Novel Bin Chapter 13
C13 – What A Good Wife
Familiar with his own condition, he had even rejected the Chairman’s offer to undergo surgery, making the current situation unexpected.
“Grandpa Tong, you’re too kind. We’re practically family.”
Wang Xiao displayed a serious expression in front of Old Tong, respectfully cupping his hands in acknowledgment.
“En? One of us?”
Upon hearing this, Elder Tong’s expression grew uncertain. He turned his gaze towards Tong Waner, seeking answers.
“Grandfather, he’s Wang Xiao, my fiancé. He hasn’t visited you often in the past, so it’s natural you might not recognize him.”
Tong Waner blushed, her head slightly lowered as she explained weakly to Elder Tong.
“So you’re that Wang Xiao brat. I remember seeing you when you were much younger. Haven’t seen you in years, and you’ve changed quite a bit.”
Elder Tong also grasped the situation and smiled faintly.
Concerning the engagement between Tong Waner and Wang Xiao, he had been informed by his boss. He had even initially opposed the matter.
During the annual family gatherings, he deliberately excluded Wang Xiao.
Unexpectedly, after all these years, Wang Xiao had not only matured but had also acquired exceptional medical skills.
“Grandpa Tong, this youngster was inconsiderate years ago, failing to pay his respects to you. I hope you can forgive him.”
At this moment, Wang Xiao sincerely apologized, his demeanor serious as he bowed to Elder Tong.
“Wang Xiao, it’s I who should apologize. For years, I’ve been against your marriage with Waner. You must have endured much during this time, am I right?”
Elder Tong waved his hand and regarded Wang Xiao with a tinge of embarrassment on his face.
“This brat isn’t bitter!”
Wang Xiao hurriedly cupped his hands and replied.
What he said held true. Over the past few years, he hadn’t been the one to bear the suffering; it was the “Wang Xiao from before.”
“Starting from today, I won’t oppose the matter between you and Waner anymore. I’ll make sure the word gets out here. Anyone daring to object to your marriage will have to go through me first!”
Observing Wang Xiao’s reasonable stance, Elder Tong’s heart grew even heavier with guilt, and he spoke with sincerity.
“Grandfather, we haven’t even entered university yet. Why should we get married?”
Tong Waner blushed, directing her shy words toward Elder Tong.
Eventually, her beautiful eyes couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Wang Xiao. Seeing his nonchalant expression, a trace of disappointment subtly surfaced within her heart.
“All of you are over 18 years old, so marriage is possible. Back in our time, we were just 16 and already raising children,” Elder Tong stated earnestly.
Coming to this point, he couldn’t help but cast a sidelong look at Wang Xiao, inquiring in a hushed tone, “Young Wang Xiao, have you ever shared a room?”
“Er…”
Hearing Elder Tong’s words, Wang Xiao’s lips twitched. He hadn’t anticipated the old man’s mindset to be so modern.
Tong Waner’s face had turned as crimson as a ripe apple by now. She covered her face and bashfully exclaimed, “Grandfather, you’re being anything but serious!”
Seeing Tong Waner’s bashful demeanor, Elder Tong, Dong Yuan, and Wang Xiao all burst into laughter.
Second Aunt Chen Feng and cousin Tong Bin, however, wore frowned expressions. They had intended to set up Tong Waner with Young Master Li, but now the old man’s unexpected announcement was clearly a warning.
“Hmph, I merely roused grandpa from his sleep. Who knows if there’ll be any aftereffects?”
At this point, Tong Bin snorted coldly, shattering the joyful ambiance in the room.
“Cousin, what’s the implication of your words? Are you cursing grandpa?”
Tong Waner’s brow furrowed, her tone taking on a serious note as she addressed Tong Bin.
“I never said that.”
Tong Bin spread his hands and said.
“Exactly. Little Bin is just concerned about the old man’s health. After all, Elder Dong mentioned the old man having a stroke. It seemed highly unlikely for him to recover. Now, out of the blue, he’s sitting up. Who knows, maybe he’s making an unexpected recovery…”
Second Aunt Chen Feng’s tone was equally sharp, yet before she could finish, Tong Tie interjected.
“Chen Feng!” Tong Tie’s stern gaze bore into Chen Feng as he thundered.
Though Tong Tie intervened in time, it was evident to anyone that Chen Feng was harboring ill wishes for the old man.
Elder Tong’s expression darkened abruptly.
“Hmph, just because you’re oblivious doesn’t mean the matter doesn’t exist. A frog in a well shouldn’t blather about the sky.”
Wang Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly as he retorted frostily to Chen Feng and Tong Bin.
If it weren’t for Tong Waner, he would have already taught these two a lesson long ago.
“Since you doubt Wang Xiao’s medical expertise, then I suppose you trust my medical skills, right? How about I examine the old man’s health?”
