Free Web NovelChapter 329: Chapter 329: Finding Out
Tang Yuanxiao had been standing motionless for a long time.
He hadn’t expected this. He’d come to Wu Sheng’s office, but instead of finding the man himself, he’d overheard some astonishing news.
Wu Sheng... had proposed to Su Li.
"The boss thought none of us knew. He was so secretive about it, but he had no idea we’d all figured it out."
"Tell me about it! He kept asking how to propose, fishing for good ideas. My marriage was arranged by my family; I never had to propose!"
"I wonder what kind of person she is. The boss is really putting his all into this!"
"He’s our boss, after all. The proposal will definitely be a success..."
The snippets of conversation he’d overheard replayed in his mind again and again.
Tang Yuanxiao tried to convince himself it was all a misunderstanding. Maybe Wu Sheng hadn’t proposed to Su Li.
But he knew that wasn’t true.
Tang Yuanxiao’s stern face was taut with tension.
He hadn’t expected to be bombarded with such "good news" the moment he returned.
His mother had suffered a stroke and was now partially paralyzed, confined to her bed and unable to care for herself.
Wu Sheng had proposed to Su Li.
"Why is heaven always toying with me?" After standing there for who knows how long, Tang Yuanxiao finally came to his senses.
He looked up at the sky, painted with the colors of sunset, and asked in a hoarse voice.
Tang Yuanxiao had returned to the country yesterday.
Despite the worries of his supervisor and everyone else, Tang Yuanxiao had returned safely.
Everyone had been worried he would be injured or even killed, but the outcome was completely unexpected.
Tang Yuanxiao’s talents were on full display in that unique environment.
He excelled in many areas. For most, the "devil training" was a terrifying ordeal, but for Tang Yuanxiao, it was like being a fish back in water.
Within a single month, Tang Yuanxiao went from being just another member to leading the entire team.
The team operated on a meritocracy—the most capable led. In the end, Tang Yuanxiao rose to the top.
The devil training had thoroughly unearthed the full scope of Tang Yuanxiao’s abilities.
He led the entire team to finish with zero casualties, breaking the previous record for a flawless run, which had been set by Wu Sheng.
His outstanding performance was stunning.
In just one month, Tang Yuanxiao’s growth had been astounding.
Though it had only been a month, both others and Tang Yuanxiao himself knew that he had changed.
Simply surviving the devil training was enough to change a person’s future, let alone performing as exceptionally as Tang Yuanxiao had.
Before Tang Yuanxiao had even returned, his name had already reached the ears of several higher-ups.
Upon his safe return and debriefing, Tang Yuanxiao learned immediately that his position was likely to change.
The role of research team leader would be fully handed over to Yu Le, and he would be transferred to a post that better suited his skills.
Tang Yuanxiao’s true, bright future was just beginning to unfold. He had finally found his proper path.
This should have been a day for celebration, his happiest yet. But nothing in this world is ever perfect.
Tang Yuanxiao soon learned the news: Mrs. Tang had suffered a stroke and was partially paralyzed.
Tang Yuanxiao was no stranger to strokes and paralysis. There were elderly people in Xinghua Village who were either fully or partially paralyzed.
He’d always known about the elderly who spent years, even decades, confined to beds in rooms thick with the smell of excrement.
He just never imagined that his own mother would become one of them.
Seeing Tang Yuanxiao return, Mrs. Tang, who had been racked with anxiety for over a month, finally let her guard down, tears of relief streaming down her aged face.
When he learned that his mother’s stroke had been triggered by the shock of his situation, Tang Yuanxiao looked at her lying in bed, then knelt before her, hot tears streaming down his face.
"Mom, I’m sorry..."
"As long as you’re back safely... You can’t do this kind of thing ever again." Half of Mrs. Tang’s face was stiff, and saliva dribbled from the corner of her mouth as she spoke.
Tang Yuanxiao’s heart ached to see her like this.
The mother and son clung to each other and wept, only calming down after a long while.
Tang Yuanxiao helped his mother wash her face, then carried her to the living room to sit.
"Tangyuan, Mom won’t cause you any more trouble. You have to stop pushing yourself so hard. No more taking such risks."
Mrs. Tang urged, clutching his hand.
"Okay, Mom. You need to get better too. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you."
Tang Yuanxiao nodded earnestly.
After they had talked things through, Tang Yuanxiao’s heart was still heavy, but he forced himself to rally his spirits.
’Mom’s in this state. I need to get her treatment, and I’ll have to hire someone to look after her...’
Tang Yuanxiao returned the washbasin to its stand, and his gaze finally landed on the Orchid at the doorway.
The Orchid was in an even worse state than the last time he saw it.
Aside from a little green at the base, the rest of it had withered and turned yellow.
’But it’s still alive... still alive...’
Just as Tang Yuanxiao let out a breath, about to give it a little water, he heard Qin Shanshan’s voice.
"Brother Tang Yuan, you’re finally back."
Qin Shanshan had run over. She was panting, her face full of excitement as she looked at Tang Yuanxiao.
"Shanshan, you’re here!" Mrs. Tang’s face lit up the moment she saw her.
"Tangyuan, while you were away, Shanshan was the one taking care of me. If it weren’t for her, I might have been locked up with no one to care for me, and you might never have seen me again."
Mrs. Tang sang her praises. "Shanshan is such a good girl. She didn’t mind the filth or the exhaustion. She was the only one who took care of me."
If Mrs. Tang’s preference for Qin Shanshan was once based on various practical reasons, now she genuinely liked the girl. She was truly moved by her kindness.
As the saying goes, even a devoted child can waver by a long-term sickbed.
Even one’s own son or daughter can grow weary and impatient when an elderly parent is sick and unkempt for a long time.
But Qin Shanshan hadn’t. She hadn’t just looked after Mrs. Tang for a day or two; she had been doing it for over half a month.
It wasn’t for show; she had truly put her heart and soul into caring for her.
For someone who wasn’t even her own daughter to do so much, how could Mrs. Tang not be moved?
Hearing Mrs. Tang’s words, Qin Shanshan lowered her head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Auntie, please don’t praise me. It was the least I could do."
She looked up at Tang Yuanxiao. "Tang... Brother Tang, it’s so good to see you back safely. Are you hurt?"
Tang Yuanxiao exhaled and shook his head. "I’m fine. Thank you for asking."
He glanced back at his mother. "Thank you for everything you’ve done. I won’t forget this kindness. If you ever need anything in the future, just ask. I’ll do whatever I can to help."
’It couldn’t have been easy for Qin Shanshan to care for Mom. I’ll ask around about rates, treat it as if I’d hired her, and find a chance to pay her.’
A shadow flickered in Qin Shanshan’s eyes. "Don’t call it a kindness. We’ve been neighbors for so many years, and Auntie took care of me when I was little. It’s what I ought to do."
A complex emotion flickered in Tang Yuanxiao’s eyes. "It’s not about what you ’ought to do.’ I’m truly grateful. You’ve worked so hard. Now that I’m back, I’ll take care of my mom. I’ll also do my best to hire someone to help."
"I can take care of her. If you hire someone, you’ll have to spend money, and you can’t be sure they’ll be dedicated. I’m happy to look after Auntie."
Qin Shanshan said hurriedly.
"It wouldn’t be right." Tang Yuanxiao shook his head, but before he could say more, Qin Shanshan cut him off.
"Brother Tang, there’s nothing wrong with it! My feelings... don’t you understand them? Why do you think I’ve been doing all this?"
