Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 575: Chapter 576: An Epiphany

The words "thank you gift" were emphasized in a way that clearly implied something else. Tang Wan saw Yang Chen's mischievous smile and immediately understood what he meant by "thank you gift." However, she also knew that her grandfather had indeed been cured thanks to him, and she genuinely liked this man. She wasn't a shy young girl anymore and preferred to express herself directly. Blushing, she asked, "Do you want to do something here?"

"If you don't mind," Yang Chen replied calmly, as he smoothly wrapped his arm around Tang Wan's slender waist.

Tang Wan quickly blocked Yang Chen's wandering hand and gave him a look, "What's your hurry? What if someone comes by? Do you want the people below to laugh at me?"

"You asked me if I wanted to do something first," Yang Chen said innocently as he withdrew his hand.

Tang Wan was speechless. He really had no sense of propriety. She signaled with her eyes and said, "Let's go to the garden in the back and take a walk. We haven't had a proper conversation in a while."

Yang Chen had no objections. He walked with Tang Wan through the quiet corridor to the garden behind the sanatorium, nestled against the mountain.

For women like Tang Wan, what was often missing was merely intimate conversation. When men talk about love, they often focus more on physical intimacy. In contrast, women often yearn for a spiritual connection.

Yang Chen wasn't very clear about these things. He simply thought that going to a quieter place would likely lead Tang Wan to let him do something, revealing his straightforward and honest nature.

However, as Yang Chen truly entered the garden, the heat in his heart cooled down. The sunlight was gentle, and a cool breeze was blowing. Walking along the shaded path, surrounded by finely crafted granite flower beds, with vibrant flowers and fragrances, Yang Chen suddenly felt an unusual sense of calm. Even though Tang Wan beside him was as alluring as ever, he didn't have much desire to take advantage of her.

As he quieted down, mixed emotions filled his mind. He thought of Lin Ruoxi's changes, Mo Qianni's tension, Ma Guifang's inscrutable intentions, and how he should truly address the needs of the other women in his life.

How should he be responsible for them? How could he truly give them the happiness they needed? This sweet burden left Yang Chen at a loss for how to better shoulder it.

Tang Wan was surprised to see Yang Chen lost in thought while looking at the flowers, a hint of helpless bitterness in his eyes. For a woman of her age, a man's deep contemplation and solemnity were incredibly captivating. It wasn't the feigned maturity of a young man trying to attract naive girls, but a profound depth from a complex inner world.

Watching Yang Chen's melancholic profile, Tang Wan's pale hands twisted together, her face flushed, and her heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

Was this the man she was infatuated with? He was so young, yet why did he exude such a mature charm that made her heart tremble?

After walking for a while, Yang Chen began to feel a headache. Lin Ruoxi had undoubtedly given him a big problem. He used to watch her deal with others, but now she was using a soft approach against him, targeting his weak spots with an unguardable sharpness.

With a bitter smile, Yang Chen looked at Tang Wan and said, "Sorry, I have a bit of a headache."

"It's okay, I like seeing you like this," Tang Wan said with a smile.

Yang Chen raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Because you look much more serious," Tang Wan replied, pursing her lips.

Yang Chen was surprised, then he shook his head. "If I tell you, you won't think I'm serious anymore. You'll definitely laugh at me. To be honest, I've been thinking about how I can give my women a perfect explanation."

Tang Wan was momentarily stunned, then she said sourly, "'Women'? Don't you think it's hurtful to say such things in front of me?"

"What's so hurtful about that?" Yang Chen laughed heartily. "It's just that the woman at home is giving me such a headache that I can't even think straight. Otherwise, I would have already tried to make a move on you."

Tang Wan asked curiously, "The woman at home? You mean Lin Ruoxi? Is she giving you the cold shoulder again?"

Yang Chen felt a bit embarrassed. How did Tang Wan know that Lin Ruoxi often gave him the cold shoulder? But it wasn't surprising, considering Tang Wan was close to Yuan Ye, Tang Tang, and even the Yuan couple. Anyone with a sharp eye could see that he and Lin Ruoxi didn't get along smoothly.

