Chapter 170: Madam Zhang’s Health Improvement
Li Yanyan had asked Ding Cengxi to drive her to Li Chen’s villa, and upon arriving, she inquired, "Where is Li Chen?" Sun Lixia responded, "He is resting; he just donated blood to his friend’s mother."
Li Yanyan shared a troubling update, "We have a lead on the whereabouts of the brother." Sun Lixia quickly caught on, "It’s the Gu family, right?" Li Yanyan confirmed, "Yes, they have also kidnapped the other witness’ family... they are really playing dirty."
Their conversation was interrupted by Ding Chengxi’s ringing phone. He answered and said, "Hello." The person on the other end was Ren Zirui, and he reported, "We have found them." Ding Chengxi asked, "Do you need backup?" Ren Zirui reassured, "No, we can handle it." Ding Chengxi concluded, "Good, take them to the other villa, get rid of the evidence." The call ended, and Ding Chengxi remarked, "Ma’am, they have their location." Li Yanyan, frustrated, expressed, "I have been trying to be lenient with Rumeng, but she just keeps pressing my buttons." Ding Chengxi affirmed, "She just dug her own grave then." The tension and stakes were escalating as the pursuit of justice took a more intense turn.
Sun Lixia pondered, "Who do you think called Li Chen?" Li Yanyan admitted, "I don’t know; that boy has secrets." Sun Lixia philosophically remarked, "Well, who doesn’t?"
Li Yanyan shifted the conversation, revealing, "I am meeting Uncle Jeeves on Saturday. Zhu Fengrui wants to meet Li Chen." Sun Lixia offered, "Do you want me to accompany you?" Li Yanyan declined, saying, "Not now. I need to talk to him about everything that happened... I just hope he forgives me." Sun Lixia reassured, "I am sure he will. Look at me and Li Chen now."
Li Yanyan reflected, "Li Chen grew up thinking you were dead... I left my son at the age where he needed me the most." Sun Lixia comforted, "Don’t stress too much, sister-in-law. He is old enough to understand your reasons." Li Yanyan sighed and expressed, "I hope so." The weight of past decisions and their impact on family relationships lingered, creating an atmosphere of reflection and hope for reconciliation.
They chatted for about two hours, and Li Chen descended the stairs. Sun Lixia inquired, "How are you feeling?" Li Chen replied, "Much better, but I think I still need that delicious soup you made." Sun Lixia laughed and said, "I will go and warm it for you." Li Chen smiled and expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thanks, Mom." Sun Lixia went to the kitchen, leaving only Li Yanyan, Li Chen, and Ding Chengxi in the living room.
Li Yanyan shared the update, saying, "We have found Tang Junjie; he is now safe somewhere." Li Chen sighed in relief and asked, "Is he okay?" Li Yanyan assured, "Yes, he is fine." Li Chen decided to inform Tang Ziyi and called him.
Tang Ziyi answered, and Li Chen inquired, "How is your mother?" Tang Ziyi responded, "She is still unconscious, but the doctors said she didn’t reject the blood, so she will be fine." Li Chen suggested, "You two need to come home and rest; we will go and see her tomorrow morning." Tang Ziyi declined, saying, "It’s okay, I will stay here with her. I will tell Sister Mei to go back." Li Chen then delivered the good news, "Tang Junjie has been rescued and is now kept somewhere safe."
Tang Ziyi paused, expressing gratitude, "Thank you so much, Brother Chen." Li Chen deflected the thanks, saying, "Don’t thank me; thank Mom." Tang Ziyi acknowledged, "I will thank her when I get the chance. I really appreciate what you have done for me, Brother Chen. My mother would have..." Li Chen interrupted, insisting, "She is fine, so stop thinking about what would have happened." The weight of the recent events still lingered, but the relief of Tang Junjie’s safety provided a glimmer of hope for the affected families.
Sun Lixia returned with the soup, and Li Chen quickly consumed it. She warned, "Careful, you will choke."
Li Chen chuckled and replied, "This soup is great."
"I’m glad you like it. I’ll make it more often then. I also made some for Mu Lingling, and she loved it," Sun Lixia shared.
Li Chen jokingly added, "As she should, it’s the best soup I have ever tasted."
Sun Lixia remarked, "You know you don’t have to lie to me."
