Chapter 163: Chapter 153: Old Mrs. Tang

Tang Qingshan stayed at the Gu Mansion for dinner that evening, hoping to see the little girl again and have a chat. There was no shortage of people who looked alike in the world, but she gave him a peculiar feeling. Her features, her expression, the way her eyes moved and her lips pursed when she was silent, revealing her inner thoughts... she was the spitting image of his younger brother as a child. The moment their eyes met, Tang Qingshan felt a clear, mutual understanding with her; they had both already accepted each other as one of their own.

But the little girl was too tired and didn’t come out for dinner. Zhou Hui Lan, Shaozheng, and Shao Jin all went to check on her, but she was extremely wary. Her door was bolted tight, and none of them could get in. Zhou Hui Lan grew worried, and Old Mrs. Gu wanted to ask Gu the Third to figure something out, afraid that something might happen to the child locked in her room alone. But Mr. Gu waved a hand to stop them.

"The girl who could wake this old man with a single needle, who dared to fool several masters of traditional medicine by writing one prescription and using another—she’s no ordinary person! But she’s still just a child, after all. She’s been traveling through the night by car and plane, surrounded by strangers. She isn’t just tired; she’s also a little scared. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so on guard. It’s a good thing for a child to be so cautious when she’s away from home. Very good! None of you are to disturb her. Let her sleep her fill and come out on her own."

Tang Qingshan thought of how the little girl had been dragged out in the middle of the night, rushed anxiously by land and air, and then, upon arriving in Beijing, had inevitably faced interrogation and doubt from the Gu family elders. ’She must have been terrified and lost,’ he thought, sighing to himself. His heart ached for her.

After waiting until ten o’clock, certain that the little girl wasn’t going to emerge, Tang Qingshan finally took his leave. Zheng Shaojin saw him out.

People say that identical twins don’t just look alike, but also share a mental connection and similar temperaments. That, however, was not the case with Zheng Shaolian and Zheng Shaojin. While their faces and builds were identical, they were polar opposites in every other way.

Zheng Shaolian was moody, eccentric, and incredibly fussy. The Gu family members didn’t dare say it aloud, but they all thought Old Mrs. Gu had spoiled him rotten—though no one could stop their private thoughts. Zheng Shaojin, on the other hand, was warm, gentle, composed, and graceful. Everyone adored him, and they unanimously credited Tang Qingshan’s positive influence. Zheng Shaojin loved following Tang Qingshan, even moving to the city where he worked to study for several years, so it was only natural that his demeanor came to resemble the older man’s.

The only reason he stopped was because Old Mrs. Tang’s opposition became too fierce. She’d even gotten into a heated argument with Old Mrs. Gu about it. "My son hasn’t even managed to find a wife, and he’s dragging a tagalong around? What decent girl would agree to marry him now?"

Zheng Shaojin opened the car door for Tang Qingshan, who patted his shoulder. "Your little sister is new here and probably isn’t used to things," he said. "You’ll have to look after her. Call me as soon as she wakes up."

Zheng Shaojin smiled and nodded. "I will. Dad Tang, Shaolian couldn’t say much on the phone, but Shaozheng mentioned that the girl’s original surname was Mo... I just saw her, and I think she looks just like you, too. It’s so strange! Dad Tang, are you sure you’ve never traveled down south?"

Tang Qingyun rubbed his nose. "What wild ideas are you getting? And so what if I have? I almost wish she were mine, but alas, that’s impossible!"

"That’s a real shame! You’re back now—can you stay until after the New Year before you head back to Liaozhou?"

"I can stay for two nights, but I have to leave on the afternoon of New Year’s Day. Your grandfather’s situation was critical this time; it’s a good thing he pulled through. I barely managed to find an opening to rush back. The elders are all getting on in years. I need to start taking steps to move back home for good."

"Do you think they’ll be willing to let you go?"

"Haha! Our Huaxia has no shortage of capable people. Now, get inside. It’s cold out here, so be careful not to catch anything!"

