Chapter 129: The Embodiment of Calamity

When Tang Xinyi came in, Wen Mubai had already folded the quilt and was sweeping the floor. Yet, Tang Xinyi keenly sensed some subtle atmosphere in the room and looked at Tang Banxia with a meaningful gaze.

Tang Banxia played dumb, “Sister, have you eaten?”

“Are you asking about lunch or breakfast?” Tang Xinyi leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Tang Banxia was momentarily embarrassed but stubbornly protected her dignity: “Lunch.”

Tang Xinyi clicked her tongue, not pressing the matter further. “Geng Zhengfei told you, right?”

“Yes, but not much,” Tang Banxia replied while washing up.

Tang Xinyi grabbed a small folding stool and sat down. Dressed in a black Lenin-style jacket, her hair cut short and sharp, paired with white sneakers, she looked out of place in the drab kitchen. Still, she settled comfortably.

“In Jing City, they’ve discovered a new type of toxin. So far, no antidote has been developed. Grandpa wants you to go,” Tang Xinyi said.

“Because of this toxin, many top industry veterans have gathered there. Grandpa worked hard to secure you a spot to observe and learn. But he also said it depends on you—if you want to go, he’ll arrange it; if not, he’ll decline on your behalf.”

Though the younger sister was talented, she hadn’t had systematic training. Attending a gathering of top experts could only benefit her.

Tang Banxia naturally knew this. “Of course I’ll go,” she said.

Even if she only carried a tray, she had to be there. She wasn’t foolish.

Despite being able to concoct something like Mengjin Powder, she remained humble, fully aware of her own limitations.

Everything she had achieved was standing on the shoulders of giants. To put it bluntly, she had taken shortcuts.

The difference between her and the current research institute was vast; they were true masters, while she was a mere novice.

She would do anything to get into such a gathering; there was no reason not to attend.

Excited, she asked, “Sister, when do we leave?”

Tang Xinyi saw the excitement in her eyes and beckoned her closer.

Tang Banxia obediently moved forward. “Sister?”

Tang Xinyi rubbed her a couple of times. “I’ll go back and arrange personnel. When it’s time to leave, Geng Zhengfei will let you know.”

Tang Banxia nodded obediently.

Just then, the water in the pot boiled. She threw in some dry noodles, fried two eggs on the stove where herbs were simmering, and scooped out a piece of fried meat, slicing it.

Once the noodles were cooked, she laid a base of pickled vegetables and pork lard in a bowl, poured in the hot soup, added the noodles, then topped with the fried eggs and meat slices. She also added some pickled radish and spicy kimchi. That was their breakfast.

Wen Mubai returned with water, greeted Tang Xinyi, and sat down, slurping the noodles.

Seeing him, Tang Xinyi couldn’t help but admit that her little sister had good taste.

This kid really had the makings of a troublemaker—just a bit of a useless layabout who was living off her sister’s support.

But what did it matter? The little sister could afford to support him.

“Son, will you bring your brother-in-law when we return to the capital this time?” Tang Xinyi asked, a thought crossing her mind.

Her words caught both their attention. Wen Mubai first looked at Tang Xinyi, then at Tang Banxia.

Tang Banxia reassured him with a smile, “Of course, why not?”

Since they were going to the capital, she planned to take Wen Mubai to a big hospital for a gastroscopy.

Although she had been nursing his stomach, seeing medical images was more direct.

Sometimes, Western medicine was necessary; the combination of Chinese and Western medicine was ideal.

Tang Xinyi rubbed her chin, a little troubled. “But there’s only one spot for you, and no family members are allowed.”

That spot was fiercely contested by Grandpa.

Wen Mubai’s face immediately fell. He poked at his noodles absentmindedly. “It’s fine, I don’t have to go.”

“I’ve never been to Jing City and am curious, but Banxia, don’t worry about me. I don’t want to be a burden.”

Tang Banxia thought: …Where did he learn that green tea tactic?

Tang Xinyi: …

Although they were considerate words, they sounded strange to her.

The sisters exchanged glances for a moment. Wen Mubai continued his dutiful husband speech, “I’ve spent New Year’s alone in the village for so many years. Banxia, don’t feel guilty.”

Tang Banxia wanted to say she wasn’t guilty, but seeing Wen Mubai on the verge of tears, she swallowed the words.

What if he really started crying?

“Sister, if Xiaobai doesn’t take the spot, can he apply for a family visit? To visit Jing City and stay at Grandpa’s house?” Tang Banxia looked at her sister hopefully.

Wen Mubai blinked rapidly, tears threatening to fall.

Tang Xinyi, you troublemaker!

She gave Wen Mubai a sharp glance, then squinted at Tang Banxia.

Tang Banxia’s heart trembled but she persisted, “Sister~ please~ you wouldn’t want the couple to be separated, right? Sister~” She twisted Tang Xinyi’s sleeve until it was almost a knot.

Young intellectuals only had one family visit leave every two years. Wen Mubai had used his last year when they went to Jiang City; rules said no leave this year.

Unlike last year’s Tang Banxia, whose merits were concrete.

But, well, there was always another way in~

She kept shaking her sister, “Sister~ Grandma hasn’t even met Xiaobai yet; she’s been talking about it for ages~”

Tang Xinyi was dizzy from the shaking and threw off Tang Banxia’s hand. “Tang Banxia, I must have owed you in a past life. I’ll find a way, but if anything goes wrong, you deal with it!”

Tang Banxia, ever the flatterer, pinched her sister’s leg. “Okay, I’ll take responsibility.”

“Thank you, sister, you’re the best!”

Seeing her like that, Tang Xinyi’s harsh expression softened, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She looked sideways. “Then how will you repay me?”

“I’ll make you two jars of amber walnuts, and Xiaobai will shell them,” Tang Banxia said smartly.

Tang Xinyi looked at Wen Mubai, who nodded in agreement.

“That’s more like it,” Tang Xinyi hummed.

Tang Banxia gave Wen Mubai a signal. He promptly picked up his bowl and chopsticks and went out to shell the walnuts.

He went down to the cellar, brought up a yard of cloth, told the sisters, and left the courtyard.

No sooner had he stepped outside than he couldn’t help but laugh, thinking of how his wife had just acted coy. His heart ached with anticipation, wondering when she might tease him like that again.

Sheng Qianqian stared dumbfounded at Wen Mubai’s radiant smile, surprised.

This rascal actually looked handsome when he smiled?

Wen Mubai had long noticed her but merely cast a contemptuous glance her way, walking past without breaking his gaze.

Naturally, he went to his elder sister’s house to exchange walnuts. Upon arrival at Mrs. Hu’s place, Wen Mubai explained his purpose.

Mrs. Hu immediately dragged out half a sack. “Is this enough? If not, my family has more. Want me to bring some this afternoon?”

Even Wen Mubai, who was used to taking advantage, felt a pang of guilt.

“That’s enough, that’s enough. Sister, where’s my brother-in-law?”

Why wasn’t Hu Huasheng here to supervise? That was odd.

Mrs. Hu pouted. “He’s over there playing the dutiful son-in-law. Don’t mind him. Xiaobai, come in for some water. I just bought sugar to make sweet water for you.”

Wen Mubai shook his head. “Banxia’s still waiting at home. Another day.”

He put down the cloth. “I must be going. I’ll come back for that sweet water another day.”

“Well, I’ll be waiting!” Mrs. Hu’s face lit up when she saw the cloth. Great, she could make two vests for her daughter.

Wen Mubai dragged the sack back home. Upon returning, he saw Sheng Qianqian lingering nearby and immediately darkened his face.

“What do you want?”