Chapter 58: Chapter 58 - 58 058 Making plans with a tiger for its skin tonight

Chapter 58: 058 Making plans with a tiger for its skin, tonight we must settle matters with Tang Wan [Prize Q&A] Chapter 58: 058 Making plans with a tiger for its skin, tonight we must settle matters with Tang Wan [Prize Q&A] Jiang Jinsang accompanied Qi Zeyan for lunch, then stayed at the hospital for a while longer. In the meantime, a steady stream of visitors came to see them, inevitably creating a noisy environment. Finally, Tang Wan found a doctor to change rooms and, using the excuse that Elder Tang needed peace to recuperate, declined all visitors.

As the sky grew dim, Tang Wan turned to Jiang Jinsang and Qi Zeyan, “Fifth Master, President Qi, it’s getting dark. Why don’t you both head back?”

“I…”

Just as Jiang Jinsang began to speak, he was gently cut off by Tang Wan, “Your own health isn’t great to begin with, and now the temperature has dropped outside. If you fall ill, I won’t be able to explain it to Auntie.”

“Then I’ll leave a couple of men with you,” Jiang Jinsang offered.

“This is a hospital; there are nurses on duty outside. It’s not necessary.”

Qi Zeyan’s relationship with her was just a normal partnership; he had even less right to insist on staying behind.

Then Tang Wan personally escorted the two men out.

“All afternoon, so many people coming and going, I didn’t have a chance to talk more with her, didn’t get to grow closer to her. It’s such a pity,” lamented Qi Zeyan.

“I had planned to make a strong move on her, but then Elder Tang suddenly fell ill. She’s in such distress, it would be utterly inhuman to pursue her now!”

Jiang Jinsang nodded, “So at this time, what you need is to silently contribute.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

Qi Zeyan had truly worn his heart on his sleeve in this time, only to finally realize that the delicate flower belonged to someone else, snatched away by a “brother” in an act of love theft.

*

After Jiang Jinsang and the others left, the hospital room was left with only the unconscious elderly man, Tang Wan and Zhang Liyun.

“Wanwan, let me go to the cafeteria to get you something to eat; you can’t just not eat.”

“There’s no need to trouble yourself; I’m not hungry.”

“I’ll go buy you something to eat. The elder hasn’t recovered yet, and you can’t let your own health collapse.”

Tang Wan was about to say something when Zhang Liyun had already walked out.

In the brief moment waiting for the elevator, Zhang Liyun caught sight of a figure out of the corner of her eye. The man, dressed in a patient’s gown, beckoned her over, motioning for her to come to him. Zhang Liyun instinctively turned her head to look towards the hospital room, confirming that Tang Wan hadn’t come out, before holding her breath and walking over.

At the stairwell, where it was now completely dark, the hospital was mostly deserted, leaving Zhang Liyun feeling uneasy as she approached.

He An was leaning against the wall, a cigarette between his fingers, puffing out clouds of smoke.

“What do you want?” Zhang Liyun kept her voice very low.

“What are you afraid of?” He An squinted as he smoked, not at all seeming like a patient should.

“If Wanwan sees this, do you still think she’ll want you?”

“What’s the deal with that Fifth Master Jiang and Young Master Qi? Are they interested in her?”

“I don’t know. If you’ve got something to say, speak up; it’s not good to be seen like this.”

“You weren’t like this when you came to me initially.”

He An moved closer, deliberately blowing out smoke in Zhang Liyun’s face, causing her to cough involuntarily, his demeanor provoking.

“That night of the accident, you bailed out Tang Mo, afraid we’d come after her. You specifically came to me, and I agreed to let her off this once.”

“But Mrs. Tang, the promise you made to me hasn’t been fulfilled yet.”

Zhang Liyun’s fingers clenched, enduring the unpleasant smell of smoke, “I’ve already given you the chance to get close to Tang Wan.”

“To approach her like a servant, yet she hasn’t even given me a second glance,” He An took a deep drag from his cigarette.

“Today, I even got ridiculed by those two. Is this the great idea you came up with?”

“Do you think I want just an opportunity to be near her? I want her as a person!”

