Rebirth: I Became Mr.President's Beloved-Chapter 1167: Diagnosed as Brain Meningioma
Afraid of expressing herself inappropriately and affecting the couple’s relationship, Su Mei didn’t mention Tang Li’s complaints about her marriage. She only said that Tang Li had consulted her about the cooling-off period for divorce, "It seems to be for a friend’s matter."
If it were for a friend, Su Mei wouldn’t have made this call.
Song Baiyan naturally understood Su Mei’s underlying meaning.
However, both sides refrained from exposing it.
Song Baiyan asked, "Is it at the café near IMG?"
"Yes." Su Mei gave the café’s full name: "I’m in the restroom. Once I go out and sit for a while, it’ll be time for work."
Implying that she was not trying to stir up trouble.
Song Baiyan didn’t pressure her, only telling her not to hang up when she went out.
Su Mei quickly understood Song Baiyan’s intention—
To keep the call connected so that there’s no need for her to relay Tang Li’s words.
Su Mei was happy to do so.
This spared her from being the villain.
Su Mei returned to the booth and placed her cellphone face-down on the table.
Tang Li was sipping a freshly squeezed apple juice. Seeing Su Mei sit down after fixing her skirt, she got to the point: "How have you considered my earlier proposal?"
Su Mei replied, "I still have the same answer as before."
Seeing the marriage certificate still on the table, Su Mei pushed it toward Tang Li: "As the saying goes, a hundred years of cultivation lead to crossing a river together. Decisions made impulsively will only lead to future regrets."
Tang Li said, "This is the result of my careful consideration."
After a slight pause, she continued, "If I don’t do this now, I’ll only regret my indecision later."
"Even so, you shouldn’t act unilaterally."
Knowing she couldn’t fool her anymore, Su Mei glanced at the cellphone and overtly stated: "Marriage is a matter between two people and even two families. Whether it’s getting married or divorced, it should be decided together."
Tang Li didn’t intend to act alone.
However, reality was forcing her to make a choice.
She could tell Song Baiyan that the Zuo Family wanted to use her background against him, but then what?
After transferring all the crises to Song Baiyan, could she rest assured and be at peace, hiding in Song Baiyan’s embrace, living as a content Vincetoxicum?
As long as Tang Shen doesn’t regain his identity, she will forever be the descendant of a drug lord.
Song Baiyan could control the narrative online, but he couldn’t silence the real-world gossipers.
Moreover, those who held her background against her weren’t ordinary citizens.
Han Jifeng coming to find her indicated that the situation had reached a critical point that needed attention. He proposed a fake marriage, knowing she had no better option. To extract Song Baiyan from the situation, she was very likely to agree to his suggestion.
As it currently stood—
Ending this marriage and leaving S Country for the time being would minimize the damage.
At least the impeachment wouldn’t happen again for now.
Once Isa was captured, her lineage would no longer be a threat.
But these things, Tang Li couldn’t say to Su Mei.
"You just need to know that my decision is beneficial and harmless to His Excellency."
Su Mei asked, "But what if His Excellency doesn’t want to end this marriage?"
Tang Li was unwavering: "That’s why I came to find you."
Knowing she might not be able to convince Su Mei like this, Tang Li had no choice but to search for another reason: "If you’re not afraid of scandals involving me affecting His Excellency’s reputation, you can stand by and do nothing."
Scandal.
Judging by Tang Li’s expression, Su Mei guessed what kind it was.
She wanted to ask, but she had misgivings.
The cellphone on the table was still connected.
If she were too nosy, she might upset that person.
However, Tang Li had already continued, "When I was taken to Northern Myanmar last time, I met someone. We ate and lived together in the village. For my sake, he even learned how to refine things, staying up all night. Southeast Asia is full of mosquitoes at night; he would keep his eyes open to fan me. Most importantly, he’s very young, and we have a lot of common topics."
Su Mei said, "You mean—"
"Yes, I’ve had a change of heart." Tang Li admitted.
She continued, "I still like His Excellency, but I also like him. I want to stay with His Excellency, yet I can’t let him go. Perhaps you think I’m fickle, but in reality, I just want to give each beloved man a home."
Su Mei: "......"
A married woman should naturally keep herself clean.
