Chapter 15: See the True Face

“Chen Fan, did you really apply to Donghai University?”

The scene was set in Wolong County’s Dexing Community.

His Eldest Uncle Chen Xuewu stubbed out his cigarette, and his tone was unusually stern.

Chen Fan was the most promising child in the family, and with his parents already dead, Eldest Uncle could not let him go astray.

Auntie spoke even more bluntly, shot a glance at the silent old woman, and snapped:

“I told you from the start that we should make the decision together, but Mom was afraid we would delay her grandson’s future and insisted that Chen Fan decide for himself.”

“Now look, Chen Fan carelessly listed schools he couldn’t possibly get into; don’t come blaming us later for not having looked after our nephew.”

“Yeah, Chen Fan, you’re being overly ambitious; did you really think you could get into Donghai University just because you wanted to?”

Third Aunt feigned concern and offered a piece of admonishing advice, which finally let her vent the resentment from being contradicted yesterday.

Chen Fan held the medical report in his hand, remained unflustered by the truth coming out, stepped forward, took Grandmother’s hand, and comforted her:

“Grandmother, don’t worry; if I didn’t get in, I didn’t; at worst I’ll repeat a year and aim for a better school.”

“Oh~”

As soon as he said that, the stiff atmosphere in the living room eased considerably.

Chen Fan had been outstanding since childhood, and Eldest Uncle, Grandmother, and the others had all noticed, though his grades had slipped because of the blow of losing his parents.

Rather than attending an ordinary Tier 1 university, it would actually be better to repeat a year and try for a top university.

Third Uncle and Third Aunt could not even smile.

Chen Fan had still outscored their kids after his setbacks, so if he repeated a year, just imagine the result!

Not wanting to dwell on this depressing topic, Third Uncle seized the opportunity and said:

“Since you can’t get into Donghai University this year, why not use the money from selling the house to invest; your Eldest Uncle is even prepared to put in tens of thousands of yuan…”

“I won’t invest!”

Chen Fan refused decisively, and when Third Uncle and Third Aunt persisted in trying to persuade him, he took out the medical report.

“Today Grandmother’s checkup showed some problems; we need to prepare a sum for treatment.”

“What illness is it, and how serious is it?”

Eldest Uncle stubbed out the cigarette he had just lit and asked anxiously.

Grandmother also became nervous and said, “My dear Fan, I’m in very good health; could the test be wrong?”

Chen Fan would not keep secrets at a time like this; he said in a low voice, “The doctor said it’s early-stage breast cancer; if we operate quickly, there’s a high chance of recovery…”

“Cancer…”

Boom!

Even though Chen Fan had deliberately added the follow-up sentence, it still struck everyone present like a thunderclap.

His grandmother’s vision went black and she nearly fainted.

In ordinary people’s minds, cancer was a terminal disease; once afflicted it could become a family’s nightmare, and cases of households ruined and lives lost were not rare.

Chen Fan hurriedly steadied Grandmother and, just as he was about to explain, Grandmother sat up straight and, forcing calm, said:

“I know my own body; those doctors are surely just out to get money and deceive people, so let’s ignore them…”

“Mom, don’t say that; this illness must be treated, and I’ll figure out how to handle the money.”

Eldest Uncle cut his grandmother off and unhesitatingly made a decision.

Auntie, who was always sharp-tongued, did not object and tacitly approved Eldest Uncle’s action.

Third Uncle and Third Aunt, however, unconsciously shrank back as if afraid Eldest Uncle would notice.

But the two were so shameless that Eldest Uncle could not miss it; he turned around and said:

“Old Third, Mom raised you through hardship and has supported you all these years.”

“Now that you’ve gotten rich, shouldn’t you contribute what you can?”

“I… I have no money; it’s all been invested in the project.”

Third Uncle wanted to slap himself twice; had he known, he wouldn’t have boasted so recklessly earlier.

How was he supposed to come up with the money?

Third Aunt was even less willing to hand over money, and when she glanced at Chen Fan comforting Grandmother, an idea stirred in her mind.

“Didn’t Chen Fan say he was going to sell his house? The money from selling it should be more than enough for treatment, right?”

“Hu Xiaomei, I can’t believe you would say that; Mom sends you specialty allowances every year… have you been feeding them to the dogs?”

Auntie unleashed a tirade, and Third Uncle who had wanted to agree no longer dared to speak.

Eldest Uncle also looked at Third Uncle and Third Aunt in disappointment and immediately abandoned the investment plan.

Someone who wouldn’t even spend money when their own mother was ill… would they generously lead others to wealth?

Cousin Hu Minghao sat on pins and needles; having been raised with socialist values, he was still thin-skinned and simply couldn’t be as shameless as his parents.

After watching the farce with a cold eye, Chen Fan then calmly repeated the words he had used to comfort Grandmother.

“The doctor said the surgery would cost no more than 50,000 yuan.”

Huh?

Third Uncle and Third Aunt were stunned; they simply could not shirk responsibility.

And you’re telling me it only requires tens of thousands of yuan?

Although they didn’t want to pay tens of thousands either, at least there would be other ways to find an excuse, right…

Embarrassed to face anyone, Third Uncle’s family slipped away again; Grandmother did not try to stop them, and his attitude utterly wounded her.

After the unrelated people left, Chen Fan announced his decision, “Eldest Uncle, I’ll pay for the expenses myself.”

“Grandmother has cared for me for so many years; it’s time for me to do my part.”

Eldest Uncle’s family still lived in a mud-brick house, and their cousin was about to finish vocational college; they had many expenses, so his Eldest Uncle couldn’t be expected to keep sacrificing.

“Don’t worry about this; studying hard is the best way to repay us. And since you’ve chosen to repeat the year, don’t rush to sell the house; wait until you get into university next year.”

Eldest Uncle was pleased by Chen Fan’s action, but he expressed his refusal without hesitation.

He insisted this was his responsibility and that the kid had no business interfering.

Unable to persuade Eldest Uncle, Chen Fan could only prepare a good meal to thank them, which made Eldest Uncle and Auntie look at him with new respect.

Chen Fan hadn’t done these things before; it seemed he had really grown up.

After dinner, Eldest Uncle and Auntie had to return to arrange family matters, and they rode off on a motorcycle under the cover of night.

Chen Fan walked them down to the building and happened to meet Zhang Wanrou returning home from class.

Zhang Wanrou instinctively wanted to avoid him but was cornered by Chen Fan, who chuckled and said, “Sister Wanrou, why are you so afraid of me; is it that you don’t want to keep your promise?”

Zhang Wanrou clenched her hands and, her expression hard to see in the night, after a long moment said, “C-Can we discuss this at home…?”

Hiss~

Sister Wanrou, you’re really serious about this.

Chen Fan felt conflicted; she was a good sister to him, so how could he do such a thing?

But his hand inexplicably grabbed Zhang Wanrou’s small hand and, unable to contain himself, he pulled her upstairs.

“Chen Fan… you… you… let go…”

“Sister Wanrou, what did you say?”

Whether Chen Fan did it on purpose or by accident, he had held her hand all the way back to the doorstep and only then turned around and asked in puzzlement.

Zhang Wanrou breathed a little and her cheeks had already turned as red as apples.

Just as her mind was in chaos, Li Miaoyi unexpectedly phoned.

“Miaoyi, what’s up?”

“Brother Fan, I received the signing notice!”

“Really? Congratulations…”

Chen Fan continued the call and, seeing Zhang Wanrou trying to close the door, slipped in and blocked it.

Then he suddenly pinned the unsuspecting Zhang Wanrou hard against the wall…