Chapter 671: Greed
As dusk came, Tang Xiu drove to Star City Airport. Although he did not know for what purpose Mu Wanying was visiting Star City this time, he still had to pick her up and even booked a box in the Long's Dining Hall. He was guessing that it was his mother's idea of wanting him to go to Shanghai to study, so Mu Wanying came over, and it was very likely that he would have prepare to go Shanghai with her.
Six in the afternoon.
A beautiful figure appeared at the airport exit. After Tang Xiu saw Mu Wanying, he immediately waved at her, but he then froze as he saw that there was a beautiful middle-aged couple with Mu Wanying. The most notable thing was that Mu Wanying bore some resemblance to the woman.
"You're Tang Xiu, right? A very capable young man indeed."
The middle-aged man behind Mu Wanying, donning a formal suit and tie, showed a look of satisfaction on his face after he saw Tang Xiu.
The gorgeous woman also let out a faint smile and said, "The man our Wanying has taken a liking to is naturally excellent. Tang Xiu, I'm very satisfied with you."
Tang Xiu's lower lip squirmed. At this moment, even if he was stupid, there was no way he could not figure out the identity of this middle-aged couple! He wryly smiled inwardly, though he put on a modest expression on the surface, and greeted, "How do you do, Uncle and Auntie. Welcome to Star City."
There was a blushing color on Mu Wanying's beautiful face, and yet one could also see a trace of helplessness there. There was a trace of apology in her tone when she spoke, "Tang Xiu, my parents kind of urged me to bring them to Star City, so I…"
"It was your Dad and Mom who insisted in inviting us to visit Star City to be a guest last year, Tang Xiu," Mu Jianhua interrupted her and said with a smile. "Since we're not that busy after the New Year we came here to visit. The relationship between you and Wanying will become much closer sooner or later and we as her guardians give our consent, so we naturally must get closer as well."
Tang Xiu recalled the mysterious smile his father showed him in the afternoon and immediately felt somewhat helpless inside. Although he had already explained the true state of his relationship with Mu Wanying, that they were just a fake couple, now it seemed that they simply did not take it seriously! He could also see that helplessness and apologetic look in Mu Wanying's eyes and buckled up himself after giving it a bit of thought. In any case, he would have to find himself a wife who would give birth to his children sooner or later, while Mu Wanying herself also understood the state of affairs he was in. If she wished to make do in such a situation, he could not always oppose the idea straightly. He had been devoting his whole life to refine his resolve on the path to immortality, and now that there was a woman who wanted to enter the trajectory of his life and did not tally with his original idea, then it was clear that she was willing to be with him and did not wish to part.
While all sorts of thoughts were churning inside his heart, Tang Xiu quickly thought up some things. He displayed the attitude of a younger generation facing Mu Wanying's parents as he lifted their luggage, invited them to board the car, and then drove toward South Gate Town.
At home.
After Tang Xiu saw the meeting of both parents, he realized that today's meeting was not the first time they met, as both parents had met for several times already back when they were in the capital. Even his mother, Su Lingyun, toured and visited many places of historic interests and scenic beauty in Beijing accompanied by Mu Wanying's mother, Jiang Zhenli.
On the second floor.
After Tang Xiu took Mu Wanying into his room, he forced out a smile and said, "I thought you had gone to Shanghai already. Never expected that you would visit Star City with your parents all of a sudden today. Those four, they have set this up for quite some time, haven't they?"
"I'm really sorry, Tang Xiu," said Mu Wanying with an apologetic smile. "Actually, I only learned about it before I was about to leave for Star City. I would have already called you in advance otherwise."
Tang Xiu waved his hand and turned on the heating in the bedroom. "It's alright. Actually, I've told my parents the truth about our relationship, and yet they sure like you so much since they put so much effort in doing this. And to be honest, I do like you very much since everyone does love beauty, after all; but liking you doesn't mean that it's love, however. Besides, I still have a lot of important things to do, so if you really wish to, let us just get along slowly. As for to what step we'll come to, let us just watch how things will come out, and discuss about this again later."
Getting along together?
Mu Wanying stared at Tang Xiu in disbelief, and yet the pleasant surprise quickly filled her heart. So to say, would they be in a relationship later?
