On January 6th, Tian Linchang finally came to visit Cui Shumei in the hospital with his wife, carrying a fruit basket. His wife had a pointed chin that made her look somewhat sharp-tongued. She had naturally thin hair, and the straightening treatment made it look even thinner. With her overly bright lipstick and heavily whitened face, she looked rather strange. She forced a smile at Cui Shumei: “Mom, we’ve been too busy lately to visit. Let me peel an apple for you.”
Tian Linchang added, “We came as soon as we finished our work. We’ve been very concerned about your health.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Everything’s okay here with your sister taking care of me,” Cui Shumei replied from her hospital bed, her face creasing into a smile as she looked at Tian Linchang.
Even the nurse couldn’t bear to watch. After checking the vital signs, she left the room with an awkward expression. What a situation – the daughter was paying all the medical bills, yet getting no appreciation. All the affection was going to the son.
That same afternoon, Jiang Qiao entered that hospital room again, her gaze lingering on the familiar window, slightly lost in thought.
“I’ll stay with you. Your grandmother has your uncle there,” Tian Ling said to Jiang Qiao.
Jiang Qiao shook her head: “No need, Auntie Liu is with me.”
Although Tian Ling was worried, since Jiang Qiao insisted, she went to stay with Cui Shumei instead.
This time during chemotherapy, Jiang Qiao remained unconscious. Auntie Liu watched the girl on the hospital bed – her face was pale, her body as thin and fragile as paper, her lips white, looking like a delicate, broken doll. Auntie Liu stayed by her side worriedly all night.
Jiang Qiao didn’t wake up until the next day. She opened her eyes to see Jiang Zhixu and Auntie Liu.
“Qiao Qiao, Auntie Liu said you fainted right away this time.”
“Mm.” Jiang Qiao stared at the ceiling. “I’m awake now.”
Jiang Zhixu seemed to want to say something but held back.
Jiang Qiao understood her condition very well. She knew she might not wake up from the hospital bed at any time. Maybe next time, or the time after that. Or perhaps sometime soon.
She thought of his face again. Those same eyes, yet that day they held emotions too complex for her to understand. His words carried clear despair – he was telling her to give up on him.
Before her mind could process it, her body reacted first. Tears rolled down Jiang Qiao’s cheeks as she closed her eyes. All she could think about was his words asking her to give up on him, and his avoiding gaze at the end.
“Why are you crying?” Jiang Zhixu frantically reached for tissues and gently wiped away her tears.
Auntie Liu also grabbed her hand anxiously: “Qiao Qiao, we’re here. Did someone upset you? Tell us, tell us.”
Jiang Qiao just shook her head: “I’m fine, my eyes just felt tired and I couldn’t help crying.”
Neither Jiang Zhixu nor Auntie Liu believed this excuse. But since Jiang Qiao didn’t want to talk about it, they didn’t press further.
“You two girls chat, Qiao Qiao, what would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you,” Auntie Liu said.
“I want chestnut braised chicken.” She used to order this dish often when going out with Xu Si.
“Alright, alright, I’ll go home and make it right away.”
Jiang Zhixu hugged her: “Don’t be sad, little one. I’m always here.”
Jiang Qiao leaned on her shoulder, repeating: “Just a little more, we were so close.”
She was so close to pulling him out of the abyss.
Jiang Zhixu held her face: “What do you mean by ‘so close’?”
“Do you remember my deskmate?”
Jiang Zhixu remembered that young man with the cold expression who only softened when looking at Jiang Qiao: “I remember, I remember. Tell me, what happened?”
After Jiang Qiao finished explaining, Jiang Zhixu felt conflicted. She believed that young man was a good person. Perhaps they just weren’t meant to be together. Jiang Qiao was slow to warm up to people, maybe needing a long time to open her heart. Jiang Zhixu understood how important the young man was to her, but also felt helpless about the situation.
After speaking, Jiang Qiao composed herself and told Jiang Zhixu: “I’m okay now.”
Jiang Zhixu watched her staring blankly at the bowl of chestnut braised chicken, feeling complicated emotions.
Jiang Qiao took a few sips and smiled at Auntie Liu: “Auntie Liu’s soup is delicious.”
Auntie Liu gently patted her head: “I’m glad you like it, Qiao Qiao.”
Xu Si sat at the dining table, watching the happy family of three with their display of paternal love and filial piety, feeling deeply nauseated.
Liang Jieran picked up some food with his chopsticks and put it in Xu Si’s bowl: “Brother, eat some.”
Xu Si looked up at him coldly: “Don’t use your own chopsticks to serve others. It’s dirty.”
He dumped the food onto the table.
Liang Jieran held his chopsticks: “Sorry brother, I didn’t mean to.”
Xu Hengyu slammed down his chopsticks and looked at Xu Si: “You’re becoming more and more ill-mannered. Is that how you talk to your brother? You’re older now, don’t you know to be considerate of your younger brother?”
Xu Si looked at him, his eyes emotionless. He spoke slowly, sarcastically: “I’m ill-mannered because I lost my mother when I was young, and then lost my father when I grew up.”
He added: “He’s not my brother. I won’t give him an inch. I’m not as kind-hearted as you, treating someone else’s child like a treasure.”
“You ungrateful child!” Shen Yuchun pulled at Xu Hengyu’s sleeve: “Don’t be so angry. Xiao Si didn’t mean it, and you’ll scare Ranran.”
Didn’t mean it? Tch. He absolutely meant it.
Xu Si finished the last bit of food on his plate methodically, then stood up: “I’ve done as you asked, so remember your promise.”
Why should he think he needs to be grateful for paving someone else’s way? Dream on.
Father and son didn’t look much alike. Xu Si resembled Shen Yuchun more, though his features had a sharper edge.
Xu Si and Xu Hengyu stared at each other for a moment. Xu Hengyu sat down, pulled back by Shen Yuchun, while Xu Si went straight upstairs.
That night, Xu Si was playing games in his room when he heard a knock. He cautiously opened the door to find Liang Jieran: “What do you want?”
Liang Jieran was holding his favorite doll. He looked up at Xu Si: “Brother, I’m scared. Can I sleep with you?”
Xu Si looked down at him: “Go find your mom.”
Then he closed the door.
He didn’t hate Liang Jieran. But seeing him always reminded him that he was the extra one.
Xu Si saw a note being slipped under the door. He picked it up and read it.
The handwriting was childish: Brother, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had germaphobia and got you scolded by dad. It’s Ranran’s fault, please don’t be angry.
Xu Si held the note, feeling dazed. He’s just a child, what fault is his? But then again, what fault is mine?
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