Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 601: Chapter 603: Absurdity

The carefully planned meeting had ended before it even began.

Yang Chen found himself troubled by the issues between him and Mo Qianni, which were his biggest headache. Unlike Cai Yan, An Xin, and Liu Mingyu, Mo Qianni's background was that of a typical urban white-collar worker. Precisely because of this, their relationship was the simplest and most ordinary.

How could the parents of an average family accept their daughter openly becoming someone's mistress? It was unimaginable and condemned by society.

In Ma Guifang's eyes, her daughter should work diligently and marry securely. Thus, Mo Qianni's unique relationship was harshly cut off.

Yang Chen, despite his martial prowess and vast wealth, couldn't demand that Mo Qianni's family send her to him. He wasn't there to "buy" a woman, nor to "steal" one.

If he couldn't get Ma Guifang's approval, Yang Chen knew that even if Mo Qianni ended up with him, their relationship would always be filled with regret.

Thinking about these vexing issues, Yang Chen lost the mood to go to work. After dropping Guo Xuehua home, he aimlessly drove around the city.

When he drove to a riverbank in the city, Yang Chen suddenly remembered this was where he first met Tang Wan. That day, he was returning to his rental after visiting Old Li's house. In the blink of an eye, another year had passed.

Parking his car under a tree, Yang Chen got out and sat on a bench by the river.

It was noon, and the riverside was deserted. Yang Chen bought two packs of cigarettes from a small shop and sat down on a tourist bench, gazing at the not-so-clear river while puffing on his cigarette and spacing out.

In his mind, Ma Guifang's sharp words and Mo Qianni's helpless, sorrowful face kept appearing, making Yang Chen's chest feel tight, unable to shake it off.

Yang Chen bitterly realized that no matter how advanced his cultivation, the wall of "emotion" was something he couldn't avoid. It seemed to extend indefinitely, always limiting him no matter how far he tried to escape.

Emotion was a form of protection, a sense of security, but also a barrier.

Just as Yang Chen finished his first pack of cigarettes and was about to open the second, his phone vibrated.

Yang Chen thought it might be Guo Xuehua worrying about him, but it was a call from Jane.

Answering the call, Yang Chen tried to sound relaxed. "Our great scientist, Miss Jane, what instructions do you have for me, calling during lunch?"

Jane chuckled on the other end. "How dare I give you instructions? I'm just reporting that I'm at the airport, about to board a flight back to the UK."

Yang Chen was taken aback. "So sudden, is everything resolved?"

"Of course, I've completed the analysis of the toxin that affected Old Master Tang. Staying in Yanxia doesn't have much meaning anymore, especially since you don't have time to accompany me," Jane said with a hint of grievance.

Yang Chen felt embarrassed. "Thank you anyway. Why didn't you let me see you off? Why the rush?"

Jane replied, "I'm not rushing, I'm just ready to go. Besides, there's nothing special if you see me off since you won't give me a farewell kiss. I figured seeing you would make me reluctant to leave, so it's better not to. I don't need your friendly send-off; if you have a conscience, just visit me in Europe often."

Yang Chen awkwardly laughed. Indeed, if he went to the airport, he could only wave goodbye to Jane.

Jane seemed to sense Yang Chen's awkwardness and laughed. "By the way, I'm taking Brahma with me. Having her around before leaving Yanxia ensures safety. You don't mind if I continue to use your subordinate, do you?"

"Of course not," Yang Chen recalled instructing Brahma to return to Japan. Following Jane wasn't a bad idea, as long as she didn't stay in Yanxia and arouse suspicion from the Yanhuang Iron Brigade.

After saying goodbye to Jane, Yang Chen felt a wave of guilt. Saying he didn't like a beautiful and devoted girl like Jane would be a lie. But he watched her grow up and had a complicated relationship with Catherine. Touching Jane would feel like taking advantage of her and would be unfair to both mother and daughter, even if they didn't think so.

Various complex emotional factors, coupled with his own romantic entanglements, made Yang Chen hesitant to open up to Jane. He chose to avoid her and pretend to be deaf and mute.

However, Jane's phone call reminded Yang Chen that instead of dealing with his messy feelings alone, he could talk to Tang Wan, who was indeed a good person to confide in.

