Chapter 148: The Raid of Tang Family Home
The following day dawned on the Tang residence, a semblance of normalcy masking the undercurrent of tension that lingered within the household. Tang Junjie embarked on his journey to meet Brother Song for a press conference, a strategic move orchestrated by Ao Junfeng. The seasoned lawyer had reached out to prominent media outlets, eager to thrust the family’s narrative into the public spotlight.
As Tang Junjie navigated the intricacies of the impending press conference, Madam Tang found herself alone in the kitchen, a haven of routine tasks and familiar surroundings. The residue of breakfast clung to the air as she moved about, the rhythmic clatter of dishes providing a backdrop to her contemplations. Humming a soft tune, she sought solace in the mundane, attempting to divert her thoughts from the looming specter of the lawsuit that cast a shadow over their lives.
With each sweep of the broom and every wiped surface, Madam Tang grappled with the unspoken worries that echoed through the quietude of the kitchen. The melody she hummed became a gentle distraction, a balm for the anxiety that threatened to permeate her thoughts.
The sudden crack at the door disrupted the rhythmic flow of Madame Tang’s routine, initially dismissed as a mere echo of the wind. However, when the sound persisted, a disconcerting realization dawned upon her. Halting her dishwashing, she stood in the kitchen, eyes closed, attuned to the subtle symphony of unfamiliar sounds that now permeated the usually tranquil residence.
Footsteps, distinct and purposeful, echoed through the living room. Madame Tang’s heartbeat quickened, a silent premonition coursing through her veins. With an audacious smirk, she set aside her initial trepidation and, instead, embraced a fearless resolve. Determined, she strode towards the living room, confronting the source of the disturbance head-on.
As she entered the room, Madame Tang was met with a scene that defied the norms of their domestic sanctuary. Five imposing figures, clad in sleek black attire, stood as silent sentinels, their presence exuding an air of guarded authority. Amidst the protective phalanx, a lone man in a distinguished grey suit occupied the center stage.
The atmosphere crackled with unspoken tension as Madame Tang assessed the unexpected guests. She squared her shoulders, undeterred by the imposing presence before her. The man in the grey suit, his countenance unreadable, broke the silence with a measured nod, acknowledging her approach.
Madame Tang, determined to seize control of the situation, raised an eyebrow and addressed the suited figure, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?" Her voice, a blend of defiance and curiosity, hung in the air, awaiting an answer that could potentially unravel the fragile equilibrium of their ordinary day.
The man in the grey suit maintained a composed demeanor as he responded to Madame Tang’s inquiries. "Sorry to interrupt you, but we have reason to believe we are in the right house," he calmly stated. Intrigued yet wary, Madame Tang fixed her gaze on him and demanded, "What do you want?"
With an air of assurance, the man assured her, "Don’t worry, we are not here to hurt you, that is, of course, if you cooperate with me." A mixture of skepticism and determination etched across Madame Tang’s face as she pressed for clarity. "You still haven’t told me the reason why you are here," she remarked.
The man, unfazed by her directness, responded, "What I am here for is far more important, and I am sure you must have figured it out by now." Madame Tang, feigning a moment of seniority, teased, "Sorry, I am a bit slow; I am old, as you can see. Care to jog my memory?"
With a measured pace, the man rose from his seat, closing the distance between them. Leaning in close to Madame Tang’s ear, he uttered a single word that carried weight and significance, "The manual." The cryptic revelation hung in the air, leaving Madame Tang both intrigued and wary, as the unforeseen encounter took an enigmatic turn.
Madame Tang, though her heart was pounding with a mixture of fear and defiance, maintained her composure. With a hint of sarcasm, she responded, "What manual are you talking about? Perhaps you need me to share my cooking manual with you... sorry, but no can do." The man in the grey suit chuckled maniacally, revealing a sense of twisted amusement. "I see you still have time to play games, old woman. I don’t want to have my men raid your house, you know," he remarked.
