Chapter 190: Another Reunion
Li Chen arrived home after his jog and went to his room to get ready. He had a meeting at lunch, so he decided to start by going to see Tang Ziyi’s mom at the hospital. Tang Ziyi had been spending almost the whole day at his mother’s bedside after the incident, only coming home briefly to shower and change clothes before returning.
When Li Chen came downstairs, he found Zhang Mei seated and busy on her phone. Zhang Mei looked up and said, "Good morning, Li Chen!" Li Chen smiled warmly and replied, "Good morning." Zhang Mei then said, "Thanks again for last night; the banquet was really fun. I had never been in a place with so many wealthy and powerful people before." Li Chen said, "I’m glad you agreed to be my date. I had a wonderful evening." Zhang Mei smiled shyly at the compliment before shifting the conversation to "Where are you off to now?" Li Chen replied, "I’m headed to the hospital to see Madame Tang, then I have a business meeting afterwards."
Zhang Mei’s face filled with concern when she heard Li Chen was going to the hospital. "How is Madame Tang doing?" she asked. "I know Tang Ziyi must be so worried about his mother."
Li Chen replied, "Unfortunately, there are only small improvements in her condition. The doctors are doing their best, but it’s still touch and go."
"That’s terrible," Zhang Mei said. She hesitated for a moment before asking tentatively, "Would you mind if I came along with you? I’d like to see Madame Tang too, and maybe bring some food or anything else she or Tang Ziyi needs during this difficult time. I feel like I should do something to help."
Li Chen gave her a grateful smile. "Of course you can come. That’s very thoughtful of you. I was planning to pick up some nutritional supplements for Madame Tang on my way, so the company would be most welcome."
Zhang Mei returned the smile, glad to be of assistance. She went to fetch her purse while Li Chen waited by the door. Together, they set off to provide what aid and comfort they could to their friend and his mother in this trying time.
When they reached the hospital, people kept eyeing Li Chen, which Zhang Mei noticed. She giggled softly and said, "It seems you are quite famous." Li Chen rolled his eyes slightly in modest embarrassment as they continued walking through the hallways.
They soon reached Madame Tang’s hospital room. Inside, they found Tang Ziyi seated anxiously by his mother’s bedside. Tang Ziyi looked up wearily as they entered and said, "Hey, thanks for coming." Zhang Mei asked kindly, "How is your mother doing?" Tang Ziyi replied, "The doctor said she should regain consciousness anytime now." Li Chen responded positively, "That is great news." Remembering the food container in her hands, Zhang Mei added, "I brought some dinner for you in case you’re hungry." Tang Ziyi managed a small but grateful smile. "Thank you; you are both so thoughtful."
They pulled up chairs to keep Tang Ziyi company during this critical time, hoping and praying for Madame Tang to wake up with a recovery on the way. Though he was anxious for his mother’s health, their visit brought Tang Ziyi comfort and support when he needed it most.
After chatting for a while, Li Chen glanced at his watch and said, "I have to get going for my meeting now. I’ll ask Xu Zhonhao to drive you home when you’re ready to leave." Zhang Mei replied, "That’s okay, I can just take a cab." Li Chen responded firmly, "No, after what happened with your abduction, I don’t want you riding in cabs anymore." Zhang Mei acquiesced, "Okay, I’ll wait for Xu Zhonhao then before leaving."
Li Chen left the hospital room and headed to his car. While driving to his meeting, he realized he still had 30 minutes before he was expected. On impulse, he decided to drive to a luxury car dealership. After Zhang Mei’s traumatic kidnapping ordeal, he had a nagging fear for her safety and Tang Ziyi’s as well. At the dealership, he purchased two brand new cars - one for Tang Ziyi and one for Zhang Mei. The cars could provide them with reliable transportation and added security.
After swiftly making the purchase, he arranged for the cars to be delivered to his villa. With the errand complete, he resumed his drive, now running right on time for his important meeting. He felt reassured knowing Zhang Mei would have Xu Zhonhao watching over her for the rest of the day. Providing new vehicles was one way he could expand efforts to keep his friends out of harm’s way. Their safety was paramount to him after recent events.
Li Chen arrived at the private dining room in the restaurant and realized he was a bit early for the meeting. After waiting several minutes, the door was pushed open. Two men walked in - one older gentleman formally dressed and another man looking younger, simply attired.
Li Chen stood up respectfully and greeted them "Good afternoon, gentlemen." The older man replied, "Good afternoon. I am Jeeves, and this is Master Zhu Fengrui. I was the one who called to arrange this meeting."
Li Chen nodded in understanding as they all took their seats around the table. However, he noticed Zhu Fengrui staring intently at him in a way that made Li Chen feel perplexed and vaguely uncomfortable. Then Zhu Fengrui mused aloud, "You look just like him..." Unsure what he meant, Li Chen just stared back confusedly. Who exactly did Zhu Fengrui think he resembled, and why was the man looking at him so strangely? Li Chen waited politely for an explanation for this cryptic behavior before they commenced further discussions.
Li Chen blinked in surprise and asked, "Sorry, do I know you?"
Zhu Fengrui replied mystically "No, I don’t believe you do, but you look incredibly like your father."
Stunned, Li Chen responded, "You knew my father?" Before Zhu Fengrui could elaborate further, the private room door swung open again. To Li Chen’s immense surprise, Li Yanyan strode into the room confidently.
Still reeling, Li Chen exclaimed, "Aunt Yanyan, what are you doing here?"
Jeeves immediately stood up and bowed politely to Li Yanyan, greeting her, "Good afternoon, Miss Li."
Li Yanyan smiled fondly at the man and responded, "Hello, Uncle Jeeves, it has been a while. You are getting rather advanced in years, I see."
Jeeves smiled humbly and said, "You are too kind with your politeness."
Meanwhile, Zhu Fengrui stared openly at Li Yanyan with unconcealed shock on his face. Li Chen gazed bewilderedly between the three, who strangely seemed to share some history. He wondered urgently just what sort of connection Zhu Fengrui, Jeeves, and his aunt Yanyan shared. The mystery deepened.
Li Chen sat there, absolutely dumbfounded, as he watched the scene unfold before him. When Zhu Fengrui stood up emotionally and approached Li Yanyan, calling her "Mom," Li Chen nearly fell out of his chair.
So this young Zhu Fengrui was actually...his cousin? Li Chen’s mind spun with this shocking, bombshell revelation. No wonder Zhu Fengrui claimed Li Chen resembled his father - because they were related!
He looked on wordlessly as Zhu Fengrui and Li Yanyan tearfully embraced. Li Yanyan had a profound sadness in her eyes as she spoke, "My boy, I am so very sorry for disappearing from your life all these years."
Still reeling from this bombshell revelation, Li Chen waited in bated anticipation as Li Yanyan urged Zhu Fengrui to sit down.
What had truly happened to tear his aunt and cousin apart decades ago?
Li Chen felt as if huge, previously unknown pieces of his mother’s and aunt’s past were now being exposed. He realized so much and still remained ambiguous about their early lives and experiences. As more hidden truths emerged, what other long-buried revelations from the past might shake the family’s understanding of its lineage and history?
Zhu Fengrui’s very existence signaled only the tip of the iceberg, potentially. The room was silent, all intently waiting to unearth her story.
