Chapter 55: Exclusive to Jinjiang 2/2

Shi Zhenglin always used Shi Zhang’s past as leverage, like everyone else, as if a humble background could always be a reason to be nailed to the pillar of shame.

For a long time before, Shi Zhang had thought the same way.

So, he couldn’t tolerate others calling him “unwanted,” and he would never voluntarily mention his family situation to anyone, as it would make him look down upon and naturally make him a target of public criticism.

But now Shi Zhang doesn’t think that way anymore. Someone could accept everything about him, becoming his safe haven.

Shi Zhang rarely relied on others, but Song Fuzhi gave him infinite strength and confidence.

Outside the ward, the windows in the corridor revealed the deep blue sky outside. Shi Yan stood by the window, looking at the distant, tall buildings.

She knew that Shi Zhang had come to her side and spoke, “I know that the old man went to the school to find you that day. Since that day, his condition has been bad, and it worsened suddenly a few days ago.”

Shi Zhang asked, “Are you blaming me?”

Shi Yan shook her head. “His illness couldn’t have been cured anyway; it’s just a matter of time. It has nothing to do with you.”

Shi Zhang asked, “Then are you thanking me?”

Shi Yan turned her head and smiled faintly. “Thank you, and thank the heavens.”

Inside the ward, there was suddenly another almost mournful cry. The two of them glanced at each other and walked a little further outside.

Shi Zhang said, “He’s in pain.”

“It’s probably not as painful as giving birth,” Shi Yan glanced at Shi Zhang, “or as painful as being abandoned for so many years.”

Shi Zhang said, “Enduring this torment is not as good as ending life early.”

There was almost a cruel smile on Shi Yan’s face. “Of course, I hope Dad can struggle a bit longer.”

“But you can be relieved earlier,” Shi Zhang said.

“I’m already relieved.” Shi Yan looked at Shi Zhang and asked, “What about you? Are you relieved?”

Shi Zhang leaned against the wall and suddenly laughed. “Well, someone took me away.”

It was originally quite a melancholic topic of conversation. When Shi Yan heard this sentence, she suddenly showed an expression as if she had eaten a fly.

She grinned. “Are you a show-off husband maniac?”

Shi Zhang chuckled. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“You probably don’t know,” Shi Yan suddenly laughed, “how devastated the old man was after finding out about your partner.”

“After finally having two sons in the family, although the one from the main family turned out to be gay, fortunately, there was still a wild child left wandering outside. But it turns out this wild one is also gay. Well, it’s good things come in pairs,” Shi Yan said.

Shi Zhang replied, “The old man dreams of a full house of descendants, and now he can’t even dream.”

Shi Yan shrugged, “Fortune.”

The two exchanged a silent and knowing look, seeing the subtle mockery in each other’s eyes.

Shi Zhang asked, “What about you? What are your plans?”

Shi Yan said, “The old man didn’t give me the actual power of the company, but it’s just that he didn’t give it to me.”

Implying that she would take it herself.

Shi Zhang said, “Good luck.”

“Good luck. Are you leading a high school cheerleading squad?” Shi Yan teased him.

After a pause, she added, “If you have any problems later, you can ask me for help.”

Shi Zhang didn’t hesitate to say, “Okay.”

Afterward, with some matters to attend to, Shi Zhang planned to leave the hospital.

Before leaving, Shi Yan stopped him and, in a very casual tone, called him “Brother.”

This time, Shi Zhang responded with a simple “Hmm.”

Shi Yan said, “Give my regards to Mr. Song.”

Shi Zhang agreed.

—

Song Fuzhi spent the entire morning in the indoor set and continued tinkering after lunch. He took quite a few detours in the morning, and the results were not satisfactory.

However, things improved a lot in the afternoon, and several shots met Song Fuzhi’s expectations.

The photographer that Luo Luliu found was very experienced, and he was quite surprised by Song Fuzhi’s performance.

“Most people find it hard to capture this kind of cinematic sense. Fu Teacher’s expressive ability is so strong; after a few shots, you know how to achieve the best effect,” he said.

Song Fuzhi was not used to being called “Fu Teacher,” which sounded a bit juvenile. It took him a while to realize it was meant to be a compliment.

Luo Luliu had no reservations and even said, “Right, I also think so! Even my first shot turned out so well with just casual shooting. Old Fu, are you a natural cosplayer? Did you choose the wrong profession? You should switch now.”

Song Fuzhi laughed, striking a pose and saying, “Nonsense.”

After the comic con ended, Octopus-sensei took a few stage photos, capturing the classic poses of the characters. So, Song Fuzhi specifically chose these poses, but since he mainly intended to shoot a video, he modified them into dynamic movements of the characters, combined with the scenery and props, making it look cool.

Song Fuzhi reviewed his work as rigorously as grading papers. Sometimes, even though the photography teacher said it was perfect, Song Fuzhi was still not satisfied and wanted to do it one more time.

In the afternoon, Song Fuzhi finally collected a full card of satisfactory materials, and in a hurry, he rushed back to his original home.

Removing makeup, changing clothes, and piling all the playful items in the living room.

He didn’t even want to tidy up. In the end, in front of the mirror, he quickly fixed his hair, which was messed up by the wig, grabbed the car keys, and sprinted downstairs.

Luo Luliu was speechless and laughed. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

While running, Song Fuzhi replied, “I think Shi Zhang is about to finish, and I want to pick him up.”

Luo Luliu continued to tease him: “You are hiding cosplay outfits at home like a scumbag secretly dating another woman.”

Song Fuzhi raised three fingers and said, “Scumbag for three more months.”

It turned out that Teacher Song’s sense of time was very accurate. He waited at the intersection for a while, and soon he saw Shi Zhang walking towards him.

“How was it?” Song Fuzhi asked as they met.

“Everything went smoothly,” Shi Zhang replied.

Shi Zhang’s expression was natural and relaxed, which relieved Song Fuzhi.

He handed the beautiful wooden box in his hand to Song Fuzhi. “Osmanthus cake. Many kids were queuing up to buy it on the way. So, I bought some.”

It was the kind of transparent and sweet osmanthus cake that Song Fuzhi loved, and it smelled fragrant in his hands.

“I also bought some chicken,” Shi Zhang said. “Shall we go feed those little rascals for one last time?”

Song Fuzhi smiled. “Are they already rascals?”

However, just as the two drove to Shi Zhang’s home downstairs, they heard a chorus of bird songs from above.

Looking up, several birds spread their wings and glided from the windowsill of Shi Zhang’s house, quickly flying far away, then gracefully turning back and hovering in the air.

Their elegant and composed posture, under the splendid purple sunset, outlined free silhouettes.

Shi Zhang whispered, “Looks like we don’t need the chicken.”

“Why do I suddenly feel a bit sentimental?” Song Fuzhi wondered.

“Maybe next year, those little rascals will come back after growing up,” Shi Zhang smiled, “and treat our place as a long-term free canteen.”

Song Fuzhi laughed, “They should thank Chef Shi for the meals.”

The birds, on this ordinary evening, left without saying goodbye, flying towards their warm spring.

Even after the birds had vanished from sight, Song Fuzhi continued to look up, blinking his eyes.

Shi Zhang hugged him, placing Song Fuzhi’s chin on his shoulder.

Gently stroking Song Fuzhi’s back, he whispered in his ear, “Thanks to Teacher Song for giving me wings.”