"Hypertension and diabetes can be reasonably controlled," Mrs. Tang softly reassured, "Don't think too much about it. As long as you take your medication every day, there won't be any problems. Rest assured, living for several more decades won't be a big issue. So, you don't need to worry too much."

"Sigh..." Tang Guohua forced a bitter smile.

"Dad, what do you think of Lin Chuan's proposal?" Tang Yumeng asked curiously.

"Nothing much!" Tang Guohua shook his head and said, "I've told you before, Xie Tianyi is my preferred choice for a son-in-law. Besides, although the Xie family isn't as prominent as the Tang family, in Beijing, apart from Xie Tianyi having some talents, which other family scion can compare to him?"

"This..." Tang Yumeng frowned and said, "So, after all that, you're still against me being with Lin Chuan?"

"Yes!" Tang Guohua nodded and said, "Marriage is about being well-matched in terms of family status, you know? If you're not well-matched, even if you force it, the marriage won't be sweet."

"How is it not well-matched?" Tang Yumeng got angry upon hearing this.

At this moment, Lin Chuan immediately interrupted Tang Yumeng and said, "Xiao Yu, Uncle is right. In China's history, marriage has always been about being well-matched. If not well-matched, it's indeed hard to have both parties satisfied. However, earlier, Uncle mentioned that you want to find someone with talent, someone who can manage the family business for you. But now, you've changed your tune to finding someone with talent. Isn't that contradictory?"

Tang Guohua laughed and said, "No matter what, talent takes priority. If you have talent, I can consider you. To be honest, Tang Yumeng is my only daughter. All my hopes and future are pinned on her. Everything I have relies on her. If she can't find someone capable of managing the company for me, the Tang family will be finished."

"I'm not sure what kind of talent Uncle is referring to!" Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Creating a billion-dollar corporate group from scratch in two years, does that count as talent? In two years, helping hundreds of penniless guys buy cars, houses, and get married, does that count as talent?"

Tang Guohua was slightly taken aback and said, "That sounds quite impressive."

"Dad, that's him." Tang Yumeng said excitedly.

"I could have guessed." Tang Guohua smiled and said, "If you truly created a billion-dollar business from scratch without exploiting Yumeng's status, then I'll believe you're a talented person."

"Dad, he didn't use me." Tang Yumeng hurriedly said, "Not only did he not use me, but he also helped me greatly. Without him, I would have been harmed by my competitors long ago."

Tang Guohua looked at Lin Chuan, seemingly waiting for his response. Lin Chuan smiled and said, "I can't say none at all."

"Very good, you're an honest person." Tang Guohua nodded in satisfaction.

As Beijing's central figure with such esteemed authority, Tang Guohua surely wouldn't be unaware of where his daughter is, what she's done, or whom she's met. Although he's not entirely sure about Lin Chuan, he should know something, more or less.

Lin Chuan's sincerity and honesty first affirmed his character to Tang Guohua.

"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle." Lin Chuan nodded.

"However, in this world, sincerity alone isn't enough." Tang Guohua sighed and said, "I need someone with talent."

"Uncle, I've made myself very clear." Lin Chuan said modestly but firmly.

Tang Guohua leaned back on the bed, closing his eyes to rest.

Just when everyone was at a loss, Tang Guohua suddenly spoke, "Do you truly love my daughter?"

"Yes!" Lin Chuan nodded, answering decisively and firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

"Then..." Tang Guohua paused slightly, raising his eyes to look at Lin Chuan. Their eyes met, seemingly sparking a sharp glow. Tang Guohua continued, "If I let Yumeng marry you, are you willing to join the Tang family?"

"No!" Lin Chuan responded firmly.

Mrs. Tang and Tang Yumeng were both tense. Indeed, Tang Guohua's question was rather sharp, even somewhat oppressive in certain respects. After all, this question was indeed challenging to answer. If one consented, it would deceive one's conscience. If one refused, it would undoubtedly offend Tang Guohua.

"Then your first answer and second answer are contradictory, right?" Tang Guohua's sharp question caught Lin Chuan off guard.

If you love her, why not join her family? If you truly love someone, you should be willing to pay any price for them, even with your life. Now, I'm not asking you to sacrifice your life, just to join her family, yet you refuse. What right do you have to say you love her?

