Chapter 265: Cousin
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Tang Xiu grabbed Tang Yunde's wrist and his fingers pressed at his pulse, quietly feeling it. What made him rather grateful was that, while Tang Yunde's pulse was rather weak and suffered severe loss of vital energy, it was still sufficient to support his bodily functions.
Furthermore, even in this condition, he could still live eight to ten years more!
Releasing his wrist, Tang Xiu pulled him up and set his body sitting straight. Whilst pressing his five fingers on Tang Yunde's head, he directed his star force and released his spiritual sense.
Brain domain. It was the most mysterious part of the human body. When Tang Xiu became a Supreme in the Immortal World, he had been able to utilize and control 60% of his brain area, whereas the rest 40% he had never been able to develop or use it.
As Tang Xiu examined him, his face turned unsightly. He found that Tang Yunde's brain nerves had been severely atrophied with blood congestions in the neuronal nodes. The congestion had even coagulated, and there were signs that it had blocked the blood supply to the brain. Furthermore, the part of brain ventricles connected to the mind sea had been cut off, leaving a particular ash-grey substance blocking it. It was precisely this ash-grey substance that trapped his consciousness in the mind sea, causing him to be unable to perceive the outside world.
Trapped consciousness- Tang Xiu had experienced it once before.
When a wisp of his soul crossed over to the Immortal World in the past, whereupon it emerged on someone else's body there, it was trapped therein for three months, and eventually came out of the predicament by chance to become the owner of that body.
The feeling of having one's consciousness trapped was very depressing as well as painful! Wanting to rest yet unable to sleep, floating and drifting in the endless darkness, driving one to wish for death. If one's mental constitution was tough, they might be able to persist for a long time, otherwise, they would be driven to insanity, mentally disoriented and devoid of any strength and capability of thinking.
Four or five minutes later.
Tang Xiu slowly retracted his palm and quickly kept his spiritual sense. He would still be able to save Tang Yunde, but the process would be very dangerous. The danger was not just applied to Tang Yunde, but to him as well.
"Xiu'er, how is it?"
Standing at the side, Su Lingyun asked with anticipation.
Looking at his mother's expression, Tang Xiu sighed inwardly. While he had low emotional intelligence, with his superb intelligence, how couldn't he be able to feel his mother's anticipation at this moment?
"Mom, is he really important to you?"
After staying silent for a moment, only then did Tang Xiu speak.
Resolutely replying, Su Lingyun said, "Very. The both of you, father and son, are very important to me."
Equals?
Tang Xiu savored her answer inside before he finally made a decision. His gaze turned to Tang Guosheng and spoke in a heavy tone, "I dare not 100% guarantee chance of curing him. But I'm willing to give it a try. Prepare a spacious place where nobody can't disturb us. Also, find me a set of silver needles."
Tang Guosheng's eyes lit up as he asked in a deep tone, "I'll arrange it immediately. Aside from silver needles, what else do you need?"
"If your Tang Family has the ability, go to the medicinal herb market or herbs shops and buy a lot of Dragonfume Grass. Bear in mind that this herb is extremely scarce and very expensive. However many you can find, buy them."
Dragonfume Grass?
Tang Guosheng turned and shouted sternly, "You all heard it. All of you look for it; and be quick about it. Within three hours, all that Tang Xiu needs must be found."
"Yes!"
A dozen Tang family members rushed outside.
Tang Guosheng then gave Tang Xiu and his mother a look whilst secretly sighing. Having been silent for a moment, he said mildly, "Tang Xiu, it would perhaps take some time to find the medicinal herb you need. It's night already, so let's have dinner first! Even if you're not hungry, your mother is."
Tang Xiu took a look at his mother who grabbed Tang Yunde's hand as he silently nodded.
"I'll cook. I'll cook for you myself," said Qin Changyue quickly as she hurried to leave the room after saying that.
A warm feeling sprouted inside Tang Xiu's heart when he looked at her back. He indeed rejected the Tang Family's members, but seeing Qin Changyue's actions, he could see that each and every expression and action brought along a deep affection and love within.
