CHAPTER 52: 52. BECAUSE OF HER, THE FATHER’S TABLE LEGS WERE DISMANTLED.

"So, tell me, how have you been these days?" Tang Mingyi’s expression was warm, his temples slightly gray but not dyed, which instead highlighted a distinctive mature charm. "These days, I’ve been busy with the election campaign, and your mom has been with me outside, so we haven’t taken good care of you brothers. As your father, I apologize to you first. Once this matter is settled, I promise to spend more time with you."

Tang Yanqing had no choice but to bow respectfully to his father: "Dad, I know what you want to talk about. The police award..."

Tang Mingyi quietly looked at his son: "You’re not a child anymore, I trust you have your own judgment in what you do. If you refuse to accept it, you must have your reasons. Yanqing, right now, I’m not trying to hold you accountable, I just want a father-son conversation: what prompted you to give up such an important honor?"

"You should understand, that honor is not given to you by the police, but by millions of taxpayers in this city. They recognize your work performance, they want to show their appreciation and gratitude in this way. To disappoint so many people’s earnest hearts, I believe you must have a more important reason."

Outside the door, a petite woman in a modified cheongsam dress was tightly pressed against the door crack, biting a small handkerchief, nervously clenching her fists. "This silly boy, those people are voters one by one. Your dad has worked hard to win over votes from them. They’re giving you an award, and you say you don’t want it, so why should they vote for your dad..."

What Tang Yanxi saw when he went upstairs was exactly this scene. Tang Yanxi shook his head: "Aunt Wan, you don’t need to worry so much."

Shen Wan blushed seeing it was her stepson: "But I just can’t help worrying. It’s all Yanqing’s stubbornness again, forgetting that your dad is currently in the election."

Shen Wan is Tang Mingyi’s second wife. When she married into the Tang Family, Tang Yanxi was already three years old. Although not biological mother-son, Shen Wan practically raised Tang Yanxi, and the two share a very good relationship.

Tang Yanxi smiled: "Don’t worry, Dad has always been very clear about public and private matters. As long as Yanqing gives a reasonable explanation, showing Dad he’s not just fooling around, Dad won’t hold it against him."

Shen Wan bit her small handkerchief and leaned into Tang Yanxi: "Xixi, you’re the most perfect son in your dad’s eyes. Whatever you say, your dad will listen..."

Tang Yanxi couldn’t help but smile: "Aunt Wan, I understand. Why else do you think I came upstairs? Yanqing already instructed me to be sure to come up and rescue him after fifteen minutes."

Inside the room, Tang Mingyi nodded: "Not wanting to be overly focused on by the media is also right, after all, you are an agent, maintaining enough distance from the media will make it easier for you to handle cases in the future."

"Exactly." Hearing his father say this, Tang Yanqing relaxed further, walking over to help his father rub his shoulders: "Besides, I already said before, joining the police was to fight evil and promote good, not for personal fame."

Tang Mingyi made a sound of agreement: "It’s just that this reporter is your Uncle Xiang’s daughter-in-law. Your Uncle Xiang spoke to me about this. Your actions might seem inconsiderate. We have a close relationship with the Xiang Family, I hope you don’t damage our family ties with them over such a small matter."

Tang Yanqing frowned.

Hurting the relationship with the Xiang Family—perhaps this is inevitable in the future.