CHAPTER 36

Tang Ruoyao's stepmother, Jiang Xuezhen, was a lazy and gluttonous woman. Since marrying into the family, she never worked a day and her usual pastime was playing mahjong with a group of housewives at the mahjong parlor downstairs in the neighborhood. Especially after Tang Ruoyao's father, Tang Hanzhang, had an accident, Tang Ruoyao took on the responsibility of supporting the family. Being a celebrity who could earn money, she completely embraced the role of being a "wealthy wife." She would often go shopping and have afternoon tea with her acquaintances, rarely staying at home.

Tang Ruoyao's biological mother passed away when she was very young, and her memories of her mother were shallow, fading away as she grew older. She had once wondered how Tang Hanzhang ended up marrying such a woman and what he thought of his deceased wife.

Tang Ruoyao had discussed this topic with her father when Jiang Xuezhen was not around.

"What was my mother like?"

Tang Hanzhang retrieved an album from the bottom of a cupboard, cherishingly opening it to reveal pictures of the same woman. With delicate eyebrows and eyes shimmering like autumn water, she exuded a captivating beauty.

"Your mother was the gentlest and most wonderful woman I have ever known."

In his eyes, there was tenderness, love, and profound affection, his voice choked with emotion.

But Tang Ruoyao didn't understand. If her father loved her mother so much and couldn't forget her, why did he remarry? It wasn't until much later that she understood that life wasn't like novels or TV dramas, where loyalty and unwavering devotion abound. She also understood Tang Hanzhang. Being a rough and tough man, it was incredibly difficult for him to raise a daughter on his own, so it was normal for him to remarry and have someone to take care of the family.

Even if he didn't want to, neighbors, relatives, and friends all took turns persuading him. Tang Hanzhang had a refined appearance and some handsomeness. He used to work as an accountant in a state-owned factory, and although his salary wasn't high, he had a respectable job. Even with a daughter, he was considered a desirable catch in the marriage market.

Therefore, Tang Ruoyao didn't harbor any hatred or discontent towards anyone. She didn't like to waste time on things she couldn't change. She couldn't change others; she could only change herself. She just wanted to become independent from her family as soon as possible.

Later, she developed a liking for performing and gradually worked her way towards pursuing that path. She was like a young eagle growing its wings, eager to soar high. However, just as she was about to take off, she encountered Ruan Qin, who half-concealed her talents. And then, her father had an accident, forcing her to reluctantly lower her proud spirit.

The Renmin Hospital was one of the most famous hospitals in City Z. It was crowded with people, and even dozens of meters outside the hospital entrance were congested. The taxi driver dropped her off at the intersection and glanced at the young girl in the rearview mirror, who had been unusually silent since getting into the car. He suggested, "It's difficult to get in there. How about getting off here?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded and took out two one-hundred yuan bills from her wallet, handing them over to the driver. As he returned her change, he glanced back at her and suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. "Hey, you look like that...," he started to say.

Without waiting for him to finish his sentence, Tang Ruoyao decisively pushed the door open and got out of the car.

The driver sat in his car, stunned for a moment, then drove away.

Tang Ruoyao made her way to the inpatient department, taking the elevator to the third floor. She arrived at the door of a single-patient ward, grasped the doorknob with one hand, turned it, and pushed the door open. Inside the ward, along with the smell of hospital disinfectant, there was also a distinct unpleasant odor.

—The smell of a patient who had been bedridden for a long term.

Tang Fei had moved a reclining chair and placed it by the window, where the light was bright. He sat on a small stool, working on his summer homework. When he heard the noise, he turned around and was momentarily surprised.

"Sister! You're back!"

The boy's face lit up with joy as he dropped his homework and rushed towards her.

Tang Ruoyao was pushed back against the door by his embrace, making a thud sound. She quietly endured the pain, gently touched Tang Fei's soft short hair, and smiled tenderly. "Why aren't you at home? Why are you doing your homework here?"

"Well, since Mom is not at home, I might as well stay here with Dad." he replied.

Tang Ruoyao glanced at Tang Hanzhang lying on the hospital bed, unaware of the world around him, her gaze dim.

