When Tang Hong En delivered his harsh words, the Ji family was stunned.
Because Tang Hong En had never spoken to the Ji family with such an attitude!
Yi Ya had married beneath her status back then. Tang Hong En loved her and was grateful to the Ji family for consenting to their marriage, showing gratitude to every family member. Later, when their views diverged and Yi Ya proposed divorce, taking Ji Jiang Yuan with her, Tang Hong En still felt guilty.
This guilt had made him repeatedly yield to the Ji family.
Even though the Ji family deliberately cut off contact between Tang Hong En and Ji Jiang Yuan for twelve years, leaving father and son disconnected.
Even though every time he visited the Ji family, they treated him terribly, Tang Hong En endured it all – only to finally realize that no matter how low he stooped, the Ji family’s attitude would never soften. Tang Hong En felt that after enduring for so many years, it was enough.
Yi Ya could be unreasonable – unreasonable with her family, unreasonable with him – but what right did she have to be unreasonable with innocent people?
Tang Hong En didn’t want to talk with the Ji family anymore; none of them would speak sensibly!
As soon as he left, Yi Ya lost control.
The Ji family living room was smashed to pieces, and Yi Ya grabbed broken porcelain shards, blood dripping steadily.
“Don’t hurt yourself, Yi Ya. You can’t let emotions defeat you. Dr. Steve said this can be controlled – do deep breathing with me!”
George held her tightly; Yi Ya’s pain shattered his heart too.
While the eldest uncle was searching for the medical kit, his wife felt a fire burning in her heart. Keep pushing it, they’d finally angered Tang Hong En. Once the old man passed, how much of their former relationship would still benefit the Ji family? When the person leaves, the tea grows cold – why wasn’t the Ji family keeping a low profile? Why provoke Tang Hong En?
For ordinary families, they’d be rushing to repair relations with Tang Hong En.
But the Ji family thought Tang Hong En was still that young official who had asked to marry Yi Ya, someone they could push around at will.
Was Tang Hong En’s position as mayor meaningless? How could he have no temper at all? He wasn’t Yi Ya’s husband anymore – why should he let the Ji family torment him as they pleased?
The fire in the aunt’s heart burned stronger. Tang Hong En’s angry appearance had truly startled her. Though his voice wasn’t loud and he didn’t curse, he gave her a terrifying feeling.
She had never so clearly realized that Tang Hong En, the Ji family’s “former son-in-law,” had become such an important figure!
If the Ji family couldn’t read the situation clearly, what could the whole family do in the face of Tang Hong En’s anger?
Fight back?
As a mother, the aunt wasn’t just thinking about herself but also her children.
They couldn’t all just join Yi Ya in making trouble!
Yi Ya had indeed acted without dignity – fighting with Tang Hong En, being emotional with family, and needlessly threatening a female student… This behavior brought shame to the Ji family.
But as soon as the aunt opened her mouth, Yi Ya’s briefly calmed emotions spiraled out of control again.
Only George’s physique could restrain Yi Ya. The eldest uncle grew angry:
“If you can’t speak properly, keep quiet! Go notify Jiang Yuan to come home!”
…
After falling out with the Ji family, Tang Hong En didn’t feel sad at all; he felt somewhat relieved.
It was as if he had been forcibly carrying a burden that shouldn’t have been his for many years. He felt heavy, and the burden on his back was unhappy too. When Tang Hong En finally understood this himself, he no longer cared about the burden’s feelings. After throwing it away, his mind became clearer.
People are emotional creatures, easily controlled by various feelings.
Tang Hong En hadn’t thought about revenge against the Ji family – he wasn’t that undignified. But if Yi Ya did something excessive, he wouldn’t just take it lying down.
After venting to the Ji family, Tang Hong En felt extremely comfortable; even his stomach discomfort disappeared. Then he went to Hua Qing University.
No need to hide in the shadows anymore, no need to be unable to acknowledge his son.
Tang Hong En could sit comfortably on a campus bench. At the West Sports Field, he stopped a male student and asked if he knew which building Ji Jiang Yuan lived in.
“Student, could you help me call him? Thank you for the trouble!”
The student did know Ji Jiang Yuan – male students, whether senior or freshman, became quite familiar after playing a few games together.
But why help call Ji Jiang Yuan?
College students don’t hide their emotions; Tang Hong En saw the suspicious look.
“I’m his father. I’ve come to see him.”
His attitude was straightforward, and his manner didn’t seem like an outsider’s. He wasn’t shifty-eyed but rather particularly trustworthy.
Half an hour later, Ji Jiang Yuan stood before Tang Hong En. A department teacher had just asked him to take a phone call, saying there was an urgent matter at home requiring Ji Jiang Yuan’s return – when Ji Jiang Yuan saw Tang Hong En, it was their first meeting since parting at the hospital.
“You… How’s your health?”
Unable to say “Dad,” Ji Jiang Yuan spoke vaguely.
Tang Hong En felt content; though the Ji family didn’t care about him, Jiang Yuan did.
The bond between father and son couldn’t be easily erased by others.
“Sit down, let’s talk. I just went to the Ji family. Regarding your matters, and because your mother is losing her temper, I’m worried she’ll take it out on Xiao Lan. You’re not surprised I’m saying this, right? Because you understand too.”
Ji Jiang Yuan knew why he was called home.
With Tang Hong En appearing, his mother would certainly have an episode!
Ji Jiang Yuan was anxious to return home, but Tang Hong En raised an issue he cared about. Xia Xiao Lan was truly unfortunate. Ji Jiang Yuan knew people his mother targeted never had good outcomes – paranoia doesn’t follow logic; she had her system of logic!
Tang Hong En was greatly relieved to see Ji Jiang Yuan didn’t react impulsively.
In this regard, he truly had to thank the Ji family. Ji Jiang Yuan was even better than Tang Hong En had imagined; even if Tang Hong En had raised this child himself, he wouldn’t be more outstanding than he was now. Impulsiveness was young people’s nature, but Ji Jiang Yuan could stay calm after hearing his words. Tang Hong En was very pleased – Ji Jiang Yuan was different from the Ji family. While the Ji family was completely impossible to communicate with, Ji Jiang Yuan was approachable.
“Your mother is very angry. I can’t discuss your future calmly with her, so I thought I’d come to school to ask you instead. I’m sorry – Dad was separated from you for many years, missed your growth, and doesn’t know your thoughts. What kind of future do you want? What kind of person do you want to become? Where do you want to live? What career do you want? I hope to hear your thoughts, and your life plans – can they only be achieved by returning to America?”
In China, parents rarely discuss the future with their children.
Parents were simply overbearing, planning their children’s futures for them.
Which school to attend, what major to study, what job to take, when to marry, and whom to marry… In these matters, parents always worried their children would take the wrong path, and always couldn’t help but interfere.
If Ji Jiang Yuan had grown up beside Tang Hong En, he too would have interfered uncontrollably. He wouldn’t have considered Ji Jiang Yuan’s opinions but would have planned Ji Jiang Yuan’s life in the name of his best interests.
It was precisely because of his sense of debt that one became more tolerant, and it taught Tang Hong En to show respect.
Ji Jiang Yuan looked directly into Tang Hong En’s eyes: “But you don’t want me to return to America. You want me to stay, right?”