Ch. 361..370

Chapter 361: 361 Tan Jing Was The One Who Did It

 

 

Tan Jing finally reached the classroom, but the bell had already rung. The teacher on duty was already sitting on the podium. If Tan Jing wanted to enter, she had to report herself. Once she does that, she would attract the attention of the entire class.

Tan Jing braced herself and shouted, “Report.”

The teacher on duty didn’t argue with her about being late because of her leg injury. However, he reminded Tan Jing, “Tan Jing, since your leg is injured, you should come to school earlier. It’s fine if you came in earlier but if you’re late for class, aren’t you wasting everyone’s time?”

Tan Jing lowered her head and dug her nails into her palms. She whispered, “Sir. I’ll come earlier next time.”

The teacher on duty said, “Alright, the space in the classroom is relatively small, and it may be difficult for you to enter on your own. It’s not convenient for you to sit in a wheelchair. Let’s find a classmate to push you.” He pointed at the boy at the door. “Come, this student, help her to her seat.”

The boy who was pointed at turned around and said, “I’m not helping her.”

The teacher on duty frowned. “Why can’t you have more sympathy for your own classmate? Forget it, forget it. You can go.” He pointed at another girl.

The girl glanced at Tan Jing and then covered her face with a book. “I’m not going. She’s not a good person.”

The teacher on duty was new and did not know much about their class. He pointed at a few students but did not help. He was a little unhappy. “Young student, it seems that you are not very welcomed here.”

He didn’t say anything else and personally came down to push Tan Jing. “Where’s your seat? I’ll push you over.”

He Ling stood up. “Teacher, her seat is over here.”

The teacher on duty pushed Tan Jing’s wheelchair as he lectured Tan Jing. “The school is a small society. Not only do you have to study in school, but you also have to deal with interpersonal relationships. You have to get along with others amicably. Otherwise, when you’re in trouble, no one will come to help you.”

Tan Jing was furious when she heard that. She was originally popular but if it wasn’t for Tan Rou, she wouldn’t have ended up like this.

When Li Li saw Tan Jing’s expression, she whispered to Tan Rou, “Judging from Tan Jing’s expression, she must be scolding you in her heart again.”

Tan Rou didn’t even look at Tan Jing. “Don’t worry, she won’t be able to do anything for a few days.”

Tan Rou was right. Tan Jing’s good days were over.

On the day that Wang Shu and Wang Xin announced their withdrawal from the physics competition, the police suddenly announced a piece of news on the Internet. It was about a certain employee of the Municipal Education Bureau who had taken bribes of up to five million yuan and eighty percent of the money came from the Tan family.

This employee surnamed Wang was none other than Wang Jin. In the beginning, Wang Jin took Tan Song’s money and was prepared to take responsibility for this matter. However, after he entered the detention center, his family did not receive any follow-up money from Tan Song. After asking around, they found out that such a big thing had happened to the Tan family. Now that the Tan family could not even protect themselves, they naturally couldn’t care less about transferring the money to Wang Jin.

Wang Jin wanted to reduce his sentences, so he confessed everything. He emphasized with Tan Song who wanted the answer booklet so that his daughter would get good results in the competition. This time, even if Tan Jing had a hundred mouths, she would not be able to explain herself.

The principal personally came to the class to drag Tan Jing out and brought her to the meeting room. The school’s leaders and some teachers were already waiting for her.

“Tan Jing, do you have anything to say about you cheating in the physics competition?” Director Zhang spoke on behalf of the principal.

Tan Jing’s tears fell. “Sir, I was just blinded for a moment. I really didn’t do it on purpose. Besides, I did the second round of questions on my own. I didn’t cheat!!!”

Director Zhang didn’t want to hear anything else from her. He just wanted her to explain clearly about the first time she cheated. “Don’t tell me about this. It doesn’t matter whether you cheated the second time or not. Because you cheated the first time, your qualification in the competition must be revoked.” “Sir. please give me another chance!” Tan Jing got off the wheelchair anxiously. “I beg you!”

The female teacher who was closest to her quickly came over to help her up. “Tan Jing, just carefully explain yourself. If you explain clearly, perhaps the principal will be lenient.”

“Impossible!”

The principal’s expression was very serious.. “I will never allow anyone to cheat in the school under my jurisdiction! Once I catch them, they would have to be expelled!!!”

Chapter 362: 362 Retaining Student Status

 

 

gets expelled…”

Director Zhang also said, “Principal, why don’t we just allow her to stay in school? She can stay home for this period of time to recover and only come back to school after the storm has passed.”

Although the principal was the boss of the school, there were other people in charge of the school. The reason why he held this meeting today was to see the attitude of the other teachers.

“Then let’s vote.” The principal said, “Those who agree with Director Zhang’s suggestion, raise your hand.”

Including the 17 people, nine of them voted for Tan Jing. They did not like Tan Jing but they had to consider the school’s enrollment rate.

In the end, the principal had no choice but to announce that Tan Jing’s student status would be retained and that she would be allowed to go home to recuperate for a period of time. However, Tan Jing couldn’t participate in the physics competition anymore. This wasn’t decided by the school, but by the organizing committee. Not only could she not participate in the physics competition, but she could also not participate in any similar competitions in the future.

“What a pity! They didn’t expel her!” Li Li said in frustration.

Although Tan Rou did not agree with the school’s approach, she could roughly guess why. It was probably because Tan Jing’s results were not the worst and the school wanted to protect her.

