Chapter 243: Chapter 223: Natural Disaster

Two days later, Bai Qingyue arrived at the Tang Mansion to visit the family’s two elders. She came bearing a net bag filled with fruit, two exquisitely packaged boxes of cookies and candy, and several tins of canned goods.

She had come prepared and was not flustered. When her father had first returned to Beijing and been admitted to the central hospital, Mr. Tang had visited him along with a group of others. Her visit today was simply a courtesy call in return.

It had been many years since she last visited the Tang family. As Bai Qingyue watched the ornate iron gate swing slowly open, it felt as if a lifetime had passed. A faint excitement stirred within her, like a gentle breeze rippling the surface of a calm lake, impossible to suppress.

She had been in love with Tang Qingshan ever since she was old enough to understand her own heart. She would run over to the Tang Mansion so often she’d refuse to go home. Mr. Tang was stern and Mrs. Tang was distant, but she paid them no mind, as long as she could be with Tang Qingshan. Initially, Tang Qingshan had been very kind to her, but then came Gu Qi Yue... ’Actually, it wasn’t my fault. As her older sister, what was wrong with bringing Qi Yue to gatherings so she could meet a few new friends? It was Gu Qi Yue who was too fickle, falling for one person after another. A woman like that was completely unworthy of Tang Qingshan’s love! Yet Tang Qingshan was utterly blind. He didn’t resent Qi Yue for her change of heart; instead, he shut the door on me—the one who loved him so much I was willing to give him everything!’

But Bai Qingyue wasn’t one to give up so easily. ’If my family hadn’t suffered that disaster, I would have kept pursuing Tang Qingshan relentlessly, even if I had to tear out my own heart to prove my love.’ But alas, with the Bai family’s downfall, she had lost her chance.

She had endured so much. She did everything in her power to keep track of him, to hear any news about him. He had remained single, just like her, unwilling to marry and start a family. ’Even though I know it isn’t for me, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of joy and comfort.’

Now that the Bai family’s honor was restored and they were on the rise again, ’Tang Qingshan, we’re both single. We’re a perfect match. Let’s give each other a chance!’

Bai Qingyue had arrived full of hope, but she was destined to leave disappointed.

Her timing was actually perfect. Grandpa Tang was home and, along with Grandma Tang, received her personally. The elderly couple was gracious and polite, chatting with her in the living room for over half an hour. Seeing how concerned they were about her father’s health, Bai Qingyue was desperate to ask about the Tang granddaughter who had appeared out of nowhere. ’Is it true, like the rumors say, that she’s a disciple of Imperial Doctor Sun? Could I... could I ask the girl to come to Beijing to diagnose and treat my father, whose life is hanging by a thread?’

But each time the words reached the tip of her tongue, she clenched her jaw and forced them back down.

It wasn’t that she didn’t dare ask. But every time she met Grandma Tang’s eyes, and then glanced at Grandpa Tang’s solemn, serious expression, her courage failed her.

She had done her research before coming. It was still uncertain whether the girl, Tang Manman, was the daughter of Tang Qingshan or Tang Qingyun, but she was confirmed to be the Tang family’s biological granddaughter—the absolute apple of the two elders’ eyes.

Bai Qingyue was long past being a naive teenage girl. She might not have mastered the art of seeing the whole picture from a single clue, but she was at least adept at reading expressions and discerning unspoken meanings.

She described her father’s condition in the gravest of terms, doing her best to appear sorrowful and heartbroken. Yet the two Tang elders only sighed in sympathy and offered a few words of comfort, never once mentioning Tang Manman. What could she do? ’If I bring it up myself, they will undoubtedly refuse, just as Doctor Jia predicted. They’ll use excuses like she "hasn’t finished her apprenticeship" or "is still in school and not on vacation yet." After that, it would probably be very difficult for me to ever set foot in the Tang Mansion again!’

Finally, when her hosts served tea—a clear signal that the visit was over—Bai Qingyue could only pretend that everything was fine and reluctantly bid her farewell.

As she walked out of the great iron gate, she couldn’t resist looking back. Bai Qingyue began to calculate. ’With the best doctors and the best medical facilities, Father’s condition is relatively stable for now. We just need to keep a close eye on the physicians and carefully maintain the current situation. It’s already June, and school will be out for summer vacation soon. That Tang Manman will definitely have to come to Beijing. When she does, I’ll find a way to make her treat my father!’