Dong Yuan’s harrumph was cold and crisp. He fixed Chen Feng and Tong Bin with an unfriendly glare.
“I…” Second Aunt Chen Feng seemed poised to speak, but Tong Tie halted her.
“What’s Elder Dong suggesting? We naturally hold your medical abilities in high regard.”
Tong Tie offered Dong Yuan a smile. After all, Elder Dong served as the director of Forest City People’s Hospital. If he offended Elder Dong, it would likely spell trouble for his medical equipment business.
Dong Yuan snorted and proceeded to check Elder Tong’s pulse. Within seconds, his countenance underwent a transformation.
“It’s steady. The pulse is remarkably stable. In fact, it’s even healthier than that of most young individuals!”
Dong Yuan exclaimed.
Dong Yuan’s statement hit Chen Feng and Tong Bin like a shockwave, leaving them astounded. Tong Tie’s gaze flickered.
“Given Elder Dong’s stance, do you have anything else to contribute?”
Tong Waner shifted her gaze to Chen Feng and Tong Bin, her expression icy as she snorted disdainfully.
Both of them displayed traces of embarrassment, opting to remain silent.
“Wang Xiao, my boy, where did you acquire such an impressive medical skill?”
Elder Tong, reassured by his stable and robust pulse, couldn’t contain his joy. He inquired curiously from Wang Xiao.
Dong Yuan, standing beside him, also fixed his gaze on Wang Xiao, sharing in the curiosity.
“Uh…”
Wang Xiao found himself taken aback, struggling to determine how to explain. Was he not the “former Wang Xiao” but rather here to collect the bag?
“Big Brother Wang Xiao made an appearance and traveled for six months before. He must have learned it during that time.”
Tong Waner’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she regarded Wang Xiao, speaking earnestly.
“Actually, yes. I was on a half-year journey and met an unusual individual. I acquired some medical skills from him.”
Worried about finding a valid excuse, Wang Xiao seized upon Tong Waner’s words to offer an explanation.
Truly, she was the best wife in China. She assisted me in perfecting my lie.
“So that’s how it is.”
When Elder Tong heard this, he couldn’t help but sigh.
“There are indeed many strange people in China!”
Dong Yuan heaved a sigh as well. Neither of them doubted it, as if they had heard of such serendipitous encounters before.New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on novel(b)in(.)com
Dong Yuan promptly turned to Old Tong, his tone filled with emotion. “Old Tong, you’ve got a great grandson-in-law!”
“No doubt about it. Don’t be envious. Who told you that you don’t have a granddaughter?”
Old Tong wore an expression of pride while teasing Dong Yuan, his demeanor akin to that of an old yet mischievous child.
“Old Tong, you…” Dong Yuan’s expression grew irate as expected upon hearing Old Tong’s words. With a disdainful snort, he retorted, “So what if I don’t have a granddaughter? I have numerous lovely female students under my tutelage.”
In a swift turn of his head towards Wang Xiao, he urged, “Wang Xiao, you rascal, if you’ve broken up with Waner, I’ll introduce you to my female students. A beautiful female doctor, an innocent young nurse—name it, you can have whatever you want!”
“You dare!”
Elder Tong slapped his thigh and shouted at Dong Yuan.
“See if I dare or not!”
Dong Yuan’s face was full of pride as he said to Elder Tong.
“Eh, are they usually like this?”
Observing the two elderly men in front of him, nearly a hundred and fifty years old, squabbling like kids, Wang Xiao turned his head towards Tong Waner, seeking her guidance.
“Grandpa and Grandpa Dong have always been like this. Don’t be concerned about them,” Tong Waner reassured Wang Xiao with a wry smile.
Tong Waner’s expression also carried a hint of resignation as she addressed Wang Xiao.
Having ceded the room to the bickering senior citizens, Wang Xiao and Tong Waner retreated to the corridor to catch their breath. It was evident that Elder Tong was remarkably spirited and in good health.
“Wang Xiao, don’t let your limited medical knowledge inflate your ego. It doesn’t alter the fact that you’re just a freeloader in the Tong Family!”
At this juncture, Tong Bin’s inappropriate voice resurfaced from behind. He approached Wang Xiao and derisively commented.
“Is it any of your business?”
A faint frown creased Wang Xiao’s forehead as he inquired in a low, steady tone.
“Haha, of course it’s my concern. You should be acutely aware of your own limitations. You’re incapable of providing happiness to Waner’s cousin, whereas Young Master Li can. He’s endowed with wealth and influence. Whatever Waner’s cousin desires, he can provide. What can you offer Waner’s cousin? What does your medical expertise bring to the table?”
Tong Bin leveled a scornful gaze at Wang Xiao and sarcastically retorted.