Chapter 450 - 390: Guilt
Chapter 450: Chapter 390: Guilt
Over by the bed, Tang Yaxuan had already taken several kinds of snacks out of a wicker basket and placed them on the nightstand. They were all fresh from the steamer and still piping hot. There was also a congee with shredded chicken and scallions, its aroma so enticing it made one’s mouth water.
Wu Xiaowen couldn’t help but swallow. "Why are you putting it here?" she said. "You should put it on the coffee table over by your grandparents so everyone can eat together."
Tang Yaxuan blinked. "Uncle Bai said you’re the patient and that your appetite might be better today. He specifically told me to buy these things. There’s a lot, so you eat first, Mom. We’ll eat after you’ve had your fill!"
"Oh, you," Wu Xiaowen chided good-naturedly, stealing a glance at Bai Lihua. ’How comforting and sweet.’ "Your Uncle Bai came so early this morning and hasn’t had anything to eat. Get him a bowl of congee."
Bai Lihua smiled. "I won’t have any. You take your time and eat. Don’t worry about anything else. Just get some rest after you’re done. I have to go back for a bit, but I’ll be back this afternoon."
As he spoke, he picked up his briefcase and gave it a little lift toward Wu Xiaowen. She understood his meaning. Though she was a little reluctant to see him go, she let him leave, saying, "If you’re busy, you don’t have to come back. I’m fine now. I should be able to leave the hospital after another two days of observation."
"I will be back this afternoon. I’ll talk to the doctor then and see what he says."
Bai Lihua then said goodbye to the two Wu elders. Sent off by Tang Yaxuan’s sweet "Goodbye, Uncle Bai," he quickly walked out of the hospital room.
Wu Yu Xuan and Lin Aizhen also stood up politely to see their guest out. The moment Bai Lihua closed the door behind him, they turned and gathered around Wu Xiaowen’s bed. Lin Aizhen looked at her daughter and asked, "Hasn’t Hao Hao come yet? What time did he say he’d be here yesterday?"
With her mouth full of congee, Wu Xiaowen pointed toward the nightstand cabinet. Lin Aizhen quickly told Tang Yaxuan to open it. She pulled out two large mesh bags, and the rich aroma of Chinese herbs immediately filled the air. Peeling back the newspaper wrapping, they saw rows of neatly packed herb packets. Wu Yu Xuan and Lin Aizhen knew at once that Hao Hao had already been there. He had brought the medicine Manman prepared for them, just as they had requested—the medicine that would restore their health!
The couple’s faces instantly lit up with joy. They preciously clutched the mesh bags, carried them over to the sofa, and eagerly tore away the newspaper. They took deep, intoxicated whiffs of the pure, mellow herbal scent, then excitedly counted the packets over and over, estimating how long the medicine would last.
They had specifically instructed Hao Hao to have Manman include some special herbs that would turn their white hair black and make them look younger. Their standards weren’t too high—just being like Grandpa and Grandma Tang would be enough!
’Once their bodies were healthy and their appearances rejuvenated, not only could Wu Yu Xuan extend his working years, but Lin Aizhen was also eager to be rehired by her school to teach again and put her skills to use. A person only feels passionate and keeps up with the times when they’re working. Being retired at home, idling all day with a bunch of other old folks, meant being abandoned by the era and forgotten by society! Many young people were willing to study drama now, and according to some experts, the field was only going to become more popular. An old colleague of Lin Aizhen’s had already been rehired by the school. Thinking about how that person would one day have students all over the world, reaping both fame and fortune, made Lin Aizhen’s heart itch with envy. She had studied abroad and earned her credentials, after all. How could she let herself fall behind?’
’Just wait. Once her graying hair turned black and her withered, haggard face became rosy and full again, she would go out and show herself off. She’d dazzle them all. Then, she wouldn’t have to worry about them not coming to her door!’
The couple joyfully and excitedly fiddled with the herb packets, chattering happily to each other. In truth, they had seen Hao Hao give Wu Xiaowen a pill to eat that day and had coveted that tiny thing even more. But Hao Hao had coldly told them it was impossible; his sister had only one, which she gave him to save his life. Not even their grandparents had one! So, the two of them settled for second best. Just getting this batch of herbs was already more than they could have ever hoped for.
