AMTWPICL Chapter 42

“Yes,” Tan Yue gave the people present a cold gaze. “It seems I didn’t make myself clear enough. He is my partner, and we have received our marriage certificate.”

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.

Although Tan Yue had introduced Song Linchu as his partner in the banquet hall earlier, they had assumed it was merely a term of endearment and speculated that the two may be in a romantic relationship. However, they never expected that the two had already been married, as no rumors had surfaced.

The two Individuals who had been gossiping behind their backs were now trembling with fear.

The man was the first to react, swallowing hard and stepping forward to apologize. “I’m sorry, Mr. Song. We were foolish to have misunderstood your relationship with President Tan and offended you.”

“Yes,” the woman acquiesced, “we are unable to act on our discontent so we can only use our tongues to vent our frustration behind your back. We take full responsibility for our ignorance and irrationality, and we apologize.”

The man lowered his head deeply. “I am truly sorry. Please punish us, President Tan.”

Upon hearing that these two individuals were badmouthing Tan Yue behind his back, their direct superiors were both furious and exasperated. After scolding them, their direct superiors wiped their sweat and apologized to Tan Yue.

“President Tan, they indeed deserve punishment for their behavior. I suggest we deduct their year-end bonus and 13th month pay. However, as for Mr. Song’s suggestion of dismissal…it may not be appropriate. Their behavior doesn’t warrant such a severe consequence. Please think twice, President Tan.”

Tan Yue furrowed his brows slightly. He knew that Song Linchu was trying to defend him, but the situation did not merit dismissal.

However, since Song Linchu had already made this proposal in front of everyone, he couldn’t lose face by going back on his word.

He wasn’t a reasonable person anyway.

Tan Yue was about to make a rash decision to save Song Linchu’s face when he heard Song Linchu chuckle lightly.

“Do you really think I want to fire you because you badmouthed me?” Song Linchu turned to Tan Yue and suggested, “Gege, I think you should check the projects they are responsible for or have participated in. I just heard them say that they plan to take the project materials with them to their new company to gain an advantage.”

When the two first started speaking, Song Linchu had not had a chance to call Tan Yue, so he was unaware of this.

It had to be said that these two individuals were quite clever. Once they realized they had been caught, they immediately admitted their mistake and tried to shift the focus to their badmouthing.

Once Song Linchu revealed this information, even their direct superiors and Tan Yue himself frowned.

The two individuals knew they were in trouble. Fortunately, they had already secured another job, so they were not apprehensive about being fired. They consoled themselves that even if they were fired, it wouldn’t be a big deal. They could simply take a voluntary pay cut and the loss wouldn’t be too great.

While they were still thinking this way, Tan Yue said in a cold voice: “Cheng Bin, call the police.”

“Yes, sir,” Cheng Bin replied, wiping his sweat as he hurriedly took out his phone.

Tan Yue disregarded the two people’s begging and crying, and reached out to Song Linchu, saying, “Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

The two of them left the lounge, and Song Linchu asked with some concern, “Gege, are the commercial information they leaked important? Will it cause any major damage to your company?”

“It’s very important,” Tan Yue replied.

It was the new product they were preparing to release at the beginning of the year. It had been prepared for half a year, and naturally, it was very important to start off with a big splash.

Song Linchu’s heart sank, but he heard Tan Yue say, “But they probably couldn’t access the core data.”

Song Linchu: “.…”

Damn it, can’t he just finish what he’s saying in one breath?

He was almost scared to death.

However, if it was not core data, how could it help one obtain the position of a director?

If he remembered correctly, the director should be second only to the vice president.

Those two people jumped from a big company like Wanou, so the other party must not be a small company. A small company cannot take on Wanuo’s project, and Wanuo was already strong enough to gain many benefits even without core data.

Song Linchu was about to remind Tan Yue of this point he hadn’t mentioned when he suddenly felt his hand become heavy. Before he could react, he heard Tan Yue whisper, “Help me.”

Song Linchu was startled and quickly supported Tan Yue, asking anxiously, “Gege, are you okay?”

“I drank a little too much, but it’s nothing serious,” Tan Yue said.

The annual meeting was a day when everyone agreed that they could get Tan Yue drunk. Although many people were afraid of him, with thousands of people, there were always a few who were brave enough. After all, they couldn’t do anything to them just because they had a few drinks with him.

Tan Yue had already told Song Linchu in advance that he might get drunk today.

