LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS

She picked up the gla.s.s of water in the table and as she looked in she saw her reflection in the water and smiled wryly. Time has pa.s.sed, and there were traces of wrinkles in her well-maintained face. She felt like it was not long ago since she was in school with Rong Suyin and Li Qian. Those two married and she thought they would have a good life together. Who"d have thought that they will face such troubles? After Li Qian married Rong Suyin, somehow the Li business became a bit unstable and maybe that brought the distance between the couple. Manman is the only good thing that came out of their marriage.

On the other hand, she married Lu Kong who was a business rival to the Li family and she really thought her life would be the most average. But Who"d have thought she married the best man who took care of her like she was a princess? She was thankful for her husband.

A strong smell of perfume that overpowered the smell of roasted coffee beans, could be sensed and Tang Weihua looked at the door and her eyebrows twitched seeing Rong Suyin entering wearing bright yellow line floral print dress that would only suit young girls, with thick makeup and high heels, holding a Hermes purse.

The moment Rong Suyin saw Tang Weihua she waved her hand enthusiastically and walking quickly, pulled the chair in front of her and sat while looking around making sure if everyone noticed her meeting with Mrs. LU.

She then proceeded to ask about the clothes she was wearing and the jewellery she was wearing and Weihua could see the jealousy in her eyes plain as a day. Her eyes wandered around, gossiping about the other women there clearly knowing and not caring that they are gossiping about her too. Her words were filled with gloating, pride and jealousy while she tried to praise her and all Weihua could see was an insecure old woman who knew her time is going to end, yet still trying to grasp at everything to stop the inevitable.

Tang Weihua wondered how the most innocent and pure girl she knew in the past have turned to someone unrecognizable. If in their school days someone told her that she"d cheat on her childhood sweetheart with some unknown man wand even have a child with him while she was still with her husband, who"d have believed it? Who"d have believed that she would let her daughter live in a dangerous place and let her dress like a old lady while she dressed this way?

The dress she is wearing today, was first chosen by Manman. Weihua was in the shop watching how Suyin grabbed that dress and shoes from her hand and poor Manman left without buying anything probably because she couldn"t afford anything.

Who"d have thosuht that she"d be this kind of mother?

"Then again, people change, don"t they?" she smiled as she placed her order. In the past she wouldn"t have been able to read the woman in front of her and would have believed everything she says. But now she could see everything clear... She is just a whitewashed tomb!

"I"m here to ask your daughter for my fourth son. They are young and it is our duty to make sure they have a good life, as a parent," she said getting to the point. She had no interest in reminiscing the past with her. There was a reason she stayed away from her after Li Qian"s death.

" Really? " Suyin"s face brightened up and Weihua hid the irk she felt seeing the calculative eyes of Suyin by taking a sip of the coffee. Both of them are aristocratic family and certain procedures need to be followed whether she likes it or not. If only she was not in the hospital during Manman"s birth, she wouldn"t have believed that Manman has any relations.h.i.+p with the woman in front of her and she won"t be this patient.

"It"s for Manman", she told herself taking a deep breath taking in the fragrance of the coffee while Suyin continued blabbering.

" I knew Fourth Lu Young master is really bright. I have no problem with our families getting related by marriage... But, I hope you as the aristocratic Lu family, would have no qualms in giving us the Betrothal gifts according to your status. I know how much you gave to your other daughters-in-law. Just because we are of lower status now, you cannot be stingy with us..." she looked at Weihua with her chin up making Weihua snort.

Did she actually ask me that?

" Tell me your preference, " Weihua took a deep breath composing herself.

" I hear the Lu family is developing a high-rise apartment in the center of the city. We want the penthouse unit. Also I hear of the new line of jewellery from the....."

Tang Weihua patiently listened to the long lost of expensive items she listed. She could others murmuring among themselves about the brazen way a bride"s mother is acting towards the groom"s mother. Some even said that she is selling her daughter shamelessly.

" Fine "

Weihua agreed with no change in her expression. If that"s what it takes for Manman to finally be free from her, she was willing to do that much. Giving an apartment is fine, otherwise their Gao family will shamelessly start living in the house Yuanjun bought for them

"Really?" Suyin paused sipping from the cup as she looked at Weihua. Her expression clearly told what her thoughts were.

"I should have asked for more"

"It"s fine..." she shrugged. "It"s not like you"ll lose anything by giving us that. We have raised our daughter this long, after all!" she still held her head high, "But we are not rich. We won"t be able to give much as dowry," she added and Weihua who wanted to give Suyin a tight slap across her face, still held back and nodded.

Was she the one who raised Manman? Wasn"t that the other way around?

"Alright then, I"ll inform Weiye. She"ll be really happy. And Xueman too. She has a lot to prepare for her sister"s wedding. Finally that company can be get rid off! She should have to sell her company and that land for her sister... "

"Wait... What are you saying?" Tang Weihua was confused.

"What made her think that I was asking Gao Weiye"s hand in marriage? Ah, s.h.i.+t! I just said daughter didn"t I? Still... Manman is the eldest daughter, close to Yuanjun"s age. Shouldn"t she first think about her? Fine I agree it is my fault for not being clear enough. And even so, what is the need for Manman to sell her company and her inheritance for her sister to get married?"

"I am not asking for Weiye. I"m asking for the hand of Li Xueman. You know those kids always... ," Tang Weihua made it clear trying to hide her anger. What an irrational woman!

