NABC Chapter 178 Tang Liu's Engagement
Chapter 178 Tang Liu's Engagement
On the morning of December 3rd, a thin layer of clouds shrouded New York, and the terminal of John F. Kennedy International Airport was already bustling with people. After spending these past few days together, the father-son relationship, which had been somewhat strained due to a lack of communication, had improved dramatically in the atmosphere of a foreign land and catalyzed by the shared topics brought by Lin Yan.
On the way to the airport, Li Wenbin sat quietly beside his father, Li Yaozu, a rare sight. Gone was his usual carefree and boisterous self; instead, he carefully reminded his father to make sure he had all his documents and to give his regards to his mother and older brother when they returned. Li Yaozu looked at his youngest son, who seemed to have matured overnight, and was filled with mixed emotions.
At the security checkpoint, the moment of parting finally arrived. Li Yaozu stopped and turned to look at his son, who was now half a head taller than him. His eyes, usually sharp and shrewd from years of business experience, were now much softer, even slightly reddened. He reached out and patted Li Wenbin's strong arm firmly, his voice slightly hoarse:
"Alright, that's enough for now. Go back and take good care of Xiaoyan. Don't... don't cause him any trouble." He paused, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, it all boiled down to a simple admonition, "I'll get back and start preparing your immigration documents. After Xiaoyan's birthday, come back early too. Don't... don't go out partying, okay?"
Looking at his father's slightly red eyes, Li Wenbin couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat. He nodded heavily, "I know, Dad. Don't worry, I'll be fine, and I'll... I'll study hard with Ayan."
On the other side, Zheng Yizhi's farewell to his son, Zheng Jiaming, was much more restrained and profound. Zheng Yizhi simply looked at his son quietly for a few seconds, then stretched out his arms and gave Zheng Jiaming a brief but powerful hug. After parting, he held his son's shoulders, his gaze deep, and said in a low, earnest voice:
"Jiaming, remember your father's words. Follow Xiaoyan, observe more, listen more, and learn more. This child... is a prodigy." His tone was filled with immense emotion and a hint of awe. "But what's most remarkable about him is that, despite possessing extraordinary abilities, he knows how to conceal his talents and understands the principle that 'the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' This character and wisdom are far more worthy of your study than his wealth and methods."
He gazed into his son's eyes and gave him a very high expectation: "If you can learn even 40% of his skills from him, whether it's vision, strategy, or this wisdom in dealing with the world, it will be enough to benefit you for a lifetime. Go back, do your job well, and come home as soon as possible."
"Dad, I understand. Take care." Zheng Jiaming nodded solemnly, engraving every word of his father's teachings in his heart.
The two business tycoons finally turned around, carrying their simple luggage, and merged into the flow of people checking security, their figures gradually disappearing from sight. Li Wenbin and Zheng Jiaming stood there until their fathers' backs were no longer visible, then they looked at each other and let out a long sigh. They felt a bittersweet sadness at parting, but also a surge of excitement and determination at being entrusted with expectations and about to venture out on their own.
After several days of meticulous care from Dr. Dan, when Dr. Dan took Tang Bingyuan's pulse again, he was delighted to hear Dr. Dan nod and inform him that his pulse had improved; the taut, pulsating feeling was easing, and his qi and blood were gradually becoming more balanced. The heavy weight on his heart was finally lifted, and Tang Bingyuan's entire demeanor was refreshed. He and his wife, Wen Jinmei, began joyfully preparing for their youngest son, Liu Qian's, engagement.
To ensure the young couple's future convenience, Tang Bingyuan even used Gu Weijun's connections to purchase a spacious and bright high-rise apartment near Park Avenue, an area known for its elegant surroundings and convenient location, for Tang Liuqian and Yang Xi'en as their wedding home. This arrangement greatly pleased Yan Youyun, the mother-in-law of Tang Liuqian. For a mother, it was wonderful news that her daughter would still be living nearby after her marriage.
December 5th, a clear but chilly winter day. Inside the Tang family's brand-new apartment, however, it was warm and inviting, brimming with joy and enthusiasm. The living room was spacious and bright, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of New York's characteristic winter blue sky and the distant city skyline, while the warm atmosphere inside completely warded off the outside chill.
Today is the day Tang Liuqian and Yang Xi'en are officially engaged. The apartment is filled with relatives and friends who have come to offer their blessings. Besides the elders of the Tang and Gu families, the radiant and energetic Tang Bingyuan and his wife, the refined and pleased Gu Weijun and Yan Youyun, the young people are the main focus of the event. Lin Yan, Li Wenbin, and Zheng Jiaming, the core brothers, have naturally arrived early, along with other young members of the Tang and Gu families' long-standing friendship in New York. The room is filled with laughter and joy.
Wearing an elegant red dress, Yang Xi'en nestled beside the dashing Tang Liuqian in his sharp suit, her face flushed with a blush of happiness. Witnessed by elders and friends, the two exchanged engagement rings, promising to spend their lives together, receiving applause and blessings from the audience.
The banquet following the engagement ceremony was a buffet, allowing everyone to mingle freely. Fine wine and delicious food filled the air, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. During the meal, someone suggested that the younger guests perform some entertainment to liven things up.
Li Wenbin, who is always fond of making a fuss, jumped out without hesitation, patted his chest and said that he would sing a song for Brother Liuqian and Sister Xien. He cleared his throat, put on a sentimental posture, and began to sing a classic Cantonese love song, "Like a Spring Breeze".
The idea was beautiful, but reality was cruel. Li Wenbin's tone-deaf voice, coupled with his deliberately exaggerated vibrato and distorted expressions, turned what was originally a tender and poignant love song into a "wailing of ghosts and howls." Not only was the tune completely off-key, but his voice also cracked repeatedly. He himself was completely oblivious, his eyes closed, immersed in the song, looking self-satisfied.
The elders in the living room were initially taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh. Gu Weijun and Tang Bingyuan both shook their heads with smiles. The younger people, on the other hand, were already laughing hysterically.
Lin Yan was the first to lose his temper. He suppressed a laugh and shouted, "Brothers, this noise pollution is unbearable! For Liu Qian and Xi En's ears, for world peace—go for it!"
Before he finished speaking, he took the lead and pounced on Li Wenbin, who was still "singing passionately," and pushed him down onto the soft sofa.
Zheng Jiaming and Tang Liuqian, the protagonist of today's show, exchanged a glance, perfectly in sync, and with "ferocious" smiles on their faces, shouted in unison, "A hungry tiger pounces on a sheep!"
The two exerted their strength simultaneously, reaching out their "wicked hands" to Li Wenbin, who was being restrained by Lin Yan, specifically targeting his ticklish spots.
"Ouch—! No! Ah Yan, I was wrong!"
"Hahaha...Stop scratching! Help!"
"Awooo—! Jiaming, you traitor! Brother Liuqian, you repay kindness with enmity!"
"Don't hit my face! My dad still needs to see me! Ouch—!"
Li Wenbin's screams and pleas for mercy echoed in the living room, mingling with the deafening laughter around him, pushing the engagement banquet to its climax. Yang Xi'en leaned against her mother Yan Youyun, laughing. Yan Youyun, while holding her daughter, looked at the group of energetic young people with eyes full of love and smiles.
In this New York apartment bathed in the warm winter sun, family, love, and friendship intertwine, creating a vivid and heartwarming scene. Their youth and dreams, just like this brand new beginning, are full of hope and shine brightly.