’As long as Father recovers, the Bai family’s power and prestige will be restored overnight. We’ll stand on equal footing with the Tang and Gu families, just like before. We’ll see who dares to look down on us then!’

Bai Qingyue straightened her back, lifting her head with an air of defiance.

Time flew by, and before long, it was mid-July.

School was out for the summer. Tang Haocheng had returned to his grandparents in Beijing long ago to prepare for his university entrance exams, but Xiao Man remained in Gongdao Village in Ping County, G Province.

An unexpected disaster struck just as the break began. The area was hit by a severe storm that brought three straight days of high winds and torrential rain. Several trees at the edge of the village, each as thick as a grown man’s torso, were uprooted by the gales. The river swelled and flooded the fields. Village officials led the able-bodied young adults on round-the-clock patrols to clear the floodwaters, successfully preventing the village’s homes from being submerged.

Xiao Man’s home was situated on slightly higher ground at the village entrance, so even if the entire village flooded, her house would be safe. But this was a double-edged sword. Being so exposed, the house bore the brunt of the wind, which had blown away most of the roof tiles. The courtyard was in shambles—the rose trellis, vegetable patch frames, and chicken coop had all collapsed.

Under the circumstances, Grandpa and Grandma had no desire to go and stay in Beijing. Xiao Man couldn’t possibly leave them to go by herself; she had to stay and help rebuild their home.

Grandpa and Grandma Tang were, of course, understanding and supportive. Accompanied by Xiao Zhang, Grandma Tang returned to Gongdao Village to help Xiao Man, Grandpa, and Grandma with the post-disaster rebuilding. Dad Tang couldn’t make it this time, but Shao Jin and Shaoyu came along.

Wu Xiaowen took Tang Haocheng to Feng City, claiming their maternal grandfather was critically ill. Wu Xiaowen had also sent Xiao Man an urgent telegram and even had Wu Xiaofeng come to pick her up, but Xiao Man acted as if it had nothing to do with her and ignored them completely.

When the commune’s middle school let out for the holidays, Tang Yaxuan didn’t return to the Mo family in Gongdao Village. Mo Shuixia saw her with her own eyes, slinging a satchel over her shoulder and getting directly onto a bus headed for Wancheng.

Wu Xiaofeng, however, didn’t understand that Xiao Man’s condition for acknowledging her biological parents was a complete swap of the children. He had previously heard his brother-in-law declare, "We’ll take back our biological daughter, but we won’t give up Xuanxuan, the daughter we’ve raised for more than a decade!"

So, this was how he tried to persuade Xiao Man: "Your maternal grandparents have always doted on their grandchildren. Xuanxuan, Hao Hao, and all your cousins are there with them now. You’re the only one missing..."

Xiao Man was at a loss as to how to deal with the Wu family’s self-righteousness and sheer audacity.

Not long after Wu Xiaofeng left in defeat, Grandma Tang arrived. When she heard Grandma recount the incident, she found she no longer had the energy to be angry at Wu Xiaowen.

Tang Qingyun had already been transferred out of Wancheng to another region, an even poorer mountainous area. Perhaps because of the high mountains and dense forests, that place had been spared the effects of the storm. Tang Qingyun managed to take some time off to visit his mother, and with his help, the post-disaster reconstruction of Gongdao Village and the entire Huashan Commune proceeded much more smoothly. By the time the river water had receded, the village had been mostly restored to its former state.

By now, it was August. They were able to salvage some of the corn and rice from the flooded paddies in a rush harvest. Afterward, they would quickly plant another crop to get a small yield by October or November. Grandpa was busy working with the production team. As for Shao Jin and Shaoyu, they were either following Xiao Man into the mountain forests to gather medicinal herbs and explore the scenery, or being whisked away to Wancheng by Shaolian. They drove all over the place, running wild and visiting every interesting and fun spot the rural mountain region had to offer. Meanwhile, Grandma Tang and Grandma peacefully tended to the flowers and trees at home, looking after the vegetable garden. All the ruined vegetables had been pulled out, and a new batch needed to be planted.

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