Chapter 127

Chapter 127: She Had Never Truly Let Go. Returning from Nancheng, it was late January. As the Spring Festival approached, the law firm let out. Chu Tang caught the flu at the airport the day she came back from Nancheng, fell ill, and after coming back from the hospital drip she stayed in bed all day, with meals sent in by the nanny Zhang Caixia. The day before New Year's Eve, Zhang Caixia brought lunch to Chu Tang's room as usual. Chu Tang coughed a few times and wiped her nose with a tissue, "Auntie Zhang, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Once you're done today, go home for the New Year." Zhang Caixia hesitated, "But Tangtang, you're still sick. If I leave, who will take care of you?" "It's just a little cold, nothing serious." Zhang Caixia said, "How about I take you back to the Ruan family? I'd feel better knowing your family is taking care of you." Ruan Shaodong had called a few days ago to ask when she would be on break. Chu Tang's original plan was to go home as soon as the law firm let out to prepare for the New Year, but this flu had hit hard. There was a child at home, and Ruan Shaodong had just been discharged from the hospital not long ago. Chu Tang was afraid of passing the virus to them, so she kept putting off going home. Chu Tang said, "I won't go back for now. I'll go once I'm better." Zhang Caixia was very worried about her, "Then will you be alone here tomorrow on New Year's Eve? How about you come home with me for the New Year?" Chu Tang shook her head, "Auntie Zhang, have you forgotten that Grandma Wang, who is old and frail, is at your home? What if I go and infect Grandma Wang?" Only then did Zhang Caixia realize—there was an elderly, sickly old woman at home, and if she caught the flu, it could be fatal. She scratched her head, "Then..." "It's fine, I can take care of myself." "Alright." After the meal, Zhang Caixia did a thorough cleaning, scrubbing every room and the living room inside and out, then went to the supermarket to stock up on New Year goods. After doing all this, Zhang Caixia opened the door to Chu Tang's room, "Tangtang, I've bought the New Year goods. There's fruit in the fridge, and your favorite imported snacks are on the coffee table in the living room." Chu Tang lay in bed, buried in the blanket with only her head poking out, "Mm-hm, thank you for your hard work, Auntie Zhang." "Then I'll be off. Call me anytime if anything comes up." "Okay, Happy New Year, Auntie Zhang." "Happy New Year." Zhang Caixia walked out of the neighborhood but still couldn't stop worrying about Chu Tang. She pulled out her phone and called Jiang Shixu. "President Jiang, Tangtang is sick. She's been lying at home for two days since coming back from the hospital and hasn't gotten better. She told me to go home for the New Year, but I can't rest easy leaving her alone there." Jiang Shixu's heart tightened, "How did she get sick?" Zhang Caixia said, "Seems she caught the flu at the airport on her business trip. She collapsed as soon as she got back." "I understand." After hanging up, Jiang Shixu immediately called Zhou Zheng'an, told him about Chu Tang's illness, and asked him to have his sister Zhou Xueluo go check on Chu Tang. The moment Zhou Xueluo heard Chu Tang was sick, she called right away. "Tangtang, why didn't you tell me you were sick? Are you home alone right now?" Chu Tang answered the phone curled up in her blanket, her voice hoarse from the cold, "Mm, just a cold. Almost better." "I'll come see you later. Is that convenient?" "No need, Xueluo. I went to the hospital for a drip a couple days ago, and the doctor prescribed medicine. After two days of taking it, I'm almost better. I just took my meds and was about to sleep. After I wake up, I should be just about recovered." "Your voice sounds so hoarse—doesn't sound like you're almost better." Zhou Xueluo's tone was full of concern, "I'll bring my family doctor over to take another look at you in a bit." Chu Tang said, "Really, no need to go to the trouble." "Tangtang, with me, what's all this about trouble?" ...... An hour later, Zhou Xueluo rang the doorbell at Chu Tang's place. Before long, very, very soft footsteps came from inside. Chu Tang opened the door with weak, unsteady steps. Zhou Xueluo was shocked at the pale, sickly face behind the door, "Tangtang, how