Tang Fei held onto Tang Ruoyao's waist and snuggled in her arms, acting spoiled as he said, "Sister, I miss you so much."

"I heard you, so I came back, didn't I?" Tang Ruoyao pinched the back of Tang Fei's neck and gently moved her clingy little brother away from her. She had been feeling hot all the way here, and the boy's body was warm, so when she hugged him, it felt like hugging a furnace.

"Go do your homework."

"Okay." Tang Fei looked up and smiled at her, revealing his bright white teeth.

Tang Fei obediently sat back on the small stool, with his fate seemingly held by the back of his neck. He responded, and although his eyes were dark and shiny, he didn't blink as he stared at Tang Ruoyao sitting by the bedside.

Tang Ruoyao noticed his gaze and turned around, pretending to be angry. "Do your homework."

Tang Fei just chuckled foolishly, writing for a while before stealing glances at her again.

He really liked his sister.

Since he could remember, it was always his sister who took care of him. His kindergarten he had attended was near the middle school, and his biological mother, Jiang Xuezhen, was addicted to playing mahjong. The games would end late, and she had no time to pick him up. So Tang Ruoyao would pick him up on her way home from school, holding his hand and walking step by step back home. There were many small shops on the streets back then, selling all kinds of snacks. Especially in the summer, when Tang Fei saw other kids holding ice popsicles in their hands, he would be filled with envy. Tang Ruoyao noticed this and would use her own saved money to buy one for him.

Tang Fei held up the ice popsicle, smiling and shaking Tang Ruoyao's arm, softly saying, "Sister, have a bite."

Tang Ruoyao smiled and bent down, taking a bite from his outstretched hand.

Tang Fei laughed so much that his eyes disappeared.

The two siblings took turns taking bites of the popsicle until it was finished. Before entering their residential area, they would throw the wooden stick into the trash bin to avoid getting scolded by Jiang Xuezhen. This kind of life continued until Tang Ruoyao entered high school, when their schedules for going to and coming back from school became too different.

It was always his sister, Tang Ruoyao, who picked him up from school, bought him school bags and stationery, helped him with his homework, and took him out to play.

In Tang Fei's eyes, his sister held a much higher place than Jiang Xuezhen. So every time Jiang Xuezhen spoke ill of Tang Ruoyao, he would disdain her in his heart. Children are the most sensitive beings. They can see clearly who genuinely treats them well and who only sees them as bargaining chips. It was clear as a mirror in his heart.

When Tang Ruoyao went to university, Tang Fei cried so loudly that it shook the heavens. His voice was strained, and he almost ran away with Tang Ruoyao, but he was caught by Tang Hanzhang and Jiang Xuezhen and brought back home. Since then, the thing he looked forward to the most was the winter and summer vacations. While others were excited to go out and have fun, he was eager to see his sister.

Perhaps because Tang Fei was raised by Tang Ruoyao since childhood, his personality was not as wild as typical boys. He was more introverted, kept himself neat and tidy, and loved learning. He didn't need anyone to supervise him. Only Jiang Xuezhen's attitude, treating him as if she had given birth to an heir to the throne, made him deviate from the right path.

She was the only one who disturbed his peace. Emotions are mutual, and initially, Tang Ruoyao wasn't willingly taking care of Tang Fei. She just felt that it was better to have fewer problems. Tang Fei was intelligent, well-behaved, and dependent on her. He would follow her around all day, saying "Sister, sister." Even the most hardened heart would soften, and gradually, they developed a bond. Tang Hanzhang was busy with work, coming home early in the morning and returning late at night, while Jiang Xuezhen was indifferent and neglectful. The siblings spent their days together, and their bond grew deeper.

"Sister." Tang Fei called her softly.

"Yes?" Tang Ruoyao responded without lifting her head, holding Tang Hanzhang's thin and bony hand, her gaze falling on the man's face. Three years of being bedridden had made his already lean figure even more emaciated. The hospital gown hung loosely on him, hiding his once refined and handsome face. He aged like a little old man.

"I'm done writing." Tang Fei put his homework notebook into his backpack, moved the chair, and took small steps to sit on the other side.

