Chapter 57 - Departure and Disturbance
Ch57 – Departure and Disturbance
Four days passed in a blink of an eye. The talks between the Rutes and the Blue Star Empire had been very successful. This wasn’t their first time cooperating. They have seen the power of the new mechs and except for some details, their cooperation was never in question.
Only this time, Gilbert also especially purchased several dining hall smart robots that could cook more than a dozen dishes from the Blue Star Empire. These weren’t smart robots who learned how to cook by simply importing recipes and steps directly into their systems; rather, by using their excellent simulation and data analysis capabilities, after watching a demonstration, from details and procedures to the ingredients and heat control, they could perfectly duplicate everything.
The dishes made in this way weren’t bad, but they were definitely not top-notch. After all, the robot’s intelligent system was still relatively limited. They didn’t have the human’s flexible thinking, so the dishes they made were all the same — stereotyped and repetitive. There were no changes at all. But for the Rutes for whom it was their first time to taste delicious food, this was enough.
These days, except for Gilbert and his confidants, who ate foods prepared by Ruan Tang, the rest of the Rutes initially ate the foods provided by the Chefs’ Association. But later they discovered the military canteen. After discovering this “Holy Land”, the Rutes also joined the ranks of military personnel to freeload off the canteen. Having never taste such good food before, they all couldn’t stop singing its praises.
Of course, aside from the robots, the natural ingredients were things that the Rute people would also need to purchase. After all, the natural ingredients were things only the Blue Star Empire had. However, the current output of the Academy of Sciences was still unable to keep up with the huge demand of the Rutes. So the opening of farms to expand the scale of production had also been put on the agenda. The Academy of Sciences could only give them a portion of the ingredients, and the rest would be dispatched to them continuously after the new farms were operational.
In addition, Gilbert went to the hot pot restaurants who had obtained permits from the Academy of Sciences to taste the delicious hot pot. He was so surprised by this delicious yet simple to produce food that he excitedly invited them to open a branch on the Rutes’ home planet.
It could be said that Ruan Tang’s food has once again brought the two countries’ relationship closer together.
“Your Majesty, this cooperation was most enjoyable. May our friendship last forever.” Gilbert and Cheng Ji shook hands and said goodbye.
“Your Majesty, I hope the friendship between our two countries will last forever! May all our collaborations go smoothly.” Cheng Ji said as well.
When Gilbert saw Ruan Tang standing in the farewell crowd, those deep blue eyes couldn’t move away at all. He showed a stricken expression because he was about to be parted with his delicious food and “soul mate”.
He strode forward and took Ruan Tang’s hand to say goodbye to him. With unflagging effort, he once again asked, “Tang, are you really not open for a political marriage?”
Ruan Tang, “I’m really not considering marriage for now.”
Ruan Tang showed an embarrassed yet polite smile: “...”
He Yun Chen, who stood beside him, finally couldn’t stand it. He suddenly extended his hand to Gilbert. “Your Majesty, I wish you all the best.”
When Gilbert saw his own “good brother” He Yun Chen, he very reluctantly and unwillingly let go of Ruan Tang’s hand and took He Yun Chen’s.
“Marshal He, you are truly outstanding and powerful. I hope that we...”
“Sorry, I’m not thinking about marriage right now.”
Gilbert, who was just hoping that they could have the opportunity to learn from each other again in the future, “...”
He really wasn’t that desperate, thank you!
In any case, the leader of the Rutes left the Blue Star Empire after completing a four-day visit.
Although the Rute leader was very enthusiastic and easy-going, he was still the leader of a country. It would be a lie to say that there was no pressure being in such close contact with him. Now that the other party has left, although there was a little bit of disappointment, Ruan Tang was still relieved. Originally he thought that he could finally relax and take a break. He never expected than less than two days later, another issue exploded on Weibo.
Wei Zhuo, who had smeared him on Weibo before, actually turned up again.
The empire’s legal procedures were cumbersome and the human rights protection was very strict. Therefore, even though a large amount of evidence had been submitted, they could only wait for Wei Zhuo to recover from his fainting spell that caused him to be rushed to the hospital. In order not to go to jail, Wei Zhuo spared no effort to harm himself, so the date for his court hearing was postponed again and again.
At the same time, his hatred for Ruan Tang and Ye Shao grew deeper and deeper. Once again, he was contacted by Ye Shao, and he knew that his own opportunity had come – not an opportunity to make a comeback, but an opportunity for mutual destruction.
