```
Although the autumn day was cool, the sun shining down still brought some warmth.
Jiang Jinsang leaned back in his chair, a light gray thin blanket over his knees, holding a copy of "Draft History of Qing" in his hands. Some members of the Jiang Family crouched in the sunshine, while two others were watering the flowers with small pink spray bottles.
His phone vibrated, and he glanced at the caller ID.
An unfamiliar number from Beijing.
He usually didn't answer unfamiliar calls like this, but when it rang a third time, he frowned and picked up, yet before he could speak, the person on the other end began yelling.
"Jiang Xiaowu, what the hell did you and your brother say! When did I ever bother you? You've been in Pingjiang for so long, and I only called you once, and then you blocked me. Now you have the nerve to slander me..."
The person on the other end ranted on, realizing there was no response, and then checked their device again.
Dammit—
Hung up again!
When he called back, the response was, "The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable..."
"Jiang Jinsang, if you have the guts, don't ever come back to Beijing."
"You really create more trouble every day with your nonsense."
His assistant stood by the side, unmoved by his boss's tirade.
After all, if Xiaowu didn't provoke him every ten days or so, he would come to him anyway. Therefore, his boss's frequent tantrums were as regular as a woman's period.
If it weren't for the psychological checks each year that he passed without issue, he'd worry that his boss might have some masochistic tendencies.
The voice on the other end was so loud that just by hearing a few words, the Jiang Family knew who it was. Watching Jiang Jinsang hang up and blacklist the number, seeming still uneasy, he simply turned off the phone...
The whole operation was so practiced, and he finally commented, "Really noisy."
Jiang Family: "..."
*
At about ten in the morning, Jiang Jinsang was originally leaning back in a chair under the porch, resting his eyes, when he was suddenly awakened by noisy voices. He lifted his eyelids.
A member of the Jiang Family bent down and whispered, "Old Tang went for a walk and brought back some friends."
Although they were all elderly gentlemen, they had vigor and loud voices.
Jiang Jinsang nodded in silence and, after some time, heard that Zhang Liyun had also come. He remained lying down until he was told that Tang Wan had returned home, at which point his eyelids fluttered.
A few minutes later, he got up, "Since Madam Tang is here, I should go greet her."
The Jiang Family wasn't foolish and likely understood what he was thinking.
As soon as he reached the front hall, Old Tang saw him, "Xiaowu is here, come and sit."
The old man said, pulling him to sit, and then introduced some of his friends, all grandpa-aged, regular visitors to the small park nearby for walks and bird-watching. After greeting each one, Jiang Jinsang chatted with them.
Tang Wan was making tea on the side. She thought Jiang Jinsang might not like the commotion or might not be good at socializing, but to her surprise, he got along well.
Jiang Jinsang was proud and free-spirited, pleasing to the eye in appearance, and smart too. If he wanted to win people's favor, it wasn't difficult.
After a few minutes, Old Tang was called aside by Zhang Liyun.
Tang Mo was still in the hospital, and she needed to deliver lunch and wouldn't stay at the old house. She came over knowing that Jiang Jinsang had gone to the hospital yesterday. Though frustrated by Tang Mo being hit, it was honestly her fault.
"...It was Momo's fault, causing misunderstandings. I haven't had a chance to apologize to Lord Wu yet, didn't expect he'd come to the hospital. I wasn't there at the time and didn't see him, so I bought some things today to express apologies."
Old Tang squinted and listened. This matter was a family disgrace, and since many outsiders were visiting today, Zhang Liyun couldn't easily broach the topic.
"I'm about to head back to the hospital and wanted to bother you to convey my apologies, and after Momo is discharged, I'll bring her to apologize properly." Zhang Liyun was very prudent.
She knew the incident that night had completely offended Jiang Jinsang, but she couldn't afford to fall out with him. Regardless of the situation, she took all the responsibility on herself.
Old Tang listened and, in the end, said only, "You should apologize to him in person. I can't do it for you."
What Tang Mo did was too disgraceful. He still felt ashamed when thinking about it now and couldn't bring himself to say anything.
"Also, if she's sincere, she should come by herself after discharge. She's an adult, and as her mother, you can't do everything for her."
Zhang Liyun's suggestion was rejected, and her face alternated between green and white.
Old Tang glanced at her, "If you have time to dress up, why not spend more time educating your child?"
Zhang Liyun was at a loss for words, her perfectly made-up face almost collapsing.
*
A few older gentlemen and Jiang Jinsang were crowded around playing xiangqi, the battlefield clearly divided, completely unaware of the tension brewing on the other side.
Tang Wan brought tea over and saw the fierce battle, with Jiang Jinsang unexpectedly losing in the end.
"Old Wang, you won." Jiang Jinsang didn't get angry.
"I just barely won. I know you let me off."
"I indeed gave you a few moves, after all, you're older, and I thought I had a guaranteed win. I didn't expect your skills to be so good; that was my arrogance."
Even if it was a compliment, it was pleasing to hear.
Indeed, a few old men were all smiles upon hearing this.
Tang Wan raised her eyebrows. People always said Jiang Xiaowu was as clever as a demon; no one mentioned his silver tongue before, making him too likable.
"Lord Wu, your tea." While the older gentlemen liked Maofeng, she specifically prepared black tea for Jiang Jinsang.
"Wanwan, didn't you sleep well last night? Your dark circles are quite heavy. Staying up late is not good," remarked one old gentleman, quite familiar with Tang Wan, speaking frankly.
"No," Tang Wan replied sheepishly, smiling.
...
When chatting, elders often revolve around certain topics and inevitably talk about children, so soon someone said, "Wanwan, do you remember my grandson? The one who went abroad, he'll be back in a few days..."
Most people didn't know about the entanglements between the Tang Family and the Jiang Family. The elderly weren't that gossipy, and since this matter hadn't been made public, Old Tang wanted to bring about a match without broadcasting it.
Mutual affection is most important; otherwise, creating a public scandal would make it seem like the Tang Family was forcing a marriage.
So when talking about the grandson returning, they didn't go into details, yet everyone understood, probably here to introduce a partner.
Tang Wan just gave a wry smile, "Is that so? No wonder you seem in better spirits today; it turns out your grandson is coming back."
She didn't continue the topic.
Instead, Jiang Jinsang took a sip of tea and looked at Tang Wan, "You do have some dark circles, didn't sleep well last night?"
"No, I slept just fine."
"Were you in my room for too long last night?"
...
The old gents drinking tea were dumbfounded, Old Tang only said that he was staying with an acquaintance's grandson, but two young people spending the night together, well...
Members of the Jiang Family were standing on the side, basking in the sun:
Did you have to be so provocative?
Why don't you just marry right here?
Old Tang and Zhang Liyun had just returned and happened to hear this. One had a full auntish grin, while the other was grinding her teeth to dust!
```