Chapter 16: Miss Meng Returns at the Family Banquet

Jiang Zao rose to her feet, took the file folder that had been lying on the table since the beginning, and handed it to Du Bin, who was standing not far away.

“Du Bin, could you please find someone to help me transfer the ownership? Thank you.”

Du Bin reached out and accepted it, glancing at Xu Yunwei who was sitting opposite him. The light of hope in her eyes was so bright it was almost blinding.

Jiang Zao picked up her handbag and left with Du Bin, never once looking back at Xu Yunwei.

It was only much, much later that Jiang Zao learned Zhou Lichuan had not only bailed Jiang Zheyan out of prison in country M, but had sent Xu Yunwei to Australia as well.

Disasters should not befall wives and children. People must always move forward.

...

That afternoon, the Zhou family old residence was bustling with activity. Not only was everyone present, but there were even a few extra guests.

Jiang Zao watched Meng Qiaoyuan sitting on the sofa, chatting happily with Zhou Huai, and recalled the words Zhou Lichuan had spoken to her in the studio. She no longer felt uneasy, greeted everyone calmly, and quietly stayed by Zhou Lichuan’s side, doing what a girlfriend ought to do.

Shen Xiaonan spotted Jiang Zao and enthusiastically pulled her aside, insisting she should buy more beautiful clothes, complaining that Zhou Lichuan didn’t care enough to buy her any.

In the harmonious atmosphere, Shen Mushi quietly led Zhou Lichuan to a more secluded corner of the living room.

“The test results are out?” Zhou Lichuan asked, already anticipating the news.

Shen Mushi nodded. “Yes. Just as I suspected. There’s indeed a problem.”

“Is the diagnosis clear?” Zhou Lichuan pressed.

Shen Mushi replied with certainty, “Absolutely clear.”

“Is it a brain tumor?”

Shen Mushi blinked, admiring his cousin’s decisiveness. “Yes, a pituitary tumor affecting the thyroid. It’s pressing on your optic nerve, and with your vision already damaged by trauma, that’s why you’re blind now.”

“Is it serious?” Zhou Lichuan asked coolly.

Shen Mushi patted his shoulder. “With me here, it’s not serious. As long as the tumor is removed surgically, your life and quality of living won’t be affected. But it needs to be done soon; your optic nerve is already under pressure, and Jiang Zao mentioned you often feel dizzy. The sooner we act, the less harm.”

“Alright. Arrange the surgery as soon as you can. I’ll tell my parents myself.”

From across the sofa, Jiang Zao watched the two murmuring together and knew Zhou Lichuan’s results weren’t good. Her gaze was full of worry.

As Zhou Huai was discussing the daily diet of heart patients with Meng Qiaoyuan, he suddenly turned to Jiang Zao, “Miss Jiang, is your work at Lichuan’s side going well? He should be careful with his diet—have you been helping him manage it?”

Jiang Zao snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a smile. “Mr. Zhou’s injuries are almost healed; he’s back to a normal diet, and the housekeeper is very professional. The meals are well-balanced and healthy.”

Zhou Huai interjected, “No matter how good the housekeeper, she’s not as professional as a doctor. Little Meng has free time lately—she can drop by Lichuan’s place and help keep an eye on his food. This eye problem can’t go on, he needs both medicine and nutrition.”

“Dad, my injury is from trauma. Nutrition won’t help. Worry about yourself instead. Jiang Zao is already worn out—if she gets sick, I’ll feel bad too.”

Zhou Lichuan, holding Shen Mushi’s arm, walked over to rescue Jiang Zao from the conversation.

“Exactly,” Shen Xiaonan joined in, “Zao’s so thin, she shouldn’t be working herself sick. Lichuan is tall and strong, he can afford to eat less. Don’t wear Zao out, it’s not good.”

Zhou Lichuan sat beside Jiang Zao, facing Meng Qiaoyuan. “Miss Meng, thank you for coming today. To celebrate my parents’ return to the country, we’re having a family dinner tonight. Please stay and join us.”

Meng Qiaoyuan, in all her years, had never been so directly asked to leave. She was momentarily stunned.

Zhou Lichuan’s cane struck the floor twice, his voice sharp, “Lichuan! How could you speak to Dr. Meng like that? She came here especially for me, and you’re telling her to leave?”

Meng Qiaoyuan stood up and quickly soothed Zhou Huai, “Uncle Zhou, please don’t get upset—your health depends on it. It’s true I came unexpectedly, and it’s understandable if Mr. Zhou feels uncomfortable. Please calm down; surely father and son can speak peacefully. If you’re upset, Mr. Zhou will worry too.”

Shen Xiaonan watched coldly from the side, with no intention of helping to comfort Zhou Huai.

Jiang Zao remembered then that Zhou Lichuan had told her on the way over that his mother was quarreling with his father at the hospital over introducing Meng Qiaoyuan to Zhou Lichuan. Their marriage was never particularly close; after years of harmony, this disagreement would surely stir things up again.

Shen Mushi stood behind the sofa and addressed Meng Qiaoyuan, “Dr. Meng, you’re in cardiology, I’m in neurosurgery—we’ll be colleagues. I’m unfamiliar with some hospital procedures; could you guide me?”

His intervention eased the tension in the room. Meng Qiaoyuan understood his purpose and quickly stood. “Of course. Ask me anything you’re unsure about.”

Using the excuse of going over hospital procedures, Meng Qiaoyuan finally escaped the awkward confrontation between father and son.

Had she truly been innocently caught up in this, forced into today’s situation, she would surely have felt embarrassed and would have excused herself. Yet she stayed.

Shen Mushi chatted about the various departments, all the while observing Meng Qiaoyuan, wondering about her real purpose in coming to the Zhou home.

He scrutinized her: her face was solemn, her eyes earnest, her blouse buttoned all the way up, her long hair tied simply behind her with a black band. She was so prim, so rigid. Someone like her could hardly be interested in binding benefits through intimate relationships.

Because of Meng Qiaoyuan’s presence, dinner was a little uneasy. Out of consideration for Zhou Huai’s health, Jiang Zao behaved herself, quietly tending to Zhou Lichuan’s meal.

At home, Zhou Lichuan’s food was always portioned by Aunt Hui and brought separately on a tray. No one in the Zhou household cared about this detail, so at the family table, Jiang Zao took charge of his food.

Zhou Huai watched this scene and could not bear to stir up any more trouble.

Such a delicate, lovely girl, able to serve someone’s meal so skillfully, showed just how devoted she was to Zhou Lichuan.

Everything about her was good, except her background was too low. If she had a skill, it wouldn’t matter, but she was just a helpless, inexperienced girl. Ah.

The next morning, Zhou Lichuan told Jiang Zao about Shen Mushi’s diagnosis.

Jiang Zao was so frightened she burst into tears. “It’s a brain tumor! They have to open your skull—how can that be nothing? And you’re still laughing—how can you laugh at a time like this?”

Zhou Lichuan was so amused by her reaction he doubled over. “Haha, you… There are many kinds of brain tumors. If you don’t believe me, look it up online. Mine is one of the mildest—only serious because the accident pressed on my optic nerve. Alright, alright, stop crying, hmm? The tumor’s in my brain, but I’m still fine, and you’re crying first. How can you be so delicate?”