Deadbeat Dad, the countdown to the end of your good days is starting~

There were too many guests downstairs. The adults were busy entertaining them, and the children didn't dare play freely for fear of causing trouble and getting scolded, so they simply went upstairs and hid in a room to play among themselves.

They weren't called downstairs until the evening banquet began.

After enduring their racket for over two hours, Tang Tang felt as if her head would explode. She immediately clapped her little hands to send them off.

Go, go!

A bunch of little brats chattering together are even noisier than ducklings.

Once you leave, don't come back.

From now on, I'm going to sleep. I'll sleep and sleep, and I won't pay attention to anyone who comes!

Tang Tang yawned wearily and prepared to sleep.

But before she could even get drowsy, Tang Jian, who had just gone downstairs, ran back up.

"Aunt Xiajing, Grandma wants you to bring Tangtang downstairs to meet the relatives."

Su Xiajing: "..."

Tang Tang: "..."

So annoying!

Aside from Tang Jian, who had only been brought back to the country when he was over six months old, every child in the Tang Family had received a grand celebration upon turning one month old. When Tang Tang turned one month old, Su Xiajing had declined the celebration for health reasons, so many relatives had yet to meet her.

They had all prepared gifts for the baby, taking advantage of the old lady's birthday celebration.

This was the first child of Tang Beichen, the future head of the family. No one wanted to pass up a chance to get closer to him.

Fortunately, all the relatives had arrived by then. As soon as Su Xiajing carried Tang Tang downstairs, every relative or client who wanted to offer congratulations gathered around. They dispensed with lengthy pleasantries, focusing instead on handing over their gifts.

Before Tang Tang could remember what one person looked like, another new face appeared. She received so many gifts that her hands practically went limp, yet she remembered no one.

Knowing Tang Tang disliked excessive noise, Su Xiajing carried her upstairs as soon as they finished meeting the guests.

"Tangtang, rest upstairs with Auntie, okay? Mommy will go downstairs to wish Great-Grandma a happy birthday, then come back after dinner."

To make it easier to look after Tang Tang, Sister Wang and the others had eaten dinner early.

Su Xiajing left Tang Tang with Sister Wang and the bodyguards, then went downstairs.

Tang Tang glanced at Sister Wang and the bodyguard uncles, who had brought toys to play with her, and simply closed her eyes to sleep.

The old lady was getting on in years and would, at most, join everyone for dinner. The rest of the evening banquet was a gathering for the younger generation, so there was no telling when her beautiful mommy could get away.

Rather than wait around bored, she might as well sleep.

Sure enough, by the time Tang Tang woke again, the house had quieted down.

Is the banquet over?

What time is it now? Why hasn't my beautiful mommy come back yet?

Tang Tang pricked up her ears to listen to the room. She seemed to hear several people breathing, but no one spoke, so she couldn't tell who was there.

"Waa, waa, waa-"

She let out a few token wails.

I'm awake! Come check on me!

"Tangtang's awake."

Sister Wang immediately came over to check on her.

Tang Tang: "..."

Her beautiful mommy really hadn't come back yet.

Soon, Sister Wang deftly picked Tang Tang up.

"Wait just a little longer, little sweetie. Your mommy went downstairs to pack things up. We'll be able to go home in a moment."

Holding her bottle and drinking her milk, Tang Tang understood.

Before long, footsteps sounded outside.

Su Xiajing and Tang Beichen entered one after the other.

"Tangtang's awake?"

"Yes, she just woke up."

"Then let's go."

Su Xiajing set down her things and took Tang Tang. "Let's go home."

"Mm, let's go."

Tang Beichen picked up the bags and followed Su Xiajing out.

Tang Tang keenly sensed something off in the atmosphere between her beautiful mommy and her deadbeat dad.

Why are these two both so quiet?

The family went downstairs, where the rest of the Tang Family were resting in the living room.

The children were all exhausted, and the twins had fallen asleep outright. Tang Tang finally escaped another ordeal.

"Are you leaving now?"

Xie Yazhi came over, reluctant to see them go.

Privately, she hoped Tang Tang and her parents could stay the night so they could all spend some proper time together and share a meal tomorrow.

But that was clearly nothing more than wishful thinking.

After what the old man had done, Su Xiajing's willingness to come back today was entirely out of respect for the old lady.

As a mother herself, she completely understood how Su Xiajing felt and would never pressure her. She was merely a little disappointed.

"Yes."

Without so much as looking at Tang Zhilin, Tang Beichen walked over with the bags. "Mom, we're heading home."

"...All right."

"Hey, Beichen, wait a moment."

A somewhat unfamiliar voice called after him.

Tang Tang thought for a moment before remembering that it seemed to be her Third Uncle's voice.

"What is it, Third Brother?"

Tang Beichen stopped.

"What do you mean, what is it? Of course I want to meet my little niece."

Tang Shengwang shot him a look of feigned annoyance. "I got back late and haven't had a proper look at Tangtang yet."

The next moment, Third Uncle's face appeared in Tang Tang's field of vision.

This was a younger version of Third Uncle, but Tang Tang still couldn't bring herself to like him.

Your face reflects your heart. Our ancestors really weren't lying.

Even a younger, more handsome Third Uncle is still unlikeable.

I really don't mesh with this man.

After all, between his character and the things he's done, it's hard to like him.

Deadbeat Dad, the countdown to the end of your good days is starting~

Su Xiajing thought, Tangtang wouldn't speak badly of someone for no reason.

If she's saying so bluntly that she dislikes her Third Uncle, he must have done something Tangtang hated.

Tang Beichen thought, I keep getting a bad feeling.

Meeting a pair of curious eyes, Tang Shengwang paused, then teased with a smile, "Oh, did Tangtang know Third Uncle was coming and wait especially for me?"

Tang Tang: "..."

Tang Tang wanted to roll her eyes.

Who was waiting for you?!

You're in your thirties. Why are you still as full of yourself as my second big brother?

Tang Jian: "..."

Little sister, insult Uncle all you like, but why drag me into it?!

"Since our Tangtang already knows Third Uncle, I won't introduce myself."

Tang Shengwang took out a gift box. "Third Uncle isn't very good at picking gifts. I heard our Tangtang likes gold, so how about I give you some?"

He placed the gift box on Tang Tang. It was heavy.

Tang Tang's eyes widened.

So heavy!

This rectangular box... could it really hold gold bars?

Nice, nice. I like gold bars.

Since you're giving me gold bars, I'll hold off on criticizing you for today.

Su Xiajing: "..."

Thank goodness no one can hear my little money-grubber...

Tang Beichen: "..."

Sweetheart, could we stop with the double standards?

Daddy's given you so many gold bars. Could you stop calling me a deadbeat dad?

Tang Jian: "..."

Little sister, does your dislike only last a few seconds?

That's not fair!

Tang Zhilin: "..."

Can she be bought off with gold?

Seeing Tang Tang clutching the gift box tightly, Tang Shengwang chuckled at her. "She's so clever!"

Suddenly remembering something, he glanced at Tang Zhilin, seated in the middle, and said pointedly, "What a wonderful child."

Such a wonderful child, yet someone didn't know how to cherish her.