Yang Gang with a confused expression, "Of course I have doubts. How can a stunningly handsome guy like me, brimming with masculine charm, have a twin sister? All dragon-phoenix twins I see seem to have androgynous features...um? Dad, you don't mean to say that my twin sister also looks mannish?"
"Cough, cough!" Yang Lin nearly died from Yang Gang's skepticism.
"Yang Gang, let me tell you, my youngest daughter happens to be one of the four most beautiful girls at Haixing University, a total beauty, how could she look like a man!"
Yang Gang enquired thoughtfully, "That's unscientific, it's illogical. I'm so masculine and handsome, it's unreasonable for my twin sister to be feminine and beautiful. Is it a genetic mutation or did they switch the baby back then?"
Yang Lin was nearly driven to breakdown by Yang Gang.
"I can't reason with you anymore, later on, I'll have the maid take you to the room." Yang Lin hesitated a bit, then continued sternly, "Oh, Yang Gang, go and visit the old lady. She dotes on you most...uh..."
Yang Lin suddenly remembered his deceased biological son, and there was a flicker of pain in his eyes.
Since his wife died in a car accident twenty years ago, this would be another loss of a loved one, and this time it followed the old saying 'white haired people bidding farewell to black haired people'. Although his own biological son was somewhat slow, he was still his own flesh and blood; how could he not be in pain?
Although he was in pain, he had to keep it to himself. He couldn't burden the old lady with the news of her most beloved grandson's death. He was afraid the old lady wouldn't be able to handle the blow.
Yang Gang nodded.
Under Yang Lin's guidance, Yang Gang came to a semi-independent small courtyard. From afar, he saw an elderly woman with white hair sitting quietly in the yard, with a middle-aged woman dressed as a maid standing next to her.
As Yang Gang approached, the maid whispered, "Old lady, the young master is back."
The old lady's face brightened up with excitement. She abruptly stood and rushed forward, nearly falling over. This startled Yang Gang, who ran over to support her.
Yang Gang felt a bit uncomfortable. Pretending to be the old lady's grandson to comfort her was indeed well-intentioned, but it was still essentially a deceit.
He attempted to control his emotions, took the old lady's hand, and said, "Grandma, I'm back."
...
On the southeastern side of Hangcheng, nestled in the hills, there was a row of formidable mansions - one of which belonged to the Tong family. At this moment, an exceptionally beautiful lady was yelling in the house, totally forgetting her image, "What?! That idiot Yang Gang voluntarily called off the engagement and even called me the ugliest woman in the world?! I… I… Yang Gang! You better watch out! I… I… I'm so mad!"
That's none other than Tong Jun's only daughter, and Yang Gang's fiancée, Tong Xin.
Tong Xin was the same age as Yang Gang, both twenty years old, extraordinarily graceful, and exceptionally beautiful.
In terms of background, the Tong family is one of the Top Ten Families of Hangcheng, the very epitome of a powerful and influential family.
As for her beauty, she was one of the Four Golden Flowers of Haixing University, an esteemed private institution. Even in the whole of Hangcheng and among the Four Golden Flowers, she was of the top tier.
It was inconceivable to think that such a quintessential beauty who excels in every aspect was called "the ugliest woman in the world, bar none" by Yang Gang, who everyone regarded as an idiot. How was the proud Tong Xin supposed to swallow that?
...
Yang's villa.
Yang Gang waited until evening but still didn't get a chance to meet his rumored twin sister. He was baffled and couldn't help but ask Yang Lin: "Dad, don't tell me I have a bad relationship with this supposed twin sister of mine?"
"Cough, cough." Yang Lin nearly choked on his warm coffee, completely flabbergasted. He thought to himself, "This bastard is indeed clever, hmm, I better be on my guard against him. Otherwise, one day he might sold me, and I end up helping him count the money."
Yang Lin rethought his suspicion, after all, Yang Gang had just avenged him and even profited five million for him in the process. These petty, narrow-minded thoughts were unwarranted.
Clearing his throat, and controlling his emotions, Yang Lin finally said, "Gang, you're right. You two...sigh...are like fire and water, incompatible."
Oh come on, it can't be that exaggerated. Facing my handsome face, is there a woman in this world who would react with hostility?
Narcissist.
"How did that happen?" Yang Gang was curious.
Yang Lin blushed a bit before saying, "I only heard it from Feifei, roughly, I'm not too clear about the details."
Yang Fei, this is the so-called twin sister of Yang Gang.
"Fei Fei has a BFF named Xia Zihan, also one of the 'Four Golden Flowers' from Haixing University. You - oh no, it was my deceased son - who, despite his engagement to Tong Xin, had a long-standing crush on Xia Zihan. The Xia family is ranked first among the Top Ten Families of Hangcheng, their riches and influence are not something our low-ranking Yang family can compete with. Under normal circumstances, it would be a great honor for us if the Xia family accept our marriage proposal, let alone considering my son's intellectual...."
Yang Lin paused, and sighed before continuing, "Even though he knew that Xia Zihan would never like him, my son was stubborn. He would always follow Xia Zihan after classes and even after school. To put it bluntly, his actions were somewhat creepy, like those of a stalker. Feifei detested our son's behavior. She also believes it's impossible for Xia Zihan to fall for an idiot. She regards her twin brother's actions as nothing more than harassment. The two of them often quarrel about this."
Yang Lin took a sip of his coffee then continued, "This is more or less what happened. When she heard you were coming back tonight, she went to stay at Xia Zihan's house. You'll get used to it. It happens quite often."
Finally, Yang Gang got the full picture, and he truly felt sympathy for the old Yang Gang. Why did he insist on pursuing someone out of his league?
"I see." Yang Gang didn't think about it too much, but rather quickly asked, "Oh, by the way, Dad, what is the Yang family's main business?"
Yang Lin's face turned red again.
Yang Gang felt depressed. What's the matter? Why does he seem reluctant to speak?
"Cough, cough, it mainly focuses on mining and entertainment." Yang Lin said.
Being sharp-minded, Yang Gang instantly understood the situation and his face darkened, "Dad, you don't mean coal mines and nightclubs, bars, and KTVs, do you?"
Yang Lin narrowed his eyes at Yang Gang: "What if it is?"
"Nouveau riche with undertones of criminal activities. Dad, can we develop industries of higher taste and class?" Yang Gang asked.
Yang Lin was taken aback, "You think I don't want that? But the business structure of Hangcheng has already been established, each of the Top Ten Families of Hangcheng has its focus industries. All the high-end industries are monopolized by those nine families, leaving no opportunity for our Yang family."
"But our current business structure poses a great risk. The price of coal has been falling in recent years, and many coal mine companies have gone bankrupt. Nightclubs, bars, and KTV are indeed lucrative, but they carry huge risks. Once the state cracks down on these industries for violating laws and regulations, we would be the first to be affected. And in fact, the government has already begun taking actions recently." Yang Gang reasoned.
Yang Lin looked at Yang Gang in astonishment. He was astounded by Yang Gang's clear-headed analysis.
He had to be careful, lest he wasn't vigilant and all of the Yang family's properties ended up in this guy's hands.