Chapter 584

"Tick—tock—"

The mechanical wall clock turned bit by bit, making a rhythmic sound.

Zhang Yan sat blankly on the bed, as if her soul had been drained away.

The warmth and tenderness Tang Song had just brought were washed away by the cold reality of her mother's critical illness.

Her parents divorced when she was in the third grade of elementary school, the reason being that her father had found another woman while working away.

Her mother had married far away to begin with, so the blow of this incident to her was imaginable, which was why she ran back to Yang Province, thousands of miles away, in a fit of anger.

Therefore, Zhang Yan never resented her mother in her heart.

Even though her life had become precarious and she had to live under someone else's roof because of it.

And this mother, after giving birth to her younger sister and having a stable income, began to secretly send her living expenses every month.

She would also come to visit her from time to time after long train rides.

It was precisely because of this support that she could successfully repeat a grade, go to university, and find a job.

From the bottom of her heart, her feelings for her mother were far greater than for any other relative; that gratitude had long since been integrated into her bones and blood.

It was also because of this that she chose to come to Yangcheng after leaving the Imperial Capital.

Probably because, in this strange, huge city, there was at least one relative she could rely on psychologically.

Although due to various realistic reasons, her mother couldn't accompany her all the time, as long as she could occasionally go to see her,

and talk to her.

Zhang Yan's drifting heart could always find a moment of solace.

She was originally a person without a "home."

And now, the person closest to her in this world seemed to be about to be lost as well.

Who knows how much time had passed.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

A knock, neither light nor heavy, sounded.

"I'm back." Tang Song's voice came through the door.

Zhang Yan's body jolted violently, standing up like a bird startled awake.

Quickly wiping away the dried tear stains on her face, taking a few deep breaths, she forcibly restrained all her shattered emotions and ran over to open the door, stumbling.

The door opened slowly, and Tang Song walked in.

He was carrying several dishes packed in exquisite food containers, as well as two bottles of cocktails that looked very nice.

In order not to let him discover anything unusual, she kept her head down, not daring to meet his eyes.

"The kitchen was just painted, the smell is still very strong, so it's not suitable for cooking anymore." Tang Song pointed to the bag in his hand and said in a relaxed tone, "I bought some food outside; let's have a simple meal together."

"Thank you." Zhang Yan nodded gently, her voice inevitably carrying some trembling.

Tang Song instantly sensed something was wrong and asked with concern: "What's wrong?"

"No—nothing." Zhang Yan shook her head vigorously, her lips pressed tightly together.

Tang Song looked at her for a moment, didn't pursue the question, but slowed his tone and said softly: "You go get some plates and bowls; I'll go wash my hands."

He knew that Zhang Yan was a person who was extremely sensitive and not good at expressing herself.

Excessive questioning would only make her retreat further into her shell like a startled snail.

Even if he were to ask, he would have to wait until her emotions calmed down and guide her to say it.

"Mm." Zhang Yan nodded, turned, and walked silently into the kitchen.

After tidying up and setting the bowls and chopsticks.

The two sat opposite each other by the small coffee table.

Tang Song opened an apple-flavored cocktail, handed it to her, and said gently: "I remember you really liked eating apples back in middle school."

This sentence was like a small stone thrown into an icy lake, sending a circle of subtle ripples through Zhang Yan's heart.

She secretly glanced at him, took the cold bottle of alcohol, and gently clinked it against his bottle.

"Cheers, celebrating your little house being initially painted."

"—Thank you." Zhang Yan responded in a low voice, lowered her head, and took a sip of the sweet and sour alcohol.

The two ate in silence, and Tang Song picked up a piece of roast goose for her.

Zhang Yan lowered her head, looked at the shiny piece of meat in her bowl, and ate it in small, mechanical bites.

Afterward, Tang Song began to chat with her about her high school and university.

Talking about some details that had been re-sorted by 【Memory's Light Feather】 and which he had previously ignored.

Zhang Yan listened to his words, her eyes gradually softening.

A faint smile finally appeared on her tense face.

She also carefully picked up some vegetables for him.

Just like that, back and forth, amidst the aroma of food and the stillness of the night, the atmosphere gradually became relaxed.

After the meal, the two cleaned up together.

Sitting back on the small sofa in the living room, they began to read the manga book they hadn't finished.

Orange jumped nimbly onto Zhang Yan's lap, curled into a ball, and made a satisfied "purring" sound in its throat, occasionally letting out a "meow."