Yang Chen could only brace himself and say, "You're a woman too, so why don't you give me some advice? Right now, she's got me under her thumb. I need to think of a way to turn the tables; otherwise, I'll be a completely oppressed slave in the house. Of course, this is also so we can move forward with fewer worries."

Given Tang Wan's rich life experience, Yang Chen thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to consult her.

Tang Wan felt a bit uncomfortable. "When did you become so obedient? You used to flirt around without caring about your legitimate wife. What kind of trap did she set for you?"

Yang Chen sighed and, after finding a place to sit with Tang Wan, he explained the pressure Lin Ruoxi had put on him, including her demand that he cut off all other relationships.

"Now, in my mother's eyes, this daughter-in-law is perfect. If I let her meet other women, it would be disastrous," Yang Chen said, frowning in distress.

Tang Wan couldn't help but burst into laughter, her body shaking with mirth.

"What's so funny?" Yang Chen asked, feeling quite uncertain.

Tang Wan managed to suppress her laughter and said, "Let me ask you a few questions, and you answer honestly."

"What questions?" Yang Chen didn't know what Tang Wan was up to.

"First question, have you ever given your wife flowers?" Tang Wan asked.

"No," Yang Chen shook his head immediately, "but I have given flowers to my mother-in-law."

Tang Wan rolled her eyes at him and asked, "Have you given Lin Ruoxi any jewelry, like a diamond ring?"

"Diamond ring? She's so rich, what's the point of giving her a diamond ring? I might as well give her a diamond mine," Yang Chen laughed and waved his hand, indicating he hadn't.

Tang Wan shook her head and sighed, then asked, "Do you know what Lin Ruoxi likes to eat?"

Yang Chen frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "I know she likes glutinous rice balls. I've bought them for her before. She even waited for me to leave before eating them, but I caught her. She was so embarrassed, haha..."

"I'm talking about dishes, not snacks," Tang Wan gave him a sideways glance and continued, "Do you know anything about Lin Ruoxi's past?"

"Her past? You mean her parents' death?" Yang Chen asked.

"No," Tang Wan said. "Do you know where Lin Ruoxi went to school, what she did as a child, where she went to university, and what her life was like back then? Also, do you know what Lin Ruoxi's interests and hobbies are? Do you know what she dislikes or likes? For example, colors, clothing styles, sports, art styles, music genres, and so on. Do you know what she likes?"

Yang Chen was taken aback and shook his head cluelessly, "How would I know all that?"

Tang Wan sighed heavily again and rolled her eyes. "Looking at your clueless face, it's clear you don't understand anything."

"Understand what?" Yang Chen was puzzled, feeling a blockage in his mind.

Tang Wan slowly explained, "Why do you think men and women need to date before they get married?"

"Of course, to understand each other and see if they're compatible," Yang Chen replied.

"Exactly. You and Lin Ruoxi got married so hastily that you didn't even date. Maybe you think that living together will help you understand her. But even though I'm not familiar with Lin Ruoxi, I know she's a famous ice queen. How could she open up and tell you everything about herself? And given your womanizing ways, it's no wonder she's not willing to open up to you! It's a wonder she hasn't divorced you yet, seeing you with other women!"

Tang Wan glared at Yang Chen and continued, "You don't really know her, and you have no emotional foundation. Even if she fell in love with you because of something extraordinary you did, that doesn't mean you've conquered her. A proud woman like her, who has all the advantages, why should she bow down to other women and share her man?"

Yang Chen was stunned. To be honest, he didn't know why either.

Tang Wan looked at Yang Chen like he was an idiot and, after a moment of exasperation, said, "You don't understand anything. What you need to do now is not make her submit to you, not to outfight her. You need to make her realize that she can't live without you, make her willing to sacrifice for you! You need to make her feel that she's the most important person in your heart. You need to prove this to her, do you understand?"