He was not someone whose heart was made of stone. Qin Changyue spoke a few words and hurriedly left; it touched his heart. He even began to silently recognize this paternal grandmother of his for the first time.
"We're also going out!"
Tang Xiu turned to Tang Guosheng and said.
At the main hall of the residence.
Tang Xiu sat leaning on the sofa and closed his eyes. He had decided to treat Tang Yunde, for which he had to conserve his strength and maintain his spiritual force at the peak.
It was because he'd have to use his spiritual sense if he wanted to clean up the ash-grey substance blocking the brain ventricles and the mind sea. If he was an Immortal and used his spiritual sense, it would be a cinch. But the present him was too weak, not even having the confidence to clear those ash-gray substances in one go as well as clearing the blood congestion and nourishing the atrophied brain nerves along the way.
The human brain was very complex. He was perfectly aware that he only had one chance. If it couldn't be done at once and in the case that other problems cropped up with Tang Yunde's brain, it would likely claim Tang Yunde's life.
If his mother was willing to wait, he'd rather do that. If he was stronger he'd be much more confident. But, he didn't want to do it. His mother had waited in suffering for her husband for twenty years, waiting to serve him after she saw him.
After nearly an hour.
Qin Changyue entered the main hall in an apron. With an expression full of affection, she looked at Tang Xiu and said softly, "Grandson, the meal is ready. Call your mother and let's have a meal together!"
Tang Xiu opened his eyes and nodded to her amiably. He got up and went to the next room, finding his mother holding Tang Yunde's hand and telling him all her thoughts and feelings in the last twenty years. Tang Xiu once again sighed inside before his hand touched his mother's shoulders, saying, "Mom, let's eat! Eat and drink to the full to raise your spirit, so you can better chat with him."
"Alright!" Su Lingyun turned around with a trace of a smile on her face.
It seems to her that at present, the sweetness of life had come to her after having gone through bitterness. Her two biggest wishes for two decades, one was to have her son to pass the CET smoothly and be successfully admitted to a prestigious university, and the second was to find her missing husband. She got both wishes now, making her quite content. Although her husband was still in a coma at present, if her son could really cure him, she would no longer complain even if she died.
There were only four people on the table for dinner.
Tang Guosheng, Qin Changyue, Tang Xiu and Su Lingyun.
The dining table was full of fragrant dishes as Qin Changyue constantly served the mother and son the veggie dishes. She wore a bright smile on her face, causing Tang Xiu to have a good appetite. He wolfed down two full bowls of rice and also ate a lot of dishes.
At this moment, Tang Xiu could finally feel that the Tangs truly cared about his mother and him as well as clearly felt the atmosphere of familial affection. With only a word from Tang Guosheng, the dozen members of the Tangs, including their daughter-in-laws who were holding children, left their ancestral residence to find Dragonfume Grass.
"This family… is very good." Lamenting inwardly, Tang Xiu put down the chopsticks after eating to the full.
"Grandpa, grandma!"
At this time, a voice came from outside the dining room as a young man strode inside. After he saw Tang Xiu, he fell into a daze, wearing a hard-to-believe expression in his face.
Tang Xiu was also astonished, for he didn't expect that it turned out to be Chu Yi. More so after Chu Yi called Tang Guosheng and Qin Changyue maternal grandfather and grandmother. So to say, that meant he was his... cousin?
"Tang Xiu, how… are you here?"
Chu Yi stared at Tang Xiu with a silly expression as he murmured.
Faintly smiling, Tang Xiu got up and replied, "Surprised?"
"What surprise? It's a shock! I just can't believe, that you… you turned out to be my cousin."
"Please don't speak about being relatives yet. Are you hungry? Have a meal first," said Tang Xiu faintly.
The smile on Chu Yi's face finally faded away as he rubbed his hands and smiles, "I just had a meal. I was managing something in Tianjin City recently so I didn't know about this. Fortunately, my mother called me, so I hurried back from Tianjin City. Anyways, I've sent some people to find the Dragonfume Grass you need. However many they can find, I'll have them delivered shortly."