He has already ended up in such a sorry state, why should someone who has harmed him to this extent get away scot free? It could be said that Wei Zhuo’s feelings towards Ruan Tang were only dissatisfaction and resentment. But towards Ye Shao, Wei Zhuo hated him so much, he wished he could eat his flesh and drink his blood!
This time he published a video directly on Weibo and also posted a very sensational title.
“@ Wei Zhuo V: A certain nouveau riche surnamed Ruan with millions upon millions has a younger brother who is seriously ill and an old mother who can not eat? [Video][Picture][Picture][Picture]”
In the video was a middle-aged woman with a wan and sallow face. Both her eyes were red and swollen from crying. Her looks and Ruan Tang’s had some similarities, especially the pair of sculpted phoenix eyes. Although she was already quite old, she still invoked pity and distress.
In front of the camera, she appeared a little nervous. As though comforted by someone behind the camera, she plucked up her courage and said, “I...I, my name is Cai Xin, Ruan Tang’s mother.”
Cai Xin lives in a remote star field and was very destitute. She had been struggling to support her family. She did not expect her to see in the news that her son had become a four-star chef. Not only that, she also found out that he was already able to cook for the leader of the Rutes! He was appearing in public and was able to earn money. She came here despite having to endure the hardships of a long journey. Even the money for the passage fare, she had to borrow from others.
“This child had never close to us since he was a child. If it weren’t because I had no other way, I wouldn’t want to bother him...” Cai Xin couldn’t stop crying. “I really don’t have any other choice... His brother is dying of sickness. My body condition isn’t good, no one would accept me for a job...but I can’t just watch Xiao Yu die...”
The video was very long — a full fifteen minutes. Based on the reporter’s questions and Cai Xin’s responses, Ruan Tang’s name became synonymous with extreme wickedness.
Cai Xin said that her husband passed away because of an accident. She alone could go out to work. She neglected the care of the two brothers, causing Ruan Tang to be distant from an early age. He left home when he wasn’t yet an adult and went to make a living. She haven’t heard any news from him for so many years. Only her ailing son was willing to sympathize with her and often comforted her.
However, such a thoughtful and considerate child, Ruan Yu, has a rare genetic disease caused by his incomplete conversion from carbon-based to boron-based. It was similar to a rare disease called ‘brittle bone disease’ in the ancient Earth era. His body was very fragile, just a touch, could cause fractures to appear. From when he was small to when he grew up, he suffered all kinds of injuries. The medical care needed was very expensive.
When Ruan Tang was filming, he would occasionally send money home, but five years ago he had an accident and he never gave any money again. Although she was worried about her eldest son’s situation, her younger son’s illness had exhausted all her energy. She also did not have any means to hear news of her eldest son, so she delayed matters. Now, Ruan Yu’s condition was getting worse again. She really didn’t have any other choice. After seeing the news, she rushed over and hoped that the eldest son could help his younger brother for the sake of past affections.
She has been desperately supporting her family these past few years. When she saw the news, she realized that her eldest son had been doing so well now. After he recovered, he never even contacted her, and did not send her even a single cent. It was like he had completely forgotten that his next of kin were still suffering on that remote star. All the communication requests she sent to her eldest son elicited no response. She could not get through and she did not know whether she had been blacklisted.
She tried to contact the former entertainment company, but was told that Ruan Tang had already canceled the contract with the company. Before she could explain her situation, they hung up and none of her subsequent calls went through.
Speaking up to this point, Cai Xin was choked with sobs. Her fragile and helpless look made her look pitiful.
“Ruan Tang, mom is very sorry. Mother was busy with work and didn’t take care of you, but Xiao Yu is your brother! Mom is begging you, save your brother... Mom only has him. If your brother... your brother...”
“I... how can I go on!”
The attached picture was a picture of Ruan Yu lying on a bed in the medical cabin. He looked very similar to Ruan Tang except more fragile and petite. He was practically skin and bones. His body was covered with bandages and his cheeks were sunken deep. He looked much like when Ruan Tang first woke up. There was also a list of his medical records and the cost of his treatments. The last one was a photo of the young Ruan Tang and the infant Ruan Yu with the Cai Xin couple. According to Cai Xin, that was their only family photo.
At the end of the video, Cai Xin said, “I know that mother has not fulfilled her responsibilities. Ruan Tang, if you still have a heart, please save your brother. Xiao Yu is innocent. I will never again appear before you. Mom is begging you.”
She knelt down towards the camera with her hands clasped in front of her.
Maybe because of a beauty filter, the palms of her hands were fair and soft, without even a single callus.