Chapter 296 - 267: Endurance
Chapter 296: Chapter 267: Endurance
"You’re the one who’s out of line! You and your cousin blocked my way and made all sorts of snide remarks. Is this how the Gu family treats its guests? Do you dare come with me and let Grandpa Gu and Granny Gu decide who’s right?"
"Tang Manman, we should handle our own problems. Why do you always have to rely on others? Stop making me look down on you!"
"You look down on me? That’s hilarious. As if I have any respect for you!" Xiao Man said. "I rely on others? Are you talking about whatever Shaojun said to you this morning? That has nothing to do with me. It’s between you and your brother—I never mentioned you to him! As for handling our own problems, if you were capable of that, you wouldn’t have brought your cousin here to meddle in my business. But of course, I’m not capable either. So, I guess we’ll just have to take this to Grandpa Gu and Granny Gu!"
"Tang Manman, you can’t go! What’s the point of always tattling?" Gu Shaoling grew frantic and reached out to grab Xiao Man.
’No matter how doted on she was, she would still be punished for messing up on important matters. When Grandpa got strict, he was like an uncompromising judge, showing no mercy at all.’
’Blocking Xiao Man with her cousin had been on a whim. She just wanted to pick on her and vent some frustration. After all, her older brother had made her cry because of that girl and didn’t even try to comfort her! He used to dote on her and protect her so much. Not even Tang Yaxuan had been more important to him. But ever since Tang Manman showed up, everything had changed. She refused to accept it!’
’But what if Tang Manman actually went and tattled to her grandparents? Grandma wouldn’t be a problem; she always sided with her granddaughter. But if Grandpa happened to find out, she would be in for it!’
"And why shouldn’t I? A moment ago, you were accusing me of relying on others. Well, it’s great having someone to rely on, isn’t it? You should find someone to rely on, too. Then you wouldn’t have to be afraid of me tattling!"
Xiao Man dodged Gu Shaoling’s grasping hands and, letting her stomp her feet in a furious tantrum, turned and walked back into the living room.
Gu Shaoling started to follow her, but Tian Sisi quickly pulled her back. "Why don’t we go find your mother? She can talk to that Tang Manman and tell her not to go tattling. Your mom is an elder. She has to listen to an elder, right?"
"But my mom is busy preparing gifts for our trip to my maternal grandmother’s house tomorrow. She also has to look after Third Aunt and the new baby sister." Gu Shaoling blinked. "Third Aunt gave birth to a cute, healthy baby girl, and the whole family adores her. Since it’s the middle of winter, they’re making Third Aunt go through a double confinement period—meaning she has to stay indoors with the baby for a full two months. My mom’s only home for a few days for the New Year. Since she’s a doctor and not great at housework, Granny just put her in charge of looking after the new mother."
Tian Sisi said, "Just have your mom come over for a minute. It won’t take long."
’In truth, Tian Sisi was also eager to go into the living room, but she felt a little intimidated going in with just Gu Shaoling. If her aunt led the way, however, she’d be brave enough.’
’No matter how much Granny Gu disliked the Tian family, she still had to show her aunt some respect. After all, her aunt had been married to her uncle for many years and had given birth to her cousins, Shaofeng and Shaoling. Besides, her aunt was now the deputy director of the Navy Hospital, no longer the insignificant doctor the Gu family had once looked down on.’
Gu Shaoling thought it over and decided to take Tian Sisi’s suggestion. She went with her to find her mother and get her to bail them out.
Meanwhile, Xiao Man sat with the elderly ladies, chatting and laughing, never once mentioning what had just happened outside. ’She wasn’t a real teenager, after all. Bringing a childish squabble before the adults could easily turn it into a complicated mess if handled poorly. She was here today as a guest, not a troublemaker.’
But Gu Shaoling and Tian Sisi actually managed to convince Tian Xueqin to come. Tian Xueqin listened as her daughter and niece chaotically explained their side of the conflict with Xiao Man. Though she chided them briefly, she was also worried her daughter would be punished by the patriarch, so she led them over.
In truth, Tian Xueqin had been planning to talk to Xiao Man for a while. She was a doctor. Before her transfer to the Navy Hospital, she had been the one to manage the patriarch’s medication at the family home in Beijing, so she knew his physical condition inside and out. The last time the patriarch had suddenly fallen into a coma, she hadn’t been able to make it back in time. Old Mrs. Gu had brazenly allowed a teenage girl to perform acupuncture on him and even prescribe medicine. Incredibly, the girl had actually managed to wake him up. When Gu Qiyuan heard about it, he broke out in a cold sweat and flew into a rage at her, berating her for not returning home immediately to care for his father. ’But that was during the initial stages of military preparations—whose job wasn’t critical then? She was a deputy director; could she really just pack up and leave? Beijing was full of renowned, authoritative doctors. Did they really have to wait for her?’
’Needless to say, she felt deeply wronged. But this Tang Manman had secretly impressed her. The girl had not only cured the patriarch but had nursed him back to such good health that he had even stopped taking the supplements she’d previously prescribed. She had wanted to give him a full check-up herself, but the old man wouldn’t allow it.’
’Unlike other practitioners of Western medicine, she didn’t look down on Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM was a national treasure of Huaxia’s heritage, and the Navy Hospital was short on that kind of talent. If the girl was sharp and sensible, she could pull some strings for her. In the future, getting into medical school, joining a military hospital—it would all be smooth sailing for her.’