After being overjoyed for some time, Wu Yu Xuan and Lin Aizhen regained a bit of their composure and wanted to go home immediately to brew the medicine. Wu Xiaowen told them to at least have some congee and snacks, but they felt it was a waste of time and refused. Just before he left, Wu Yu Xuan suddenly remembered something and asked Wu Xiaowen:
"Did Manman leave any instructions? Like any dietary restrictions or anything? And how many courses of treatment is this? How many times should each packet be boiled?"
Wu Xiaowen froze. Only then did she remember that the piece of kraft paper Manman had written the instructions on had been taken by Bai Lihua.
’Thank goodness he took it. It would have been a disaster if Mom and Dad had seen that it was for three courses of treatment! They’d be heartbroken to know that a portion of the medicine they’d been dreaming of was given to Mr. Bai, wouldn’t they?’
Wu Xiaowen felt a pang of guilt, but then she figured she could just have Hao Hao ask Manman for a replacement later, which eased her conscience. Fortunately, her memory was good, and she could still recall the contents of the kraft paper. She carefully relayed the instructions to her parents, but of course, she changed their "three courses of treatment" to "two." Then she pointed to the mesh bag Wu Yu Xuan was holding and said, "Some of the packets in there are marked. Manman prescribed those for me. They’re for nourishing my body and improving my complexion."
When Wu Yu Xuan and Lin Aizhen heard that not all the medicine in the two bags was for them, they were immediately a little disappointed. But then an idea struck Lin Aizhen, and she said to her daughter, "Oh, Xiao Xiao, the doctor said you’re recovering exceptionally well. It doesn’t matter if you take this medicine or not. Besides, the medicinal effects of that pill Hao Hao gave you probably haven’t even worn off yet. That one was much more advanced, much better. You need to let your body fully absorb it. For now, you shouldn’t take these herbs. Mom will take them home and keep them for you. When you feel like taking them later, you can come back home, and I’ll have the pot ready to brew them for you. What do you think?"
Wu Xiaowen nodded indifferently. "I don’t like drinking Chinese medicine anyway, and I’m definitely not in the mood to brew it right now. You can take it back with you, Mom."
Lin Aizhen smiled and agreed, telling Wu Xiaowen to rest well and reminding Tang Yaxuan to take good care of her. Then, the old couple, each clutching a mesh bag, left in high spirits.
Tang Yaxuan stood by the bed, gently massaging Wu Xiaowen’s shoulders with both hands. She also knew that Xiao Man was skilled in medicine and didn’t give it out lightly; any medicine she gave was bound to be incredibly effective. Seeing Wu Xiaowen push away those herbs without the slightest regret, her mouth opened and closed. ’I should really remind Mom to keep the medicine. If it can nourish the body and improve complexion, isn’t that wonderful and rare? If Mom won’t take it, I can!’
Once the door to the room was closed, Tang Yaxuan couldn’t hold it in any longer and finally said what was on her mind:
"Mom, you don’t actually have to go back to the old house to brew the medicine. I know how to do it, you know. Have you forgotten about the time my aunt... Wu Xiaorui’s friend came to stay with her and needed to take Chinese medicine for a week? I was the one who brewed it all. Even though you have a strong constitution and are recovering quickly, don’t you think Sister Manman knows whether you need medicine or not? Since she specifically prescribed it for you, it must mean you need it! You just said you don’t like Chinese medicine and let Grandma take it all away. What if you end up with some lingering health problems because you didn’t take it? What will you do then? Never mind my brother and I being worried—you’d be the one suffering!"
After hearing this, Wu Xiaowen thought about it and realized it was true. She turned, reached up, and stroked Tang Yaxuan’s rosy cheeks. "Good girl, you’re right. Mommy was being too careless. Go eat your breakfast. After I get out of the hospital in a day or two, I’ll go to Grandma’s and get the medicine back."