Chapter 44.1
Editor: Jodi
Although the collapse of Ying Teng didn’t shake the foundation of the Tang family, it still dealt a heavy blow to Tang Tianyang.
Not mentioning the losses, just the mere missteps in decision-making were enough to prevent Tang Tianyang from gaining a foothold in the board of directors.
The old men on the board would only offer a few words of comfort to his face, saying that mistakes were normal for young people and that he just needed more experience. However behind his back, they compared him to Tang Zhou and felt sorry for Old Master Tang.
Tang Zhihua was also very disappointed.
He had allowed Tang Tianyang to handle this project alone, not out of complete trust, but with the intention of training him.
But the cost of this training was rather high.
Looking at the dejected young man before him, he said, “This time, you were indeed careless.”
Tang Tianyang suddenly lifted his head, his eyes showing discontent. “Grandfather, Tang Zhou definitely did it on purpose!”
Moreover this old man knew about this at the time but still didn’t stop it! So how could this be entirely his fault?
The expression on Tang Zhihua’s face didn’t change. “Did he force you to collaborate with Ying Teng?”
Tang Tianyang, still young and impetuous, retorted, “But Grandfather, didn’t you also think Ying Teng was a good choice at the time?”
A sharp light shot from Tang Zhihua’s cloudy eyes.
“If you need others to prompt you for every decision, how can you take charge in the future? Learn from your mistakes— after suffering this loss, make sure to investigate thoroughly before making decisions next time.”
Although these words made sense, Tang Tianyang still couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right.
He didn’t believe the old man would pay such a high price just to teach him a lesson.
In the end, it was his own failure to spot the trap!
Tang Tianyang concealed his discontent and said, “I understand.”
Tang Zhihua waved his hand, signaling for him to leave.
And it was only after he left that Tang Zhihua sighed and ask Uncle Fang with a bitter smile, “Am I really getting old?”
Uncle Fang knew he wasn’t really expecting an answer, just voicing a sentiment, so he didn’t say anything.
“Tell me, do you think I made a mistake?”
Reflecting on the events of the past six months, Tang Zhihua felt a bit dazed. In this vast courtyard, apart from himself and his old companion, there were only a few quiet and reserved servants left.
This home no longer felt like a home.
As people aged, they longed for a harmonious family, and for generations to live together.
When Tang Zhihua was young, he was very ambitious and didn’t value family much, otherwise, he wouldn’t have raised Tang Zhen to be so incompetent.
Making it so that now, in his old age, despite having immense wealth, he often felt a sense of emptiness.
It seemed that the most peaceful and happy days of his life were the more than twenty years after Tang Zhou was born.
Watching that small child grow step by step into the person he was today, obediently and affectionately calling him grandfather, it wasn’t that he wasn’t touched.
Unfortunately, that child still chose a crooked path.
He sighed again, “It will be Ah Zhou’s birthday in a few days. Let him come home for dinner.”
Uncle Fang responded, “Alright.”
*
When Tang Zhou received Uncle Fang’s call, he was pressing Fu Shen onto the sofa, kissing him.
The phone rang for a long time before they separated.
Tang Zhou pursed his lips— they felt a bit numb.
He reached for the phone, and lying on Fu Shen’s chest, his voice was hoarse as he said, “Uncle Fang, what’s wrong?”
Uncle Fang: “Young Master Zhou, your birthday is coming up. The chairman invites you to come home for dinner.”
Tang Zhou, stroking the man’s Adam’s apple absentmindedly, replied, “Tell Grandfather that I have something on that day and don’t have time to go back.”
“It’s also fine to have dinner together in the evening.”
“There’s no need, it’s just a birthday, it’s not a big deal.” Tang Zhou paused, his voice deepening, “Uncle Fang, Grandfather is getting old. Take good care of him. Some things need to be let go of; they can’t be forced.”
The old man never could let go of things. In his heart, the family business was always more important than the family.
However when a person died, they wouldn’t be able to take the family business with them. The family’s longing, however, could last a long time.
As an observer, Uncle Fang saw this clearer than anyone.
He sighed lightly then said with a smile, “Don’t worry, I will take good care of the chairman.”
In this family, only Young Master Zhou had the softest heart. Unfortunately, the chairman had hurt his heart, and now, there was no going back.
*
Just as Tang Zhou hung up, his mischievous hand was grabbed.
And with that, he tossed the phone aside, propped himself up, then looked down at Fu Shen, his fingertips brushing against Fu Shen’s palm as he asked deliberately, “What’s wrong?”
He had done something wrong but was acting like he was the one being wronged.
Fu Shen’s face reddened slightly. “It’s time to rest.”
Tang Zhou: “It’s only nine o’clock.”
“I have to go back to work.” Fu Shen felt that ever since they had clarified things, this person in his arms had become even more unbridled.
He was even clingier than before.
Although he was very happy with this change, he knew that a young man’s body couldn’t handle such teasing, so him not giving in immediately was already an exercise in self-restraint.
Of course, it wasn’t that he wanted to hold back, but that he had set a mental barrier for himself.
With this barrier in place, he could force himself to focus more on his projects.
He thought every day about working faster and faster!
Tang Zhou knew Fu Shen had been working himself to the bone on projects recently, and so understood that it was because he wanted to prove himself. However seeing him work so hard still tugged at his heartstrings.
“Can’t you take even a little time off for National Day?”
Fu Shen smiled, “The crew isn’t taking any time off either.”
Tang Zhou: “…” He had no reply.
Alright, with his lover working so hard, he couldn’t keep holding him back.
*
The day before his birthday, Tang Zhou drove to Jiang University to pick Fu Shen up from school.
On the way back, he received a call from Lu Ye.
“Tomorrow is your birthday. How are you planning to celebrate?”
Tang Zhou: “I’ll work during the day and have dinner with Fu Shen in the evening.”
Lu Ye: “That’s it?”
“What else? Should I throw a banquet that lasts several days and nights?” Tang Zhou joked.
Lu Ye: “…”
He felt that Tang Zhou had really changed a lot. He used to be so reserved, but now he could even joke around.
Sure enough, being in love changed a person.
“You didn’t even think of inviting us? Do you still consider us friends?”
Tang Zhou laughed, “Alright, let’s all celebrate together then.”
“Great, see you tomorrow night.”
After ending the call, Tang Zhou’s lips curved into a smile.
However this good mood vanished the moment they reached the front door.
T/N: What this person has done is horrible, seriously horrible.
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