The Abandoned Daughter's Second Chance

Mr. Gu had just set down his teacup and was about to speak when the phone suddenly rang. Tang Qingshan went to answer it, then looked at Grandpa Tang. "Father, it’s for you!"

Grandpa Tang took the receiver, spoke a few words, and hung up. He turned apologetically to Mr. Gu and Old Mrs. Gu. "Looks like this Sunday is off the table again. I have to go out—a last-minute meeting just came up."

Mr. Gu took the opportunity to stand up. "Everyone’s been so busy lately; it’s good enough that we two old brothers could even meet. You go on and take care of your business. I’ll come by again tomorrow. As for Sister-in-law and Qingshan going to the South, let’s set a time first. I’ll ask around and see if there are any military flights heading that way. Or we can have Shaolian pick them up. That kid knows his way around there like the back of his hand by now."

With Mr. Gu’s arrangements, Grandma Tang and Tang Qingshan boarded a military plane the next afternoon, arriving directly in Wancheng a few hours later. They hadn’t originally planned on finding Tang Qingyun, but since it was already nighttime, Tang Qingshan couldn’t bear the thought of his mother traveling so late. He instructed Zheng Shaolian to drive them straight to the Wancheng government compound.

Since Tang Qingshan was accompanying her, two of the three aides Grandpa Tang had originally assigned were sent back, leaving only Xiao Zhang to attend to Grandma Tang.

Tang Qingyun was still awake, poring over documents under his lamp. When he suddenly heard that his mother and older brother had arrived, it was as if he were dreaming. He sat stunned for a long moment before jumping up and running out of the room, knocking his chair over in the process!

Regarding the matter with Manman, from when it first surfaced to the full truth coming out, and even now—it wasn’t that he hadn’t tried calling Beijing. But his mother rarely took his calls. It was always his father on the line, scolding him. However, his father had also told him that his mother’s health was "still okay" and that he shouldn’t worry.

’He knew in his heart his mother must resent him now!’

Tang Qingyun had seen his mother when she was bedridden, so he took his father’s "still okay" as mere words of comfort. He had never witnessed Xiao Man’s medical skills and didn’t dare to be too optimistic. After all, the girl was so young. No matter how gifted she was, becoming a renowned doctor in just a year or two was simply too miraculous to believe. He had only secretly hoped she could at least alleviate some of his mother’s pain, let her live a few more years, and give him the chance to return to her side and fulfill his filial duties...

But now, to hear that his gravely ill mother had come all the way to his city... Tang Qingyun couldn’t wrap his head around it. He stumbled to the top of the stairs, and when he saw his mother standing right before him—healthy, rosy-cheeked, and looking years younger—he couldn’t believe his eyes. He just stood there, mouth agape, frozen like a statue.

Tang Qingshan gave Tang Qingyun a speechless look, then turned and walked away to survey the surroundings. He had no intention of prompting his brother. In fact, he was quite curious to see how their mother would deal with him.

Growing up, while his parents had never denied him anything he was due, he wasn’t a fool. He was well aware that his younger brother had received more affection than he had. He simply chose not to dwell on it out of brotherly love. But things were different now. He felt no sympathy for the guy and certainly wouldn’t be putting in a good word for him.

Perhaps it was because of all the recent worrying. Between the Wu Family’s troubles over not being able to go to Beijing, Wu Xiaowen’s daily phone calls to complain, and it being the season for thunderstorms and hail which brought disasters of varying degrees across the region, his work was far from easy. Tang Qingyun was restless from lack of sleep and had lost some weight. The dim light of the stairwell cast an unhealthy, ashen pallor on his face. Stubble dotted his chin, and his shirt was rumpled. Grandma Tang found herself staring in a daze. ’Where was her handsome, elegant younger son with the warm, gentle smile? Who was this haggard, disheveled middle-aged man?’

