Chapter 577 Tang Zhao Finds Release
"Little Zhao, this was my oversight. Can you think of a way?" Liu Qingming could no longer sit still, his voice laced with pleading.
"Heh, what way could I possibly have? If this matter truly isn't resolved, I'll be implicated too, after all, I'm your brother-in-law," Tang Zhao said, tugging his short hair with his fingers. He was truly exhausted.
"Can you call Young Master Ye for me? Just to gauge his reaction. What if we're just scaring ourselves?"
"I can't make that call. Young Master Ye detests being probed."
"This won't work, and that won't work. You can't just abandon me to my fate. I've worked so hard at my age to get to Mingcheng, I can't let this ruin everything."
Tang Zhao chuckled wryly, leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes as the pressure mounted.
"Let my sister take the call."
"Huh? What could she possibly understand?"
"Let her take the phone!"
Liu Qingming was shocked by the outburst. His brother-in-law had never raised his voice at him before. Was he truly angry?
Tang Moli had actually been nearby all along, but she hadn't dared to speak. Seeing the phone being handed over, she quickly took it.
"Little Zhao, you absolutely must help your brother-in-law. If something happens to him, I won't want to live!"
Tang Zhao closed his eyes, a heavy sigh escaping him. He had heard such words often since he started supporting himself, and each time, it only fueled his resentment.
"Sister, how many years did you raise me?"
"Hmm? Why are you bringing this up? I'm your elder sister, it's only natural I should raise you."
"How many years did you raise me?"
"You little brat, three and a half years. From when you were twelve until you were fifteen and a half, then you could write articles and earn your own money."
Tang Zhao wiped his face, as if making a firm decision.
"How many years have you and my brother-in-law been married?"
"Twenty-six years. Shuer's elder brother is already twenty-five, and you're only five years older than him."
"Excluding those three and a half years, it seems I've been contributing to your living expenses since I started earning money, for a full fourteen and a half years. And every time my brother-in-law had a problem, I stepped in to help. Even this transfer to Mingcheng was thanks to my efforts. Is that still not enough? Do you know why I'm still not married at thirty? Because I'm afraid the woman I find will resent me for carrying the burden of a whole family!"
"Tang Zhao! Don't you feel ashamed saying such things? I'm your sister, and it's only right that I raised you and you help me."
"I used to think it was right too, but later I realized that deep down, you believe I owe you. Including Liu Qingming, including your two children, they are all constantly reminding me not to be ungrateful, not to be a white-eyed wolf."
Tang Zhao suddenly felt a sense of relief. The words that had been bottled up for years finally had the courage to be spoken. Even if he became a solitary man from now on, it would be worth it.
"Tang Zhao, you've disappointed me immensely."
"You've disappointed me more! Think about how much I've sacrificed over the years. Your family's former house, your children's education, even your man's steady climb up the ladder, all of it was my effort. And you? Whenever something happened, you'd cry to me. When you ran out of money, you'd cry to me. But me? Have I ever come to you with my problems? Have I come to you when I ran out of money? Have I come to you for help in reaching my current position? It's really enough. I'm tired. I want my own life."
Tang Moli was lost in her own sorrow, her mind dwelling on her own perceived sacrifices. Liu Qingming, overhearing everything, was filled with rage. He felt utterly devalued, as if Tang Zhao had trampled on his dignity and his very being. Every word spoken was a stark reminder that his current position was a result of his brother-in-law's influence. This was an unbearable humiliation. He reached out and slapped Tang Moli.
"Look at what a good-for-nothing your little brother, whom you doted on, has turned out to be."
"Wuwuwu, why are you hitting me? Am I responsible for him being so heartless?"
Tang Zhao let out a cold laugh, hung up the phone, and even pulled out the cord. He picked up the wine bottle on the table and began to guzzle it down. Yet, he remained sober. After finishing the bottle, his mind was exceptionally clear. He slowly stood up, changed his clothes, and left. He ran all the way. When he stopped at the place he most wanted to go, he paused, unsure of what to say or do.
"Who's there? Raise your hands, or you'll be shot immediately!"
Tang Zhao quickly raised his hands. He had momentarily forgotten that this was not a place anyone could approach, especially with the complete lockdown at night.
"I am Tang Zhao, under Young Master Ye. I'm here to see Young Master Ye about something."
Soon, the main gate opened, and two people emerged, shining their flashlights on Tang Zhao.
"It's Deputy Tang. It's quite late. I'll need to ask Young Master Ye before letting you in."
"I understand."
Only then did Tang Zhao feel the effects of the alcohol hitting him. He leaned against the wall, gasping for air, trying to dissipate the smell of liquor. Before long, he was granted entry. But with every step, he felt a heavy burden, not from fear of Young Master Ye's reprimand, but from the uncertainty of what to say.
Ye Mu'en was sitting on the sofa, reviewing materials related to computer science. Upon hearing that Tang Zhao was looking for him, he understood the reason. He, too, was curious if Tang Zhao would finally speak up for those so-called relatives, especially since he had never asked for his help before.
As Tang Zhao entered, Ye Mu'en detected the strong smell of alcohol and frowned, clearly displeased. It was almost time for work the next day.
"Have the kitchen make some hangover soup."
Seeing Tang Zhao standing with his head bowed only made him more annoyed.
"What, drowning your sorrows?"
"Not exactly. I just did something I've wanted to do for years."
Ye Mu'en could guess. He knew the people who worked closely with him well, including their families and lives. This was also a form of protection for himself.
"Sit down. Look at you, so pathetic."
Tang Zhao sighed and sat down. At this moment, he finally had the courage to look up at Young Master Ye.
"Aren't you going to ask me what I did?"
"Ask what? If you weren't so capable, I would have transferred you long ago. Being constantly drained by those bloodsuckers without fighting back, your pathetic behavior is disgusting."
"Yes, I'm disgusted with myself too."
Tang Zhao chuckled self-deprecatingly and rubbed his face vigorously.
"I had no idea about Liu Shu. I only heard about it when I returned this evening."
"Hmm, I was the last to know as well. My sister handled it entirely."
Tang Zhao was surprised. He had assumed Young Master Zi would have taken personal action.
"I apologize for angering Madam."
"She was indeed angered, so she had to personally administer punishment to calm down."
"That's for the best. I won't have to get involved in their affairs anymore. Young Master Ye, you must explain to Madam on my behalf. I had no part in the Liu family's matters, so she mustn't misunderstand me."
Ye Mu'en kicked him with his foot, looking at his pathetic state.
"My sister never punishes indiscriminately. She stopped them even when they wanted to make a minor point of you."
"Heh heh, Madam is indeed Madam. Look at her magnanimity. Young Master Ye, you really should learn from her."