Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 662: Chapter 665: Flower and Bird Market

"Enough, enough, enough!" Ning Guangyao could no longer listen, stopping Yang Chen mid-sentence. Breathing heavily, he said, "Don't bring up this topic again. I've said everything I needed to."

Yang Chen sneered, "What, are you trying to kick me out? Don't worry, I never intended to stay and have a meal with you." With that, he prepared to leave.

"Wait! I haven't finished what I wanted to say!" Ning Guangyao quickly called out.

Yang Chen tried to calm his emotions and said, "Say what you have to say quickly. Every second I spend with you feels unbearable."

"You..." Ning Guangyao had never seen anyone so dismissive of him, but he held back his anger and said, "Since that's the case, I'll keep it short.

"As far as I know, you have a good relationship with Tang Zhechen from the Tang family, and his granddaughter Tang Wan also seems to have an unusual relationship with you. And Li Dun from the Li family is also quite close to you. Is that correct?"

Yang Chen snorted, "Since you've investigated thoroughly, why bother asking? Given that the Ning family is the most powerful of the four great families, I never doubted you would know everything about me."

"From what I understand, Old Man Yang is very fond of you. Compared to your brother Yang Lie, even though you seem carefree, your past achievements and your strength make you the most desired successor for the Yang family. And since Old Man Yang has shown his favor, it's only a matter of time before you take over the Yang family's political and military power."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Yang Chen asked coldly.

Ning Guangyao forced a smile, "Currently, the only family with a poor relationship with you is ours, because of Guodong. But I hope you can put aside personal grudges and consider the bigger picture. If you do become the leader of the Yang family and remain at odds with the Ning family, it would be detrimental to Yanxia.

"You may not fully understand the Yang family yet, but let me give you some insight. In Yanxia's military, although the Yang family officially controls only the Huinan Defense Zone led by Yang Pojun, in reality, about half of the military generals are loyal to the Yang family, a legacy of your great-grandfather, General Yang Ye. His influence still persists, making Old Man Yang's position crucial.

"These are matters for the future, and if you don't want conflict, just control your son," Yang Chen replied dismissively.

"I will certainly restrain Guodong," Ning Guangyao said solemnly, "I just hope that, for Ruoxi's sake, and considering our potential relationship as in-laws, you won't treat the Ning family as an enemy. You must understand the principle of 'when the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits.' Li and Tang families are not as simple as they appear."

Yang Chen suddenly burst into laughter, doubling over as if he would choke.

Ning Guangyao frowned, "What's so funny? Are my words laughable?"

"Laughable?" Yang Chen controlled his laughter, "Absolutely ridiculous!"

Ning Guangyao was confused, "What do you mean?"

"You've been adamantly refusing to meet my wife, giving all sorts of laughable reasons to avoid seeing your own daughter. Now, you're using your relationship with Ruoxi to try to persuade me! Haha, Premier Ning, you really know how to use every advantage to the fullest.

"Since you can use your connection with Ruoxi to make me do things, why not go all out? Should I have my men eliminate all your political enemies? Or perhaps you'd like me to assassinate the President of Sam Country for you? How about that, my dear father-in-law?"

Ning Guangyao shouted angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about! Everything I do is for the harmony of our families and the stability of Yanxia!"

"I couldn't care less about the nation or the world! I'm just an ordinary man, a woman's husband! I want my wife to be happy and not be hurt by a heartless father! I want her to live and work happily! As for the rest, count me out!"

Ning Guangyao was trembling with anger, pointing at Yang Chen, unable to speak.

Yang Chen walked a few steps towards the door, then suddenly stopped and turned back, "Premier Ning, I've never considered myself a good man. I'm lustful, lazy, lack ambition, and often flirt with women. Ruoxi always complains about me, wishing I could love her wholeheartedly. I know all this, and I feel guilty, so I try to please her. But as terrible as I am, today I realize that compared to you, I'm quite noble. Compared to my late mother-in-law, Ruoxi's mother, Ruoxi is incredibly fortunate. At least I've never thought of abandoning anyone I love. No matter the circumstances, I take responsibility for the women I love and who love me. And I have to tell you, I'm glad I didn't bring Ruoxi to see you because you don't deserve to be her father!"

"Get out! Get out of here!" Ning Guangyao finally roared.

Yang Chen looked at Ning Guangyao with pity, shook his head with a sneer, and walked out.

Outside the rural restaurant, Yang Chen looked up at the gray sky and the pale sunlight, muttering to himself, "Ruoxi, my dear, if not for you, I would have killed these bastards."

He took a deep breath of the relatively fresh air, calmed the anger in his chest, and then drove away.

It was already past lunchtime, but Yang Chen wasn't planning on skipping lunch. So, he gave Tang Wan a call.

"You heartless man, with a young policewoman by your side, how do you still have time to call me?" Tang Wan's tone was full of jealousy.

Yang Chen chuckled, "I'm calling to invite you to lunch. How about I come and pick you up?"

Tang Wan hummed, "Look at the time, I've already had lunch with Tang Tang. We're on our way to visit some uncles and aunts, so I can't join you. Plus, I'll be returning to Zhonghai in a few days and I'm quite busy. Why don't you ask Cai Yan?"

Yang Chen sighed, feeling a bit disappointed. Having Tang Wan, a mature woman, around when he wasn't feeling great usually helped a lot.

Sensing Yang Chen's bad mood, Tang Wan apologized, "I'll make it up to you next time, okay? I really can't make it now. How about dinner tonight?"

"No need, I'm not a child," Yang Chen replied with a smile, telling the mother and daughter not to overwork themselves, then hung up the phone.

Thinking that it was indeed an odd time for lunch, Yang Chen still decided to call Cai Yan. Even if they didn't eat, having her cheerful company would be nice.

When the call connected, it sounded quite noisy on Cai Yan's end, but she still managed to shout in her naturally loud voice, "Hey, bad guy! Why are you calling? Don't you know your sister is very busy?!"

Yang Chen felt exasperated. Both were women, but while Tang Wan's jealousy was gentle, Cai Yan's was always so intense.

"I haven't had lunch yet and wanted to ask you and your sister to join me. Have you eaten? And why is it so noisy there?" Yang Chen frowned.

Cai Yan giggled, "Of course not, my sister and I are at the flower and bird market having fun. Why don't you come over? We haven't eaten lunch either and are actually quite hungry after wandering around all morning!"

"Flower and bird market?" Yang Chen felt a cold sweat. These sisters were really something—skipping shopping malls for a flower and bird market!

But it didn't matter to Yang Chen where they went, as long as he had someone to take his mind off the mess with the Ning family. So he followed the GPS to the largest flower and bird market in Yanjing.

After parking the car, he saw Cai Ning and Cai Yan standing at the entrance, smiling. The two sisters were wearing matching Levis T-shirts and denim shorts, one in blue and the other in red, clearly a sister outfit. Both were elegant and eye-catching, with one exuding a serene beauty and the other a vibrant charm, attracting quite a bit of attention.

Yang Chen's mood lifted immediately. He walked over and spread his arms, intending to hug the two women.

But they quickly dodged to either side, and Cai Ning, blushing slightly, said, "Don't do that. So many people are watching."

Yang Chen sighed, thinking that if it were An Xin, she would have jumped into his arms without hesitation. But he couldn't expect every woman to be so enthusiastic. Noticing Cai Yan holding a large birdcage covered with an old cloth, he asked, "What did you buy?"