Chapter 69: Fourteen Years, an Old Acquaintance's Play

"Brother Gu Yunci, I really like Miss Meng, and I've never put her in a difficult spot."

Bai Cixian sobbed, and anyone who didn't know would think she had suffered a great injustice.

"That's best."

The man said coldly, then turned and left.

Gu Yenan watched Bai Cixian wipe her tears, slowly rose, and said, "Now that I think about it, what my older nephew said wasn't without reason!"

"You're not worried she'll speak poorly; you're afraid she'll actually do well and block your path, aren't you?"

Bai Cixian was startled, stopped crying, and said, "Second Uncle, I…"

Gu Yenan was too lazy to hear her explanation, turned his gaze and asked Secretary Zhang, "How did Meng Shutang end up in the Gu Clan? Was she specially invited by Zhou Songyan?"

Secretary Zhang replied, "Didn't President Gu say he would donate a batch of cultural relics to the Palace Museum? She is the expert the Palace Museum sent over to handle relic restoration and appraisal."

She saw through the Ming‑dynasty gold‑inlaid jade as a fake; this woman's eyes are poisonous, even more so than her mother's.

Gu Yenan sneered, "My older nephew's brain is waterlogged too. You tell me, it would be so good for me, yet it just isn't."

"He insists on giving them to the Palace Museum, calling it cultural heritage, but it's just a feather of inheritance!"

"Our Gu family's treasure, if it really ends up in the museum, can it honestly stay there for the public to see?"

"I think, maybe the people inside are even more scheming than I am."

Secretary Zhang said nothing.

After a while, "Second Master, you said President Gu knows the Ming gold‑inlaid jade is fake, so why doesn't he cause you trouble?"

Gu Yenan raised his hand and thumped his head, "Kid, your brain's waterlogged; you can't stand seeing me do well, can you?"

Secretary Zhang shielded his head, whimpering, "It's not that—I was afraid Gu Yunci was scheming again, setting a trap for him to fall into."

Gu Yenan gave him a cold glance and ignored him. Gu Yeheng cherishes his reputation, and wouldn't ruin the Gu family's name over a broken pearl.

His older nephew doesn't dare continue the investigation.

He looked at Meng Shutang and gave a suddenly sinister smile, "Don't think that just because someone backs you up you can be smug; this line of work isn't for just anyone."

"If you dare ruin my good deeds, sooner or later you'll end up like your mother."

…

Even though she hadn't given a lecture in four years, Meng Shutang spoke steadily, and many said it was even better than four years ago.

Because this time, she dug deeper than before.

The whole process was without a single idle word; her control of the scene was excellent, almost like a timed checkpoint.

After it ended, Meng Shutang took her bow and prepared to leave.

Gu Yunci walked over and congratulated her.

He thought Meng Shutang would at least give her a friendly face; after all, he had just helped her out of a jam.

Indeed, Meng Shutang was courteous, but she really didn't want to talk to him.

Her coldness was exactly the same as during the period when she first returned to the country.

Gu Yunci stood there, pondering, "Where did I offend you again?"

After thinking for a long time, he suddenly recalled that, because he was busy, he hadn't been to the hospital for several days.

Could it be because of that?

It shouldn't be; wherever it is, Meng Shutang doesn't want to see him.

After work that afternoon, Meng Shutang went to the hospital.

"Aunt Wang, you rest; I'll do the exercise routine for my mother."

Aunt Wang and several other caregivers were hired by Meng Shutang specifically to look after Zhou Xingfan.

Since the time she accidentally discovered Zhou Xingfan's fingers could move, Doctor Huo's medical team has been monitoring him, and they are increasingly convinced that Zhou Xingfan shows signs of revival.

Besides neurological treatment and awakening drugs, passive rehabilitation and awakening care become especially important.

Before it was two aunties taking turns caring for him; now it's six.

But regardless of which of them is here, as soon as Meng Shutang arrives, she personally takes over, letting them rest.

Thus all the caregiver aunties here know her and like her a lot.

Passive rehab and awakening care techniques are simple and easy to apply; the only hassle is the sheer number of times per day.

For example, joint movement exercises once every hour.

Turning and back‑patting every two hours.

Massage is even more countless.

And when doing these, the motions must be gentle and soft; no rushing, no force.

