บท 31: Excruciating realities of being in love
Tang Wei Sheng woke up from his sleep due to the continuous ringing of his cell phone. Last night, he went partying with Ye Wu Fan and came back late at night.
With a throbbing head, Tang Wei Sheng reached out for his cell phone and checked.
There were 30 missed calls from Yang Xiong.
"Why is he calling me early in the morning?" Tang Wei Sheng who was still in slumber dialled his assistant's number.
"Young master, thank god, you finally took the call. I'm right outside your condo. I'm coming inside." Yang Xiong said it in a breath and ended the phone call.
"Okay."
Since Yang Xiong already at his door step, Tang Wei Sheng rose from his bed and walked towards the washroom.
When he came back after a shower and dressed up for the office, he saw the breakfast has been already served.
"What happened?" Tang Wei Sheng asked his assistant while fixing his cufflinks.
"Boss, please have your breakfast." Yang Xiong looked at his boss with perturbed eyes. There was no trace of worry to be found on his face as Tang Wei Sheng sat across the table and tasted the congee served for him.
"What happened assistant Yang?" Tang Wei Sheng asked when he felt Yang Xiong's eyes on him.
"There was a tabloid news yesterday, about you and Miss Ning."
"Hmm." Tang Wei Sheng hummed and continued to have his breakfast.
Yang Xiong hesitated for a moment when he saw his boss's non-chalant reply. "They even uploaded a photo."
"And,"
"I asked the PR team to take necessary actions, but things are turning messy minute by minute." Yang Xiong reported when he realised that Tang Wei Sheng is surprisingly calm about the rumours.
"People are saying that both of you are dating; they are even uploading several proofs."
"Proof? what is there to present as proof?" Tang Wei Sheng was curious. Well, since he is from an elite family, he might have attended a few parties were Ning Jing was also a guest or crossed paths with her. But he never had a proper conversation with her.
Then what are these so-called proofs?
"Both, you and Miss Ning went to the same university and both of you have several mutual friends. So," Yang Xiong stopped for a moment.
"These scandals are part of celebrity life, Assistant Yang. We don't have to worry about that," Tang Wei Sheng tried to mollify Yang Xiong's anxiety.
"But it is not as simple as it seems." Yang Xiong fixed his glasses as he firmly objected.
"The meeting between Miss Ning and you was something like an arranged matchmaking date for you two."
"What?" Tang Wei Sheng had a sudden change of expression.
"How come it is a matchmaking date? All we spoke was about the lost kingdom."
"Both of your families know each other for a while and they intended for an alliance." Yang Xiong shared whatever little information he had about the same.
"What the hell?" The sudden emergence of anger was very much evident on Tang Wei Sheng's face as he spoke. He clearly disliked matchmaking.
"Who did it?"
"Wei Sheng!" Yang Xiong called his boss's first name in an anxious tone when he noticed the change. It always helped Tang Wei Sheng to keep his anger in check.
"Who arranged the meeting?" Tang Wei Sheng placed the spoon into the bowl with a loud clanging sound.
"It was the Chairman who arranged the meeting."
"Grandpa!" He uttered in dismay and wiped his mouth with a tissue.
"Get my car ready." Tang Wei Sheng ordered and got up from the dining table.
Yang Xiong looked at him for a moment with concern before taking the car keys.
While waiting at the entrance of the Condominium, Yang Xiong messaged the Chief manager in the office to notify the upcoming terror.
"Boss is having a bad day, please make sure to avoid making any mistakes."
Just as he finished texting, Tang Wei Sheng with a brooding face approached the car.
"Let me drive,"
Yang Xiong immediately moved towards the passenger seat and let him drive.
Within seconds, Tang Wei Sheng started the car and accelerated it into maximum.
While they were on the road, Yang Xiong was getting worried. Tang Wei Sheng rarely gets angry, but if he crosses the final barrier of anger management- then it is over. No one can predict the outcomes.
