Chapter 224: Madam Tang’s History
After some time, Wang Lei exited Madam Tang’s room into the hallway where Li Chen and the others waited. He gave Li Chen one last inscrutable look before departing.
Li Chen watched him go, unsettled and wondering at the stranger’s interest in him. Before he could think much of it, Tang Ziyi, Tang Junjie and Zhang Mei headed back into the room. Li Chen followed, preoccupied.
They chatted lightly with Madam Tang for a few more minutes about pleasant things. Then, to their surprise, Madam Tang requested gently, "Would you all mind if I spoke to Li Chen privately for a short while?"
The three looked at each other curiously but did not object. "Of course, Mother," Tang Junjie said. "We’ll grab some food from the cafeteria."
After quick hugs, they filtered out, leaving Li Chen alone with the probing gaze of Madam Tang. Their conversation weighed heavy with portent.
Li Chen settled into the seat beside Madam Tang’s bed, intrigued by her request for a private audience. She watched him pensively for a moment before beginning her tale.
"I have not been fully truthful about my past," she started slowly. "Many years ago, before meeting my late husband, I was betrothed to the prince of a powerful nearby village. But on a fateful trip to the city, I crossed paths with Mr. Tang and it was love at first sight for both of us."
She smiled wistfully at the memory. "When word reached my village, my infuriated father locked me away. But I could not give up my one true love. So late one night, I gathered my courage and fled everything I knew to build a new life with Mr. Tang."
Madam Tang sighed heavily, old grief still aching. "My unforgiving father disowned me then and there for defying his wishes. In my pain, I turned my back completely on that life. Only many years later did I reconcile tentatively with my brother Wang Lei."
Li Chen listened silently, perceiving there was more left unsaid. What revelation was Madam Tang building towards?
Madam Tang regarded Li Chen solemnly, seeing his puzzlement grow.
"In his rage over my defiance, my father placed a curse upon me - that I would never bear children." Her face darkened. "And indeed, for many years I was unable to have a child, no matter how Mr. Tang and I hoped and prayed."
She paused, gathering herself before continuing quietly. "But by heaven’s grace, we were finally blessed with our Junjie. Some years later, we adopted baby Ziyi, an orphan boy abandoned by both his mother and father."
Comprehension began dawning upon Li Chen as the pieces came together. So Tang Ziyi was not her blood son. This revelation surely had some deeper significance, yet still the reasons eluded Li Chen.
"I must say, I am still confused as to why you honor me with these family secrets," Li Chen said slowly. "I am but your son’s friend..." He trailed off, suspecting there were more astonishing disclosures to come that would shed light on all her cryptic words and glances.
Madam Tang gave a bittersweet smile. "The village I come from holds ancient secrets and mystical artifacts that have been guarded by certain families for generations."
She met Li Chen’s gaze. "My ancestral lineage was tasked with protecting one specific relic - the manual of the Seven Fists Manual of the God Of War."
Li Chen’s eyes shot open wide. He suddenly knew why that man was looking at him like that, he knew why Madam Tang wanted to talk to him in private.
He stared at Madam Tang wordlessly as she continued. "The manual was passed down to me as the eldest daughter. But on the night I fled to the city, I could only risk taking that relic and the clothes on my back, leaving everything else behind."
Her expression grew distant, lost in the memories. "In my bitter anger, I vowed to leave that duty behind along with my family name. But destiny had other plans..."
Madam Tang refocused on Li Chen, a knowing glint in her eyes. "The past resurfaces looking for the next protector. Perhaps the time has come to pass the torch to whom it rightfully belongs..."
Li Chen’s mind reeled. How could Madam Tang have known about his family’s connection to the mythic manual?
As if reading his thoughts, she gave a small smile. "I cannot explain the intuition passed down in my family - but I am certain you are the rightful heir."
Li Chen slowly found his voice again. "So now?"
Madam Tang nodded. "The third page is safely hidden in my home. I want you to retrieve it and keep it protected...for I fear you will need its power all too soon."
Her ominous words sank into Li Chen. After a moment, he met her earnest gaze. "Very well. I swear to keep it safeguarded."
Relief swept Madam Tang’s face. "You were chosen for this duty because you are brave yet kind - as I saw when you donated blood to a stranger. Guard the manual well, Li Chen. Dark tidings stir and the heavens have prepared you as protector in our time of need."
The grave discussion between Li Chen and Madam Tang was interrupted by the cheerful return of the others, bearing packages of food from the hospital cafeteria.
"We come bearing dinner!" Tang Ziyi announced, holding up bags giving off the aroma of pork buns and stir fried vegetables.
"Sorry we took so long, the line was ridiculously long," Tang Junjie said as he pulled up a table for the food.
Zhang Mei began distributing containers and utensils. "We didn’t want to interrupt earlier so we waited until visiting hours were nearly up. I hope your talk went well?"
"Yes, yes, quite informative, thank you Ms. Zhang," Madam Tang said smoothly as Li Chen helped shift her upright.
As the group ate together, chatting lightly about Zhang Mei’s upcoming wedding and Madam Tang’s recovery, Li Chen marveled at the normalcy cloaking such an earth-shattering revelation. He alone now held knowledge of the precious relic hidden in Madam Tang’s home...and the brewing shadow threatening them all. But for this meal at least, he set his worries aside to share joy with those he could call family. The battle lay ahead - and he would need all his strength for what was to come.
As visiting hours came to a close, Zhang Mei and Li Chen bid their goodbyes to Madam Tang and her sons. Walking back to Li Chen’s car, Zhang Mei studied her fiancé with concern. His shoulders were uncharacteristically tense and his responses distracted.
"Everything alright?" she asked gently as they pulled out of the parking garage. "You seem worried about something."
Li Chen managed a thin smile. "Yes, just...thinking about work responsibilities. I apologize if I’m not the best company right now."
"No need to apologize!" Zhang Mei said. "Here, how about some music to lighten the mood?" She switched on the radio, letting a peppy tune fill the pensive silence.
Li Chen shot her a grateful look. Trust Zhang Mei to know just how to handle his brooding without prying further. As they drove along the city streets, she kept up a steady stream of playful commentary and anecdotes from her day, giving Li Chen’s preoccupied mind a reprieve.
He knew he would have to tell Zhang Mei eventually about his family’s fated legacy. But for now, her presence was balm enough to soothe away the worry lines starting to form. The battle loomed, but with Zhang Mei’s light beside him, he could face the coming darkness.
As Li Chen drove, his mind was consumed with thoughts of the manual and the urgency of retrieving the third page from Madame Tang’s house. He glanced at Zhang Mei, who sat beside him, unaware of the secret mission he harbored.
The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on Li Chen’s shoulders as he navigated the familiar streets. He knew that he couldn’t afford to involve Zhang Mei in the dangerous affairs of his family’s legacy, especially considering the risks involved.
Despite the secrecy surrounding his mission, Li Chen found comfort in Zhang Mei’s presence beside him. Her unwavering support gave him the strength to face the challenges ahead with determination and resolve.
With each passing moment, Li Chen’s resolve strengthened. He was determined to protect his family’s secrets at all costs, even if it meant facing the dangers alone. As they neared Madame Tang’s house, Li Chen steeled himself for the task ahead, ready to confront whatever obstacles awaited him.
