Chapter 729 - 628: Homecoming
Chapter 729: Chapter 628: Homecoming
"You jerk!" Xiao Man shouted as she squirmed out of Tang Haocheng’s arms, playfully punching him twice. "How did you do that? I was staring so hard, but I didn’t see you at all!"
"If I let you see me, how could I sneak up on you? Silly girl!"
"You jumped the barrier, didn’t you? Look at you, going abroad has turned you into a delinquent. You’re such a rule-breaker. How come security didn’t catch you?"
"What do you mean, delinquent? I learned it all from you. If they’re going to arrest anyone, they should arrest you first."
Tang Haocheng laughed and bantered with Xiao Man, ruffling her hair and tugging her ponytail. He used his height advantage to play the part of a doting older brother, his tone full of affection, looking quite pleased with himself. Tang Qingshan clapped his nephew on the shoulder, and Tang Haocheng opened his arms to give him a hug in return. He’d grown quite comfortable with this foreign custom, showing no awkwardness at all. It was hard to believe this was the same arrogant youth who used to blush whenever his own father hugged him.
The trio chatted as they walked out of the airport; a staff member had already taken their luggage. Tang Qingshan had only managed to spare a moment to come by. After greeting Tang Haocheng, he left ahead in his private car to attend to some official business. Meanwhile, Xiao Man and Tang Haocheng headed home with the family’s staff.
In the car, Xiao Man straightened Tang Haocheng’s slightly messy suit and tie while studying him carefully. She couldn’t help but complain to herself. ’Even though I’ve been reborn and so many things have changed, this guy has still grown up to have the exact same face as he did in my past life. His physique and bone structure have been optimized by Cultivation, making him look tougher, but his features are identical, not a single detail out of place.’
Even his aura was the same—noble, refined, and exuding a ’keep away’ vibe. Xiao Man was sure that if she weren’t the sister he’d acknowledged, his cold, lofty gaze would never have even swept in her direction.
Recalling his infuriating attitude from her past life—his ice-cold arrogance and insufferable pride, so aloof he wouldn’t deign to spare half a word—Xiao Man couldn’t suppress her indignation and gave Tang Haocheng’s arm a hard pinch.
"Ouch!" Tang Haocheng cried out, hissing as he furrowed his brow pitifully. "Sis, what was that for? That really hurt!"
Xiao Man chuckled. "It’s just that I missed you! I’ve been so looking forward to you coming home. Now that you’re finally here, it feels like a dream, so I had to see if it was real."
Tang Haocheng was speechless. ’Don’t people usually test that on themselves? Pinching someone else only tells you how *they* feel. How is that supposed to prove anything? My sister is truly one of a kind.’
But on second thought, he grinned and put an arm around his sister. "I know you all missed me. I missed you, too. Whenever my mind was free, it was filled with thoughts of you—especially Grandpa, Grandma, you, and the little ones. But there’s so much I need to learn right now, so I have to be away from you all for a while... Sigh. The conditions and opportunities abroad are truly excellent; our country can’t compare just yet. But soon, things will be on par with other countries, or even surpass them! In another three to five years, I’ll be back for good!"
Xiao Man blinked in surprise. "Why so long? Three to five years?"
"That’s not long at all. What takes me three to five years, some people need more than ten years to learn!"
"Oh, really? My little brother is so impressive! Just listen to you boasting!"
"Sis, I’m not boasting!"
"So you’re just talking big?"
"I..."
Tee hee hee!
"Alright, you’re teasing me on purpose, aren’t you?"
The brother and sister continued to bicker playfully, making the driver and the other staff member in the front seat break into smiles. The car drove smoothly and quickly onto the street of the Tang Mansion. From far away, they saw the large, ornate iron gate slowly swing open. Soon, Grandma Tang and Mrs. Hao appeared at the entrance, each holding the hand of a little one. They had clearly been playing and waiting in the courtyard and had rushed to the gate to greet them the moment they heard the car was back.
