The backyard of the Tang family residence was very quiet.
However, the incident that had occurred earlier had also reached Tang Che's ears.
Looking at the surveillance footage on his phone, Tang Che's wrinkled face gradually darkened.
"I don't have very high expectations for these younger generations. They don't need to be exceptional, just honest and down-to-earth in their conduct. Yet, even this single requirement, some fail to meet." He closed his eyes. "Although Tang Youyi is mediocre, he is filial. I asked him to invite Lawyer Huang over for a visit, but so many days have passed and Lawyer Huang still hasn't shown up. It seems someone has disturbed Tang Youyi's peace of mind."
The butler bowed his head and asked, "Does the Old Master mean Madam Tang?"
Tang Che remained silent.
After a long while, he spoke, "Notify all the younger members of the Tang family. Tell them I'm inviting everyone to a dinner."
The butler immediately went to carry out the order.
Tang Che made a call to Rong Yu: "Ah Yu, I already know about what happened at the bar tonight. My apologies. It's due to my failure in managing the household that a child of this family could do such a thing..."
"What does that have to do with you?" Rong Yu's voice was gentle. "Nowadays, it's an achievement if you can take good care of yourself. How could you possibly keep tabs on the great-grandchildren of your brother's branch? Besides, it's not your place to manage them."
They chatted for a few more moments before hanging up.
Not long after, the Tang family members had all arrived.
The current younger generation of the Tang family were all children of Tang Youyi. He had three sons. The eldest branch had two sons and two daughters, the second branch had one daughter, and the third branch had one son and two daughters. Including Tang Tang, there were a full eight children in her generation.
Tang Tang hid beside Madam Tang.
Just moments ago, she had been severely scolded by her grandfather—the first time since her birth she had been berated like that.
It was all thanks to that wretched Rong Yu.
And now, the Old Master had suddenly arranged this dinner. For some reason, she had a feeling it was related to the bar incident.
But, surely not.
The Old Master is old, recuperating from illness every day. Would he still have time to concern himself with other matters?
Tang Che sat at the head of the table. His calm, placid gaze slowly swept over to Tang Tang, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Trembling with fear, she stammered, "O-old Master, I, I..."
"No need to explain." Tang Che's voice carried an undeniable authority. "Your character is lacking and has brought shame upon the Tang family. I will arrange for you to be sent abroad. The flight is at six tomorrow morning. Prepare yourself properly."
"What? Abroad? I refuse!" Tang Tang shook her head violently. "Old Master, I know I was wrong, but I was just playing a little joke on Rong Yu. Is it not too unfair to exile me abroad just for a joke?"
Madam Tang stepped forward. "Uncle, when it comes down to it, Xiao Tang is of Tang blood. And Rong Yu, no matter what, is still an outsider."
Tang Che suddenly laughed.
"Tang Tang merely bears the Tang surname," he said, his voice icy. "Strictly speaking, what blood relation does she have with me?"
Not to mention that Tang Youyi wasn't his biological son. Even if he were, separated by several generations, the blood tie was thin.
Moreover, from Tang Tang's birth until now, the number of times she had come to visit him could be counted on one hand.
Lacking in character and filial piety—such a descendant was better off discarded.
"Butler, escort her out."
Tang Tang's legs instantly went weak. "Old Master, I was wrong, truly wrong..."
Tang Che remained unmoved.
She knelt on the floor, turned, and clung to Tang Youyi's leg. "Grandfather, I'm your own granddaughter. How could you bear to send me abroad? Please, Grandfather, speak for me..."
"He can hardly ensure his own safety, yet you expect him to speak for you?" Tang Che said softly. "Youyi, since you became the Tang family heir, the Tang family has shown signs of decline. Do you acknowledge this or not?"
Yes, he intended to change the heir.
No matter how difficult the process, this step had to be taken.
Although Tang Youyi was filial, he lacked capability and was easily swayed. He was unable to manage the Tang Corporation properly, and likewise, incapable of governing the large Tang household.
As the saying goes, a great family falls into ruin starting from within, then step by step marches towards its demise.
This incident with Tang Tang had sounded the alarm for him.
"Uncle, I..." Tang Youyi lowered his head, his back bent.
He had already discerned his uncle's meaning from that question.
If this were thirty or forty years ago, he would have been resentful.
But now, he was an old man nearing seventy. With one foot in the grave, he had come to accept his own mediocrity.
If the Tang Corporation were to fail under his watch, he would betray his uncle's expectations, and also the hopes of those clan elders who had supported his ascension to the heir position all those years ago.
"I acknowledge it."
Tang Youyi knelt on the floor.
Everyone present was his descendant. They were all utterly stunned and hurriedly knelt down after him.
Madam Tang panicked. "Uncle, he is your only living nephew. If not him, then who will you give the inheritance to? Surely not an outsider?"
"I will select a suitable person from among these younger Tang generations to inherit the family," Tang Che said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "All of you, rise. Take your seats. Let's dine."
These words set the minds of all the younger descendants present racing.
Only then did Madam Tang breathe a sigh of relief.
These descendants were all her children. Anyone chosen would be fine.
Once the table of blood relatives was seated, harmony was absent. Each harbored hidden agendas, their conversation a back-and-forth of veiled barbs and schemes.
Some busied themselves trying to curry favor with Tang Che.
Some busied themselves setting traps for their own siblings.
Some busied themselves lodging complaints...
It was quite the lively scene.
Once the meal concluded, Tang Che looked weary. "I need to rest. Everyone may disperse."
Of the eight descendants, Tang Tang had been sent away, leaving seven. The eldest was in his forties, the youngest nearly twenty.
Sitting in his wheelchair, he turned his head and asked the butler, "Who do you think is more suitable?"
"It's not my place to comment on the Young Master's private affairs, but I am aware they are not entirely clean. Such a person is not fit to lead the Tang family. As for the Second Young Master, he is a dissolute playboy, a wastrel..." The butler struggled to comment on the Tang family members. "The Eldest Young Lady, after marriage, is worn out dealing with her in-laws; her talents are consumed in familial strife..."
After a long list, he concluded, "Only the Third Young Lady seems somewhat decent. It's just a pity she's a girl."
Tang Che nodded. He held the same view.
But what of being a girl? Why couldn't she become the heir?
"Inform Tang Youyi. Have him take Tang Jin under his wing to learn more." He paused, then added, "On second thought, take all the younger descendants. To avoid Tang Jin becoming too prominent a target."
Tang Jin had lost her father young and was raised by her mother. Her presence in the Tang family was faint, and she wasn't highly regarded by her grandfather, Tang Youyi. She must not be secretly undermined by her other siblings.
He looked at the evening glow on the horizon and sighed.
At a hundred years old, still having to worry about such mundane matters—was it because his first half of life had been too smooth?
