Chapter 183: Chapter 171: Persuasion

Tang Qingyun was speechless once again. ’This really is complicated. Hao Hao isn’t even eleven yet; he probably can’t understand it.’

But Tang Haocheng’s words truly silenced him. "Don’t her biological parents love her? Do all children who don’t grow up with their parents miss out on their sincere love? I’ve lived with Grandpa and Grandma since I was little. My home in Beijing is the place I know and love best, with Grandpa, Grandma, and my eldest uncle. They love me very much, and I didn’t want to leave either, but I still came to you... I don’t have depression! And what about that Mo Xiaoman? I don’t know how ugly she is, but if you gave birth to her and then abandoned her, would her other parents love her? She left that home and went to her uncle’s. Does she have depression? During the New Year, everyone gathers at their grandma’s. Is she all alone? Dad, you still haven’t answered my question: why do you love Tang Yaxuan more than anything else?"

After a long moment, Tang Qingyun seemed to snap out of a daze and answered with some difficulty, "A parent’s love for their child surpasses all else. You and she are the same in that regard!"

"But I feel like Mom and Dad love Xuanxuan more! You’ve known for over a year that Xuanxuan isn’t your biological daughter and that I have a real sister. But you never told me, Dad. Instead, you always told me to protect Sister Xuanxuan! Dad, can I tell you how I feel?"

"Go on."

"I can accept Xuanxuan as my sister because I’ve always seen her as my sister. If I’m able, I will protect her. As for that Mo Xiaoman, I don’t know her. I’ve never met her, and I hear she’s very ugly. But even if I don’t like her, I will do everything in my power to protect her! I have memorized the family rules: The Tang family bloodline cannot be left to wander in the outside world! What’s more, Grandpa said that our branch of the family is small and risks dying out. Even if someone is a good-for-nothing, as long as the Tang family’s blood flows in their veins, they cannot be abandoned!"

Facing his son’s increasingly cold and defiant gaze, Tang Qingyun felt a sense of deja vu, as if he were seeing his own father and mother. A chill ran down his spine, and he flushed with shame.

"Hao Hao, you’re mistaken. Dad didn’t abandon her! We only temporarily left Sister Xiao Man in her uncle’s care. It’s because of Mom... you know how your grandma and your mom are..."

"I know why Grandma dislikes Mom, and I also know why Mom is afraid of Grandma. What does any of that have to do with Mo Xiaoman?"

Tang Qingyun stared at his son in shock. "First, you tell me. What are the reasons?"

Tang Haocheng looked at his father with a placid expression. "Dad, do you really not know? Grandma and the Wu Family—my maternal grandmother—are enemies! As for Mom... a son shouldn’t speak of his elders’ faults, so I won’t comment on that."

"You! What feud does your grandma have with the Wu Family?"

"A marriage alliance fell through, and someone died!"

"Who told you that?"

"Grandpa!"

"How could he... tell you something like that? How old are you? He never told me anything when I was older than you are now!"

"Dad, you’re not the eldest son!"

Watching his son lift his chin slightly, a tuft of soft hair sticking up from where he’d slept with the covers over his head, Tang Qingyun’s expression darkened. The boy’s eyes, so much like his own, glinted with a cold light like obsidian, making his small face look both arrogant and serious. The Tang family rules stated that only the eldest son could inherit the title of Family Head.

’This little brat, using that to intimidate me!’

Tang Haocheng said, "Dad, I’m sorry. Now that I know about this, I have to tell Grandpa and Grandma in Beijing!"

Tang Qingyun took a deep breath. "Hao Hao, listen to me... Is it okay if I have a cigarette?"

"You can go back to your room. You have one night. Talk it over with Mom. If by tomorrow you still decide to hide the truth about Mo Xiaoman, then I will make the call!"

Tang Qingyun was speechless.

He didn’t actually listen to his son and leave. ’My son was raised by my parents and forced to undergo training to be the Family Head. It won’t do for him to be so indifferent to his family at such a young age. I’m his father, the pillar of this family. If I can’t maintain our family’s stability and peace, what good am I?’

Tang Qingyun pressed down on Tang Haocheng, who was about to climb out from under the covers. "Wait, listen to me!"

"Dad, I know you want to protect Mom, but you can’t convince me! If you have a problem with this, take it up with Grandpa and Grandma!"

"Son, how can you have the heart to do this? That’s your mother!"

"If she weren’t my mother, would I even be here? Grandma gave me two choices: either stay with my eldest uncle or come with you two. I came here because you are my parents! And because Mom told me she wants to go back to Beijing!"

Tang Qingyun was at a loss for words. "But if you stubbornly go your own way, you’ll ruin our plan and defeat your own purpose! Knowing your grandma’s personality, she’ll seize on this mistake and pin all the blame on your mother without a second thought. She’ll get your grandpa to stop her, and then how will your mother ever go back to Beijing? Hao Hao, the children being switched wasn’t Mom’s fault alone. I was there too, but who could have imagined something like that would happen? Mom went through two life-or-death ordeals to give birth to you and your sister. Especially with you—she had a major hemorrhage. It was extremely dangerous, you know? You were taken to Beijing right after you were born, and she missed you so much she cried every single day... It hasn’t been easy for her. You’re our only son, you have to be considerate of your parents!"

Tang Haocheng scratched his head, conflicted. "Then what should we do? What you’re doing is wrong. Mo Xiaoman is a member of the Tang Family. She has to come back to the Tang family!"

"I understand that better than you do. But you have to take things one step at a time. We have to handle this properly. Mom and I didn’t just abandon Sister Xiao Man at her uncle’s house; we asked him to look after her temporarily. Once your mother is back in Beijing and on better terms with Grandma, we can slowly break the news to her. That way, Grandpa and Grandma won’t be too shocked. Isn’t that a better way? Your mom gets to go back to Beijing, and we have a buffer period so our family doesn’t get thrown into chaos... I can swear on it: in half a year, I will definitely bring Sister Xiao Man back to the Tang family!"

Tang Qingyun’s earnest pleading finally persuaded Tang Haocheng. He also took the opportunity to ask his son not to act too differently around Tang Yaxuan for the time being. The doctor said her recovery had been going well lately, so they needed to let her maintain her good mood. Once the warm spring weather passed, her condition should stabilize.

Tang Haocheng agreed but on two conditions: first, he wanted to meet Mo Xiaoman, and second, he wanted to transfer schools and go study in Wancheng with Tang Qingyun!

Tang Qingyun couldn’t readily agree to either condition. First, he certainly couldn’t rest easy letting his son take a long-distance bus alone to find Wu Xiaofeng. As the top official, Tang Qingyun had to return to his post early to handle matters and had absolutely no time to make the trip with his son. Second, how was he going to explain this to Wu Xiaowen and convince her to let their son give up the excellent resources in the provincial city to go study with him in Wancheng?

But he had no choice but to agree. Usually, Tang Haocheng was completely absorbed in his studies, oblivious to the world. But if he dared to pull the "eldest son and grandson" card to intimidate his own father, Tang Qingyun couldn’t afford to underestimate him. His affection for his grandparents was deeper than for his parents, and he trusted the two elders implicitly. If they couldn’t come to an agreement, he would absolutely call Beijing. He wasn’t joking.

Tang Qingyun didn’t actually resent this. ’They are all my closest family, after all. I just want to handle things more smoothly. With a little patience, we can have the best of both worlds. Neither the extended family nor our own little family will end up with arguments and rifts. Isn’t that better?’

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