Chapter 149: 151: Thoughts
“Yuxin, she’s wonderful with children.” With a sigh, she thought about the child she had not seen for years, who has grown so big now. The child doesn’t resemble her or Tang Zhinian, but might resemble her grandmother. Although a bit dark-skinned, which is expected for a child from the countryside, the child is indeed quite good-looking.
And that child has grown up and become quite sensible. She has been taking care of that child all along, doing her hair, putting on her shoes, and playing with her, even better than how adults usually care for children.
If… she clenched her teeth… if only she had brought Yuxin back, there wouldn’t be so many problems.
Zhang Xiangcao naturally had no idea what Sang Zhilan was thinking, she assumed that Sang Zhilan regretted giving up on her daughter.
“Yuxin is sensible. She can cook, wash dishes, and she has learned medical skills from the village doctor in her own village. She can handle most common illnesses. This time, had it not been for Yuxin, who knows what would have happened to me?”
She slightly lifted the corners of her mouth, and spoke with a touch of pride. She simply wanted to make Sang Zhilan regret her past decisions- of giving up on such a good man and such a good child, and such a good home. The Tangs were now leading a prosperous life in the village, with their own house and farm making money. The life she lived was even better than that of a city dweller. Even Sang Zhilan’s clothes were not as good as hers.
Sang Zhilan could probably discern the meaning in Zhang Xiangcao’s words. Despite Zhang Xiangcao not having said it explicitly, she still felt herself blush continuously out of embarrassment.
She was tired all the time, rushing between home and the hospital. Still, she received no kind treatment from Wei’s mother, nor could she find anyone to listen to her complaints. The only person she knew here was Zhang Xiangcao. But Zhang Xiangcao’s gaze always made her uncomfortable, especially considering there was also Tang Zhijun, who treated her harshly whenever he saw her.
Since Tang Yuxin’s last visit, she wondered if Tang Zhijun had informed Tang Zhinian about the situation. Sang Zhilan hadn’t seen Tang Yuxin since, thus taking away any opportunity for her to acknowledge her daughter.
After a few more days, the doctor stated that Zhang Xiangcao could be discharged. With her almost fully recovered, all she needed was to rest properly at home, avoid heavy work, and return to the hospital in a few days to have her stitches removed. It was a minor surgery resulting in a small wound that could recover with home care.
Tang Zhijun remembered every single word carefully, to the point where he wouldn’t even let his wife wash her own clothes.
Meanwhile, Tang Zhinian brought their three-wheeled bike, lined with thick quilts to protect Zhang Xiangcao from the cold.
When they finally reached home, Tang Zhijun breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that Zhang Xiangcao might catch a cold on the way.
Sisi was very obedient, keeping some distance from her mother, because her sister had told her that her mother was sick and she shouldn’t come in contact with her.
“Come here, Sisi,” Zhang Xiangcao reached out her hand towards Sisi.
Sisi ran up to her with her small steps, and clumsily climbed on to the kang, a heated brick bed, rubbing her little head against her mother’s hand.
Zhang Xiangcao crouched down to pick up her daughter, kissing her little face.
The little girl was so charming with her rosy complexion, her clothes were very clean, and her whole body smelled sweetly of baby powder. Her hair was neatly combed, and adorned with many hair ties.
During her stay in the hospital, her Sisi had been well taken care of.
At that moment, Tang Yuxin was standing outside, watching Zhang Xiangcao and her daughter being together and feeling the warmth of motherly love. As for her, it felt like her past self had vanished and her heart had cooled.
She never mentioned anything about Sang Zhilan, as if she had completely forgotten about her own mother. The next day, she began attending school as a second grader. Life as an elementary school student is like that. Nothing big happens from morning to night, yet she was growing up day by day. As time went by, her medical skills were improving significantly.
One day, as soon as she returned from school, Sisi ran over and hugged her legs.
“Sister, let’s eat biscuits.”
She held Tang Yuxin’s hand. Relations between people are mutual.
She was kind to them, and they knew it, just like how Tang Yuxin was to Sisi.
Anything tasty or fun, Tang Yuxin would share with Sisi. This is why Sisi was kindest to her sister. Whenever there was delicious food at home, she would always save a portion for her sister, even if it meant she herself would go without.
In the past, when they lived in the Wei’s residence, everything good went to Wei Jiani. Raised in the city, Wei Jiani was spoiled and never treated her elder sister, Tang Yuxin, well. Life with the Wei family was no better than being a servant for Tang Yuxin.
In her past life, she had to put up with so much, while in this life, she was resolved to be assertive, live uprightly, and stand tall. She owed nothing to anyone, especially not to Wei Jiani or Sang Zhilan.
“Yuxin, you’re back.”
Zhang Xiangcao had her hair up, revealing her slender neck. Over the past year, she had gained some weight. Even after undergoing a surgery, she hadn’t lost much weight.
Her profile was beautiful, and her skin was getting better day by day. It was as if a sponge soaked in water was slowly recovering its original form.
She truly was the village’s flower.
“Have some biscuit,”
Zhang Xiangcao placed the biscuit she cooked in front of Tang Yuxin. Seeing Tang Yuxin, she couldn’t help but ruffle her hair. She felt a wave of maternal love for Tang Yuxin. Such a good and sensible girl, albeit a bit too mature for her age. Largely self-reliant, she hardly needed any help from her family.
She even ended up taking care of Sisi most of the time.
“Thank you, Auntie,” Tang Yuxin picked up a biscuit and began eating. Sisi sat in front of her sister, leaning on her little hands and watching her sister eat.
“Sister, is it tasty?”
She asked with a childish pronunciation.
“Yes, it’s delicious,”
Tang Yuxin broke a piece of biscuit for Sisi. Sisi had obviously eaten her fill, but children’s thoughts are hard for adults to understand. Receiving the biscuit felt like getting a new toy, causing her to start nibbling happily.