“According to her level, she can also get results in the physics competition with her own strength.” Xu Yan said, “She just took a detour.”

“Are you feeling sorry for her?” Tan Rou asked.

Xu Yan smiled. “Of course it’s not a pity. Student’s with evil intentions like her shouldn’t participate in the physics competition.”

As she spoke, Tan Jing came in. She did not sit in a wheelchair but came up with a walking stick.

No one went to help her up. Even her good friends, He Ling and Zhao Ru, were watching from the side. They were afraid that Tan Jing’s matter would implicate them.

Tan Jing limped over to pack her things. All the students around her ran away in an instant. They either went to the toilet together or went somewhere else to discuss something else.

After packing a few books, Tan Jing left the classroom. As she left, she did not forget to glare at Tan Rou. She looked fierce.

Tan Jing felt that it was Tan Rou’s fault that she had come to this point. If Tan Rou died, she would not have any trouble.

Tan Rou walked in front of Tan Jing and said, “Don’t stare at me like that. It’s your own fault that you’re in this state today. If you didn’t want to hurt people, you would be fine.”

“It’s all your fault! You’ve already won first place, why won’t you let me go?” Tan Jing said angrily.

“You’re crazy.” Tan Rou felt that there was something wrong with her brain that she actually spoke to Tan Jing.

“I won’t let you off!” Tan Jing shouted at the door.

Tan Rou replied, “Then I’ll play along!”

There was another round of competition again this Saturday. This time, it was the provincial exam, and the top ten could enter the national competition. Originally, Tan Jing could also take the exam, but unfortunately, her first cheating incident was exposed, so she was revoked from it.

However, Tan Jing still came. She could already walk, but it was not smooth which was why she needed walking aid.

Tan Jing stood at the entrance and looked at the row of red LED screens on the top of the door. She felt an indescribable pain in her heart. She was supposed to sit in the classroom for the competition, but now she had to hide here and peek. Because of her family matters, Tan Song and Chen Yi did not know that she had dropped out of school. She said that she would take a taxi to school every day, but in fact, she just sat near the school. Today, she lied to Tan Song that she was going to be participating in the competition. Tan Song did not suspect anything, nor would he suspect anything. He was currently in a sweet relationship with his little lover. How could he have the time to care about his daughter?

After a while, Tan Rou came out of the examination room. Tan Jing hurriedly hid behind the tree in the flower bed.

“Xiao Rou, over here!” Tao Zheng raised the flag in his hand and shouted..

 

Chapter 363: 363 Tao Zhi Returns

 

 

Tan Rou wanted to laugh when she saw the flag they were raising. She had already told them not to raise it, but she didn’t expect them to still buy it.

“Where’s Mom and Dad?” Tan Rou didn’t see her parents. “Did they go shopping?”

“Daddy and Mommy went home already.” Tao Qi ran over to hug Tan Rou.”Third Sister, guess who’s back?”

Tan Rou guessed that their eldest brother had returned, but she did not want to ruin the mystery. ”1 don’t know.”

Tao Qi took her hand and brought her to the car. Then, the car door opened.

A tall and handsome young man looked at her uneasily. “Xiao… Xiao Rou, right?”

Tan Rou smiled gently. “You’re Big Brother, right? Welcome home.”

Tao Zhi was stunned for a moment before he relaxed. “You’ve worked hard on the competition.”

Tan Rou could tell that he was nervous, so she chatted with him a little more to ease the atmosphere. “I heard from Second Brother that you’ll only be back on Dad’s birthday. Why are you here so soon?”

Tao Zhi looked troubled, but since his sister had asked, he had to answer. “I didn’t have anything important to do, so I came back early.”

Tan Rou held Tao Zhi’s arm with a smile. “Alright. Let’s go home then.”

Tao Zhi was very nervous. This was the first time he had seen his biological sister. He didn’t know how to deal with her. In the past, when Tan Jing was around, he did not have a good relationship with her. It could only be said that they were acquaintance. They were not like a family at all. Tan Jing was also very distant from him. The two of them barely communicated.

Therefore, Tao Zhi was very afraid that his biological sister would also alienate him. Now, it seemed that he was thinking too much. As expected, there was still a connection between siblings.

Tan Rou sat with her eldest and youngest brother in the backseat while Tao Zheng drove. The siblings chatted and laughed as they headed to their new home.

Tan Jing came out from behind the tree. The flames of jealousy filled her heart. Tan Rou had enjoyed her 17 years of glory and wealth, and now she had snatched away her family. Even Tao Zhi, who she had met for the first time, treated her so well. This was unfair!

Tao Zhi had a bad relationship with Tan Jing. Not only with Tan Jing, but his relationship with his family was also average. He never knew how to communicate with them and only liked playing his guitar by the window. After graduation, he fell out with his family. Tan Jing didn’t even get to see Tao Zhi again until Tan Jing returned to the Tan family. She had always thought that Tao Zhi was a cold person.

Now that Tao Zhi had come to pick Tan Rou up the moment he came back, he even held her arm and laughed with her. It was obvious that Tao Zhi was not a cold person at all.

Everything belonged to Tan Rou. Tan Jing couldn’t understand why and how everything went to her!!! Her parents, brothers, grades, friends… These were all Tan Rou’s! Originally, she still had the identity of the eldest daughter of the Tan family, but now the Tan family had become a huge joke.