****
Kanas hunting grounds.
After recuperating for a few days, Jin Sanchi had forced out all the poisons in his body, while Ji Sijie's injuries had also healed. Neither of them left, however, as they were waiting for the news of the investigation from the Strange Door's people. For both of them, finding out clearly about Tang Xiu's identity was very important since the issue on Immortal Trove was, after all, of the utmost importance. They must do whatever it takes to obtain it should an opportunity arise.
Dum dum dum…
Strange sounds, like drum beats coming from the distant sky, were as though drilling into their hearts. The rhythm of the sound was very particular, and felt like it was a summoning sign for them. Jin Sanchi's and Jin Sijie's complexions changed greatly. The two men who were previously cultivating inside the room looked at each other with disbelief painted on their faces, as their figure instantly disappeared the moment after.
At the back of the mountain of Kanas hunting grounds.
After the two men quickly flew past the highest peak of the mountain, they lifted their hands nearly at the same time to rub their eyes. When their line of sight turned clearer and was sure that they were not seeing things, they knelt on the ground and repeatedly kowtowed towards an old man who sat cross-legged under an old tree in the summit.
The old man, whose body exuded a rotten smell and donned a long, hand woven hemp robe, had hair coiled like a bun and wrinkles on his face. His eyes were particularly deep and profound as if he had the universe contained within, along with the sun, the moon, and the stars. His skinny hand was holding a snare drum that was the source of the strange drumbeat that came from above.
"Y-you're… you're still alive, Master?" muttered Jin Sanchi, full of excitement.
The old man in hemp robe faintly smiled and said, "This old man never expected to still be alive. Had it not been because… the Imperial Dragon Chart protected my last bit of true soul and foretold that an imminent catastrophe is about to befall the two of you, I would have probably perished already and had my soul dissipated."
A big disaster is about to befall upon them?
Jin Sanchi and Jin Sijie looked at each other and suddenly recalled the crisis of a few days ago. The expression in their eyes when they looked at the old man in a hemp robe turned more reverential. Their Master left them two magic weapons more than 60 years ago as well as an ancient manual for cultivation before he flew up, and no news about him was heard since. After so many years, they thought that their Master had already passed away, and never had the thought that he would still be alive and return to see them again one day.
They both were raised by their Master, Daoist Qiankun. Back when Daoist Qiankun adopted them, he was already 180 years old and, added with the time he went missing for about 20 years and being still alive, it indicated that he was now 260 years of age.
"Did you break through to the Golden Core Stage, Master?" Asked Jin Sanchi with a cautious expression.
Daoist Qiankun nodded and said, "More than 60 years ago, I actually felt that breaking through to the Golden Core Stage was imminent, hence I secluded myself from the world to cultivate, and eventually became a Golden Core Stage expert. Just as I broke through, however, that damned Old Blind persecuted and trapped me inside the Abstruse Yin Ground, but then I was able to tread on the Nascent, thus escaping the predicament. I would probably be unable to escape if it wasn't for the Imperial Dragon Chart."
"Did you just say that you have broken through to the Nascent Soul Stage, Master?" Exclaimed Jin Sijie hurriedly.
"Since when breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage is an easy feat to achieve?" Daoist Qiankun shook his head. "The Imperial Dragon Chart stored the blood essence of the two of you a long time ago, children. I happen to own a secret art that I inject to it, and thus I sensed that there would be an imminent disaster befalling upon you two. Never did I expect that I would finally be able to escape from the Abstruse Yin Ground after self-destructing my Golden Core to detonate the Imperial Dragon Chart."
Self-destructing the Golden Core?
Jin Sanchi and Jin Sijie were dumbfounded. Though they had not yet reached the Golden Core Stage, they also knew what the consequences of exploding their own Golden Core were.
"But Master, you… are you all right now?" Jin Sanchi's heart was full of emotion, with worry and concern.
"My cultivation dropped sharply by four levels, and my present situation is only comparable to the Early Golden Core Stage." Daoist Qiankun smiled bitterly. "I was greatly fortunate to have obtained a manual called 'Source Crossing to Ultimate Essence' and saved myself from becoming disabled. Alright, let us talk about you now. Have you encountered any troubles as of recently?"
