Her conditions were not what they used to be, and she didn't know how to cook.
If she was hungry, she ate frozen dumplings or ordered takeout.
Her life was quite miserable.
Her health was also not as good as before.
...
The Tang family.
After retiring from the entertainment industry, Tang Ye spent his days at home with Zhang Meiyu.
No longer a celebrity, he rediscovered his talent for songwriting.
When he first debuted, he released a very successful album.
He soon became popular, and Yang Zhenzhen booked him for commercials, endorsements, and acting roles...
As more avenues for earning money opened up, he put his inherent talent aside.
In the living room, Tang Ye wrote furiously in his notebook, tearing up pages and throwing them in the trash when unsatisfied.
Before long, the trash can was overflowing.
Seeing him like this, Butler Wang brewed him a cup of tea.
"Young Master, if you lack inspiration, perhaps you should rest and relax. You've been at it all morning."
The more Tang Ye struggled to write a song he was satisfied with, the more agitated he became.
"If I let my songwriting talent wither away, how will I support myself?"
"Songwriting is my only way out."
It was inevitable to feel anxious and self-doubt during a period of decline.
Zhang Meiyu, cooking in the kitchen, overheard Tang Ye and couldn't help but say,
"Xiao Min is a very talented songwriter. When she comes back for dinner tonight, why not try to exchange ideas with her? Perhaps she can help you."
"Her?"
Tang Ye instinctively scoffed at Tang Xiaomin.
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped himself.
On the night of the school anniversary, Tang Xiaomin had showcased her musical talent for the first time.
Her song "Devil from Hell" had topped the charts on major music platforms.
Later, the song she co-wrote with the world-class musician Aike was included in the classic compilation of the century.
And when the melody of "Beyond the Milky Way," which she wrote for President Pan's company, played, it evoked a sense of being there.
Her talent for songwriting was indeed remarkable.
Every song was a classic.
With just three songs, Tang Xiaomin had earned a substantial amount of money.
Conservatively estimated, it was over a hundred million.
Tang Ye put down his notebook and said helplessly,
"She's always been antagonistic towards me. How could she possibly communicate with me properly?"
Butler Wang said, "Actually, Miss is quite a good person. Her attitude towards others depends on how they treat her."
"Is that so?" Tang Ye was skeptical.
Evening.
It was now late autumn.
Zhang Meiyu, draped in a shawl, stood by the villa entrance, craning her neck expectantly.
She had painstakingly prepared a reasonably lavish dinner for several hours, despite her weakened state.
Tang Xiaomin had only mentioned on the phone that she was busy with work and wasn't sure if she could make it.
As night fell, the evening breeze was chilly.
Tang Ye, unable to wait any longer, also came out to check.
"Mom, don't wait. You know what she's like."
"She's living well with that guy surnamed Yan. Why would she want to come back to our fallen home?"
Zhang Meiyu, however, gazed steadfastly towards the road.
"She didn't say she wouldn't come. She should come."
Just as she spoke, a luxurious Rolls-Royce slowly approached from a distance.
Zhang Meiyu's lips curved into a smile.
"She's here. See?"
Tang Ye stared at the approaching car, momentarily stunned.
Tang Xiaomin alighted from the car and instructed Zhong Li to leave first.
Zhang Meiyu said with some excitement, "I knew you'd come. It's cold outside, come in quickly. Dinner is ready."
Tang Xiaomin nodded and went inside with Zhang Meiyu without saying much.
Tang Ye entered last, sensing Tang Xiaomin's indifference towards him, and a certain unspoken emotion that seemed stronger than usual.
It seemed as though she hated him even more than before.
Tang Xiaomin looked at the table, surprised by the dishes, which were considerably more elaborate than the last time.
Butler Wang, fearing Tang Xiaomin might not grasp the extent of his wife's thoughtfulness, explained at his side.
"Miss, this was the menu Madam planned yesterday. She personally went to the market this morning to select fresh ingredients and spent the entire afternoon preparing it with great care."
When everyone expected Tang Xiaomin to be moved by Zhang Meiyu's gesture,
Tang Xiaomin spoke.
"When I used to cook at the Tang family's house, wasn't every meal prepared like this?"
Zhang Meiyu only cooked one meal.
Compared to Tang Xiaomin's over a hundred days and nights, what did it amount to?
People were indeed ungrateful.
They took others' efforts for granted.
Only after exerting themselves did they realize how unappreciative they had been.
Tang Ye said indignantly, "Mom worked hard all day. Can't you say something nice? Must you be so confrontational?"
"Tang Ye, stop talking."
Zhang Meiyu stopped Tang Ye and then looked at Tang Xiaomin.
"It was my fault for ordering you around before. In the future, I will spend more time cooking for you, as long as you can come back."
Tang Ye was speechless.
"Mom, aren't you giving her too much face?"
"Cooking is something I do willingly. Xiaomin rarely comes back for dinner, Tang Ye, please don't speak and ruin the mood."
At this point, Tang Ye couldn't utter another word.
Halfway through the meal, Tang Xiaomin brought up Tang Zhongcheng's matter.
"Tang Zhong came to see me before and told me about Tang Yiyi's illness."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Meiyu's expression changed.
"What is Tang Yiyi's illness?"
Tang Xiaomin glanced at Tang Ye.
Tang Ye knew about Tang Yiyi's illness, but since his mother disliked Tang Yiyi, he hadn't mentioned it in front of her.
"The last time she attempted suicide by taking pills, after being rushed to the hospital, I heard from Tang Xu that Yiyi's kidneys were damaged. However, she seems to have been discharged recently."
*Clatter!*
Zhang Meiyu's chopsticks fell to the ground.
Her face turned even paler, devoid of any color.
Zhang Meiyu was so shocked that she couldn't speak.
Had that nightmare become reality?
"Mom, are you alright?" Tang Ye looked at Zhang Meiyu anxiously.
Fearing she might get too upset, he added,
"Tang Xu said that our father hasn't visited Yiyi once. Let's not worry about her anymore. Father has already severed ties with Yiyi, Mom."
After a long pause, Zhang Meiyu looked at Tang Xiaomin with a pained expression.
"Why did he look for you? Did he ask you to donate a kidney to Tang Yiyi?"
Tang Xiaomin recalled what Tang Zhongcheng had said and shook her head.
"He didn't say that, but it's possible in the future."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Meiyu stood up from her chair excitedly.
"No, no matter what, we absolutely cannot donate a kidney to Tang Yiyi, absolutely not!"
Tang Ye was utterly confused.
"Mom, what are you talking about?"
"No one is asking her to donate a kidney to Yiyi. Besides, Yiyi's condition isn't that severe yet, is it?"
"It's not severe now, but it will be in the future!" Zhang Meiyu became increasingly agitated.
"No matter what, I will absolutely not allow anyone to lay their hands on Xiaomin's kidneys. Absolutely not!"
"Madam, please calm down. Take care of yourself."
Butler Wang poured Zhang Meiyu a glass of water.