79. The Chosen Daughter-in-law

Ye Tong left just like that, and the gossip-loving residents of Yellow Magnolia Lane kept discussing her, especially because of Xu Mingjie’s set of cheongsam photos.

As expected, Qin Baike never said “I love you.” Tang Yiyi teased him several times, but he always diverted the conversation. Once, she coquettishly demanded he say it, but instead, he pressed her onto the bed and kissed her until her mind spun, and the matter was left unresolved.

They never deliberately announced their relationship. Tang Yiyi’s daily comings and goings at the noodle shop were no different from before; their intimacy was much the same as it had always been. Qin Baike, reserved as he was, would never flaunt their affection in public. Tang Yiyi maintained her girlish demeanor, at most acting a bit spoiled in front of others, as she had done before.

Xiao Xie, oblivious as ever, didn’t notice anything, and since Ye Tong’s departure, Er Tong had been dazed, lost in his own thoughts. Only Uncle Chen sensed something amiss and asked Er Tong if they were in love. Er Tong replied with certainty, “Impossible. Brother Bai’s type is a woman with a big chest, a slim waist, a round bottom, and long legs. What does Little Yi have?” As he spoke, he gestured across his chest.

Uncle Chen began to doubt his own judgment. Xiao Xie relayed Er Tong’s words to Tang Yiyi, which left her feeling a bit deflated. Her ex, Wang Yufeng, used to joke that she was as flat as a prairie, to which she retorted, “If you get eight-pack abs, I’ll eat papaya every day until I go from A to D.”

Now, by the look of it, Qin Baike’s muscles were firm and sculpted, far superior to her ex’s beanpole physique. But she wondered if he minded her modest curves.

They had only just started; the most intimate they’d been was kissing, and Qin Baike was always respectful, never letting his hands wander.

Tang Yiyi pulled at her collar, glanced at her chest, and snorted, “International supermodels are built like me. What does Er Tong know?” Still, she couldn’t help but envy Xiao Xie’s generous figure.

After falling in love, others saw no change in Qin Baike, but he knew he had changed. His sleep was finally normal; he no longer struggled to drift off nor was plagued by nightmares.

He decided to adjust his shop hours, closing at noon to sleep early and rise early, restoring a healthy routine.

Xu Mingtang’s test results came back: confirmed prostate cancer, followed by hospitalization and surgery. Xu Bin, having recovered from the initial shock, methodically arranged his father’s hospital stay and surgery with Wu Siping’s help, as well as the daily operations of the clinic. He even invited a former mentor of Xu Mingtang to oversee Shengshitang.

Tang Yiyi asked, “You won’t go to the competition, will you?”

He lowered his head in silence. Tang Yiyi said nothing more. Two weeks remained before the competition, one week before Xu Mingtang’s surgery.

With the shop closing early, Qin Baike and Tang Yiyi began rising at six for morning runs. After one such run, Tang Yiyi craved Xiang Shengli’s ginger duck noodles, so they headed to Ran Noodle King at the lane’s entrance.

Xiang Qiaoting was surprised to see them together, but didn’t show it. She slipped Tang Yiyi a wink, though Tang Yiyi didn’t understand her meaning.

After they finished and stepped outside, Qin Baike said, “Qiaoting has something to tell you, but she doesn’t want me to hear. Go ask her what it is.”

Tang Yiyi marveled at his perceptiveness. She returned to Ran Noodle King, and sure enough, Qiaoting rushed to her, pulling her aside to a quiet spot. “Yesterday, I was shopping at Aunt Jie’s supermarket and overheard her and Brother Xiao Bin’s mom talking about you.”

Tang Yiyi asked, “What did they say?”

Qiaoting blinked her big eyes. “First, tell me—are you dating my brother?”

Tang Yiyi was curious, “Who told you that?”

“My dad. He said the way my brother looks at you is different from how he looks at others. Must be love.”

Tang Yiyi blushed, “I thought no one noticed.”

“My dad hasn’t told anyone else; he’s worried my brother might get upset.”

Tang Yiyi asked, “But why do you need to be sure?”

Qiaoting frowned, putting on an adult’s air. “Now I’m a bit worried.”

Tang Yiyi laughed, “Worried? What’s a little girl like you worried about?”

“Brother Xiao Bin’s mom said Uncle Xu went to the Traditional Chinese Medicine College not to find a disciple, but to find a daughter-in-law.”

“A daughter-in-law?” Tang Yiyi’s jaw dropped.

“Yes, to find Brother Xiao Bin a wife who studies Chinese medicine. Then, even after Uncle Xu’s gone, Shengshitang can keep running. If their child grows up immersed in medicine, maybe they’ll be interested in it—best case. But Aunt Jie said you and Brother Xiao Bin don’t seem to click, and Brother Xiao Bin’s mom sighed over it. She said, though your family is from the county and your clothes are a bit rustic, Uncle Xu’s arrangement couldn’t be wrong. She went on and on about how good Brother Xiao Bin is…”

Tang Yiyi looked down at herself in frustration and asked Qiaoting, “Do I dress rustic?”

