Her Imperfection for Wifehood - Chapter 33.1

Chapter 33.1

On Tang Yunqing’s birthday, Yang Qiyuan called her early in the morning to wish her a happy birthday and to apologize for being on a business trip in another province, unable to spend the day with her.

Approaching noon, another call came in, and Qingyan answered it.

“Madam, it’s Doctor Fu’s phone number.”

Fu Wenjing? Why was she calling?

The question flashed through her mind. Tang Yunqing then recalled that last year, the year before, and the year before that, it seemed like every year on her birthday, that woman would call her using various reasons or excuses.

Every time, she claimed to be inquiring about her health, but in the end, she would always lightly say, “Happy Birthday, Miss Tang.”

It should be the same today.

“Doctor Fu.”

“Miss Tang, how is Second Miss Wei’s injury recovering? There are no signs of infection or other discomfort, are there?”

“No.” Why didn’t she call Wei Yinxia to ask about the injury?

“That’s good, then.”

“Are you free?”

“What?” Fu Wenjing seemed not to have heard clearly.

“If Doctor Fu is free today, come to the manor for a simple meal. We won’t wait past mealtime. That’s all. Goodbye.”

Joy came unexpectedly.

Fu Wenjing looked at the receiver and muttered to herself, “It’s a good thing I have the day off today.”

Tang Yunqing was neither a heartless person nor one who ignored the plight of her friends. She had promised to lend money to An Jing, and she would definitely give it to her within five days.

She was aware of the seriousness of the arms smuggling incident. At a time like this, she couldn’t go to the An house. She couldn’t selfishly put the Tang and Yang families in jeopardy.

She not only had to celebrate her birthday as usual to reassure her family, but she also had to keep it a secret from Wei Yinxia so as not to make the already bad situation worse, and to allow An Jing to focus without worry.

As expected, her mother arrived before noon.

Arriving even earlier than her mother was the bird’s nest and expensive jewelry Yang Qiyuan had sent over.

“Mom, this is the younger daughter of Boss Wei of Zhengqing Department Store, Wei Yinxia. She is also my god-sister now,” Tang Yunqing held her mother’s arm and introduced Wei Yinxia to her. “Don’t underestimate her. My god-sister is a rare talent; she’s well-educated, plays the piano, and Xiaoyu is very fond of her.”

“Hello, Madam Tang.” Wei Yinxia was currently wearing an apron. Qingyan had called her out of the kitchen after hearing that Madam Tang had arrived.

“How can you let a guest into the kitchen?” Madam Tang pinched Tang Yunqing’s hand and lectured her when she saw her wearing an apron. “She is also a young lady from a good family, and yet you’ve made her into your sister and ordered her into the kitchen. Qingyan, hurry and untie Second Miss Wei’s apron. How improper! What would people say if word got out? It might even be rumored that our Tang family looks down on the Wei family.”

“Madam, you’ve misunderstood Sister Yunqing. Today is Sister Yunqing’s birthday. I came in a hurry and didn’t bring any gifts, so I thought I’d personally cook a few of my best dishes as a birthday gift to show my sincerity.”

Wei Yinxia had only managed to cook two dishes, but Madam Tang spoke so severely that she couldn’t continue in the kitchen and allowed Qingyan to untie her apron.

“She lacks nothing. As her sister, you don’t need to give her gifts.”

“Grandma, Grandma,” Xiaoyu tugged on Madam Tang’s hand, shaking it repeatedly, “Grandma, come catch the chicks outside with me.”

“Alright, alright. Grandma will go catch chicks with Xiaoyu.”

“Hurry up, Grandma.” Resolving awkward situations still relied on the little princess.

Madam Tang took Xiaoyu outside. Tang Yunqing patted Wei Yinxia’s arm: “You don’t need to take my mother’s words to heart. We’ve been together for a few days, and we each know what kind of person the other is. An Jing entrusted you to me because she trusts me. Since I promised her I would look after you, I won’t go back on my word. Just be at ease.”