"Uncle!" Lin Chuan smiled wryly and said, "Actually, I never wanted to say this. I can sacrifice my life for Tang Yumeng, but I absolutely can't sacrifice my dignity for her. I believe this is the answer in the heart of any man. As a man, you should understand my feelings the most. Isn't that right?"

"For the woman you love, what's sacrificing dignity?" Tang Guohua scoffed, "If one day Tang Yumeng falls into the hands of robbers, and they demand you trade dignity for her life, what would you do?"

Older indeed is wiser!

The saying is true. With that phrase, Tang Guohua hit the nail on the head, leaving Lin Chuan at a loss. Lin Chuan hurriedly suppressed his inner anger and quickly calmed down. Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Uncle, we're just discussing the matter at hand and not talking about improbable situations. Furthermore, I won't allow anyone to harm Tang Yumeng!"

"I understand young people talking big to some extent." Tang Guohua gradually began to feel a bit disappointed in Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan's words even left Tang Guohua feeling somewhat disappointed. In Tang Guohua's view, Lin Chuan's words seemed to have an element of boasting. The type of people Tang Guohua dislikes most are those who brag.

"Dad, Lin Chuan isn't bragging." Tang Yumeng, knowing her father well, hurriedly started to defend Lin Chuan, anxiously saying, "Every word Lin Chuan says is true; don't doubt him. It's real."

"You don't need to explain for him." Tang Guohua smiled and said, "Compared to Tianyi, Lin Chuan still has a long way to go."

"Dad, look at what you're saying." Tang Yumeng frowned and said, "Xie Tianyi is indeed impressive, capable, and talented, but Lin Chuan isn't inferior to him. I believe in Lin Chuan, and I believe Lin Chuan has the ability and talent."

"Let it go." Tang Guohua showed a bit of disdain and said, "Lin Chuan is undoubtedly good, but he can't compare to Xie Tianyi."

For a moment, Tang Guohua seemed very disappointed with Lin Chuan.

Seeing this, Lin Chuan could only shrug helplessly. Sometimes, when you say too much, others think you're just boasting. So, at this moment, Lin Chuan felt it's better to close his mouth; the more you say, the more mistakes you make.

Tang Yumeng was clearly disappointed with her father too, "Dad, your stubbornness hasn't changed, no wonder you've suffered so many times."

"Shut up!" Tang Guohua glared at Tang Yumeng and said, "Xie Tianyi already told me that tomorrow, he'll arrange for the Xie family to come propose marriage. A week later, I'll announce the engagement between the Tang family and the Xie family. By then, all of Beijing will know."

"No! I don't want to." Tang Yumeng shook her head.

"You no longer have the choice of not wanting it," Tang Guohua coldly snorted.

"Dad, when will you respect me for once?" Tang Yumeng gritted her teeth and said, "From childhood to adulthood, you've made me strive for excellence, learn piano, dance, study abroad... I followed everything. But can my marriage, my life be up to me? You've decided too much for me already."

"You are my daughter, Tang Guohua's daughter." Tang Guohua's voice grew louder, his emotions a bit agitated as he sternly said, "Since you are my daughter, Tang Guohua's daughter, you must listen to me. If not, then don't set foot in this house again."

"Do you think I want to? I can leave." After saying this, Tang Yumeng grabbed Lin Chuan's arm, ready to leave.

At this moment, Mrs. Tang hurriedly said, "Oh, look at you two, father and daughter, not seeing each other for five years only to argue when you meet again. Can't you sit down and talk peacefully? From my viewpoint, Lin Chuan is a good kid, and what he says makes sense. Right? Instead of finding a successor, why not cultivate one yourself? Besides, Xiao Yu is old enough, it's time for her to have a child. I'm of an age now where I want nothing more than to hold a grandchild."

"But he doesn't want to join the family!" Tang Guohua snorted lightly.

"Is a grandson not a grandchild?" Mrs. Tang glanced at Tang Guohua and said, "They're your own flesh and blood."

"It's not the same. I want a grandson with the Tang surname!" Deep down, Tang Guohua held onto the traditional Chinese belief that was deeply ingrained.

"Of course, Xie Tianyi is undoubtedly good." Mrs. Tang smiled, "I'm naturally satisfied too. But he isn't Yumeng's ideal match in her heart. So, we need to consider our daughter's feelings, don't we?"

Mrs. Tang was a considerate and kind-hearted woman, living each day thinking about others and caring for others' feelings, often neglecting her own. She was indeed a great woman, devoting her love to her husband and children throughout her life.

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