"Wei Sheng," Yang Xiong tried to explain, "what if it was a lunch date? It was just a"
He abruptly stopped when he came across with Tang Wei Sheng's murderous glare.
Yang Xiong gulped the words he was about to say.
Okay, Things are about to get ugly.
Tang Wei Sheng indeed appeared cheerful always, but the moment his vulnerable self is provoked, he will change into an enraged beast.
However, Yang Xiong understood the situation and remained quiet without provoking his boss.
What if Li Juan sees the news?
As soon as the thought popped out, Tang Wei Sheng applied the brakes and his car abruptly stopped with a screech sound.
He took his mobile and tried to call Li Juan only to hear that her number was still unavailable.
Li Juan went to a village which is far away from the Jing city and internet or phone networks are still not good in those distant villages.
So the chances of Li Juan seeing the rumours are comparatively less. He can manage to get rid of these scandals before she returns to Jing city.
Tang Wei Sheng took a deep breath and drove his car to the Tang mansion.
The situation over the mansion was nothing different than what he has expected.
Tang Yi was waiting for the arrival of his son, who brought shame upon his family.
"Do you have any idea about what you've done?" Tang Yi asked Tang Wei Sheng as soon as he entered into the mansion.
"Honey, what are you doing? He just came home, let him sit down." Wang Fang tried to mediate between her husband and son.
However Tang Yi ignored his wife's words and confronted his son. "Wei Sheng, are you dating that girl from Ning family?"
"It was just an official meeting. I don't even know her."
"But that news," Wang Fang tried to remind him about the news appeared on the internet.
"Do you believe my words or some faceless people typing on the internet?"
Tang Wei Sheng was a little bit annoyed by his parent's reactions and retorted harshly. " Even if you do, I don't care about others' opinion."
"You may not care about it, but the investors and the board members are not blind. Do you think they will brush it off as a rumour?" Tang Yi's facial muscles tightened as he tried to control his anger. Though his son was a trouble maker, he never heard a rumor about Tang Wei Sheng that got out of his hands. The news about a corporate heir dating an actress was nothing new, but Tang Yi absolutely hated the idea of his son getting associated with anyone from entertainment industry, due to his pride as a royal descendant.
"I have a PR team." Tang Wei Sheng refuted as if he is not worried about the consequences.
"Of course, you have a PR Team, you can take down the tabloids circulated on the internet. What about the people?"
"Are you concerned about the board members or your son?" Tang Wei Sheng asked with a sneer. He couldn't believe that his father was concerned about what others might think rather than trusting his own son.
"Wei Sheng, we believe you. Yes, you don't care about these scandals, but what about that girl? How it is going to affect her life? Have you thought about it?" Wang Fang tried to point out the aftermath of the scandal.
The people who circulate rumours about others never cared about its effect and trauma it leaves on the victims.
Have we ever thought about the baseless rumours and relationship scandals of celebrities and how it affected their future life?
"Chairman Ning called earlier to discuss about his granddaughter." Wang Fang informed calmly and looked at her husband to reveal the details of the conversation.
"They are interested in an alliance." Tang Yi said, halfheartedly.
"I'm not interested." Tang Wei Sheng replied nonchalantly. "Also, I don't like her."
"What?" Tang Yi and Wang Fang was equally surprised when they heard his reply. They really thought that Tang Wei Sheng might be interested in Ning Jing, even if he don't have any plans to marry her.
"Excuse me, master." A maid apologized and entered the living room. "Sorry to interrupt, the eldest master is asking for the young master."
Tang Wei Sheng stood up from his seat without a word and walked towards his grandpa's room, leaving his parents clueless.
Tang Fei was in the study room looking through some old books when his grandson came over for a conversation. Looking at his grandpa busy reading, Tang Wei Sheng stood near the large bookshelf without uttering a single word.
After a minute Tang Fei closed the book which he has been reading and signalled Tang Wei Sheng to sit.