did you end up like this?" Chu Tang replied feebly, "I'm fine, nothing serious." Zhou Xueluo quickly helped support Chu Tang, "I brought my family doctor. Let the doctor take a look." "Mm." After the examination, the doctor gave Chu Tang an injection and prescribed more medicine. Hearing the doctor say Chu Tang should be better by tomorrow, Zhou Xueluo breathed a sigh of relief, "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve—you can have a proper New Year." ...... On New Year's Eve. Amid the sound of firecrackers bidding farewell to the old year, every household was decked out in lanterns and decorations, brimming with festive joy. Chu Tang slept until she naturally woke up. She turned on her phone and saw several missed calls. From Ruan Shaodong, Yang Xuelian, and her best friends Chen Yuanyuan and Zhou Xueluo. All of them asking whether she was feeling better, or wishing her a happy New Year's Eve. Chu Tang called Ruan Shaodong back and said she'd be home for the New Year in a bit. "Tangtang, are you coming home for lunch? We'll wait for you." Chu Tang checked the time on her phone—eleven o'clock. She'd still make it in time for lunch. "Okay." The car drove into the villa district, heading toward the Ruan residence. In the view ahead, that familiar Cullinan appeared. Judging by the license plate, it was Jiang Shixu's car. The Jiang family villa was adjacent to the Ruan family villa, so Chu Tang had to pass by the Jiang residence on her way home. Chu Tang's hands tightened on the steering wheel, a dull ache spreading through her chest. According to Jiangcheng's customs, the New Year's Eve dinner was held in the evening. But the Ruan family's lunch was also quite lavish. Besides a few home-style dishes that Chu Tang loved, imported seafood like Australian lobster, king crab, and East Star grouper were also laid out on the table. Chu Tang took out a thick red envelope and handed it to Ruan Jiaojiao. "Jiaojiao, happy New Year's Eve. This is your lucky money from your big sister." Ruan Jiaojiao accepted it happily. Ruan Shaodong gave red envelopes to both Chu Tang and Ruan Jiaojiao. "One big friend, one little friend—both get lucky money." Chu Tang's eyes curved into a smile. "I'm a big friend and I still get lucky money?" Ruan Shaodong chuckled in reply, "In your father's eyes, you'll always be a child. As long as your dad is here, Tangtang can receive lucky money every year." Chu Tang was so moved that her eyes welled up. "Dad, since when did you get so sentimental?" Yang Xuelian chimed in with a smile from the side, "Tangtang, your father is right." The meal was filled with warmth and joy. After the meal, Chu Tang took Ruan Jiaojiao's hand and strolled through their garden, chatting. When she looked up, she saw a woman standing in the courtyard of the villa next door. It was Li Lanxi. Chu Tang froze in place. Seeing her sister suddenly stop, Ruan Jiaojiao looked up and blinked her big, sparkling eyes in confusion. "Sister, what's wrong?" Chu Tang's whole body went rigid. She pressed her lips together and stared at Li Lanxi in the Jiang family's courtyard. The woman also noticed Chu Tang and waved at her, smiling brightly. That smile, Chu Tang found it glaringly harsh. Chu Tang stood still and did not respond to Li Lanxi's greeting. Just as Li Lanxi finished waving, Jiang Shixu walked out of the house. Li Lanxi turned her head and said something to him, then suddenly pointed in Chu Tang's direction. Realizing what she was doing, Chu Tang's breath caught. The next second, Jiang Shixu indeed turned his head to look at her. Across the short distance, their gazes met in midair. The January north wind of Jiangcheng, biting and bone-chilling, crept into her collar and sleeves. Chu Tang felt an all-encompassing coldness seep through her body. Jiang Shixu only glanced at Chu Tang briefly before casually looking away. He lowered his head and said something to Li Lanxi, and the two of them went back inside together. He brought Li Lanxi home for the New Year to formally meet his parents—was he about to get engaged? A dense, piercing pain spread across Chu Tang's heart. It had been nearly a month since she and Jiang Shixu broke up. She thought she had already moved on. But the moment Li Lanxi appeared in the Jiang family's courtyard, Chu Tang knew—she had never truly let go.