Curiosity hung on Tang Guosheng's old face as he asked, "You knew each other prior to this?"
Chu Yi chuckled and smiled, "Yes, Grandpa. And we kinda have a strong relationship. Tang Xiu was my brother prior to this, but never would I have thought that he turns out to be my cousin. If Bai Tao and Long Zhengyu knew about this, they would have been shocked."
Astonishment suffused Tang Guosheng's eyes. He knew very well about his grandson's personality. Intelligent, sensible, thoughtful, as well as prudent and possessing keen foresight. Ordinary people simply wouldn't enter his eyes. He didn't know as to how would this grandson of his know Tang Xiu.
Qin Changyue, however, didn't notice nor mind this. She just smiled upon seeing Chu Yi's arrival, yet her vision was reluctant to part from Tang Xiu.
After hesitating for a moment, Tang Guosheng then asked again, "How did met him?"
Chu Yi smiled, "I was in Star City with Bai Tao. The famous young master of the Long Family in Star City, Long Zhengyu, is our friend. We met Tang Xiu through him. Grandpa, you don't know that this cousin of mine possesses superb abilities, even Bai Tao and I truly admire him."
Staying silent for a moment, Tang Guosheng then said, "I had arranged people to investigate him, yet we only know that he did have a friend called Long Zhengyu, but we actually never thought that you also know him. He's indeed very capable; my asthma has been cured by him."
Chu Yi grinned, "Grandpa, he's not only amazing in the medical field! He…"
"Chu Yi!"
Tang Xiu frowned and growled at him.
Even though Tang Guosheng did send someone to investigate Tang Xiu, but after all, the time was too tight, so the information was not thorough and complete. Therefore, when he heard his grandson's remark, he became more curious, "Chu Yi, tell me! I really want to know what other aspects this grandson of mine has!"
Chapter 266: Addressing Name
Chu Yi was stunned, giving Tang Xiu a ruminating look. Yet he still spilled it out, "He's very capable in many aspects. Good academic performance; top scorer of the science subjects in the entire Shuangqing Province; martial arts expert that even eight to ten people wouldn't be able to fight against; superb painting skills with nobody in the world being his match; skilled businessman that made even me worship him—simply a money-making machine. And what's so superb about him is his personal network of contacts which makes me feel inferior."
Tang Guosheng was silent yet again before he asked the question he was most concerned with, "Personal contacts? What contacts?"
"Grandpa, I believe you also know what I do in Star City, right?" said Chu Yi.
Nodding, Tang Guosheng said, "I do know a little from your mother."
Chu Yi pointed to Tang Xiu and said, "Our big moves in Star City were all because of Tang Xiu. The Big Boss of Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical, Chen Zhizhong, is his apprentice. In short, he's an amazing figure."
Tang Guosheng was deeply shocked inside. He knew that his grandson was very outstanding, yet he didn't think that he would be excellent to this extent. He heard the news about the collapse of the Zhang Family in Star City, but never would he have thought that it was Tang Xiu who led it. He also knew about Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical. It was regarded as a major company in the country, mainly operating in the medicinal herbs business as well as research and development of many drugs. He also heard about Chen Zhizhong, the big boss of the Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical. A man of courage, bold as well as a powerful figure. But unexpectedly, the said person was the apprentice of his own grandson.
"He's the son of the Tangs, so naturally he's amazing."
A bright smile appeared on Tang Guosheng's old face as he exclaimed in praise.
Stared at by Qin Changyue, Tang Xiu himself was rather uncomfortable by Tang Guosheng's remark. He was also disinclined to refute him. Nominally, he was indeed his grandson, and no matter how many times he refuted, he still couldn't deny that he was of their blood and flesh. As long as his mother wasn't bullied by the Tangs, he didn't care.
After an hour, a lot of people had returned. What made Tang Xiu disappointed was that they only found a few Dragonfume Grasses despite using their vast connections. After counting, there were only 12 strains in total.
"Grandpa, I found eight strains of Dragonfume Grass."
Outside the room, a light and lively voice sounded. Tang Ying strode into the door, carrying a black suitcase.