However, Tan Yue was not the kind of person who got red-faced when he drank, and his eyes were clear, so people couldn’t tell that he was drunk.

“This really affect your health, right?” Song Linchu asked, still worried.

He had asked Tan Yue this question before, and Tan Yue said it was okay, but Song Linchu still couldn’t rest assured.

After all, he was a terminally ill patient. Could he really drink so much without any consequences?

Tan Yue still gave the same answer, “It’s okay.”

Song Linchu was about to say something else when he saw the financial director and another executive walking towards them.

The two of them also had red faces from drinking, and alcohol gave them courage. These high-level executives who usually got cold sweats just from Tan Yue’s gaze were now more confident than ever.

The financial director saw Tan Yue and his eyes lit up. “President Tan, we finally found you. We didn’t pay attention for a moment and you disappeared.”

“Yeah, come on, let’s go and continue drinking,” the other executive added.

Song Linchu said, “He’s had too much to drink and can’t drink anymore.”

“He’s had too much? I didn’t see that. He seems pretty sober,” the other person replied.

“That’s right, Little Song, don’t worry. President Tan can handle a bit more before he gets drunk,” the brave finance director interjected.

How can a man be told he can’t handle it? Even if Tan Yue was someone who kept his emotions in check, his ego will still come to the surface.

Tan Yue muttered under his breath, before saying, “Let’s go.”

“…” Song Linchu sighed inwardly. ‘You couldn’t handle it awhile back, so why are you trying so hard now?’

Tan Yue returned to the banquet hall, making Song Linchu feel helpless and frustrated. Tan Yue had said he was fine, and he couldn’t force the other man to stop drinking, or else it would dampen everyone’s spirits.

With no other options, he sent a message to Butler Liu, instructing him to prepare some hangover remedies. But still feeling uneasy, he called a waiter over and ordered a bowl of sobering soup for Tan Yue.

————————–

Meanwhile, at the Tan Mingqing residence…

Tan Mingqing had a little too much to drink at a gathering with his high school classmates and returned home a bit dizzy.

As soon as he entered, he saw his uncle, Tan Yuming, sitting on his sofa with a slightly gloomy expression.

He was not afraid of him, so he went over and sat beside him, asking, “Uncle, why do you have time to come over today? Did you not attend the annual meeting of little uncle’s company?”

The annual meeting of Wanou Group would also invite some important partners.

As Tan Yuming had an important project collaboration with Wanou last year, he was also one of their partners. Hence, it surprised Tan Mingqing that his uncle did not attend the event.

“Is it because your illness has relapsed?” he asked.

“No,” replied Tan Yuming, his voice slightly subdued. “He did not invite me.”

“What?” Tan Mingqing was taken aback. “Why?”

“I don’t know why,” Tan Yuming said, looking at Tan Mingqing. “You came back from your uncle-in-law’s birthday party in low spirits, so I wanted to ask you if you offended your little uncle.”

Tan Yuming did not suspect his nephew for no reason. Tan Yue instructed him to limit Tan Mingqing’s allowance twice: once to only give him a thousand yuan per month, and the other to not allow even Tan Mingqing’s parents to give him any pocket money. This made Tan Yuming feel that something was not right.

Moreover, not only was he not invited to the annual meeting, but he was also not invited to a recent party hosted by another important figure in the Tan family. This person has always been highly regarded by Tan Yue, and his actions often represented Tan Yue’s intentions.

All these doubts combined to suggest that he was ousted from the center of power, and Tan Mingqing was involved.

Tan Mingqing was startled when he heard this and was instantly sobered up from the alcohol.

“No, no, I didn’t,” he instinctively denied.

Tan Yuming looked at him and asked again, “you really didn’t?”

“Yes,” Tan Mingqing dared not look at his uncle. “You also know that someone like me wouldn’t have the opportunity to offend little uncle.”

Tan Yuming understood and said, “He probably considered my health, after all, my body… cough, cough, is really not suitable for attending those occasions.”

Tan Mingqing’s eyes showed a trace of struggle.

Tan Yuming patted him on the shoulder: “Your little uncle is right. When you come to work in the company next year, I will pay you according to your performance. It may be a bit difficult at first, but when you get started, you can restore your previous pocket money. It’s not a problem.”

Tan Mingqing felt guilty for his uncle’s trust in him and hesitated, “Actually, I…”

“Hmm?”

