Until the very end, Tong Xiaohuai never mentioned Yanbo to her mother.
Tong Xiaohuai's mother was in poor health, and she didn't want her to worry too much about her.
Seeing that her daughter was not in good spirits, Tong's mother could guess what was going on, but she didn't want to say it outright. She only asked Tong's eldest son to ask Yanbo about it when she went back to her room to rest.
"What could be wrong? It must be something to do with Xiao Yan's parents! They're such old-fashioned people, don't they feel bad for their son being put through this?"
Tong's mother sighed, "Yunxiang, do you think I'll live to see them get married?"
Tong's mother knows her own physical condition best.
Tong Laoda put his arm around her and patted her gently, "Don't talk nonsense, how could I not see it!"
Knowing his wife's worries, Tong Laoda also became a little anxious.
The next day, after Tong Xiaohuai left the house, Tong's mother went to the backyard to tend to her flowers and plants, and then Tong Laoda left under the pretext of meeting a friend to play golf.
He asked the driver to take him to a teahouse near Yanhuang, where he sat down and then called Yanbo.
Yan Bo was somewhat surprised to receive his call. Hearing that the man was waiting for him at a nearby teahouse, he quickly handed over his work and rushed to the teahouse.
Tong Laoda has always been direct and doesn't bother with beating around the bush.
After Yanbo sat down and took a sip of tea, he got straight to the point.
"Xiao Yan, how are your preparations going regarding that matter I brought up at the end of the year?"
Yan Bo immediately understood, "Uncle Tong, don't worry, I'm already making preparations. I'll take action as soon as Xiao Huai has a break and some free time."
Tong Laoda nodded, picked up his teacup, took a few sips, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
"There's something I've been keeping from Xiaohuai for all these years."
Yan Bo looked at Tong Laoda seriously and asked tentatively, "Is it about Aunt Tong?"
Tong Laoda looked up at him, his eyes filled with sadness. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke.
"Yes, you noticed it too?"
Yan Bo was embarrassed to say that he had previously investigated the entire Tong family, so he just nodded slightly.
"Yes, Aunt Tong's complexion wasn't very good, and her health wasn't great either, so I made a wild guess. But don't worry, Uncle Tong, I haven't mentioned this to Xiao Huai."
But in truth, Yan Bo knew very well that Tong Xiaohuai probably had her own thoughts about her mother's situation, but was just pretending not to know.
“Her mother fell ill when she was ten years old. She had surgery and her condition was under control. It was because of this illness that Xiaohuai could not have any more siblings. A few months ago, after Xiaohuai’s birthday, we told her that she was going on a trip abroad to travel around the world. In fact, it was because her mother’s condition had relapsed and she had gone abroad for treatment.”
"Currently, her condition is under control, but the doctor said that her physical condition is too poor and the chance of relapse is getting higher and higher. Therefore, she herself is prepared to withdraw her treatment at any time."
Tong Laoda, who usually seems carefree, had a slight reddening in the corner of his eyes when talking about his mother. It shows that even the toughest man has a tender side.
Yan Bo listened silently. When he saw that Boss Tong had stopped, he filled his cup with tea, paused for a moment, and then spoke.
"Uncle Tong, I know quite a few famous doctors in the capital. Why don't I invite them to come and treat Aunt Tong?"
Tong Laoda shook his head. "It's no use. I've already searched for all the famous doctors in the country. The doctor said that her constitution is too weak and she can't withstand any major treatments."
Yan Bo paused for a moment, then said, “Uncle Tong, I understand. I will make sure to take care of the proposal as soon as possible. As long as Xiao Huai agrees, we can hold the engagement banquet after the Spring Festival.”
Having said all that, Boss Tong stopped hiding his intentions. "I trust you, but if we hold an engagement banquet, what are you going to do about your parents?"
Tong Laoda believes that Yanbo is capable of giving his beloved daughter happiness, but he is unwilling to let her return to Lao Yan's house to suffer scorn and humiliation.
Yan Bo was now 100% certain that Tong Laoda had heard about his falling out with his parents.
After careful consideration, he finally confessed that he had blocked his parents and older brother.
After listening, Boss Tong suddenly understood.
"No wonder Xiao Huai seemed so distracted when she got home last night. Did you tell her about this?"
Yan Bo paused for a moment, then shook his head in denial, "No, I was afraid she would worry, and I was also afraid she would blame herself, so I didn't mention it to her."
"That's strange. Is there something else going on?" Boss Tong frowned and pondered.
Yan Bo lowered his head and thought for a moment, vaguely guessing the cause and effect of the matter.
However, he couldn't tell Boss Tong about this, since it was his own fault for not doing things perfectly, which made Tong Xiaohuai worry and feel guilty.
"Uncle Tong, don't overthink it. I'll call her later and ask. Maybe it's about the exam."
This reason was actually quite far-fetched, but after hearing it, Boss Tong didn't say anything more, seemingly accepting his explanation.
As they chatted, the conversation drifted to lunchtime. Yan Bo invited Tong Laoda to have lunch with him, but Tong Laoda declined.
"No, I need to go back and be with your Aunt Tong. Anyway, hurry up with the proposal and engagement, make your Aunt Tong happy, it might even be good for her health."
Yan Bo saw Tong Laoda into the car and watched it drive away before taking out his phone and pulling his older brother Yan Yuan out of the blacklist.
The call was dialed, and it took a long time for the other party to answer.
"Finally released me?" Yan Yuan's tone was extremely annoyed.
Yan Bo's tone wasn't much better, "Brother, why are you bothering Xiao Huai with our business?"
"What do you mean by 'between us'? If it weren't for her, would you have blacklisted my parents and me?"
Yan Bo stopped at a corner and growled at the person on the other end of the microphone.
"Brothers, can't you be reasonable? If it weren't for Mom and Dad and you insisting on imposing your ideas on me, would I have blocked you? I am Yan Bo, not Yan Zhong or Yan Yuan. My life is none of your responsibility, and I am not responsible for yours either!"
Yanbo has been feeling very tired lately because he's caught in a tug-of-war between his parents, his older brother, and Tong Xiaohuai.
His parents were hurt, he knew.
But he also knew that there was no solution that would please everyone in this matter.
If he continues to choose to tolerate and yield to his parents, it would be extremely unfair to Tong Xiaohuai.
Although Tong Xiaohuai said that no matter what, she would stay by his side and face it together.
But how could he bear to do it? How could he possibly give it up?
"Yanbo, do you have any conscience saying such things? If you weren't Yanzhong's son, would you be where you are today? Of course, the same goes for me. If I weren't Yanzhong's son, I'd probably still be a low-level clerk struggling at the bottom. Have you considered that possibility?"
Yan Bo was so annoyed he asked, "What do you want me to do? Publish a statement in the newspaper to sever ties?"
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