Grandpa Tang wouldn’t be home until that evening. When Grandma Tang saw her eldest grandson, who had suddenly shot up and grown so much taller, her face was filled with joy, yet tears streamed down her cheeks. After greeting his aunt, Tang Haocheng clung to his grandmother, his honey-sweet words coaxing her until she was wiping away tears one moment and laughing heartily the next. Xiao Man began to wonder if this was even the same Tang Haocheng, or if some shock in this life had unlocked his full potential for being a sweet-talking charmer.
The two little ones were quite proud, too. They knew this was their big brother, but since he didn’t greet them first, they weren’t about to eagerly approach him. Instead, they stuck close to Xiao Man, staring at Tang Haocheng with wide, curious eyes. ’Our dear big sister is right here, so clinging to her is the safe bet. We don’t know what this big brother can do yet. What if we switch sides and get nothing out of it?’
After doting on her eldest grandson to her heart’s content, Grandma Tang finally beckoned to the two little ones. She smiled at Tang Haocheng and said, "These are Little Bo and Xiao Fang. Remember when you and your sister demanded a ’toy’ from your uncle and aunt—one for each of you? Well, you actually got your wish, and two little brothers showed up at once! See? You must be happy, right?"
Tang Haocheng crouched down to meet his little brothers and deliberately greeted them in English. The two little ones looked completely baffled, their round, jewel-like black eyes reflecting his image. Seeing four tiny versions of himself spinning in their identical, clear gazes, Tang Haocheng couldn’t help but laugh. He switched to Chinese. "Hello! I’m Tang Haocheng, the big brother you talked to on the phone. I’m home! So? How about a welcome?"
When the little ones saw Xiao Man smile and nod, they immediately lunged at Tang Haocheng. Despite his height and exceptional physique, he was not prepared for two toddlers barreling into him and was knocked to the ground. Realizing his sister had tricked him again, he hugged the little boys and shouted, "Are you two Nezha? You’re so strong!"
"Big Brother, I’m not Nezha," Tang Haofang giggled. Tang Haobo grinned, and the two shouted in unison, "We are—the Calabash Brothers!"
"What are the Calabash Brothers?"
"They’re not ’whats,’ they’re the Calabash Brothers! And you’re one too, Big Brother! You’re our Eldest Calabash Brother!" Tang Haobo declared with a perfectly straight face.
Tang Haocheng: "..."
Xiao Man doubled over with laughter. ’When she told them the story, Tang Haobo had desperately wanted to make her part of the Calabash team, even offering her the role of the eldest. She’d had to insist that there were only Calabash *Brothers*, no sisters... In any case, the cartoon wouldn’t air on TV for a few more years. By then, there would be plenty of other kids’ shows to capture their attention, so they probably wouldn’t be so fixated on the Calabash Brothers anymore.’
That evening, both Grandpa Tang and Tang Qingshan returned home on time. The Gu family, having heard that Haocheng was back, also came over—Grandpa Gu and Granny Gu brought Gu Shaoqin and Shaoying along. The house was bustling with excitement.
As usual, Xiao Man was the head chef, with Tang Qingshan and Mrs. Hao helping out. They prepared a huge table of delicious dishes. Tang Haocheng felt drunk on the aroma alone, and the moment he took a bite, his eyes turned red. Xiao Man decided to tease him, asking, "What’s wrong? After two years abroad, have you lost your taste for Chinese food? I can make you a Western pie or something if you’d like."
Nearby, Gu Shaoqin snorted with laughter. Tang Haocheng gave Xiao Man a look of utter grievance, so emotional he couldn’t speak, his eyes turning as red as a rabbit’s. Only then did Xiao Man stop her teasing. She patted his shoulder reassuringly and smiled. "Alright, alright, I get it. You’re still going to be home for over a month. I’ll make you delicious food every single day, okay?"