Rong Yu's lips lost their color.
She had feared Tang Che wouldn't make it, so she directly revealed her identity.
But she overlooked how Tang Che's emotions couldn't withstand such a shock… She felt a pang of regret.
"Uncle Tang!"
Old Master Ji and several others crowded around him.
"Step back." A voice cut through, "The old master is unwell, which is why he didn’t attend the banquet. What are you all making a fuss for?"
Old Master Ji turned.
Seeing it was Tang Youyi, his expression cooled.
Tang Youyi was the son of Tang Che’s younger brother. Despite Tang Che’s vast fortune, he had no children to inherit it, so Tang Youyi had rallied the Tang family elders to pressure Tang Che into relinquishing control.
Because of this, Old Master Ji held Tang Youyi in contempt.
Naturally, Tang Youyi didn’t think much of Old Master Ji either.
Tang Che was his blood-related uncle, yet he, the nephew, carried less weight in Tang Che’s heart than Ji Shunying. How could that not infuriate him?
If he hadn’t acted decisively back then, leading the elders to seize power,
half of the Tang family’s assets might have been sweet-talked away by Ji Shunying by now…
"Mr. Tang, the old master is simply emotionally overwhelmed. His health isn’t in serious danger," the doctor reported after an examination. "At his age, the priority is rest and maintaining a peaceful state of mind."
Tang Youyi paused, then stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Uncle, many distinguished guests have come to celebrate your birthday. Would you consider making an appearance?"
For years, rumors had circulated that the founder of Tang Group had passed away.
Every time such news surfaced, the company’s stock would plummet.
Now, with his uncle looking surprisingly well, a brief public appearance—captured by the media—would likely silence the death rumors for at least half a year.
"Didn’t you hear the doctor say he needs rest?" Old Master Ji said coldly. "Should a man of Uncle Tang’s age still have to force himself to entertain guests?"
Tang Youyi lifted his gaze. "This is my uncle’s centennial banquet. It’s only proper for him to greet his guests—not mere entertainment."
"Centennial banquet? This is nothing but a networking event you’ve orchestrated to solidify your authority in Tang Group," Old Master Si retorted angrily. "Uncle Tang spoiled you for nothing!"
"You’re an outsider. Who gave you the right to speak here?" Tang Youyi gritted his teeth. "Whether it’s networking or not, everything I do is for the Tang family. Without it, we’d be pushed out of the Four Great Families of Haicheng!"
"Enough."
Tang Che’s voice, stern and commanding, cut through the tension.
Years of authority weighed in that single word, freezing the air around them. The seasoned tycoons immediately fell silent.
He spoke softly, "Rong…"
His tone was even, betraying no emotion.
But only he knew the storm raging inside him.
"Rong Yu," he murmured, "could you help me into my wheelchair and take me outside to enjoy the night?"
Tang Youyi hurried forward. "Uncle, let me—"
"I didn’t ask you." Tang Che’s icy glare silenced him.
Tang Youyi froze, staring in disbelief at Rong Yu. Since when had this unfamiliar girl appeared in the house?
Rong Yu stepped forward and helped Tang Che up.
Age had made walking difficult for him, and he now relied on a wheelchair.
Once seated, he smiled. "Let’s go."
She wheeled him out to the rear garden, where servants scattered at Tang Che’s dismissive wave.
In the vast, elegant courtyard, only the two of them remained—one in the wheelchair, the other on a stone bench beside him, speaking in hushed tones.
It was clear Tang Che was at ease.
And Rong Yu? She treated him without excessive deference, as if chatting casually with an ordinary friend her own age.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
And exclusive—no one else could intrude.
"Old Ji, what’s the deal with this little star you’re a fan of?" Old Master Hai asked, astonished. "Uncle Tang may seem gentle, but he’s notoriously resistant to new faces in his life. This is her first time at the Tang residence, right? How is she already his closest confidant?"
Old Master Si added, "To win over Uncle Tang at such a young age—impressive. No wonder you’re chasing after this starlet, Old Ji."
Old Master Ji grinned. "So? Care to join Rong Yu’s fan club?"
In that short time, Tang Youyi had already ordered a background check on Rong Yu.
An unremarkable eldest daughter of Rong Group, eighteen years old, still in high school. She’d participated in a variety show by Ji's Entertainment but hadn’t debuted yet. How had such an ordinary girl caught his uncle’s eye?
After about twenty minutes, Tang Che grew weary.
Rong Yu smiled. "Take care of yourself, get better. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later—no need to rush tonight."
Tang Che nodded. "I’ll listen to you."
One by one, his friends had passed on, leaving him alone to grapple with loneliness. Often, he thought death might be a release.
Who could’ve guessed that on his hundredth birthday, heaven would grant him such a miracle?
A friend from his youth, still so young—it made him feel decades younger too. Maybe he’d live a little longer, savor what remained of his twilight years…
As Rong Yu wheeled Tang Che back, Tang Youyi immediately took over, bowing. "Uncle, it’s late. Time to rest…"
He guided Tang Che into the bedroom.
Old Master Ji, thoroughly pleased, slung an arm around Rong Yu’s shoulders. "Hungry? Let’s grab a bite in the banquet hall."
Rong Yu’s phone buzzed. A message from her senior: their mentor had arrived in Haicheng for urgent business at the aerospace institute, and she was needed immediately.
Such was the life of a researcher—no regard for the hour, duty called.
"I have to go to the aerospace institute," she said. "I’ll head out now."
She vanished down the corridor in an instant.
Old Master Si scoffed. "The aerospace institute? Haicheng only has the Fourth Aerospace Institute—a national-level classified facility. Does she really have access?"
"Listen to yourself!" Old Master Ji huffed, pulling up a news article on his phone. "Over half a month ago, Rong Yu was invited by the Fourth Aerospace Institute. Is it so strange for her to go again?"
"Wait—" Old Master Hai’s expression shifted. "Rong Yu… of the Rong family? She’s Rong Group’s heiress, isn’t she?"
Old Master Ji hesitated, then reluctantly admitted, "W-well, yes."
"You should’ve said so earlier!" Old Master Hai laughed. "When that girl helped the institute with a major breakthrough, the director—a friend of mine—called me to look after Rong Group. He said Rong Yu’s a certified genius, destined to be fought over by research institutions…"
Old Master Si was stunned. "Really? Why didn’t the director call me to explain this matter?"
Old Master Hai scoffed. "What’s my relationship with the director compared to yours? Of course, he’d favor the closer connection over the distant one..."
Old Master Ji’s lips twitched.
Shouldn’t this be the moment for everyone to marvel at how Rong Yu could be such a genius at such a young age?
Oh well. These two had always had a peculiar way of thinking.