Jin Sanchi quickly said the recent events and finally said, "Tang Xiu is now occupying that Immortal Trove. We don't dare to act rashly since we have yet to figure out the force behind him."
A cold glint flashed in Daoist Qiankun's eyes. He was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Immortal Trove. In fact, escaping from the depths of the Abstruse Yin Ground was not entirely for these two disciples of his, but if he did not find a way to escape that place, then he would be trapped there eternally and eventually meet his demise thoroughly.
"Just wait for the news. The matter regarding the Immortal Trove is a matter of the utmost importance since we ourselves have a predestined affinity with immortality, to begin with. The very reason we absolutely must not miss it." Daoist Qiankun even secretly made up his mind that even if Tang Xiu did have a great force behind him, he still must involve himself and do everything he could even if the probability was minute. Otherwise, with the situation he was currently in, he would only be able to maintain himself for a few years. Adding a few decades more and he would not be able to return to his peak and would certainly die on the cultivation path.
****
Star City.
Tang Xiu and Mu Wanying stood side by side while watching the faint streetlights outside the window, each with their own ideas in mind. However, since their four elders pushed them hard, neither Tang Xiu or Mu Wanying could deny them at this time. Else, the final outcome would only make the faces of their parents turn ugly.
"When will you return to Shanghai?"
Inwardly, Mu Wanying was very excited and happy, though she concealed it very well. She finally broke the long silence with the question.
"Should be the day after tomorrow!" Answered Tang Xiu.
"Let's go together then!" Said Mu Wanying softly. "I already brought my things over since I originally planned to go to Shanghai from Star City."
"Okay. No problem," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
While looking at Tang Xiu's smiling face, Mu Wanying suddenly said, "Tang Xiu, it's actually not a problem if you can't accept our relationship. At the worst, we would still be the same like before, a fake couple."
"Fake couple?" Tang Xiu smiled. "Regardless of whether it's like that or not, it really doesn't matter as long as both parties don't refuse the idea. Let us just let nature take its course, shall we? We can't say for sure what the future holds."
"Alright!" Mu Wanying nodded gently.
Chapter 672: Serving a Husband
When Tang Xiu and Mu Wanying came down from the second floor, a fragrant and delicious meal had been served in the dining room. With Su Lingyun's greeting, the two took a seat in the dining table. While looking at the four elders happily dining together in a harmonious and happy atmosphere, Mu Wanying happily smiled inwardly. As for Tang Xiu, he did not talk much but still maintained an attentive and satisfactory etiquette.
After dinner, Tang Xiu originally had the intention to escort the Mu family of three to the Long's Dining Hall. But Tang Yunde and Su Lingyun's great hospitality made the family stay overnight at their home. Despite feeling surprised facing such a situation, Tang Xiu calmly accepted it. Fortunately, Mu Jianhua and Jiang Zhenli only stayed in Star City for one day and then left for Beijing on the evening of the next day.
Since Tang Xiu had to leave Star City, he went to the Magnificent Tang Corporation and explained all the matters to Kang Xia and then transferred a large amount of capital to her account. Following that, he took her to the research institute and introduced her to Mo Yi and the other professors and researchers.
"How about going to my place tonight?" It was already nine in the evening when the two left the institute. Kang Xia, who sat on the driver seat and wore a fur coat, asked with a expectant expression on her face.
Tang Xiu originally wanted to refuse, but looking at the expectation on her face and that he also had to leave Star City tomorrow, meaning that they would not see each other for some time. After hesitating for a moment, he finally nodded and said, "Alright. Let's go to your place."
With a happy expression, Kang Xia accelerated.
Her request was not too much. She only hoped that she would be with Tang Xiu and that already made her fully satisfied and content. She thought that she would have a lot of time with him during winter vacation, and also had a lot of time to see him during this time. Little did she expect that Tang Xiu turned out to be very busy and they could only meet a few times during the winter vacation.
Nearly an hour later, the duo arrived at the villa complex where Kang Xia lived. After parking the car in the courtyard, Kang Xia then pulled Tang Xiu into the villa.