As soon Tang Wei Sheng sat across the large teak office table, Tang Fei scrutinized his grandson for a moment. However, there was no initiative to start the conversation from him, so Tang Fei began to break the icy silence.
"I guess you have something to tell me."
"Grandpa, you are the only person who is aware of the fact that I met Ning Jing to collect some information regarding the research. Apart from that there is nothing going between us and I don't even remember meeting her before." Tang Wei Sheng justified his part in a single stretch and looked at his grandpa's eyes directly.
"And what is the alliance which dad is talking about?"
"It is true that Chairman Ning is interested in making you as their son-in-law. His grand daughter does seem like a nice girl and a good choice for you." Tang Fei shared his opinion, only to receive a rejection as a reply.
"Grandpa, I'm not interested in this alliance." Tang Wei Sheng took a deep breath and dropped the bomb. "I have someone whom I like."
"Who?" Tang Fei was calm and collected as if he has already expected this reply. He was well aware of the reason why his grandson never showed any interest in dating or agreeing to an arranged marriage. "Is it that girl from your school?"
"Hmm, I want to marry her." Tang Wei Sheng didn't hide his intentions to marry Li Juan from
Tang Fei. He knew that it was time to make a decision in his matrimonial life.
"Do you think your dad is going to agree with this?" Tang Fei looked at the determined man sitting across him.
"No." His answer was short and clear.
"Then, what are you planning to do?"
Tang Wei Sheng was silent for a moment upon hearing the question.He knew that it won't be easy to convince his family when it comes to Li Juan, especially his father.
"Wei Sheng, it is okay to have a crush on someone. But when it comes to marriage and other matters you must think twice before making a decision. As the young master of Tang Corporation, your decisions affect the whole family and the corporation you run." Tang Fei reminded when he sensed doubt on his grandson's face.
"None of us stopped you from having a girlfriend. But you should know that your girlfriend must be qualified enough to become the daughter in law of this household." Tang Fei sternly stated while taking Tang Wei Sheng's silence as an advantage.
"And Miss Ning is the best candidate for that."
"But I love Li Juan, grandpa. And I can never think of marrying anyone else than her." Tang Wei Sheng was thorough about what he want. He already made his mind.
"Why I should be bothered about the status and qualifications of my girlfriend? I love her despite our differences and she does it too."
"Wei Sheng, remember, you might be the young master of Tang family, but you are not the only one who wishes to sit in that CEO position." Tang Fei prompted a reality check.
"Clinging on to a girl with no name will strip you down from your current position in the corporation.
In this society, a man without none's support is considered weak. Even if you are a king, you need powerful allies to continue your reign."
Tang Wei Sheng was aware of the consequences of choosing Li Juan as his partner. Yet, he was willing to give it a try. So he calmly listened to his grandfather.
"Forget Tang corporation's shares and your position. Forget everything about you. Do you think that your decision will seem fair to that girl?" Tang Fei waited for a moment before cajoling the man who stood beside him.
"You may think that you are providing a better life for a poor, orphan girl. But try to think from her perspective. Do you think that people are going to treat her nicely just because you married her?
Do you think that she will be respected equally in our circle? Have you ever heard of a term called a gold digger?"
"Grandpa!" Tang Wei Sheng stopped his grandfather with a displeased voice.
He doesn't want anyone to call Li Juan a gold digger. He can't even think about her getting humiliated. Li Juan already mentioned that she is afraid of people treating her as a gold-digger.
"Think about it, Wei Sheng. Even if she becomes daughter- in- law of Tang family, is she ever become immune to others' scrutiny and criticisms? Why do you want to ruin a poor girl's happiness?"
Tang Fei's questions pushed Tang Wei Sheng into the pit of excruciating realities of being in love.
He clearly remembered Li Juan's words.
She said that all she wants is a peaceful life and doesn't want to create chaos in anyone's family.
"Can you keep her happy and content forever?" Tang Fei asked as he approached Tang Wei Sheng who remained speechless.