Tang Ruoyao responded with another "yes," absentmindedly.

Tang Fei also glanced at Tang Hanzhang on the bed. Tang Hanzhang had his eyes open and would sometimes move aimlessly, but there was no focus in his gaze. Even with his son and daughter surrounding him, he showed no reaction.

Tang Fei held onto the edge of the chair with both hands and whispered, "Dad won't wake up, will he?"

He was already eleven years old and would be starting middle school in another year. He understood many things, and whatever he didn't know, he would search online. The doctor said his dad's current condition was called a vegetative state, and the longer it lasted, the harder it would be for him to recover. It had been three years already, and there hadn't been any signs of him waking up.

Tang Ruoyao raised her eyes and looked at him calmly.

Under her gaze, Tang Fei inexplicably felt a chill. He opened his mouth, stammered for a while, and said, "If Dad could speak, he definitely wouldn't blame you."

Tang Ruoyao's eyes reddened, and she quickly lowered her eyelashes.

No matter how difficult things are, they can be adapted to. From the very beginning, Tang Ruoyao would hide whenever she saw Tang Hanzhang on the sickbed. She couldn't face it at all. But now, she could calmly speak to him by his side, all in just a few short years.

At the designated time, a caregiver came to turn Tang Hanzhang over, massage his limbs, and alleviate muscle atrophy. The caregiver, a middle-aged woman in her forties, had a straightforward and thoughtful personality. She had been taking care of this patient for three years and was very experienced, chatting with the new family members while working.

"Oh, you're back again." the caregiver greeted with a smile. She knew Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao nodded, her face expressionless and cold.

The caregiver was used to her icy demeanor but knew that she was a good person. She continued to chatter, "If you ask me, staying in the hospital is quite expensive. Why don't you bring your dad back home?"

"There's no one at home to take care of him." Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips and replied.

She had considered bringing him back home before, so she asked the doctor about it. The doctor said it was possible, but she was worried that Jiang Xuezhen wouldn't take care of her father or would just do the bare minimum. "Filial piety is shown by taking care of one's parents in times of prolonged illness." as the news often reported cases of patients left bedridden at home. Tang Ruoyao would rather spend more money to keep Tang Hanzhang lying in the hospital.

The caregiver let out a sigh and a hint of sympathy appeared in her eyes. "It's not easy for anyone."

.....

Tang Ruoyao stayed in the hospital until dusk, then went home with Tang Fei. The atmosphere was slightly more relaxed.

The siblings walked side by side on the street. The girl was tall with long legs, and even with a hat and mask on, her outstanding temperament couldn't be concealed. The boy wore white suspenders shorts, with long limbs and delicate features. He was handsome and charming, a little prince.

"I called your teacher the other day, and the teacher said you have a tendency for puppy love?" Tang Ruoyao raised an eyebrow.

"It's those girls who insist on writing love letters to me, but I ignored them." Tang Fei raised the hawthorn candy that his sister had bought for him, swallowed the hawthorn in his mouth, and then spoke with a hint of helplessness in his tone.

"You're so popular?" Tang Ruoyao teased.

"Don't believe me?" Tang Fei said, "Let me test it with you."

Tang Fei looked around and spotted a young girl in her twenties who was constantly looking down at her phone. He narrowed his eyes, took a few quick steps, and sweetly called out, "Sister."

The girl who was constantly looking down at her phone was taken aback when Tang Fei called her out to her, and she looked up in confusion.

In what felt like just a blink of an eye for Tang Ruoyao, Tang Fei came back and showed her a series of phone numbers in his palm, proudly boasting, "That's girl's."

Tang Ruoyao tapped his head with her hand.

"No flirting allowed." she scolded. What's wrong with him?

"You didn't believe me first." Tang Fei rubbed his forehead, looking innocent.

"Focus on your studies." she said.

"I know." Tang Fei dragged out his words, then looped his arm around hers. Tang Ruoyao shook him off, disgusted. "You're too hot."

Tang Fei got even more excited and deliberately hugged her, laughing and shouting, "You're hot, you're hot, you're hot."

As they passed by a mobile phone store, Tang Fei grabbed Tang Ruoyao's arm, stopping her in her tracks. "Sister, I want to buy a cellphone."

