The Best Prince

Mother detects son's intentions

The rift between the Fang family and Tang Sheng had almost reached the breaking point, but for Tang Sheng, it didn't mean much in this lifetime.

Maybe in the past, Fang Mei was the woman Tang Sheng couldn't forget, but only because she had hurt him deeply. However, in that lifetime, Tang Sheng wouldn't let her occupy his thoughts. The woman who truly captured his heart was in Jiangling City, in the run-down old Tang Lane.

"Mom, I want to try to change myself. Dad suggested I go to Jiangling for boarding school. I want to go..."

Yunhui didn't expect her son to propose this on his own. It was like a bolt from the blue.

"Son, say that again. I need to make sure I didn't mishear you."

Tang Sheng could see the disbelief in his mother's eyes, realizing how shocking his words were to her.

"You didn't mishear, Mom. I want to go to that messed-up relative's place in Jiangling for boarding."

"Oh, my goodness!" Yunhui rolled her eyes. "The sun must have risen from the west," she said as she touched Tang Sheng's forehead. "Mom needs to confirm you're not running a fever. Tell me, son, what's wrong with you? I still can't figure it out."

This time, it was Tang Sheng's turn to roll his eyes. "Mom, I know I've broken your and Dad's hearts over the years. It's all my fault. Starting today, I want to change myself and become the most filial and proudest son in the world, okay?"

Yunhui's eyes moistened. Her son's words made her feel like he had truly grown up.

As they went downstairs and got into the car, Yunhui felt like she was in a dream. She didn't even respond when Luo Qiangqiang greeted her.

As the Audi A6 drove away from the building, Yunhui looked back at her window and muttered to herself, "This is strange!"

"Director Yun, what's wrong?"

Luo Qiangqiang also noticed something was off, feeling that Director Yun seemed a bit absent-minded today.

"Little Luo, I just can't figure it out. Tang Sheng actually volunteered to go to Jiangling for boarding school. What's that brat up to?"

"Uh... Director, did I hear that right?"

Luo Qiangqiang had been with Yunhui for three years and had earned her admiration and trust. She excelled in both talent and work performance, with a high educational background in finance and a keen understanding of her superiors' intentions. She was adept at reading people and situations, making her highly effective.

She knew as much about Tang Sheng as Yunhui did, if not more. Many of Tang Sheng's dirty secrets were known to Luo Qiangqiang, which Yunhui might not have been aware of. In fact, in Tang Sheng's eyes, this woman was more "useful" than his mother. She had handled numerous tasks, both good and bad, and held many of his vulnerabilities.

So, every time he showed interest in Luo Qiangqiang, she would coldly humiliate him and threaten to expose one of his secrets. That scared him off any thoughts about her, but he couldn't help but admire her beauty.

At only twenty-five years old, Luo Qiangqiang had a wealth of social experience and social skills. Her sophistication and elegance had developed over three years of training with Yunhui. She had cultivated a unique and unattainable charm that set her apart from other women. It was something that couldn't be faked.

In her eyes, Tang Sheng was just a kid. No matter how he played around with others, he couldn't compete with her. Even in front of Luo Qiangqiang, he was always defeated, often ending up as the butt of her jokes.

Why? Because all his weaknesses and vulnerabilities are held in the hands of this beauty. Anything exposed in front of Yunhui and Tang Sheng would be in deep trouble. So, when facing Luo Qiangqiang, Tang Sheng was cautious and basically dared not act recklessly.

Luo Qiangqiang, on the other hand, knew how to strike the right balance. Each time, she would threaten him just enough, then help him with his tasks, leaving him torn between love and hate. Thus, she managed to keep him hooked, often teasing him in a way he couldn't resist, even privately praising her.

As things progressed, a strange relationship developed between Luo Qiangqiang and Tang Sheng.

To put it simply and figuratively, Luo Qiangqiang was the cat, and Tang Sheng was the mouse.

"Xiao Luo, drop me off at the office and then return, pretend to accompany him for some relaxation, probe what he's up to."

"Sure, Director, I promise to complete the mission."

Luo Qiangqiang was highly confident. The young second-generation rich boy acted obediently in front of her mother but was truly obedient in her presence.

On a Monday morning, the coffee shop wasn't very crowded. The busy working class was hustling for their livelihoods, and few had the leisure to waste time in a café. However, exceptions like Tang Sheng and Luo Qiangqiang existed, one acting on orders, the other on summer vacation.

Luo Qiangqiang's appearance was professional, clearly a high-level white-collar woman. Her demeanor and looks left nothing to be desired.