Qiaoting paused, as if it wasn’t the main issue, but still looked her over carefully. “You look fine—like me, actually.”

Tang Yiyi breathed a sigh of relief and let it go. “What else did they say?”

“They talked about Uncle Xu’s illness. Nothing much else.” Qiaoting shook her head.

“Don’t tell anyone, or rumors will fly everywhere.”

“I won’t. I was the only one in the supermarket; nobody else heard. But don’t dump my brother just because the clinic’s richer, okay?”

Tang Yiyi was stunned by Qiaoting’s words. “Aren’t you supposed to be a kid? How did you pick up Aunt Jie’s views on relationships?”

Qiaoting said confidently, “That’s how it goes in TV dramas.”

Tang Yiyi couldn’t help but lecture her. “Let me ask—how are your grades?”

“Excellent! First place every year from grade one to six, never second. This year I got a full scholarship to a private middle school, saved my dad thirty thousand in tuition.”

Tang Yiyi was momentarily speechless. “…Alright, I won’t say anything. I like your brother, I won’t leave him. Don’t worry.” She waved, “I’m off to work now. Need to digest all this.”

“Bye, sister.” Qiaoting, for all her precociousness, was still polite.

Xu Bin wasn’t sure whether to come to the clinic every day; Tang Yiyi waited all day but didn’t see him. After work, she called Qin Baike to the clinic and told him what Qiaoting had overheard. “Master brought me here hoping I’d pair up with Xiao Bin, so that if Xiao Bin’s skills aren’t enough, at least one of us could keep Shengshitang going.”

Qin Baike sighed, “Ah, the heart of a parent.” Then he said, “You’re mine.” He pulled her into a kiss, and perhaps a bit unsettled by the day’s events, his hand started to move toward her chest.

Tang Yiyi, startled, grabbed his hand. He looked at her, aggrieved, and seeing her expression was not shyness but hesitation, he suddenly understood. “You’re worried I mind your small chest?”

Tang Yiyi was surprised he could guess her thoughts.

He said, “You may be small but your waist is slim. What’s there to fear? I don’t have eight-pack abs either. We’re a perfect match.”

Tang Yiyi blinked, feeling both happy and puzzled—why did these words sound so familiar? Qin Baike didn’t let her ponder long, kissing her again, his hand gently pressing over the small softness of her chest.

The next morning, around ten, Xu Bin walked into the clinic. Tang Yiyi called him upstairs to discuss the daughter-in-law matter, but to her surprise, Mrs. Xu and Xu Mingjie followed right behind.

Seeing them together, Mrs. Xu and Xu Mingjie were pleased and called them upstairs, seating themselves formally across from the pair.

Mrs. Xu nodded to her sister-in-law, and Xu Mingjie spoke. “Today, we want to clarify something with you two. The elders didn’t want to interfere, but seeing the situation now, it’s necessary.”

“What do you want to say?” Xu Bin was immediately defensive.

Tang Yiyi regretted not calling Xu Bin last night to warn him—now they were caught off guard.

“It’s like this,” Xu Mingjie smiled reassuringly at Xu Bin. “Your father’s been diagnosed with cancer. He’s always worried about this ever since your grandfather died from prostate cancer. It’s as if he’s been waiting for this day, and now it’s here. What can he do? He’ll cooperate with the doctors, of course. But do you really think he isn’t afraid? Isn’t worried? I don’t believe it. No one is calm with such an illness.”

Mrs. Xu lowered her head and wiped her tears. Xu Mingjie continued, “He may seem fine, comforting you all, but your mother has seen him cry.”

“Aunt, what are you getting at?” Xu Bin pressed.

“I want him to have peace of mind while he’s treated and recovering, with no worries holding him back. His greatest concern is the clinic—that’s obvious to all of us. Now that he’s ill, what will happen to the clinic?”

“I’ll do my best to run the clinic. Don’t worry so much. Yiyi will help me.” Xu Bin replied, and Tang Yiyi quickly nodded in agreement.

Seeing their coordinated support, Mrs. Xu and Xu Mingjie exchanged pleased glances. “In that case, why not make your relationship official? You’ve worked together for so long, you get along well, and we’ve all seen it. Feelings grow from time spent together. If you think it’s right, get married soon—that would truly fulfill your father’s wish.”

Xu Bin drew a sharp breath. When Xu Mingtang went to the college to recruit a young, pretty female disciple, Xu Bin had guessed his father’s intention. While rehearsing songs, he’d even used Yiyi, dragging her out every night, making his parents believe their relationship was special—truly a case of lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot.

“Madam, Aunt, Xiao Bin and I are just friends, colleagues, senior and junior. I won’t fall in love with him, it’s not possible.” Tang Yiyi saw Mrs. Xu’s face darken, and her voice grew softer.

Mrs. Xu said coldly, “Yiyi, since you came to the clinic, has your master, me, or Xu Bin ever treated you poorly?”

“No, never.” Tang Yiyi waved her hands.

