After the reception ended, the guests left one by one. The first thing Tong Bingran did when he got home was to find his son, Tong Xu, for a talk. After calling Tong Xu into the study, Tong Bingran closed the door and got straight to the point: “What’s going on between you and the Feng family’s girl?”
Tong Xu’s expression remained unchanged, “You mean Jiang Li?”
“Who else could I be talking about?” Tong Bingran frowned.
“Tong Yi grabbed the bouquet and gave it to Jiang Li. I was going to sow discord between him and the Feng family, but you intervened. I felt something was wrong with you at the time, and now I’ve heard from Youyou that you left the banquet midway with her to find Jiang Li?”
Tong Xu nodded, “Yes, Youyou seem to like her quite a bit.”
Tong Bingran quickly saw through his son, “It looks like you’re the one who likes her. You’ve always found excuses to avoid the blind dates I arranged for you, and now you’re interested in a minor? Are you kidding me?”
Tong Xu was silent for a few seconds, “In a few months, Jiang Li will be seventeen. She won’t be a minor for too long.”
Tong Bingran smacked the back of his son’s head, “Are you really setting your sights on that young girl? Need I remind you that you’re already twenty-two this year?”
Tong Xu murmured in protest, “I’m not twenty-two yet.”
“Is that the point?” Tong Bingran was infuriated, “You also attended your aunt’s wedding today. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice how much the Feng family dotes on that girl?”
Tong Xu in a low voice, “Of course I know. But what’s wrong with that?”
“Wrong with that?! You fart!” Tong Bingran cursed, “When Tong Yi gave the bouquet to Jiang Li, the Feng family’s expression changed faster than a bolt of lightning. Didn’t you see?”
Tong Xu nodded, “I saw it. Of course the Feng family wouldn’t want Jiang Li to have anything to do with a good-for-nothing, but I am different.”
Tong Bingran said sarcastically, “Different? Yeah, sure. Tong Yi has just come of age, while you’re already twenty-two. If the Feng family finds out their precious little girl is being eyed by an old guy like you, do you think you can keep your legs intact?”
Tong Xu murmured, “I haven’t thought about pursuing Jiang Li right now…”
Tong Bingran interrupted his stubborn son, “It’s no use even if you think about it; you won’t be able to catch up with her anyway. She was the top scorer in the high school entrance examination, and she recently won some international awards. Your sister keeps nagging that prodigy god Jiang is her idol. Do you think you are worthy of her?”
Tong Xu frowned, “Dad, am I really your son? Why are you belittling me so much?”
Tong Bingran gave him a sideway glance, “If you weren’t my son, would I bother talking so much with you?” Seeing his son still not getting his point, Tong Bingran spoke more solemnly, “Every single one in the Feng family isn’t easy to deal with. Your aunt could marry Feng Yang because they were childhood sweethearts, and she has always had a tight grip on him. She went into that marriage with Feng Yang protecting her, naturally, she wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.”
Tong Bingran sighed, “But do you think you can keep Jiang Li under control? I’ll tell you, that girl is not easy to fool. Her temperament is almost a replica of her third uncle. Tell me, how many ladies in our circle don’t dream of marrying the Feng family’s third master? But who actually dares to entangle him?”
Tong Xu instinctively retorted, “Jiang Li has a nice personality. She…”
“Her personality is nice? Sure, but she once left your father speechless,” Tong Bingran felt his blood pressure rising. “When she just started high school, the son of Jiang Huai’s assistant tried to provoke her and ended up with both arms dislocated right on the spot. Afterward, the assistant and his entire family went back to their county in disgrace and never showed up in Minjiang City again.”
“…” Tong Xu didn’t know how to respond. How come the Jiang Li he knew seemed entirely different from the Jiang Li his father described?
Tong Bingran could see that his son was already smitten and wouldn’t easily give up. If this brat ended up doing something inappropriate and angering the protective Feng family, it wouldn’t be easy for him to deal with the consequences, even with the Tong family’s wealth and power.
