KEIGHTY: It’s my birthday! 🎉🎂 I decided to celebrate this special occassion by releasing an extra chapter for all of my on-going translations! Cheers to more years of serving danmeis to you guys! Enjoy reading ROR 🚬
Li Tang found it a little hard to believe Bai Xiaoqi’s words, not because he was suspicious, but because he had been with Hong Xiangfeng for too many years and was familiar with Hong Xiangfeng’s character.
Hong Xiangfeng had indeed lived a preposterous life in the past two years. Although the Hong Xiangfeng that Li Tang was familiar with could not be described as calm and self-restrained, he still had a sense of propriety. Concerning women, he was a bit careless, earning himself a reputation for such troubles. Nevertheless, Hong Xiangfeng would not do such a thing; otherwise, there would be no Dihong today.
Li Tang simply thought that Bai Xiaoqi had no reason to lie to him. Thus, he did not dare draw a conclusion before getting confirmation from Hong Xiangfeng himself.
Li Tang called Hong Xiangfeng, “Gandie, where are you? I want to meet with you.”
Perhaps it was because of Li Tang’s serious tone, but Hong Xiangfeng didn’t talk nonsense and simply said, “Come to my house.”
When Li Tang arrived at the Hong family’s house, it was already dark. There was no one in the living room on the first floor. The lights were turned off. Sister Hua was probably watching a TV series in her room. Hong Xiangfeng asked him to go directly to the study room on the second floor.
When Li Tang knocked on the door and went in, Hong Xiangfeng was already smoking. His expression was quite calm. He then asked Li Tang to come and sit down.
Li Tang did not ask questions first; rather, it was Hong Xiangfeng who said bluntly, “I slept with Bai Xiaoqi, so don’t mess with her anymore.”
Li Tang felt it was somewhat absurd. He suddenly thought to himself that if he truly loved Bai Xiaoqi, he should stand up at this time, beat up this man in front of him, and then use every means he could to ruthlessly retaliate against him. But he didn’t. At this time, he still thought in his heart that this was his Gandie. He still talked to him calmly and asked him, “You know the relationship between Bai Xiaoqi and me, so why did you do that kind of thing to her?”
At that moment, Hong Xiangfeng’s expression changed. Li Tang could see that he was avoiding his eyes for a moment before he answered, “She seduced me. I just want to see how cheap this woman can be and let you see it clearly.”
Li Tang remained calm and said, “So it was you who raped her.”
Hong Xiangfeng suddenly stood up and slammed both of his hands on the table. “Raped her? Why do I motherfucking need to rape her? She sent me to the room, helped me take off my shoes, and touched and rubbed them. I grabbed her hand and looked at her, but she didn’t utter a word nor did she resist. And now she’s saying that I raped her?”
Li Tang saw Hong Xiangfeng gasping for air. His face was flushed. He was obviously very angry. “Li Tang, I already told you not to associate with this woman a long time ago. I think she’s simply not in the right mind, or if not, she has ulterior motives!”
Li Tang clasped his hands and closed his eyes.
Hong Xiangfeng sat down, his mood gradually calming down. Then he asked, “So she told you that I raped her.”
Li Tang hesitated and said nothing.
Hong Xiangfeng said, “Li Tang, there is something wrong with this woman. We’ve had this father-and-son relationship for more than 20 years. Don’t let her sow discord between us.”
Li Tang looked directly at Hong Xiangfeng. “Gandie, Bai Xiaoqi promised me not to call the police. Give me some time and let me handle this matter.”
Hong Xiangfeng asked him, “Do you still doubt me?”
Li Tang simply said, “Gandie, give me some time.”
Before leaving, Li Tang told Hong Xiangfeng about the car accident today. Hong Xiangfeng was surprised. He then blamed Li Tang for not telling him earlier, as he hurriedly called Hong Minhang.
Li Tang left alone silently.
After coming out of the Hong family’s house, Li Tang called Bai Xiaoqi, but Bai Xiaoqi never answered.
Li Tang suddenly felt worried and could only rush back to Bai Xiaoqi’s home. Bai Xiaoqi’s mood was very unstable. Li Tang heated up a glass of milk for her and then watched her until she fell asleep.
After Bai Xiaoqi fell asleep, Li Tang went to the balcony alone and smoked all night until the horizon was suffused with white.
Li Tang advised Bai Xiaoqi not to go to work for the time being and to rest for a while.
Although Bai Xiaoqi had been working in this job for two or three years, it was not easy to reach her current position. However, it was not too difficult to find a new job after gaining experience, so she simply quit her job.