"What? Are you kidding? Xueman?" Rong Suyin banged the table, shouting in surprise attracting the attention of everyone, "She is a wh.o.r.e! The whole city knows it. How can she be suitable for the Lu household? Even now there are stuff in thr Internet saying she has a lot of men she has contact with. My Weiye is... "

"Rong Suyin!"

Tang Weihua grabbed her purse and stood up since she couldn"t hold back anymore.

"What kind of mother are you to talk about your own daughter like this? I said what I said. I"ll give you everything you asked for and do not disturb Manman anymore! From today onwards, she is my daughter-in-law and not related to you anymore ! "

Tang Weihua spoke her voice was smooth and composed but the entire coffee shop could hear it.

" I refuse this... " Rong Suyin raised her voice and tried to stop Weihua from leaving while others were murmuring. They could clearly see the cla.s.s difference between the two ladies.

"Who are you to refuse? In the end it is going to be the children"s decision. What century are we living in?" an authoritative voice heard by the door and everyone"s eyes focused on Lu Kang who entered the café with majestic strides. His presence there made that café small and stuffy.

Without saying a word, he held his wife who was shaking with anger and patted her hand. Sniffing her nose, Tang Weihua nodded at him. They are together for almost fifty years. They didn"t have to speak to convey their thoughts. They can understand each other just by looking at each other"s eyes.

Without turning back both left the café while Lu Kang"s a.s.sistant settled the bill. As Weihua sat in the car and looked through the window, she noticed Li Xueman sitting inside the café in a corner with her eyes red.

"I didn"t know she was there... Would she have misunderstood me? You think I escalated the tension? Uh! But I want to strangle that Rong Suyin! How could a mother do that..?" Tang Weihua complained to her husband who was now wrapping his arms around her shoulders and patting her head.

" Manman is always a sensible kid. Trust her, " he said trying to calm his wife. When his wife said she is going to meet Manman"s mother he knew something of this sort will happen and he was glad he came at the right moment. Or else, his wife would have suffered unnecessarily.

Li Xueman on the other hand heard everything her mother said and for some odd reason, she didn"t feel anything but... Her thoughts wandered.

What"s more to expect from my mother? "Wasn"t she always like this? For her, Weiye is her only daughter. I"m never in her mind... Haven"t I done a lot for her? Why isn"t she still refusing to even accept me as her daughter? Because I look like my father? If she hated my father that much, why did she marry him?"

She couldn"t stop her tears, but soon she remembered the words spoken by Mrs. Lu and her heart immediately became light.

" What if my mother hates me? I have another mother!"

She soon composed herself and checked the Internet for news about her. This little spat between her mother and Yuanjun"s mother was already recorded by some and they must have already posted it in the Internet.

That"s when she noticed the pictures of her with Yuanjun already trending with insulting headlines. But as she read through the comments, there were some people who recognised it as Lu Yuanjun and clarified the issue. Some even posted their high school photographs of them together and commented that it was an open secret that those two were together as couple even then. Also some have noticed the ring in her finger and confirmed that they are actually a couple.

Also the entire conversation between her mother and Yuanjun"s mother was posted by those who heard them in the café and every it were bas.h.i.+ng her mother now.

"Worst mother in the universe" t.i.tle was given to the video posted about her mother"s behaviour and everyone could clearly see how stupid the entire fiasco is. Some people were even bas.h.i.+ng Weiye for being a b.a.s.t.a.r.d and wanting to become the daughter-in-law of the Lu Family.

For Xueman her sudden involvement in scandals of the Internet, was suspicious. No one cared about her till now. But why is there more news about her these few days... Especially after Yuanjun"s return?

While this was happening,

Lu Yuanjun was sitting in the drawing room with Huang Qian who was fiddling her fingers out of stress. Yuanjun connected a call to Yanchen"s room through the intercom and put the phone in speaker so that Yanchen could listen to their conversation. Their entire home was connected with land-line phones since his mother is dumb with technology.

Helping this couple would be his good deed for the day, he decided. He just prayed that stupid Yanchen won"t scream from the other side.

"Brother Yuanjun, is Zhong Yanchen here?" she asked, looking around. This is the first time she was here.
Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

"You are still stupid. You just followed me here, with no doubts? Aren"t you too trusting of me?" he scratched his head leaning leisurely on the sofa.

"Come on, brother Yuanjun, it is you! Why would I worry? Also you are with big sis Manman now. I can"t wait to attend your wedding..." her eyes glittered with joy as she blabbered.

"Come on! How is she in love with me?" Yuanjun thought. She is genuinely happy that he is with Manman.

" It took you two weeks to search for your husband? " he raised his eyebrows rather mockingly.

" I... "she paused and the smile in her face gradually reduced.

" I knew the same day that he is with you, brother Yuanjun. I thought you"d send him back but since it has been two weeks, I... Was scared, "she bit her lips.

So she worried for him. This is good.

" He... He doesn"t like me and... It is hard for me to... " tears dripped from her eyes and Yuanjun didn"t show any emotion in his face.

Yanchen who was listening from the other end fisted his hands. He really couldn"t bear her crying. He wanted to break the door and get to her. But then he felt a strong jealousy too.

"This woman never opened up her heart and spoke to me this truthfully... But... She can cry in front of her "Brother Yuanjun"? Hmpf! Let her cry! Who cares!"