Chapter 18: A New Official Takes Office

Seeing the elderly woman’s red, tear-filled eyes, Tao Fei suddenly thought of her own grandmother and instinctively shifted a little closer.

No need to ask—this elderly woman before her was indeed Tao Fei’s mother.

“It’s all my fault for coming to see you so late,” the old woman said regretfully.

“I’m fine,” Tao Fei replied.

Though she felt some affection toward the old woman and didn’t want to cause her worry, the word “mother” was something she simply could not bring herself to say.

“That’s good, that’s good. Song Yuan got you such a nice hospital to stay in—I always knew any illness could be cured here.”

Zhou Meixiang straightened her posture, naturally leaning back, releasing Tao Fei’s hand, and pressing her sleeve to her eyes. Her face, once clouded with worry, smoothed out as she looked around the hospital room, murmuring her admiration.

Anhe Women’s Hospital, nestled by Bai Lu Lake at the center of Rong City, consisted of two interconnected six-story red-brick buildings with gray tiles, covering over a hundred acres, hidden among lush greenery and blooming flowers. The view from the window was picturesque, and the room’s facilities and equipment were cutting-edge and high-tech.

It was said that the hospital’s founder bore the surname An and was once a royal physician. Starting from a small clinic, over two hundred years of ups and downs and the efforts of several generations of the An family had transformed it into a prestigious specialty hospital renowned throughout the province and even the entire country.

“This room must be at least twenty or thirty square meters, right? It looks even bigger than your brother’s new apartment. How much does it cost to stay here for one night? Look at this bed, this cabinet, the sofa, and these curtains…”

Zhou Meixiang felt her eyes were insufficient to take it all in and clutched the curtain, reluctant to let go. The silk curtain, a smoky blue hue, was crumpled in her hand then smoothed out again, regaining its original sheen and neatness, prompting her to exclaim:

“This must be brocade fabric. I remember seeing bedding made from this kind of material when I was a child. When the quilt is placed under the sun, it shimmers like rippling water—so beautiful.”

Indeed, the hospital’s curtains were of fine quality, though certainly not the same fabric used for bedding decades ago.

Tao Fei could only smile wryly at this old woman’s odd fascination. She glanced toward the hanging IV bag, now empty, and quickly clamped the infusion tube shut before pressing the call bell.

Li Ya nimbly replaced the empty bottle with a fresh bag of medication, glanced at Zhou Meixiang who was still fiddling with the curtains by the window, held back her comments, and hurried out.

Finally, Zhou Meixiang put down the curtain and sat on the sofa. She pressed down hard on the cushion with both hands, then leaned back with satisfaction.

“Tao Fei, your brother wants to start an art training school with some friends. Can you manage to put up two hundred thousand yuan?”

“Start an art training school?”

“Yes. Tao Xin wants to start a business and be his own boss. As his sister, you should support him.”

Only then did Zhou Meixiang carefully observe Tao Fei’s expression. The faint, indifferent look made Zhou Meixiang feel somewhat uneasy.

---

“I know you gave a million yuan to your brother to buy a house when he got married. A million is a large sum to you, too. It’s only been half a year; you should take a break. But you also know how fortunate we are that your brother married such a good wife. Tao Xin not having a stable job isn’t right. Now that he’s finally determined to do something practical, you can’t not help.”

“You should discuss it with Song Yuan and have him take two hundred thousand out of the factory funds, counting it as a loan from you guys. Your brother said the art school will break even within a year, and by then he’ll repay both principal and interest.”

“Oh, you want me to talk to Song Yuan about it.”

After listening for a while, Tao Fei finally understood—the elderly woman wasn’t here to check on her condition at all...

“You should talk to Song Yuan. You’re married, so you’re definitely closer than me, your mother-in-law.”

Zhou Meixiang stood up happily from the sofa and approached the bedside to take Tao Fei’s hand. Not wanting to be grasped by the old woman’s frail hand, Tao Fei slipped her hand under the covers and gave Zhou Meixiang an apologetic smile.

“Go ask Song Yuan.”

This time, saying Song Yuan’s name felt much smoother.

“That’s fine, but you have to help talk to him. Song Yuan loves you the most and obeys you in everything. Whatever you say, he’ll get it done.”

Ha! Where in the world is there unconditional love? Even the most loving couples don’t obey each other without question!

Tao Fei thought to herself that even a twenty-year-old girl like her knew this truth, yet a woman in her sixties couldn’t see through such a simple fact.

Talking about money damages feelings!

Tao Fei laughed inwardly, unwilling to continue the conversation with this “mother.” Closing her eyes briefly, she began pondering the miracle of her time travel last night—under what circumstances it had occurred. If the same conditions arose, going back wouldn’t be a problem.

Could it be the moon?

Thinking of the strange orange-red full moon from last night, the more she considered it, the more convinced she became that the gateway through time was connected to that moon. She could try again tonight...

“Tao Fei, are you listening to me?”

Zhou Meixiang tapped Tao Fei’s blanket.

“Oh, I’m listening.”

Tao Fei gazed out the window. It was early March, and though a late cold snap lingered, the sunshine was pleasant.

“I’m saying you owe me this month’s living expenses—it’s been two days already.”

---

“Oh, go ask Song Yuan for it.”

Blaming the uncle-husband was always the easiest way out.

Tao Fei kept her eyes outside the window. Suddenly, the blanket was yanked away, revealing Zhou Meixiang’s annoyed face. Tao Fei feigned seriousness and looked at her.

“You get three thousand yuan every month from the household expenses and give it to me. Don’t let Song Yuan know about this.”

“Oh?”

“Oh, don’t ‘oh’ me! You have to give it to me today—I have urgent matters. I went to your place last night and got turned away; I almost missed my appointment.”

Zhou Meixiang’s long, thin cheeks showed a hint of grievance.

Tao Fei didn’t know how to reply. Seeing her daughter silent, Zhou Meixiang grew anxious. She had come today just for the three thousand yuan, and if she couldn’t get it, she would lose face in front of that person. How would they get along afterward?

“You must have brought money to the hospital; give me three thousand for urgent use.”

“I don’t have any on me. Why don’t you look around?”

“You—you ungrateful girl! Do you think I didn’t come to the hospital to see you in time? You never told me you were hospitalized or had surgery. How was I supposed to know?”

Zhou Meixiang was angry and embarrassed. Before, whenever she asked her daughter for money, Tao Fei would obediently hand it over without hesitation. Today, not only did she refuse and make excuses, but since entering the room, Tao Fei hadn’t even called her “mom.”

“I really have no money. Wait for Song Yuan to come; I’ll ask him where my money is.”

“Don’t pretend with me! Your money isn’t yours—it’s Song Yuan’s. Go ask him directly. I’ll come by again this afternoon. Have the money ready. If I don’t get it this afternoon, I’m not leaving.”

Zhou Meixiang stormed out fiercely. Tao Fei stared blankly at the empty doorway. What kind of mother was this? She was like a tiger that devours without leaving a bone!

Zhou Meixiang had been gone a long while, and Tang Song Yuan hadn’t returned. After finishing three bags of IV fluids, with a warm herbal pack on her navel, Tao Fei drifted into a drowsy sleep.