"ilan, I just made so inquiries. This Li Mingjie has a bad reputation; he likes to fool around with other n’s wives. That must be why he angered Mr. Jiang." Old Master Tang had great faith in Wang Ming’s information.
"Patriarch, Qin Long has certainly..." Zhang ilan began. For so reason, even though she was starting to see him in a new light, she felt the need to explain.
"He did it?" the Patriarch scoffed. "ilan, how could a cripple like Qin Long possibly be friends with Mrs. Zhao and Mr. Jiang? He’s poor and has no real skills. He has no background to speak of, so why would people of their stature bother with him? If he truly had powerful connections, wouldn’t those two bigwigs have visited him three years ago?"
Old Master Tang’s barrage of questions left Zhang ilan speechless. He’s right. Qin Long has nothing to show for himself—no background, no money. Who would believe that a cripple who was a simpleton for three years suddenly beca a powerful figure?
"The truth is clear," the Patriarch said decisively. "Qin Long is no match for Xuewu. In fact, I’m starting to suspect Rulan was deceived all those years ago." He frowned at the mory. His wife, Tang Rulan, had begged many influential people to find a good husband for Xuewu. She later claid she had found the one—a prodigy in the military, an idol to countless soldiers. Old Master Tang had been so excited he couldn’t sleep for days. With a grandson-in-law like that, the Tang Family would soar to new heights. But his wife died without ever seeing such a man appear. Not until three years ago.
Hearing this, Zhang ilan also felt a pang of regret.
"ilan, I called you here today to tell you that I’ve secretly promised Xuewu’s hand to Wang Ming," Old Master Tang revealed. "The Wang Family is a new first-tier family with exceptional power. For Xuewu’s sake, Wang Ming even sacrificed the developnt profits from his Number 9 plot of land in exchange for a large order from the Yaolong Group. He did all of that. They are a perfect match, a union of talent and beauty." A smile spread across the Patriarch’s face at the thought of Wang Ming.
"Young Master Wang is indeed an exceptional man," Zhang ilan nodded, quite pleased. For years, she had been secretly trying to set her daughter up with Wang Ming, even giving him a keycard to their ho.
"Wang Ming is a hundred tis better than Qin Long in terms of family background and potential," she declared.
"So, it’s settled," the Patriarch said, his gaze firm.
But Zhang ilan fell deep in thought, which annoyed him.
"ilan, don’t tell you think Qin Long still has a chance?" he asked sharply. "So what if he knows a few rich and powerful people? Wang Ming is the young master of the Wang Family, their future Family Head! Once Xuewu marries into their family, she’ll be the young mistress, with endless wealth and status. What can Qin Long do for her besides drag her down?"
Old Master Tang’s attitude was resolute. Even if Qin Long had potential, that was in the future. People only care about the here and now; no one gives you a chance based on what you *might* beco.
"Patriarch, you are truly wise and far-sighted!" Zhang ilan said after a mont’s thought, a smile returning to her face. The little bit of goodwill she had developed for Qin Long evaporated instantly.
"Haha, that’s more like it!" Old Master Tang nodded, satisfied.
"Patriarch, do you have a plan?" Zhang ilan asked.
"You’re her mother. Your words will be more effective than mine," he said. "Have her spend more ti with Wang Ming. Then, find an excuse—catch Qin Long making a mistake—and throw him out! And I’ll let you in on a secret: Wang Ming is planning to propose to Xuewu at the Tang Family’s fiftieth-anniversary celebration." Old Master Tang’s face bead with satisfaction as he took a sip of tea.
"A proposal?" Zhang ilan was taken aback.
"Yes! Young Master Wang has already booked the Sky Garden at the Longquan Hotel for it. Whether Xuewu marries into a wealthy family is up to you. You must drive that man out, no matter what it takes!"
The ntion of the Sky Garden made Zhang ilan’s jaw drop. The Sky Garden! My god! That’s the most expensive place in all of River Centre! If he proposes to Xuewu there, our family’s prestige will shoot through the roof!
"Don’t worry, Patriarch, I’ll get rid of Qin Long for sure!" Zhang ilan was now desperate to oust him. Once he’s out of Xuewu’s life, not only will she marry into a wealthy family, but my own status will soar!
"Excellent. It seems you understand," Old Master Tang laughed, already picturing the day Xuewu married into the Wang Family.
「The Tang Family Courtyard」
"Qin Long, where’s the sports car?" Tang Xuewu asked, looking confused.
"Oh, that. I dinged it yesterday, so I had Manager Su take it in for repairs," Qin Long explained, scratching his head. "Besides, I was planning to get a five-seater family car anyway. It doesn’t feel right making Aunt Lan and Uncle De worry all the ti." Since Zhang ilan and Tang De had been kind to him, he felt he should return the favor.
"You didn’t just borrow it for too long, and the owner took it back, did you?" Tang Xuewu asked, slipping off her shoes, her expression skeptical.
Qin Long just smiled helplessly.
"Qin Long, where is our family’s fifty-million-dollar luxury car?" a furious roar echoed through the room. Zhang ilan stord in, hands on her hips, fuming.
"The car got a little dinged, so it’s being repaired," Tang Xuewu quickly explained. "Qin Long said he’s going to buy a family car to replace it."
"You silly girl, only you would believe him," Zhang ilan scoffed, glaring at Qin Long. "The rental period must have ended."
Both Qin Long and Xuewu were surprised. Why is she so angry? She just left for a bit. Our family’s relationship was just starting to thaw. This makes no sense.
"Mom, did you lose money playing mahjong again?" Tang Xuewu asked, a flash of annoyance in her eyes.
Zhang ilan ignored her daughter, her vicious glare fixed on Qin Long. I have to find a way to get rid of him. I can’t let him ruin Xuewu’s chance to marry into the Wang Family. To her, Qin Long was a cancer that had to be cut out.
"It’s all because this good-for-nothing is still freeloading in our house!" she spat, her tone venomous.
"If you talk to Qin Long like that again, I’ll move out with him!" Tang Xuewu’s pretty face was cold with anger as she stared down her mother.
Realizing she couldn’t be too hasty, Zhang ilan stord out in a huff.
"Qin Long, co here. Let massage your legs," Xuewu offered softly.
Watching Xuewu’s caring display, Zhang ilan seethed with resentnt. I’ll get rid of Qin Long, no matter what it takes.
Ti passed quickly, and a piece of news swept through River Centre: The young master of the Wang Family had spent a fortune to book the Sky Garden at the Longquan Hotel. Ostensibly, it was to help the Tang Family host their fiftieth-anniversary banquet, but the real reason was to propose to the woman he loved.
Countless won were envious. So speculated the lucky girl was Zhao Xiaotong of the Zhao Family, while others guessed it was Sun Qianjin.
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