Chapter 121: Chapter 121

Tian Chenhui gave Meng Cheng’an a beating.

Meng Cheng’an didn’t fight back and let him hit him.

By the time Tian Chenhui stopped, Meng Cheng’an’s face was even worse than when he fought Lu Feng.

Tian Chenhui saw that he was still unwilling to give up and realized he was dealing with a stubborn person, muttered a curse under his breath, and walked away.

When he came to the hospital ward, Tian Chenhui saw that his mother’s condition had improved a lot, and he finally felt a bit relieved.

Tian Xiang: "Second Brother, what happened to the back of your hand?"

He looked down and saw that his knuckles were skinned.

He had used too much force just now!

Tian Chenhui didn’t dare admit that he had just beaten up Meng Cheng’an downstairs, so he coughed lightly and said, "It’s nothing, just accidentally bumped into something."

Tian Xiang couldn’t imagine it was from hitting someone, so she didn’t pay much attention, and the three of them chatted for a while by the bedside.

If nothing else happened, Hu Honglian could be discharged and go home in the afternoon.

Tian Chenhui sat in the hospital for a while before Hu Honglian urged him to go to work.

Before leaving, he pulled his sister outside.

"Did Mom say anything when she woke up? Her health hasn’t fully recovered yet, so don’t go against her! Just go along with things for now and talk about it later."

After beating up Meng Cheng’an and venting his frustrations, Tian Chenhui was inexplicably not as strongly opposed.

Tian Xiang nodded, "Second Brother, I understand."

If the topic did come up, in this situation, Tian Xiang would surely try to soothe things over first. But from morning till now, she and her mother had talked many times yet hadn’t mentioned anything about Meng Cheng’an.

Tian Xiang didn’t know how to bring it up, feeling as if her mother’s spark had been lost, as if she had changed completely.

In the past, she would have stubbornly refused to accept defeat, always wanting to win.

Now, she seemed to have come to terms with things and no longer cared about them.

Tian Xiang didn’t dare ask directly, fearing Hu Honglian would ask her to break up, making her say untruthful things against her conscience, but telling the truth might upset her.

After Tian Chenhui left, Tian Xiang sat outside for a while, and just as she was about to go back, a nurse found her.

"Comrade, are you a family member of bed number three?"

The nurse handed her a package, "Someone downstairs wanted me to bring this up to you."

It was a big package with malted milk, biscuits, and canned goods. Tian Xiang didn’t have to think twice to know who bought these.

"Nurse comrade, where is he?"

Tian Xiang sighed and took the package.

But bringing such a big package back would surely make her mother ask questions.

Tian Xiang didn’t take it directly to the ward but stored it at the nurse’s station on the second floor, planning to pick it up later.

In the afternoon, the doctor checked Hu Honglian’s condition. After prescribing some medicine, she was ready to be discharged.

Tian Xiang handled the discharge procedures and brought her mother home.

Hu Honglian still needed to continue recuperating, so she lay down to rest immediately upon returning home.

Tian Xiang took care of her and then grabbed a basket to go out.

"Mom, I’m going to buy some groceries. You take a good rest."

After Tian Xiang left, she closed both the room and the main gate.

In the courtyard, seeing Tian Xiang was about to buy groceries, Pan Yuzhen also picked up a basket and joined her.

"Xiangxiang, how is your mom now?"

"She’s about the same."

Pan Yuzhen sighed and whispered, "Marriage is a big deal; you should listen to your family. You don’t know, people around have been gossiping fiercely for the past few days, all laughing at your family’s situation. Your mom is sick now and doesn’t hear the gossip, but it’ll be so hurtful when she’s better and goes out to hear it."

Tian Xiang understood, but there was no better way to resolve things at the moment. She just wanted to focus on what she could do and take things step by step thereafter.

Tian Xiang bought groceries and then went to the hospital again to bring back the items Meng Cheng’an had sent.

She hid everything in her room first, only taking out the malted milk this time to nourish Hu Honglian, saying she got it through connections.

Hu Honglian didn’t question it much; her daughter made it for her, and she drank it.

In the evening, Tian Xiang specially made dumplings for her mother, while the others had wheat pancakes with cabbage and vermicelli.

While making dinner, Tian Chuying came over and spoke softly to Tian Xiang, "I have nothing to do with my mom gossiping about your family. I don’t even know where she heard those things."

How rare! Tian Chuying actually wasn’t here to laugh at them but to offer an explanation.

Tian Xiang nodded, "I know."

Tian Chuying glanced at her, turned to leave, and reconsidered, saying, "You used to look down on how my heart was set on a man, but now it turns out you’re the same."

Tian Xiang smiled, unsure whether she was giving advice or criticizing.

In the evening, Hu Honglian came out looking refreshed, even mentioning the plans for her eldest son and daughter-in-law coming home for the New Year in a few days.

Before, both the eldest and the second son slept in the loft, but now with a daughter-in-law and grandson added, they would have to arrange a room.

The elderly couple intended to give up their room, letting Tian Weibing sleep in the loft with the second son, while Hu Honglian would squeeze in with Tian Xiang.

Given the situation at home, there was no other choice but to arrange it this way.

The next day, Tian Xiang continued to take the day off, cleaning the house, accompanying her mother, and washing the clothes changed over these past days.

Hu Honglian could move around but only within the house and yard. It snowed heavily this morning, and it was very cold outside, so considering her health, she didn’t go out.

In the afternoon, the supply trucks arrived at the market, and Tian Xiang joined others in grabbing a dozen cabbages. Later, she bought coal and other necessities to prepare for the days ahead.

There were many tasks towards the end of the year. She had also signed up for a performance, so she had to resume work starting tomorrow. To lighten Hu Honglian’s burden, she strived to have all supplies ready.

When she returned, Tian Xiang’s head and shoulders were dusted with snowflakes.

Hu Honglian felt sorry for her daughter, "I’m not completely incapacitated; why do you buy so many things?"

Tian Xiang grinned, "It’s cold outside; over the next few days, just rest at home and avoid going out if you can."

Hu Honglian sighed, "I understand."

She knew her daughter didn’t want her to go out and hear the gossip.

Actually, after this illness, Hu Honglian had come to realize some things. Living too strenuously is exhausting.

Tian Xiang rode her bike to work and encountered Meng Cheng’an at the entrance, wearing a hat and scarf.

Even though he covered most of his face with a scarf, Tian Xiang still noticed the injuries on his face.

Who would dare to be so reckless as to hit the big antagonist?

While parking her bike in the shed, Tian Xiang asked him, "Who did you fight with?"

It was not a fight but a one-sided beating.

Meng Cheng’an: "I’m fine. How is Auntie’s health?"

Tian Xiang smiled, "She’s already discharged. Don’t worry; she’s almost fully recovered."

Meng Cheng’an breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good."

Tian Xiang: "I’ve received everything you sent, and I’ve already opened the malted milk and gave it to my mom. She even said it didn’t taste good and wanted to save it for my sister-in-law."

Tian Xiang tried to keep the conversation light. She knew Meng Cheng’an was under a lot of pressure.

She also guessed that Meng Cheng’an’s face was most likely beaten by her second brother.

Meng Cheng’an also smiled, looked at the person in front of him, his gaze filled with longing, "By the way, I have work at noon, so I can’t have lunch with you..."