“You said you wanted to marry her? If you don’t take it step by step, do you expect to force her into marriage, to turn uncooked rice into cooked rice? Her father will be home tomorrow, and as I promised you, I will give you a chance to show yourself.” Zhang Liyun wouldn’t associate with such a person if it weren’t absolutely necessary.

In the end, it was all because of the foolish Tang Mo—useless at supporting the family, and still leaving her with a mess.

“Even the Jiang Family looks down on me. Do you think she would consider me? Zhang Liyun, you must be joking with me,” He An still had some self-awareness.

“So, what do you want to do?” Zhang Liyun fumed.

“Who’s on the night watch at the hospital tonight?”

Zhang Liyun wasn’t stupid, “You can’t be thinking, this is a hospital…”

“I’ve already made arrangements, tonight just leave her alone,” He An casually tossed his finished cigarette butt and stamped it out with his foot, “Or I could have someone go find Tang Mo for some fun.”

“Alternatively, I could have a little chat with Mr. Tang later on.”

“The doctors will probably be making their rounds soon, I better go, tonight she’s mine, you figure it out.”

As soon as He An left, Zhang Liyun was so angry that she gasped for air and violently threw her purse to the ground.

“Scum, beast—”

All they agreed upon earlier was matchmaking, giving him a chance, lending a hand, how did it turn into…

At this moment, Zhang Liyun realized she had been overly naive back then, seeking help in desperation. How could she have believed the words of such trash.

…

By the time Zhang Liyun returned to the ward, she had made a bowl of thin porridge for Tang Wan, along with two egg cakes.

“Wanwan, you still look a bit out of sorts, why don’t you head back.”

“Auntie Li, I really don’t want to eat, and it’s already dark. Why don’t you go ahead? I can stay here by myself,” Tang Wan’s relationship with her had become very delicate, and staying together for the night would just be uncomfortable.

“I really don’t feel easy leaving you alone.”

“It’s okay…”

After some polite back and forth, Zhang Liyun creased her lips into a forced smile, “Actually, Momo just got out of the hospital too. I’m also worried about her being at home alone. If anything happens, or if the old master wakes up, call me at any time.”

“Okay,” Tang Wan’s heart and mind were with the elder Tang, and she didn’t notice the fleeting abnormal expression in Zhang Liyun’s eyes.

**

The old Tang Family mansion

Jiang Jinsang was engrossed in an ancient Qing Dynasty history book when Jiang Cuo briskly approached. “Master, as you suspected, Zhang Liyun and He An have met, and they talked for a few minutes.”

“What did they say?” His tone remained gentle.

“He plans to make a move on Miss Tang tonight. Zhang Liyun has already left the hospital, leaving Miss Tang alone in the ward. But… how could you guess these two would…”

“After that night, as you guys described, this He An is no good sort. In just a few short days, a person can’t change so drastically, and also, to date, no one has caused trouble for Tang Mo; there must be someone mediating.”

“That group looks up to He An; if they want to make peace, they would need to start with him.”

“Moreover, Zhang Liyun indeed behaved unusually toward him today, being overly ingratiating, obviously feigning subservience. Most likely, he has something on her.”

Jiang Cuo frowned, “Doesn’t she fear that the elder Tang might wake up, or Mr. Tang comes back…”

“She should be aware, after so many incidents one after the other, she won’t be able to stay at the Tang Family much longer.”

“The most insidious part about this is, if she succeeds, the Tang Family won’t make a big fuss about it. Even if they conduct a silent investigation, aren’t they afraid of being discovered? Once exposed, the one who is hurt the most won’t be them but Wanwan. The Tang Family is likely to end up swallowing a bitter pill in silence.”

“If Zhang Liyun truly loses all shame, she might even take advantage of the divorce to extort a hefty sum.”

“Besides… plotting with a tiger for its skin, she has no way out; either way, it’s a dead end.”

Jiang Cuo clicked his tongue, “My god, is she even human?”

Jiang Jinsang closed his book and stood up, “I’m off to the hospital.”

As he opened the door to leave, a drizzle had unexpectedly started to fall outside.

*

Meanwhile, another black sedan had already passed through the Pingjiang Highway tollbooth, with its destination set…

The hospital.