Looking at the competition venue, Tan Jing had a plan in her mind. If she couldn’t participate in the competition, Tan Rou shouldn’t be allowed to participate either!!! Thinking of this, Tan Jing hurriedly took a taxi to another place.

***

In the car, the Tao siblings were chatting.

“How long will Big Brother be back this time?” Tan Rou asked.

Tao Zhi replied, “I won’t be leaving anymore after this.”

“Ah, isn’t your job important? Isn’t it pretty strict?” Tao Zheng asked.

Tao Zhi shook his head. “I already resigned from it.”

“Why did you resign?” Tao Zheng didn’t understand. “Was it because it’s too tiring or difficult?”

In fact, he didn’t know what his older brother’s job was. Tao Zhi’s job was a secret, and even his parents wouldn’t tell him. Moreover, Tao Zhi had a bad relationship with his family previously, so he would not say anything.

Tao Zhi couldn’t tell them. “There are certain rules that I still have to comply with after leaving my job. I can’t reveal anything about the company, so I can’t tell you anything.”

“Well, we understand.”

Tan Rou could understand this feeling very well. Just like before, she couldn’t tell anyone where she used to stay. Not only that she couldn’t tell them where she learnt certain skills, she also couldn’t show them what she truly knew. If it wasn’t for the fact that her brain was already damaged, she probably wouldn’t be able to live a peaceful life now.

Not long after, the car drove into the luxurious villa area, Jade Water Elegant Residence.

Although Tan Rou had already stayed here for two days, every time she came, she wanted to ask again, “Is our family really an ordinary one instead of a secretly wealthy family?”

Tao Qi was still young, and Tao Zheng was silly. They would not doubt their parent’s words at all, but Tan Rou did not believe it. Even if the Tao parents said that the house was rented, she did not believe it. This was because the residents who could afford to buy a house in Jade Water Elegant Residence would not care about the rent that was merely ten thousand.

Tao Zhi smiled and patted his sister’s head. He said gently, “Don’t think too much about it. You’ll know in the future..”

 

Chapter 364: 364 Family Reunion

 

 

When Tan Ron heard Tao Zhi’s words, she was no longer confused. Their family definitely had a background. Among the siblings, only the eldest brother, Tao Zhi, knew about their family’s situation. The other two foolishly thought that their family was very poor.

Hmm…. indeed, people who looked alike were equally smart. Tan Rou and Tao

Zhi looked more alike. Tao Zhi was handsome, and Tan Rou was pretty. They both looked like their mothers. Tao Zheng and Tao Qi looked a little alike, but they looked more like their father. They were not as good-looking as Eldest and Third.

Tan Rou looked at her second brother, who was focused on driving, and then at her fourth brother, who was admiring the scenery. She suddenly felt that the two of them were really innocent. Her eldest brother had made it so clear, but the two of them still didn’t get the meaning behind it. She really admired these two.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” When Tao Zheng got out of the car, he told Tan Rou, “Grandpa and Grandma are here too. Dad and Mom went to pick them up before leaving.”

This time, it was Tan Rou’s turn to be nervous. She had met her grandparents in her previous life. At first, her grandparents were very excited about her return and even spent lots of money buying her gifts. In the end, not only did she not cherish it, but she also pissed off Grandma so much that she fell sick, causing Mr. Tao’s birthday to be ruined.

“Second Brother, what are our grandparents like?” Tan Rou smoothed her hair. “Will Grandpa and Grandma be angry if they see my messy hair?”

“Grandpa and Grandma are very gentle and kind. You don’t have to be afraid.” Tao Zheng smiled. He reached out and smoothed his sister’s hair.

“Grandpa and Grandma are looking forward to meeting you. When they arrived, they even texted me to see if you were coming home soon!”

“Then let’s go and see them.” Tan Rou was no longer nervous. Nothing had happened yet in this life. She still had the chance to treat her grandparents well.

Grandpa Tao and Grandma Tao stood at the door waiting for their granddaughter to come back. When they saw their granddaughter, their eyes turned red. Mr. Tao had already told them about how Tan Rou was fed sleeping pills by the Tan couple when she was young. He also said that Tan Rou had suffered a lot in the Tan family. Grandpa Tao and Grandma Tao’s hearts ached.

“My baby Rourou!” Grandma Tao jogged over. “Oh! Let me take a good look at you!!!”

Tan Rou felt a lump in her throat. She threw herself into her arms and called out hoarsely, “Grandma.”

Grandma Tao patted her back. “My dear baby, you’ve suffered all these years.”

Tan Rou rubbed her eyes and smiled. “Grandma, don’t cry. I’m back safe and sound.”

Grandma Tao wiped her tears too. “Yes, it’s good that you’re back. Our family is finally complete now that you’ve returned.”

At this moment, Tao Zhi also walked over and awkwardly called out, “Grandpa, Grandma.”

Grandpa Tao and Grandma Tao were shocked. They only knew that their granddaughter was back, but they didn’t expect their eldest grandson to be back as well.

“Xiao Zhi, why are you back?” Grandpa Tao was shocked. “Aren’t you working?”

Tao Zhi replied, “I resigned and wanted to come home for a while.”

Grandma Tao nodded. “It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back. Why did you have to do that job? It’s so…”

“Ahem!” Grandpa Tao reminded her, “Let’s head inside first. Why are we all standing outside?”

