Chapter 140: A Fat Duck Delivered Straight to the Mouth

Chapter 140: The Fat Duck Delivered on a Silver Platter

A month ago, at the grand Tang family gathering, the uncles of the third generation of the Tang clan convened to discuss the succession of the family leadership, prompted by the declining health of the patriarch, Tang Zhengtian.

This was the most difficult issue for Tang Zhengtian to confront. Although the Tang family had no formal rule barring women from inheriting leadership, no precedent had ever been set. Moreover, many matters within the Tang family seemed ill-suited for a woman to handle—this was the leverage his uncles used against Tang Jiu.

Tang Zhengtian’s health was deteriorating, and the burden of carrying the family’s affairs was becoming too heavy for him. The choice of the next leader had become urgent. When he proposed Tang Jiu as his successor, it was met with immediate skepticism. He was forced to accept a condition: if Tang Jiu wished to shoulder the family’s heavy responsibilities, she must find a partner capable of stabilizing the situation. Otherwise, many of the Tang family’s assets would have to be placed under the temporary management of her cousins, risking the family’s first major division.

During the era of Tang Jiu’s grandfather, the Tang family suffered a long decline due to national circumstances. Since the reform and opening-up, Tang Zhengtian single-handedly revived the family’s fortunes and expanded their influence to its current stature.

Without Tang Zhengtian, the Tang family as it stood today would not exist. He had painstakingly built it from the ground up. Because of blood ties, he was especially considerate of Tang Jiu’s uncles, which allowed them to prosper as well. He never imagined that, in his illness, these very people would plot to divide the family.

Tang Zhengtian did not hide any of this from Tang Jiu; everything was laid bare. Tang Jiu was ready to explode in anger, but she hadn’t anticipated how swiftly her uncles and cousins would strip both her and her father of their standing within the family.

The top experts of the Tang family had all been persuaded. Tang Jiu felt this was a long-planned scheme. Though her uncles lacked for nothing materially, what they craved was power. In the Tang family, only Tang Zhengtian’s word was law; the others were mere parasites. Having grown tired of their subordinate role, they now saw an opportunity in his illness to divide the family’s wealth.

Over four generations and a century, the Tang family had weathered countless storms, but one thing remained unchanged: it was a united large family. If this division succeeded, it would mean the end of the Tang family forever.

Though Tang Jiu had never cared much about family affairs, she understood the gravity of the threat now facing them.

Her father’s words were etched clearly in her mind: he said that only by bringing honor to the family could he face their ancestors in the afterlife with dignity. He had led the family to its peak, but if the family was divided under his watch, he would die with regret.

Because of this, Tang Jiu vowed never to let the Tang family fall apart, never to let her father’s spirit be dishonored before their ancestors.

Tang Zhengtian understood his precious daughter’s nature well, so he would not force her to marry a man with whom she had no bond just for the sake of the family. But Tang Jiu told him she was willing to make any sacrifice for the Tang family.

Afterwards, Tang Jiu vanished from the family’s view. They were eager for her to give up, to confirm her surrender, which was why Tang Yifei had chased after her from afar.

Tang Yifei’s ambition surpassed that of his brothers. He did not want the family divided; he wanted to become the fourth-generation successor of the Tang family—a secret ambition he kept to himself.

Standing under cold water, the headache from the alcohol was severe, but Tang Jiu felt increasingly clear-headed. She knew the Tang family was on the brink of disaster. She understood that the man outside was the only hope to save both her and the family.

Finally, steeling herself, Tang Jiu wiped dry, wrapped a towel around her, and bit her lip as she stepped out of the bathroom.

“Pfft!” Xu Yun nearly choked on the water he had just taken a sip of.

How did that poem go again?

“The spring chill bestowed a bath at Huaqing Pool, the clear hot spring water washes the jade-like skin. The servant helps the delicate one to rise, marking the first acceptance of imperial favor!”

Xu Yun couldn’t help but exclaim internally: “Damn it, Tang Jiu, are you trying to lure me into sin? If I don’t show you a little color, will you really think I castrated myself by practicing the Sunflower Manual?”

“Hey, girl, are you really offering yourself to me? That would at least be sincere. But wrapping yourself in a towel—what’s that about? Pretty half-hearted, don’t you think?” Xu Yun looked her over. He had always thought such a young lady would be utterly selfish, but he hadn’t expected her to make such a sacrifice for something.

