Gu Shiting must take medication to recover when he has an episode; it’s impossible for him to get better on his own.
But this time is different.
Song Chen thinks he should call Doctor Sun.
"Glad to hear that," Sheng Tang says.
Her backpack, placed beside her on the ground, keeps vibrating. It’s her phone ringing.
Sheng Tang knows it’s her family and rushes to answer.
She doesn’t answer in time.
She sees fourteen missed calls, both from her mother and father.
Sheng Tang hurriedly calls back.
On the other end, her mother is frantic.
"...The class teacher kept me back and had some questions for me. I didn’t expect Gu Shiting to wait for me after school. It was dark on the way, and he felt a bit unwell, so I took him home," Sheng Tang explains.
Knowing she is at the Gu Family home, her mother finally breathes a little easier. At least, she’s currently safe.
"When will you be home?"
"Soon. As soon as he’s feeling better, I’ll come back," Sheng Tang says. "Don’t worry."
Her mother hangs up.
Her father and grandmother urgently ask what’s going on, and her mother tells them.
The family is all relieved.
Grandmother complains a bit.
"...I really fear she’ll take Cheng Ruojun’s old path," her mother suddenly says.
Grandmother gives her a wary look: "Don’t say things like that."
Her father glances at her brother’s room and lowers his voice: "The kid is at home; be careful with your words."
"I’m really worried," her mother sighs. "She’s still so young. If something happens, it’s all on us."
"It won’t happen," her father says.
Grandmother also says: "Tangtang won’t. I’ve watched her grow up; I know her best. She’s our child; she takes after us! Our family knows how to maintain boundaries!"
Her mother nods.
Sheng Tang stayed a little while at the Gu Family home, confirmed Gu Shiting was fine, and then, worrying about her family’s concern, stood up to leave.
"Rest well. If you feel unwell, call a doctor and don’t overexert," Sheng Tang says.
Gu Shiting makes a sound of acknowledgment.
As she’s walking out, Gu Shiting suddenly calls out to her again: "I, I’ll send you back. I don’t feel at ease."
"No way!" Her eyes flash cold as ice, "It’s so late; what are you going out for? Listen to me."
Gu Shiting is intimidated by her gaze and doesn’t insist further.
Song Chen personally takes Sheng Tang home.
On the way, he tells Sheng Tang that the police had investigated; it was just three petty criminals with records.
"They were passing by and happened to see you, thinking you were rich," Song Chen says. "No one instructed them."
Sheng Tang falls silent for a moment.
Then she says to Song Chen, "Brother Song, do me a favor."
"Sure, tell me."
Sheng Tang tells Song Chen her request.
Song Chen nods: "Don’t worry, I’ll have someone take care of it."
When she gets home, her parents and grandmother are all waiting for her in the living room.
Her mother frowns: "It’s so late, and you’re not home yet. That’s just improper!"
Sheng Tang immediately apologizes.
Her grandmother stands up: "Are you hungry? I’ll heat up some food for you."
Sheng Tang nods vigorously and says, "I don’t want the usual food. Are there any dumplings?"
"Yes, there are still some left from last time," her grandmother says. Then she turns to Sheng Sidong and his wife, "You two should go to bed. You have work tomorrow. I’ll sort out Tangtang’s food."
They both head to their room first.
Her grandmother and Sheng Tang busy themselves in the kitchen.
"Don’t stay out so late next time. Your mom was scared to death," her grandmother says.
Sheng Tang is peeling garlic, planning to make garlic paste herself: "This was just an accident. I’ll try to come back earlier next time."
"Grandma knows you. You’re the most sensible," her grandmother says. "That Young Master Gu, is he feeling better?"
"Much better. He just can’t handle the dark. Once he got home, his symptoms lessened," Sheng Tang says.
Her grandmother nods.