Madame Tang, unyielding in her demeanor, retorted, "You can start at the kitchen; that is where you might find my cookbook." The man in grey exchanged glances with his subordinates before decisively stating, "Search the place." Madame Tang seized the moment to assert herself, cautioning, "Hold up, young men. If you do not find whatever it is that you are looking for, make sure you leave my house as you found it. Do you understand?" The men, caught off guard by Madame Tang’s directness, hesitated for a moment. Madame Tang firmly addressed them, emphasizing, "I am talking to you, not him. You are the ones raiding my house; I need it clean and spotless when you are done." The gravity of her words lingered in the air as the unexpected intrusion unfolded.
The men moved with a calculated efficiency, quickly dividing themselves to cover different areas of the modest Tang family home. Some ventured into the kitchen, meticulously inspecting every cabinet and drawer, while others made their way towards Tang Junjie’s room, where they began sifting through personal belongings. The air was charged with tension as the invasive search disrupted the tranquility of the once serene household.
In the living room, the man in the grey suit took a seat, displaying an air of authority. Madame Tang, sitting opposite him, maintained her poise, her gaze unwavering. The ambient light cast shadows, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that hung in the air. The man scrutinized Madame Tang, his eyes revealing a mix of determination and curiosity.
As the search unfolded, the rhythmic sounds of drawers being opened and closed, along with the muffled conversations of the men, echoed through the house. Madame Tang and the man in the grey suit engaged in a silent standoff, each holding their ground as the weight of unspoken intentions lingered in the room. The living room, once a sanctuary of familial warmth, now bore witness to an intrusion that threatened the peace Madame Tang had worked so hard to maintain.
As the men wrapped up their search throughout the house, they reconvened in Madame Tang’s bedroom, the echo of their footsteps resonating in the hallway. Madame Tang, undaunted by the intrusion, maintained her stoic composure, meeting the man in the grey suit’s penetrating gaze with a resolute stare.
"You seem remarkably calm. Most people in your situation would be showing some signs of distress."
"Oh, I assure you, young man, I’ve weathered storms far fiercer than your little search party."
The man in the grey suit found himself perplexed by Madame Tang’s lack of visible emotion. Her unyielding demeanor fueled his growing doubt about the mission’s legitimacy.
"You’re making this more difficult than it needs to be. Where is it?"
"Where is what? I’ve been asking that question since your men barged in. Are you sure you’ve got the right place?"
Despite Madame Tang’s defiance, the man in the grey suit motioned for her to sit. She complied, not out of submission but to keep a watchful eye on his actions.
"If you’re quite done turning my home upside down, I’d like to finish cleaning in the kitchen. Don’t forget to clean your mess before leaving."
The men who had combed through Madame Tang’s bedroom regrouped, and one of them reported to the man in the grey suit.
"Sir, we didn’t find it."
"Are you sure? Search again if you have to."
"We’ve searched every nook and cranny, sir. It’s not here."
The man in the grey suit stood up, frustration etched across his face.
"You’ve hidden it very well, Madame Tang. I’ll give you three days to contact me and hand it over. I’d hate to resort to something that might affect your precious sons."
Madame Tang, despite the fear that crept into her heart at the mention of her sons, refused to show any vulnerability.
"I don’t know what you want, so please leave my house. I have many things to do."
The man in grey signaled for his men to exit, and he followed suit, but not before delivering a parting message.
"Sorry we couldn’t clean up; I’m sure you won’t mind much."
He handed her a business card before leaving.
"Three days. Call me."
Madame Tang looked at the card, and the name on it sent a shiver down her spine.
Madame Tang maintained her composure and said, "I never thought I would get a visit from the famous Young Master Sun."
The man in grey, none other than Sun Gang himself, replied coldly, "Since you know who I am, please make sure I don’t return here again. I know the manual is here, and you will give it to me, or there will be hell to pay."
Madame Tang retorted, "I guess I’ll have to wait for hell, then."
Sun Gang closed the door with a bang, leaving Madame Tang to release the long-held sigh she had been suppressing. She sat down in the living room, surveying the mess, the open cabinets, and felt a surge of annoyance. Determined, she got up and began cleaning around the house.
