Chapter 07.2

On a Sunday evening, Tang Yi suddenly received a call from Jiang Qiaosheng’s aunt.

She had made an appointment with Jiang Qiaosheng’s mother to have dinner at their home that evening. When they arrived at the door, no one answered, and calls went unanswered, making them worry that something had happened.

Tang Yi’s eyelid twitched: “Auntie, don’t worry, I’ll call the property management.”

While making the call, she walked outside: “Mom, I’m going home for a bit, don’t wait for me for dinner tonight.”

Tang Yi’s mother came out of the kitchen: “What happened?”

Tang Yi bent down to change her shoes: “I can’t reach Jiang Qiaosheng’s mother, I’m worried something happened at home.”

“Then hurry back, be careful on your way.”

As soon as Tqng Yi reached the community gate, she received another call from the aunt, asking her to go directly to the city hospital, as something had happened to Jiang Qiaosheng’s mother.

The kitchen floor at home is tiled, and Mother Jiang accidentally slipped and hit her head on the cabinet, and no one knows how long she was unconscious.

She was taken to the hospital and admitted to the emergency room.

Aunt didn’t say much to Tang Yi, only said earnestly: “She is an old person, and whatever she says is for your own good. You are young, so give in to her a little.”

Tang Yi couldn’t say a word, only feeling a sense of obstruction in her heart.

Jiang Qiaosheng returned to Pingcheng overnight.

At that time, Mother Jiang had not yet been transferred to the general ward, so she could not be visited.

Tang Yi followed Aunt, her expression and movements a little awkward. Aunt was an understanding person and didn’t say much: “It’s good that you’re back. I’ll go back first. You and Xiao Qiao stay here and call me if anything happens.”

Jiang Qiaosheng looked at Tang Yi and said, “I’ll take you to the car.”

“Oh, no need, no need, I’ve asked your brother to pick me up.” Aunt squeezed Tang Yi’s hand: “Talk it out properly.”

Tang Yi’s eyes were a little sore: “I know, thank you Aunt.”

After his aunt left, Jiang Qiaosheng walked up to Tang Yi, she was a little afraid to look at him, and said softly, “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.”

Jiang Qiaosheng seemed to sigh, and reached out to embrace her, “My aunt has told me, it’s not your fault.”

Tang Yi felt a little depressed and uncomfortable.

Jiang Qiaosheng released her, “My mother has been working hard for me all her life, in our words, she is a person with very strong control. After my father passed away, I became her only sustenance and hope. She may have spoken too much, I apologize to you on her behalf.”

Tang Yi lowered her eyes, “I also have things I did wrong.”

“I’m not here to find out whose fault it is.” Jiang Qiaosheng held her hand, “I just want to tell you that no matter what, she is still my mother, I can’t ignore her, but you are my wife, and you are as important to me as my mother.”

Tang Yi’s nose felt sore, and tears started to fall.

In this marriage, she was always afraid of making too many mistakes, loving too much, afraid that her love was just self-deception.

His words, which were not even a love confession, made Tang Yi delude herself into thinking that he might love her just as much as she imagined.

Since ancient times, the one who speaks of love first is the loser.

When encountering Jiang Qiaosheng, Tang Yi was willing to admit defeat.

However, self-deception is ultimately a false sense of self-satisfaction, and one day this illusion will be burst.

The day Mother Jiang was discharged from the hospital, Tang Yi and Jiang Qiaosheng went to the hospital to pick her up. While waiting for the elevator on the first floor, Jiang Qiaosheng received a call and asked Tang Yi to go upstairs first, worried that the signal would be affected in the elevator.

These days, Tang Yi has been coming to the hospital very diligently, and with her aunt’s mediation, her relationship with Jiang Qiaosheng’s mother has improved a lot.

The single-bed wards are all on the top floor.

When Tang Yi reached the door, the ward door was half-open, and through the glass above, she could see Mother Jiang and her aunt packing their luggage.

“… Don’t say that, Xiao Tang is a good child too, she’s been running back and forth these days, not less than Qiaosheng.”

Jiang Qiaosheng’s mother sighed: “I know she’s a good child, I was thinking that if they got married and had a child, it would be even better.”

The aunt comforted: “The matter of the child cannot be rushed either, Tang Yi and Qiaosheng are still young, why are you in a hurry.”

“It’s because I’m sick, and I’m worried that one day I’ll be gone.” Mother Jiang said: “If it weren’t for my illness, Qiaosheng wouldn’t have broken up with the previous one, maybe they would have gotten married long ago. He’s had a hard time these past few years, and I know he’s been working hard. Last year when I was hospitalized, he was afraid I wouldn’t make it, and promised me to go on a blind date and get married. Alas, in the end, I’m the one who’s been holding him back.”

“The mother and son didn’t say anything about whether they were a burden or not.” The aunt said: “Little Tang and Qiaosheng seem to be doing well now. You don’t need to say that in front of the child.”

“I’m not that senile.”

The two continued to chat about other things, and Tang Yi stopped at the door, suddenly losing the courage to push the door open.

The illusion was shattered so abruptly by reality.

She forced herself to stay calm, even managing to smile and greet the two elders when she entered the room, “Mom, Auntie.”

The aunt asked with a smile, “Where is Qiaosheng? Why are you alone?”

“He’s downstairs answering the phone. He’ll come up later. Have you packed your things?”

Mother Jiang replied, “Almost done.”

Tang Yi pursed her lips, “Then you two sit for a while, I’ll go handle the discharge procedures.”

She almost fled from the ward, unable to tell if it was the high heating in the winter room that made her feel suffocated, or if it was the embarrassing words she heard earlier.

That night after returning home, in the evening Tang Yi and Jiang Qiaosheng turned off the lights and lay side by side on the bed. These days, they took turns staying at the hospital, and rarely had such quiet moments together.

Tang Yi tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Jiang Qiaosheng held her hand: “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not very sleepy.” Tang Yi turned to face him, subtly pulling her hand back, silent for a few seconds before suddenly saying, “Jiang Qiaosheng.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you originally want to marry me?”

Jiang Qiaosheng was still thinking.

Tang Yi continued, “Was it because of that snowfall?”

“I guess so.” He reached out and stroked her hair, his voice tinged with amusement: “I was just thinking at the time, how silly this girl is.”

Tang Yi was also smiling, but it didn’t seem like a real smile. After a moment of silence, she said, “Jiang Qiaosheng.”

“What’s wrong?”

But Tang Yi couldn’t ask that question.

She said softly, “I’m sleepy.”

“Then go to sleep.” Jiang Qiaosheng tucked her in, “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Tang Yi turned over, closed her eyes, and tears fell.

Love can make people forge ahead, but it can also make them timid.

Let her be a coward in love.