"No, you're still too young." Tang Ruoyao refused.

"I want to chat with you."

"Write a letter then."

"..." Tang Fei almost thought he had gone deaf.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but laugh at herself. She supported herself with her hands on her knees and met her brother's gaze. "Give me a convincing reason, and I'll buy it for you. Otherwise, don't expect to escape my scolding when we get home."

Tang Fei looked up at her, his face serious as he said, "I'm about to enter my rebellious phase soon, and I'm afraid I'll turn bad and lose control of myself. When I feel like I'm about to go astray, I'll call you. Hearing your voice will help me become better."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Two minutes later.

Tang Fei stood in front of the glass display window of the mobile phone store, just as he had wished.

"You can choose it yourself." Tang Ruoyao said.

Tang Fei walked straight towards a display case with clear determination. Tang Ruoyao secretly thought that he had planned this for a long time.

"I'll take this one." Tang Fei stopped, pointing at a glass window in front of him.

The salesperson took it out, and Tang Ruoyao looked inside at the price tag, 998 yuan.

Tang Ruoyao was initially worried that he would choose the most expensive flagship phone, planning to take the opportunity to educate him. However, Tang Fei surprised her with his simplicity. In the end, after a long debate with Tang Fei, they reluctantly settled for a model priced at 1,999.

On the way back home, Tang Fei had a displeased expression on his face. "I just need to make calls and send messages. Why did we buy something so expensive?"

"Cheaper ones are more likely to have performance issues."

"But even if it has some issues, it's still usable. We don't have to spend so much. It's like not knowing the value of rice until you're the one in charge." With tens of thousands of yuan from their mother, it didn't bother him, but with Tang Ruoyao's money, even spending two thousand yuan felt like a knife to Tang Fei's heart.

"Who's the one in charge here, after all?" Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but laugh and cry.

"Give me the luggage." Tang Fei said with a cold face.

"Huh?"

"Give it to me." Tang Fei snatched the handle of the luggage from her hand and firmly held it in his own.

Tang Fei pulled out the key hanging around his neck, inserted it into the lock, opened the door, and turned on the lights in the living room.

He rummaged through the shoe cabinet and took out a pair of brand new slippers, placing them in front of Tang Ruoyao. He then dragged her luggage towards the bedroom, speaking like a little adult as he walked. "I've cleaned up the room for you. The bedding was just sun-dried two days ago, and I replaced the batteries in the air conditioner remote. It's next to your pillow. Don't set the temperature too low at night, or you might catch a cold. Make sure to cover yourself with the blanket."

Tang Ruoyao leaned against the entrance, changing her shoes, and let out a soft sigh. "...Why do I feel like I've raised a father?"

Tang Fei replied, "Well, Dad is lying down now, so you can treat me like a father if you want."

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Say that again?"

Tang Fei's cheerful laughter echoed from the room.

Tang Ruoyao inspected her room, finding it clean and tidy. There was no way Jiang Xuezhen would have done a thorough cleaning for her. The only possibility was her little brother, who was a decade younger.

Tang Ruoyao's emotions were complicated.

Every time she came back, she found her brother becoming more responsible.

After finishing his instructions, Tang Fei said, "I'll go cook. What do you want to eat, sister?"

Tang Ruoyao was taken aback. "Jiang... Where's your mom?"

Tang Fei seemed indifferent and shrugged his shoulders. "She's probably out playing cards or something. I'm not sure." She'll come back eventually.

Since Tang Fei didn't care, Tang Ruoyao didn't bother either. But now that she had returned, it wouldn't be fair to let the little kid cook. She stood up and said, "I'll do it. What ingredients do we have at home?"

Tang Ruoyao opened the refrigerator.

It turned out that Tang Fei's culinary skills weren't fully developed yet. Tang Ruoyao closed the refrigerator again and said, "Let's order takeout."

Takeout boxes filled the dining table, offering a variety of colors, aromas, and flavors.

Tang Fei, being a growing boy, immediately immersed himself in devouring the food like a little piglet. He ate while picking up dishes for Tang Ruoyao. "Sister, you should eat too."

