historical

Chapter 14 - Drunk Off Beer Braised Duck

One couldn’t assume Professor Tang was the quiet, unassuming man he looked like. He was very open-minded at critical moments.

Sun Zinan was shocked by his answer, and asked seriously, “I thought you highly educated bunch...aren’t used to interacting with a crowd of strangers?”

Tang Kai didn’t mind this question. “It’s your family, not strangers.”

Sun Zinan, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you...just because they’re my family doesn’t mean they’ll be friendly.”

Tang Kai waved his hand. “Don’t worry, worst case scenario I’ll just give them a lecture on how genetics research can help them achieve a long life. Let me tell you, there’s no entrepreneur out there who wouldn’t like learning about that, it’s a sure-fire conquest plan.”

Sun Zinan, “...”

Damn, this guy could get drunk from eating beer braised duck.

He turned away, refusing to listen to Tang Kai’s nonsense anymore.

That evening, the two of them shared the living room and a bowl of cherries. Sun Zinan replied to a few emails and checked the American stock market while Tang Kai randomly picked a documentary to put on in the background as he flipped through an academic article. This was the quiet world of adults, breathing together but not disturbing each other. Due to the presence of an additional person, the big apartment seemed to hold a different sense of liveliness.

At 11 o’clock, the two of them bid each other goodnight, then each went to shower and sleep in their separate rooms. Early the next morning, Sun Zinan entered the kitchen and found a note stuck on the fridge from Tang Kai saying to not worry, he had gone outside to exercise. A feeling of becoming a traveling frog making food welled up inside him as he read the note, and he cooked up an extra large plate of egg fried rice for Tang Kai.

Tang Kai came back at 7 o’clock sharp, his skin covered in a sheen of sweat from his workout. His refined demeanor wasn’t so polished anymore, his hormones on the brink of exploding. Although Sun Zinan didn’t like exercising, it didn’t stop him from appreciating his beautiful figure. He sneakily checked the other out for a moment, then greeted him. “Go shower first then come back for breakfast.”

Even though Tang Kai was on vacation, his lab was still running on schedule. He still had to go to work that day, just not at the usual time. He went and showered, then changed into a shirt and pair of pants. He combed his hair back and put on a pair of rimless glasses, looking like a cold, ascetic intellectual.

The first time Sun Zinan had met him, he had felt that this person was harsh and unyielding, difficult to fend off. Sometimes, he felt like Tang Kai seemed more like a company director than he did. But when he sat down at the table, his image collapsed. “The egg fried rice smells so good.”

Sun Zinan skimmed through the morning news and glanced at him condescendingly as if he were a peasant. “I practice thirty nine times in the winter and prostrate myself three times in the summer. I have stamina.”

Tang Kai replied, “It only takes twenty eight days to establish a habit. It’s not difficult afterwards. If you’re interested you can try.”

“No thanks.” Sun Zinan declined politely, “I’m fine with cultivating my Qi.”

Tang Kai, “&#k2026;Okay.”

If this person had been born in historical times, he would’ve definitely been a good-for-nothing fool.

At seven thirty, the two of them left the house together to go to work. Tang Kai drove Sun Zinan to his company and arranged to pick him up again at night. The next day was the weekend; they could comfortably stay at home the entire day.

No wonder it was said that as long as one ate a good breakfast, their entire day would be free of worries. Despite being stuck in traffic on the Third Ring, Tang Kai remained unnaturally calm, and even took the time to wonder if he was sinking deeper and deeper into this quicksand named ‘Sun Zinan.’

He was self-aware and very clearly understood his own personality. He was alert, withdrawn, but sensitive to feelings. Normally, if circumstances allowed it, Tang Kai preferred to be alone without a single person by his side. But last night, not only had he spent twelve hours in the same room with Sun Zinan with another seven days together promised, but he had also agreed to go to his old father-in-law’s birthday banquet.

Ever since he had reached puberty, he had rarely taken the initiative to do something solely to make someone happy. Maybe Sun Zinan himself was an addicting drug, numbing his soul until he didn’t even know what day it was anymore.