“We’ve always considered you family. When you first arrived and said you had a boyfriend, your master didn’t object. He does want a daughter-in-law who studies Chinese medicine, but that depends on fate, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.” Tang Yiyi lowered her head.

“And Xiao Bin’s never had a girlfriend, he’s a clean young man. Our family is good, and though the clinic faces difficulties, it’s not hopeless. Xiao Bin’s house and car are ready for marriage, but you act like he’s not good enough for you.”

“Madam, that’s not what I mean.” Tang Yiyi was on the verge of tears.

“Then what do you mean?” Mrs. Xu’s temper was flaring. Xu Bin quickly put his arm around Tang Yiyi’s shoulder.

“Mom, listen to what you’re saying. Yiyi always sees me as her senior, her big brother. Now you want her to be my girlfriend—anyone would need time to adjust. You can’t just change the way we interact overnight. Give us time. If you want us to try, we’ll try, but I can’t guarantee feelings will develop. Yiyi’s wonderful, but if I find I don’t like her, don’t force me. If you push too hard, I might get sick myself.”

“Pfui, pfui, pfui—what nonsense! Take it back!” Xu Mingjie angrily slapped Xu Bin’s arm.

“Alright, I take it back, but please don’t rush or force things. Let us handle the relationship ourselves.” Xu Bin said logically, squeezing Tang Yiyi’s shoulder.

Tang Yiyi nodded, whispering, “Yes, let us develop naturally.”

Mrs. Xu, seeing their stance, couldn’t push any further. She sighed, “Your father’s surgery is in a few days. I just want him to be happy. If he knew you two were together, he’d have more confidence to beat the illness.”

“I know, Mom. Don’t worry, Dad’s not as fragile as you think.”

“Alright, I’m off to the hospital. After work, come spend more time with him.”

“We know. Don’t worry.”

Mrs. Xu and Xu Mingjie went downstairs and left. Tang Yiyi and Xu Bin sat in silence, both struck by what had just happened.

“Xiao Bin,” Tang Yiyi said, “I’m with Brother Bai. He loves me, and I love him.”

Xu Bin’s jaw nearly dropped. He took a long moment to recover. “When did you two get together?”

“When Sister Ye Tong left.”

“She brought you two together?” Xu Bin’s jaw dropped again.

“In a way, yes. But not exactly.”

“What do you mean, yes and no?”

“Sister Ye Tong saw that Brother Bai liked me and I liked him. She just helped break the ice between us.”

“When did you and Brother Bai start liking each other?”

“What do you mean, ‘start liking’? It’s not like peas in a pod. I can’t say exactly—just suddenly really liked him.”

“It’s fate, truly. All these years, Aunt introduced so many girls to him, none interested him. Yet he fell for the girlfriend Dad picked for me.”

“I’m not your girlfriend,” Yiyi clarified.

“Of course not. But today at lunch, I’m getting Brother Bai to cook me something good.”

“We’ve only just started, haven’t told anyone. If you spread the word, everyone will know. Aren’t you worried Madam and Aunt will find out?”

Xu Bin nodded, “You’re right. Will you tell Brother Bai about today?”

“Of course.”

Xu Bin requested, “When you tell him, don’t mention what my mom said. She’s just anxious—don’t hold it against her.”

“Alright.”

“And with Brother Bai, say it’s my request to keep your relationship secret for now, wait until after Dad’s surgery before telling everyone.”

“No need for you to ask, I’ll do it myself. You’re under enough pressure. Can’t tell Xiao Xiao either, still have to keep up the act. Can’t compete in the tournament—such a missed opportunity!”

Xu Bin bit his lip and shook his head, “I’ll be fine. Bad luck always comes in pairs. You get used to it. Yiyi, after work these days, come with me to the hospital. Act a bit more affectionate in front of Dad; let him misunderstand if he must. As long as he’s happy, we’ll get through these days first.”

“Alright. I promised I’d help you.”

At noon, Tang Yiyi went to the noodle shop for lunch, then called Qin Baike to the clinic to tell him about the morning’s events. Qin Baike listened, face grim, silent for a long while.

“After Uncle Xu’s surgery, if he recovers well, Xu Bin needs to separate you from the family. Even if you’re not their daughter-in-law, you can still work there and help with the clinic’s future. Look at Uncle Chen—he’s spent his whole life working for my family. My dad is a son-in-law, so what? If you have to leave, you’ll leave, won’t you?”

“Xiao Bin has a girlfriend—don’t worry about how he treats me.” To reassure Qin Baike, Tang Yiyi decided to divulge a bit about Xu Bin.

“He has a girlfriend?” Qin Baike’s attention shifted.

“Yes, but for certain reasons, she can’t be brought home. He loves her deeply. When he fought that huge battle—you said there was a thin, petite girl nearby? He was fighting for her.”

Qin Baike was momentarily stunned, then laughed, shaking his head. He hugged Tang Yiyi and kissed her fiercely. “I’m not worried he’ll do anything. He knows you’re my girlfriend—he wouldn’t dare. In a fight, he’s no match for me.”

Tang Yiyi playfully hit him and sent him back to work at the noodle shop.