Chapter 4, Jiangling

Well, not bad, not bad, he's a little handsome guy, ha... just give them the luggage bag, you can get in the car...

Tang Sheng stared blankly at her, forgetting everything, forgetting where he was at that moment, forgetting what year it was in this world... In that moment, his eyes held only her, leaving no room for anything else. The dilapidated alley, the mottled old walls, gradually faded from view as he separated from Tang Jin, slowly receding into the distance. It seemed that only she remained in the world, even the old man beside her became indistinct; she was the sole existence.

The initial contact with Tang Yu was limited to this segment on the road, and Tang Yu did not take the childlike Tang Sheng to heart at all

Alright, you come straight to the front of the station square, my car is parked by the roadside, the license plate is JL65888

At that moment, a pure and beautiful young woman appeared at the gate of the courtyard to the left of Old Tang, causing a sudden disruption in Tang Sheng's mind

The bespectacled man handed the luggage to Tang Sheng and turned to leave. Many people on the street were pointing at Tang Sheng; they did not know him, but they recognized the bespectacled man, who was the dog-headed strategist beside Tang Yu. Because of this, Tang Sheng did not leave a good impression upon his arrival at Lao Tang Alley. His casual attire was quite fashionable, which led the impoverished crowd to perceive him as a wealthy young master.

Turning around, Tang Sheng confidently stepped into the courtyard of Old Master Tang (Tang Yu's father). It was directly opposite the small courtyard of the Tang Jin family. Ha... ? ... What is this called? This is called proximity to the water tower; the Moon Palace fairy is just across the door, she can't escape, absolutely cannot escape

Tang Shengxin said, "This Tang Yu is quite good at pretending, is he afraid that his driver will reveal his identity?" This remark seems to have been well thought out, indicating that his father has given him strict instructions. He is not allowing himself any sense of superiority. Hey, do I still need a sense of superiority now?

The delicate voice, as crisp as that of a yellow oriole, pierced the silence of the moment; for Tang Sheng, this voice had been absent for a century.

In Tang Sheng's memory, Tang Yu was indeed doing quite well in Jiangling. Since his father took office in Jiangling, he has been on the rise even more. Those who have a powerful backing tend to become more assertive, and Tang Yu is no exception. One can tell from his face that he is a very shrewd person

Is that you, Tang Sheng? I am your paternal uncle, Tang Yu. Have you arrived in Jiangling?

Yet it remains so familiar, so real, so endearing, so heart-stirring

After getting into the large Mercedes-Benz, Tang Yu also sat in the back with him. He made a gesture, signaling the bespectacled man and the others to take another vehicle. Behind the large Mercedes-Benz, there was also a business Buick parked, which turned out to be Tang Yu's accompanying vehicle. This ridiculous relative certainly has quite a presence.

The graceful girl resembles a pure and ethereal spring, her clarity stirring the heart. Dressed simply and elegantly, she wears a slightly loose white T-shirt on top and faded grayish jeans below, perfectly outlining the delicate and dynamic figure of a youthful maiden

Tang Jin naturally noticed the dashing and handsome Tang Sheng, who appeared rugged and worldly. However, she did not linger her gaze on his face for long; she merely stared for a second before looking away. Nevertheless, she felt a strange sensation from the bright, misty gaze that Tang Sheng directed at her. The boy's eyes seemed a bit odd; why was he staring at her like that? Who was he? It seemed she had never seen him before. Was he trying to enter Old Master Tang's courtyard?

Aren't there a few good people and books among the relatives of the Tang Yu family? I see them all as bad characters who suck blood and gnaw on bones

Tang Sheng's hand, holding the luggage bag, began to tremble, as the memory of Tang Jin, who had already jumped from the building, stood vividly before him.

Tang Jin, this is the beautiful Jin whom I have been thinking about day and night. At this moment of our encounter, there is a surreal feeling akin to a dream.

The bespectacled man casually took Tang Sheng's luggage, yet he was puzzled, wondering who this young man was. How could it be that the big boss personally came to pick him up? While he was confused, the several bodyguards shared the same thoughts, all scrutinizing Tang Sheng.

The surrounding chatter had already isolated Tang Sheng, and he looked around. The courtyard across the narrow street was indeed the small siheyuan of the Tang family, where an old man with white hair sat at the entrance, glaring at him with a cold gaze. This was her grandfather, Old Man Tang.

After staying at the train station for about 10 minutes, I finally received a call from that ridiculous relative.

By the way, Uncle Tang, keep a close watch on your Jin'er. Don't let her get involved with such young men; it will only lead to trouble

However, Tang Laotou had not the slightest fondness for the brightly dressed young master Tang Sheng.

This captivating glance nearly caused Tang Sheng to swoon, stirring a tempest of emotions within him.

After the car started, it quickly merged into the flow of traffic. On the car, apart from the driver, there were only Tang Sheng and him.

Jin'er, in this day and age, there are countless individuals who appear to be decent but are not. You must be discerning when choosing your friends!

Additionally, Tang Sheng is also aware that the relationship between Tang Yu and his father is quite strained. The father-son relationship is extremely tense, primarily due to the relocation and resettlement issues concerning the demolition of Laotang Alley. It can be said that Tang Yu is currently the most envied representative of the Tang family in Jiangling, and all members of the Tang family are looking up to him.

