Weathered the Storm 4
Tong Juan said to Tong Lu, “Older sister, you’ve always been prone to misbehavior, but this time you’ve crossed the line, causing such a ruckus. I genuinely feel ashamed of you. How could you do such a thing and throw the country into disarray?”
Xia Manwen seized the opportunity to speak out as well. “Even though you’re not my biological daughter, you’re still Guohua’s child. It’s all my fault. I rarely monitored your behavior and let you cause such a big problem. Mr. President, I’m not Tong Lu’s biological mother. It was already difficult for me to parent her to begin with. Now I can’t even do anything with her anymore. She’s made a mistake. You’re free to punish her as you wish. If she doesn’t know what’s right or wrong, she might cause even more trouble in the future… her father and I are really…”
When Xia Manwen finished, she noticed the grim expression on Mr. President’s face and thought that he was angry at Tong Lu. She continued prattling on about how she and Tong Lu’s father no longer knew how to deal with this daughter since a long time ago.
A man in a suit and tie walked out from the hospital and strode towards them. He was a senior diplomat from the British foreign affairs department. When he heard what Xia Manwen said, he furrowed his brows slightly.
He did not interrupt Xia Manwen and merely bowed to Mr. President. He, then, gave Tong Lu a ninety-degree-bow. It was a gesture that implied one’s high regards towards another person. The citizens on the other side of the police cordon gaped in astonishment, as did Tong Juan and Xia Manwen.
Tong Lu was startled. She felt very honored and flattered. “Why are you…”
“Miss Tong, I’m very sorry for all the trouble for the past few days. If we were disrespectful in any way, please accept our apology. We’re just doing our job.”
Tong Lu asked, “Has Mr. Prime Minister woken up?”
“Yes, the prime minister said that he suddenly had chest pain and it wasn’t because of you. In fact, he asked you to come into the men’s bathroom to help him. Now the truth is revealed. The doctor said that it was all thanks to your first-aid assistance, or else the prime minister would have ended up in a horrific situation. You’ve saved the prime minister’s life.”
‘What… what? Saved his life?’
Tong Juan was in disbelief. ‘Isn’t she the nation’s greatest sinner?’
Xia Manwen still had much to say, but what the British diplomat had just said was practically a slap across the cheek. Embarrassed, her expression became gloomy and sullen.
“Miss Tong, you may now consider what you want from us in return. Our first lady said that we must make it up to you. After all, we have put you through so much distress.”
After he finished, he took a glance at Tong Juan and Xia Manwen.
Tong Lu felt very relieved and immediately said, “No, no. It’s great that Mr. Prime Minister has woken up. I’m a volunteer at the venue. It’s my responsibility.”
“Miss Tong, you can make any request for yourself. You have saved the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Just so you know, it’s a rare opportunity.”
“Really, no, thank you. I just did what a volunteer is supposed to do,” Tong Lu said with a smile. “The first page of the volunteer guideline said that we ought not to work for personal gain such as money and fame. Instead, we should contribute selflessly and quietly. We vow to work hard with our youth to carry out the responsibilities as volunteers. It’s not just empty words or formalist theatrics.”
The British diplomat was impressed. Since the moment this young woman was detained, her attitude had been applaudable — calm, strong-willed, put together. Even a mere female volunteer in this country was so impressive.
“Mr. President, your volunteer is brilliant.”
The president smiled. “She’s always been an excellent volunteer. Now, please take me to visit your prime minister.”
“Sure. This way please, Mr. President, Miss Tong.”
The British diplomat gestured to the entrance of the hospital. Tong Lu followed Mr. President into the hospital. She did not even spare Tong Juan and Xia Manwen a glance the entire time. Of course, other people ignored them as well.