Chapter 71 — A Family Conversation

Li Dadong drank alone for a while longer before he staggered to his feet, walked to the door, and said to Aunt Hong, "Aunt Hong, the bill—how much do I owe?"

"Yang Ce already settled it. No need," Aunt Hong said, shaking her head. "You've never been able to hold your liquor, even as a boy, and here you are drinking this much."

"I'm just not happy," Li Dadong said with a wave of his hand. "Aunt Hong, you know Yang Ce?"

"How could I not?" Aunt Hong sighed. "Isn't he Zhiyun's boyfriend?"

"So that's how it is. Even you knew, Aunt Hong—everyone knew but me." Li Dadong stumbled out of the little restaurant. The cold wind hit him, clearing his head considerably. He thought of what Yang Ce had said to him earlier—it was dispiriting, but he knew in his heart it was true. Even if he pestered Lin Yanhe relentlessly, nothing would come of it. At that thought, Li Dadong could only sigh in secret. No use denying it—he had to give up.

Recalling how Lin Yanhe had been curled up with Yang Ce on the sofa today, Li Dadong knew she had truly fallen for him. And he knew Lin Yanhe's character well enough: unless she loved someone deeply, she would never have taken that step before marriage. Now Li Dadong understood his chances were slim, and could only silently wish Lin Yanhe well. Still, he swore to himself that if Yang Ce ever did anything to betray her, he would go after Yang Ce with everything he had.

Wang Pu and Huang Shu drove shakily back to the company, and even after they were seated on the office sofa, their hearts were still pounding.

"Youcai, do you think the two of us might have been seeing things?" Wang Pu felt a knot in his chest every time he recalled what had just happened.

"I'm not sure either. Who knows? This whole thing is too bizarre," Huang Shu said, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

"It's just too damn creepy," Wang Pu cursed under his breath. "First time killing someone, and we run into a corpse that won't stay dead. What rotten luck."

"Maybe we should go back and take another look tomorrow," Huang Shu suggested.

"You'd dare go back?" Wang Pu frowned.

"Let's take a look in broad daylight. I just can't feel easy about it," Huang Shu said. "What are the odds it would happen right then? If we don't get to the bottom of this, we won't have a peaceful day ahead of us."

"You've got a point. Tomorrow, in the daytime, we'll go take another look," Wang Pu said with a nod.

The two frightened men holed up in the office for the night, planning to head back to West Star Mountain the next day to investigate.

In the gatehouse of Red Flag Middle School.

Old Man Ma suddenly opened his eyes, climbed out of bed, left his little room, and gazed toward West Star Mountain, his brow furrowed, muttering something under his breath. But this scene was missed by Yang Ce.

Yang Ce had not yet gone home. Watching Old Man Ma every day was a required task, but only twice a day, morning and evening. The rest of the time, Yang Shuoxuan had his own affairs to attend to—he could not keep his eyes fixed on Old Man Ma around the clock.

Delayed by the business with Li Dadong, Yang Ce did not get home until after ten. His parents were still awake, watching television on the sofa.

Seeing Yang Ce return, Yang Cheyan looked up and asked, "How did it go at Chen Shutang's today? Did you behave yourself? You didn't make a nuisance of yourself, did you?"

"Dad, the way you put it, you'd think I had no manners at all," Yang Hengye said. "It went fine. Uncle Chen and his wife were both very good to me."

"That's good. I was worried Chen Shutang's parents might not take a liking to you," Mother Yang said with a nod. "Your father and I have been on pins and needles waiting for you to get back, wanting to ask how it went."

"Mom, Uncle Chen has known me for ages. If he had a problem with me, wouldn't he have stopped me and Chen Shutang from being together long ago?" Yang Mo said, half amused, half exasperated.

"That's true," Mother Yang said with a nod. She knew that Yang Ce's case back then had been handled by Chen Fei.

"By the way, Dad, Mom." Yang Ce sat down on the sofa beside Yang Cheyan. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Yang Cheyan glanced at Yang Puqi, puzzled. "If you've got something to say, just say it. Why so secretive with your own parents?"

"It's like this," Yang Hengye said. "Chen Shutang's parents have some… differing opinions about her spending New Year's Eve at our house."

"Then let's just forget it," Mother Yang cut in at once. "You and Mengyan aren't married yet, and she's their only child. I said all along this would be awkward—if Chen Shutang comes to our house, aren't we leaving her parents alone at home?"

"Mom, let me finish," Yang Ce said quickly with a wave of his hand. "That's not what Uncle Chen means. Uncle Chen's idea is—to see if the two families could spend New Year's together."

"Spend New Year's together? You mean—your father and I, and Chen Shutang's parents, all together?" Mother Yang asked, rather surprised.

"Yes, that's exactly what Uncle Chen means. He thinks the parents of Mengyan and me ought to meet and settle our affairs properly," Yang Ce explained. "And besides, New Year's is more festive with more people."

"That's a fine idea," Yang Cheyan said with a nod. "I'm all for it. Only our place is small—seems like there wouldn't be enough room for everyone."

"Heh, I already brought that up with Uncle Chen. He said we could go to his house—he's got more space," Yang Yanzhou said.

"Wouldn't we be imposing on them?" Mother Yang asked, a little worried.

"Good grief, Mom, Uncle Chen is inviting us as guests. How could it be imposing?" Yang Xutang said, somewhat helplessly.

"Then that's settled. I'm all for it—it's a good idea," Mother Yang said.

"Then it's settled. I'll talk to Mengyan about it later," Yang Yanchuan said.

"All right, let's consider it settled," Yang Cheyan said. "But beforehand, your mother should give them a call, work out the details, so we can prepare in advance."

"No problem. I'll talk to Mengyan first tomorrow, and we can discuss the rest in detail. There are still a few days before New Year's anyway," Yang Yuting said with a nod.

After watching the local station's gala program with his parents for a while, Yang Ce was about to head to his room when Yang Cheyan suddenly called him back. "Daming, wait a moment."

"What is it, Dad?" Yang Ce turned and asked.

"Your uncle has opened a hotel—did you know that?" Yang Cheyan asked.

"Yeah, I think Big Sister mentioned it. Why?" Yang Duoran could not bring up the conversation he had had with Yang Cheyan, so he answered offhandedly.

"The opening is tomorrow. Your uncle called today and asked our family to come," Yang Cheyan said. "Do you have anything else planned for tomorrow?"

Uncle Yang Dashan's hotel opening. Yang Puqi was startled—he hadn't expected his uncle to move so fast. It was only a few days since the matter had been settled, and already the opening. But why hadn't his uncle called him directly?

The moment Yang Ce hesitated, he understood what his uncle meant. The nature of his relationship with Yan was not something Yang Cheyan could be allowed to know—so if Uncle was going to invite Yang Ce, he might as well just call Yang Cheyan directly and have him bring Yang Ce along.

That would produce a result utterly different from notifying Yang Ce and letting Yang Ce notify Yang Cheyan in turn.

"Tomorrow—should be fine. What time?" said Yang Yanchuan. "Are Xiaobo and the others going?"

"Your third uncle's family ought to go too. Eight tomorrow morning—if that works, we'll all head over together," said Yang Cheyan.