What’s more, she was the First Lady.
Looking again at Tang Li’s overly youthful and beautiful face, Su Mei seemed to understand her words.
Girls at this age love to have fun; entering marriage indeed came too early for her.
It could be said she wasn’t fully mature yet.
As Tang Li matured, His Excellency’s prime years were also passing.
Hence, the so-called generation gap became impossible to bridge.
Su Mei couldn’t help but glance at the cellphone.
Given His Excellency’s status and position, if his wife were exposed for having an affair, it would probably go down in history.
This is something any man would find intolerable.
Tang Li said, "I’ve already decided to find him."
With the conversation at this point, Su Mei couldn’t persuade her anymore.
"Helping me is like helping His Excellency," Tang Li added, "Privately divorcing is also for His Excellency’s sake. His Excellency is getting older; knowing I fancy young guys could embarrass him."
"If divorced now, in the future, when I’m seen with someone else, the Tan Palace press release could say it’s because His Excellency couldn’t stand someone as brainless as me."
Su Mei spoke: "Actually, His Excellency isn’t as old as you say."
"How not?" Tang Li retorted.
She argued, "I’m thirty, in my prime, and he’s forty. If we went out together, people who didn’t know would think we’re father and daughter."
Su Mei said: "You aren’t that baby-faced; you look quite mature."
Tang Li: "..."
"Divorces should be considered seriously."
Su Mei still didn’t dare to take the two marriage certificates, but she also didn’t flatly refuse: "Return home today and think it over thoroughly. If you really decide to divorce, come find me."
"I’ve already made up my mind." Tang Li didn’t want to waste more time.
Su Mei was about to speak when her cellphone buzzed first.
The vibration indicated Song Baiyan had hung up; otherwise, a new call would not come in.
Su Mei picked up her cellphone and found it was Song Baiyan’s number.
She quickly guessed why Song Baiyan hung up and called again, likely to remind her.
Sure enough—
Before Su Mei could answer, the call was ended from the other side.
Then, a text message came in.
Only a few words, instructing her to keep the two marriage certificates.
Seeing that Su Mei was no longer paying attention to her, Tang Li also realized her request was difficult for her. If Su Mei was unwilling to help, she would have to think of another way.
Just as she was about to take the marriage certificates back, Su Mei stopped her.
"Since you’ve decided to divorce, I won’t persuade you anymore."
Su Mei picked up the marriage certificates: "I’ll take these for now and give you a day to reconsider. If you haven’t changed your mind by tomorrow, call me, and I’ll help you process the divorce certificate."
Su Mei’s change was somewhat sudden.
However, before Tang Li could think it through, Su Mei offered an explanation.
"Meng Shu was beaten up in the detention center." Mentioning her son, Su Mei’s eyes reddened: "He wasn’t used to hardship from childhood. Now he’s confined, receiving education every few days. Just now, Meng Shu’s dad returned from the detention center, saying Meng Shu’s face was bruised and swollen. When asked, he only said he fell while going to the restroom."
So, Su Mei had chosen to compromise for her son.
Tang Li’s doubts were dispelled, and she didn’t forsake her promise: "I’ll write a letter of understanding in a couple of days. By then, we’ll exchange the divorce certificate and the letter of understanding."
"Alright." Su Mei placed the marriage certificates into her handbag.
Thinking that Yuan Qin was still waiting at the company, Tang Li bid farewell to Su Mei and left first.
Su Mei watched Tang Li go downstairs and sent a text back to Song Baiyan.
After reading the message, Song Baiyan was about to reply to Su Mei’s inquiry about when to deliver the marriage certificates when a knock came to the office door, the sound indicating it was Pei Shiyu.
Song Baiyan set the cellphone aside and let him in.
Pei Shiyu, serving as a medical consultant for the Tan Palace, was also the President’s private doctor.
His sudden arrival was due to Song Baiyan’s earlier examination, the results of which were confirmed today, or rather, it was after his repeated confirmation that he dared to make a final conclusion.
Regarding health problems, Pei Shiyu did not take any chances.
"I sent your head CT scans to ASCO and AACR. Today they replied by email, confirming the same diagnosis as mine: brain meningioma."
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PS: In my past life, it was diagnosed at a late stage...