So, Yang Chen found Tang Wan's phone number and dialed it. This was one of the rare occasions he took the initiative to call a woman.

The call was quickly answered, and Tang Wan's soft and seductive voice came through, "If you hadn't called, I was about to call you. You know about Miss Jane returning to the UK, right? She didn't let me tell you earlier."

Yang Chen replied, "I just spoke to her. But you, with Old Master Tang's condition improved and the toxin analyzed, you must be relieved now."

"I do feel much better, I haven't been this relaxed in a long time. I really have to thank you. You might not know how important Grandpa is to me and the Tang family. As long as he's healthy, I feel like we have a pillar of support." Tang Wan laughed, "I originally planned to treat you to a good meal, but I'm leaving for Yanjing with Grandpa tomorrow. He wants to hold a family meeting, and I have to attend, so it'll have to wait until next time."

"You're leaving too?" Yang Chen felt a bit down.

Tang Wan chuckled, "What's this? You sound like you'll miss me a lot. I can tell you care about me."

Yang Chen's face reddened slightly, luckily the phone couldn't show it. "Why hold a family meeting? Are you taking Tangtang too?"

Tang Wan replied, "During Grandpa's illness, there were all sorts of rumors and even splits within the family. Of course, we need to consolidate things. Tangtang has grown up and is part of the Tang family, so she has to attend. That kid is sharp and very attached to her great-grandfather, knowing he can bring her benefits."

Yang Chen chuckled, "She is indeed sharp."

Tang Wan continued, "Yang Chen, don't blame me for being blunt. I don't usually bring these things up, but I think there's no need to avoid it. Pretending not to know when we're aware of the facts would make us too distant. From what I understand, Old Master Yang cares more about you than he does about Yang Lie. You should perform well; maybe someday, the Yang family will be yours."

Yang Chen originally wanted to talk to Tang Wan about Mo Qianni, but she unexpectedly brought up the Yang family.

"I'm not interested in the Yang family," Yang Chen laughed lightly.

"It's not as simple as you think," Tang Wan said earnestly. "You may indeed have extraordinary strength, but in Yanxia, the Four Great Families have maintained their hold on Yanjing for reasons that outsiders don't know. Although I'm one of the Tang family's successors, I know our family isn't just about business. I believe the Yang family is more than just holding some military power.

Besides, think about it. If you plan to live in Yanxia, having the identity of a Yang family member would make many things easier for you. At the very least, no one would dare to mess with you or your loved ones. Isn't that right? Also, I know your mother is living with you and hasn't returned to the Yang family. Do you really think she likes being separated from her family? If you can become the head of the Yang family, everything will be under your control, and many things will become legitimate."

Yang Chen's eyes lit up as an absurd idea crossed his mind.

If he could become the head of the Yang family, having multiple women around him would become much easier. Not that this could be openly advertised, but having the status of the Yang family head would make it a symbol of his power. People would have to speak of it in hushed tones, if at all. This way, his women wouldn't be too troubled, and many would even envy them.

If he were abroad, Yang Chen wouldn't need the Yang family's status, as no one would dare say anything. But the problem was, he planned to live in Yanxia in the future, and he couldn't rely on his international "reputation" to get things done.

If this were in the past, it would have been impossible. When he and Guo Xuehua were separated, it was because Guo Xuehua had him out of wedlock, which was a disgrace to the family. He was sent to an orphanage in secret. But now, times have changed. Those with power and money can get away with almost anything. Unwed pregnancies and even openly keeping mistresses are no longer condemned.

So, looking at it from both sides, though times have morally decayed, it has also made things more convenient for Yang Chen, allowing him to take a different approach.

Of course, this was just an idea. Achieving it would be quite difficult. He was still just a recently returned outsider in Yanxia with no real foundation and a bad reputation. Even if Yang Gongming was willing to give him the position of the head of the Yang family, gaining everyone else's approval would be another matter entirely.

Moreover, even if he became the head of the family, would he really be able to keep all his women around without any consequences? Would the women themselves be willing? And what about those who wouldn't approve, like his mother-in-law, Ma Guifang?