Grandma Tao stopped talking and pulled Tan Rou into the house. “Hmm. .. I would have known that you are our grandchildren with just one look. Look at how much you look like your mother!” She had never liked Tan Jing in the past. Why? This was because Tan Jing had a strange personality and did not look like a member of the Tao family. Now, it seemed that there was a reason why she did not like Tan Jing.

Tao Zhi was observing the new house. Whether it was the area or the decoration style, it was very different from the previous house. The previous house was crowded. This new house was spacious and bright, very suitable for a huge family like them to live in.

In the past, when the brothers were at home, their parents had never thought of changing houses. When Tan Rou came back, their parents immediately changed houses. They must have felt sorry for Tan Rou and wanted to give her more.

Tao Zhi was not jealous because he loved his sister very much too. He was willing to give the best things to his sister. His only sister should be surrounded by love..

 

Chapter 365: 365 Learned From a Master

 

 

“Rourou, I heard from your parents that you went to participate in some physics competition today. Were you nervous?” Grandma Tao kept holding Tan Rou’s hand and even asked her granddaughter to sit beside her when they sat at the couch.

“I’m not nervous. Besides, I even came out early.” Tan Rou took her grandmother’s pulse.

“Oh my, my Rourou is really amazing. You even came out early from the hall!” Grandma Tao was delighted to hear that.

Tao Qi sat beside Grandma Tao and said good things about Tan Rou, “Grandma, it’s not just that. Third Sister always came in first in every exam, and she scored full marks in all her subjects except English and Chinese. Why didn’t she get full marks for English and Chinese? Because the teacher was afraid that she would become too arrogant, he deliberately deducted her marks.”

Grandma Tao couldn’t stop smiling, but at the same time, she felt a little uncomfortable. She knew that some children would study hard in order to get attention in a new environment. She was afraid that Tan Rou was the same.

“Rourou, you don’t have to force yourself.” Grandma Tao said earnestly, “Even if you don’t do well, we won’t blame you. Don’t tire yourself out.”

Tan Rou did not think that studying was tiring. She told Grandma Tao, “Grandma, studying is a very happy thing for me. I don’t think studying is tiring.”

“That’s good.” Grandma Tao touched the back of Tan Rou’s hand and said lovingly, “Grandma doesn’t expect you to achieve much. I just want you to be happy. As for the matters at home, you don’t have to worry. We will always be here to support you.”

Tao Qi interjected, “Grandma, Third Sister is amazing! She knows how to make incense pills, treat patients, make pills, and even assemble computers. Also, the Third Sister is talented in earning money! She usually gives me a lot of pocket money and even gets me to save them for New Years!”

Mother Tao came over with fruits. “Yes, she is. Rourou is amazing. Didn’t I often suffer from insomnia back then? With the calming incense and medicine that Tan Rou made for me, I stop having problems sleeping now. Not only me, but a few of my friends who used the calming incense made by Xiao Rou said that they slept very soundly.”

Grandpa Tao said, “You know how to treat illnesses and make medicines?”

Tan Rou nodded. “Just a little.”

Grandpa Tao frowned and said, “You need a medical license to treat patients. Rourou, it’s fine if you want to help your family. Don’t treat any outsider, especially when it comes to taking medicine. If someone else gets sick from eating it, it’s a serious matter.”

Tan Rou understood her grandfather’s good intentions, but she knew her own medical skills well. She wouldn’t harm others.

“You’re such a scary old man,” Grandma Tao said unhappily. She held Tan Rou’s hand and said, “Come, Rourou, let me take a look. I’m not afraid if you mess up.”

Tan Rou had the same thought in her mind as well. When she took Grandma Tao’s pulse just now, she had already discovered the problem with her body. Now was the time to take a closer look.

Grandpa Tao explained, “That’s not what I meant. I’m just afraid that Xiao Rou will be at a disadvantage if others try to take advantage of her.”

“I won’t, Grandpa. I only treat those that I know. I wouldn’t just simply treat anyone” Tan Rou said as she took her pulse.

Grandma Tao glared at Grandpa Tao, telling him not to say anything. Grandpa Tao could only sit quietly at the side.

“Do you often feel dizzy?” Tan Rou asked Grandma Tao

“I do. Sometimes I get dizzy after sitting for a long time.”

Tan Rou observed Grandma Tao’s tongue and said, “Does Grandma like to eat greasy things? Like pork or fat meat?”

“I like to eat braised pork,” Grandma Tao said. “I can eat a big bowl of it every meal.”

“That’s not a good habit to have.” Tan Rou warned her, “Grandma, your body isn’t suitable for eating so much fatty meat. Also, try to eat less greasy things. The grease will accumulate in your blood vessels and affect your health.”

“Did you hear that?” Grandpa Tao asked. “I told you to eat less meat. You wouldn’t even listen to the doctors. Now that your granddaughter is saying it to you, are you going to ignore her words too?”

“I’ll listen. I’ll definitely listen to what my granddaughter says,” Grandma Tao said helplessly.

Tan Rou suggested to Grandma Tao, “If you’re really craving for greasy meat, you could try some vegetarian meat made from soybeans. It has the taste of meat and isn’t so greasy.”

“Alright, I’ll try.” Grandma Tao agreed.

Grandpa Tao asked again, “Rourou, did you learn your medical skills from a doctor?”

Tan Rou pulled Bai Jing out again. “I have a master to teach me these. He’s a family doctor of a friend I know. He’s a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.”