Even in hot weather, she insisted on wearing a lightweight dark-colored Western-style jacket, a necessity for work.

Under the dark jacket was a pure white T-shirt, with the collar peeking out over the jacket's neckline, revealing a glimpse of her snow-white chest. From the side, one could catch a small bulge of well-developed muscle, and if the top button were unfastened a bit more, a larger expanse of snowy flesh would be visible.

Tang Sheng licked his lips, took a sip of his coffee, and withdrew his gaze from Luo Qiangqiang's neckline.

"Your mother isn't here. I don't mind if you want to take a longer look."

Luo Qiangqiang had turned teasing Tang Sheng into a source of entertainment. He looked cute when he blushed, making it impossible to associate him with the notorious playboy who had caused so much trouble. He also had a shy, seventeen-year-old side.

Because of this, Luo Qiangqiang felt like she was a "powerful" woman. After all, who would dare to tease this young master?

However, Tang Sheng was no longer the same "Tang Sheng" from the past. In his memories, Luo Qiangqiang was a woman who had suffered a tragic fate by his side after he turned seventeen. Beneath her shrewd and strong exterior, she concealed a fragile and easily wounded soul.

She was the woman with whom he had the most intimate encounters after he turned seventeen. Many years later, as his career began to take off, she became an important helper. Their relationship transitioned from assistant to lover. Later, she had her own child, but with the shadow of Tang Jin's suicide still looming over her, she heartlessly forced her to have an "abortion" at the hospital. After that abortion, Luo Qiangqiang disappeared not long after, only to send him her belongings several months later. She... had actually taken her own life.

It was another heartbreaking memory. Tang Sheng's gaze at Luo Qiangqiang was filled with a misty sadness, a hidden melancholy.

This momentary expression of sorrow touched Luo Qiangqiang's heart. Could a seventeen-year-old boy really have such a melancholic and sorrowful look? This brat was truly a little demon who attracted women. Mixing with him for too long would be dangerous.

"Oh... what's wrong? You're not secretly in love with me, are you?"

Luo Qiangqiang playfully teased the young devil in her usual tone of voice.

"Maybe...," Tang Sheng furrowed his brows slightly, his fingers twirling the coffee cup. "Maybe my mom sent you to test me, right? When you go back, tell my mom that this time, I'm not playing any tricks. I just want to go to Jiangling for a couple of years, live a low-key life, and change myself."

Suddenly, Luo Qiangqiang dropped her usual playful facade and turned serious. "You'd better tell the truth, or else..." She knew this guy couldn't handle her intimidation. Just a slight show of displeasure from her, and he would start speaking the truth.

But this time, Tang Sheng's reaction surprised Luo Qiangqiang. He just gave her a nonchalant look.

"Don't threaten me, Qiangqiang. The Tang Sheng you see in front of you has changed. Don't treat me like a child."

Luo Qiangqiang was taken aback this time. "Oh... you can really hold your own, huh? You're not just a little kid?"

"Sure, give it a try. But be prepared to face the consequences yourself, fair warning."

This time, Luo Qiangqiang's expression changed. "Well... I really didn't expect that. Do we have a daredevil in our midst?"

"That's right, I know my mom probably thinks I'm just playing tricks again, but this time, I'm serious."

"You really want to go to Jiangling? You didn't just say that in a fit of anger, did you? Can I trust your words?"

Tang Sheng nodded. "You can trust me. Just tell my mom that."

There were things in Jiangling he longed to see, things that needed to change, and he had to go.

Luo Qiangqiang gazed at him for a moment with her beautiful eyes, contemplating. She sipped her coffee and thought about his sharp words during the conflict with the Fang family's daughter. She couldn't help but reevaluate this young man, who seemed to have changed so much. His demeanor was different.

"What about that girl surnamed Fang? You really don't like her?"

Tang Sheng furrowed his brows. "It's hard to say. She definitely doesn't like me, and she looks down on me. It's tough for me to like a girl like that. I'm not that cheap. Maybe it's just a farce between us..."

"You're quite something. Do you know how much your mom has talked about your arranged marriage?"

"Well, I feel sorry for my mom, so I want to work hard in Jiangling and not disappoint her again."

Hearing him say this, Luo Qiangqiang nodded in agreement. It seemed like he was really serious this time. Perhaps he was overstimulated?

"Alright, I'll go back and tell your mom. But I must warn you, don't regret it."

"Okay, I won't regret it. That's it, Qiangqiang, you can go now. I want to sit here alone for a while..."