"Aunt Hong must be resting, no?"
Kang Xia stood in the living room and glanced around. Finding that she did not see the figure of the housekeeper anywhere, she immediately spoke in a low voice. Yet, such a situation made her very happy.
"Well, you don't seem to like Aunt Hong seeing me," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
Kang Xia blushed and said, "How so? I'm just afraid that Aunt Hong will disturb us. That's right. Have you had a supper yet? Do you want me to cook something for you?"
A smile outlined on the corner of Tang Xiu's face as he coiled his hands around her body, picked her up and walked toward the stairs. He then smilingly said, "Don't tell me you haven't heard that being with a beauty is better than eating? There's no need for you to cook, I want to eat you."
"You… you're gross."
The blush on Kang Xia's turned redder as she buried her face on Tang Xiu's neck, feeling incomparably bashful inside. Although the two of them could be considered as husband and wife, they only had sex a few times. She herself hoped for it, and yet felt embarrassed every time.
On the corridor of the second floor.
Andy was holding a towel and rubbing her wet hair as she came out of the bathroom in pink-cartoon pajamas. When she saw Tang Xiu carrying Kang Xia out of the staircase, a disbelieving expression painted her cute, adorable face and inside her big, round eyes.
"You guys…" Andy gaped and was a bit overwhelmed after she snapped back to her senses.
Tang Xiu was left dumbfounded as he held Kang Xia in the corridor. Though he knew that Andy lived in the next door villa, never did expect that she would be Kang Xia's villa at 10 in the evening.
Kang Xia raised her red face from Tang Xiu's neck and, when she saw the stunned Andy, she suddenly remembered that it was herself who asked Andy to come to her place at night since she wanted to gift her a set of good cosmetics brought back from abroad by her friend. Immediately, she groaned in depression inwardly and hurriedly got herself down from Tang Xiu's embrace.
"Umm, you know… why haven't you slept yet, Andy?" Kang Xia looked a bit awkward and a bit helpless as she asked with an embarrassed expression.
There was a bit of anger on Andy's small face. She dashed towards Tang Xiu and straightly pulled his arm. "You're really a bad woman, Boss. We already promised each other that we'd share everything, joy and misfortune, for better or for worse. But YOU… you turned out to be keeping everything for yourself?!"
"I…"
Kang Xia shook her head, being at a loss whether she had to cry or laugh. Even if they did make a promise to share the blessings and misfortunes together, could this even be said as keeping the food for herself? Surely it doesn't mean that she also wanted to share 'this kind of joy' with one man?!
Hmph! Andy snorted at Kang Xia and then pulled Tang Xiu's arm as she raised her exquisite small face and said, "Boss, you cannot be liberal to one and stingy to other like this. You've seen this lady Boss's body, that I know; but you have seen mine too. It is said that Chinese men are good in keeping their responsibility. Shouldn't you be responsible for me too?"
"I…" An expression of being at a loss whether he had to cry or laugh also covered Tang Xiu's face. Just how an apple can be compared to an orange in this matter? Can a man be held responsible just because he saw a woman's body? I've seen a lot of Japanese "sex acrobatic" movies, do I have to be held responsible for seeing those outstanding performers?
Tang Xiu did not want to be nagged by this kind of matter too much, so he hurriedly explained, "Andy, you misunderstood us. Kang Xia sprained her foot, so I escorted her from the outside and carried her here. Alright, since I've brought her home, then I'll leave her into your care. I should go back now."
"Did you really get your foot twisted?" Andy looked at Kang Xia and changed again to Tang Xiu and immediately asked with a doubtful expression, "Is that true?"
Though feeling reluctant, Kang Xia also knew that she would not be able to spend the night with Tang Xiu, so she nodded and said, "Yeah, it's true."
Andy hesitated for a moment and then groaned, "I don't care! Boss just hugged you, so it's my turn."
"Andy, please knock it off," said Tang Xiu hurriedly. "I'd also hug you if your foot got twisted one day, okay? Alright, take good care of Kang Xia well. I'll go back first."
With that said, he immediately turned around and flashed his way out of the villa. After coming out, he suddenly remembered that he took a ride on Kang Xia's car. In order to avoid getting pestered by Andy again, however, he walked straight out of the villa complex and then dialed Mo Awu's cell number.
