Chapter 89: Casting a Spell to Claim You

A gentleman seeks wealth by rightful means. Another principle Tang Long abides by is that a true gentleman is romantic, but never vulgar. Tang Long never claimed to be a good man, but he would never take advantage of someone in their hour of weakness.

“Come here, you,” he said.

Gou Yuniang hesitated, but still followed Tang Long's command and walked over. According to their agreement, she now belonged to him.

“Sit.”

Tang Long patted his thigh with a half-smile, signaling for her to sit down. Though Gou Yuniang had mentally prepared herself, when the moment truly arrived, she couldn't help blushing fiercely, her manner shy and reserved.

This, more than anything, showed she was not a wanton woman.

Tang Long did not hurry her. So many things in life are determined by one's own choices, just like the road beneath one's feet. No one can force you down a path you do not wish to walk; every right to choose is in your own hands, whether it leads to right or wrong.

“I… should I go take a bath first?” Gou Yuniang mumbled, her cheeks crimson, eyes cast down.

Hm?

Tang Long couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. “Why do you want to take a bath?” he teased, then, seeing her embarrassment, gestured to the chair opposite. “Never mind, you’d better sit there.”

Blushing, Gou Yuniang seated herself in the chair across from him. She had a sense of what he was after—men’s intentions were never too difficult to guess.

“If I can find a way to get that batch of jade back from Xiantao Manor, could you still fulfill the order for Hezheng Jewelry Group?” Tang Long asked, all jest set aside.

Gou Yuniang paused, then nodded. “If we get it back now, it should still be in time.”

She hesitated, then added, “Even if we can’t finish the carving order, at worst, we pay a penalty for the delay. That would only be a breach of contract. But if we lose their materials, that would be a catastrophe.”

Tang Long nodded. “I think the Niu family has a hand in all this, pulling the strings from behind.”

“I’ve already thought of that,” Gou Yuniang replied calmly. “Even if we know the Niu family is behind it, there’s nothing we can do. No one forced him to gamble—every choice he made was his own.”

She hardened her expression. “His fate is his own concern, but the reputation of Baofeng Carving Workshop must not be tarnished.”

Foolish woman, Tang Long thought, unsure what to say about her.

“If you can get that batch of jade back, I… I might serve you for a few more years,” Gou Yuniang said, her cheeks still flushed, but her gaze bold as she looked at Tang Long.

Her meaning was clear enough.

Tang Long laughed. “Look at me—still young, not short of money, and if not as handsome as Pan An, at least not too bad. Do I look like someone who’s desperate for women?”

Gou Yuniang’s smile flickered across her lips. “Does it matter whether you’re lacking women or not? At the very least, it’s better to have another woman who cares for you and understands you, rather than one less, isn’t it?”

Tang Long was momentarily taken aback, rubbing his nose as he chuckled. “That’s true enough. Who would complain about having too many beautiful women around?”

Whether any of them truly understood him—well, that was another matter entirely. There are countless women in the world, but who can claim to truly understand a man?

“How do you plan to get that jade back from Xiantao Manor?” Gou Yuniang couldn’t help asking.

Tang Long grinned. “Simple. I’ll just go ask Liu Meijia directly.”

Gou Yuniang frowned. “You think she’ll hand it over?” That batch of jade was worth millions, after all.

“If she refuses, I’ll just finish her off,” Tang Long’s eyes flashed with a hint of menace. They weren’t friends, after all. Now that Yutou Village was starting to stir, if Liu Meijia behaved herself, she could keep her carefree days for a while longer; if not, he could make an example of her, even offer her up as a sacrifice to the old village chief.

Gou Yuniang’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You and she…”

Tang Long shook his head with a wry smile. “By ‘finish her off,’ I mean beat her, not what you’re thinking!”

Gou Yuniang blushed, embarrassed by her misunderstanding.

Tang Long didn’t have Liu Meijia’s number, but finding it shouldn’t be difficult.

When Zhang Xiue received Tang Long’s call, she was momentarily surprised. “Why do you want her number?” she asked, puzzled.

Tang Long wouldn’t just contact Liu Meijia for no reason.

He laughed. “Just a private matter. I’ll explain when I get back. Qian Youwang probably has her contact details.”

“No need to ask him, I have it,” Zhang Xiue replied, quickly pulling up Liu Meijia’s number from her contacts. After giving it to Tang Long, she couldn’t help but warn him, “Be careful, don’t get into a conflict with her. If anything comes up, come back and discuss it with us first before doing anything.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not reckless. I always think before I act. Now, how about a kiss?” Tang Long joked, grinning.

Zhang Xiue blushed, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then actually pressed a kiss to her phone, whispering, “Come back soon—I miss you!”

“Heh, as you command. If nothing goes wrong, I’ll be back by tomorrow morning.”

Tang Long chatted with Zhang Xiue a while longer before hanging up. While he was on the phone, Gou Yuniang sat nearby, listening intently.

“Your girlfriend?” she asked softly, curiosity in her voice.

Tang Long smiled. “One of them. She only wants to date me, not marry.”

Gou Yuniang was momentarily stunned, thinking he was joking. From their conversation, though, she could tell his relationship with Zhang Xiue was very close.

Tang Long didn’t bother to explain. Believe it or not, it was his own business, and what passed between him and Zhang Xiue had nothing to do with anyone else. As for the future—who could say what might happen?

He dialed Liu Meijia’s number.

“Who is this?” Liu Meijia’s tone was icy.

Tang Long glanced at Gou Yuniang, who sat across from him. He suddenly realized that the allure in Gou Yuniang’s gaze was not much less than that of a woman like Liu Meijia. The difference was, while Liu Meijia’s seductiveness was blatant, Gou Yuniang concealed hers deep within, rarely letting it show.

“When will you return the batch of jade that belongs to Baofeng Carving Workshop?” Tang Long asked casually.

There was silence on the line.

Tang Long spoke evenly. “Before nine-thirty tomorrow morning, return the jade the same way you took it. There shouldn’t be any problem with that, should there?”

Liu Meijia’s face grew dark. This wasn’t so much a request as outright robbery.

“And if I say no?” she replied coldly.

Tang Long laughed lightly. “You’re a smart woman. You should know what choice to make. Be obedient, and I’ll let you enjoy a few more days of freedom. If not… I’ll have to use my charms to subdue you, you little vixen.”