Chapter Nineteen: An Unexpected Gain

At the dining table, Tang Xiujun was full of questions. She began by asking about Tang Maode, Tang Zhichu’s father, and then inquired about the restaurant. Tang Zhichu had no trouble handling his relative; he answered everything and even shared some of his hardships. The more they talked, the more Tang Xiujun realized how difficult things were for Tang Zhichu. He seemed to have everything under control, every detail accounted for, which showed he was earnest and had not brought shame to the Tang family. Yet he was only about a year older than her son Tao Bo, both recent university graduates.

The more the conversation unfolded, the more Tang Xiujun felt her own son Tao Bo was immature in comparison.

“Aunt, you know my father’s temperament. To be honest, I make my own living, and all his medical bills so far have been paid with my own money. Of course, between father and son, these things shouldn’t matter, but…I feel a bit aggrieved. He always thinks I’m not doing serious work. Every time I visit him at the hospital, he scolds me. Sometimes I wonder what else I haven’t done right…” Tang Zhichu sat beside Tang Xiujun, tears welling in his eyes as he spoke.

Tang Xiujun’s eyes brimmed with tears as well. “You’ve really had a tough time, Zhichu.”

Tang Zhichu waved his hand. “It’s not hard, really. Most days are fine. It’s just that, now that you’re here and asking about these things, I feel a little stifled inside.”

Tang Xiujun nodded repeatedly, understanding that feeling. People can endure immense hardship, but the moment someone shows concern, their defenses may crumble.

“It’s partly my fault. My second brother went through such a big ordeal, and I only just came over now. But your father is to blame too—every phone call, he insists nothing’s wrong, and if you try to visit, he scolds you…”

Tang Zhichu replied, “My dad’s always been like this, even when I was little.”

Mentioning childhood brought a sadness to Tang Xiujun’s face. Thinking carefully, she realized her nephew was truly pitiable. Not only had he been saddled with an irascible, alcoholic, gambling father, but his mother had abandoned him, gone off to start a new family.

Tang Xiujun felt she had not fulfilled her duty as the eldest aunt—she had hardly ever shown concern for Tang Zhichu. Perhaps hardship breeds maturity; now, the more she looked at Tang Zhichu, the more she liked him. If only such a child were her own! Her troublesome second brother must have accrued great virtue in a past life to have a son as good as this.

Seeing his aunt’s tearful face, Tang Zhichu quickly handed her a tissue. “Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s eat. I shouldn’t have brought all this up and made everyone upset. Uncle, Tao Bo, please help yourselves—these dishes are specialties of our restaurant.”

Tang Xiujun glared at him. “Who else would you talk to if not us? I’m your aunt; we’re family!”

Tang Zhichu nodded hurriedly, then stood up and used the serving chopsticks to place some ribs on Tang Xiujun’s plate. “Aunt, eat before it gets cold.”

He didn’t forget Tao Jian and Tao Bo either, turning the best dishes toward them so they could try them.

Tang Xiujun and Tao Jian exchanged a glance, both feeling a pang of sympathy. The child had been working tirelessly, looking after them all, and hadn’t eaten a bite himself. This was a far cry from the nephew they thought they knew—the naïve, careless boy seemed gone.

Tang Xiujun guessed that her second brother must have spoken ill of Zhichu; how could anyone be dissatisfied with such a good child? He truly deserved it.

“Zhichu, you eat as well.”

Tang Zhichu nodded, “Yes, of course. Um…Aunt…”

Tang Xiujun put down her chopsticks. “If you have something to say, just say it. No need to hesitate with me.”

“It’s like this: later this afternoon, I probably won’t be able to accompany you. My father insisted I participate in a matchmaking show; if I refuse, he won’t take his medicine. They expect me every afternoon…”

Tang Zhichu admitted he had circled around the subject before finally saying it. He had considered ignoring the opinions of his many relatives and doing whatever he pleased, but after seeing his father lying in the hospital, he changed his mind. It didn't take much effort, so why make things as bitter and dramatic as Chen Siyang? With his father hospitalized for cancer, how could he go off to a matchmaking event? Wouldn't that be unfilial? So today’s arrangement was his compromise.

Sure enough, as soon as Tang Zhichu explained, Tang Xiujun immediately asked, “Matchmaking? A matchmaking show?”