"Grandpa is proud that my Sheng is different from other men who trifle with feelings of women." Tang Fei looked at his grandson with love and compassion as he spoke.
"Apart from that issue in school, you have never created a problem for us or ruined our family's name. You always have been a good kid.
Grandpa doesn't want to hear anyone saying that my sheng made a mistake."
Tang Fei studied his grandson who was lost in thoughts, and grabbed his hands.
"But as you said, it is your life and the final decision will be yours.So choose wisely." Tang Fei concluded his words.
"And I urge you to meet Miss Ning and clear the misunderstandings. As for the marriage proposal, let me talk to your father."
"Hmm." Tang Wei Sheng bowed a little and walked out of the room.
Meanwhile, Tang Yi was still in the living room without any worries. He was sure that his father would easily deal with his hot-headed son.
"Grandpa wants to talk to you, dad." Tang Wei Sheng informed as soon as he reached the living room.
Tang Yi avoided his son and walked towards the study room.
"What did he say, father? Is he still after that girl?" Tang Yi could assume Tang Wei Sheng's response when he saw his father with a worried look on his face.
"He is way more adamant than we expected him to be." Tang Fei let out a sigh and lit up his smoking pipe, "Is she that remarkable?"
"I don't know why he is going after that girl again and again. I thought he was a changed man after returning from abroad. But, damn it, he never forgot that sly girl." Tang Yi sounded furious as he snarled.
"We should have finished her seven years ago."
"Anyway, she is gone now. Did you recieve any information about her?" Tang Fei tried to cool his son's temperament.
"No, they couldn't find her dead body. She fell into the river when there was a heavy flow. It is impossible to survive the river flow especially when it's cold."
Tang Yi shared the details about Li Juan's missing from Xi city.
"Don't believe anything unless you see her dead body with your own eyes." Tang Fei sniggered.
"That girl got weird luck of escaping from death.
She survived every attempt of ours to break them apart and still loves Wei Sheng.
Let's wait for the confirmation from Red Dragon and we will decide further. "
"Hmm, Wei Sheng is unaware of her missing. He thinks that she is with her neighbours family, celebrating the new year." Tang Yi's words were vicious.
"We must act accordingly. Keeping Ning family at our bay is the best thing we can do." Tang Fei reminded his son.
"Don't let the opportunity to slip from your hands."
"Yes, father, I will take care of it." Tang Yi assured him.
__________________
At the same time, Tang Wei Sheng was in his car, deeply lost in thoughts.
"Young master, are you alright?" Yang Xiong looked at Tang Wei Sheng's anxious face. It was rare to find his boss so worried. For the last three weeks, there have been several changes in Tang Wei Sheng.
His mood swings were getting more obvious and frequent.
"Assistant Yang, schedule a meeting with Ning Jing." Tang Wei Sheng suddenly ordered.
"Yes, boss."
"Did they take down the articles from social networking sites?"
"Yes, boss. Are you alright?" Yang Xiong couldn't help but not to ask.
"I'm planning to move in with Li Juan." Tang Wei Sheng sounded determined.
"What!" Yang Xiong was left dumbfounded when he heard his boss's words.
"We already discussed about it. Once she returns to Jing city, she will stay with me at the sky castle."
Tang Wei Sheng has decided it.
He cannot afford to lose her once again.
Tang mansion's doors will be closed for Li Juan, an orphan girl.
But the doors will be, must be opened for Li Juan, who bears Tang Wei Sheng's child.
Is there anyone who is stone-hearted enough to reject a child born in their own bloodline?
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง 
Monsoon_Mangoes
Monsoon_Mangoes Okay this chapter is complicated,
I know it is a complex issue to discuss, but share your comments on Love marriages.
Apart from the death threats and accidents, This chapter is low-key inspired from few of my friends who married against their parent's wishes.
All of them are happily married and even though their parents were hesitant to agree with their children's decisions, now they've accepted them and shows an undying love for their grandchildren.
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