Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 576: Chapter 577: Old Woman

Hearing the voice, not only Tang Wan but also Yang Chen's heart skipped a beat. That voice, that calling—who else could it be but Tang Tang?

Tang Tang's sudden appearance in this place really startled Tang Wan. She hurriedly pulled away from Yang Chen, quickly tidying her disheveled clothes and hair, though the blush on her face from their intimate moment was impossible to hide.

"It's all your fault! Touching me all over, now I'm completely embarrassed!" Tang Wan had always tried to maintain a bit of authority in front of Tang Tang, and now she felt utterly mortified. Yang Chen, on the other hand, wore an unbothered smile. He didn't mind Tang Tang seeing them; sometimes having thick skin could save a lot of trouble.

Sure enough, in the blink of an eye, Tang Tang, dressed in a yellow top and white lace shorts, came running around a corner. The high school girl, with her ponytail bouncing, was full of youthful energy. When she saw Yang Chen and Tang Wan standing together, she wore a mischievous smile, put her hands behind her back, and skipped over.

She moved closer to her mother's slightly blushing face and whispered, "Mom, did I interrupt something?"

Tang Wan cleared her throat and glared at her daughter, "What nonsense are you talking about? Aren't you supposed to be studying at home? How did you get here? I told you not to touch the car in the garage."

"I didn't drive," Tang Tang pouted. "Brother Yuan Ye brought me."

"Yuan Ye?" Tang Wan was taken aback, frowning. "He really listens to you."

As she spoke, Yuan Ye, who had come along with Tang Tang, also entered the garden. Seeing Yang Chen, he broke into a happy smile. Recently, Yuan Ye had learned from his parents that Yang Chen was actually his aunt's long-lost son, making Yang Chen his biological cousin!

This news had shocked Yuan Ye, but more than that, it had filled him with joy! He had always looked up to Yang Chen, and now to find out they were related by blood was thrilling. If it weren't for his parents warning him not to bother Yang Chen, he would have wanted to be his next-door neighbor!

Before Yuan Ye could greet him, Tang Wan scolded, "Yuan Ye, how many times have I told you not to let Tang Tang fool around? She should be studying at home. Why did you bring her here?"

Yuan Ye's legs went weak, and he smiled ingratiatingly. "Aunt Tang, Tang Tang said she wanted to see Grandpa. I thought since Grandpa is recovering and will soon return to Yanjing, it would be proper for us juniors to visit him before he leaves."

"Yes, Mom. If it weren't for Great Grandpa protecting us back then, would I have grown up safely? You didn't let me visit him when he was sick, and now that he's better, you still won't let me visit often. If Great Grandpa didn't know the situation, he might think I'm disrespectful," Tang Tang tugged at her mother's hand, pleading.

Tang Wan snorted. "You always have some excuse. Fine, since you're being filial, I'll let it go this time. But if you disobey again, I'll lock you in your room!"

Tang Tang nodded with a pitiful look, while Yuan Ye turned pale, thinking it best to be careful.

Yang Chen watched Tang Tang's obedience with satisfaction. She had been quite rebellious before, but now she seemed to have matured a lot. Perhaps it was because his relationship with Tang Wan had evolved. He used to see Tang Tang as a little sister, but now he felt more like her elder.

Yawning, Yang Chen said lazily, "You all go see Old Tang. I won't intrude on your family time. I have other places to be."

Seeing Yang Chen about to leave, Tang Wan felt a bit reluctant but knew it wasn't the right time to ask him to stay, so she just nodded.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Ye suddenly caught up to Yang Chen and said with a smile, "Cousin Yang, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Yang Chen always felt a bit uncomfortable when he heard this "cousin." He knew that many people were aware of his relationship with the Yang family. His cousin from the Yuan family must have known for a long time, too. Yang Chen simply let it be and said, "What's up?"

"Let's talk outside," Yuan Ye said with a grin.

Yang Chen was puzzled. Why did this have to be said away from Tang Wan and her daughter? His curiosity was piqued, so he nodded and followed Yuan Ye out of the garden.

This made Tang Tang pout in dissatisfaction. She wasn't surprised by Yuan Ye calling Yang Chen "cousin." This wasn't something Yuan Ye needed to hide from her. But why did they have to go outside to talk?

Tang Wan, upon hearing Yuan Ye call Yang Chen "cousin," showed a hint of helplessness and clarity in her beautiful eyes. She had already learned from Yang Jinyu that Yang Chen was the eldest grandson of the Yang family. This matter was no secret among the prominent families in Yandu.

She didn't bring it up or ask Yang Chen about it because she knew very well that Yang Chen probably didn't like this identity. Moreover, she had heard about the dissatisfaction Yang Pojun and Yang Lie had towards Yang Chen, and the fact that Guo Xuehua was separated from her husband.