Clearly, her father and the Tang family meant a great deal to her.

No sooner had Xu Yun finished speaking than Tang Jiu loosened her towel, letting it fall straight down her smooth, creamy skin—as flawless and translucent as white jade—without a trace of hesitation or delay.

Xu Yun’s eyes nearly popped out. He was just joking casually, but Tang Jiu had taken it seriously. What on earth was she so earnest and stubborn about?

After all, Tang Jiu was a woman. Though she was never lacking admirers, none had ever compelled her to offer herself willingly—until now.

Xu Yun was the first man to whom she had done this, and only because she believed he was the only one who could help her. Otherwise, she would never so casually reveal herself to any man.

Xu Yun could tell Tang Jiu was no manipulative schemer; there must be some unspeakable reason behind her actions. It seemed she truly needed his help.

“Alright, then. Hurry up and get dressed. Consider this a moment of honesty between us. I’ll help you to the end,” Xu Yun said. He wasn’t a cold-hearted man; since Tang Jiu had come this far, he owed her a kind word.

Tang Jiu blinked: “You really mean it?”

“Look me in the eye. Do I look like I’m lying?” Xu Yun pointed to his eyes but then couldn’t help letting his gaze slowly slide down her face until it settled on her chest. “Um… Tang Jiu, do you really think I’m not a man? Stop testing my limits, okay?”

Though embarrassed by such openness with a man, Tang Jiu was resolute. “Isn’t this what you want? I have no bargaining chips, only my body as your reward for helping me.”

Damn it, Xu Yun thought, unable to resist any longer. Since Tang Jiu had presented herself so willingly, it would be illogical for him to refuse. A duck handed right to his mouth—how could he not take a bite?

Just as the devil inside him was about to take over, another voice spoke up: If you truly take advantage of her now, that would be opportunistic. Xu Yun was never the type to exploit others, whether in this matter or any other. It’s a matter of principle…

The angel and devil within Xu Yun waged a fierce battle. Should he be a principled man who denies himself, or a man with principles who doesn’t deny himself? This was a difficult choice indeed.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to turn the pretense into reality?” Tang Jiu said firmly. “As long as you give me what I want, I will give you what you want. That’s our deal, isn’t it?”

Xu Yun gave a wry smile. “What if the deal falls through? Does kindness still remain?”

Tang Jiu’s eyes flashed. “Of course not! I only let you touch me because you can help me!”

“If that’s the case, I’d rather not touch you. I don’t like forced flavor. If we’re going to do this, it has to be willing. You know the saying: forced melons aren’t sweet. If it’s not mutual, it’s just a transaction. No fun at all.” Xu Yun shrugged and turned away, afraid he might lose control if he looked any longer.

Tang Jiu frowned deeply. “So what do you want?”

“What if something happens between us today, and I can’t help you afterward? That would be a free meal for me. Heh, Tang Jiu, I promise to help you now, but I’m not asking for payment yet. When you’re willing to offer yourself, I won’t stop you.” The wicked grin on Xu Yun’s face was as bad as it could be, but to Tang Jiu, he seemed like a gentleman.

Tang Jiu still found it hard to believe she wasn’t dreaming. She asked again, “Are you serious? Xu Yun, will you really help me? But… you were with that woman this morning… I don’t understand you anymore. You helped that girl with her injured arm, and then she was with your… Is this the kind of deal you mean?”

“Cough, first off, I did nothing this morning. It was all for learning to be kind and helpful like Lei Feng. Believe it or not, that’s up to you. And second, I always keep my word.” Xu Yun replied. “If you don’t believe me, just pretend I didn’t say anything and I’ll leave.”

Suddenly, Tang Jiu threw herself at Xu Yun, holding him tightly, tears sparkling in her eyes. Hearing his words had lifted a heavy weight from her heart. She didn’t know what to say to thank him; at that moment, she just wanted to cling to the man who had given her boundless hope.

She was so overwhelmed she paid no attention to Xu Yun’s reaction. Xu Yun felt a soft, warm mass pressing against his chest—two firm, elastic mounds. That feeling… well, it was indescribable.

Only when Tang Jiu felt something poking her did she realize her current state.

Xu Yun blushed—a rare sight. “If you keep this up, I might just go back on what I said. How about… we get on the boat first, then buy the ticket?”

[PS: One more week until the new book release. Haha, I wonder if the clicks will break five million by then? Brothers, let’s work hard! I’ll work hard on the update too~]