Yang Chen was taken aback by Tang Wan's words and asked blankly after a while, "How do I prove it?"

"Are you stupid?" Tang Wan couldn't help but exclaim.

Yang Chen swallowed hard. This gentle and elegant woman's outburst had startled him.

Gritting her teeth, Tang Wan said, "I've been telling you all this to make you understand that besides proving you're an excellent man, you haven't shown Lin Ruoxi how important she is to you! Because you don't really know her, you don't care about her past, her thoughts, or her hobbies. You've been a male chauvinist for too long, thinking women should revolve around you. You seem indifferent to women's concerns, thinking mutual love is enough. But that's just your shallow understanding. Do you think all women are as casual as you?

Even the most ordinary young couple will give a red rose when dating. You haven't even given Lin Ruoxi a simple bouquet of flowers or a wedding ring. How do you expect her to believe she's your only wife?

Don't think that because Lin Ruoxi is wealthy, she doesn't care about these things. Don't assume that because she looks like a goddess, she's indifferent to the trivial matters that young girls care about.

Would a woman buy her own wedding ring? Would she buy red roses for herself?"

Lin Ruoxi indeed doesn't lack these things, and many men are willing to give them to her. But are those men the same as you? Would the feeling be the same coming from her husband?

Precisely because these things seem out of reach in her everyday life, she hopes even more that her man can bring her a simple, reliable, and accessible life. Do you still not understand, you pigheaded fool?"

Yang Chen stared blankly at Tang Wan, her face flushed. His mind was in turmoil, yet it felt as if a blinding light had pierced through, giving him sudden clarity!

Yes, why had he always been focused on making Lin Ruoxi conform to him, rather than thinking about how he could win her over?

Why insist that his women change for him instead of making more efforts for them?

He didn't even know his wife's favorite color or dishes, so how could he expect her to agree to sharing him with other women?

Yang Chen, you really are just as Tang Wan said, a pighead!

"You need to be so good to her that she can't refuse you, rather than forcing her to set aside her dignity. Do you understand?" Tang Wan added, worried that Yang Chen still wouldn't get it.

Yang Chen furrowed his brow, looked up, and stared at Tang Wan. "Tang Wan, what should I do? After listening to you, I suddenly want to take you right here."

Tang Wan almost didn't understand what he meant by "take you." When she realized, she shyly slapped Yang Chen's shoulder. "You really are incorrigible! We were talking about serious things, and you just had to think about that! No wonder Lin Ruoxi has to be strict with you!"

"Hehe," Yang Chen grabbed Tang Wan's soft wrist, smiling. "Your words have opened my eyes. The more I look at you, the more attractive you become. Truly, mature women are different. Since no one comes here, why not give in to me now!"

With that, Yang Chen pulled Tang Wan's soft body in front of him, wrapping one arm around her slender waist, their bodies pressed tightly together.

Tang Wan gasped, and the next second, she was face-to-face with Yang Chen. As his face drew closer, she shyly closed her eyes, her body going limp without the strength to resist.

With his worries alleviated by Tang Wan's words and with a beauty in his arms, Yang Chen had no other thoughts. One hand began to wander, while he leaned in to kiss Tang Wan's bright red lips deeply.

An extraordinary blush spread across Tang Wan's pretty face. The two became entangled in a passionate kiss, as if they were melting into each other.

Tang Wan, at an age where emotions easily stirred, soon became lost in the moment. Her misty eyes filled with desire, nearly forgetting where she was, as her alluring body melted like spring water in Yang Chen's arms.

However, her remaining rationality made her press one hand against Yang Chen's chest, panting, "No, not here."

Yang Chen didn't really intend to do anything to Tang Wan in the garden, but he teased her with a wicked smile, "Why not? Don't worry, if anyone comes, I'll definitely sense it in advance."

"If someone really comes, it'll be too late," Tang Wan softly pleaded.

Who knew that as soon as the words were spoken, a clear female voice came from the garden entrance, "Mom! Mom! Where are you with Uncle?"