Chapter 342: 226 With arrogant capital, you can only endure it (3 more)_2
As the fire blazed and the oil sizzled, the more attention the matter received online, the more uneasy he became.
"Youâre just too tired lately, hasnât the issue been resolved? You should go back and rest well," Tang Wan said with a smile.
Chen Zhi could see some things; naturally, Tang Wan was also aware.
...
But no sooner had they left than someone entered the recently vacated private room, sat down where Tang Wan had just been, and picked up her used cup, gently turning it and noticing a trace of lipstick on the rim...
"We did everything you said, and it turned out like this, not to mention the 150,000; even the original compensation we could have received is gone. We really lost big this time," Deng Shuo said, choked with frustration.
The person pulled a check from his pocket and handed it over, "Is this enough?"
The couple stared at the number on the check, their eyes bulging.
"But I still need you to do something for me."
"What is it? Just say it!" Deng Shuo hurriedly grabbed the check, afraid that the money would slip away again.
As the person spoke, the couple was stunned, "This..."
"Earning a lot of money always comes with risks, Mr. Deng. Just now, Tang Wan splashed water on your wife and pointed at you, calling you shameless. As a man, can you really tolerate this?"
"Given the Tang familyâs influence in Pingjiang, if you trip her up, do you think Tang Wan will let you off easily? Iâm afraid you wonât have a foothold in Pingjiang anymore. Itâs better to help me with this matter, take the money, and start anew elsewhere."
"You are smart people, you know what to do."
Upon hearing this, Ding Anran became instantly frantic, "When we agreed to do this job, you said that if we made a fuss, the studio wouldnât dare publicize the matter and would definitely compensate us. You never said the person behind this was Tang Wan. If we had known it was her, we wouldnât have dared to do it."
Even if they couldnât get compensation, they could still get benefits from this personâa guaranteed profit with no loss.
They didnât know that the person behind all this was Tang Wan, causing them to unintentionally offend the Tang family.
"I had only heard that this studio was run by Tang Wan and wanted to use you to test the waters," the man admitted frankly.
"I think youâre just using us!" Ding Anran, now desperate, wasnât really that naive.
The man across smiled, "What if I am? Either cooperate with me or wait for the Tang family to suppress you. Itâs your choice."
The couple was stunned. Just now, Tang Wan had given them such a choice, and now this?
"Arenât you afraid Iâll go to Tang Wan and expose you?"
"Do you even know who I am? Are you going to expose me?"
"Arenât you called Cai..."
The man just smiled; evidently, those who do evil deeds never use their real names.
...
The couple was dumbfounded, considering themselves smart, yet never imagining they were merely pawns in someone elseâs game.
After the couple left, the person lowered his head and caressed the cup, then lifted it to his nose and sniffed. It seemed her lingering scent was still present...
He took a sip from where she had drunk. The tea had turned cold, but as it entered his throat, it felt refreshing and even a bit sweet.
Tang Wan, youâll fall into my hands sooner or later.
**
Tang Familyâs old house
When Tang Wan returned home, Tang Yunxian was feeding Hua Mei, while Elder Tang and Elder Shen of the Shen Family were playing chess and engaged in a heated discussion.
There seemed to be some arguments, and their faces were flushed with earnest.
"Did the chess game cause a ruckus?" Tang Wan entered the room, taking off her coat while she asked Shen Shuci.
Master Shen wasnât Jiang Jinsang, and playing chess with Master Tang, he definitely wouldnât let him win. The two often argued incessantly during their games, resembling little children.
"No, they were discussing how to make things difficult for Fifth Master when he comes over in a few days."
"Make things difficult for him?"
Tang Wanâs fingers paused as she removed her clothes. Had Fifth Brother offended them both?
Especially Grandpa, he should be the one in the family who dotes on Jiang Jinsang the most.
"After all, itâs about the marriage proposal. They said they need to humble him a bit to ensure you wonât be undervalued after you marry over there." Shen Shuci sighed, "The main thing is, they only come up with the ideas but let your brother-in-law carry them out."
"What?" Tang Wan laughed out loud.
Her dad was going to execute it?
"They donât want to offend anyone and want to maintain a kind and benevolent image in front of Fifth Master, so they are letting your brother-in-law play the villain," Shen Shuci said, barely holding back a laugh. "Your brother-in-law definitely doesnât want to get involved. Heâs already been pushed to go feed the birds."
"Yunxian, did you hear everything your dad and I were discussing?" Master Shen asked.
"What were you just saying?" Tang Yunxian, holding bird feed, had been playing dumb the whole time.
These two old men were really something, always meddling with nonsensical stuff instead of doing anything productive!
They called him back from the company, said there was something important, only to make him play the villain!
If they really wanted to trouble Jiang Jinsang, they should do it themselves. Coming up with the plan and then making him execute it, what kind of arrangement is that?
"You and Xiaowu are only on so-so terms, so youâre the best choice to play the villain," Master Tang added insult to injury. "Besides, you are Wanwanâs father. Donât you want to scrutinize him a bit more? Arenât you afraid that Wanwan might be entrusting herself to an unworthy person?"
"Exactly, a necessary examination is still needed," Master Shen agreed.
"Though you all are quite familiar, you canât let him get off too easily."
Master Tang really liked Jiang Jinsang, but when it came to discussing marriage, both the carrot and the stick were necessary, requiring a mix of gentleness and strictness.
But he definitely wouldnât play the villain. He still wanted to be a kind and benevolent elder, unwilling to ruin his image in Jiang Jinsangâs mind.
Upon hearing this, Tang Yunxian immediately turned his head and looked at him seriously, "When the engagement was set, why didnât you consider that I am Wanwanâs father and let me make the decision? Now you push me forward?"
Upon hearing this, Master Shen immediately got upset, "Am I discussing this with you? I am informing you! Otherwise, you tell me, in this family, who is suited to be the âvillainâ!"
Tang Wan laughed out loud.
This question was both tricky and unreasonable. If his dad actually named someone, it would imply that he considered them the most intimidating.
None of the three elders in the family could be offended, nor could Shen Shuci be pushed forward, so he could only reluctantly smile, "Shall I be the villain, then?"
"This is your own choice. I didnât force you," Master Tang acted coy after gaining the advantage. "Come here, letâs discuss how we should handle it? Since your relationship with Xiaowu has always been lukewarm, you donât have much of a reputation to uphold in his eyes anyway; one more time wonât matter."
"..."
Though they said it was to give him a hard time, it was nothing more than one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop. They wouldnât really do anything to Jiang Jinsang.
While the three were heatedly discussing, Master Tangâs outdated cell phone inconveniently rang. He fished out his phone, squinted at the display, having just spoken sternly as if the moment Jiang Jinsang stepped through the door, heâd make it so he wouldnât leave unscathed, but now upon answering the call...
His mouth curled into a beaming smile, "HelloâXiaowu, what made you think of calling grandpa?"
The tone of his voice, probably couldnât be sweeter even to a biological grandson.
Tang Yunxianâs head buzzed with pain. What a mess he had gotten into.