“Nothing,” Tan Mingqing rubbed his nose and ultimately did not say anything.

After sitting for a while, Tan Yuming got up and left. Tan Mingqing watched his uncle’s car drive away, his eyes dimming.

He took out his phone and opened Liang Xin’s chat box.

It’s Tan, not Tang: [Are you there, senior sister?]

It’s Tan, not Tang: [I did something wrong, but when the victim came to me, I didn’t confess.]

It’s Tan, not Tang: [It wasn’t that I didn’t have the courage to admit it, it was just that at the time, I inexplicably denied it. Now I regret it, what should I do?]

Liang Xinxin was a kind and understanding flower. With her, it seems like everything can be forgiven and accommodated, and she always provides great solutions.

No matter what happens, Tan Mingqing always thinks of her first. He has become somewhat dependent on her.

Last time, in a moment of impulsiveness, he confessed his love to her, but Liang Xinxin did not give a direct response. Even since then, she has been indifferent to him, sometimes taking a day or even two to reply to his messages.

However, her replies are still gentle and understanding, never vague, and it’s evident that she has feelings for him.

Tan Mingqing was tormented by her ambiguous attitude and so he planned to formally confess his love to her on Valentine’s Day.

Just as he was thinking this, his phone vibrated. He thought it was Liang Xinxin, but it turned out to be Su Zhan.

Su Zhan: [Husband, what are you up to? I miss you so much~]

Tan Mingqing’s eyes flashed with a hint of disgust, and he chose to ignore the message.

—————————

At the annual meeting, the last special prize was drawn, and the banquet was at its climax and coming to an end.

Song Linchu didn’t win anything, and there were many others like him, so they urged Tan Yue to continue adding prizes.

Tan Yue was given another round of alcohol, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell that he was drunk.

The drunk Tan Yue waved his hand and drew 100 red packets with 8888 cash inside. Song Linchu finally understood what the two individuals meant by getting Tan Yue drunk and he gave out tens of thousands in red packets last year.

He was envious and also wanted to be a Wanuo employee.

Doesn’t the boss’s partner count as a Wanuo employee too?

But why didn’t he win anything?

The banquet ended, and everyone began to leave. Tan Yue was even colder and more distant than usual when he was drunk, and everyone scattered when he sat down.

“Gege, let’s go back too,” Song Linchu walked over and said to Tan Yue.

Tan Yue was a bit slow to react. He looked up and then extended his hand like an old man, waiting for Song Linchu to help him up.

Song Linchu inexplicably found Tan Yue’s behavior a little cute. He reached out and held Tan Yue’s hand, helping him up from his seat.

As soon as Tan Yue stood up, he swayed twice. Song Linchu quickly supported him and Cheng Bin also came over to help.

However, as soon as Cheng Bin stretched out his hand, Tan Yue avoided it with disdain, and put all his weight on Song Linchu.

“…”

Cheng Bin awkwardly rubbed his nose. He used to be the one who supported Tan Yue when he was drunk, but he never expected that one day he would be rejected.

Song Linchu, a little homebody, was not very strong to begin with. Now, he felt like he had a mountain on his back and almost fell down together with Tan Yue.

“Gege?”

“It’s okay,” Tan Yue’s voice was heavy as he stood up straight with Song Linchu’s help. “Let’s go.”

Song Linchu felt a bit suspicious, but Tan Yue had already taken the lead and stepped forward. He guessed that he had only been a little dizzy just now and had been supported by him. Unexpectedly, he got on the car quite steadily.

The car drove smoothly on the wide road. The people in the seaside city had gone to their hometowns before the new year, and there were no usual streams of cars outside the window, only dimly lit lights intertwined into patches.

Song Linchu was worried and he kept an eye on Tan Yue.

Tan Yue leaned against the back seat of the car, but his gaze fell outside the window.

The light outside projected through the car window and fell on the man’s cold face, flickering.

For some reason, Song Linchu sensed a hint of loneliness from this powerful man.

“Gege…” Song Linchu hesitated to speak and wanted to ask if he was okay, but was afraid that it was just his illusion.

Tan Yue’s gaze still looked outside the window and he suddenly said, “Today is the anniversary of my mother’s death.”

Song Linchu was taken aback.

So Tan Yue’s mother passed away on this day.

He didn’t know how to comfort Tan Yue. He saw Tan Yue’s hand placed on his knee, and he reached out and covered it.

