Chapter Thirty-Seven: Boss Tang’s Remarkable Skills

“In a little while, I’ll go to Fish Head Village.”
As she was about to part ways with Tang Long, Yao Hantong’s eyes brimmed with reluctance. The days they’d spent entwined had brought a radiant glow to her delicate face, erasing all traces of the cold arrogance she’d shown when they first met. Now, she was the picture of a woman thoroughly tamed and docile.
Gao Peng was sincerely impressed by Boss Tang’s methods—if only he possessed Tang’s skill, he’d never have to worry about trouble at home or distractions elsewhere.
But these techniques simply couldn’t be learned.
“Take Ermao and the others to the capital, get her ear treated, and when you return…” Tang Long leaned close to Yao Hantong’s ear and whispered so only she could hear, “I’ll be your beast of burden.”
His words held a deeper meaning.
Yao Hantong blushed and pinched him lightly at the waist. “You’ll be my horse for life!”
Gao Peng turned his head away, unable to bear the couple’s intimate display. The key point was that Miss Yao was so obedient now.
Ah, if only he could get his own wife to be this gentle and sweet.
It had only been a few days—when Yao Hantong first arrived, her expression was downright ferocious.
“If you need anything, just call me. I’m your woman, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about!” Yao Hantong hugged Tang Long, pressed her head into his chest, and listened to the steady rhythm of his heart, speaking softly.
“Mm.”
Tang Long patted her head twice.
Zhao Xiaoyue, standing nearby, couldn’t help but purse her lips. For some reason, seeing Yao Hantong being affectionate with Tang Long made her feel uneasy. Even though Yao Hantong had treated her well these past days—taking them shopping, buying clothes, cosmetics, and jewelry.
“Sister-in-law Li, don’t worry. In the capital, Hantong will make all the arrangements for you. If anything happens, just call me,” Tang Long released Yao Hantong and walked over to Ermao and her mother, gently ruffling Ermao’s hair as he spoke to Li Dayong’s wife.
“Yes, village chief, I know.” Sister-in-law Li nodded.
This time, only she and Ermao were going to the capital. Yao Hantong had already contacted the hospital and the attending physician, so when they arrived, Ermao could go straight in for surgery. There was no need for a large entourage.
With Miss Yao’s connections in the capital, if anything went wrong, she wouldn’t need Tang Long to scold her—she’d lose her temper herself.
Such a small matter, if she couldn’t handle it, could she still call herself Yao Hantong?
“Be good, listen, and when you come back, your brother will pick you up personally!” Tang Long squatted down, kissed Ermao on the forehead, and smiled.

Though Tang Long called Ermao’s mother “sister-in-law,” he’d never asked Ermao to call him uncle, just as Yao Hantong had never wanted Ermao to call her aunt.
They were all young—seniority was just a matter of perspective.
“We’re off!”
Tang Long stood up, a packed bag on his back and a large suitcase in tow. When he’d arrived, he’d had nothing, but now he was returning loaded with goods.
Yao Hantong’s eyes reddened as she rushed to embrace Tang Long again, shamelessly kissing him in front of everyone.
Sister-in-law Li smiled, covering Ermao’s eyes with her hand. Ermao peeked out through her fingers, trying to catch a glimpse.
Miss Zhao pouted and stomped her foot. “Tang Long, the train’s about to leave! Are we going or not?”
Reluctantly, Yao Hantong let go of Tang Long.
“When you get back, give my regards to the old man.” Tang Long whispered in Yao Hantong’s ear, then turned and led the group toward the station.
Yao Hantong’s eyes sparkled with meaning—his words carried weight. He was telling her that when she returned, she could be honest with the old man, and if he approved, he’d send someone for Tang Long. The responsibility he ought to bear, he would shoulder himself.
They registered, passed the ticket check, and boarded the train home.
Zhao Xiaoyue shooed Li Ergou away, took the seat next to Tang Long, and hugged his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. These past days, that spot had belonged to Yao Hantong, and Zhao could only snatch it on rare occasions.
Across from them, the young doctor Qiu Yuxia couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Zhao Xiaoyue thought she was clever, but her girlish intentions were obvious—a heart as transparent as Sima Zhao’s, known to all.
Tang Long smiled bitterly, ruffling her hair. “Aren’t you hot?”
In these days with Yao Hantong, if nothing else, she’d mastered the art of acting cute and coquettish.
Zhao Xiaoyue blinked, feigning innocence. “Hot? I don’t feel anything!”
Tang Long smiled and ignored her, turning his head toward the window. He could sense Zhao Xiaoyue’s growing dependence on him, awakened and intensified by Yao Hantong. Yet Tang Long had no interest in the pretty little girl who’d grown up trailing behind him.
He didn’t mix business with pleasure; he only saw Zhao Xiaoyue as a little sister.
“Tang Long, how did you meet Sister Hantong?” Zhao Xiaoyue searched for a topic—she’d always wanted to ask, but Tang Long had been with Yao Hantong the whole time, leaving her no chance.
The village doctor Qiu Yuxia pricked up her ears; she too was curious to hear Tang Long’s answer.

“We just met, that’s all.” Tang Long thought back to the past, unable to suppress a smile. Winning over Miss Yao hadn’t been terribly difficult, but it wasn’t easy either—he’d endured his share of hardship.
The fruit he’d fought for was rather sweet in the end.
“Tell us about it!” Zhao Xiaoyue blinked, hugging Tang Long’s arm and pestering him.
The train started moving.
…
It wasn’t until Tang Long and his companions disappeared inside the station, out of sight, that Yao Hantong withdrew her gaze.
The gentle, feminine demeanor vanished from her face, replaced once more by a cold, proud expression, as if this was how Miss Yao was meant to be.
“Little Sparrow, help me register an investment company—use your name, a capital of ten million will do. We’ll use this company to invest in Fish Head Village.” Yao Hantong put on her sunglasses, speaking calmly.
Gao Peng was helpless. “Little Sparrow” was his nickname—few dared call him that, but Miss Yao was no ordinary person.
“I’ll get right to it!” Gao Peng nodded obediently. So be it—Little Sparrow it is. She was not someone he could afford to offend.
“Keep an eye on the express deliveries. Nothing can go wrong.” Yao Hantong spoke coldly.
The goods Tang Long and the others had bought in the provincial capital were all packed by the courier company and shipped back to Taoyuan County.
“Don’t worry, I’ll personally assign someone to escort them.” Gao Peng nodded, a bitter smile in his heart. The treatment was worlds apart—if it were anyone else, Miss Yao wouldn’t care at all.
Of course, if not for Tang Long, he’d never even have a conversation with her.
“Sister-in-law, let’s go!”
Yao Hantong squatted down, picked Ermao up from the ground, and spoke to Sister-in-law Li with a rare hint of a smile.
At that moment, Miss Yao’s heart was anything but happy. She’d only just reunited with her beloved, and now was forced to part again—how could she be cheerful?
But to the people of Fish Head Village, she wouldn’t show her displeasure.