Bai Xiaoqi asked Li Tang how to deal with Hong Xiangfeng. Li Tang told her that she should trust him and that he would not let Hong Xiangfeng go, but it would take time.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Bai Xiaoqi agreed.
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As for the incident about Bai Xiaoqi, Hong Xiangfeng and Li Tang unanimously sealed their silence. Hong Minhang had never heard anyone talk about it. He only knew that Li Tang had left him alone in the hospital. At that time, he received Bai Xiaoqi’s call and was seemingly in a hurry to set out. Hong Minhang was a little sad and even began to suspect that no matter what he did, there was nothing he could do to shake Li Tang’s heart.
Li Tang asked someone privately about what happened in the restaurant that day. Except for Xiao Wei, the driver who helped Hong Xiangfeng to the room, no one else knew about it. Even Xiao Wei didn’t know what happened after he left. So it was originally a one-on-one testimony between Hong Xiangfeng and Bai Xiaoqi. One of them must be lying.
Li Tang never returned to Dihong. Hong Xiangfeng did not pursue him. However, Hong Minhang couldn’t bear it anymore and called Li Tang in a business-like manner, “Why didn’t you come to work?”
Unexpectedly, Li Tang said, “Minhang, come out with me for a drink or two.”
Hong Minhang was stunned for a moment but did not refuse and said, “Okay.”
Li Tang didn’t invite Hong Minhang to the bar; instead, he bought a box of beer and some dishes, asking Hong Minhang to accompany him to his home. The two sat on the balcony, sipping their drinks. Li Tang mentioned they could enjoy the drinks without worrying about getting too drunk to go home.
Hong Minhang asked, “What happened?”
Li Tang supported his head with one hand and slowly recounted what Bai Xiaoqi told him that day.
Hong Minhang frowned involuntarily.
Li Tang then told Hong Minhang what Hong Xiangfeng said to him and asked, “Who do you think I should believe?”
Hong Minhang asked him back, “Who do you want to believe?”
Li Tang was silent for a while. “How could I be willing to believe that my Gandie raped Bai Xiaoqi, my girlfriend? Li Tang will probably become a joke to the entire Chongfeng City.”
Hong Minhang suddenly stood up and walked to Li Tang. He bent down and hugged his head in his arms. “Why do you think you’re a joke? Do you know how much someone likes you and is willing to die for you? Why can’t you just see it?”
Li Tang remained motionless, allowing Hong Minhang to hold him.
Hong Minhang reached out and brushed Li Tang’s hair away from his forehead. He lowered his head and kissed his lips softly. Seeing that Li Tang didn’t resist, he kissed him again, deepening the kiss once more.
Li Tang knew that this kiss was different. Something that he couldn’t experience when he was with Bai Xiaoqi. The place where his heart was kept throbbing, his fingers even curling up because of his strong emotions.
Probably, it was not only Hong Minhang who was in love with him. He was also in love with Hong Minhang. Although Li Tang always felt it was impossible to distinguish whether the feelings were those of lovers or brothers, he understood very well that to him, Hong Minhang was different from anyone else.
When the kiss ended, both of them were slightly out of breath. Li Tang reached out to pick up the beer next to him, took a few swigs of it, and then let out a long breath.
Hong Minhang sat down next to Li Tang. Seeing that he didn’t want to say anything else, he stopped mentioning it and picked up a beer bottle to drink with him.
Later, both of them went drunk. Li Tang couldn’t even remember what happened next. When he woke up in the morning, he was in bed and Hong Minhang had already left.
Bai Xiaoqi told Li Tang that she wanted to go back to her hometown. Li Tang offered to go back with her, but she refused. She said she would go back with a sister from her hometown, so Li Tang told her to be careful along the way and to call him if something happened.
After Bai Xiaoqi left, Hong Xiangfeng asked Li Tang to meet him. When Li Tang arrived, he found that Hong Minhang was also at home.
Hong Xiangfeng said, “We finally have some clues about the person who attacked you last time. Li Tang, do you still remember Du Xiaobiao?”
Li Tang was silent for a moment. Then he asked, “Lunatic Du?”
“Yes,” Hong Xiangfeng replied. “Du Xiaobiao has been released from prison. It seems that the first thing he did was to come to you.”
Li Tang raised his hand and wiped his face. “He came here for me, but he implicated Minhang along the way.”
Hong Minhang suddenly asked, “Does this Du Xiaobiao have a grudge against Li-ge or against our Hong family?”
“Both are,” Hong Xiangfeng told him, “so be careful, that person is a lunatic. There will definitely be another time.”