Just gazing at her, continuing to gaze, Tang Sheng would not feel tired, even if there were a lifetime so long...

Tang Sheng collected his mobile phone and strode towards the station square with his luggage in hand. The traffic on the road was like a sea, and parked by the roadside was a large Mercedes-Benz. A portly man in his fifties stood beside it, with several men behind him. Among them, one man in his thirties wearing glasses had a shrewd expression, suggesting he held some status, while the others clearly appeared to be his subordinates.

Well, I have arrived, and I am at the exit of the train station.

Jiangling City, with a population of one million, was not particularly developed in 2004, after all, it is an inland city

No need to thank me. After all, your father helped me out back in the day. Your coming to study here is not a big deal; I have already made arrangements. You can stay with my father in Lao Tang Alley. The old man has a solitary personality and prefers to live alone, so having you there will be a form of companionship for him

One of the primary objectives of coming to Jiangling is Tang Jin, and she must be placed at the forefront, as her presence is crucial to one's happiness in this lifetime

Brother Sheng... I received a call from your father, and it just so happened that I was passing by to pick you up at the station. Studying in Jiangling is great; it is much better than the remote and impoverished place you come from. Don't let your father down; you must study diligently. If you need anything, just let me know.

Tang Sheng did not take them seriously; these individuals lacked intelligence and merely played the role of assistants following Tang Yu around.

The streets within Laotang Alley are quite old, still paved with uneven hexagonal bricks, which were used in urban streets during the early 1990s. In many areas, the ground has subsided, causing the hexagonal bricks to sink as well. After it rains, the accumulated water forms large puddles.

The hand holding the luggage trembled slightly, and the tears brimming in the eyes were held back from falling. However, just as Tang Jin turned to enter the courtyard opposite, those tears overflowed...! ... Tang Sheng abruptly turned back, his heart filled only with boundless joy, surprise, and ecstasy!

Is that you, Brother Sheng? Ha... I am your paternal cousin, Tang Yu

In an instant, the dilapidated and outdated old Tang Alley, filled with a sense of decay, transformed in Tang Sheng's eyes into a paradise on earth

Today, he returned to this city filled with many regrets, and Tang Sheng felt an indescribable flutter in his heart

Upon stopping the car outside Lao Tang Alley, Tang Yu instructed the bespectacled man to accompany Tang Sheng inside, without even getting out of the vehicle himself

She has not changed at all; she remains the sacred and pure goddess of the innocent girl in her heart.

Wherever Tang Jin is, even if it is a hundred times more dilapidated, it is still paradise for me, simply because she is there

Hello, Uncle Tang, I am Tang Sheng

... ... I don't know what relative Tang Yu is, but he is probably not a good person. Just look at him, all slick and made up.

Tang Sheng made a low-key appearance in this city, which is not much different from the Jiangling in his memories. He lived and studied in Jiangling for two years, and the Jiangling in his memory is the image from the period of 2004 to 2006. After that, he hardly visited Jiangling again

Tang Sheng smiled brightly at them, feeling a surge of indescribable joy in his heart, a joy that was clear yet elusive, simply put, it was joy, immense joy... Tang Jin, I have finally seen you again, it is truly wonderful, it is really too damn wonderful

Who is he? Is he a relative of the Tang Yu family? He doesn't seem like a child from a poor family; his clothing is quite good, and he has a certain charm.

How could Tang Jin not discern the subtle implications in the words of the librarian? Before entering, she turned back and shot a glance at Tang Sheng, as if to say, "I am talking about you, what are you staring at?"

Thank you, Uncle!

Old Tang stood up with the support of his granddaughter, let out a grunt, and then turned to leave, clearly having noticed that Tang Sheng was staring at his granddaughter

It is truly wonderful, truly too good; she is here, so close at hand, within reach, and more real than ever.

Old Tang Alley, I have arrived. Some things must be completely changed. Yes, they must change. This is my 'mission'

Well, Uncle Tang, please take me directly to Lao Tang Alley

Tang Jin, it is Tang Jin

At this moment, Tang Sheng felt an impulse to cry; he held back the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes, fixating his gaze on Tang Jin, unable to look away

In Jiangling and even in Jiangzhong Province, the surname Tang is a prominent one, though it does not entirely represent a single family; it could be said that five hundred years ago, they were one family.

Grandfather, it's time for lunch, let's go back

Passersby occasionally walked through the alley, casting a glance or two at the unfamiliar young man, Tang Sheng. Who is this child

The delicate willow-like eyebrows, the serene almond-shaped eyes, the charming jade-like nose, and the full cherry lips. The fair and translucent cheeks bear no blemish, possessing a natural beauty that requires no embellishment. Her lustrous black hair is styled into a small bun atop her head, presenting a fresh and lovely appearance

Laotang Alley is well-connected, housing dozens of families. Old Mr. Tang lives in the old residence, which is a relatively independent and large siheyuan. The bespectacled man led Tang Sheng to the entrance but did not dare to enter further. "Hey... little brother, you can go in by yourself. Your paternal uncle spoke with the old man on the phone before; he knows about your stay here for study. Just mention it briefly, and he will understand. That's it..."

Out of politeness, Tang Sheng still smiled and nodded slightly at Old Tang, but to his surprise, the old man snorted and turned his head away