After Returning Home, The Female CEO Actually Gave Me A Daughter Section 37

Not long after.

The dishes and rice were all served.

"Go on, try it—does it still taste the same as before?"

Uncle Li said with a look of eager anticipation.

Tang Chen picked up a piece with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, nodding in approval. "Exactly the same, still just as delicious!"

Uncle Li grinned from ear to ear, then turned his gaze to Shen Qingyan.

Shen Qingyan also took a bite with her chopsticks and nodded in admiration.

Uncle Li's face lit up completely, as if relieved, and he plopped down onto a nearby seat.

"Uncle Li, Auntie Li, how's business been lately?"

Tang Chen asked as he ate.

Actually, he didn't need to ask at all.

It was mealtime now.

But there weren't many customers in the restaurant.

Business was clear at a glance.

Still, Tang Chen had his own reason for asking.

After all, these were some of the few old acquaintances left in the world.

If they were struggling, he could lend a hand where possible.

"Business isn't great, but it doesn't really matter."

Auntie Li said, "This street's going to be turned into a pedestrian walkway like a tourist spot soon. All our shops are getting demolished, and the compensation is pretty good—enough to buy our kid a house and keep us comfortable for the rest of our lives."

"That's great!"

Tang Chen nodded with a smile.

"Alright, alright, we won't keep bothering you two lovebirds while you eat. Xiao Chen, let's add each other on WeChat. The shop won't be open anymore, and we don't want to keep it going—we'd like to rest. But if you ever crave something, just message your uncle, and I'll fire up the stove and make it for you right away!"

Uncle Li pulled out his phone and fumbled a bit to open his QR code.

"And me too—if you want anything to eat, just get in touch with me. This old man's phone is practically a decoration; he's always the one contacting others, never the other way around!"

Tang Chen smiled, took out his phone, and scanned each code one by one.

The couple had no idea.

The WeChat they casually added.

Was something countless wealthy merchants in Magic City would break their heads trying to get...

"Alright, we'll leave you two to your meal."

After adding the WeChat, Uncle Li and Auntie Li went back to the kitchen.

Shen Qingyan kept her head lowered a bit.

Being mistaken for Tang Chen's wife made her cheeks flush slightly.

But deep down, she didn't really mind the misunderstanding...

Shen Qingyan didn't eat much, but she still had a fair amount. After Tang Chen wolfed down the leftovers, they said goodbye to Uncle Li and Auntie Li and left.

Once outside the restaurant, Tang Chen was about to ask if Shen Qingyan had any plans, but she spoke first. "Do you have anything to do this afternoon?"

:She's too considerate—so considerate it hurts. Chapter 10, begging for favorites.

"No."

Tang Chen shook his head and asked, "Do you have something?"

"Yeah."

Shen Qingyan nodded. "Today's the day I go to the sanatorium."

"My mom's been in a vegetative state for five years. I go see her every week at this time."

"You can go ahead and handle your business. We can pick up Yaoyao together in the evening..."

Tang Chen shook his head directly. "No need, I'll go with you..."

Shen Qingyan bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The two got into the Mercedes-Benz S-Class waiting at the street corner, and soon arrived at the sanatorium where Shen Qingyan's mother was staying.

"Miss Shen, you're here!"

The middle-aged female caregiver saw Shen Qingyan and nodded in greeting.

"Auntie, how's my mom?" Shen Qingyan asked.

"Still the same—hasn't gotten worse, but hasn't gotten better either," the female caregiver said with a shake of her head.

"Thank you for your trouble, Auntie." Shen Qingyan said. "I'll go in and see her first."

"No trouble at all! It's all part of my duty!" The female caregiver shook her head and stepped aside from the doorway.

But when she saw Tang Chen following Shen Qingyan inside, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.

Having cared for Shen Qingyan's mother for so many years, this was the first time she'd seen Shen Qingyan bring anyone along—and a man, at that.

On the hospital bed.

A middle-aged woman who didn't look her age lay there.

Her eyes were closed, but traces of resemblance to Shen Qingyan could still be seen in her brow.

Her fingers and toes were clipped with various devices, and the monitor beside her displayed steady vital signs.

A vegetative state...

This might be the most fortunate and most unfortunate illness in the world.

Fortunate, because she was a hair's breadth from death but ultimately survived.

Unfortunate, because she might never regain consciousness for the rest of her life...

"How did Auntie end up like this?" Tang Chen asked.

"My father's death, my pregnancy out of wedlock—it was too much for her. She still gritted her teeth and took care of me, until she suddenly had a cerebral hemorrhage..." Shen Qingyan took a deep breath.

Tang Chen's brow furrowed, and he fell silent.

It seemed...

He owed Shen Qingyan more than he had imagined.

"Mom, I'm here."

Shen Qingyan sat down by the bedside.

Reaching out to grasp her mother's wrist, she said softly, "Mom, it's been five years. Yaoyao is already four. Won't you open your eyes and see?"

"Mom, haven't you always asked me who the child's father is?"

"Now, he's here..."

"His name is Tang Chen. He's the same age as me..."

Shen Qingyan didn't cry.

But her voice was filled with endless sorrow...

"Auntie, I'm sorry."

Tang Chen's voice was heavy. "I came too late."

Despite how heartbreaking those words were, Shen Qingyan hadn't shown too much grief.

But when she heard Tang Chen's words—

Her body trembled, and her eyes suddenly reddened.

Did she blame Tang Chen?

She'd had the answer to that question from the very beginning.

She had never blamed or resented Tang Chen in the slightest...

"It's not your fault."

Shen Qingyan sniffled and shook her head. "Back then, you didn't even know Yaoyao existed..."

Tang Chen watched Shen Qingyan's frail, slender figure, his eyes flickering.

She was too understanding...

Just like Tang Yao.

Understanding to the point of heartbreak...

: Under the Tianyuan Group! The astonishing sanatorium! Chapter 1, begging for favorites.