Chapter 27: Image Shattered

“Mr. Tang!”

“And you are?”

“You probably don’t know me, but I know you! My husband and I have done business with your company.”

Wu Xiuli jumped off the bed as if she were seeing a long-lost relative, nearly throwing herself into Tang Songyuan’s arms. It was no wonder; in Wu Xiuli’s eyes, Tang Songyuan equated to wealth. Who doesn’t love money?

“You are—Miss Wu.”

Tang Songyuan actually recognized her! Wu Xiuli was even more surprised than when she first entered the room, her face glowing with excitement upon meeting her god of wealth. She eagerly reached out to shake Tang Songyuan’s hand. He obliged politely, and then promptly let go.

“I never expected you to remember me! I always thought that small business owners like us wouldn’t catch your attention.”

“You flatter me, Miss Wu,” Tang Songyuan replied, unwilling to continue on this topic, and even less inclined to socialize with a minor client in this setting. He set the handbag on the bedside table, pulled out the tray, and poured a bowl of soup, smiling apologetically at Tao Fei.

“I went to the Clay Pot House and bought your favorite Five-finger Ficus Soup. I didn’t expect traffic, so I’m only back now. The soup is still hot—have some while it’s fresh. Oh, and this.”

Tang Songyuan took out a black widescreen phone and handed it to Tao Fei.

“They don’t manufacture your old model anymore, so I got you this one. See if you like it. I’ve already replaced your SIM card, kept your old number, and installed all your usual apps.”

“Thank you.”

Tang Songyuan had bought the latest model available, but to Tao Fei, it seemed like an outdated relic. Yet Tao Fei loved antiques; she took the phone, swiped a few times, and her interest only grew.

Tang Songyuan reminded Tao Fei to drink the soup first, so she put the phone aside. Wu Xiuli now understood the relationship between Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan, and showered Tao Fei with praise. Wu Xiuli’s mother chimed in, saying Tao Fei was the very picture of a virtuous wife and mother, without a hint of a wealthy matron’s airs.

Tang Songyuan listened with pleasure, smiling as Tao Fei drained the whole bowl. He poured mineral water for her to rinse her mouth, wrung a hot towel to gently place over her face, and even helped her apply face cream.

Watching Tang Songyuan’s attentive gestures, Wu Xiuli and her mother exhausted every compliment they could muster.

“If my husband were even half—no, a tenth—as good as Mr. Tang, I’d be content for life. Sister Tao Fei, you’re so lucky! Mr. Tang not only makes money, he’s so considerate and gentle. How did you find such a wonderful husband? Did you save the galaxy in your last life?”

Wu Xiuli genuinely envied Tao Fei, and truly wanted to hear the history of Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan’s marriage. Tao Fei smiled without answering, so Wu Xiuli turned to Tang Songyuan, insisting he share his experience. She wanted to use Tang Songyuan as the standard for finding husbands for her three daughters.

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

“My wife and I were introduced by a matchmaker. There’s nothing particularly special about it. Back then, most marriages were arranged this way.”

“What? Introduced by a matchmaker?! My husband and I were high school classmates; we married for love. I always thought arranged marriages were less happy than love matches, but seeing how affectionate you two are, I might have to rethink that,” Wu Xiuli said, half-joking.

“Then you must be well-matched. Well-matched marriages are the most stable. Why do you think matchmaking is popular again now? All those TV shows, one after another. Which successful couple isn’t well-matched? Wealthy people marry other wealthy people; looks alone don’t count for much,” Wu Xiuli’s mother summarized, confident and waiting for Tang Songyuan and Tao Fei’s confirmation.

“I was marrying up back then,” Tang Songyuan said.

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

“She’s still beautiful now,” Tang Songyuan replied with a gentle smile. Tao Fei continued to listen quietly, finding the conversation relaxing rather than noisy.

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

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

Wu Xiuli’s mother tugged at her sleeve. Wu Xiuli immediately understood that her mother was trying to flatter Tang Songyuan. It was obvious to anyone that he was much older than Tao Fei.

“It really depends on the person! Only mature, refined men like Mr. Tang know how to cherish their wives.”

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

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

Tang Songyuan cut off Wu Xiuli and her mother, helped Tao Fei flatten the bed, and Tao Fei, eager to study her antique phone, quickly pulled the covers up to her chin and pretended to sleep.

Wu Xiuli wisely quieted down, but within a minute, she and her mother were softly discussing what snacks to eat before five o’clock. After reaching an agreement, they said goodbye to Tang Songyuan and slipped out of the ward to shop.

The room fell silent.

Tang Songyuan reclined on the sofa by the window, resting his eyes. The afternoon sunlight painted his hair with a golden sheen.

Tao Fei watched him covertly, sensing a faint sorrow in his brow. Suddenly he opened his eyes, and Tao Fei quickly turned over.

Her formidable mother never came to demand money that afternoon. Tao Fei was well rested and now waited for the moon to appear.

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

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

Hand on the door handle, she opened and closed it several times. The ward, the corridor—everything was unchanged. She stood outside and tried again, but still no miracle.

Tao Fei was unwilling to give up. She believed it was simply a matter of timing, not coincidence. She returned to the room, opened the door again, closed her eyes and stepped out, then suddenly opened her eyes.

The long corridor was softly lit, and a young nurse hurried into a nearby ward.

The familiar laboratory did not appear.

Tao Fei forced herself to repeat the action a few more times. Standing at the ward door, she heard the sound of her own heart breaking.

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

One last try!

Perhaps her hope was too strong, but Tao Fei stood trembling, eyes closed, and opened the door. After stepping out, she hesitated to open her eyes, longing to hear her mentor call her name and to see herself standing in the medical college laboratory.

No expected voice came, but she sensed a burning presence before her.

Tao Fei opened her eyes, startled by the sudden appearance of a man before her, stumbling back several steps and nearly falling into the ward.