WBSGVS Chapter 226 V1

He’s mum’s voice was full of fury—she was livid.

She had thought her son had married a dependable, family-oriented wife. But now, months had gone by without her showing up at home. It was outrageous. Especially since her son had been sick for three days! If she hadn’t heard that he’d come home and decided to check in, she still wouldn’t have known!

And here his wife was—nowhere to be seen!

Lying in bed with labored breathing and a pale face, an IV drip in his hand, He Tianzhu listened silently to his mum’s tirade. His eyes shifted slightly, the light in them dimming.

To keep up with Fengsha‘s pace, the entire Huangquan crew had been pushing themselves to the limit.

Most of the crew were young and strong—they could handle it. But he couldn’t. He’d previously had surgery for a serious injury and didn’t exercise much. His body had weakened significantly. As the stress built up, he started to break down physically before the wrap—but he kept pushing through, forcing himself to stay upright until filming ended.

Now that he was truly ill, his emotions were also more fragile.

And yet the wife who had been by his side for fifteen years… wasn’t there. He Tianzhu felt hollow.

But because of the harsh words they’d exchanged before separating, he couldn’t bring himself to lower his pride and call her. What he wanted more than anything was to prove himself, so he kept enduring it all alone.

And then there was another thing.

Now that filming had wrapped, editing was the job of the editors. As a director, he could finally relax. But since Huangquan had wrapped half a month later than Fengsha, by the time he returned home, the house was empty. He started thinking.

Where had Su Qingli been this past half month?

Why hadn’t she come back?

When she had exposed his private life months ago, was it just to clear her name… or was it revenge?

The flood of questions only made it harder for him to reach out.

Then his mum arrived—and discovered everything.

He’s mum’s words left Su Qingli stunned on the other end of the line. He Tianzhu was sick? That was genuinely satisfying to hear. But she didn’t agree with what his mum was saying, so she replied:

“Mom, that’s not fair. A while ago, when I wasn’t feeling well, I wanted Tianzhu to come home and take care of me. You told me he was busy working and making money, and he didn’t have time to come back. Now I’m working too and making money—so why is it suddenly my responsibility to come home?”

He’s mum’s chest tightened with frustration, her voice trembling: “How is that the same? Tianzhu is a man!”

“So what if he’s a man?” Qingli asked flatly.

He’s mum’s eyes widened in outrage. If her daughter-in-law had been there in person, she probably would’ve started a full-blown argument. “What do you mean, ‘so what’? A man is the backbone of the household!”

“Don’t make me laugh,” Qingli said coldly. “We’ve been married for years, and I’ve never earned less than He Tianzhu. So he’s the backbone, and I’m just freeloading? Are you ignoring everything I’ve contributed over the years?”

He’s mum was momentarily speechless, then snapped back in frustration, “But he’s still your husband! Don’t you care about him?”

Qingli replied slowly, “Did he care about me back then? Why should I care now?”

He’s mum was about to explode.

But Qingli beat her to it. “We’re both working. Why is it always me who has to give up my career for the family? If that’s how it is, then how about you give me back every cent I earned? Anyway, thanks for the good news—I’m going to celebrate now. Bye.”

With that, she hung up without the slightest hesitation.

He’s mum stared at the phone in disbelief, then turned back to her son lying in bed, face pale. “Tianzhu! Did you hear how your wife just treated me? How could she talk to me like that?!”

He Tianzhu let out a heavy breath. This wasn’t the first time, and it didn’t surprise him anymore. Seeing his mum’s outrage, he tried to soothe her with a soft voice. “Mom, she’s still mad at me about what happened before…”

But that only made his mum angrier. “Don’t even remind me! She exposed your medical condition online last time—didn’t we agree to keep that private? I was furious! And you wouldn’t even let me scold her! Think about all the things she’s done this past year! She even kicked you off the production!”

He Tianzhu sat quietly, listening. He had been angry, too, back then. But the incident had passed. Stirring it up again would only remind the public all over again. Now that he was more cautious around Su Qingli, he didn’t dare make any reckless moves.

For now, things between them had settled into an uneasy peace.

Once both dramas aired—even if Huangquan didn’t completely surpass Fengsha, as long as it could compete, that would be enough to prove he was still a capable director without Su Qingli. Once she saw that, maybe she’d finally stop making trouble.

Seeing that her son wasn’t saying anything, He’s mum grumbled for a while longer, but eventually lost interest. She threw out a bitter parting shot: “Fine, keep letting her walk all over you!” Then she gathered her things and left. “I’m going home.”

There was a housekeeper to care for her younger son, and she and her husband were staying with their eldest, helping to raise the grandchildren. There was no way she could move in just to take care of this one.

After He’s mum left, He Tianzhu finally relaxed and was just about to get some sleep, when the doorbell rang.

His assistant, who was staying at the house, went to open the door.

It was Zhao Muyun, carrying a thermal container. “Director He, I heard you weren’t feeling well. My aunt made this soup—it’s nourishing and light. Want to give it a try?”

He Tianzhu was a bit surprised, but the aroma of the soup was indeed pleasant. It smelled rich but not greasy—much better than what his mum had brought. His appetite stirred, and he sat up slightly. “Thanks. That’s very thoughtful.”

“It’s no trouble,” Zhao Muyun said with a smile. “My aunt’s been bored at home lately. She remembered you liked her cooking, so if you’d like, she can make more tomorrow.”

With Su Qingli gone, Zhao Muyun saw no reason to send her aunt, Zhao Rongrong, away. After all, she’d always been the one helping her—doing laundry, cooking meals, and even using the hotel kitchen to make food for the crew three times a day.

She was a great cook. Usually, Zhao Muyun would ask her to make extra for the large crew, and although she and He Tianzhu didn’t interact much, she would always make sure a portion was delivered to him.

This, however, was the first time they’d ever brought him homemade soup.

He Tianzhu hesitated for a moment, but before he could say anything, the person in front of him had already ladled the soup into a bowl and set it next to him.