C19 Please Start Your Performance

Sun Zhenying desperately wanted to say no, but as he locked eyes with Liu Changqing's icy stare, the thought of resistance melted away.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the three young masters of the Tang family glaring ominously, while their bodyguards seemed ready to pounce. It was clear that any objection would be met with immediate and forceful action.

"I... I'll eat," Sun Zhenying stammered, his forehead beaded with sweat, his voice quivering with fear.

"Bring the vase to Doctor Sun!" Tang Xingjia commanded with a cold snort.

Without delay, the vase, which had been prepared in advance, was placed before Sun Zhenying. He stared at the vase, nearly as tall as he was, his complexion turning a sickly pale.

Of all the Tang family's vases, why did he have to choose the towering one? What was he thinking?

"Begin your performance, Doctor Sun. Or are you expecting me to feed you?" Tang Xingjia taunted, watching Sun Zhenying's pained expression.

Hearing that the head of the Tang family might intervene, Sun Zhenying shuddered, no longer hesitating.

He might manage to delay the inevitable if he ate it himself, but if Tang Xingjia decided to force-feed him, it would surely be the end.

"I'll eat... I'll eat..." Sun Zhenying muttered, eyeing the vase and swallowing hard. How on earth was he supposed to eat porcelain?

"How am I supposed to eat this?" he asked, struggling to find a way.

"Simple. Smash it and feed it to him!" Tang Xingjia declared.

At his word, the bodyguard overseeing the ordeal didn't hesitate to smash his fist into the vase.

"Crack!" The sound echoed as the vase shattered into fragments on the floor.

"Start eating," Liu Changqing instructed, his tone detached.

"Ah..." Sun Zhenying realized there was no way out. Eating would be torture, not eating would mean certain death.

After a moment's thought, he decided that living in agony was better than not living at all. Gritting his teeth, he squatted down, picked up the smallest shard, and shoved it into his mouth.

"Crack!"

The unmistakable sound of teeth shattering echoed in his ears as Sun Zhenying clutched his mouth, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes.

Already advanced in years with less than sturdy teeth, the hard porcelain proved too much, and several of his teeth gave way.

"Ugh..."

Sun Zhenying's pained cry filled the air. He desperately wanted to vomit but dared not; he was acutely aware that doing so would seal his fate.

Crossing the Tang family was no trivial matter. Having offended them, Sun Zhenying was now persona non grata in Gliatol.

"Make sure he finishes the vase!"

Tang Zhenye commanded the bodyguard overseeing Sun Zhenying with an icy tone.

"Yes, sir!"

"Mr. Liu, right this way."

Tang Zhenye approached Liu Changqing, gesturing invitingly with a sweep of his hand.

"Hmm."

Liu Changqing gave a slight nod and followed Tang Zhenye into the study.

Inside the Tang family's study.

"Mr. Liu, please enjoy the tea."

Tang Zhenye personally brewed a cup of Kung Fu tea and offered it to Liu Changqing.

Liu Changqing accepted the cup and took a delicate sip, finding himself impressed by the quality of Tang Zhenye's tea.

The tea was crisp and slightly bitter at first, but it left a sweet, refreshing aftertaste and a lingering fragrance on the lips.

"Excellent tea!"

Liu Changqing remarked appreciatively.

"Mr. Liu, you're a tea enthusiast as well?"

Tang Zhenye inquired, his curiosity piqued. He had always thought that young men Liu Changqing's age preferred Starbucks coffee and cola; tea lovers were a rare breed.

"Just on occasion."

"Tea, with its ability to absorb the essence of nature, encompasses the five elements and the eight trigrams. Metal, wood, water, fire, earth—all are connected to it. It endures the elements—wind, sun, rain—and is transformed by the heat of the pan and the boiling water. Through these trials, its fragrance is released. I believe that's why tea is so cherished."

Liu Changqing offered his thoughts to Tang Zhenye with a serene gaze.

"Mr. Liu, your insight is remarkable. To discern such profound life philosophies from a single cup of tea... I must admit, it's taken me years to grasp what you've articulated so eloquently. I am humbled indeed."

Upon hearing Liu Changqing's words, a flicker of shame passed through Tang Zhenye's eyes.

"Let's skip the formalities and get to the point."

"My thoughtless grandson has insulted Mr. Liu today. I've specifically brought him here to apologize. I hope you can be magnanimous and forgive him."

With that, Tang Zhenye called out to the doorway, "Bring that good-for-nothing in here!"

The door swung open, and Tang Qingcheng, head bowed, was ushered in by Tang Xingqiu.

"Kneel!"

Tang Zhenye commanded.

"Grandfather... I..."

Tang Qingcheng was still defiant.

He couldn't fathom why his family, who usually indulged him, was siding with Liu Changqing, nor could he grasp what he had done wrong.

Yet, fearing Tang Zhenye, he buckled under his grandfather's bellowing and reluctantly knelt.

"You're not kneeling to me; kneel to Mr. Liu!"

Tang Zhenye snapped, seeing Tang Qingcheng's reluctance.

"What?"

Tang Qingcheng was utterly bewildered. What had gotten into his grandfather today? Making him kneel before someone who seemed younger than him—had he lost his mind?

"What do you mean 'what'? I'm saving your life! Do you have any idea who Mr. Liu is? You had the audacity to cross him! You fool, you nearly dragged the entire Tang family down with you, and you almost cost your grandmother her life! Apologize to Mr. Liu properly! If he doesn't forgive you, you won't be standing up today!"

Tang Zhenye looked at Tang Qingcheng with disappointment and frustration.

His daughter was sharp; how could she have raised such a failure of a son?

"Tang Qingcheng, you better give Mr. Liu a sincere apology. If he's not satisfied, I'll disown you as my son!"

Previously, Tang Xingqiu might have underestimated Liu Changqing, but upon learning of his true stature, she was filled with dread.

Her son hadn't just offended an average person; he had provoked a veritable titan!

"Mom..."

In that instant, Tang Qingcheng felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

Even his doting mother had spoken so harshly. What choice did Tang Qingcheng have but to comply?

"Mr. Liu, my apologies. I've offended you, and I humbly ask you to overlook my foolishness and transgression," Tang Qingcheng conceded with remorse.

"Let it go; he's just a kid. I won't hold it against him this time. But let me be clear, this is only because of you. If there's a next time..." Liu Changqing trailed off, giving Tang Zhenye a meaningful look.

A Master's honor is inviolable. Should such disrespect occur again, there would be no one to intervene.

"I get it, I truly do! It won't happen again. The Tang family will certainly regard Mr. Liu's guidance as paramount from now on!" Tang Zhenye assured him, his face breaking into an eager smile.

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