CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273: THE OLDER, THE MORE POPULAR?

The next morning at eight o’clock, at the hospital.

Tang Xiaowan saw Wang Jinhui going through the procedures, Leng Lingxiao consulting with the doctor, and since only she and Tang Mei were left in the ward, she swiftly closed the door.

Regarding the thief who entered Chunlei Street number 66 last night, she had already told Tang Mei about it.

Indeed, as Tang Xiaowan had guessed, it was Tang Mei who had intentionally allowed it, simply waiting for someone to steal. As for the reason, however, she did not directly reveal it to Tang Xiaowan, only mentioning it was a favor she owed from the past, and it was time to repay it.

However, there was another matter deeply troubling Tang Xiaowan at the moment.

She quickly sat down in front of the hospital bed and gently took Tang Mei’s hand, grinning as she spoke. "Grandma, I’ve always been curious and wanted to ask you—did I know Huahua first, or did you? And how did you meet his parents?"

Tang Mei shook her head with a slight smile.

In fact, concerning how they first met, she only knew roughly, having heard it later from the butler, Li Fugui.

"C’mon Grandma, how exactly did Huahua and I meet?" Tang Xiaowan pressed on.

"Alright, alright, I’ll tell you."

Tang Xiaowan looked eagerly at Tang Mei, "Come on, tell me, you’re killing me with anticipation."

"Back then, there was a very large tree by the entrance of Mei Garden where you always loved to climb. Leng Lingxiao, passing by, was afraid you’d fall, so he lied to you saying there were snakes up there. Then, you kept pestering him to catch snakes for you to eat, and that’s how you met."

"How old was I then?"

"Just five years old, it was your birthday."

"Wow, I could climb trees at five?"

"Climbing trees is nothing; your favorite was the rooftops, you practically wanted to live up there."

Speaking of rooftops, Tang Xiaowan chuckled.

She just loved rooftops, no wonder she slept so soundly last night, Leng Lingxiao came up right beside her, and she didn’t even realize it.

"Then his parents, how did they meet?"

"Of course, it was also because of you. After that, Leng Lingxiao often sneaked off to Qingcheng to see you, and it wasn’t long before his parents found out."

"He was just 15 then, right? Didn’t he have to go to school? Why did he always come to see me?"

"I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him."

"Oh, and... that tree, where did it go? I’ve been back to Mei Garden several times and never saw it; it wasn’t cut down, was it?"

Tang Mei nodded with a smile, then patted Tang Xiaowan’s puzzled little head.

"My goodness, it must’ve been Huahua who did it; only he would do something like that, probably wanted to cut off my nostalgia so I wouldn’t have a tree to climb anymore."

"No, it was Old Li who cut it."

Tang Xiaowan paused, surprised. "Li Fugui? Why would that be, didn’t I love climbing trees? Why would he cut it down?"

"You were a naughty child, coming up with one scheme after another, driving Grandma crazy every day. But interestingly, you and Leng Lingxiao got along particularly well. Whenever he had the time, he would play hide and seek with you, pretend to be your mother... to cheer you up, he often brought things to Mei Garden, all sorts of rare stuff. He really is a kind-hearted, good child."

"Ah, but I can’t remember any of it, what a pity, those memories must’ve been wonderfully beautiful!"

"Don’t worry, what’s forgotten is forgotten, just live for the present. Leng Lingxiao is a good man, truly worthy of trust, Grandma is just hoping you’ll get married and have children soon, living a happy life."

With that said, Tang Xiaowan bashfully nodded her head.

Huahua and I actually met on my birthday, all because I nagged him to catch snakes?

He, a boy, actually pretended to be a mother?

I must have been very clingy back then, probably a crybaby too, so he had a soft spot for me.

When Leng Lingxiao returned from the doctor’s office, Tang Xiaowan fixed her gaze on him, her heart filled with gratitude; he was like the warm sun, shining on her young soul.

Even having lost her memory, she had fallen in love with him once again.

"Thank you, and uncle and auntie."

Leng Lingxiao smiled and gently patted her head, saying, "Silly girl, no need to be so polite with me."

They looked at each other and smiled, both fully aware that their profound affection was a testament to the trials they had weathered together, their mutual companionship, and their growth alongside each other.

...

Meanwhile, Wang Jinhui was bustling through the hospital corridor, holding a medical record and some documents, his face radiating joyful happiness.

Just then, he suddenly spotted a familiar face—Jiang Yongheng’s sister, Jiang Yongli.

They had met at a social gathering.

Jiang Yongli also noticed Wang Jinhui and quickly smiled and waved at him.

"Brother Wang, is it really you? It’s been a long time! What a coincidence, how have you been recently?" Jiang Yongli asked with excitement, smiling broadly.

"Pretty good, Miss Jiang, what brings you here...?"

"A friend had a baby, just visiting."

"Oh, that’s wonderful!"

Jiang Yongli glanced at the medical record in Wang Jinhui’s hand and seemed to realize something, so she tentatively asked, "Are you here to visit a friend?"

"No, I’m here to handle the discharge procedures for Tang Mei," Wang Jinhui answered honestly, without any concealment.

A Tang? Someone from his late wife’s side?

Jiang Yongli was somewhat surprised and took another glance at the medical record: "Your relative...?"

Wang Jinhui shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and didn’t know how to describe his relationship with Tang Mei. After all, she had rejected his marriage proposal, and at best, they were now just good friends.

Just as he was about to respond as her fiancé, Jiang Yongli preempted him with a slight smile.

"It’s not a new romance, is it?"

"No, she’s someone I’ve long been in love with and wish to marry, but I’m still in pursuit. The competition is fierce, and I fear she might not accept me, ha ha ha."

Though Wang Jinhui usually spoke casually, such a response was indeed self-deprecating.

But in his heart, Tang Mei was someone he saw as out of his league, both when they were young and now even as he was older.

It didn’t matter that she didn’t acknowledge herself as his wife who had disappeared many years ago; he could start pursuing her all over again.

Wang Jinhui swore to himself silently.

Through the medical record, Jiang Yongli had already seen Tang Mei’s details, including her age.

A 65-year-old old lady, fierce competition?

But I’m only 45... and yet you rejected me. Could it be... the older, the more attractive?

She couldn’t possibly be a billionaire, could she?

Jiang Yongli grew more irate the more she thought about it, but she quickly regained her composure.

She needed to maintain her poised demeanor.

"Oh, well congratulations then, you’ve finally found your other half. Why don’t I go see her? I’m free right now."

"Thank you, but Tang Mei doesn’t like meeting strangers."

Jiang Yongli saw Wang Jinhui’s hesitation and smiled, saying, "No worries, there will be other opportunities. So, see you later then, contact me if you need anything."

"Alright, goodbye."

After they parted ways, Wang Jinhui continued on to the office to handle the discharge procedures.

In this awkward encounter, he inexplicably felt a bit of pressure and helplessness, but it also strengthened his resolve to marry Tang Mei.

Little did he know, Jiang Yongli had already started secretly following him.

Out of curiosity, she wanted a quick glimpse—to see what kind of old lady Tang Mei was, who had managed to capture her idol, Wang Jinhui.