Yang Chen was surely troubled by matters of the Yang family, so she didn't want to add to his worries.

Recalling the past when she introduced Yang Chen to the history of the Yang family in Yandu and expressed her fondness for the Yang family, Tang Wan felt everything seemed preordained by fate.

Seeing her daughter's unhappy face, Tang Wan smiled and shook her head, saying, "Some things are meant to be discussed between men. As a girl, don't make things difficult for Yuan Ye. If he doesn't want you to hear it, it's only for your good."

Tang Tang blushed and said shyly, "Mom, what are you talking about marriage for? I haven't even started university yet."

"Hmph, girls grow up and can't be kept at home. I'd rather have you leave me sooner and join the Yuan family. Maybe your Auntie Yang will turn into a strict mother-in-law and manage you well for me," Tang Wan joked with her daughter.

Tang Tang huffed, "I get it, Mom. You definitely think I'm a bother and want to get rid of me so you can be sweet with uncle, right?"

Tang Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stopped Tang Tang's chatter. "Nonsense, Yang Chen has a wife."

"I know, Sister Lin. I saw her when I went to Yuan Ye's house for New Year's. We even went singing together. But even though Sister Lin is beautiful, my mom isn't bad either. Uncle, that flirt, will definitely fall for you!" Tang Tang encouraged, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Tang Wan felt a turmoil in her heart. Hearing Tang Tang call Yang Chen "uncle" pleased her because it put Yang Chen in the same generation as herself. But it was self-deception because, in truth, Yang Chen was in the same generation as Yuan Ye, making him a generation younger than herself.

If Yang Chen were indeed confirmed as the Yang family's eldest grandson, being with him would be inappropriate...

At that moment, Tang Tang suddenly extended her arms and hugged Tang Wan's slender waist tightly. Being shorter than her mother, Tang Tang's head pressed against Tang Wan's chest.

Tang Wan was taken aback, then gently smiled in exasperation. "Silly girl, what are you doing? You're too old for this. It's embarrassing."

Tang Tang mumbled, "Mom, I won't call you 'sister' anymore."

"Hmm?" Tang Wan was puzzled, not understanding what Tang Tang meant.

"I know, Mom. You had me when you were so young and raised me all by yourself. It must have been really hard for you. I also know that if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have left Yandu and stayed in Zhonghai for so many years. You've been lonely and isolated here all these years.

But I was very naughty in the past, causing trouble for you, arguing with you, and running away from home, making you worry. I always made you clean up my messes, and I would call you 'sister' and refuse to call you 'mom' when I was angry."

Listening to her daughter's words, Tang Wan's eyes glistened with tears. She gently stroked her daughter's back with a smile. "Silly girl, I brought you into this world, so of course, I have to take responsibility for you. There's nothing to say about that. Just understand and stop causing trouble for Mom."

"Mom, if you like Uncle, then be with him," Tang Tang said earnestly, lifting her head.

Tang Wan was stunned, not expecting the conversation to take such a turn.

"I know you like Uncle. I know he's a good man. If I didn't know you liked him, I might have pursued him myself back then.

So what if he's married? In our so-called prominent families, isn't it common for men to have multiple wives? Uncle might be flirtatious, but at least he's sincere with his women. Besides, Lin isn't his only woman.

If you're hesitating because of me, Mom, I've grown up now. I won't call you 'sister' like I did when I was little. I'll only call you 'Mom.'

Moreover, I'll get married someday. If you're still alone when I leave, how could I bear to leave you behind? For the sake of your daughter's happiness, go ahead and love boldly, Mom."

These clear and profound words made Tang Wan's eyes well up with tears. Looking at her daughter's face, so similar to her own when she was young, Tang Wan finally understood why being a mother was so fulfilling.

Nothing is more gratifying than witnessing your child's growth.

"What kind of daughter pushes her mother into the arms of a bad man? And why won't you call me 'sister' anymore? Do you think your mom is old?" Tang Wan said, smiling through her tears.

Tang Tang's eyes also reddened. "I'm just afraid you'll always be thinking of me and won't pursue your own happiness. Besides, you're not that young anymore. How can you not be embarrassed to have a daughter twenty years younger call you 'sister'?"

"You cheeky girl, you're asking for a beating!" Tang Wan's tears finally fell uncontrollably, but she was smiling happily. She lightly slapped Tang Tang a few times.

Tang Tang, looking resigned, hugged her mother's waist tightly, burying her head in her chest. She murmured, "Go ahead and hit me, old woman Tang Wan, who shamelessly makes her daughter call her 'sister'... shameless, shameless..."

And so, the mother and daughter playfully fought, laughing and crying, in the garden.