Chapter 23: The Unreliable Charm Offensive

"Mr. Tang!"

"And you are?"

"You probably don't know me, but I know you! My husband and I used to buy supplies from your company."

Wu Xiuli leaped off the bed as though she'd seen a long-lost relative, nearly throwing herself into Tang Songyuan's arms. It was hardly surprising— to Wu Xiuli, Tang Songyuan was synonymous with money, and who in this world doesn't love money?

"You must be— Miss Wu."

Tang Songyuan actually recognized her! Wu Xiuli was more astonished than if she’d just run into her own god of wealth. Her face lit up with excitement as she reached out to shake Tang Songyuan's hand. He shook her hand politely, but released it at once.

"I never imagined you’d know who I am! I always thought you big business owners wouldn’t spare a glance for us small-time vendors."

"You're too modest, Miss Wu."

Tang Songyuan had no interest in continuing this conversation, nor in building ties with his minor client in this place. Setting his bag on the nightstand, he opened a small fold-out table, poured a bowl of soup, and turned to Tao Fei with an apologetic smile.

"I went to Claypot House and bought you your favorite Five-finger Root Soup. The traffic was terrible on the way back, so I’m sorry I’m late. The soup is still hot, drink some while it’s fresh. Also, here."

Tang Songyuan produced a black widescreen cell phone from his jacket and handed it to Tao Fei.

"Your old phone model is no longer manufactured, so I got this one for you. See if you get used to it. I’ve already replaced your SIM card—same number as before. The apps you use most are all installed."

"Thank you."

Tang Songyuan had bought the latest model, but to Tao Fei, it looked like a clunky relic from the past. Yet, Tao Fei loved antiques; she took the phone, swiped the screen a few times, and grew more intrigued.

Tang Songyuan reminded her to drink the soup, and only then did Tao Fei set the phone aside. By now, Wu Xiuli had figured out the relationship between Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan and began showering Tao Fei with compliments. Her mother joined in, praising Tao Fei for being the very picture of a virtuous wife and good mother, without a hint of the airs and graces of a wealthy lady.

Tang Songyuan listened with evident pleasure, smiling as Tao Fei finished the entire bowl of soup. He poured her mineral water to rinse her mouth, wrung out a hot towel to refresh her face, and didn’t forget to help her apply face cream.

Watching this series of attentive gestures, Wu Xiuli and her mother exhausted their repertoire of flattery.

"If my husband were even half—no, a tenth—as good as Mr. Tang, I’d be content for life. Tao Fei, you are so blessed! Not only does Mr. Tang make money, he’s so gentle and considerate. How did you find such a wonderful husband? Did you save the galaxy in your previous life?"

Wu Xiuli’s envy was heartfelt, as was her curiosity about the story of Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan’s marriage. Tao Fei only smiled in reply, so Wu Xiuli turned to Tang Songyuan, insisting he share his experience, so she could use his example when finding husbands for her three daughters.

Wu Xiuli was barely thirty-one or two—her eldest daughter could only be a child!

"My husband and I were introduced by a matchmaker. Nothing special, really. That was how most marriages happened back then."

"Really? A matchmaker! My husband and I were high school sweethearts—we married for love. I always thought matchmaker-made marriages couldn’t be as happy as love matches, but seeing you two, I might have to rethink that," Wu Xiuli said, half in jest.

"Well, you two must be well matched. The most solid marriages are between equals. Why else is matchmaking so popular again? There are so many dating shows on TV, and who ever succeeds without being a good match? Rich people marry other rich people—good looks alone don’t count for much."

Wu Xiuli's mother summed up Tang Songyuan and Tao Fei’s marriage with an air of certainty, waiting for their affirmation.

"I married above my station back then," Tang Songyuan said.

"Tao Fei must have been a beauty in her youth!"

"She’s still beautiful now."

Tang Songyuan smiled gently, while Tao Fei continued to respond with only a smile. The conversation was relaxing, and Tao Fei found it pleasant rather than tedious.

"It’s best when the man is a little older than his wife—he’ll cherish her more."

"That’s not always true, is it? Old He is over ten years older than his wife, and he still beats her all the time…"

Wu Xiuli’s mother tugged at her sleeve. Wu Xiuli immediately realized her mother was trying to flatter Tang Songyuan. Anyone could see he was significantly older than Tao Fei.

"It depends on the man! Only mature and refined men like Mr. Tang know how to love their wives."

"Mr. Tang is clearly a good man! Not like those who fool around, keeping mistresses the moment they have money."

"It’s half past two. The patient needs her afternoon rest."

Tang Songyuan cut them off, helped Tao Fei recline the hospital bed, and Tao Fei, eager to study her antique phone, quickly pulled up the quilt and pretended to sleep as Tang Songyuan leaned over to cover her.

Wu Xiuli, sensing it was time to be quiet, fell silent. Not a minute passed before she and her mother began whispering about what to eat before five o’clock. Having reached an agreement, they said their goodbyes to Tang Songyuan and slipped out to shop.

The ward fell instantly silent.

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

Tao Fei watched him from under her lashes, sensing a trace of worry etched between his brows. Suddenly, Tang Songyuan opened his eyes, and Tao Fei hastily turned over in bed.

Her stern mother did not show up at the hospital that afternoon to demand money. Tao Fei, well-rested, waited for the moon to rise.

A round, orange moon hung silently 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 was near.

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

She gripped the door handle, opening and closing it repeatedly. The ward, the corridor—everything was the same. She stepped outside and reentered, but nothing miraculous happened.

Tao Fei refused to give up, convinced she had simply missed the exact moment. She circled back into the ward, opened the door again, closed her eyes, and stepped outside, then snapped her eyes open. The long corridor was bathed in soft, gentle light, and a young nurse hurried into the room next door.

The familiar laboratory did not appear.

Rallying her spirits, Tao Fei repeated the opening and closing of the door several more times. Standing at the threshold, she thought she could hear the sound of her own heart breaking.

The red digits on the electronic clock at the nurse’s station in the Y-shaped corridor jumped forward once more.

One last try!

Perhaps her hopes were too fierce—Tao Fei trembled as she opened the door with her eyes squeezed shut. After stepping out, she dared not open her eyes for a long moment. She wished to hear her mentor call her name, to open her eyes and find herself in the medical school laboratory…

But the expected voice did not come—only a wave of searing heat before her.

Tao Fei opened her eyes and was so startled by the man who had suddenly appeared that she stumbled back a few steps, nearly falling into the hospital room behind her.