Chapter 49: This Is True Love

“Mr. Tang!”

“And you are?”

“You probably don’t know me, but I know you! My husband and I have purchased goods from your company before.”

Wu Xiuli leapt off the bed as if she’d spotted a long-lost family member, nearly throwing herself into Tang Songyuan’s arms. It was no wonder—Tang Songyuan represented money in her eyes, and who doesn’t love money?

“You’re… Miss Wu.”

He actually recognized her! Wu Xiuli was even more ecstatic than when she had first arrived, her face alight with excitement at seeing her god of wealth. She reached out eagerly to shake Tang Songyuan’s hand. He returned the gesture politely and quickly let go.

“I never imagined you’d recognize me! I thought our small business wouldn’t even catch your attention.”

“You’re too modest, Miss Wu.”

Tang Songyuan had no desire to prolong the conversation, nor to forge a bond with his minor client in this setting. He placed his bag on the bedside table, opened a small tray, and poured a bowl of soup, smiling apologetically at Tao Fei.

“I went to Claypot House and bought your favorite Five-finger Root soup. There was traffic, so I’m only just back now. It’s still hot—have some while it’s fresh. Oh, and this.”

Tang Songyuan pulled a black widescreen phone from his pocket and handed it to Tao Fei.

“Your old phone model is discontinued. See if you’re comfortable with this one. I’ve already got you a replacement SIM card, same number as before, and I’ve installed all your usual apps.”

“Thank you.”

Tang Songyuan had bought the latest model, but to Tao Fei it seemed a relic, outdated and old-fashioned. Yet she was fascinated by antiques, so she took the phone and swiped through it, her interest growing deeper.

Tang Songyuan reminded her to drink the soup first, and Tao Fei set the phone aside. By now, Wu Xiuli had grasped the nature of Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan’s relationship, and began to lavish compliments upon Tao Fei. Wu Xiuli’s mother joined in, praising Tao Fei as the very picture of a virtuous wife and devoted mother, without a hint of arrogance.

Tang Songyuan listened with obvious pleasure, smiling as he watched Tao Fei finish the entire bowl of soup. He poured mineral water for her to rinse her mouth, wrung out a warm towel for her face, and didn’t forget to apply cream to her cheeks.

Watching Tang Songyuan’s attentive ministrations, Wu Xiuli and her mother exhausted every word of praise they could find.

“If my husband were even half—or no, one-tenth—as good as Mr. Tang, I’d be content for life. Tao Fei, you are so lucky. Not only is Mr. Tang a genius at making money, he’s also thoughtful and gentle. How did you find such an amazing husband? Did you save the galaxy in your last life?”

Wu Xiuli truly envied Tao Fei, and genuinely wanted to hear their love story. Tao Fei just smiled and said nothing, so Wu Xiuli begged Tang Songyuan to share his experience. She wanted to use his standards to find future husbands for her three daughters.

Wu Xiuli was only thirty-one or thirty-two; her eldest daughter could not be very old!

“My wife and I were introduced by a matchmaker—nothing special about it. In those days, marriages were almost always arranged like that.”

“Oh? A matchmaker! My husband and I were high school classmates; we married for love. I always thought arranged marriages couldn’t be as happy as love matches, but seeing how affectionate you two are, I might need to rethink that.”

Wu Xiuli joked half-seriously.

“Then you must be well matched—marriages between equals are the most stable. That’s why matchmaking is popular again; every TV show is about it. The successful couples are always well matched. Rich people marry rich people; good looks alone aren’t enough.”

Wu Xiuli’s mother summarized Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan’s marriage, then waited with a knowing air for their confirmation.

“I married above my station.”

“Tao Fei must have been a great beauty in her youth!”

“She’s still beautiful.”

Tang Songyuan smiled softly, while Tao Fei continued to listen in silence. Such chatter was soothing, and she didn’t find it tiresome.

“Men who are older than their wives tend to be more caring!”

“That’s not always true. Old He is over ten years older than his wife and still beats her…”

Wu Xiuli’s mother tugged at her sleeve. Wu Xiuli immediately understood—her mother was helping her flatter Tang Songyuan. It was obvious that he was significantly older than Tao Fei.

“It depends on the man! Only mature, refined gentlemen like Mr. Tang spoil their wives.”

“Mr. Tang is clearly a good man! Not like those who fool around outside, keeping mistresses just because they’re rich.”

“It’s already half past two. The patient needs her nap.”

Tang Songyuan interrupted their conversation, helping Tao Fei lay the bed flat. Tao Fei, eager to study her antique phone, saw Tang Songyuan lean over to tuck her in and quickly pulled the blanket up to her chin, pretending to sleep.

Wu Xiuli, sensing the mood, fell silent. Within a minute, she and her mother were quietly discussing what to eat before five o’clock. Reaching an agreement, they said their goodbyes to Tang Songyuan and slipped out for a shopping spree.

The room fell quiet.

Tang Songyuan leaned back on the sofa by the window, eyes closed, afternoon sunlight painting his hair with a golden sheen.

Tao Fei watched him closely, feeling as if a shadow of worry lingered between his brows. Suddenly, Tang Songyuan opened his eyes, and Tao Fei quickly turned over.

The formidable mother who had threatened earlier did not show up at the hospital that afternoon. Tao Fei rested well, waiting only for the moon to appear.

A round orange moon silently hung in the sky, and Tao Fei’s heart began to race. The same time, the same place, the same moonlight! The moment of witnessing a miracle had arrived.

Wu Xiuli and her mother had not returned yet, and Tang Songyuan was sent out to buy fish porridge.

She gripped the door handle, opening and closing it repeatedly. The ward, the corridor, everything was as usual. Standing outside, she pushed and pulled the door again, but still, no miracle occurred.

Tao Fei was unwilling to give up, convincing herself it was just a matter of timing. She returned to the ward, opened the door, closed her eyes and walked outside, then suddenly opened her eyes. The long corridor, bathed in gentle, warm light, revealed only a young nurse hurrying into the nearby ward.

The familiar laboratory was nowhere to be seen!

Tao Fei forced herself to try again several times, repeating the opening and closing of the door. Standing at the threshold, she heard the sound of her own heartbreak.

The electronic clock at the nurse’s station in the Y-shaped corridor flashed another red digit.

One last try!

Perhaps her longing was too intense; Tao Fei, trembling, opened the door with her eyes shut, and after stepping outside, hesitated to open them. She hoped to hear her mentor call her name, then open her eyes to find herself back in the medical school laboratory…

But the expected voice did not come—only a surge of hot breath before her.

Tao Fei opened her eyes, startled by the sudden appearance of a man before her, stumbling backwards and nearly falling through the ward door.