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Compared to the mother and son duo, Zhuang Wen Zhao’s performance was undoubtedly more convincing as he addressed Zhuang Zi’ang.
“Zi’ang, I didn’t sleep at all last night. I truly realize my mistakes.”
“I haven’t been attentive enough; I haven’t fulfilled my responsibilities as a father.”
“I’m really proud to have such an outstanding son like you.”
“All I hope for now is your forgiveness.”
Listening to Zhuang Wen Zhao’s tearful confession, Zhuang Zi’ang remained expressionless.
Where were you all this time?
Now you’re just putting on a show, begging for forgiveness out of guilt.
“Can you all just leave? I just want to lie here in peace,” he thought about getting up and kicking them out.
“No, if you don’t forgive me, I won’t leave,” Zhuang Wen Zhao insisted stubbornly.
Zhuang Zi’ang pointed at Zhuang Yuhang. “Then go ahead and slap him.”
“What? I’ve already apologized to you! Don’t go too far!” Zhuang Yuhang protested loudly.
Zhuang Wen Zhao didn’t hesitate. He had already hit Zhuang Yuhang last night, so one more slap wouldn’t matter.
Grabbing Zhuang Yuhang like a helpless chick, he swiftly delivered a hard slap to his face.
The sharp sound echoed through the room, sending chills down everyone’s spine.
Zhuang Yuhang burst into tears, a clear handprint forming on his cheek.
Qin Shulan rushed over, holding her son tightly.
Her gaze toward Zhuang Zi’ang was filled with resentment.
But Zhuang Zi’ang couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the scene, nearly choking on his own amusement.
What a ridiculous act—this family had come all this way just to put on a show.
“Take him out quickly; his crying is annoying me,” he waved dismissively.
Qin Shulan hurriedly carried Zhuang Yuhang away, fearing that Zhuang Zi’ang would make another outrageous demand.
The bright red handprint on her precious son’s face made her heart ache.
Zhuang Zi’ang turned to Zhuang Wen Zhao. “Dad, after I die, just scatter my ashes anywhere. Once you inform Grandpa and Grandma, take me back to the mountains in Nanhua Village. I want to see the azaleas bloom every year.”
Tears streamed down Zhuang Wen Zhao’s face. “Okay, I promise.”
“Then you can leave too. I’ll have Li Huang Xuan notify you when the time comes,” Zhuang Zi’ang turned his face away.
“Don’t you want your father by your side in your final days?”
“I don’t.”
His unhesitating reply extinguished Zhuang Wen Zhao’s last glimmer of hope.
He opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, leaving the room in silent disappointment.
No matter what he did, it was futile; he would never earn Zhuang Zi’ang’s forgiveness.
The hospital room suddenly became much quieter.
Zhuang Zi’ang turned to Li Huang Xuan. “Son, go handle my discharge. Lying here is no different from being dead.”
Li Huang Xuan hesitated. “How about we wait a couple more days?”
“Better dead than unfree,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied firmly.
Tomorrow was Monday. Li Huang Xuan and Lin Mu Shi had school, and the thought of a long, empty day ahead suffocated him.
Exchanging glances with Lin Mu Shi, Li Huang Xuan finally nodded. “Alright, then I’ll take you out for some good food.”
Zhuang Zi’ang pointed at the thermos on the bedside table. “Throw that thing away.”
Without hesitation, Li Huang Xuan picked it up and tossed it into the hallway trash can with a loud thud.
No one needed such hypocritical concern.
After leaving the hospital, the three of them went to the snack street outside the school for barbecue.
Zhuang Zi’ang ordered two bottles of beer.
“Son, let’s keep a low profile. Maybe we shouldn’t drink,” Li Huang Xuan suggested cautiously.
“Do you remember when I told you a girl’s mouth tastes like beer?” Zhuang Zi’ang asked.
“What beer taste?” Lin Mu Shi inquired curiously.
With a smile, Zhuang Zi’ang recounted the story of his first stolen kiss.
At first, Li Huang Xuan and Lin Mu Shi found it amusing.
But upon reflection, sadness crept in.
It turned out he was constantly thinking about Xiao Yudie.
Yet he would rather suffer in silence than see her again.
Zhuang Zi’ang had a low tolerance for alcohol and deliberately drank to get himself drunk.
Once drunk, he could see her in his dreams.
Zhuang Zhou dreamed of a butterfly.
On Monday, Zhuang Zi’ang returned to school.
He feared loneliness and found solace in his classmates.
When faced with boring classes, he would skip out and lie by the flower bed, soaking in the scent of hyacinths.
Watching the ginkgo leaves flutter down, he imagined them turning into butterflies.
Deng Haijun was preparing for a physics competition and often came to Zhuang Zi’ang for help.
This guy really lacked common sense.
Zhuang Zi’ang was clearly wasting away, yet Deng Haijun, oblivious, remained lost in physics problems.
Still, Zhuang Zi’ang appreciated him. At least, he saw him as a normal person.
Time flew by, flowers blooming and withering.
While others looked forward to graduation, Zhuang Zi’ang faced the countdown to his end.
“I once caught a ray of light, only to return it to the sun at sunset.”
By Wednesday, the first period was math—his least favorite.
Zhuang Zi’ang lay in the flower bed, dozing off. A faint fragrance filled the air.
“Xiao Yudie!”
His eyes shot open, only to see Lin Mu Shi. Quickly, he shut them again, feigning calmness.
Lin Mu Shi sat beside him and sighed. “If you miss her that much, why don’t I take you to the West Campus? You might see her.”
“What good would that do?” Zhuang Zi’ang murmured sorrowfully.
“Have you ever considered her feelings?” Lin Mu Shi asked.
“Her feelings?” Zhuang Zi’ang was puzzled.
“If it were me, and the person I loved had only a month left, I’d throw caution to the wind and be with them, giving them all my love in their final days.”
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
“Zhuang Zi’ang, I don’t want you to leave with regrets.”
“No, don’t say that. I don’t want to hear it.”
His heart wavered. He longed to see Xiao Yudie.
Lin Mu Shi returned with a glass fish tank, two goldfish swimming inside.
“I’m giving these back to her. If she doesn’t care anymore, I’ll keep your secret forever. But if she still loves you, she deserves to know.”
“No, you can’t!” Zhuang Zi’ang panicked.
Ignoring him, Lin Mu Shi resolutely walked up the stairs to the West Campus.
Physically weak, Zhuang Zi’ang couldn’t catch up. His heart pounded.
Xiao Yudie, do you still love me?