone shouted so loudly it nearly shattered his eardrums, "Did you freaking block me again?"

"Slip of the hand."

Qi Zeyan’s mouth corner twitched fiercely, "Do you think I’m stupid? I know the steps it takes to block someone."

"It might have been a mistake," Jiang Jinsang replied indifferently.

"How’s Sister-in-law? I know about the He family situation already, such a big deal, why didn’t you let me know?"

Sister-in-law?

Jiang Jinsang raised his eyebrows, "You’re in Beijing, what good would informing you do?"

"Then I would definitely have worn golden armor and mounted a colorful auspicious cloud to appear before her—a hero saving a beauty, and who knows, she might have been so moved she’d give herself to me."

"You think you’re the Monkey King, riding on clouds?" Jiang Jinsang scoffed.

"My goodness, did you poison your mouth today? You’re speaking so venomously. I know you hate hassle, but thanks to your help with sister-in-law’s matter, don’t worry, I won’t let your efforts be unrewarded."

Jiang Jinsang hung up the phone as he spoke.

He then received a transfer from Qi Zeyan on WeChat and without hesitation, accepted it.

Qi Zeyan sat on the couch, pleased as he saw him accept the money.

He considered whether to send Tang Wan a message to greet her, but when he took out his phone and composed a message for a long time, he couldn’t think of what to say.

He simply posted a sigh in a group chat shared with friends:

"I like the taste of liking someone, it’s really both sweet and sour."

Jiang Jinsang looked at the message and replied in the group: "Even licking dogs don’t end well."

Qi Zeyan was furious: "You’re the licking dog, not me. I harbor liking, appreciation, and admiration. You cold-hearted people wouldn’t understand!"

Jiang Jinsang stayed calm and composed: "Where’s your little assistant?"

"Why are you looking for my assistant?"

"To take you home for your medicine."

...

Qi Zeyan was speechless. What got into this guy today, being so aggressive? But I’m in a good mood. I won’t quibble with you.

**

Meanwhile, in the front hall

Old Master Tang had already brought Jiangjiang back, holding a sugar painting. Jiangjiang greeted Tang Yunxian and Teng Jun, even offering them the sugar painting, but all the adults shook their heads.

Jiangjiang ran up to Tang Wan to boast.

"What is this painting of?" Tang Wan asked with a smile.

"It’s Dai Dai, does it look like it?"

Hua Mei: ...

"Sis, try it, it’s really tasty. I haven’t even tried this one yet; it’s drool-free."

Jiangjiang was so enthusiastic that Tang Wan could only taste it lightly, "I’ve tried it, now you eat it."

He nodded, took a bite, and the bird head was gone instantly. Being made of sugar, even though he didn’t bite too forcefully, it still made a loud crunch.

Hua Mei shrank her neck, gripping onto the perch, and playing dead.

"Xiaoteng, it’s been a long time since you last came," said Old Master Tang with a smile.

"I thought about coming yesterday, but you had just been discharged from the hospital, and the family was likely busy, so I came to see you today especially."

"That’s considerate of you. Stay for dinner tonight."

"Sure, can we have some drinks? I’ll have a couple with you."

Before the Old Master could speak, Tang Wan intervened, "No, he has surgery coming up soon and needs to take care of his body."

The old man huffed coldly, clearly annoyed.

"No worries, once your surgery is done and you’re in good health, I’ll drink as much as you want with you," Teng Jun said, smoothing things over with a smile.

...

Due to guests at home, the Tang Family’s dinner was particularly sumptuous. Though the Old Master couldn’t drink alcohol, his good friend Tang Yunxian definitely needed to join him for a couple of drinks; Jiang Jinsang naturally kept them company, and even Tang Wan ended up taking out a wine cup.

They drank local rice wine from Pingjiang, which had a fragrant and sweet aroma. Jiangjiang, tempted by the smell, had Jiang Jinsang dip his chopsticks in it for him to taste.

This made Old Master Tang envious.

The table was full of meat dishes, yet he only had two plates of plain, watery health food in front of him—a completely tasteless life.

"Grandpa Tang, once you get to Beijing and recover after the surgery, I’ll take you to Quanjude for roast duck," Jiang Jinsang said with a smile.

"That sounds good," the old man replied, his face brightening as he shot a glare at his son.

Tsk—

Not even a word of thoughtful consideration, no eye for detail, disgusted.

Midway through the meal, Jiangjiang tugged at Jiang Jinsang’s sleeve.

"What’s up?"

"Uncle, are you okay?"

"I’m fine."

"You seem to be in a bad mood." Jiangjiang spent more time with him at home than his own father and was sensitive to his changes, "Are you feeling unwell? You should drink less."

"I know, just eat your meal." Jiang Jinsang said, smiling as he tousled his hair.

Everyone knew Jiang Jinsang wasn’t in great health and didn’t intentionally push him to drink, but he himself, drinking quietly, still had quite a bit.

Tang Wan, sitting across from him, watched him down one cup after another, slightly furrowing her brows. What’s gotten into him today?

Could it be something she said that upset him?

But for that to upset him, wouldn’t he have to be interested in her? Could it be that he...But wasn’t he here to call off the engagement?

Tang Wan’s thoughts became more and more tangled, and she decided to stop looking at him.

Jiang Jinsang knew Tang Wan was observing him, feeling somewhat relieved deep down. At least she was paying attention to him, but after a while, she wouldn’t even give him a glance.

Frustrated...

He needed a little drink to soothe his feelings.

But his gaze was fixed on Tang Wan, his eyes growing dim...