Chapter Six: Resolving Troubles

She slept straight through until ten in the morning, and when Tang Wei got dressed and came out, she saw her eldest sister sitting on the sofa, ignoring her. She quietly walked over and sat down to one side, opened her mouth several times, but no words came out. Seeing her like this, Tang Feng snapped irritably, "There's breakfast in the kitchen. Go eat it yourself!" She stood up to leave.

In a panic, Tang Wei blurted out, "Sister! I want to keep the baby!"

Tang Feng's anger flared. She shouted, "Don't talk to me. I'm calling Mom and Dad right now, telling them to come over. You can explain yourself to them!" With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her. It was clear she was furious.

Tang Wei had already rehearsed what she wanted to say, but seeing her sister's reaction, she realized that if she didn't act, she would have no choice but to compromise once their parents arrived. Thinking of the baby in her belly, an inexplicable emotion surged through her, suddenly giving her the courage to face the coming ordeal.

Gently stroking her still-flat stomach, Tang Wei whispered tenderly, "Babies, since you survived following me off a cliff, it must mean heaven wants you to live well in this world. I promise I will find a way to let you grow up safe and sound!"

By the afternoon, everyone had arrived except her youngest brother, who couldn’t make it from Shenzhen—her father and mother, eldest sister and brother-in-law, second sister and brother-in-law all hurried over. For the first time, Tang Wei felt how important she truly was to her family, which only strengthened her resolve.

"Third Daughter, what are your thoughts?" Her father, as head of the family, was the first to speak.

Tang Wei played the family card from the start, "Dad, Mom, sisters and brothers-in-law, I've never disobeyed you since I was a child—not because I’m obedient, but because I've always been afraid you wouldn’t like me. So I always tried my best to do everything you asked, hoping for your approval. I’ve always wanted to be like Big Sister, arguing with you sometimes, or acting spoiled at your side, but I never did. That’s why I always felt I was maybe unnecessary. What happened a few days ago made me realize that only family silently cares for me in the background. Today, seeing you all here, I’m even more certain that you love me—just in your own ways." Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Even her eldest sister let out a sigh.

Her mother came over, patted her head, and said, "Silly girl, you grew in my belly for ten months. How could I not love you? It’s just that you were so sensible growing up, we never needed to worry, so we paid you a bit less attention. That was our mistake. From now on, whatever is on your mind, tell us—don’t keep it bottled up." She pulled Tang Wei to sit by her side.

"I understand," Tang Wei wiped her tears and continued. "I know you only want what's best for me. You’re afraid that if I have this child, I won’t find a good match in future and my life will be difficult. But have you thought—there are so many divorces nowadays, can you guarantee I’ll find someone I can rely on for life? Not every man is like my brothers-in-law, still treating my sisters so well after all these years. Our family’s luck is already remarkable; how can we expect to find another like that?" Her voice grew lighter. "I know what you’re worried about: that I’ll have no means, unable to support myself or the child. Marrying is just to have a companion, someone to depend on, right? But what if I can secure my future on my own? Take a look at this." She took out what she'd prepared and handed it to her father.

Tang Wei’s father opened the paper bag and, seeing a collection of colorful stones inside, asked curiously, "What are these glass marbles for?"

Uncertain herself, Tang Wei replied, "No, these should be gemstones! I found them when I fell off the cliff, packed in a box. They can’t be just glass beads."

Her eldest brother-in-law, He Jianjun, stood up excitedly, carefully took the bag from her father, and stared at the stones for a long while before looking up, speaking gravely, "I believe these are real. Such large, high-quality gems are worth at least a million apiece, and there are more than twenty here. This is a huge fortune. But this matter must stay strictly between us—the consequences could be serious if word gets out." He turned to Tang Wei. "Third Sister, how do you plan to handle these?"

Tang Wei hesitated. "I don’t really know their value. How about we each keep one, sell the rest, I’ll save a portion of the money, and use another part to help you all with your businesses?"

After a long pause, when no one spoke, her father widened his eyes at Tang Wei and asked, "You really want to divide these with your sisters? If you give them away, you can’t ask for them back!"

"I know! I never intended to take them back, Dad. Who do you think I am? Besides, if we have money, we all share it—as a family should." She spoke casually, secretly glad she’d chosen the smallest stones; otherwise, she might have frightened them. She was even more determined never to reveal the truth about the mysterious space unless she had no choice—not because she didn’t trust her family, but because it was unnecessary for everyone to live in anxiety. The more people knew, the greater the risk of exposure.

He Jianjun, now composed, placed the bag carefully on the table. "Let's leave these for now. I have a classmate in the business—I’ll show him two stones tomorrow. With these in hand, no matter what, your future is secure. Third Sister, do you really not plan to marry?"

Tang Wei replied firmly, "I have no plans for marriage at present. If someone truly moves me someday, I’ll reconsider. It doesn’t matter."

At this, her second brother-in-law, Fu Zhongming, spoke up. "Since you’re not planning to marry, you need to consider the child's household registration and custody issues."

He Jianjun adjusted his glasses and said, "I can find someone to handle the registration. As for custody, let’s arrange a meeting with their family tomorrow."

Finally, her father concluded, "Since it’s decided, let’s proceed. Second Daughter and Zhongming, you two should head back—the children at home can’t stay long with their other grandmother. Your mother and I will stay here until this is settled. Third Daughter, you’ll stay with your eldest sister—she’ll take good care of you. Later, call Fang Minghui’s mother and arrange a time for a meeting."

Everyone nodded in agreement. With everything settled, they all gathered around the coffee table to admire the gemstones.

The next day, the conversation went smoothly. Fang’s mother hoped they would marry, but after being refused, she finally agreed to their terms. Fang Minghui, worried they’d cause trouble at his workplace—even though he was only a low-level civil servant—still valued his position and hoped for promotion. So both parties signed an agreement: Tang Wei would have no further dealings with Fang Minghui; he would not bear any expenses for the child; the Fang family would not disclose the child’s true parentage under any circumstances nor contest custody—in short, once the child was born, there would be no connection with the Fang family. Everyone present signed the document.

As they were leaving, Fang’s mother held Tang Wei’s hand one last time. "Child, it will be so hard raising a baby alone. Minghui lost his father early, and I raised both my children by myself. I know how difficult it is. Think carefully, all right?"

Tang Wei firmly declined. Afterward, her family left together, smiles on their faces as they made their way home.