"Okay. You’ve been traveling all day, too. Go on home and get some rest. And don’t worry, I’ll call you the moment she wakes up."

With that, Zheng Shaojin closed Tang Qingshan’s car door and waited for the vehicle to disappear at the end of the alley before he turned and went back inside.

The Tang Mansion and the Gu Mansion were quite far apart, one in the east and the other in the west, practically spanning the entire breadth of Beijing. After returning from Liaozhou, Tang Qingshan had gone straight to the Gu Mansion and called home from there. Once Mr. Tang heard that Mr. Gu was safe, he didn’t rush over himself—he had his own patient at home, after all. Her condition wasn’t critical, but the doctors had made it clear she was merely living out her days.

When Tang Qingshan returned home, he saw his father standing alone at the foot of the steps, waiting eagerly for him. His father’s hair was half-gray and his frame was thin, but he still stood ramrod straight. A pang of sorrow pricked Tang Qingshan’s heart.

"Father, it’s so cold. You have to take care of yourself."

"I’m dressed warmly, I’m not cold. How is your Uncle Gu? Is he really okay?"

"He’s perfectly fine! I heard he’s already up and walking around on his own. When I arrived at the Gu Mansion, I heard him laughing and joking with guests before I even laid eyes on him—he’s back to his old self! He joined us at the table for dinner, and if his healthcare aide hadn’t been watching him like a hawk, he would’ve dived right into the richest, heaviest dishes!"

"Hahaha! That old rascal. Depriving him of a hearty portion of meat would be a death sentence in itself!"

Tang Qingshan helped his father up the steps, the two of them chatting and laughing as they went.

The Tang Mansion was also an old-fashioned courtyard estate, though it had been renovated years ago. A three-story, European-style villa now stood in the main courtyard. With their children and grandchildren not living with them, one could only imagine how lonely the old couple must feel in such a massive house, were it not for the staff.

As they reached the second floor, the door to Old Mrs. Tang’s bedroom opened. A staff member, Xiao Zhang, emerged with a smile. "Old Mrs. Tang was feeling a bit poorly just a moment ago, but she perked right up when she heard your voice, sir! She’s still refusing her medicine, though. Perhaps you could try persuading her."

Tang Qingshan thanked her for her hard work and walked into the room with his father. Xiao Zhang gently pulled the door closed.

Old Mrs. Tang was propped up in bed, her body withered, her face gaunt and ashen. Her salt-and-pepper hair was cropped short at her ears. She gazed at her son with a gentle, loving smile, but Tang Qingshan’s vision instantly blurred with tears. ’His mother had always been beautiful and formidable. She had cherished her long, dark, silky hair, distraught over losing even one or two strands while brushing it. But now... not only had her illness wasted her away to a shadow of her former self, but even her precious hair was gone!’

"Mother!" Tang Qingshan went forward and hugged her, burying his face in her short, messy hair.

"Oh, is my son crying? Does your heart ache for your mother?" Old Mrs. Tang patted Tang Qingyun’s back and chuckled. "I thought the two of you wouldn’t pass up any chance to torment me until the day I die!"

"Mother, as long as you don’t die, as long as you keep living... I’ll listen to you! I’ll listen to everything you say! I’ll marry whoever you tell me to!"

"Really?"

"...Yes!"

"Just listen to how difficult that was for you to say! Forget it, I won’t force you anymore. I see things clearly now. This is just my fate. Other people have sons, and I had sons. One of them ran off with someone, and the other..."

"No... Mother, I... I’ll listen to you... You just have to get well!" Tang Qingshan was so ashamed he couldn’t lift his head.

Mr. Tang cleared his throat and gave his wife a disapproving look. "Lan Qing, the boy just got back from a long journey. He hasn’t even eaten."

Old Mrs. Tang shot him a glare. "Who do you think you’re kidding? He just came from the Gu Mansion. You think that shrew Wang Ruiyun wouldn’t feed him? She probably wishes she could charm my son into never coming home at all!"

Mr. Tang was speechless.

’His wife was so ill she was bedridden, yet she was still as sharp as a tack. Nothing got past her!’

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