Chapter 186: Telling the Truth
The wisp light of dawn shined from the East horizon.
Tang Xiu got up early since he had planned to go to a driving school today, and then went to see his mother to tell her about his matter. He believed that because of his excellence, his mother would accept it, albeit requiring a little persuading. But as time passed, she would feel happy for having a good and outstanding son.
After eating breakfast, he left the villa and walked toward the villa complexâs entrance. After nodding and greeting the two security guards, he walked to the sidewalk and calmly waited for a taxi.
"Honk honk..."
A carâs horn sounded.
Tang Xiu looked at the Porsche Supercar and saw Long Xueyao on the driverâs seat. Then, he immediately said with a smile, âAre you going out too?â
âYup, gotta take care of something. Anyway, whereâre you heading? Want a ride?â Long Xueyao replied and asked with a smile.
Tang Xiu shook his head and said, âNo need. You already have something to do. Besides, Iâm just going to find a driving school and use this summer vacation taking the driving license test.â
âItâs alright. My matter itâs not that urgent. Besides, there are few taxis passing in this area. If you wanna catch a cab this early, youâll have to walk about a kilometer to the commercial street. Come onboard! Thereâs a big driving school nearby the place Iâm heading. Itâs a good one, too.â Long Xueyao said with a smile.
Tang Xiu asked, "Where are you going?"
âThe Tax Bureau.â Long Xueyao said.
Tang Xiu nodded, opened the door and sat on the co-pilotâs seat. A fragrance smelling of jasmine floated inside as the interior was lovely decorated. Then, he said, âI know that your family name is Long, but I never thought that youâre actually Zhengyuâs cousin. I only just heard it from him two days ago when we were drinking.â
Long Xueyao started the car. Whilst driving with one hand, she said with a smile âI thought you already knew! By the way, if you need a driver license, I have a way to help you get one directly. So you neednât go there every day.â
âEh? This could be done through the back door also?â Tang Xiu was surprised.
Immediately, Long Xueyao couldnât help laughing, saying, âWhat back door? Itâs just that you neednât go to the course everyday and can directly take the exam. If you feel that you canât pass, you can have someone else take the exam on your behalf. As long as thereâs some incentive, the official examiner will turn a blind eye.â
âAs always, itâs the sinful, money-oriented society!â
Tang Xiu shook his head with a sigh before he said, âIf so, then Iâll have to trouble you to find someone! Well, consider it as me owing you a favor for this one. To be honest, I really have a lot of things to do in this summer break, so I donât have much time for studying.â
Long Xueyao said with a smile, âNo prob. Anyhow, weâll go to another driving school. I have an acquaintance there.â
âAs you wish!â
Tang Xiu replied with a nod.
Half an hour later.
Tang Xiu and Long Xueyao came out from the driving school. After he paid the registration fee, Long Xueyao helped him find the driving schoolâs principal. Now, for the following activities, he wouldnât need to take the classes and the driving school would inform him the date of the exam later.
âEverythingâs done, all thanks to you. If you got time later, Iâll treat you to a meal!â Tang Xiu said.
Long Xueyao replied with a tender smile, âYouâre my cousinâs friend, so you neednât be that polite with me. But since Iâm quite free these days, Iâll take the offer.â
Tang Xiu pondered a moment, and then said, âAlright then, how about tomorrow? Iâll call you by then.â
Long Xueyao picked up the phone, saying, âOkay, Iâll wait for your call.â
Tang Xiu saved her cell number. After getting a taxi in front of the driving schoolâs entrance, he rushed to his familyâs restaurant, since he calculated that his mother should also have arrived there.
As he had expected, he saw his mother and several waiters placing tables and chairs when he arrived. He felt quite happy as he saw them chat and laugh.
"Mom..."
Tang Xiu called out.
Su Lingyun turned around and was pleasantly surprised upon seeing him, âXiuâer! Youâre finally back! How was it? Had a good time travelling?â
Tang Xiu said, âWell, it was good. Mom, let Banshou take care of the restaurant today! I wanna take you to a place today.â
âWhereâre you gonna take me?â Su Lingyun asked with a confused expression.
Tang Xiu said with a faint smile, âWell, werenât you puzzled by why I became quite mysterious recently? Iâll tell you everything today!â
Su Lingyun hesitated for a moment as she nodded and said, âThen, letâs go.â
At South Gate Town.
As Tang Xiu and Su Lingyun got off from the taxi, she looked at the front entrance of South Gate Town and said with a somewhat timid expression, âXiuâer, why did you brought me here? I know this place. This is South Gate Town. And from the ads, I know this place is the most high-end villa complex, where only the powerful and rich can live. Just look at the security guards at the entrance, theyâre just like the police standing guard there. Letâs leave before they get rid of us.â
Tang Xiu only smiled as he pulled Su Lingyun toward the entrance.
The two security guards saluted Tang Xiu. The other two security guards inside the post also stood up upon seeing him.
Su Lingyun looked at them with astonishment, as she then asked with curiosity, âXiuâer, looking at their appearance, they seem to know you? Youâve been here before?â
âOf course, Mom. Iâve been living here for a while. Come on! I know youâre very surprised inside. Wait until we arrive home. Iâll tell you about everything.â
Owing a house here?