“Don’t be sad,” Song Linchu said.

“It’s not sadness,” Tan Yue sneered, “She passed away when I was six years old, and I don’t have much impression of her.”

Song Linchu was surprised. So Tan Yue’s mother also passed away so early?

He didn’t understand Tan Yue’s family, he only knew that he had an older brother and a nephew named Tan Mingqing, but their relationship didn’t seem too close. Anyway, Song Linchu had been with Tan Yue for so long, except for his birthday last time, he had never seen them visit.

Tan Mingqing had described his relationship with Tan Yue so intimately, but it turned out to be a lie.

That scumbag even fooled an innocent college student like him!

Song Linchu was silent for a while, then suddenly said, “Actually, my mother almost left me at this time too.”

“Huh?” Tan Yue withdrew his gaze and looked at him.

Song Linchu smiled bitterly and said, “I had just turned 18, and my mother probably felt relieved that I was of legal age. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and it was about this time that the doctors told me to prepare for the worst.”

“At that time, I was in my last year of high school, and my studies were very demanding. To help me focus on my studies, my homeroom teacher asked his wife to come and take care of my mother. Their daughter was in the same grade as me, and we had many common topics to talk about. Perhaps the pressure of the college entrance exams motivated my mother, and her health miraculously improved. By the end of my last semester of high school, she could even help with cooking and cleaning, and the doctor even called it a miracle. However…”

At this point, Song Linchu paused, his voice becoming noticeably desolate. “On the day when my college entrance exams ended, she suddenly fainted without warning and never woke up again. She didn’t even get to see thw exam results that she had been looking forward to.”

After finishing his story, Song Linchu felt the hand he was holding tighten around his.

He smiled at Tan Yue and said, “You don’t have to comfort me, gege. I’ve already come to terms with it. At least she passed away without any worries.”

Tang Yue didn’t say anything, but just squeezed his hand.

There was nothing that a straight steel man like him could say to comfort others.

The car slowly stopped in the courtyard of the Tan house. Tang Yue had excellent metabolism, and in just twenty minutes, he was able to get out of the car by himself.

Song Linchu answered a call from his cousin, who was coming over next year and wanted his help to find a place to live. The cost of living in Haikou was high, and he couldn’t afford to stay in a hotel and look for an apartment at the same time.

It was possible to stay at Song Linchu’s house, but he didn’t dare to ask.

He was afraid of Tan Yue.

Song Linchu agreed to help him find a place and chatted with him for a while before hanging up. When he returned to the living room, he didn’t see Tang Yue.

“Where’s gegw?” Song Linchu asked Butler Liu.

“He went upstairs, and he didn’t drink the hangover soup.”

“He already had some at the hotel. Do we have honey water? I’ll take him a cup.”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Butler Liu went to the kitchen and soon returned with a cup of honey water. Song Linchu took his phone out and messaged Tan Yue.

Little Songlin: [Gege, are you asleep?]

Tan Yue: [No.]

Little Songlin: [I’ll bring you some honey water, please open the door.]

Tan Yue: [It’s not locked, come in.]

Song Linchu had already arrived at Tan Yue’s door by the time he received this message, so he unceremoniously turned the doorknob and entered Tan Yue’s room.

This was the first time Song Linchu had entered Tan Yue’s room. The layout of the room was very Tan Yue – warm colors, simple and elegant.

Tan Yue was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of red wine in his hand – he actually had a wine cabinet in his room.

Song Linchu snatched the wine glass from his hand and said fiercely, “No more wine, drink this.”

He handed him the honey water.

Tan Yue first raised an eyebrow in surprise, then a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes. He didn’t resist and took the cup, drinking it slowly.

Song Linchu watched him finish the drink, then took the empty cup from his hand, intending to take the wine glass away too, so he wouldn’t drink again.

As he was leaving, he suddenly leaned over and kissed Tan Yue on the lips before he could react.

There was still a lingering sweetness of honey on Tan Yue’s lips.

This was the boldest move Song Linchu had ever made in his life. He didn’t dare to look at Tan Yue again and ran away with a red face.

Tan Yue instinctively reached out to grab him, but Song Linchu ran faster than a rabbit, and his head was still spinning, so he didn’t catch him.

“Good night, gege.”

The little rabbit ran to the door, turned around and said with a smug look on his face, then quickly disappeared.