“Oh, I see.” Grandpa Tao didn’t think too much about it. As long as his granddaughter didn’t learn anything bad, it was fine. As for the medical skills she learned from her master, it wasn’t that important..

Chapter 366: 366 Meeting The Parents

 

 

After checking up on Grandma Tao, Tan Rou went to the kitchen to help her mother cook. Soon, a table of delicious food was served.

Grandpa Tao was the oldest in the family, so before dinner, he had to say something. “We haven’t had a meal together in a long time. It used to be because Xiao Zhi was away, and then it was because of Rourou. Now we’re finally reunited! Come, let’s have a drink together to celebrate our family reunion!”

Everyone raised their glasses. Even Mother Tao, who never drank, poured half a glass of wine. However, Tao Qi and Tan Rou weren’t adults yet, so they couldn’t drink. They could only drink fruit juice instead of alcohol.

“To celebrate our new home!”

Tao Qi did not forget his third sister at all times. “Also, to celebrate the completion of your competition and congratulations in advance for entering the finals!”

Tan Rou smiled and rebuked Tao Qi. “The results haven’t been announced yet. Why are you so excited?”

Tao Qi blinked. “You will definitely be getting full marks anyways.”

Tan Rou raised her eyebrows. “Well, I’ll thank you for that.” She raised her glass. “My grades aren’t important. What’s important is that Big Brother is back. We will be able to spend more time with each other now.”

Mrs. Tao concluded, “Everyone of you here is as important. We’re a family and everything related to all of you here is important.”

The Tao family was filled with liveliness as they enjoyed their meal.

After the meal, Tan Rou and Mrs. Tao went out for a walk with Grandma Tao to digest the food. As for the pots and pans, they were left to the men at home.

“Rourou, what do you think of the environment here? There’s a big man-made lake behind. You can go there for your jog in the morning.”

Tan Rou didn’t have many requirements for her living environment. She didn’t care if it was a luxurious room arranged by her family or the small dormitory she used to live in.

However, she knew that this was the place her mother had carefully chosen for her and she was quite happy about it.

“I quite like it.” Tan Rou observed the tall evergreen tree beside her. “The trees that they’ve planted here wouldn’t shed so much even all year round. I think they look great.”

Grandma Tao said, “Having more greeneries around is good. There’s plenty of oxygen. Also, looking at green-colored items is good for the eyes. You always study so hard. You should look at them more frequently.”

They continued to walk forward. As they walked, Mrs. Tao pointed at one of the villas and said, “This is my friend’s house. She moved here not long ago.”

Tan Rou looked at the familiar house and was stunned for a moment. She recognized that house because Zhuang Liu had brought her here last time. This was Shen Jing’s house.

“We’ll go over to her house when we’re free,” said Mrs. Tao.

Tan Rou did not stop her. She also wanted to visit Shen Jing to see if she had gotten better.

Suddenly, a black car drove over quickly and stopped beside them.

The three of them looked at each other. They wouldn’t have been in the way but why did the car stop?”

“Xiao Rou?” Zhuang Liu rolled down the car window. “Auntie Tao! Why are you here?”

When Mrs. Tao saw Zhuang Liu, she was very happy. “Oh! Xiao Zhuang! Nice to see you!”

Zhuang Liu quickly asked Xiao Mo to take his wheelchair down. Although he could walk now, he couldn’t expose himself yet, so he had to sit in the wheelchair to hide the truth.

Zhuang Liu was obviously a little excited. He asked Tan Rou, “Rourou, are you here to meet me?”

Tan Rou laughed and pointed at her new house. She said to Zhuang Liu with a faint smile, “I haven’t had time to tell you that we moved here.”

Zhuang Liu felt upset. He had been too busy recently. He was so busy that he did not even know that Tan Rou had moved, let alone that Tan Rou had moved next door to his house.

Grandma Tao looked at Tan Rou and then at Zhuang Liu.

Tan Rou introduced him to her. “This is a friend of mine. He takes good care of me. My parents know him too.”

“Third Brother, this is my grandmother.” Her words were very clever. Not only did she mention Zhuang Liu’s identity, but it also meant that Zhuang Liu was not some shady friend, but someone her parents knew.

Grandma Tao felt that this man looked familiar. She seemed to have seen him in the Capital before.

“Eh?” Shen Jing came out of the house and was very surprised to see Tan Rou. “Rourou, you’re here too! This kid didn’t even tell me about you coming here!”

“Mom,” Zhuang Liu said, “This is Rourou’s mother and grandmother.”

When Mother Tao saw Shen Jing, she looked surprised. “Huh? Xiao Zhuang is your son?”

“Rourou is your daughter?” Shen Jing asked in return..

 

Chapter 367: 367 Good Neighbours

 

 

The two mothers burst into laughter and said in unison,”What a coincidence!”

“Mom, do you know each other?” Tan Rou asked.

“I met her when I was renovating the house. She gave me a lot of advice. Auntie Shen was the one who picked out the chandelier in your room.”

Shen Jing said, “If I had known that it was a room for Rourou, I would have bought more things for you.”

Tan Rou thanked her. “Thank you, Auntie. The room is already looking gorgeous. There are also many things. There’s no need to add anything else.”

Shen Jing took Tan Rou’s hand and said gently, “If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll help your mother pick out some of the things for you.”

“It’s alright. I can pick them out for my daughter.” Mother Tao said with a smile.

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Shen Jing said, “We’re good friends. Your daughter is my daughter too!”