“Thank you for the comfort, Sister Yunqing. I just hope I haven’t caused you or Boss Jing any trouble.”

“Whether you’ve caused trouble or not is hard to say.” Tang Yunqing would not indulge or spoil her unconditionally like An Jing. “Yinyin, you have to think about how to make yourself worthy of her kindness to you.”

How to make myself worthy? She had never thought about it in this way before.

In front of An Jing, and in front of Tang Yunqing, she felt too small. They were not only more capable and courageous than her, but their thoughts and perspectives were also different from hers.

She lost not just in status and position; she also lost in thought and vision.

As the last dish was served, Fu Wenjing rang the doorbell, holding a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a large basket of fruit in the other.

Qingyan was playing shuttlecock with Xiaoyu in the garden. Hearing the sound, she stood on her toes and peered over: “Doctor Fu?”

The gate opened.

Qingyan was the first to greet her.

Fu Wenjing: “Did I miss Miss Tang’s lunch time?”

Qingyan: “Not yet.”

“Auntie Fu.” Xiaoyu ran over.

“Little Xiaoyu.” Fu Wenjing crouched down. “Come, let Auntie Fu give you a kiss.”

“Did Auntie Fu also come to celebrate Mommy’s birthday?” Xiaoyu obediently offered her cheek. After being kissed, she kissed Fu Wenjing back on the cheek.

“Yes. This is the first time Auntie Fu is celebrating Mommy’s birthday. Xiaoyu, you don’t mind me being here, do you?”

“Doctor Fu, let me take that for you.” Qingyan took the fruit basket from her hand.

“Of course Xiaoyu welcomes Auntie Fu! It’s so lively today. Grandma is here too.” Xiaoyu took the hand Fu Wenjing had free and led her inside. “It’s just a pity that Daddy isn’t here, and Godmother didn’t come either.”

Grandma?

That meant Tang Yunqing’s mother was also here?

Madam Tang was tired after only playing with Xiaoyu for a while; she couldn’t match the little one’s energy.

Seeing another guest arrive, she stood up from her chair. She recognized Fu Wenjing, having seen her at the hospital and having had her visit to check on both her and her daughter.

“So it’s Doctor Fu.”

“Madam Tang, hello.”

“Doctor Fu, are you here today because…?” Madam Tang had never seen her proud daughter proactively invite anyone home. Even An Jing had never set foot inside their house.

“It’s like this, Madam Tang. Second Miss Wei was injured a few days ago, and I came to treat her. I’m here today, first, to check up on her on the way…”

Before Fu Wenjing finished, Tang Yunqing walked over, arms crossed: “Is Doctor Fu here to check up on Second Miss Wei’s injury or to conveniently have a meal?”

Eh?

Why did Miss Tang seem unhappy? Did I say something wrong?

Should I not have mentioned Second Miss Wei first?

But telling Madam Tang directly that she had invited herself for a meal would also sound strange. The distance was so great; how could it be considered just a casual meal? Besides, they weren’t even friends.

Fu Wenjing was a little confused, but a smiling face disarms an angry person.

So, she grinned broadly: “Miss Tang, Happy Birthday!”

As she spoke, she presented the bouquet of roses with both hands: “Beautiful flowers for a beautiful birthday girl. May the years always pass similarly, and may every morning be like this day.”

Tang Yunqing took them, thirty-three roses.

Roses symbolize love.

Wasn’t this a flower that a man gave a woman as a lover?

While Tang Yunqing was stunned, Fu Wenjing cheekily asked, “Madam Tang, Miss Tang, do you mind if I freeload a meal?”

“Oh, Doctor Fu, what are you saying? You’re a guest, and we’re all acquaintances. Lunch is ready; please come inside.”

Madam Tang had a very good impression of Fu Wenjing—she was a compassionate doctor and amiable. Compared to An Jing, she preferred her daughter to be close friends with Fu Wenjing, sharing everything.