As the traffic slowly inched forward, Tang Kai grasped at the steering wheel and thought to himself, maybe he should consider buying a flat located in between campus and Sun Zinan’s company.

After the weekend passed by, it was Hongsen Group’s chairman Sun Ying’s 77th birthday banquet. The gathering was held at the Sun family’s villa at the banks of Pingjin Lake. Sun Zinan picked up Tang Kai after work that day and the two of them drove over. Sun Zinan didn’t say much on the way. He made the excuse that ‘it’s not good to be distracted while driving,’ but Tang Kai could tell that he wasn’t in a very good mood.

Tang Kai had asked his father about the Sun family’s circumstances before, and knew that Sun Zinan’s relationship with them was only so-so. But he had no idea how so-so it was. In the times the two of them had interacted with each other, Sun Zinan had never taken the initiative to mention it, so Tang Kai hadn’t felt like it was proper to bring it up.

Hongsen Group was one of the biggest businesses in S City. Needless to say, Pingjin Lake was basically their private back garden. The car pulled up into the courtyard and drove unobstructed down the path for five minutes before reaching the main door. Under the deep navy night, the entire villa was lit up, its reflection like a castle on the shore of the lake. The sound of stringed instruments floated from the lobby like a dreamy illusion of luxury and beauty.

“If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought a king or emperor was hosting a banquet.” Sun Zinan flung the car door open and got off. He commented harshly into the evening breeze, “It’s a European-style party. How original. In a while, the string orchestra will play a waltz—it’ll be even more perfect.”

Tang Kai felt like he was comforting a bristling, puffed-up cat. He clasped Sun Zinan’s shoulders and lowered his voice. “Little family heir, this is your father’s birthday banquet, give him some face.”

Sun Zinan ‘hmphed’ coldly.

The villa was crowded with guests, food and wine flowing freely. There were many elites present from all walks of life. Sun Ying wore a dark red patterned formal suit, his back bent over in old age. He sat on a wheelchair pushed by his secretary and entered the living room.

Sun Zinan hadn’t gone home in a while and didn’t know when his father had begun using a wheelchair. He was shocked at this sight and hurried over to ask, “What happened? What’s wrong with your legs?”

Secretary Wang smiled placidly and responded, “Don’t worry. The chairman is getting old and he can’t stand and talk for that long anymore. That’s why he’s sitting in a wheelchair.”

Only then did Sun Zinan breathe a sigh of relief and present his gift. “As long as it’s nothing. Dad, happy birthday.”

Sun Ying nodded, too distracted to pay attention to him. His attention was completely focused on the man standing behind Sun Zinan. “This person is...”

Sun Zinan edged away to move out of the way. Tang Kai walked forward and leaned over slightly, seemingly bowing. He introduced himself politely, “Hello Uncle, I’m Tang Kai, Little Nan’s boyfriend.”

The surrounding conversations all dropped audibly by a bit, and the guests secretly turned their ears towards them.

The only one who could not bear to continue looking straight ahead was Sun Zinan. The ‘Little Nan’ nickname had made his entire body go numb.

Everyone who was familiar with the Sun family knew there was a little son who had strayed from the common path and left the family years ago. Although same-sex marriage was now legal, rich business families still looked for those who could provide an heir. It was shocking that Sun Ying would let him be with a man. They had never heard of Sun Zinan having a boyfriend before—who would have thought he would openly lead a man into the house today?

This was Sun Ying’s birthday party. Wasn’t he afraid of angering the old man?

Outsiders didn’t understand the situation, but the Sun family was very clear about what was going on. Sun Ying approached Tang Kai with a rarely seen kindness. “I’m old friends with your father, but this is my first time meeting you. This lad seems decent, seems like he has boundless prospects.”

Sun Zinan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Tang Kai was very composed and replied modestly, “My father always mentions you. It’s a pity he couldn’t find the time today to come over. He asked me to greet you instead. May you be as blessed as the East Sea and live as long as the Southern Mountain.”

Sun Ying nodded in satisfaction. “Please also return that message to your father. You young ones should go and socialize some more. Make yourself at home.”