Su Lingyun was quite scared upon hearing Tang Xiuâs reply.
If they bought a house here, how much would it cost?
Along the way.
The security patrols unceasingly saluted Tang Xiu and Su Lingyun- even the employees of the Property Management Complex also greeted Tang Xiu respectfully. Su Lingyun, who had never seen such a scene, was shocked as though in a trance. Only after she and Tang Xiu arrived in front of the villaâs entrance did she sober up, as though waking up from a dream.
Looking at the grand and beautiful villa that stood magnificently in an excellent location, Su Lingyun subconsciously grabbed Tang Xiuâs arm and whispered, âXiuâer, you wouldnât be joking with Mom, right? Even when your uncle was still rich he couldnât afford such a big villa!â
Tang Xiu said with a smile, âMom, letâs go inside, then youâll know understand everything.â
Tang Xiu took her through the villaâs door and went straight to the hall. He saw Mu Qingping ready to go out as he called her and said, âBig Sis Mu, this is my mother, itâs her first time coming here. Mom, sheâs Big Sis Mu, our housekeeper. And her daughter is my apprentice.â
Housekeeper? Apprentice?
Su Lingyun was stunned. She had been working for her entire life, but she could never afford a housekeeper. And... what was this apprentice about?
Mu Qingping looked at Su Lingyun for a while as she said with a smile, âHello. Iâve seen your photo in Tang Xiuâs bedroom. Anyway, you can call me Little Ping.â
Due to their age, Mu Qingping didnât know how to address Su Lingyun. After all, Su Lingyun was much younger than her, at least 10 years. Her daughter was Tang Xiuâs apprentice. So, if she called her Big Sister, she missed the rank by a generation. And if she called her Aunt, it was definitely improper.
Su Lingyun stared at Mu Qingping blankly before turning to Tang Xiu. Only after a long while was she able to speak, âXiuâer, Mom still canât understand everything. Tell me everything. What is all this about in the end?"
Tang Xiu led her for a tour of the villa before bringing her back to the living room. After sitting down, he said, âMom. Recently, I wasnât just spending my time only studying. I also did some business. Firstly, you donât need to be mad and worried. The College Entrance Test is already over, and I assure you that this wonât disturb my studies.â
âYouâre doing a business? What business? Xiuâer, you mustnât do anything against the law!â Su Lingyun was astounded.
Tang Xiu let out a wry smile and said, âMom, what kind of person do you see me as? I have a lot of businesses, for instance: cosmetics and healthcare products. As the capital for the investment, Iâm also drawing architectural designs for others. I know that Iâve been hiding the truth from you and youâre afraid, worrying about my study. I assure you that once the result of the College Entrance Test has been announced, Iâm sure that Iâll eligible to enroll in a top university.â
Su Lingyun was confused, âYou also draw architectural designs? How donât I know about this?â
âItâs an after-school hobby, Mom. Just like how I know about Chinese medicine as well.â Tang Xiu said.
Su Lingyun was silent. She still couldnât fathom what her son had done, for her experience couldnât afford it. After a long while, she looked at Tang Xiu and asked, âSon, with this business of yours, you can afford to buy a villa in South Gate Town. How much money do you have now?â
Tang Xiu said with a smile, âActually, I didnât buy this villa. I helped my friend solving a big matter, so he gave me this villa! As for the sum of money I currently have, I donât know at the top of my head. But I estimate that Iâve at least have several hundred million yuan.â
âHow much?â
Su Lingyun jumped up from the sofa as she called out in alarm and disbelief.
âAt least several hundred million.â Tang Xiu replied.
Su Lingyun swallowed a mouthful of saliva. She was truly shocked upon hearing such astronomical number. Even if her restaurant was very good and had a daily income of nearly ten thousand yuan; however, compared to several hundred million, it was just like comparing the day and night!
Tang Xiu continued with a smile, âMom, we no longer have to worry about money anymore. I have grown up. Not only can I finish my studies with excellent results, Iâm even able to create an enterprise. If you donât want to manage the restaurant anymore, you can sell it. But itâs also fine if you want to continue managing it. In short, you can live however you wish. I only hope that you can live a well-off, good and happy life in the future.â
Su Lingyun looked dazed as she looked at Tang Xiu. She suddenly realized that her son truly had grown up and no longer needed her protection. He now truly had the ability to support and take care of himself.
"Woo, woo, sob..."
Sitting on living roomâs sofa, Su Lingyun was holding her arms, crying. She recalled her husband, reminiscing the bitter life they had gone through all these years, the grievances...
"Mom..."
Just as Tang Xiu was about to speak, Mu Qingping stopped him.
Mu Qingping then sat down beside Su Lingyun. She held Su Lingyun as she said in a low voice, âI, more or less, understand the situation in your family. I also know that you and I are the same. Weâre mothers who brought up our children alone. I know the sadness and loneliness which only mothers like us feel. I also understand why youâre crying. As a mother, youâre very happy to see your child having such a good life. But in front of our child, we should smile, we shouldnât cry. Besides, itâs a big event, we should celebrate. Donât you think so?â