“You are already in your twenties; it’s normal to like someone, but she’s still a minor. So, for the next two years, you better not go looking for her.” Tong Bingran gave Tong Xu a stern warning.
“Dad, I……”
“You were reluctant to return to China, right? Then you can continue staying abroad. Come back after two years, and if you still want to pursue Jiang Li then, I won’t object,” Tong Bingran blatantly made things up with a serious face. So much could happen in the span of two years; he didn’t believe his son would remain infatuated for so long.
To put it another way, even if Tong Xu still felt the same by then, Jiang Li would be of age; even if the Feng family discovered his intentions, they wouldn’t be as angry.
“But……”
“No ‘but’.” Tong Bingran cut him off, “If you want to stay in China, you can, but you can’t enter the family business. If you want to start your own business, I’ll just set up more obstacles for you. Then, when you achieve nothing, see how you dare to approach that girl.”
“…” Tong Xu was speechless. Is this really his real dad?
Seeing his son’s shocked expression, Tong Bingran patted his shoulder, “Your business abroad has just started. Work hard on it. When you come back later, you can say you made it on your own. Maybe then, the girl will actually look up to you.”
Tong Xu: “…”
Though the advice seemed dubious, it strangely made some sense. Even if he was abroad, he could pursue joint ventures with international partners and make some name for himself. When he returned home a better man, would Jiang Li look up to him?
Seeing Tong Xu’s expression, Tong Bingran knew his son was momentarily persuaded. He secretly sighed in relief. He wasn’t trying to dampen this child’s spirit, but he simply had no other choice. The entire Feng family never acted according to common sense!
If they really offended Third Master Feng, that madman, the Tong family wouldn’t be able to withstand several rounds of his antics!
So, directly nipping things in the bud by sending his son abroad was most likely the best option.
…
When Tong Yi returned to China for the wedding this time, he arranged for a long absence from school, so he wasn’t in a rush to head back abroad. He originally wanted to hang out with Jiang Xiao Li, but she followed Third Master Feng to the research institute most of the day. With the way Third Master Feng gave him strange looks these days, he felt too awkward to tag along.
As a result, Tong Yi had nothing to do. Bored, he thought about Jiang Xiao Li’s suggestion to adjust his jet lag and decided to rest up for a couple of days. Yet, there was Tong Youyou in the house, the little imp who never failed to pester him with countless questions. When it was supposed to be her napping time, Tong Youyou suddenly barged into Tong Yi’s room, asking in all seriousness, “Second Brother, are you really gonna become a monk someday?”
Tong Yi flicked her forehead, “Who’s been telling you that nonsense?”
“Sister! She also said that when you become a monk, we’ll go visit you at the temple,” Tong Youyou answered honestly.
Tong Yi chuckled, “And why did she bring this up?”
“Because I told Sister you don’t like hanging out with pretty girls and probably won’t be able to have a girlfriend. Then Sister told me you could only be a monk.”
Tong Yi was amused, “Who told you I don’t like pretty girls?”
“You never talk to them,” Tong Youyou stated matter-of-factly.
Out of the blue, Tong Yi’s mind conjured up Jiang Li in her bridesmaid dress, “Isn’t your Sister Jiang Li pretty?”
Tong Youyou shot back immediately, “But Sister isn’t going to be your girlfriend.”
Tong Yi gave the stinky brat a side eye, “Did she tell you that herself?”
With all righteous indignation, Tong Youyou sighed exasperatedly, “Sister is your aunt, and aunt means an elder. How could she possibly become your girlfriend? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Tong Yi: “…”
If he keeps talking to this kid, he might end up having a heart attack!
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A 22 you man tried to chat up a 16 yo girl?!?!?! Jail. JAIL IMMEDIATELY!!! I can’t wait for 3rd uncle to break his legs. What a creep!
Tong Xu sorry to break it to you…but I doubt you’ll ever be the man that Jiang Li will ever look up too 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️ no one is better then her dear third uncle 😅