Tang Ruoyao controlled her diet and took small bites of the vegetables. She wiped a grain of rice off the corner of Tang Fei's lips and poured him a glass of water, gently reminding him to eat slowly. Her heart was filled with both tenderness and a flicker of hidden anger as she glanced back at the closed bedroom door.

Jiang Xuezhen was becoming more and more excessive.

.....

As soon as Jiang Xuezhen entered the house, she felt that something was off. She caught a whiff of the aroma of cooked food, completely different from the usual scent.

"Tang Fei? My good son, what delicious food did you make?" Jiang Xuezhen's stomach growled, and she followed the scent into the kitchen.

"Jiang Xuezhen." A sudden voice startled her. Jiang Xuezhen looked towards the source of the voice and saw a figure sitting in the living room. She turned on the light, feeling relieved. Squinting her eyes, she looked at the person and said, "Oh, it's you. Why didn't you say anything when you came back?"

Jiang Xuezhen sat opposite her, picked up an apple from the fruit bowl to temporarily satisfy her hunger, and took a loud bite. She had been playing cards all afternoon. Initially, she was winning, but in the end, she lost one thousand yuan. She forcefully dragged her little sister to play a few more rounds and barely managed to win it back.

Tang Ruoyao looked at her with cold eyes. "Is this how you take care of Tang Fei?"

Jiang Xuezhen asked in surprise, "How am I not taking care of him?"

Tang Fei put down the pen in his hand and quietly walked to the side of the door. He pressed his ear against the crack, listening to the escalating argument outside.

It was called an argument, but in reality, Tang Fei could only hear Jiang Xuezhen's voice. Tang Ruoyao wouldn't stoop to the level of shouting in the street like Jiang Xuezhen. Tang Fei sighed inwardly; his sister couldn't win an argument against his mother.

Because every time they argued, his mother would unleash her "ultimate move."

"If it weren't for Old Tang going to find you, he wouldn't have been hit by a car! Do we, mother and son, need to end up in this situation?" Jiang Xuezhen's finger nearly poked Tang Ruoyao's face as she angrily said, "You, this jinx, this troublemaker. First, you caused your mother's death, and now your father is left half-dead. Oh heavens, why am I so unlucky? I married into your Tang family, but I haven't enjoyed a moment of happiness. Instead, I've only suffered disaster and hardship."

She cried and shouted, then sat down on the ground.

"What kind of sin have I committed? Old Tang, get up and look. Even your daughter is bullying me!"

Jiang Xuezhen wiped her tears and secretly glanced at Tang Ruoyao from the corner of her eye. She saw Tang Ruoyao's face instantly turn pale, her eyes reddening, and she bit her lip hard without saying a word. Jiang Xuezhen gradually gained some confidence in her heart.

As long as she mentioned that unlucky father of hers, Tang Ruoyao would have this ghost-like appearance. It always worked like a charm.

The outside fell silent.

Tang Fei clenched the doorknob tightly, unable to bear it any longer, and walked out. "Mom!"

Jiang Xuezhen still had to save face in front of her child, so she quickly wiped her face, put on a forced smile, and said, "Son, why did you come out? Go back and do your homework. You don't need to worry about the adult matters."

"I am already an adult." Tang Fei shrugged off Jiang Xuezhen's outstretched hand and walked straight to Tang Ruoyao's side. He gently untangled her fingers that were trapped in his palm, one by one, and shook his head with worry. He spoke softly, "Sister."

Tang Ruoyao released her grip on her lip and smiled at him.

"Go and do your homework." she said, patting Tang Fei's hair.

"I won't." Tang Fei, more determined than ever, pressed her back onto the sofa. He stood in front of her in a protective stance and frowned at Jiang Xuezhen with displeasure. "Mom, you've gone too far."

Jiang Xuezhen clearly didn't expect this turn of events, and she was left stunned.

"What did you say?"

"I said you've gone too far." Tang Fei repeated his words with emphasis.

Jiang Xuezhen yelled in disbelief, "Do you have no conscience? Who am I doing all this for?!"

