Chapter 51

Tang Nianen clenched his fist behind his back, then dropped to his knees again with a thud. “Grandmother, I really am your flesh-and-blood grandson. Actually, Father has come back too, but he’s afraid you’ll be too angry to hear his explanation, so he sent me ahead to kowtow to you first.”

“Get out,” Old Madam Tang snapped, glaring at him furiously. The moment she heard that her eldest son had returned but was too cowardly to face her, sending some grandson ahead to test the waters instead, rage boiled up inside her.

After all these years, that scoundrel hadn’t changed a bit. He still handled things in such a shady, underhanded way.

Tang Nianen’s body trembled as he eyed the cane raised high above him. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the blows.

At that moment, the door to the restaurant swung open.

A man carrying thorny branches on his back stepped inside.

The man was exceptionally well-preserved for his age, with a fair face and no beard. His features bore a resemblance to Tang Jin’s, and he was dressed in fine, elaborate robes.

“Mother, your son is unfilial. Your son is unfilial! I’ve come bearing thorns to beg forgiveness…”

The newcomer was none other than Old Madam Tang’s eldest son—and Tang Jin’s Eldest Uncle Tang—Tang Huaihu.

The moment Eldest Uncle Tang entered, he threw himself at Old Madam Tang’s feet, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Shut your mouth! This old lady is still alive and kicking—stop wailing like I’m at death’s door.” Old Madam Tang’s face twisted with fury, her hand trembling on the cane. In the end, she kicked him away with one foot.

She closed her eyes briefly, then said gravely, “My son died long ago. You’re not him.”

“Mother, I was wrong. I really was wrong…” Eldest Uncle Tang crawled back to her feet, crying snot and tears in a pitiful heap, as if he might sob himself to death right there.

“You were wrong? And just where did you go wrong?” Old Madam Tang sneered, looking at him like some pathetic clown putting on a show.

Eldest Uncle Tang’s sobs hitched. “I…” He opened his mouth to speak, but his eyes drifted uncontrollably toward Tang Jin.

Tang Jin’s heart skipped a beat under that gaze. Why was his look so unsettling?

“You—get out! Get out!” Old Madam Tang caught sight of where Eldest Uncle Tang was looking. Enraged beyond measure, she raised her cane and brought it down hard—once, twice, again and again.

The thorny branches, lashed by the cane, quickly tore through his clothes, revealing mottled streaks of blood.

Eldest Uncle Tang gritted his teeth and lay motionless on the floor.

But Old Madam Tang only grew angrier with each strike, as if she’d lost all reason and meant to beat him to death.

Tang Nianen watched, his legs shaking. Finally, he gritted his teeth and lunged forward, throwing his arms around Old Madam Tang’s legs and grabbing the cane. “Grandmother, please stop! Father knows he’s wrong. Beat me instead!”

Old Madam Tang’s grip on the cane wavered, tears welling in her eyes. “Fine, fine—such a devoted father and son. Both of you, get out.”

Eldest Uncle Tang shuddered violently, then slumped sideways onto the floor, still as death.

The dining hall fell deathly silent.

Tang Nianen wailed in despair. “Father! Father, wake up! Father…”

Old Madam Tang snorted coldly. “Stop playing dead—that trick doesn’t work anymore. Get out.”

“Grandmother, Father has really fainted! You’re so heartless…” Tang Nianen blurted out boldly.

Old Madam Tang laughed bitterly in her fury. “This old lady is heartless, that’s right. Take him and get out of my sight before I really kill him today.”

With that, she raised the cane again.

Terrified, Tang Nianen hastily wiped the tears from his face, hoisted Eldest Uncle Tang onto his back, and stumbled out of the restaurant.

Old Madam Tang tilted her head back, forcing the tears from her eyes. After a long pause, she turned to Tang Jin. “Don’t let them in here again, no matter what they say. Don’t believe a word.”

Then, leaning heavily on her cane, she shuffled toward the back courtyard. Her steps were unsteady, as if she’d aged decades in an instant—now truly needing the cane just to walk.

The dining hall sank into a prolonged silence. Tang Jin snapped out of her daze and said to Tang Mian, “Lai Di, could you go to the County Yamen and look into my Eldest Uncle’s background for me?”

Something felt off, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

That look Eldest Uncle Tang had given her was too strange—laden with too many emotions, leaving her deeply unsettled.

“I’m Tang Mian now,” Tang Mian corrected softly.

Tang Jin took a deep breath. “Tang Mian, could you trouble yourself to make a trip to the County Yamen? Help me out with this, and tomorrow I’ll treat you to some new dishes.”

Tang Mian smiled then. “Sure, I’ll head out right away.”

Tang Jin sighed heavily, rubbing her brow hard. What a mess this all was.

Chu Lingyue sat down at the table and poured two cups of tea, saying calmly, “Did you notice anything off?”

Whether it was Old Madam Tang or Eldest Uncle Tang, both seemed to be desperately hiding something. Old Madam Tang’s anger at her long-lost son was understandable—but if it was only anger, something didn’t add up.

The way she’d carried on, it was like facing a blood enemy, not treating him like a son at all.

Tang Jin sat as well. “That’s exactly why I don’t know what’s wrong—I asked Tang Mian to check at the County Yamen. Something big must have happened back then.”

Chu Lingyue pondered for a moment, glancing toward the back courtyard. “Whatever happened all those years ago, Grandmother clearly intends to keep it bottled up. If we want to learn more, that father-and-son duo might be our only breakthrough.”

