Who knows what you can tell with just a glance.
"Hehe, you must be Susu’s friend, please have a seat." The Old Master Tang’s face was full of kindness as he looked at Ye Tian and spoke.
"Grandpa, this is my friend, his name is Ye Tian."
"Friend? Boyfriend, you mean?"
"No, Second Aunt, it’s not like that. Don’t talk nonsense."
"Oh, Second Aunt is just joking, look, you’re blushing." The woman in the Qipao glanced at the man in the suit standing next to her.
"Cough cough, Susu, please ask your friend to sit down, and let Grandpa take his medicine first."
"Sure." Tang Su gestured for Ye Tian to sit down and brought over the medicine that was cooling on the table.
It seems that this man is capable of taking charge. Ye Tian glanced unintentionally at the man who exuded an air of superiority, a chilling aura followed, commanding without anger, as if he had noticed Ye Tian, the man also glanced back at him.
Eyes met, just for an instant, then both averted their gaze.
Ye Tian didn’t think much of it; everyone can feel when they’re being stared at. It’s nothing to be noticed, but the man who faced Ye Tian was beating the drum in his heart.
Tang Guoqing, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee of Tianhe City, Tang Su’s father, a Secretary of a direct-controlled municipality, an official of the Provincial Ministerial Level, but just now, this young whippersnapper caught his eye and he suddenly felt an unusual sensation, although he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, it was definitely uncomfortable. He couldn’t help but take another two glances at the youth, but this time there was no particular feeling.
It seems it’s really just too much pressure. Tang Guoqing stroked his eyebrows.
"Guoqing, the medicine is still too bitter."
Tang Su wiped her grandfather’s mouth and said, "Grandpa, good medicine tastes bitter, you were the one who told me that. Syrup is sweet, but it doesn’t cure illnesses, right?"
"Hehe, you clever girl, always have a way with words."
Tang Guoqing bowed his head in thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Dad, in my opinion, it’s still better to go to the hospital. This illness, relying solely on conservative treatment isn’t enough."
Hearing this, the Old Master Tang waved his hand, "That Western medicine stuff, it’s better left for the foreigners. I’m used to the earthy taste of traditional medicine. The smell of disinfectant, I think, let’s forget about it."
"Yes, it’s often said that local conditions shape the populace. The same goes for curing diseases. Since the Old Master Tang is accustomed to traditional Chinese medicine, it would be inappropriate to switch to Western medicine hastily, it might even lead to adverse reactions. Don’t you agree, Guoyao?"
"Mhm." The man in a white suit beside her gave a muffled acknowledgment and then said no more, his listless demeanour earning the displeasure of the woman in the Qipao, but this was not the occasion to make a scene, so she merely glared at him. They seemed like a couple.
Tang Guoqing did not express his opinion. He glanced at Tang Su, surveyed the room, and said to everyone, "Pingyue is not wrong, for now, let’s continue obtaining medicine from Doctor Liu. Alright, everyone, let’s disperse. The Old Master Tang needs some peace and quiet. If there’s anything, I will notify everyone. Also, we won’t have the servants stay up tonight, let’s take turns instead, I’ll go first today."
"Big brother, how could that work? You are so busy with work, and your health isn’t great either. If you fall ill..."
"How do you speak!" Tang Guoyao glared at her indignantly, "What falling ill or not, if you can’t speak properly, don’t speak!"
"Hey, Guoyao, Pingyue is just concerned, don’t speak like that. Okay, everyone, disperse. Susu, you just got back, stay and keep grandpa company here for a bit. Come to my study in a while."
"What, Susu just got back and you want her to listen to your nagging? Not allowed!" The Old Master Tang grabbed Tang Su’s hand like a child, refusing to let her go, causing her to laugh.
Tang Guoqing didn’t say a word, stood up first, and walked out, followed by Tang Guoyao. Then, one after another, other silent members of the family also left, none of them even greeting Tang Su, not even exchanging a glance with her.
Ye Tian saw all this and couldn’t help feeling a bit strange. Judging by this, Tang Su didn’t seem to be doing well in this family, as if they had agreed to isolate her.
Watching the last person leave, Ye Tian also straightened up to leave.
"Young man, stay for a moment." The Old Master Tang waved his hand, halting Ye Tian’s steps, "Close the door."
Tang Su looked at Ye Tian, then lowered her head.
Ye Tian walked over and sat in the chair that the Old Master Tang had pointed to.
"Young man, have you taken a fancy to my granddaughter?"
The more advanced in age, the more shocking the words that come out. Ye Tian never expected the old man to be so progressive, with such a visionary and lofty perspective, that he was utterly stunned by his words.
Seeing Ye Tian’s bewildered look, the Old Master Tang smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunching together, "Don’t be shy, youngster, the affairs of young men and women always go this way, I’m someone who’s been through it myself. Hey, girl, go talk to your secretary father for a while, I want to have a good chat with this lad."
Tang Su pouted, dissatisfied, and Ye Tian saw for the first time this strong woman making a face. "Grandpa, I’ve just come back and you’re already sending me away?"
"Hehe, it’s not that I’m sending you away, your father is probably at this moment in his study grumbling about this old man. Go on now."
Tang Su made a face at her grandfather, but didn’t give Ye Tian another look, turned, and left the room. Only when the two doors closed did Tang Su rub her cheeks, almost stiff with tension.
"Is this the person you mentioned in your phone call last time?" Tang Guoqing held a thick copy of the ’Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance’, not lifting his head as he asked sternly, his tone brooking no argument.
Tang Su sat opposite, looking at the man whose white hair was gradually increasing, but she was silent, her eyes still full of defiance.
"There’s no need to use that tactic with me, I don’t know why you insisted on having a municipal committee secretary personally call a director for you, and I don’t want to know. But you should remember what you said yourself, once leaving Huaizhou and that place called ’Waterfront,’ you’re a girl, you shouldn’t be messing around in such places. I think the company Second Aunt mentioned is good for you, take a few days off, then start working there."
"Let’s talk about it later."
"Talk about what later?" Tang Guoqing put down the book and looked at Tang Su intently, "Do you really think you can make another ’Waterfront’ in Tianhe City? Do you truly think that leaving this family behind makes you a real strong woman? Giving a few motivational speeches, sweating a bit, you think you’re truly a self-made entrepreneur? If you think not mentioning your family background means no one knows, after all, you’re just a young lady; can you outplay those shrewd old foxes of the business world with more tricks than a honeycomb? If it wasn’t for me making calls on your behalf, you... huh."