The two of them fought to make Tan Rou their daughter. Tan Rou looked embarrassed. There were so many people here, and she felt shy.

“Mom, let’s not disturb Auntie Shen.” Tan Rou held her mother’s hand.”Didn’t you say you wanted to walk around the neighborhood?”

“Arc you guys strolling around the neighborhood?” Shen Jing suddenly asked. “Let’s go together.”

“Madam, you haven’t eaten anything yet.” The nanny came out from behind and reminded Shen Jing softly.

“Auntie, haven’t you eaten yet?” Tan Rou asked. She looked at Zhuang Liu. Zhuang Liu was here at this time, so he was probably here to have dinner too.

Shen Jing wanted to go on a walk with Tan Rou and the others. “It doesn’t matter. We can eat anytime.”

Tan Rou felt that she couldn’t disturb them from eating, so she said, “Auntie, you guys should go and eat first. We’re already neighbors now. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to go out together in the future.”

“Neighbors?” Shen Jing seemed to have suddenly understood something. “That’s right. We’ll be neighbors in the future. We’ll be able to see each other often in the future.”

It has been said it would be easier for those who have a balcony to reach the moon. Since they were neighbors with Tan Rou’s family, they could interact more in the future. Then, would Tan Rou be able to become their daughter-in-law soon?

Thinking of this, Shen Jing decided to visit Tan Rou’s house more often. She would have to help her son!

Zhuang Liu said goodbye to Tan Rou reluctantly. He really wanted to go on a walk with Tan Rou, but now was not the best time. Tan Rou’s mother and grandmother were with her. If he went, he would be ignored by them. Even if he was not ignored, his presence would affect the them.

“I didn’t expect Shen Jing’s son to be Xiao Zhuang.When we were chatting earlier, Shen Jing mentioned her son.” Mrs. Tao said happily.

“She said that her son is outstanding. I said that my daughter is also very outstanding. At that time, I thought that if it weren’t for Xiao Zhuang, I might have become in-laws with her.”

Tan Rou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Mom, what are you thinking about? I’m still a student. I wouldn’t want to be thinking about these things now.”

“I know. I’m just helping you look for a future partner. You would still be the one to make the final option.”

Grandma Tao had been thinking about the mother and son from just now. She seemed to have seen them in the Capital, but she could not remember who they were. She was old and did not have a good memory.

“Then why is the child in a wheelchair? He’s so young and handsome. Why is he in a wheelchair?” Grandma Tao said regretfully.

“He was poisoned,” Tan Rou explained.

“What a pitiful child.” Grandma Tao pitied the young man.

Tan Rou did not intend to explain clearly. Although she believed that her grandmother would not say anything, it was better for fewer people to know that Zhuang Liu was about to recover.

On the other hand, Zhuang Liu was absent-minded while eating.

Shen Jing tapped on the table, “Are you thinking about Rourou?”

Zhuang Liu came back to his senses. “I shouldn’t be disturbing them now.”

“You child, Xiao Rou has already become your neighbor. Don’t you know how to seize the opportunity?” Shen Jing reminded him.

Zhuang Liu suddenly remembered that Tan Rou also lived here. If he moved here too, wouldn’t he be able to see Tan Rou every day?

He had to go to work in the morning, and Tan Rou had to go to school. When he got off work at night, Tan Rou would also be done with her classes. In the past, since they weren’t heading in the same direction, he couldn’t offer to give her a ride home. Now that they were headed to the same place, they would be able to travel back and forth together.

“I understand.” Zhuang Liu smiled. “I’ll give Xiao Rou a ride to school this coming Monday..”

 

Chapter 368: 368 Big Brother’s Secret

 

 

Tan Rou had to go to the library this weekend, so Mother Tao asked Tao Zheng to drive her. Coincidentally, he had bought a new car a while ago, but Tao Zheng had something else to do, so Mother Tao assigned this task to Tao Zhi.

Tan Rou also wanted to get closer with her big brother, so she walked towards Tao Zhi and smiled.

A drop of sweat appeared on Tao Zhi’s forehead as he stammered, “I…” I… I haven’t been back for a long time, so I don’t know the way.”

“It’s fine, Xiao Rou knows the way.’”‘

Tan Rou was a little puzzled. Could it be that her big brother was unwilling to send her?

“It’s okay. I’ll take the bus myself,” Tan Rou said considerately.

Mrs. Tao frowned. “It’s getting cold. It’s too cold to wait for the bus!”

“Then I’ll send her there.” Tao Qi raised his hand and asked, “I don’t mind going there with my sister!!”

Tan Rou laughed. “If I go alone, I’ll be alone in the cold wind. If we go together, we’ll become two popsicles in the cold wind.”

“I’ll go…” Tao Zhi stood up and said, “Give me the car keys. I’ll send her there.”

Tan Rou didn’t want to make things difficult for him. “I can take the bus.”

“Let’s go!” Tao Zhi got up from the ground.

Tan Rou was still observing her brother’s expression and movements as she walked to the car. She noticed that he had a firm expression on his face and his movements were very stiff. His arms were even trembling slightly.

Tan Rou was puzzled. Was her brother so afraid of her? Why did he shake so much while driving?

Sitting in the car, Tao Zhi kept persuading himself not to be nervous, not to care about the pain in his hand, not to…

“Big brother, what’s wrong? Why are your hands shaking?” Tan Rou asked.

