Chapter 173 Tan Family Tradition (1/2)

Now that Sam figured out that Beatrice was the best person to ask about the gift, his heart calmed down. Relieved, he switched off the lamp and went to bed.

The next day, Sam was wondering when was the best time to ask Beatrice during class. He didn't want to appear too eager so it had to be slipped in somehow. It had to be done during class as Betty would most likely drop by the Student Council office later.

But how can he broach the subject?

Xing Han came over when he saw how agitated Sam appeared to be.

”What's up, Sam? You're not your usual 'work mode' right now,” Xing Han asked, scrutinizing Sam's face close-up, his face inches away from Sam's.

Sam pushed Xing Han's face away from his, and replied, ”Nothing's up.”

Lowering his voice, he said, ”I want to ask Beatrice what Betty likes, without letting on to Beatrice that I like Betty. How do I do that?”

”Why don't you want her to know?” Xing Han asked.

”It's awkward,” Sam said.

”In what century is it awkward?!” Xing Han exclaimed, ”Betty is her cousin, right? Why would having her know you like her cousin be awkward?”

”Because I don't want to talk about it with her,” Sam said, ”Since she's so close to Betty, she would probably tell Betty, right? Wouldn't that scare Betty away?”

Xing Han looked at Sam in puzzlement and started knocking on Sam's head, ”Hello? Anyone home?”

Sam glared at Xing Han, smacking the offending knocking hand, ”Stop that. What was that for?”

”Are you sure you belong in Sage Class? What sort of nonsense logic is that?” Xing Han demanded.

However, upon seeing the confused look on Sam's face, Xing Han face palmed himself and sighed.

”Man, Sam. Your IQ may be high but your EQ leaves a lot to be desired. Or maybe your EQ is just low when it comes to your own matters of the heart,” Xing Han muttered.

”Look,” Xing Han continued, ”First of all, if you like her then why be worried if she finds out? She may be scared off? Pah. All these fears you have about your bunny hopping away is stupid! If she hops away just because you confess, then either chase after her or let her go.”

”Whatever it is, you're still taking these baby steps. Making plans and all that to be logical and trying to get the best outcome,” Xing Han pointed out.

”That's how I am!” Sam muttered through gritted teeth, ”I'm not spontaneous. I've always charted my way and followed the path I've planned out.”

”That's the problem, isn't it? You're not some sort of spy or whatever,” Xing Han retorted, ”You try. Fail? Try again. Fail again? Chase again. Nothing is certain except how much effort you want to put into capturing her.”

”Why are you so knowledgable about all of this, anyway? You've never had a girlfriend or even shown any interest in a girl!” Sam huffed, unconvinced.

”Believe it or not, part of the things my father teaches me is this,” Xing Han commented while twirling his finger on the desk, a faraway look in his eyes.

”O-kay,” Sam said, ”But you've already got a fiancee. So what is this 'chasing after girl' lessons then?”

Xing Han gave a disdainful laugh as he said in a different voice, obviously mimicking his father, ”A wife is to satisfy the family's requirements but a mistress is to satisfy your needs. So you must know how to get the girl you want as your mistress.”

Sam's eyes widened in shock, ”What?!”

Xing Han smiled wryly, ”You're the second person I've actually told this family secret to.”

”The Tan Family Tradition date back from our ancestor's archaic dynasty which is littered with concubines and all that. However, it evolved over time in order to avoid messy internal politics. You can have as many lovers your heart desires in exchange for marrying out of duty, but you must never give those lovers any heirs.”

”Basically,” Xing Han snorted, ”My wife may be set but it's accepted - even encouraged - to have mistresses. So long as you only have kids with your wife.”

”And your future wife is okay with this? And the mistresses?” Sam couldn't believe what he was hearing, especially in these modern times.

”First, the wife takes precedence over everything and everyone. Mistresses are below the wife and we are required to treat our wife like gold. She is the matriarch and the mother of the Tan line,” Xing Han said in a detached voice, ”As for the mistresses, they are in love with us. That's why we're also taught how to choose the women, then woo and captivate them.”

He didn't add that any woman who becomes the mistress would have to undergo tubal ligation surgery to have their ”tubes tied” - a permanent birth control method for women.

Personally, he found the whole thing distasteful and degrading for the women. Yet, he couldn't do anything as he wasn't the Head and the tradition had been in place for centuries. The women were even willing so who was he to complain?

The mistresses had a good, easy life and the wife didn't have to force themselves to pander to their husband that they didn't love. The man had the best of both worlds: a beautiful, powerful wife to solidify the empire and loads of beautiful women who catered to your every desire and whim.

Occasionally, but rarely, the arranged marriage turns to love. No mistresses were ever taken. The last time this event happened was several hundred years ago.

As for Xing Han?