Chapter 386 The Dull Wife in Republic of China Literature (43)

Chapter 386: The Rigid Wife in the Republican China Era Story (43)

It was merely a dispute between women, and Fang Zhuo had no intention of intervening too much. He was about to gloss over it with vague remarks when, unexpectedly, Mrs. Fang suddenly spoke up: "Zhuo'er, today... I saw Tang Qing."

A long-unspoken name.

The moment he heard it, the suppressed emotions swept over him like a tsunami!

A wave of heart palpitations!

The words on Fang Zhuo’s lips suddenly froze.

After a long pause, Young Master Fang finally found his voice. "You sought out Tang Qing..."

"What for?"

Mrs. Fang recounted the day’s events in detail, still amazed, "It’s truly unexpected. Though it’s only been a month since we last saw her, she has become even more beautiful."

Indeed, Tang Qing...

Had always been beautiful.

As Tang Qing’s face flashed through his mind, Fang Zhuo was surprised that he remembered it so clearly...

"Zhuo'er, Mother was indeed not mistaken last time."

Mrs. Fang spoke again: "Today, I also saw Yan Ningcheng."

"That boy from the Yan family must have lost his mind. In broad daylight, he stood that close to Tang Qing..."

At this point, Mrs. Fang was still indignant!

"Before, I thought Ningcheng was a well-behaved and decent boy. Now it seems, it’s simply absurd!"

"Tang Qing has just finalized the divorce settlement with you. How dare he!"

Moreover, the Fang and Yan families had many years of friendship behind them!

How could Yan Ningcheng act so recklessly? Wasn’t he afraid people would badmouth the Yan family?

"Zhuo'er, if you ask me, Yan Ningcheng and Tang Qing are definitely not going to work out!"

Her tone was firm. Unconsciously, the scene from earlier today surfaced in Mrs. Fang’s mind, and she spoke angrily: "It’s just childish nonsense. The Yan family doesn’t even bother to hold him back."

"Mother... today..."

Fang Zhuo’s focus was clearly elsewhere. He asked, "Did Yan Ningcheng still go to Tang Qing’s place?"

"Exactly! He said it was for the garden’s completion."

"Such a small garden, taking so long to finish. Who knows if these two have been using it as a pretext for secret meetings all this time..."

"And all that talk about following propriety and rules—more likely it’s mutual attraction and illicit encounters..."

The more she spoke, the angrier she became. Before Mrs. Fang could say something even worse, her son cut her off sharply!

"Tang Qing isn’t that kind of person."

"Mom! Don't say such baseless rumors in the future..."

Cut off by Fang Zhuo, Mrs. Fang paused momentarily. She looked at her son in surprise, shocked, "Son...you would say that..."

"You..."

"Helping Tang Qing?"

Only then did Mrs. Fang notice that his expression was clearly troubled.

As his mother, Mrs. Fang naturally understood Fang Zhuo best.

From his expression...

Mrs. Fang exclaimed, "Do you like her?"

Fang Zhuo did not answer.

In his hidden sleeve, he couldn't help but dig his nails into his palm. A sharp pain surged through him, and Fang Zhuo forced himself to speak, "No."

"I've said it before, the one I've always wanted to marry is Wan Ran."

His tone was tinged with bitterness. More than anything, Fang Zhuo said these words to convince himself...

System announcement: "Detected Fang Zhuo's affection level increase. Current affection level: 93 points."

...

Under Xu Jing's arrangements, Tang Qing, using the pseudonym Nan Xu, was given a special interview.

In this interview, Tang Qing truly showcased her actual expertise. Her perspective was novel:

"In economics, everything has its inherent value. This value may be intrinsic or acquired."

"Human capital is inherently a valuable resource. Under specific conditions, human capital becomes labor, and the more labor there is, the more value is generated."

When asked about the question scholars are currently debating—whether to fully adopt Western models—Tang Qing unexpectedly proposed a completely different perspective:

"What comes first isn't necessarily the most advanced. Every country has its own unique circumstances, and all economic theories shouldn't be universally applied."

"Imitation is meant to find the most suitable path. Beyond imitation, what should be considered is how to adapt it locally."

"In my view, this isn't a matter of choosing one side or the other. The market and planning are not inherently mutually exclusive..."

Tang Qing's interview provided an entirely new alternative framework to the current situation!

Fang Zhuo's feeling was not mistaken. Tang Qing's understanding demonstrated higher-level thinking, seemingly completely detached from the turmoil of the current turbulent times, contemplating possible future economic reforms from a broader perspective.

Holding this newspaper in his hand, Fang Zhuo's fingertips unconsciously lingered over Tang Qing's name.

He sighed heavily inwardly. Fang Zhuo knew better than anyone what that sigh represented.

"You're reading the Shanghai News!"

Suddenly, Qu Wanran's sharp voice came from behind. Her once lovely face had recently been filled with exhaustion!

The Qu family's business, lacking the support of the Fang family's South Seas trade connections...

Now, entirely stuck in the north, unable to extricate itself, it was already in decline.

With everything falling apart, Qu Wanran's former freedom and romance have completely vanished, turning her completely ordinary.

Now, Qu Wanran is mostly thinking about her own future.

Fang Zhuo… is her last lifeline that she has to hold onto tightly.

Yet, Qu Wanran also sadly realizes… Fang Zhuo has changed as well.

"You're looking at her, admit it!"

Lately, Shen Bao Newspaper has been extensively promoting Tang Qing's groundbreaking ideas. Under the overwhelming publicity, everyone now knows that Tang Qing is the most outstanding female scholar these days!

All this public recognition…

It should have been hers!

But instead, she stole all the spotlight!

At this thought, Qu Wanran can no longer control her emotions and shrieks at Fang Zhuo!

"Do you regret it now?"

"Every time there's news about her, you secretly sneak a look!"

"Fang Zhuo, if you're thinking about her, just go be with her, then!"

Stripped of her elite, overseas-educated persona, Qu Wanran looks just as vicious when she throws a tantrum.

Fang Zhuo frowns and says, "What are you even saying?"

"It's just today's newspaper; I just glanced at it when it arrived."

Qu Wanran isn't buying it and sneers, "Just a glance?"

"How long have you been sitting there on the sofa?"

"Fang Zhuo… you really ought to have a mirror to see clearly exactly what's in your eyes right now…"

"What’s the use of unwillingness? Fang Zhuo, there's no future for you two."

Without Qu Wanran needing to emphasize it, Fang Zhuo has long been aware of how things would end.

The sound of Qu Wanran's voice continues to gnaw at him over and over, and Fang Zhuo closes his eyes in sorrow.

The heartache he once deliberately ignored now recurs daily, each time bringing with it a deep sense of bitterness and pain.

The path was one he chose himself.

Fang Zhuo, you have no chance for regret.

Forcing himself to endure the torment like an ascetic monk, Fang Zhuo sighs and says, "That's enough."

"Qu Wanran…"

"Don’t make me regret this."