Chapter 128: Chapter 127 Migration to the South (1)
Qu Chaozong stared at Zhang Xin, a sudden surge of irritation flaring up inside him: "I’ve told you, I’m not interested in you."
Zhang Xin, with her hands in her pockets, her handbag slung on her wrist, slightly raised her chin: "Why?"
Qu Chaozong, infuriated: "Why so many whys?"
Zhang Xin raised an eyebrow: "Are you afraid that if we are actually together, you’ll fall in love with me, so you never dare accept me?"
Qu Chaozong’s gaze was threatening: "Stop trying to provoke me, it won’t work!"
Qu Chaozong warned: "I’ll say it one last time, I’ll help you hail a cab, you go home, or else, you can stand here alone on the street!"
On a cold winter night, fine snowflakes began to drift down from the sky. Despite the snow, the weather was actually less cold.
Zhang Xin stared in disbelief, watching Qu Chaozong turn into the street ahead without looking back, he really left her by the roadside all alone late at night.
Zhang Xin kept staring, her straight-back posture suddenly relaxed, the anger on her face slowly replaced by helplessness and a sense of the absurd.
She pulled out her phone from her handbag, her fingers stiff from the cold, flipped through her contacts, planning to pass the time randomly with someone tonight. As names slipped past her fingertips, she suddenly lost interest. She tilted her head back, looking at the dense snow falling, the icy feeling seeping from the skin into her heart.
Zhang Xin stood there with her legs taut for quite a while until her legs felt heavy and numb, then walked to the roadside to hail a taxi.
On a snowy day, the car floor was a bit wet, stepping with snow-covered soles, Zhang Xin slipped, instinctively reached out to grab the car door, causing the phone to slip from her fingers to the ground.
Zhang Xin cursed inwardly, bent down to pick it up, and as she rose, her peripheral vision caught a figure standing against the wall at the entrance of the alley, partly hidden in the shadow.
Zhang Xin’s hand paused for a moment, picked up the phone, supported herself on the car door, and got into the car.
The driver kindly asked: "Are you okay? It’s slippery outside because of the snow."
Zhang Xin closed the car door: "I’m fine."
After sitting comfortably, she quickly turned her head, looking through the car window at the alley entrance from afar, a figure standing in the snowy ground, watching until the car turned, finally disappearing from view.
"Hmph!" Zhang Xin gave a light snort, turned her head, and asked, "Sir, can I smoke?"
"Huh?" The driver was taken aback: "Sure."
Zhang Xin pulled a pack of cigarettes from her bag, took one, held it in her mouth, expertly lit it, inhaled deeply, slightly lowered the car window, and exhaled a cloud of thick white smoke.
She leaned back on the seat, after giving the address, squinting her eyes, she smoked one puff after another. The scenery gradually shrouded in smoke, in the haze, she suddenly laughed, the smile emerging from her eyes spread to the corners.
After finishing a cigarette, she stubbed it out with her fingers and casually tossed it into the waste bin in front, exhaled the last puff of smoke, muttering indistinctly: "Really is an idiot!"
During the Lunar New Year, Zhao Meimei’s family stayed in the south. Her grandmother was diagnosed in the early stages of rectal cancer, needing chemotherapy, although the illness was caught early, due to her age, the doctor recommended long-term hospitalization.
Once the news was confirmed, the family gathered to discuss the next steps.
Zhao Meimei’s three aunts and uncles returned, as the adults wanted to discuss the matters, Zhao Meimei stayed at the hospital.
Her grandmother hadn’t seen her for years and missed her terribly, holding on and reluctant to let go. Zhao Meimei attended to her with her parents at the hospital for two days, gradually drawing closer to her grandmother, willing to chat with the elderly.
For saving time, Zhao Dazhuang and the group booked a private room at a restaurant opposite the hospital, everyone gathered to discuss the matters.
Zhao Meimei’s eldest aunt had a straightforward personality, among the sisters, she resembled Zhao Dazhuang the most in appearance, and always protected him since childhood. Seeing her brother with furrowed brows since his return made her heart ache.
She advised: "Little brother, don’t stress too much, we are here for Mom, you and your wife should return home after the New Year. Your wife came here with you, leaving her business behind, Meimei is about to start school soon, right? The child studies well, approaching high school junior year, it’s a critical time for study, she mustn’t be delayed."
Zhao Dazhuang looked haggard, his face full of worry and aged by years, feeling burdened.
He raised his head to look at his elder sister, the once young face now marked by time, with only a trace of the youthful contour remaining.
Feeling a pang of bitterness, just as he was about to speak, Zhao Meimei’s second aunt interjected with a sharp tone: "Mom’s illness is said to be in the early stage, but at her age, after two chemotherapy sessions, who knows how she’ll be. If he truly returns home, and Mom suddenly has an emergency, would he even get to see her for one last time? What Mom cares about most is my brother, if she can’t see him, can she close her eyes peacefully!?"
Zhao Meimei’s second aunt meant no harm, she just spoke carelessly, never considering others’ feelings, saying whatever came to mind.
The second uncle felt embarrassed, nudged her under the table, signaling her to stop talking.
The second aunt muttered: "I’m just stating the facts."
Zhao Meimei’s third aunt spoke gently: "Brother, don’t listen to my second sister, the first sister is right, we’re here at home, don’t delay Meimei’s studies, the child’s future is important."
Zhao Dazhuang, with furrowed brows, said seriously: "I’ve already dealt with buying out my factory shares, I have no other concerns, I want to stay here and help take care of Mom."
At Zhao Dazhuang’s words, everyone was stunned.
Liu Xiue looked at Zhao Dazhuang in disbelief, holding back her words upon seeing the others.
Zhao Meimei’s eldest aunt immediately opposed: "If you stay, what about Xiue and Meimei? Is Meimei not going to school?"
Zhao Dazhuang lowered his eyes: "The academic record can be transferred over, Xiue’s store isn’t doing well lately either. It’s best to first take proper care of Mom, and find a job later. Moreover, the doctor has made it clear, though detected early, with her old age, Mom’s health certainly can’t withstand."
Zhao Dazhuang stopped, his throat choking painfully, paused before speaking hoarsely: "It’s about time for surgery in a few days and the doctor mentioned the risks are high, with chemotherapy afterward. Mom really can’t persevere, I must be by her side, otherwise, this burden will remain on me for life, I just want to accompany her well in these final days."