Chapter 258: Tang Jing's Love

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Xi Long Restaurant, located near the university and a lake, offered an elegant ambiance, though at a premium price.

"Brother, this place is expensive. Let's go somewhere else," Tang Beiwei said.

Ye Mo waved his hand. "No need. We'll eat here. If anyone comes later, I can have them take a swim in the lake. I've made some money recently—a few million, actually." He suspected the person who'd confined his sister had considerable power, possibly connections to the Song family.

Tang Beiwei was shocked. "A few million? I haven't even used the card you gave me last time." She then remembered the fireball charms, realizing their considerable value.

Ye Mo took Tang Beiwei to a private room on the second floor overlooking the lake. After the waiter served water, he asked, "Tell me what happened. How's your mother?"

Tang Beiwei's eyes clouded. "I gave Mother the pill you gave me. She recovered in a day. I had enough for surgery, but I wanted to wait for you."

"Mhm. Don't worry, ninety-nine percent of diseases are no problem for me," Ye Mo smiled reassuringly.

Tang Beiwei nodded. "I thought so, too. But the next day, a man in his fifties came to our house. Mother was excited, talking to him for a long time. I heard her crying."

Ye Mo frowned. The timing seemed suspiciously convenient.

Tang Beiwei recounted the day's events, detailing her unease at the unexpected guest. Her mother's stunned reaction to the middle-aged man puzzled her. The man's calm demeanor contrasted with her mother's excited, tearful exclamations.

She heard her mother crying and tried to enter, but her mother called her in. The man was holding her mother's hand. Tang Beiwei suspected this was the man who'd abandoned her mother, and was shocked by his audacity in returning. However, her mother's kindness allowed her to believe him instantly.

"Beiwei, this is Uncle Song..." Tang Jing began, before Tang Beiwei interrupted, understanding immediately.

She pointed at the man. "Get out! Don't come back! You hurt Mother before, and now you're back to hurt her again!"

Remembering her mother's hardships, Tang Beiwei's contempt for the man intensified. He'd caused her mother a lifetime of suffering, and now dared to return. Tang Jing's face paled. "Beiwei, don't curse Qiming. He had his reasons. When he wanted to find me, I'd already left Beijing…"

Tang Beiwei rushed to her mother's side, supporting her while glaring at Song Qiming. "Go! I won't curse you again for Mom's sake, but stop trying to trick her."

Song Qiming stared, surprised. He understood why Dongfang Xi wanted to use Tang Beiwei to seduce Ye Mo; she was beautiful. But she wasn't his daughter. If Tang Jing hadn't told him, he'd have assumed she was. A flicker of guilt over Tang Jing's miscarriage crossed his face, then quickly vanished.

Tang Jing, worried by her daughter's outburst towards her forgiven lover, spat blood.

Tang Beiwei quickly apologized and helped her mother.

Song Qiming fetched water and cleaned Tang Jing, then turned to Tang Beiwei. "Beiwei, whether you believe me or not, my biggest regret is not finding your mother sooner. Now that I have, I'll dedicate the rest of my life to her care. I want to take her to Beijing, and I'll help you transfer schools so you can come, too."

Tang Beiwei remained cold and disbelieving. She couldn't trust this cruel man's repentance. Though unaware of the full story, she instinctively distrusted him.

"Mom, are you really going to Beijing?" Tang Beiwei didn't want to leave her mother, nor did she want her mother to go to the Song family in Beijing.

Her mother, clutching Song Qiming's hand, radiated hope and happiness, completely oblivious to her daughter's plea.

Tang Beiwei felt a pang of sadness. She'd lived with her mother for over twenty years, and felt deeply loved, only to see her mother taken away by this man. Was this the power of love? She knew she was being manipulated, yet she still clung to a hope of his sincerity.

She thought of Ye Mo. Was her mother's desperation to see Song Qiming similar to her own longing for her brother? No, her feelings were sibling-based, different from her mother's, but something felt amiss. Though closer to her mother, she felt a different, friend-like bond with Ye Mo.

"Beiwei, come to Beijing with me. I worry about you being alone in Tan Du," Tang Jing finally remembered her daughter.

Tang Beiwei's heart sank. Song Qiming had gained her mother's complete trust in half a day. If she'd known, she never would have let him in.

"Mom, I want to stay here and wait for my brother," Tang Beiwei admitted her preference to stay with Ye Mo. Ideally, the three of them would live together, but her mother's desire to go to the Song family complicated things.

Tang Jing shook her head, grasping Tang Beiwei's hand. "Beiwei, I'll be more at ease if you're with your brother. He gave you so much money on your first meeting. I know he loves you dearly. You've suffered so much living with me all these years. Your mother is useless."

"No, Mom…" Tang Beiwei felt more sadness, but she saw her usually despondent mother so happy for the first time and couldn't bring herself to oppose her.

Song Qiming looked confused. "Brother?"

Tang Jing explained that Tang Beiwei and Ye Mo were siblings. Song Qiming's face fell. Now he understood Dongfang Xi's plan. It wasn't about beauty, but the sibling connection. Dongfang Xi was truly malicious.

However, looking at Tang Beiwei, he realized the plan had failed.

"What's wrong, Qiming?" Tang Jing focused on Song Qiming.

Song Qiming's expression shifted before he sighed. "I know Ye Mo. He's powerful. But our Song family offended him, and now he seeks revenge. I… I didn't expect him to be Beiwei's brother…"

Tang Jing gasped, but quickly understood the implications. "Beiwei, can you persuade your brother to spare Qiming?"

Tang Beiwei immediately grew suspicious of Song Qiming's motives. Perhaps he knew about her and Ye Mo's relationship and sought mercy.

Seeing Tang Beiwei's silence, Tang Jing grew more anxious. "Beiwei…"

Tang Beiwei sighed. "Mother, I don't know what my brother will do, but I'll ask him."

She didn't want to agree, but her mother's hopeful eyes pained her. Her mother had worked tirelessly for over twenty years raising her. She couldn't refuse.

Ye Mo's face darkened upon hearing the news. Song Qiming, even if you have the gods on your side, I will still destroy your family.

Tang Beiwei continued, "Song Qiming begged for mercy, but I ignored him. But Mother says I must beg for mercy from you. She was taken to Beijing by him. I didn't want to go, so I stayed. I don't understand why Mother would listen to Song Qiming. Even… even…"

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her mother was everything to her, yet she’d been outweighed by Song Qiming's supposed love.

Ye Mo understood. If he sought revenge on the Song family in Beijing, they would undoubtedly use Tang Jing as a pawn. He wouldn't let the woman who'd raised Tang Beiwei for twenty years be harmed. Song Qiming was truly malevolent.

"We'll deal with this later. Who did you offend at the university to warrant this?" Ye Mo wanted to know who was targeting his sister.