IIJ II

Tao Zhi didn’t know how to tell his sister. He was afraid that his family would worry about him. After all, he didn’t leave his job voluntarily. He was forced to leave.

At first, he didn’t like this confidential job, but as he did it, he started taking a liking to it. He also was very happy to see what he had personally benefiting mankind but…

Tao Zhi looked at his trembling hands on the steering wheel, and the pain in his heart surged.

“Big brother.” Tan Rou boldly placed her hand on the back of Tao Zhi’s hand. “Why are you shaking?”

“Nothing?” Tao Zhi quickly withdrew his hand.

“Big brother, did you injure your hands?” Tan Rou asked in a deep voice.

Tao Zhi looked very flustered. “It’s nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Tan Rou grabbed his hand back. “I’m a doctor. You saw it when I checked Grandma’s pulse. You can’t lie to me.”

Tao Zhi put his hand back and admitted, “I did.”

Tan Ron’s expression turned ugly. “What happened to your hand?”

“It was an accident.” Tao Zhi lowered his head and said, “When I was working, the chemical leaked and got on my hands. My gloves didn’t work, so I have lost all sense of touch on my hands. I recovered a little, but I couldn’t pick up anything delicate anymore.”

Tan Rou was puzzled. “Why didn’t the gloves work? The tools used in a chemical factory should have been up to standard. How could there be useless gloves?”

“My gloves were… they were replaced.” Tao Zhi frowned and said, “Although the gloves I used were exactly the same as the previous ones, they reacted with the chemical. The gloves melted when it came into contact with the chemical.

Tan Rou closed her eyes. “Brother, do you believe me?”

Tao Zhi smiled bitterly. “Of course I believe you. You’re my sister. Who else should I believe if not you?”

“I’ll help you with it. If you trust me, let me treat you,” Tan Rou said firmly.

Tao Zhi was tongue-tied for a long time.

Tan Rou thought that he didn’t believe her. She quickly said, “Brother, I’ve been treating mom and grandma. There are also a few friends of mine who are also gradually recovering under my treatment.”

“No.” Tao Zhi shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that the doctor said that my hand can’t be saved. You don’t have to waste any more time.”

“I can do it.” Tan Rou smiled. “It’s just a hand injury. I can treat it. Let me help you.”

Tao Zhi looked at his sister’s determined gaze and nodded..

Chapter 369: 369 Another Secret

 

 

Tao Zhi’s hand could no longer drive, so Tan Ron naturally wouldn’t let him take the risk. Moreover, she needed to treat Tao Zhi, so she wouldn’t go to the library today.

Since they had returned, the siblings had to think of a way to cover it up. After all, Tao Zhi didn’t want his parents to worry about him.

“Just say that I’m busy making pills today and can’t go to the library.” Tan Rou thought of a reason. “Besides, I just checked Grandma’s pulse yesterday and already told her about it. Mom and the others shouldn’t suspect us.”

Tao Zhi also thought that this was a good idea. He said to Tan Rou, “Rourou, I really can’t tell them about this yet. I’m afraid they’ll worry. I’ll tell them after my hand is cured. If it can’t be cured, there’s no need for them to know as well.”

Tan Rou stuck out her pinky. “This is a secret between me and you.”

Tao Zhi smiled. “Alright, this is a secret between us.”

After returning home, Tan Rou told her family what she had rehearsed before returning to her room to make the medicine. Her room was on the third floor and had a balcony attached. It was very huge as the entire third floor belonged to her. Not only did it have her study, but it also had her pharmaceutical lab.

“Xiao Rou…” Tao Zhi knocked on the door in embarrassment. “Rourou?”

Tan Rou opened the door generously. “Big Brother, why are you being so careful?”

“I’m worried they’ll find out,” Tao Zhi said nervously. After saying that, he even glanced downstairs.

Tan Rou found it funny when she saw how he acted like a thief. In her previous life, her eldest brother was a very cold person. He rarely talked to his family and rarely communicated with Tan Rou. Moreover, Tan Rou still hated them back then, so she would never communicate with him. So, Tan Rou had always thought that Tao Zhi was not an easy person to get along with. She did not expect him to have such a side to him. He was really too cute.

“If they find out, we can just say that we’re just having a conversation together.” Tan Rou said.

“I really don’t want them to worry.” Tao Zhi emphasized.

Tan Rou suddenly asked. “Big brother, are you really afraid of them finding out about this or you just don’t want to talk to them?”

Tao Zhi was stunned. “What do you mean?”

“Big brother.” Tan Rou sat down and said, “I heard Second Brother talk about you. He said that you used to like music, but our parents didn’t really like the idea of it. Later on, you left home and didn’t come back for years. You basically stopped communicating with your family. I’m thinking that perhaps it’s just that you don’t know how to get along with them, right?” Tan Rou didn’t hear these things from Tao Zheng. In fact, she had known about it in her previous life.

Tao Zhi sat down as well. He crossed his arms and smiled bitterly. “I’m not angry about what happened back then but I haven’t been back for so many years. I really don’t know how to get along with them. They would carefully thread their questions and I would also answer tediously. That’s not how a family should be.”

“Big brother, would you like to hear me out about this?”

“Sure.”

“You’ve only been separated from Dad and Mom for a few years, but I’ve been separated from Dad and Mom for seventeen years.” Tan Rou smiled slightly.