The greetings ended, and Sun Ying turned away to entertain other guests. But the amount of information present in the few short phrases they had spoken to each other was enough to push Tang Kai under a small spotlight.

Sun Ying had been good friends with Tang Kai’s father for a long time; not only was he willing to accept Tang Kai and Sun Zinan, but he was even happy to see them together. In other words, this was a union of two families, not just a simple marriage.

The question was, which family stood behind Tang Kai?

In the local industry, it didn’t seem like there was anyone surnamed Tang who could do business with the Sun family?

With these questions festering in their minds, many people tried to find an opportunity to chat with Tang Kai. He didn’t even have the chance to say a few secretive words to Sun Zinan before he was overwhelmed by a steady stream of guests.

Tang Kai used his immortality scheme; if one came by he would scam them, if two came by he would scam both. He was so tired from talking that his throat was smoking and his mouth dry. At this critical juncture, someone passed him a cup of water from the side and he hurriedly took it and found a deserted place to sneakily drink.

“You take anything anyone offers you.” Sun Zinan walked up slowly and stuffed a few cherries into his hand. “Aren’t you afraid someone might’ve drugged your water?”

He had drunk a little wine, and the corners of his eyes burned red and hot. The pair of phoenix-like eyes glowed with even more tenderness than before. Although his face didn’t show it, his eyes held a smile.

“Oh.” Tang Kai sucked at the cherry in his mouth, and his heart skipped a beat. “After you drug me, what happens?”

Sun Zinan pondered the question seriously. “I’ll lock you in a small dark room.”

Tang Kai enthusiastically followed up. “Is that so?”

Sun Zinan, “What are you thinking about, did you forget what I do? I’ll lock you in a small dark room so you can do research for me. Go and study some techniques for reaching immortality.”

Tang Kai, “...”

Sun Zinan thought his doggedly staring expression was very amusing. Now that he was satisfied from teasing him, he returned to important matters. “After talking to all these people, how do you feel?”

Tang Kai wasn’t very interested in the people outside the Sun family; his curiosity was concentrated solely on the actual members of the family.

The eldest son of the Sun Family, Sun Ziyuan, had two sons. The eldest was called Sun Qi and the youngest was Sun Cong. The two nephews were almost as old as Sun Zinan. If nothing else happened, Sun Ziyuan would be the future chairman of the group. However, Sun Ying had yet to fully relinquish his position, leaving his son in the awkward position of Prince Charles. Tang Kai had a fairly good opinion towards him. Sun Ziyuan spoke politely, acted gracefully, and was very steady. He didn’t look very aggressive and was completely unlike his father.

The second son, Sun Ziqing, had a bit of a greasy temperament. He was a cheerful man who, at first glance, looked like the experienced master of the dining table and wine shops. The Sun family’s excellent genes failed to save his beer belly and receding hairline. His wife was very elegant and well-educated. She was a famous entrepreneur whom even Tang Kai had heard of.

Sun Zinan’s third brother Sun Ziyan and his only older sister Sun Ziyi were both almost forty. They were still like spoiled little children. Sun Ziyan was arrogant and conceited, Sun Ziyi had been so spoiled she didn’t understand the immensity of the world. The two flaunted Sun Zinan’s outcast status so blatantly that Tang Kai had to persevere in keeping his mouth shut. He did not get along with this brother and sister-in-law pair. It wasn’t clear whether Sun Zinan was too lazy to contest them or was already numb to their actions. From start to finish, he didn’t open his eyes to look at those two even once.

Overall, the family situation was all within Tang Kai’s expectations. The only thing that made him slightly surprised was Sun Ying’s kindness towards him. This old man was nearly eighty, but he was still full of vigor, full of the power he had held within his grasp for many years. Stubbornness, control, and the power to make arbitrary decisions were all etched into every crease on his face. Like a domineering and sombre old hawk, although he looked listless, he was always ready to give a fatal blow.

But there was something else that had caught Tang Kai’s attention.

This household seemed to lack a hostess.

Within this magnificent villa, in any place one could find a photo, one could only see pictures of Sun Ying or groups of his children. It was as if...this family had never had a mother.