Tang Xiaomin smiled faintly at the corner of her lips.
"Have the days been alright after leaving the Tang family?"
She had acquired the Tang Corporation and undergone a complete transformation. From a problematic girl who only knew how to fight and cause trouble, she had suddenly become a successful individual, renowned and respected.
She called that "alright"? This was clearly mocking his poor judgment and ignorance. Tang Zhongcheng felt a pang of unease.
After another long silence, he said, "Just now, Tang Xu came to see me. He told me that Yiyi is sick. Yiyi's kidneys seem to have a problem and require treatment."
*Bang!*
Tang Xiaomin slammed the table in anger and stood up. With a fierce glare, she roared at Tang Zhongcheng, "She's sick, so why are you coming to me? Do you want me to donate a kidney to her!"
Tang Xiaomin's reaction was so intense that Tang Zhongcheng knew she had misunderstood him. "Xiaomin, that's not what I meant. I don't have any intention of asking you to donate a kidney to her."
"Then why are you here!" Tang Xiaomin shouted at Tang Zhongcheng, her anger escalating. "You never used to come to me. How come you only show up when Tang Yiyi gets sick? You're such a good father!"
"Xiaomin, I really didn't mean it..."
*Splash...*
A cup of coffee was directly doused onto Tang Zhongcheng's face. The brown liquid dripped down his face and onto his white shirt, making him look both pathetic and repulsive.
He had come to her out of concern, only to be misunderstood and treated this way. Tang Zhongcheng bitterly picked up a tissue and began to wipe himself clean.
"Your mother and I went to see a dream interpreter. The master said that dreams are a form of warning."
"I know you hate me. I've only come today to tell you this: no matter how ill Yiyi becomes, I will absolutely not let you donate a kidney to her."
The way he said it made it sound as if they could just take her kidney if they wanted to. Tang Xiaomin grabbed Tang Zhongcheng's collar with such force that he struggled to breathe and his face turned red.
Tang Xiaomin gritted her teeth, lowered her voice, and said fiercely, "Do you think I'm still the same person who would come when you called and be dismissed when you waved? I can end your life with a mere flick of my wrist!"
"Stop being so fake in front of me. After everything that's happened, do you think I'd still believe your lies?"
"Heh... Zhang Meiyu might believe you, but look at her fate now."
"You love Tang Yiyi so much. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to dote on her."
With that, Tang Xiaomin released Tang Zhongcheng and stormed out of the coffee shop.
*Huff, huff, huff...*
Tang Zhongcheng's face was flushed and his neck was red as he panted heavily. He listened to Tang Xiaomin's words with disbelief. What did she mean she wasn't the Tang Xiaomin of the past? And he truly hadn't meant it that way.
"Xiaomin..."
"Xiaomin, listen to me."
"Xiaomin..."
...
Tang Zhongcheng chased after her outside. By then, Tang Xiaomin had already gotten into her car. He tried to stop her car to explain himself clearly. However, the car not only didn't slow down but accelerated towards him.
The driver, Zhong Li, seeing this, asked Tang Xiaomin for instructions. "Miss Tang, what should we do?"
Tang Xiaomin didn't hesitate. "Ignore him!"
...
At the critical moment, Tang Zhongcheng flinched and quickly dodged. The car whizzed past him. It was clear that Tang Xiaomin genuinely had the impulse to run him over.
He had come to her out of genuine concern for Tang Xiaomin. He never expected Tang Xiaomin to think so ill of him. Everyone had their own destiny. As her father, how could he sacrifice Tang Xiaomin just because Tang Yiyi was sick? Was that something a human would do? But in his nightmares, he was worse than an animal.
...
On the way back, Tang Zhongcheng kept replaying Tang Xiaomin's words in his mind. Tang Xiaomin had a quick temper, but on this matter, she seemed exceptionally agitated. He pondered for a long time but couldn't quite figure it out. He didn't go to the hospital but returned to his rented room. Regarding Tang Yiyi's illness, he felt regret, and that was all.
...
At the hospital.
Although Tang Yiyi was out of danger, the excessive medication she had taken had caused damage to both her kidneys. Her complexion was pale, and her lips were white. One hand had an IV drip, while the other, free hand, was struggling to rub her aching waist. That ache was indeed caused by kidney damage. Currently, the hospital was treating Tang Yiyi conservatively, aiming to stabilize her condition as much as possible. Tang Xu was solely responsible for the expenses.
When Tang Xu returned, he brought some fruit and food for Tang Yiyi. "Yiyi, time to eat."
Tang Xu set up a makeshift dining table and laid out the bowls and chopsticks. Tang Yiyi looked extremely disappointed when she saw him returning alone. "Where's Daddy? Didn't Daddy come with you?"
Mentioning her father, Tang Xu felt annoyed. How could he tell Tang Yiyi that their father knew she was sick but had gone to find Tang Xiaomin? "Daddy has something to do today. He'll come to see you another day."
Tang Zhongcheng had no job; what else could he be busy with? "He disowned me on the phone. He thinks I'm a burden to him, that I've ruined him, and that he won't take care of me anymore..." Tang Yiyi started to sob as she spoke.
Tang Xu gently stroked Tang Yiyi's head. "What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of father abandons his child? Don't overthink it."
"Eat first, and get better quickly. That's what's most important." Tang Yiyi ate silently, swallowing each bite mixed with tears. Tang Xu was right; she needed to recover quickly. She couldn't lose; she hadn't lost yet. As long as she had a healthy body, her future held infinite possibilities.
Amidst her sorrow, Tang Yiyi actively accepted treatment. A few days later, Tang Yiyi's pathology report came out. After reading Tang Yiyi's report, Tang Xu's expression grew increasingly grave. This was because Tang Yiyi's kidney damage was permanent. Current treatment methods could only attempt to control her condition and prevent further deterioration. But how long it could be controlled was anyone's guess.
When Tang Xu returned to the ward, Tang Yiyi was restlessly rubbing her waist. "Third Brother, when can I be discharged?"
Tang Xu dared not tell Tang Yiyi the truth, fearing it would shock her. "You can be discharged this afternoon. However, you'll need to come back for a check-up every week. There won't be any major issues."
"Oh, but I feel so tired lately," Tang Yiyi murmured innocently.
"When you stay in the hospital for too long, you feel like this. It's normal. You'll feel better once you're home." Under Tang Xu's well-intentioned lie, Tang Yiyi was discharged and returned to a small apartment rented by Tang Xu near the hospital. Tang Xu had his own job and couldn't possibly take care of Tang Yiyi twenty-four hours a day. Thus, Tang Yiyi was forced to learn to take care of herself.