After Hong Xiangfeng finished speaking, Hong Minhang stood up and walked out, but Li Tang stayed.
Hong Xiangfeng looked at him. “You still don’t believe me about Bai Xiaoqi?”
“It’s not about Bai Xiaoqi,” Li Tang said, “it’s about Minhang. You also said that there will definitely be a next time for Du Xiaobiao. Find some people to follow Minhang and personally protect him. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”
Hong Xiangfeng nodded. “Of course I will consider this. Li Tang, listen to your Gandie and don’t do anything with that woman, Bai Xiaoqi. Let me deal with her.”
Li Tang was non-committal. “Give me some time. I’ll handle it.”
After Li Tang came out, he saw Hong Minhang waiting for him downstairs. The two of them walked slowly outside.
“About Bai Xiaoqi,” Hong Minhang said, “Actually, you already had an idea, right? Even if my father didn’t force her, but to touch her so easily, do you think it’s forgivable?”
Li Tang suddenly asked, “What would you do if it were you?”
Hong Minhang stopped and replied in a serious tone, “You mean, if my dad touches the person I love? Then I will kill him.”
Li Tang furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
Hong Minhang then continued, “You actually don’t like that woman at all.”
Li Tang shook his head. “I once seriously thought about being with her. Maybe God doesn’t like me.”
Hong Minhang said, “God just wants you to choose the right one.”
Li Tang smiled and did not continue this topic with him. He said goodbye and left. Before leaving, he repeatedly told Hong Minhang to be careful.
Even after knowing that it was probably Du Xiaobiao, a lunatic, who was behind the scenes, Li Tang and the others still had nothing to do with him. Du Xiaobiao went into hibernation and never appeared after that, so they could only be more vigilant.
Li Tang was most worried about Hong Minhang. He was very familiar with Du Xiaobiao. In comparison, Hong Minhang, a young returnee who seemed somewhat polite, was more in line with Du Xiaobiao’s target.
Less than a week later, Bai Xiaoqi came back. However, she did not appear alone. There was also a cousin who came back from her hometown with her.
The first thing Bai Xiaoqi and her cousin did when they returned to Chongfeng was to make an appointment with Li Tang.
Li Tang hurried to the restaurant at the agreed-upon location. Before he could ask Bai Xiaoqi if he was okay, her cousin suddenly splashed tea on his face.
The man pointed at Li Tang’s face and cursed, “Are you even a man? Are you just going to let your girlfriend suffer this kind of injustice?”
Many people looked over. Bai Xiaoqi quickly stopped them.
The man pulled Bai Xiaoqi away and said, “You’re still helping him? Are you blind? He is simply perfunctory with you. How could he be willing to fall out with his rich Gandie for you?! He’s probably thinking how to dump you now!”
Bai Xiaoqi cried and covered her ears. “He is not that kind of person!”
When Li Tang saw Bai Xiaoqi crying sadly, he advised them that it was inappropriate to talk here and that they should talk somewhere else. Li Tang didn’t get angry because the tea was poured on him. His attitude was quite good. Only then did Bai Xiaoqi’s cousin curse and leave with them.
Along the way, the man was criticizing Li Tang for being useless and worthless, saying that if it were him, he would definitely kill Hong Xiangfeng.
Li Tang looked at him in the rearview mirror, not because his provocation was too obvious, but because this man was fair and clean, not at all like a farm boy from the countryside. He spoke without any local accent. Li Tang was already a little suspicious of Bai Xiaoqi. He was even more curious about this man’s sudden appearance. What did they want? Money? Or do they want Hong Xiangfeng to die? Or do they want to let himself die?
Bai Xiaoqi’s cousin, Zhang Hao, had no place to live in Chongfeng City, so Li Tang sent him to Bai Xiaoqi’s home. Before Li Tang left, he pointed at Li Tang again and said, “If you don’t go and kill Hong Xiangfeng, then I will. Don’t stop me then!”
Li Tang said, “Okay, I won’t stop you.”
No one expected that, one night later, Hong Xiangfeng, who was drinking in a bar, almost got stabbed when he went to the toilet. At that moment, the assailant only scraped Hong Xiangfeng’s lower back, causing some blood to ooze out, but it wasn’t too serious. The man immediately ran away, and he couldn’t be caught by anyone. However, Hong Xiangfeng was frightened. With more money over the years, his life became more comfortable. He no longer had the courage to risk his life. He cherished it more than anyone else.
Hong Xiangfeng lay on the bed for a few days, but rumors were already spreading outside.
