Chapter 29: Destined for Wealth and Honor

“Mr. Tang!”
“And you are?”
“You definitely don’t know me, but I know you! My husband and I used to buy goods from your company.”
Wu Xiuli, as if seeing a long-lost relative, jumped off the bed and nearly threw herself at Tang Songyuan. It was no wonder; in Wu Xiuli’s eyes, Tang Songyuan was money itself. Who could resist the lure of wealth?
“You are… Miss Wu.”
Tang Songyuan actually recognized her! Wu Xiuli was even more surprised and excited than she had been moments before, her face glowing as she reached out to shake Tang Songyuan’s hand. He shook her hand politely and quickly let go.
“I never imagined you would know me! I thought our small business would never catch your attention.”
“You flatter me, Miss Wu.”
Tang Songyuan did not wish to continue this conversation, nor did he want to build rapport with a minor client here. He placed his bag on the nightstand, opened the small table, and poured out a bowl of soup, giving Tao Fei an apologetic smile.
“I went to Crockpot House and bought your favorite Five-finger Fishtail Soup. Didn’t expect traffic to be so bad, I only just got back. The soup is still hot, so drink some while it lasts. Oh, and this—”
Tang Songyuan took out a black widescreen phone from his coat pocket and handed it to Tao Fei.
“Your old phone model is discontinued. Try this one and see if you like it. I’ve already replaced your SIM card, kept your original number, and installed your usual apps.”
“Thank you.”
Tang Songyuan had bought the latest phone on the market, but in Tao Fei’s eyes it was a relic, outdated and antiquated. Yet Tao Fei enjoyed studying antiques; she accepted the phone and swiped at it, her interest growing deeper.
Tang Songyuan reminded Tao Fei to drink her soup first, so she set aside the phone. Wu Xiuli, now understanding the relationship between Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan, launched into praise for Tao Fei, with her mother chiming in, saying Tao Fei was clearly a virtuous wife and mother, without the airs of a wealthy lady.
Tang Songyuan listened happily, smiling as Tao Fei finished the entire bowl of soup. He poured mineral water for her to rinse her mouth, wrung a warm towel to lay on her face, and even helped her apply face cream.
Watching Tang Songyuan’s attentive care, Wu Xiuli and her mother exhausted every word of admiration they could muster.
“If my husband were half—as no, even a tenth—as good as Mr. Tang, I’d be satisfied for life. Sister Tao Fei, you’re so lucky! Mr. Tang not only makes money, but 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 was genuinely envious of Tao Fei and eagerly wanted to hear their love story. Tao Fei smiled in silence, and Wu Xiuli begged Tang Songyuan to share his secrets, so she could use his example to find husbands for her three daughters.
Wu Xiuli was only around thirty-one or two—her eldest daughter could hardly be more than a few years old!

“We met through a matchmaker—nothing special. At that time, most marriages were arranged like that.”
“Really? Through a matchmaker! My husband and I were high school classmates and married for love. I always thought arranged marriages couldn’t be as happy as those from love, but seeing how affectionate you two are, I’ll have to rethink that.”
Wu Xiuli joked.
“Then you must be well matched. Well-matched marriages are the most stable. Why else do blind dates keep trending now? On TV, all the successful couples are well matched—rich people marry rich people, good looks alone aren’t enough.”
Wu Xiuli’s mother summed up the marriage of Tao Fei and Tang Songyuan, waiting confidently for their affirmation.
“I married above my station back then.”
“Sister Tao Fei must have been a great beauty in her youth!”
“She’s still beautiful now.”
Tang Songyuan smiled gently; Tao Fei maintained her silent smile. Such conversation was soothing, and Tao Fei did not find it tiresome.
“Men a little older than their wives are more caring!”
“That’s not always true, is it? Old He is over ten years older than his wife and still beats her often…”
Wu Xiuli’s mother tugged at her sleeve. Wu Xiuli immediately realized her mother was helping her flatter Tang Songyuan. Anyone could see Tang Songyuan was older than Tao Fei.
“It really depends on the person! Only mature and cultured men like Mr. Tang know how to cherish their wives.”
“Mr. Tang is obviously a good man! Not like those who chase skirts outside, keeping mistresses left and right just because they’re wealthy.”
“It’s already half past two—the patient needs her afternoon rest.”
Tang Songyuan interrupted the mother and daughter, helped Tao Fei flatten the bed, and Tao Fei, eager to study her antique phone, quickly pulled up the quilt to her chin and pretended to sleep as he bent to cover her.
Wu Xiuli wisely fell silent, but within a minute was quietly discussing with her mother what to eat before five o’clock. Reaching an agreement, they greeted Tang Songyuan and slipped out of the ward for a shopping spree.
The room suddenly grew quiet.
Tang Songyuan reclined on the sofa by the window, eyes closed, the afternoon sun painting his hair with a glossy sheen.
Tao Fei secretly watched him, sensing a hint of worry between his brows. Suddenly, Tang Songyuan opened his eyes, and Tao Fei quickly rolled over.

The mother, who had threatened harshly earlier, did not show up at the hospital that afternoon to demand money. Tao Fei rested well, waiting 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 miracles was about to arrive.

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

She gripped the door handle, opening and closing it several times. The ward, the corridor—everything remained unchanged. She stepped outside and pushed the door open again, but no miracle occurred.

Tao Fei was unwilling to give up; she believed the timing simply wasn’t right. She returned to the ward, opened the door again, closed her eyes, walked outside, and opened her eyes abruptly. The long corridor, bathed in gentle, warm light, revealed only a nurse hastily entering a nearby room.

The familiar laboratory did not appear!

Tao Fei forced herself to repeat the door-opening ritual several more times, standing at the threshold, and heard the sound of her own heart breaking.

The electronic clock at the nurse station in the Y-shaped corridor flashed its red digits once more.

One last try!

Perhaps her longing was too intense, Tao Fei, trembling all over, opened the door with her eyes closed, and after stepping out, dared not open them for a long moment. She hoped to hear her mentor call her name, and upon opening her eyes, find herself standing in the medical school laboratory…

The expected voice did not come, but she felt a rush of hot breath before her.

Tao Fei opened her eyes and was startled by a man suddenly appearing before her, stepping back several paces and nearly falling into the ward.

[End of chapter.]