She was in the middle of it when the door suddenly opened.

She thought it was Aunt Wang returning, and smiled, "Aunt Wang, you can rest assured; I'm familiar with all these techniques."

When the unfamiliar sound of leather shoes echoed in the room, Meng Shutang's hand froze.

It wasn't Gu Yunci, nor was it Huo Yanchen; then who could it be?

A face suddenly flashed in her mind, and Meng Shutang jerked her head up.

Meng Zhibang, the father she had called for twenty‑eight years, stood hesitantly at the doorway, in a suit and tie, cultured and refined, starkly out of place in the bleak, sterile, disinfectant‑smelling ward.

The color in Meng Shutang's eyes began to coagulate.

Fourteen years have passed; Zhou Xingfan has lain here for fourteen years, and he has never come even once.

It seemed the person lying on the sickbed had nothing to do with him.

And now, at the moment she exposed his family's hidden affair—his mother's infidelity with a close friend—he finally has the nerve to appear.

Meng Zhibang dared not look at her.

He placed the gift he had bought at the doorway, slowly approached the bedside, his gaze falling on that pale, gaunt, lifeless face; his Adam's apple bobbed, and a hint of guilt appeared in his eyes.

"Zhou Xingfan, I'm here to see you."

"I have never forgotten you; at midnight when I dream, I still recall the beautiful, joyous years we spent together."

"Meng Zhibang is speaking sincerely."

"Bai Lianyue is beautiful, but her beauty is like the moon in the sky."

"The moon looks gentle and bright, yet its surface is nothing but cracked, barren shards, cratered meteor pits full of holes, and uneven, lifeless wastelands."

"But Zhou Xingfan is different; she is an ancient pearl with a breezy spirit, a talented woman descended to the mortal world."

"Every frown and smile radiates aura; her beautiful eyes surpass ten thousand rivers of stars; her beauty is lively, fresh, and rare in the world."

"The ancient poem says: 'Having once seen the vast sea, other waters are not enough; except for Mount Wu, no clouds compare.'"

"Having seen her smile, one knows there is no second beauty in this world—every moment with her is like a spring breeze brushing the branches, starlight falling upon the world."

"He never thought of breaking this silence; his wife, Zhou Xingfan, kept Bai Lianyue and her daughter outside."

"Who could have known, that by a simple careless act, Zhou Xingfan would stumble upon it!"

"Even now he cannot understand; he was clearly being careful, yet it still happened."

"Meng Shutang looked at the guilt on his face and gave a cold smile,"

"\"What, are the days outside going too smoothly, making your conscience suddenly ache? \""

"\"Or do you think you should come over and stage a deep, devoted love, just to make yourself feel a bit justified? \""

"His face went pale: \"Tang Tang, I... \""

"\"Don't call me, \" she said, stepping forward, standing in front of the sickbed as if protecting the last shred of dignity. \"Fourteen years, you never delivered a meal, never wiped her body, never kept a single long night. \""

"\"Now you come, thinking we'll accept your affection? \""

"She looked at the motionless Zhou Xingfan on the bed, her voice rising slightly, holding back tears and hatred, \"My mother has lain here for fourteen years, while you are in a gentle world outside, and the daughter is sensible and obedient."

"You now come to see her, intending to tell her how glorious you are? Or to tell her how laughable her love for you is? \""

"The man's face turned completely pale, his lips trembling, \"It's not like that. I came, but I can't accept that your mother is lying here; I'm scared. \""

"Meng Shutang didn't want to argue with him here; it would tarnish Zhou Xingfan's purity."

"\"You may leave. My mother doesn't need your visits, let alone your false compassion. \""

"After speaking, she turned around and covered her mother with a blanket."

"She saw clearly, as if in a spasm, Zhou Xingfan's hand move slightly."

"Meng Zhibang also saw it."

"His complexion turned white."

"Fourteen years—could she wake up?"

"Meng Zhibang was about to speak when Bai Cixian appeared at the doorway, \"Dad, if you're not welcome, just leave! \""

"Meng Zhibang didn't move."

"Bai Cixian stepped forward and grabbed her, \"Dad, the deep cooperation project between the Meng Clan and the Gu Clan is about to expire, and President Gu just asked whether it should continue? \""

"\"President Gu is here? \""

"\"Yes. \""