Chapter 109: The Iceberg CEO's Engagement
The next day.
The sun was shining brightly.
In a small pavilion within the Tang family estate, Old Tang and Yan Guishan sat facing each other. Old Tang brewed a pot of fine tea and poured a cup for Yan Guishan.
“Top-grade Snow Peak Silver Needle, have a taste,” Old Tang said with a smile.
Yan Guishan took a sip, savoring it carefully, and a look of pleasure appeared on his face. “This kind of tea can only be enjoyed in our country.”
“Life abroad must have been tough, right?” Old Tang asked with a meaningful tone. He knew a bit about Yan Guishan’s life overseas, aware that Yan Guishan had made a name for himself through hard work and risk.
Old Tang, having a military background himself, admired and respected Yan Guishan greatly.
“It’s alright,” Yan Guishan replied nonchalantly, not elaborating further.
“How’s your father doing?” Old Tang suddenly remembered an old friend and couldn’t help but ask.
“He’s bedridden, probably doesn’t have much time left,” Yan Guishan sighed.
“What are your plans for the future?” Old Tang’s interest piqued as he shifted to the main topic.
“Since I’m back, I want a more peaceful life.”
“So, does that mean you don’t oppose the engagement anymore?”
“I want to fulfill my father’s wish before he passes, so I agree to the engagement,” Yan Guishan said, his expression showing a mix of reluctance and resignation.
He intended to live a quiet life, enjoying the company of many women, not settling down. If not for his father’s constant urging, he might never have considered marriage.
He was a wanderer at heart, never wanting to be tied to one woman. Besides, he didn’t believe any woman was worthy of being his wife.
Old Tang, being shrewd, saw through Yan Guishan’s thoughts.
“Take a look at this,” Old Tang said, handing his phone to Yan Guishan after opening the photo album.
Yan Guishan, unsure of Old Tang’s intention, took the phone and glanced at the screen. There, he saw a stunningly beautiful woman with a cold and elegant demeanor.
His heart seemed to skip a beat, and he instinctively swiped through the album, viewing more photos of the woman. There were about a hundred photos, and he went through them ten times.
Old Tang smiled silently. With a granddaughter as outstanding as his, it would be surprising if Yan Guishan wasn’t moved.
“Who is this…?” Yan Guishan finally asked, a bit excited.
He has traveled to many places and seen many beautiful women, but none have ever moved him like this.
“My granddaughter, Tang Bingyun,” Old Tang replied with a smile.
“May I ask, how many granddaughters do you have?” Yan Guishan recalled that his father mentioned the engagement was with Old Tang’s granddaughter.
“Just one.”
Hearing this, Yan Guishan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling secretly thrilled.
“My son and daughter-in-law passed away in a car accident years ago, leaving behind two sons and a daughter. Bingyun’s two brothers lack the talent and virtue to manage the business. I don’t want my hard-earned business to be ruined by them, so I plan to pass it to my capable granddaughter, Bingyun, hoping she can carry on the Tang legacy.”
Old Tang’s face, marked by the passage of time, showed a hint of sorrow. “However, I’m worried about burdening Bingyun with such a heavy responsibility. Her two spoiled brothers might resent my decision and harm her, and our competitors are always watching for our mistakes.”
Yan Guishan nodded slowly, understanding Old Tang’s concerns, and solemnly promised, “Old Tang, rest assured, as long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone harm Bingyun or bully her.”
“With your promise, I can be at ease,” Old Tang said with a comforting smile.
Part of the reason for arranging the marriage was a promise to an old friend, but he also wanted to find a reliable support for Tang Bingyun. He knew about Yan Guishan’s reputation abroad. With the Blood Prison Wolf King’s personal assurance, he could be completely at ease.
“Old Tang, what does Bingyun think about this?” Yan Guishan suddenly remembered another crucial aspect of the marriage.
“She doesn’t know about it yet,” Old Tang replied.
“She doesn’t know?!” Yan Guishan was startled, feeling a bit worried. In this era of free marriage, a modern woman would likely be strongly opposed to an arranged marriage by her elders. What if Tang Bingyun refused to agree?
“Don’t worry, even if Bingyun is unhappy about the marriage, I have ways to make her agree,” Old Tang said, his face wrinkling into a sly smile.
The sound of high heels clicking on the ground approached.
Yan Guishan, with his keen hearing, instinctively looked in the direction of the sound. A tall, long-legged beauty was walking towards them. Her face was cold and indifferent, making her seem unapproachable.
Yan Guishan immediately recognized her as the woman from the photos. Seeing her in person, she was even more beautiful than in the pictures, especially with that cold and aloof aura. From his years of experience, Yan Guishan knew such women were hard to pursue. But that only made it more challenging and exciting.
Tang Bingyun entered the pavilion, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar man. His scrutinizing look made her uncomfortable. Ignoring him, she addressed Old Tang, “Grandfather, why did you call me here?”
“I wanted to introduce you to someone,” Old Tang gestured towards Yan Guishan.
“Miss Tang Bingyun, hello, I’m Yan Guishan,” he said, standing up and extending his hand in greeting.
Tang Bingyun glanced at him briefly but didn’t respond. Yan Guishan’s hand hung awkwardly in the air, but he shrugged it off and naturally withdrew it.
“Grandfather, the company is busy. I don’t have time to meet unimportant people,” Tang Bingyun said.
“He’s not unimportant; he’s your… future husband,” Old Tang stated.
“What?!” Tang Bingyun thought she misheard.
“It’s an agreement I made with an old friend years ago,” Old Tang explained.
“Grandfather, this is the modern age. Such outdated practices are laughable. I’ll arrange my own marriage; you don’t need to worry,” Tang Bingyun said, finding it amusing.
“I’ve already decided. You’ll marry him whether you want to or not,” Old Tang said sternly.
Tang Bingyun was taken aback. She had never seen her grandfather so angry before. From childhood, he had never lost his temper with her.
“Grandfather, I can agree to anything else, but not this!” Tang Bingyun said firmly.
“Say that again?!” Old Tang, supporting himself with a cane, stood up from the stone bench, his voice filled with anger.
“I’m not marrying him. If you like him so much, you marry him,” Tang Bingyun retorted, turning to leave, unwilling to waste more time.
“You… you…” Old Tang’s face turned red, and he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground.
“Grandfather?! Grandfather!” Tang Bingyun turned back, horrified.