Although she was surprised that Fu Wenjing gave her daughter flowers, considering it was her daughter’s birthday and Fu Wenjing had wished her happy birthday, giving flowers was nothing too strange. They were young people, and they had their own ways of interacting.

Tang Yunqing’s thoughts were a mess. She smelled the flowers, then handed them to Qingyan: “Find a vase and put them in water. Don’t let them die this afternoon.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Lunch was warm and joyful, with old and young alike.

Madam Tang had a habit of taking an afternoon nap, so she retired to her room after the meal.

Tang Yunqing and Wei Yinxia sat on the second-floor balcony with a pot of jasmine tea brewing on the table, each holding a book.

Fu Wenjing, meanwhile, was playing with Xiaoyu and Qingyan, staring blankly at a banyan tree in the garden.

“Auntie Fu? What are you looking at?”

“Xiaoyu, how about we make a swing?” Fu Wenjing pulled back her gaze, pointing to the large tree and guiding Xiaoyu to look up. “We can tie two ropes down from there and attach a big wooden board, so you can swing back and forth.”

“Yes! Yes!” Xiaoyu clapped her hands and cheered happily. She had only played on swings a few times in the park. If she could have one at home, she could swing every day.

“But,” amidst her excitement, she also pointed to the trunk and asked, “Isn’t it dangerous to climb that high? Can Auntie Fu climb up?”

“…” Fu Wenjing hadn’t initially planned to climb it herself.

But Xiaoyu asked, her big eyes full of anticipation. How could she disappoint her daughter?

“Xiaoyu, Auntie Fu is very capable, you know.” She couldn’t fail in front of a child.

“Wow, really? Then Auntie Fu, let’s hurry up.” Xiaoyu’s eyes widened, and she happily waved her hands. “Quick, quick. Let’s do it together. I’ll go call Mommy and Auntie Yinyin to help too.”

“Alright. Xiaoyu, go find your Mommy and the others. Auntie Fu will go find the materials we can use for the swing. We’ll meet under the tree later.” She would have to handle the boast she just made herself.

Thus, Tang Yunqing and Wei Yinxia were also called over by Xiaoyu to be observation guests.

The manor was well-stocked with miscellaneous items, so wooden boards and ropes were not lacking. Fu Wenjing painstakingly polished the wooden board, but ultimately, she needed the help of two guards to climb the tree and tie the ropes.

“Miss Tang, wasn’t I amazing?” Fu Wenjing clung to the trunk, raising one hand to wave at Tang Yunqing, seeking praise.

Tang Yunqing, however, ignored her, instructing the two guards: “Both of you, hold the ladder steady.”

Seeing that Tang Yunqing didn’t answer and only gave orders to the servants, Fu Wenjing’s smile froze on her face, and she looked slightly disappointed. She embarrassedly fell silent, sighing inwardly. This young lady was indeed aloof inside and out.

Fu Wenjing slowly climbed down the ladder. On the last step, she missed her footing and landed squarely on her backside.

How embarrassing.

At least at the hospital, she was recognized as the most beautiful woman in the whole hospital! Her image was ruined just like that, and right in front of Tang Yunqing.

Although she wouldn’t be seriously injured from falling from such a low height, Fu Wenjing felt utterly awkward and upset.

“Doctor Fu!” Qingyan immediately went to help her up but was waved away.

“Auntie Fu, Auntie Fu, are you hurt?” Xiaoyu also ran over, concerned, but she still remained seated.

Wei Yinxia took a step forward but immediately stopped.

She glanced at Tang Yunqing.

Tang Yunqing couldn’t stand to watch anymore. She walked directly in front of Fu Wenjing, looking down at her: “It’s only this high. What, is Doctor Fu planning to stay on the ground and cry, demanding that I take responsibility?”

Fu Wenjing looked up, puffing out her cheeks: “Mhm, you’re responsible.”

Xiaoyu was confused by Auntie Fu’s actions. After looking at her Mommy and then at Auntie Fu on the ground, she chose to run away.

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