A pang of heartache was unavoidable, but then she remembered the mess he’d made. Grandma Tang hardened her heart. Turning and seeing that Tang Qingshan was gone, she grabbed Zheng Shaolian and said, "Shaolian, did you take a wrong turn? I don’t know this man."

Zheng Shaolian looked at Tang Qingyun, then at Dad Tang standing a few meters away, and was rendered speechless. ’To borrow a phrase from Manman, I’m just here to buy soy sauce. How did I get pushed into the eye of the storm?’

After completing his transport mission and returning to Wancheng, he had only managed to visit Ping County Middle School a few days ago to find Manman. That was when he discovered Tang Haocheng, learned of the strange events concerning their family, and stood stunned for a good while before he could accept it all. He had even called Beijing afterward to confirm the story. Now, seeing the current standoff, he could more or less grasp what Grandma Tang was getting at.

’But I really don’t want to get mixed up in the adults’ affairs! Besides, ever since we were kids, Grandma Tang was never particularly fond of me or Shao Jin. Shao Jin’s personality is more like Dad Tang’s, so he could still win some favor, but Grandma Tang and I never really clicked. What if I misunderstand the old lady’s intentions and make things worse? Wouldn’t she dislike me even more?’

’No way, I absolutely cannot be reckless!’

The Zheng Shaolian of today was not the same one from before he joined the army. His thoughts had grown more complex; he was no longer so direct. He resolved to play dumb.

"Grandma, how about I call Dad Tang over?"

Grandma Tang just grunted in response. But Xiao Zhang, who was behind her, darted forward a few steps, looked at Tang Qingyun, and said, "That’s Second Brother Tang, that’s him! Second Brother Tang, your mother is here!"

As if waking from a dream, Tang Qingyun felt a sting in his nose. With reddened eyes, he lunged forward to hug Grandma Tang, crying out, "Mother! Mom... It’s me, Qingyun! It’s your son!"

He actually started sobbing.

Hearing the commotion, several other leaders and secretaries from the compound rushed over. Seeing this, they couldn’t help but lower their eyes. ’In front of his old mother, he’s still just a child.’

With outsiders present—and Tang Qingyun’s colleagues and subordinates at that—Grandma Tang had to give him some face. She even used her handkerchief to wipe away his tears. Then, surrounded by the crowd, she was ushered into the house. Someone brought over several thermoses of hot water and fresh fruit. Water was brought for washing up, and tea was steeped. Everyone engaged in pleasantries for a while. Grandma Tang had Xiao Zhang take out some specialty snacks from Beijing to share. Before long, hot dishes were brought over one after another, filling the entire table. They must have been hastily prepared by the chefs from the government cafeteria working overtime.

The leaders didn’t stay for the meal. After a few polite words, they left, leaving the family to eat by themselves.

After dinner, Zheng Shaolian had to return to his base. He said to Grandma Tang and Tang Qingshan, "I’ll come back tomorrow morning to take Grandma and Dad Tang to Gongdao Village. Xiao Man and Tang Haocheng are on leave for the busy farming season and have already gone back to the village."

Tang Qingshan nodded, but Tang Qingyun interjected, "Shaolian, it’s not good for you to be running out from your base all the time. I’ll take them tomorrow. You don’t have to go."

Grandma Tang shot Tang Qingyun a look. "Don’t you have work to do? How can you be considered competent if you do things without proper consideration and don’t stick to the plan?"

"Mom, everyone has last-minute emergencies, don’t they? You and my brother have come from so far away, I should at least accompany you..."

"There’s no need. You tend to your business; we have Shaolian. I’ve never traveled this far from home in my entire life. It was pitch black, and I’m in a completely unfamiliar place. I couldn’t even tell north from south after getting off the plane. I had no choice but to listen to Qingshan and come impose on you for a night. It’s good enough that you’re not giving me a sour face. I certainly didn’t expect you to stop your work."

His mother’s indifferent tone and cold, distant attitude made Tang Qingyun miserable. "Mom, I know I did wrong. You can yell at me, you can hit me, just please don’t be like this. I can’t bear it!"