“When I returned home, I was also not used to it for a while. I was even angry with them, but later on, I thought it through. We are a family. If there is a problem between us, we should just voice it out. There shouldn’t be so many twists and turns in a family.

Tao Zhi opened his mouth. “Xiao Rou…”

“Big brother, you’re already an adult. Why can’t you see it as clearly as a child like me?” Tan Rou smiled. “Dad, Mom, and the rest of us miss you very much.”

Then, she hugged her elder brother.

Tao Zhi slowly reached out to hug her. “You’re right. I can’t even see through it as clearly as you.”

Tan Rou let go of him. “So, we’ll treat your hands first. Whether your hand can be cured or not, you have to tell Mom and Dad about this.”

Tao Zhi nodded. “Alright, I’ll tell them.”

Tan Rou took out a silver needle and gave it to her brother. She wanted to help him open up his meridians and let his hand slowly regain its senses. Then, she would use the medicine she had brewed to treat him. However, Mrs. Tao was still in the kitchen, so they couldn’t use the kitchen directly. Tan Rou could only go to Bai Jing’s place to make medicine when she had free time and help Tao Zhi make some pills that could be dissolved in water.

Tao Zhi felt that his hand seemed to have regained strength. It seemed that Xiao Rou’s treatment was really effective. He looked at Tan Rou and smiled. His sister was really amazing. Therefore, he should do something for his sister..

Chapter 370: 37 Tao Zhi’s Determination

 

 

At night, Tan Ron and the rest were asleep. Tao Zhi quietly came down from the second floor and went to his parents’ room that was on the first floor. His parents were still awake and seemed to be discussing something.

‘Knock knock!’

Tao Zhi gently knocked on the door a few times and asked, “Are you guys asleep?”

“Not yet.” Mrs. Tao opened the door for him in her pajamas and was surprised to see her eldest son. “My dear, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Tao Zhi had a serious look on his face. After saying ‘excuse me’, he walked into his parents ‘room.

Father Tao was reading the news. It was a newspaper from the Capital. It said that the old man from the Zhuang family was about to celebrate his 9th birthday. A large number of people would be invited and it was said that he would be announcing his heir.

When he saw his eldest son come in, he put down the newspaper and turned back into the serious father. “What’s wrong?”

Tao Zhi sat on the chair and was silent for a moment before he asked, “What are you going to do about the Tan family bullying my sister? Are we just going to let them go like this?”

The Tao parents looked at each other and looked at him strangely. “Why would you think that?”

“Rourou has been back for so long, but you guys haven’t made any moves. Could it be that you want to let the Tan family off?” Tao Zhi said.

After he found out about the Tan family’s actions yesterday, he wished he could catch Tan Song and Chen Yi and skin them alive right now, then throw them into a pot of oil and fry them for a few rounds. However, his parents were still so calm, which puzzled him.

“How is that possible? Don’t worry, your father has already done it in secrecy. I believe it won’t be long before the Tan family is finished.”

“Go back to sleep, this is not a matter that should bother you. Don’t you like music? Your mother and I thought about it and decided to support your dream. Our family didn’t support you previously. Second loves photography, and Rourou enjoys what she’s doing now. We supported their dreams, so how can we destroy yours?”

After Tao Zhi heard this, he was stunned for a long time. His parents agreed to let him play music? However, his hands could no longer play the guitar. Plus, he was the eldest son of the family. He should not be willful anymore. Now that he is back, he should take on the responsibility of the family and allow his younger siblings to grow up healthily and happily.

“I want to join my family’s company.” Tao Zhi said firmly, “Dad, could you make the arrangements.”

Mrs. Tao sat beside her son and comforted him. “Dearest, Mom and Dad have really thought it through. You can really do what you like. I even ordered a very handsome guitar for you. It will arrive in a few days.”

“Mom, you really don’t have to worry about me.” Tao Zhi smiled.

“I really want to go back to work at the family’s company. Besides, who said I can’t play the guitar just because I’m working there? Maybe I’ll play the guitar at the company’s annual gala in the future.”

His words made Mr. Tao laughed. “You’ve become much more cheerful these few years.”

“You’re the only child in our family who doesn’t talk much.”

Mother Tao said gratefully. “I was worried that it would be difficult for you to get along with others. Now it seems that I’ve been worried for nothing.”

In fact, Mother Tao did not worry much about it. Tao Zhi had always disliked interacting with others. If it was not for his solitary personality, he would not have been harmed by others.

Now, he had changed his mind. His sister told him that they were a family and there was no need to be so reserved. So, he wanted to joke with his parents to ease their relationship and it seems like it had a good effect.

“But, I would have to warn you about it first. Once you step into the company, you can’t go back on your word. Look at your father,” Mrs. Tao said earnestly. “He can’t escape from it anymore. No matter how much we want to live an ordinary life, we can’t completely abandon that family. Your father has no choice but to bear the responsibility of the family.”

“I’ve already decided.” Tao Zhi had already made up his mind. “This time, I left my job to take on the responsibility of supporting our family. It wasn’t a decision I made on impulse.”

Seeing his son’s firm gaze, Tao Fu stood up and said, “Alright then, I agreed to your request.”

He thought for a moment and said. “You’ll report to Uncle Tao Zhen on Monday, starting as a small salesman.”

He wouldn’t let his child get in through the back door. If Tao Zhi wanted to enter the company, he had to start from the bottom.

Tao Zhi did not object. He gladly accepted his father’s arrangement. “Alright, I understand..”