Hong Xiangjun and his younger brother, both came to visit him and told him, “There are rumors outside right now that you were the one who cheated on Li Tang’s woman and that he secretly said he would kill you.”
Hong Xiangfeng cursed on the spot, “Bullshit! Li Tang is my son. There’s no way he can do such a thing!”
However, after scolding Hong Xiangjun and Hong Xiangguo away, Hong Xiangfeng began to feel uneasy again. He felt that those rumors were not unreasonable. Li Tang did still doubt him. A biting dog would not bark. Li Tang had been so calm for so long. On the surface, he seemed not to pursue the matter involving Bai Xiaoqi, but he didn’t know what he was planning secretly.
He was also a man. Even a man would not swallow his anger and get over with something like that.
The people around him were the least trustworthy. He had been stabbed by that woman, Yue Min, before. He had learned a lesson from that.
So Hong Xiangfeng thought about it. Feeling uneasy, he asked someone to get a gun and put it under his pillow. At the same time, he also invited a few people to come back to the Hong family’s house to protect him from top to bottom.
When Li Tang came to see Hong Xiangfeng, Hong Xiangfeng subconsciously reached out to touch the gun under his pillow. The bodyguard standing at the door also guarded him and did not go out.
Li Tang asked Hong Xiangfeng, Did you see clearly who it was?
Hong Xiangfeng said he didn’t know.
Li Tang said, “Could it be Du Xiaobiao?”
Hong Xiangfeng pondered for a moment. Now, he felt that no matter who it was, it was all possible. Even if it was Hong Minhang or Hong Xiangjun and his brother, he couldn’t help but think that they probably wanted him to die early so that they could divide Dihong.
When Li Tang came in, he saw people guarding him up and down. He could only advise, “Gandie, take good care of yourself. Don’t be too nervous.”
Hong Xiangfeng looked at Li Tang thoughtfully, wondering if he was hinting at something.
Li Tang didn’t know what he was thinking at this time. He tried to comfort him with a few more words, but when he saw that he was still a little nervous, he stood up and left.
As for those rumors, Li Tang was used to living alone these days. The only person who could talk to him was Hong Minhang, but Hong Minhang never mentioned them.
Hong Xiangfeng had been recovering at home for a few days. His injuries were almost healed. Seeing that it was his fifty-fifth birthday in a few days, several groups of people came to the house and asked him what his birthday plans were.
Hong Xiangfeng was also hesitant. He felt really uncomfortable after lying down for a long time. He wanted to have some fun, but if he went outside, he was afraid that something might happen, so he never really made a decision.
Later, Li Tang said that it would be better to do it at home.
After hearing this, Hong Xiangfeng felt that it was still feasible. With so many bodyguards watching at home, it could also prevent outsiders from coming in and out, which he thought was the safest. But he had to guard against Li Tang. He refused to leave this matter to Li Tang but handed it over to Hong Minhang. At the same time, he secretly asked people to keep an eye on Li Tang that day.
On Hong Xiangfeng’s birthday, all his brothers came to congratulate him. Hong Xiangjun also found some young and beautiful female models to be intimate with. At first, Hong Xiangfeng blamed Hong Xiangjun for being too troublesome, worrying too much about others’ trivial matters. Later on, a female model sat on his lap and fed him wine, making him happy. Then he started to indulge in this.
By this time, Li Tang had already noticed Hong Xiangfeng’s wariness toward him. He silently lit a cigarette in the corner.
Before dinner started, Li Tang received a call from Bai Xiaoqi, saying that she urgently had to meet with him for something.
Li Tang hesitated. He then went to tell Hong Xiangfeng that he wanted to leave for a while.
At this time, Hong Xiangfeng really wished that Li Tang was not here, so he immediately waved him away.
Not long after Li Tang left, Hong Minhang actually received a call from Bai Xiaoqi. Bai Xiaoqi sounded anxious, saying that Li Tang was injured by her cousin. She asked Hong Minhang to come over and help her take Li Tang to the hospital.
Hong Minhang said to the phone in an anxious tone, “Okay, I’ll come right away.” Then he told Hong Xiangfeng that something happened to Li Tang and he wanted to go over and take a look immediately.
Hong Xiangfeng was a little wary and said, “What’s the matter? Call Li Tang, and I’ll talk to him.”
Hong Minhang dialed Li Tang’s number, but no one answered.
Hong Minhang was even more anxious. He must go.
Seeing that he couldn’t stop him, Hong Xiangfeng asked him to take two more people to follow him and to be careful.
“I understand.” Hong Minhang finished speaking and left in a hurry.
Thank you for the update and Happy Birthday!!
Thank youuuuu >////< mua~