She’d noticed that glance Eldest Uncle Tang had shot at Tang Jin too. It was far too unusual. And Old Madam Tang had lost her reason precisely because of it.

Chu Lingyue had an inexplicable intuition: the rift between mother and son probably had something to do with Tang Jin.

Tang Jin lifted her teacup for a sip, frowning. “Should I find a chance to go poke around at their place?”

With the System, she could at least tell truth from lies.

Chu Lingyue nodded. “You can go, but be careful. Lai Di… I mean, Tang Mian and I will go with you.”

It felt strange calling her Tang Mian after getting used to Lai Di all day.

Tang Jin set down her cup, pushing the matter aside for now. She glanced at the uncleared plates on the table and suggested, “Wife, what do you think about offering both signature dishes from now on?”

That meant Garlic Honey Glazed Chicken Wings and Abalone Chicken Wing Stew every day—no more odd-even split. Six portions of signatures per day, plus three new dishes and unlimited Shrimp Tails.

They’d only served two tables today, earning just forty taels of silver—far less than yesterday.

Chu Lingyue looked at her, the corners of her lips curving up slightly. “That works.”

It would bring in even more silver that way.

Tang Jin pressed on. “We can’t keep cramming in with Grandmother and the others forever, either. We should find another house—our own rooms, so it’s easier to do whatever.”

Chu Lingyue blinked in surprise. “A-Jin wants separate rooms?”

“Yeah, don’t you think sharing a room is inconvenient?”

Chu Lingyue pressed her lips together, dark emotions swirling in her eyes. “What does A-Jin want to do that needs to be more convenient?”

Tang Jin replied offhandedly, “Sleep comfortably, of course.”

Chu Lingyue’s fingers tightened slightly, her tone weighted. “We’re just using each other.”

She meant for silver—not anything else.

Tang Jin paused, then realized what she meant. Disbelieving, she said, “Where’s your mind at? I don’t have those kinds of needs for you. I meant separate rooms means separate beds too.”

What was this woman thinking? Did she seem like someone that casual?

She wasn’t looking for a partner right now anyway—and if she did, it’d be for love, not lust.

Chu Lingyue’s expression froze, then smoothed into calm indifference. “If we sleep in separate rooms, Grandmother and Tang Mian might notice something’s off.”

They’d only been married a year, and they put on a show of affection in public. Splitting rooms now would raise suspicions.

Tang Jin arched a brow, eyeing Chu Lingyue. “Don’t tell me you’re the one who wants that? I can’t help you there—figure it out yourself. Money won’t change it.”

The woman was twenty-six, after all—not some ascetic monk. Normal to have needs, but not with Tang Jin.

She prided herself on her self-restraint.

Chu Lingyue’s breath caught, nearly cracking her composure. She steadied herself and said flatly, “You’re overthinking it. I don’t want that.”

Tang Jin eyed Chu Lingyue’s placid face, a mischievous glint in her own eyes. “Really? Have you ever done it before? Come on, tell me—nobody else here.”

Her curiosity had suddenly piqued.

Chu Lingyue stiffened, her ears inexplicably warming. “A-Jin is that curious about it?”

How could this woman say anything that came to mind? Such a private matter, to discuss it in broad daylight? And what did she mean by “no outsiders”—if they weren’t outsiders, did that make them something more?

Tang Jin grinned boldly. “Pretty curious, yeah. Aren’t you?”

She’d been single for twenty years in her past life, never tried it—but…

With this woman…

She gave Chu Lingyue an appraising once-over. It wasn’t like she couldn’t imagine…

No, stop—gentlemanly restraint.

Chu Lingyue met her probing gaze, her heart tightening. “Not curious,” she said firmly.

【Ding! Reward: a plate of Squirrel Mandarin Fish】

Tang Jin: “…”

!!!!!!!!

Tang Jin was utterly shocked. This woman couldn’t actually be craving her body, could she?

Who knew? She seemed so aloof, but deep down, she was curious about that stuff!

Chu Lingyue shifted uncomfortably under her stare. What was that look?

Tang Jin averted her eyes, shaking her head repeatedly. “Don’t even think about it—I won’t experiment with you, no matter how much silver you offer.”

Chu Lingyue’s fingers clenched, and she bit her lip hard. “You’re really overthinking it.”

She’d never even considered experimenting with this woman, let alone offering money. She wasn’t crazy or desperate.

Tang Jin blinked. Huh? No reward from the System this time—what did that mean?

So this woman was curious, but not about doing it with her? Then who was she curious about?

Tang Jin sighed, speaking earnestly. “Wife, these things have to be mutual, born of feeling. Don’t force it—if you can’t help it, handle it yourself…”

“Don’t speak of indecent things,” Chu Lingyue cut her off sharply, finally unable to hold back.

Tang Jin laughed. “Wife, no need to be shy. We’re adults—curiosity and needs are normal, but…”

“Tang Jin!” Chu Lingyue interrupted again, embarrassment in her eyes but mostly irritation.

What nonsense was this woman spouting? Utterly shameless. She hadn’t considered forcing herself, much less doing anything with her.

Tang Jin looked at the flushed, angry woman. Fine, she’d shut up. Why get mad over a little talk?

After a beat of silence, Chu Lingyue shot to her feet and stormed to the back courtyard without a backward glance.

Tang Jin watched her slightly flustered retreat, puzzled. The System hadn’t rewarded her, so had she misunderstood?

Curious but unwilling—that woman sure had iron self-control…