Li Yanyan observed their banter with a bitter smile. She longed for a similar relationship with her son. As thoughts of the upcoming Saturday meeting occupied her mind, she anticipated the chance to see her son for the first time in many years. She wondered if he would one day love her and engage in such banter with her. The desire to cook for him, care for him, and witness his smile lingered in her heart.
As they conversed, they suddenly heard a voice chiming in, "I agree with Li Chen, it’s the best soup in the world. You have to give me the recipe." To their surprise, it was Mu Lingling, Zhang Mei’s mother. Sun Lixia quickly stood up to help her sit down, exclaiming, "You’re out of bed?"
Mu Lingling shared, "I don’t know how, but the traditional medicine the nurse had been giving has made me feel a lot better." Sun Lixia exchanged a stunned look with Li Chen. Li Chen had bought some herbs for Mu Lingling, but they never expected such a rapid change in her health. Mu Lingling, who was at the last stage of cancer and couldn’t even get out of bed, was now walking from her bedroom to the living room.
Sun Lixia inquired, "Do you feel any pain?"
Mu Lingling admitted, "Slightly, and I’ve been eating very well these days. I no longer feel nauseous when I eat." Sun Lixia remarked, "That’s good. Zhang Mei will be so happy to see you like this."
Mu Lingling then asked about Zhang Mei’s whereabouts. Li Chen informed her, "She accompanied Tang Ziyi to the hospital to see his mother." Mu Lingling decided to keep her improved condition a surprise for Zhang Mei, expressing, "I haven’t seen her genuine smile since I got sick. She tried to act strong in front of me, but I know her very well."
Li Chen requested, "Can you please give me your hand, Madam Zhang?" Though confused, Mu Lingling extended her arm. Li Chen held her wrist and closed his eyes. After a minute, he stated, "I think you are getting better, Madam Zhang." Sun Lixia and Li Yanyan exchanged glances, and Li Yanyan questioned, "Li Chen, she has cancer." Li Chen responded, "There is always a herb for everything." Sun Lixia added, "You mean?". Li Chen finished her sentence and said, "her cancer cells are still there, but they are no longer spreading rapidly like before." Stunned, everyone in the room looked at each other.
Soon, the housekeeper informed them that dinner was ready. They all stood up and made their way to the dining room. Sun Lixia helped Mu Lingling walk, supporting her as she had been bedridden for months. Before they could sit down, Zhang Mei walked in and was more than stunned to see her mother standing there. Zhang Mei exclaimed, "Mom, you’re out of bed?"
Mu Lingling responded with joy, "Yes, I feel better than before." Zhang Mei, overwhelmed with emotions, questioned, "But..." Mu Lingling interrupted, "Aren’t you happy to see me finally out of bed?" Zhang Mei, tearfully happy, rushed to hold her mother’s arm affectionately. Mu Lingling teased, "I think the angel of death might have to return empty-handed this time."
Zhang Mei, laughing through her tears, said, "Honestly, Mom, how are you feeling?" Mu Lingling assured her, "When did I ever lie to you, baby?" Unable to control her tears, Zhang Mei was hugged tightly by her mother. After a few minutes, Mu Lingling suggested, "Well, I am still weak, so let’s sit down and eat. Wipe away those tears, okay?" Zhang Mei chuckled and admitted, "Sorry, I just don’t want to let you go."
Mu Lingling, teasingly, whispered in Zhang Mei’s ear, "You are embarrassing yourself in front of your future in-laws." Zhang Mei blushed and exclaimed, "Mom, don’t say that again." Mu Lingling laughed, and they all sat down to eat, enjoying the moment of joy and relief.
After dinner, the warmth of shared moments lingered in the air as Zhang Mei accompanied her mother to her room. The satisfaction of witnessing Mu Lingling’s hearty meal brought a sense of hope to Zhang Mei’s heart. This hope wasn’t rooted in the belief that the cancer had miraculously vanished; rather, it was a yearning for more time, more shared moments, and a prolonging of the precious time she could spend with her beloved mother.
As they reached the door of Mu Lingling’s room, Zhang Mei couldn’t help but feel a mixture of gratitude and hope. Grateful for the unexpected improvement in her mother’s health and hopeful for the possibility of more tomorrows together. She opened the door and gestured for her mother to step inside, all the while cherishing the shared joy and the promise of more moments with the woman who meant the world to her.
