Chapter Thirty-Five: The Tea Is Lovely, But It's Really Expensive!

"Come in!"

Duan Zhong dragged Duan Fei along as he followed Chen Tianming into the Chen Corporation's building and lectured Duan Fei as they walked.

"Brat, don't do anything funny later! You better properly apologize to Mr. Chen, you hear me? If you cause any more trouble, your pocket money will be gone!"

Duan Fei just listened to Duan Zhong's speech perfunctorily.

In any case, he had to deal with his father first. As for Chen Tianming, he would have plenty of time to take care of him in the future.

Chen Tianming took Duan Zhong and Duan Fei to his father's office. 

Duan Zhong entered Chen Jiang's office and felt a flash of envy. Although Duan Zhong quickly hid his emotion, Chen Tianming still picked up on it.

If only he'd noticed Duan Zhong's abnormality earlier in his previous life…

However, this was no longer important. It was all in the past. It would be fine as long as he kept his eyes open now.

Duan Fei's eyes shone as he looked at the office that was three times bigger than his father's and exclaimed, "Oh my god! This is the first time I've seen such a big office!"

Duan Fei then looked at Duan Zhong and commented, "Dad, even our company's conference room isn't this big!"

Duan Zhong's face immediately darkened at his son's remark.

He was already bothered by the fact that his office couldn't compare to Chen Jiang's and barely managed to control his emotions. Unfortunately, his brainless eldest son had gone and pointed it out. 

Why was his idiot son making him look bad in this situation? He felt like his own hands had just slapped him.

It indeed was a slap in the face!

To prevent Duan Fei from angering himself further, Duan Zhong turned to Chen Tianming and said, "Mr. Chen, what happened in the restaurant today was my son, Duan Fei's fault. I brought him here to apologize to you!"

Duan Zhong dragged Duan Fei before Chen Tianming and said scoldingly, "Well? Aren't you going to apologize?"

Duan Fei glanced at Chen Tianming and casually said, "I'm sorry! What happened today was my fault!"

Duan Fei plopped down on the leather sofa at the side after he'd finished his task, and he sighed in comfort. "This is so comfy! Dad, get a sofa like this for your office too!"

Duan Zhong was livid as he looked at his boneheaded boy. He couldn't understand how someone as smart as himself could have such a brainless son.

If that joke of an apology appeased Chen Tianming, he would eat his hat!

Duan Zhong cautiously looked at Chen Tianming, who merely smiled faintly. 

Duan Zhong looked at Chen Tianming with a hint of doubt. 'What does he mean by that? Is this an act? Or did he really not catch on?' he wondered.

Duan Zhong recalled Duan Fei's descriptions of Chen Tianming, and combined with the boy's current behavior, he had a rough idea of Chen Tianming's personality.

'He's pretending,' Duan Zhong speculated. Since that was the case, he would test Chen Tianming to see if he was faking it.

So Duan Zhong pulled Duan Fei off the sofa and kicked his leg. "You call that an apology?! Stop being so arrogant! Get your ass in gear and apologize to Mr. Chen!"

'How interesting,' Chen Tianming thought as he looked at Duan Zhong. 'I didn't think he would go that far.'

'Is he being genuine, or is this a test?'

As soon as the thought occurred to Chen Tianming, he instantly dismissed the first option. 'He's testing me,' Chen Tianming affirmed.

After all, although it seemed like Duan Zhong had put a lot of force into that kick, it didn't cause any harm to Duan Fei at all. It was even possible that he might have faked that kick.

Chen Tianming's expression remained unchanged despite his thoughts.

The act didn't deceive Chen Tianming, but Su Xiaonuan was moved.

'What a selfless father!'

'Most people would be protective of their child and couldn't bear to be so tough on their kids.'

'It seems like Mr. Duan sincerely wants to apologize, but there's no response from the young master. What can I do?'

'Should I put in a good word with the young master?' 

Su Xiaonuan was about to say something to Chen Tianming when he interrupted her with a request, "Ms. Su, Mr. Duan has been here for so long; he must be thirsty. Please get us something to drink!"

Su Xiaonuan bit back the words she wanted to say; she could only nod and walk out of the office.

The office suddenly became quiet after Su Xiaonuan left. 

Duan Zhong could tell that Su Xiaonuan wanted to help him, but he didn't understand Chen Tianming's actions.

'Is Chen Tianming onto us?'

'Or was it pure luck that he did those actions just now?'

Duan Zhong contemplated the matter at length but still couldn't figure out what was happening.

'Never mind!'

'I'll just take things one step at a time,' Duan Zhong decided. He didn't think a brat wet behind the ears like Chen Tianming would be a problem.

Su Xiaonuan soon returned with three cups of tea.

Duan Fei saw that she'd also prepared tea for him and was about to sit on the sofa to enjoy it when Chen Tianming said, "The tea's lovely, Ms. Su. You should try it."

Chen Tianming indirectly told Su Xiaonuan that he didn't want to provide Duan Fei tea.

Su Xiaonuan naturally knew what he meant, so she left right after placing a cup of tea beside Duan Zhong.

She could intercede for Duan Zhong and his son but wouldn't go against Chen Tianming's wishes. She was only an assistant; she just had to do what she was supposed to do. As for other things, they weren't important.

Chen Tianming's words bothered Duan Zhong. However, he could understand why Tianming snubbed Duan Fei. His son's actions in the restaurant were indeed a little overboard.

Therefore, in Duan Zhong's eyes, this was just one of Chen Tianming's little tricks. 

However, he didn't have much time to wrangle with Chen Tianming. He took a sip of tea and got straight to the point, "Mr. Chen, about the restaurant's investment..."

Duan Zhong hesitated. He didn't need to continue further; he'd said all he needed to. He and Chen Tianming knew full well what the father and son duo came here for.

Chen Tianming ignored Duan Zhong's words and continued, "This tea is really good! However, it's a little expensive!"

As soon as Chen Tianming said this, Duan Zhong could hear the double meaning behind his words. However, he was just a shareholder of the restaurant, so he had no control over this aspect. 

He looked at Chen Tianming, smiled apologetically, and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Chen. I've had too much water on the way here and need to use the restroom!"

Chen Tianming knew what Duan Zhong was heading out to do, so he nodded and said, "It's the room to the right!"

Duan Zhong bobbed his head and left the office.