Tang Xiaomin went online to take a look.
The previous clamoring about extravagant funerals had now vanished without a trace.
Even if there were any lingering comments, they were few and sour, unable to stir up any waves amidst the tide of support.
The crisis for Xianfu Group not only dissipated but also benefited from a publicity boost due to the charm displayed at Jian Meng's funeral.
It would now be nearly impossible to slander Xianfu Group as they had done before.
...
Tang Xu was detained in a holding cell, suspected of intentional assault and illegal surgery.
The Tang family faced one crisis after another.
Zhang Meiyu was consumed by worry, losing her appetite and weeping ceaselessly.
Tang Ye and Tang Zhongcheng sat in the living room, their faces grim.
After a long silence, Tang Ye finally spoke.
"Dad, the lawyer said that since the victim is Tang Xiaomin, if we can get her forgiveness, Tang Xu might get a reduced sentence."
Regardless, he would still have to serve time.
"How about I go and plead with Tang Xiaomin?"
After all, they were brothers. No matter how excessive Tang Xu had been, Tang Ye felt obligated to help him as a family member.
Having gone through so much, Tang Zhongcheng was at a loss for what to do. He felt too ashamed to beg Tang Xiaomin.
"Tang Ye, talk to Xiaomin nicely. Even if she doesn't forgive him, don't be harsh," Tang Zhongcheng advised. "Tang Xu was indeed too much this time. He knew the consequences before he acted."
"Tang Xu is willing to go to jail for Tang Yiyi. Is it worth it?" Tang Ye mused.
The answer was no. Tang Ye himself had once helped Tang Yiyi without hesitation, losing everything and now living a life of obscurity. Now, Tang Yiyi had dragged Tang Xu down with her. In Tang Ye's eyes, Tang Yiyi was a jinx.
Tang Ye then visited the hospital to see Tang Yu. Tang Yu had undergone skin grafting surgery and was in the recovery period. After some thought, Tang Ye shared the news.
"Big Brother, Tang Xu has been arrested."
"What? What happened?"
Tang Ye explained the situation. Upon learning that Tang Xu intended to steal Tang Xiaomin's kidney for Tang Yiyi, Tang Yu was shocked. He couldn't fathom that Tang Xu would commit such a foolish act.
"Stupid! Utterly stupid!" Tang Yu exclaimed. "Why did he provoke Tang Xiaomin? Is she someone he can afford to offend?"
Tang Yu was furious, like a teacher disappointed in a student. "Tang Xiaomin isn't human; she's a demon! Why didn't you believe it?"
"If you can't provoke her, you can at least avoid her." Tang Yu had learned his lesson and deeply regretted his past actions.
Tang Ye remained unconvinced.
"Big Brother, what should we do about Tang Xu's situation?"
Despite his anger, Tang Yu knew they couldn't abandon their brother.
"Tang Ye, listen carefully. First, we need Tang Xiaomin's forgiveness. Then, find a way to convince Tang Yiyi to take full responsibility. After sentencing, we'll try to secure a sentence served outside prison. That would be the best outcome for Tang Xu."
Tang Yu's plan was to minimize the damage. "Tang Xu broke the law because of Tang Yiyi, and Tang Yiyi is a patient. Even if she's sentenced, her case will be handled with leniency."
Tang Yu's scheme was indeed clever. Tang Ye, lacking a better plan, could only follow his instructions. However, he doubted Tang Yiyi would readily accept the blame. Still, for Tang Xu's sake, Tang Ye decided to try.
After leaving Tang Yu's room, Tang Ye went to see Tang Yiyi. That day, the prosecutor had called an ambulance for Tang Yiyi. By the time the doctor arrived, Tang Yiyi had collapsed in a pool of blood and was in shock, nearly dying from blood loss. She was rushed to the hospital for a transfusion and emergency treatment, which saved her life.
When Tang Ye entered Tang Yiyi's ward, it was eerily quiet. Tang Yiyi lay alone on the hospital bed. Tang Yiyi's illness was an unfortunate event, and Tang Ye could only offer her sympathy.
The frail Tang Yiyi became excited upon seeing Tang Ye. She assumed he had come to care for her, believing that he, who had once liked her, wouldn't truly abandon her.
"Second Brother, you came to see me?"
Tang Ye sat down beside her and said, "Tang Xu has committed a crime. He'll likely be sentenced to five years or more."
Upon hearing this, Tang Yiyi closed her eyes in despair. Was there no hope?
"It's all my fault. If I weren't sick, he wouldn't have done such a thing."
Tang Ye had no interest in listening to such nonsense. He had come to persuade Tang Yiyi to confess.
"Tang Xu is in this predicament because of you. If you truly care about him, then take the blame."
"Go to the prosecutor's office yourself and say it was all your idea, and Tang Xu was deceived by you. As long as you admit it, we'll handle the rest."
"Yiyi, will you do it?"
Tang Yiyi was stunned! She hadn't expected Tang Ye to come and ask her to take the fall. Why should she?
"This... how can it be a crime?" Tang Yiyi protested. "Tang Xiaomin is unharmed, and I lost a kidney. I'm the biggest victim, Second Brother!"
Even in this state, she claimed to be the victim. One didn't know whether to call Tang Yiyi ignorant of the law or if she believed everyone else in the world was a fool. Tang Xiaomin's waist had already been marked by the doctor. If they had been any later, the consequences would have been dire.
When Tang Ye arrived, he had a feeling Tang Yiyi wouldn't readily accept the blame. Of course, he could only try his best to persuade her. After all, no one could force her to confess.
"The crime has been proven with evidence; it cannot be denied," Tang Ye stated. "Tang Xu went down the path of crime for you. If you have any conscience, you'll take the blame."
"You are ill, so even if you are sentenced, your case will be handled with leniency."
"Will you save Tang Xu this once?"
Tang Ye was explicit; he wanted Tang Yiyi to take the blame. Tang Yiyi was already critically ill, and Tang Ye not only offered no comfort but also urged her to go to prison. In the end, Tang Xiaomin would be fine, Tang Xu would be fine, and she would be left to bear all the consequences of a failed scheme. Tang Yiyi vowed that even if she died, she would never agree to Tang Ye's request.
Seeing Tang Yiyi's silence, Tang Ye persisted, "Tang Xu loves you so much. You've received so much kindness from him. Is it too much to ask you to take the blame for him now?"
"Everything he did was for you."
Tang Yiyi felt immense hatred for all of them, including Tang Ye. She suddenly remembered what the doctor had told her. She couldn't just resign herself to fate and wait to die.
"I can take the blame," Tang Yiyi said.
"Really?" Tang Ye was suddenly excited, barely able to believe it.
"I have one condition. If you can fulfill it, I'll take the blame for Tang Xu."