He Jia and Gu Siyan were classmates, and He Jia’s mother knew Aunt Zhou because He Jia’s father was also Gu Zhengqing’s colleague.
Both working at the Ministry of Education, regardless of their positions, He Jia’s mother now fixated on the tutoring class. She believed that since He Jia attended tutoring, the “teachers” had an obligation to be responsible for her!
He Jia’s mother’s unreasonableness wasn’t entirely excessive – at least at He Jia’s middle school, the teachers were very responsible.
Girls like He Jia and Gu Siyan were well-behaved at school. Though they might experience first love, they’d nervously look away when their eyes met accidentally, too shy even for hand-holding – how could they cross boundaries in private?
At school, teachers watched them; at home, parents did. Only at the tutoring class were they beyond He Jia’s parents’ supervision.
The He household was in chaos.
How could Xia Xiaolan refuse Ji Jiangyuan’s expression of classroom solidarity?
Xia Xiaolan suspected Ji Jiangyuan might know something.
But Ji Jiangyuan’s expression seemed too normal.
Not wanting to raise his suspicions, she mentioned going to the hospital, saying it wasn’t convenient for him to come along.
When lying, it’s best to mix in truth – pure lies are easily exposed and require more lies to cover up! Xia Xiaolan was truly going to the hospital. She hoped Ji Jiangyuan would display his high emotional intelligence from America and respectfully give her personal space… Instead, Ji Jiangyuan showed concern:
“Classmate Xiaolan, are you feeling unwell? Let me give you a ride to the hospital on my bike!”
Xia Xiaolan had been feeling fine, but now her liver was starting to ache.
Ji Jiangyuan rode what was a trendy mountain bike in 1984. In his branded sportswear with the mountain bike, he looked more like a college student from 30 years later – sunny, energetic, and equally thick-skinned!
The mountain bike didn’t even have a back seat – how could he give her a ride?
After a long staredown with Ji Jiangyuan, Xia Xiaolan yielded to his persistence: “Fine, you can come along!”
If she kept refusing, Ji Jiangyuan would grow more suspicious. Xia Xiaolan didn’t dare underestimate any Huaqing student – they were all incredibly observant and clever!
Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t following without reason.
He truly acted out of classroom friendship – even if it wasn’t Xia Xiaolan, he would have intervened if he saw any female classmate being harassed yesterday!
Along the way, he shared what he’d learned.
“His family has connections in the Higher Education Department. If he harasses you again, I’ll report him.”
Xia Xiaolan let it go – the Higher Education Department had significant influence over college students’ futures. Ji Jiangyuan didn’t care; he might not stay at Huaqing long anyway, possibly returning to America anytime.
Given his mother’s recent mood, he might not even finish his freshman year before leaving.
Because of this special circumstance, the Higher Education Department couldn’t touch him, and Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t afraid of causing trouble.
“It’s fine, he’ll probably be too busy with his problems to bother me.”
She appreciated Ji Jiangyuan’s intention, but reporting Wang Jianhua wasn’t necessary. Though Wang Jianhua was a kept man, he had a strange sense of pride – whatever he thought inside, he maintained his face outwardly. While Xia Ziyue’s family would play dirty tricks, someone like Wang Jianhua who maintained his dignity would probably think about making her regret and impressing her… To put it bluntly, he was just a coward.
Xia Xiaolan hadn’t told Ji Jiangyuan the details of her grudge against Wang Jianhua – didn’t President Xia need face too?
Though “Xia Xiaolan” was the one who attempted suicide by hitting the wall, it would still reflect on President Xia – there was no need to bring it up!
Talking with Ji Jiangyuan, they arrived at the hospital.
Xia Xiaolan parked her bicycle, “Can you watch my bike for a moment? I’ll go upstairs briefly and come right back, okay?”
Tang Hongen would leave by car; with Ji Jiangyuan at the bike shelter, there was little chance they’d meet.
“Will you be alright alone?”
Xia Xiaolan remained composed, “It’s fine, I have to go alone now. It’s safe in the hospital.”
After she left, Ji Jiangyuan stood thinking.
He could tell Xia Xiaolan was reluctant to have him along. Normally, Ji Jiangyuan wouldn’t inconvenience others like this. But last night’s impulse made him lose control, disregarding courtesy – he wouldn’t be at peace until he cleared up this doubt.
Xia Xiaolan seemed physically fine, so why visit the hospital?
Ji Jiangyuan didn’t want to pry into his female classmate’s privacy. After locking the bike, he turned toward the hospital entrance.
“Xiaolan, you’re here!”
Little Wang rushed around handling discharge procedures. When Xia Xiaolan offered help, he declined everything.
“Then I’ll check how Uncle Tang is doing with packing.”
In the ward, Tang Hongen was packing alone. Though thinner than before surgery, his spirits were good. Seeing Xia Xiaolan, he was pleased: “I’m returning to Pengcheng today after discharge, so you won’t miss classes coming here.”
Visiting twice daily, Xia Xiaolan had been quite diligent at the hospital lately.
How could Tang Hongen not distinguish between sincerity and pretense?
Though Xia Xiaolan was shrewd, Tang Hongen had discovered she was very grateful – whoever showed genuine kindness to her received doubled care in return.
“Uncle Tang, Ji Jiangyuan followed me here. Do you think he knows something?”
Tang Hongen was just putting books from the bedside into his bag. Hearing this, he looked behind the door. Xia Xiaolan quickly explained: “I didn’t let him come up, but I don’t think I can hold him off much longer. I’m asking you what we should do?”
Did Tang Hongen want to see Ji Jiangyuan?
People think differently when sick. Though Tang Hongen’s surgery wasn’t very serious, what if his thoughts had changed?
At that moment, many thoughts crossed Tang Hongen’s mind.
His previous concerns, Ji Ya’s heartlessness, and unreasonableness, actually made Tang Hongen feel a desperate resolution.
“Let him come. He’ll know eventually – I just hadn’t thought it through before.”
The door creaked open, and Ji Jiangyuan stood there holding a bag of apples.
He and Tang Hongen locked eyes.
This wasn’t like that dim stadium at Huaqing – Tang Hongen stood there plain as day.
He and Ji Jiangyuan didn’t look very alike; Ji Jiangyuan took after his mother, which was why Xia Xiaolan never found him familiar.
But as father and son, they couldn’t be completely dissimilar. Tang Hongen carried himself with middle-aged dignity, and Ji Jiangyuan with youthful vigor. Though father and son had distinctly different dispositions, as they gazed at each other, their blood connection couldn’t be hidden.
“So, you are-“
“If you still remember your childhood, then yes, I am your birth father who hasn’t seen you for 12 years… Jiangyuan, I’m very sorry.”
Sorry for what? Sorry for missing Ji Jiangyuan’s life from age 7 to 19, for being absent when he perhaps needed a father most!