Chapter 67: The Crybaby Father and the Dashing Mother

As Father Tang recounted the events, Tang Banxia’s expression grew increasingly grave. The situation was far more complicated than she had imagined, and the ramifications reached much deeper.

Before the incident, Tang Minxun had been a key member of Laboratory No. 1. Then, crucial experimental data was lost, forcing the experiment to halt. The National Security Bureau initiated round after round of investigations into everyone in the lab. Because Tang Minxun had studied abroad, he became a primary target of scrutiny. Worse yet, a junior female colleague in his group was found to have questionable affiliations—eventually implicating Tang Minxun as well.

Fortunately, Mother Tang, Su Nan, sensed something was amiss in time. She intervened forcefully, pulling Father Tang out from under the watchful eyes of the authorities, thus saving his life. However, as a result, Su Nan was punished by the Dragon Division.

The Dragon Division was the nation’s most secretive organization, and within it, the Dragon’s Head was its most elite squad. Su Nan was a member of this team. Because of her actions on behalf of Father Tang, she violated Dragon Division’s strict code and was heavily disciplined. Still, with her as his guarantor and with Old Master Tang negotiating behind the scenes, Father Tang’s life was spared. Ultimately, both were exiled to a remote village in the northwest.

Yet, the matter didn’t end there. The crucial experimental data remained missing. Even after their exile, surveillance continued.

Tang Minxun gave a brief account of their current situation, omitting details about Su Nan’s identity and the specifics of his laboratory. He simply explained that a document had gone missing and, until it was found, they were under watch.

After listening to the entire story, Tang Banxia asked, “So, is Village Chief Mao the one watching you?”

Su Nan shook her head. “No, it’s not him. He’s just acting on instructions to keep an eye on us.”

“Then why did he stop us from seeing you?” Tang Banxia pressed.

Su Nan sighed. “Because he’s a good man.”

Seeing her daughter’s confusion, Su Nan explained further. Previously, everyone who had made contact with Tang Minxun was detained under various pretexts and hadn’t been heard from since.

A chill ran down Tang Banxia’s spine. “Does that mean we’re also—?”

“Wuwu~ My darling, it’s all my fault.” Tang Minxun, thinking about how he might have implicated his daughter, couldn’t hold back his tears. “It’s all because of me. You never should have gotten involved. Wuwu~ If anything happens to you, what will I do?”

Su Nan, exasperated, gave him a firm smack on the back of his head. “Enough! Be quiet!”

Obediently, Tang Minxun fell silent, only sniffling now and then.

Tang Banxia was long used to this. In the original host’s memories, she had seen how her parents interacted: the weepy, delicate husband and the heroic, formidable wife. As the youngest child of his generation, Father Tang was coddled from birth and grew up sensitive and tearful at the slightest provocation. Mother Tang, on the other hand, was an orphan adopted by Old Master Tang, who protected Father Tang as if he were a precious chick. They grew up together, fell in love, and married, never changing their dynamic. Even after having children, their roles remained the same.

“Dad, it’s not your fault. I was reckless,” Tang Banxia said, filled with guilt. She had thought her father’s troubles stemmed from his overseas studies and had come rushing over, unaware of the deeper complications. “Did I cause you more trouble?”

Tang Minxun hugged his daughter. “Nonsense! Trouble or not, your mother and I are just happy to see you.”

Su Nan nodded gently, smoothing her daughter’s hair. “You don’t need to worry about a thing. We’re here.”

Tang Minxun added, “Listen, sweetheart, tomorrow you and your companion should return to the countryside. Don’t worry about me—I’ll be fine.”

Su Nan quickly followed up, “If you run into any trouble back home, call your eldest or second brother. If they can’t help, find Aunt Zhang—she’ll know what to do.”

On either side of her, her parents offered earnest advice. Parental love always plans far ahead. Even when trapped in dire circumstances, they only wished for their children’s safety.

But Tang Banxia looked up at them. “Dad, Mom, I’m already here. I’m afraid I can’t leave tomorrow.”

Tang Minxun froze, tears threatening again. Su Nan shot him a look, and he held them back.

“Don’t be afraid,” Su Nan said quietly. “With us here, you and your friend can leave tomorrow. I’ll handle things.”

“But—but—”

“No buts!” Su Nan cut her off. “Your presence here doesn’t help us; it only makes things harder. As long as you and your brothers are safe, your father and I have no weaknesses for others to exploit.”

Su Nan had always felt she owed her daughter, so she indulged her. But this time was different. “The only thing you can do is not give anyone leverage against you. Stay safe. Only then do your father and I have the strength to keep going.”

How could Tang Banxia not understand? She and her brothers were their parents’ greatest vulnerabilities. Wiping away tears she hadn’t noticed, Tang Banxia’s resolve hardened. “I’ll do as you say.”

Only then did Su Nan and Tang Minxun smile in relief.

Estimating that there was still some time left, Tang Banxia suggested, “Mom, Dad, since we have a little time, let me check your pulses.”

She couldn’t help them in other ways, but she could at least do what she was good at.

Without hesitation, Tang Minxun held out his wrist. “Our girl is so talented—even knows how to check pulses now.”

Su Nan added, “If your grandmother could see you now, she’d be so proud.”

Indeed, Old Madam Tang had been a traditional physician herself. The original host grew up surrounded by her grandparents and was steeped in traditional medicine, though she herself had had little interest. But Tang Banxia did, which was why she had no qualms about revealing her medical skills—she had someone to back her up.

She took her parents’ pulses and, to her relief, found their health generally sound, save for some minor ailments.

She withdrew her hands. “Mom, Dad, I brought a lot of things with me. Tomorrow, I’ll find a way to get them to you.”

Not wanting to linger, she stood up. “You probably didn’t receive the letters I mailed. Here are some money and ration tickets—keep them. It’s much easier to manage things if you have cash on hand. Don’t refuse; I can earn money now, and only if you accept it will my brothers and I be at ease.”

Su Nan and Tang Minxun exchanged a glance and accepted the money and tickets. Only then did Tang Banxia feel at ease.

“The village chief should be back soon. We’d better get going,” she said reluctantly, gazing at her parents.

Su Nan caressed her face. “Go on, and take care of yourself.”

Tang Minxun’s eyes brimmed with tears.

No matter how reluctant, they had to leave.

Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai slipped over the wall from the sheepfold and made their way back to Village Chief Mao’s house. After waiting a while and finding nothing amiss, they climbed in through the window. Wen Mubai carefully erased their footprints and closed the window behind them.

Not long after they lay down, they heard a horse’s whinny outside.

Tang Banxia turned over, squinting into the moonlight to observe.

Village Chief Mao tethered his horse, came to check outside their door, and, seeing the grass stems at the threshold still undisturbed, finally let out a breath and returned to his room.