Tang Zhichu nodded, “You can ask Tao Bo; he probably knows about it.”

Tang Xiujun frowned. This sounded exactly like something her troublesome brother would do. She glanced at Tang Zhichu, then said, “Zhichu, you can’t really blame your father. Given his condition, he probably just can’t stop worrying about you. But…is this reliable?”

Tang Zhichu shook his head, “Aunt, of course it’s not reliable, but I have no choice. My father won’t take his medicine otherwise.”

After saying this, Tang Zhichu thought to himself: you can’t blame me, Dad. You wouldn’t want your son to be called unfilial by relatives, would you?

Tang Xiujun opened her mouth, then hesitated; it seemed she couldn’t make the decision. Her second brother was stubborn—once he made up his mind, not even their eldest brother could change it. All she could do was offer comfort: “Just treat it as gaining experience. Don’t worry about girlfriends; your aunt will help arrange things for you. How about this—my annual leave hasn’t been used yet, and I can put together half a month. I’ll move in and stay with you for those two weeks. You focus on the matchmaking; I’ll take care of your father.”

Tang Zhichu put down his chopsticks. “That’s not necessary, Aunt. Brother Jun—the Wang Jun from our grandfather’s side—helps me, and my dad likes him.”

“No, that won’t do. How can you get by without a woman in the house? It’s settled, and besides, your father’s situation is still unknown to most of the relatives; otherwise, people would be dropping by constantly. How could you handle them all? Isn’t that right, Tao Bo’s father?” She looked at Tao Jian.

Tao Jian nodded quickly. “Yes, listen to your aunt. Your family has gone through so much, and we haven’t been much help. It’s settled.”

Tang Zhichu could only stand up again and serve them more dishes. An unexpected bonus, really. Among the Tang siblings, if reliability were the measure, the eldest aunt’s family was the most dependable. The eldest uncle’s family was the best-off, but it wasn’t that they weren’t reliable—they were simply too busy, only seen during the New Year. If his aunt was willing to help, Tang Zhichu wouldn’t have to repeat today’s performance every time a relative visited.

...

That afternoon, the group arrived at the hospital.

As soon as they entered, the eldest aunt stood with hands on her hips and gave Tang Maode a stern scolding, accusing him of always acting on his own and misreporting his illness. Tang Maode hadn’t hidden his illness but had understated it, claiming it was treatable so the relatives wouldn’t worry.

Perhaps because of his illness, Tang Maode only argued back briefly before letting Tang Xiujun scold him. Seeing this, Tang Xiujun softened. Her once fearless second brother was now gaunt, his temper much subdued.

Tao Jian set the fruit and supplements on the table, patted Tang Maode’s shoulder, and left with Tao Bo. Tang Zhichu tugged at Wang Jun, and the two also left the ward.

When only Tang Xiujun and Tang Maode remained, Tang Xiujun wiped her nose with a tissue. “You ought to change your attitude; earlier, Zhichu called you and you wouldn’t respond.”

Tang Maode glanced at the door and grumbled, “You don’t know, last time he dared to argue back. I’m still angry…”

Tang Xiujun took an apple from her bag, peeling it as she spoke. “Did he not deserve your scolding? Think about it—while you’re resting in the hospital, things are peaceful, but what about Zhichu? Doesn’t he have a restaurant to run? And now you’re sending him off to a matchmaking show—is that reliable? Do you even know who you’re pushing your son toward?”

Tang Maode glared, struggling to sit up. “What did I do? I’m pushing him into the fire? You don’t know—he barely leaves his room, never mind going outside. He’d rather have a chamber pot than go to the bathroom. I’m anxious!”

Tang Xiujun rolled her eyes. “You’re anxious? He’s not?”

Tang Maode sensed his sister’s partiality and felt a bit resentful. “I…your brother, now with cancer, lying here in front of you.”

“So what? You think you’re the only one who’s anxious or miserable? Why not think about your son? Like you said, he used to be wrong, but now? He invited us to dinner, looked after us all, didn’t overlook anyone—not even Tao Bo. If it were you, you couldn’t manage that. Why do you think he’s changed so much? For whom?” Tang Xiujun’s tone was a bit stern, but she handed the apple to Tang Maode.

Tang Maode turned his head away, refusing to eat, feeling aggrieved.

“Eat it if you want.”

Tang Xiujun glared right back, setting the apple on the table.

...