Eight?
The Tangs looked at each other with a hard-to-believe expression. They had asked to their friends and connections to inquire the whereabouts of the Dragonfume Grass, even offering a high price to buy it. As a result, they could only buy 12 strains despite there being so many people at it, yet Tang Ying alone bought eight of them?
Tang Guosheng asked out of curiosity, "Tang Ying, where did you find that many?"
"I sent a message in the WeChat group of my circle of friends saying that I'm looking for Dragonfume Grass. It just happened that one of my friends was in possession of eight strains and gave them all to me. My friend said that burning the Dragonfume Grass can raise one's spirit. Even tired people will regain their spirit after inhaling the fragrance of the fumes. However, it also has very strong side effects, for it can cause excessive dizziness and nausea, and in severe cases, will make people unconscious."
Tang Xiu squinted his eyes as he looked at Tang Ying, asking, "Few people know about the Dragonfume Grass. Your friend is kinda amazing. Might I know who she or he is?"
Tang Ying turned to Tang Xiu. Hesitating for a moment, she didn't answer him, instead asking back, "Can you answer my question before I answer yours?"
Tang Xiu nodded before thinking for a moment.
"The friend who gave these Dragonfume Grasses said that she knows a strange person. But the said person is undeniably capable and is a master painter, the best in the world! In Tianjin City, that strange person gave my friend his painting for free and also had sold some calligraphies for a sky-high price. The name of that strange person is Tang Xiu. Do you have any relationship with that person?" asked Tang Ying.
Tang Xiu said lightly, "So it's Mu Wanying. That's right. I was indeed the one who gave her that painting as well as sold several calligraphies."
Surprised, Tang Ying replied, "You're really the weirdo Mu Wanying spoke about? Seems like my guess is right, after all. Cousin, since we will become closer later, I'll tell you that Mu Wanying and I are sisters from childhood, genuine best friends. If you need my help, just tell me, I assure you that I can help you pursue belle."
"..."
Tang Xiu rolled his eyes. He felt so funny as well as amused. He was disinclined to pursue Mu Wanying. Even the thought of pursuing the belle had never crossed his mind. But, this female cousin of his was truly interesting. However, to think that she would sell her best friend to him in an instant.
Qin Changyue, who sat at the side and listened to their conversation, was rather astonished. She then smiled, "That Mu Family's girl is a good child, she's a match for our Xiu'er. Ying, since you already said it, you have to help your younger brother. To be honest, I also like that girl of the Mu Family."
Tang Ying laughed, "Grandma, I'm afraid that he doesn't need my help in this. She has a little crush on him already. But, this younger brother of mine is really amazing. Mu Wanying desperately adores him, wishing to give her heart to him."
"That's good!"
A smile on blossomed on Qin Changyue's face.
Sometimes, enthusiasm is also a burden.
Tang Xiu could feel the enthusiasm as well as cordiality from the Tangs, causing the majority of indifference as well as the cold and detached feeling he felt for them almost fade away.
He suddenly realized what Tang Guosheng had said prior to this was right:
"Tang Xiu, it doesn't matter if you don't want to recognize us. I know and understand as to why you deny us inside your heart. But even so, I believe that even if your heart is made of stone, everyone will still be able to melt your heart with our conducts and deeds hereafter. The Tangs' offspring are the Tang Family's descendants. We have never cut off our familial affection nor have we ever abandoned and left our own blood behind."
It was these words.
Prior to this, Tang Xiu couldn't care less and somewhat held disdain and contempt toward them. But at this moment, all sorts of feelings mixed inside him as his mood turned particularly complicated.
The thought to sever the relationship and return unceasingly mixed up.
While waiting, the Tangs chatted livelily and jokingly, most of which revolved around Tang Xiu and Su Lingyun. The praises, goodwill and affectionate words they showcased made Tang Xiu finally accept them silently.
Finally, when all Tangs returned, Tang Guosheng put all the Dragonfume Grasses in front of Tang Xiu and said, "Here's a total of thirty-six strains of Dragonfume Grass."