After all, she was his biological mother, and Tang Fei was a little afraid. He gathered his courage and looked down at the densely packed cheat sheet in his palm. He raised his voice, saying, "You're doing it for yourself!"

Jiang Xuezhen got up from the ground and glared at him. "Say it again!"

Tang Fei cleared his throat and continued, "After Dad had his accident, you kept saying how sad you were. How many times have you visited him? You sucked the life out of sister, bought a new house, bought a new car, and went out shopping and playing cards every day. Did you do any of that for me?"

"I paid for your summer camp, isn't that good enough for you?"

"That money belongs to sister! Not yours!" Feeling the gaze behind him, Tang Fei suddenly felt courageous. "The good life you're living, my good school, they're all thanks to sister. Who gave you the right to raise your voice at her? Dad was hit by someone else, not sister. Why do you keep stabbing sister in the heart like this? Are you still human? Do you have any conscience?"

"You, you, you一" Jiang Xuezhen choked, her face flushed with anger, an extraordinary sight. She stammered for a while before shouting, "Whose son are you?!"

"If I could choose, do you think I would willingly be your son?!" Tang Fei shouted back, tears streaming down his face.

Jiang Xuezhen couldn't contain her anger and rushed forward, raising her hand to deliver a slap.

The fierce palm wind brushed against his cheek, causing Tang Fei to tremble. Reflexively, he closed his eyes.

But that slap never landed. Tang Ruoyao abruptly stood up and grabbed Jiang Xuezhen's wrist, forcefully throwing it back.

Jiang Xuezhen used to do some household chores in her early years, but as her life improved, she no longer touched pots and pans. She became a picture of helplessness, and with every push and shove from Tang Ruoyao, she sat back with a thud, feeling pain throughout her body. She couldn't get up for a moment.

"Oh, so you two siblings team up to bully me, huh?" Jiang Xuezhen vented her anger, bursting into loud sobs. "What have I done to deserve this? My husband, my husband, lying in the hospital unable to get up, and my daughter who's left behind always targeting me. And now, even my own son doesn't stand by my side. What's the point of me being alive? It's better to just die!"

"I should just die, I should die..." She glanced at the corner of the coffee table, making a very obvious suggestion to both of them, as if she was about to hit it.

She lunged forward, coming within ten centimeters of the table corner.

...No one stopped her.

Tang Ruoyao pulled out tissues from the tissue box to wipe Tang Fei's tears. The more she wiped, the more vigorously Tang Fei cried. He mumbled something incoherent, not paying any attention to the theatrical performance that Jiang Xuezhen had started again.

After acting for a while and realizing there was no audience, Jiang Xuezhen wiped away her tears. Remembering her biological son, she approached him with a gentle voice, "Xiao Fei, come to Mommy."

Tang Fei instinctively hid behind Tang Ruoyao, resisting with his entire being.

The impact of Jiang Xuezhen's slap on him was quite significant.

Tang Ruoyao firmly protected him and prevented Jiang Xuezhen from approaching to hold the child.

"He is my son."

"He is my brother." Tang Ruoyao stared at her coldly.

If it weren't for Tang Fei, she would have severed ties with Jiang Xuezhen a long time ago. It was indirectly because of her that her father had been in a car accident and was now half-dead. She was willing to support this family for the sake of her father, taking care of his wife and son. After all, if her father hadn't gotten into trouble, they would have had a peaceful life. But that didn't mean she could tolerate Jiang Xuezhen's incessant greed and crossing of boundaries. 

Tang Fei was her bottom line.

Author's Note:

The Tang household is also chaotic. Once this is resolved here, the two female protagonists will be able to meet soon. I know you want to pull the progress bar and take a break. I want that too, but the updates can't magically appear. I can only type it out word by word. (What a miserable author, what a miserable group of readers.)

PS: I guess you wouldn't notice, so I'll tell you proactively. Qin Jiejie (Sister Qin) has an older sister, and Yao Yao has a younger brother. One lacks parental love, and the other lacks maternal love. They rely on each other as siblings, and their sibling relationship is quite similar. So, we can conclude that both Yao Yao and Qin Jiejie are sisters, with Tang Ruoyao being the older sister and Qin Yinong being the younger sister.

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