Chapter 173: A Set-Up

“What’s your plan, Mom?”

“You can leave that to me, my son. Your mother will make sure that Xiangyi becomes your wife. That Xiangyi is as perfect as a woman can be. She’s not only beautiful but also rich. I’ve heard that her apparel factory is doing very well. She earns about six or seven million every year!

“Our Zheng family needs a good daughter-in-law like her. The poor village kid doesn’t deserve her!”

Tang Hao’s face became more sullen than ever as he overheard the whispers between Chen Yan and Zheng Haoyu outside the house.

It was normal if Zheng Haoyu liked Sis Xiangyi because of her looks; she was a very attractive woman after all. However, these people were also going after her money.

That would make them underhanded and despicable individuals!

Tang Hao furrowed his brows as he thought carefully.

‘Isn’t the Zheng family very wealthy, even more so than the Qin family? They run a company in Provincial City, so why would they be going after Sis Xiangyi’s money?’

Just as he was pondering the problem, Chen Yan and Zheng Haoyu came back into the house.

The atmosphere in the house was stifling.

Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin sat there with gloomy faces.

Half an hour later, Mr. Qin stood up. “Alright, it’s about time that we leave for the village.”

They sat in separate cars and went toward Greenwillow Village.

Greenwillow Village was not too far from the house. They arrived at their destination after seven or eight minutes.

Greenwillow Village was situated next to a river. Willow trees lined the riverbanks, which made for a picturesque scene.

The cars drove along the river, and soon they arrived at a big house built in the classic style and surrounded by brick walls.

Many cars were parked outside the house and many people were going in and out. It was a lively scene.

Old Master Qin was a figure of authority in Greenwillow Village and even in Stonegate Town. Many people were there to celebrate his eightieth birthday.

Right after the main entrance was a spacious courtyard in which many banquet tables were set. A rough count showed that there were at least forty of them.

The aroma of alcohol and cooked food wafted in the air.

The courtyard was adorned with festive decorations. Everyone there was in a cheerful mood.

The group attracted everyone’s attention as they entered the door. Many eyes were drawn toward Qin Xiangyi.

Qin Xiangyi was tall and slender. She wore a black evening gown which accentuated the curves of her body. Adding that to her impeccable facial features, her appearance had caused all the males in the courtyard to look at her.

At the same time, her appearance had overshadowed all the females there.

The courtyard was silent for a while, then everyone started talking.

“Isn’t that Xiangyi? I haven’t seen her in a few years and I almost can’t recognize her now!”

Many people crowded around the group. Most of them were relatives.

Old Master Qin had five sons and one daughter, and each of them had children of their own. All the extended families were gathered at the same place, and the place was rather crowded.

“Look at her! Xiangyi is becoming more and more beautiful. Oh! She looks just like a movie star.”

“Ha! She’s prettier than the movie stars you see on TV!”

A group of gossips exclaimed in admiration as they looked at Qin Xiangyi.

“Do you have a boyfriend yet, Xiangyi? You’re not young anymore and it’s about time that you settle down! How about I, Auntie Yun, introduce someone to you? I can guarantee that he’s handsome, gentlemanly, and capable.”

“Stand aside! How many good men do you know? Xiangyi, let your maternal aunt introduce this boy to you. I know many outstanding young males and you’ll definitely find one that you like.”

Qin Xiangyi smiled stiffly as the bunch of gossips surrounded her.

Chen Yan watched the scene unfold with her eyes. Suddenly, she laughed coldly and shrieked, “You don’t have to worry about her. Xiangyi already has a boyfriend.”

Everyone was shocked, and their gazes fell on Zheng Haoyu.

“Don’t tell me it’s your Haoyu?”

“Haoyu isn’t a bad kid! He’s handsome and knowledgeable!”

“My Haoyu likes Xiangyi, that’s true. Unfortunately, Xiangyi doesn’t have an eye for him! Look at that kid, that’s Xiangyi’s boyfriend.” She lifted an arm and pointed at Tang Hao.

Everyone was shocked again when they saw Tang Hao.

They burst out in laughter, thinking that it was a joke.

‘How old is that kid again? How can he be Xiangyi’s boyfriend? That Chen Yan! A girl’s lifelong partner is no laughing matter!’

Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin did not look too happy.

“You don’t believe me? He really is Xiangyi’s boyfriend!” Chen Yan shrieked.

Everyone started to become silent.

They examined the couple a little more closely and started believing Chen Yan’s words.

Then, they collectively exclaimed in surprise.

Everyone’s gazes became weird as they looked at Qin Xiangyi and Tang Hao, though they furrowed their rows when they looked at the latter.

“He looks so young! Don’t tell me he’s a boy toy?”

The men, especially the younger ones, looked at Tang Hao with hostility.

Meanwhile, the group of gossips started dressing him down.

“Have you gone mad, Xiangyi? What made you fall for him? He’s too young, and so he’s unreliable!”

“That’s right! You can date him, but you should know that you’re not young anymore, and it’s time that you look for a lifelong partner! You should find a mature and reliable man. You can’t place your trust in those boy toys.”

Qin Xiangyi furrowed her brows. She looked frustrated.

“Alright, that’s enough! Let’s all go in! Xiangyi, let’s go greet your grandfather. As for you, you’d better stay here and not follow us,” Mr. Qin said. The last half of his sentence was for Tang Hao.

Tang Hao could not argue with that and remained on the spot.

Chen Yan and Zheng Haoyu gave him a side-eye, then followed the Qin family members into the house.

The crowd eventually dissipated, though there were still many hostile gazes directed at Tang Hao. They pointed at him with unfriendly expressions on their faces.

Qin Xiangyi was not only popular in Greenwillow Village, but also the entire Stonegate Town. She was the girl of many young men’s dreams. However, the goddess in their eyes now had her eyes on a filthy kid, and that had angered them. The group of gossips glanced at Tang Hao and shook their heads.

In their eyes, a young kid like him would be incapable, except for deceiving women with his flowery language.

Tang Hao was feeling antsy from standing there. He started walking around the house.

“It looks quite classy,” Tang Hao mumbled.

While he walked, a woman in a red dress walked toward him with her head lowered. They bumped into each other.

“Pardon me!” Tang Hao said urgently.

Suddenly, the woman grabbed Tang Hao’s arm, then ruffled her dress and started shrieking, “Molester!”

The shriek attracted the attention of everyone in the courtyard and they crowded in to see what happened.

They saw who the alleged molester was and became angry.