Tang Xiu didn't speak for a moment before slowly saying, "It already exceeded my expectations to be able to find this many. It's sufficient! However, when I'm in the middle of treatment, everyone is strictly forbidden to make any disturbance. Even if the sky is collapsing, no one is to disturb us."
In all seriousness, Tang Guosheng solemnly replied, "I'll mobilize the guards immediately to seal up the entire courtyard. Whoever dares to disturb you will be shot to death."
Nodding, Tang Xiu took the Dragonfume Grasses and went to a spacious hall. Aside from the bed, there was nothing else in the entire hall. Tang Yunde was lying on the bed still in a coma as his mother, Su Lingyun, sat on the bed, whispering something.
"Mom, you need to go out too." Tang Xiu said in a low voice.
Su Lingyun stood up and said, deeply concerned, "Xiu'er, you must do everything you can. He's your father, and blood is thicker than water."
"Rest easy, Mom!" said Tang Xiu with a nod.
For awhile, Su Lingyun was silent. She looked at Tang Guosheng who was standing outside the door as well as the other Tang family members. With a look of hope, she said, "Xiu'er, before you treat your father, can you do one thing for me?"
"What?"
Tang Xiu was puzzled.
Su Lingyun said with all seriousness, "I want to hear you call him father."
"..."
Tang Xiu fell into silence. The word was otherworldly strange to him.
Su Lingyun said bitterly, "Xiu'er, Mom knows that you don't want to. But do it for me, please! He disappeared all of a sudden in the past because he suffered heavy losses and has been in a coma. I believe that if he's well, he will never leave or abandon us, absolutely. Your father is not in the wrong, it has always been Mom. If in the past I had the courage to bring you to the Tang Family to see him, I believe that you could see your Dad since you were a child."
Tang Xiu slowly turned around as his eyes landed on Tang Yunde's thin body. He knew that his mother was right. Perhaps if Tang Yunde didn't fall into a vegetative state suddenly, he wouldn't have abandoned them.
He had never been in the wrong!
But that word, was actually very difficult for him to say.
"Xiu'er!
The longing and anticipation on Su Lingyun's face increased.
Tang Xiu sighed inside. He looked at Tang Yunde on the bed and called out, "Father…"
Instantly, a bright smile bloomed on Su Lingyun's face along with a thick excitement. Glistening tears filled her eyes as she grabbed Tang Yunde's hand, tremblingly saying, "Yunde, did you hear it? Your son called you father! So you must be strong for me and your son. You must wake up."
At the room's door…
Tang Guosheng and the Tangs also showed joyful smiles. Since Tang Xiu called him father, it explained that the relationship between him and the Tang Family was undeniable.
Tang Xiu took a deep breath as he put his hands on Su Lingyun's shoulders and said, "Mom, I need to start the treatment. If I can save him, you'll be able to tell him when he wakes up!"
"Alright."
Su Lingyun loosened Tang Yunde and hurriedly walked toward the door.
"Let Chu Yi inside. I need his help in the treatment," said Tang Xiu.
Chu Yi squeezed out from the crowd as he rubbed his hands and smiled, "Cousin, what do you want me to do?"
Cousin?
Once again, Tang Xiu heard him call himself with such a remark. But he didn't correct his address, instead, said serenely, "I will start the treatment. If I don't finish the treatment within six hours, you come inside and lit a Dragonfume Grass. Do remember, after you lit the first one, you have to come inside and lit another one every half an hour and leave after you lit it."
"Isn't it better if I stay here?" asked Chu Yi.
Tang Xiu shook his head, "The fragrance of the Dragonfume Grass's smoke will be harmful to you. You'll fall unconscious if you inhale it too much."
"It's so potent?"
Although Chu Yi also heard Tang Ying say that, but he didn't expect that the effect would be so potent. He could doubt Tang Ying, but he'd never doubt Tang Xiu.
"Rest easy! I'll do it according to your instructions."
Tang Xiu nodded. After all the Tangs left and the door was closed, he took off his shoes and got on bed. Then he supported Tang Yunde to sit cross-legged in front him.