A Bite of Duck for Each Person

"Hmm? This kid, I also noticed he's been hiding himself. Last night, I got up to use the restroom and overheard Qiao'er on the phone with her dad. She said, 'Tang Ao is not as useless as you think. You have no idea what kind of heavy burden he's carrying.'"

As Tang's father spoke, he grew increasingly excited, taking a big gulp of water to calm himself.

"At that moment, I wondered if I was hallucinating. Our son is impressive, hiding his true self so well that even we were fooled!

But thinking about it now, comparing the Tang family business to a traditional kingdom and hearing such things from his mouth, I'm not surprised. He's been acting so well that I almost believed his brain had turned to mush because of that Lin girl."

"Your son is much smarter than you think. He's grown up and knows to be cautious. I bet he already has a comprehensive plan and is silently working hard, waiting to amaze everyone in the end!

Look, everyone says this Zhou Qiao'er is a business prodigy, even sharper than her father. But now, look at her, isn't she wrapped around our son's finger?"

Tang's mother was beaming with pride. "He's been relentlessly pursuing Lin Ruoxue these past few years, definitely for a deeper reason. Honey, I really think our son is playing a long game, but... I can't see through him right now."

Tang's father nodded in agreement. "They say parents know their children best, but as his father, even I can't see through him. But... my son Tang Ao is no ordinary person. I didn't believe in Xiao Ao before, but now, I completely trust him. He can handle everything beautifully!"

"Do you know why I'm so sure? Just from his suggestion to donate the Tang Group's shares to the state, I can tell my son Tang Ao is a one-in-a-million business genius!"

Tang's mother nodded in agreement. "At first, I thought it was absurd and was even angry. But now, I see it's the best choice. Though it seems like we'd lose a lot of wealth in the short term, the state would never let us down.

Compared to our son being embroiled in endless internal strife within the group, donating the shares would allow the Tang Group to develop even further. When that happens, even if our descendants are mediocre, as long as the Tang Group exists, our family will have a strong backing!"

Tang's father's eyes were filled with admiration and relief as he nodded heavily. "This move of sacrificing a pawn to save the king, I wonder where this kid learned it. Honey, quickly get a lawyer to our home. We'll draft the will as our son suggested. And make sure to involve the media, as he said!"

Tang's mother looked out the window with pride. "No wonder he's my son. Through years of patience, he's deceived potential rivals. Such deep planning... He takes after me!"

Tang's father widened his eyes, looking at Tang's mother in surprise. "Hmm?"

Tang's mother gave him a stern look, making him swallow his questions.

If Tang Ao heard this conversation between his parents, he'd shake his head vigorously.

This is all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!

He never manipulated Zhou Qiao'er; she came to him on her own!

He never planned any big schemes. His only goal was to play his role as a villain well, follow the plot, and offer his face to be slapped when needed, then finally embrace a happy ending.

All of this is your misunderstanding and prejudice!

...

Meanwhile, Tang Ao drove Zhou Qiao'er to their destination, an old-fashioned looking restaurant.

Tang Ao's car parked grandly at the restaurant's entrance. Looking at the restaurant's sign, Tang Ao fell into deep thought.

The sign, looking extremely old-fashioned, had three shiny golden characters—'A Box of Duck.'

"A bite of duck for each person?"

Tang Ao blurted out, the restaurant manager, who was running over, panting, was stunned.

"Tang... Tang Gongzi, what did you just say?"

With a vague memory, looking at the manager in a neatly pressed suit and a fawning expression, Tang Ao finally recalled what this place was.

This was the restaurant where Lin Ruoxue took her bodyguard Ye Chen to attend a class reunion!

According to the plot, Tang Ao had no part in Lin Ruoxue's class reunion!

However, Tang Ao didn't believe for a second that Zhou Qiao'er and Lin Ruoxue were classmates. In the original plot, it was never mentioned, and Zhou Qiao'er and Lin Ruoxue never crossed paths.

But... could the world be this small?

Zhou Qiao'er's class reunion just happened to be at the same restaurant?

But it made sense. This was the highest-ranking restaurant in Longquan City. Being able to dine here was a bragging right for many. Given Zhou Qiao'er's status, she wouldn't attend a reunion in a shabby place.

This 'A bite of duck for each person' puzzle was meant for the protagonist Ye Chen!

In fact, this restaurant was an investment by Ye Chen's Dragon King Hall in Longquan City. Because of Ye Chen's hidden Dragon King identity, they specially set up this puzzle. According to the arrangement, whoever solved this puzzle at the restaurant entrance would be the owner of this restaurant!

This was truly hiding in plain sight.

If Tang Ao hadn't read the original novel and already known the story behind 'A Bite of Duck,' he wouldn't have blurted it out.

Seeing Ye Chen getting out of a taxi dozens of meters away, Tang Ao shook his head repeatedly:

"No, no, I didn't say anything."

He remembered the upcoming plot:

If I remember correctly, because Ye Chen doesn't have an invitation, he gets stopped by the restaurant security at the entrance.

And just then, a rich second-generation villain, who has a crush on Lin Ruoxue, steps up to mock Ye Chen, whom Lin Ruoxue used as a shield. Ye Chen solves the puzzle on the spot, gets respectfully invited in by the restaurant manager, slaps the rich second-generation villain in the face, and then upgrades the class reunion from an ordinary private room to the best VIP room, showing off in style.

If he solves the puzzle now, Ye Chen would be in an awkward position. This puzzle is a key tool for the protagonist to slap the rich second-generation villain's face!

Listening to Tang Ao's inner voice and following his gaze, Zhou Qiao'er also noticed Ye Chen, who was dressed in cheap clothes with a crooked smile. Her eyes twinkled as she turned to the manager and said with a smile, "Didn't you hear? Tang Ao just looked at your sign and blurted out 'A bite of duck for each person.' Manager, your restaurant's sign is interesting."

Zhou Qiao'er's words made Tang Ao's heart almost leap out of his throat:

[Oh my god, why did you have to say that?]

[Now what will Ye Chen do? How will he show off and slap faces?]

[My bad, I couldn't keep my mouth shut!]

Seeing Tang Ao's regretful expression, Zhou Qiao'er was unusually excited.

She wanted to teach Ye Chen a lesson and see him embarrassed in public.

Although it was their first meeting, Zhou Qiao'er had the highest level of disgust for Ye Chen among all present!

Even more than Lin Ruoxue, who hadn't had the chance to hear Tang Ao's inner thoughts yet!

The manager's face changed dramatically, so shocked he couldn't speak, and he knelt on the ground with a thud: "Tang... Tang Gongzi, you've finally come. I've been waiting so long for you!"

Tang Ao showed a bitter expression, quickly stepping back: "No, pretend I never came, please."