"Come fetch me."
"Okay!"
A minute later, the Range Rover car was parked in front of Tang Xiu.
After Tang Xiu boarded, he said, "Go back to South Gate Town!"
"Boss, an unexpected situation just happened. We found some people tracking us," said Mo Awu. "Jin Hu already caught them, they should be returning soon."
Some people tracking me?
Tang Xiu slightly furrowed his brows and said, "Then let us wait here."
A few minutes later, a Mercedes-Benz SUV parked next to the Range Rover. As the door was opened, Jin Hu stood in front of the car's window and respectfully said, "Boss, we caught the people who were tracking us, a total of four men, all of whom have been stunned by us and are now inside the car."
Tang Xiu was silent for a moment. Then he took out his mobile phone to call Kang Xia and then said, "Take them to the villa complex! Since the target they picked to tail is me, I think they are not some good bunch. Interrogate them first, and then we'll see how to deal with them afterward."
Inside the villa.
Andy followed Kang Xia with a resentful expression. After entering Kang Xia's room, she resentfully groaned, "Your foot was not twisted at all, right, Boss?"
"Yeah," said Kang Xia with a forced smile.
Andy angrily said, "So to say, you really want to keep everything for yourself, yes?"
Kang Xia threw her bag to the sofa, took a seat and forced a wry smile, "You're a big girl already, Andy. Can you just knock it off?"
"Who just made the trouble? You!" Retorted Andy angrily. "You know I like Boss very much! Just take a look at the other men outside, each and every one of them looks so worthless, as their minds are full of filthy thoughts. The only one who can enter my eyes is only our Boss. I don't even care if he has a wife."
"You…" Kang Xia opened her mouth, but after looking at Andy's particularly serious expression, she immediately said, "Andy, we are indeed good sisters and we do share everything usually. But this man… aargh, forget it. I'll tell you the truth now! I do have such a relationship with our Boss, but I'm perfectly aware that Boss has some sentiments that still hold him down inside. Even if I'm in there, I know very well that it's impossible for him to give his whole heart to me. There's also another thing that I'm very well aware of, that even I myself will not be his legal wife in the future."
Andy's eyes blinked. She pointed her finger to Kang Xia all of a sudden and said with amazement, "So to say, you're also a home wrecker, a mistress?"
A mistress?
Kang Xia's face looked downcast in an instant, and helplessly replied, "Can you not use such terms? Else, there's no way we can talk at all."
The scowl on Andy's face instantly vanished, replaced by pleasantly surprised smile. She threw the towel in her hand and then sat next to Kang Xia, reaching out her hand and holding it, and then said with a smile, "Boss, I understand now. You really are better than me—a loser. Legal or not legal, I don't give a damn! Boss is so outstanding, for him to have several women is very normal! You also know Lilian, right? She told me a long time ago that she doesn't want to become the legal wife of a man, but she must be that man's mistress. A few days ago, she took some photos and uploaded them on Facebook. You know what? That man is probably that Eyeglasses Magnate from Hong Kong."
"She's a vixen whose eyes turn green on money!" replied Kang Xia with a snap.
"But I think it's fine! What she chases after is money, and yet she also pursues love." Andy shook her head. "She said that only a capable man will be able to control her, and yet all capable men will have countless excellent women attracted to them. If you can't monopolize him for yourself, then just sharing him will do."
Kang Xia fell silent. She grew up in freedom abroad and naturally understood Andy's way of thinking. Men and women abroad were very open in regards to love, romance, and the relationship between man and woman. They could choose to live together if they wanted to, or get separated when things went south. There were too many capable men abroad who had many women, and even capable women who had many men.
And that idea also had seriously affected Andy.
But then again, why had she not been influenced by those Western ideas? Else how was it possible for her to lose such men despite how outstanding she was? And yet, she must be prepared to share an outstanding man with other women if she wanted to obtain him, even though… the taste was so bitter.
Aargh, forget it! I may not own his love, but I can own his child. Fight—I must try harder… Kang Xia clenched her fists, and her expression when she looked out of the window was firm and determined.