Outside the window, it didn't know when it had started to drizzle.

The night wind blew in from the half-open window, carrying the damp scent of soil, slightly cool.

Light rain tapped on the window, and the lights were bright.

A colorful manga book, two people, one cat.

This scene was as quiet as a frame from an old movie treated with soft focus.

Nine-thirty in the evening.

After finishing the sixth volume of manga, Tang Song stood up to say goodbye.

"Tomorrow is Monday, you have to go to work too, right? Get some rest early."

The words "go to work" made Zhang Yan's heart tremble suddenly.

Yes, the weekend was over.

He also had to go handle his work; he definitely wouldn't stay in Yangcheng for too long.

She looked at that handsome, upright figure.

Using a weak voice that was almost talking to herself, she asked: "When—when are you going back to Yancheng?"

Tang Song thought for a moment and said: "Wednesday or Thursday, there's still a lot of work to handle in Yancheng."

The Double 11 promotion was about to start, and since it concerned his 【Growth Plan Task】, he definitely had to go back to handle it.

Coming to Yangcheng this time, besides the financing matters for Zhi Lian Future, was also to secretly see Zhang Yan and secretly help her pave the way.

It was just that because of her letter, his plans had changed.

However, before leaving, he would definitely arrange things for Zhang Yan.

This middle school deskmate was truly too fragile.

She was completely different from Lele, the "Cinderella" at Yancheng Normal University.

Although Lele was also a bit inferior, she only showed inferiority in emotions because she clearly understood the gap in reality.

And in real life, she was a very independent, self-reliant, positive, and courageous girl.

During university, she could go set up a stall herself and do all kinds of part-time jobs.

By comparison, Zhang Yan was truly fragile, from the inside out.

Tang Song was really afraid that if he wasn't careful and used too much force, he would completely break her.

As for how to arrange for Zhang Yan, I'm afraid this matter still needs "Big Sister" Wen Ruan to step in.

It just so happens that Xingyun International Group is also a professional match.

Of course, before that, he must first appease Big Sister.

After all, it was another big black pot thrown at her, and he himself felt a bit embarrassed.

Hearing Tang Song's answer, Zhang Yan was silent for a long time.

Using all her strength to squeeze out a smile, "Tang Song, then—I wish you smooth work, peace, and joy."

"Hehe, thank you. By the way, it's raining outside, I'll take a car back, you don't need to see me off today."

Zhang Yan bit her lip and nodded gently.

The two arrived at the door.

Tang Song squatted down to rub Orange, stood up, and looked at Zhang Yan,

"Be careful on the way." Zhang Yan finally couldn't help but raise her head and look into his eyes.

Those eyes were really beautiful, clear and bright, seemingly able to reflect her own lonely figure.

These two days, she had been deliberately trying not to think too much, letting herself immerse in this sudden, unreal happiness and joy.

But the sudden bad news about her mother was like a basin of ice water, waking her up completely.

He was so outstanding, so exceptional, and there was still a radiant Liu Qingning by his side.

Some people, some worlds, were destined to be very, very far away from her.

She shouldn't harbor that kind of unrealistic fantasy, so that when he left, her heart wouldn't hurt so much.

"Zhang Yan." Tang Song suddenly called her.

"Mm."

"Reach out your hand."

Zhang Yan was stunned, but still subconsciously reached out her hand obediently.

Tang Song took an exquisite jewelry box from his pocket and placed it gently in her palm.

"A small gift for you, I hope you like it."

Zhang Yan held the gift box, her gaze dazed.

Following that, Tang Song stepped forward, opened his arms, and gave her a gentle and brief hug.

"You can send me a WeChat message anytime in the future, classmate Zhang Yan."

Feeling the slightly trembling, thin body in his arms, Tang Song patted her back gently, then let go.

He picked up the umbrella by the door, waved at her, and turned to leave.

Zhang Yan's footsteps subconsciously followed him out the door.

Standing in the hallway, watching his figure go down and disappear bit by bit.

Until Orange's meowing sounded, she woke up as if from a dream.

Returning to the living room, she closed the door.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the exquisite gift box.

Inside was a pair of small, iris-shaped stud earrings, sparkling with brilliant starlight under the lights.

She looked at the earrings, her eyes gradually losing focus.

Recalling everything that happened these two days, from the dreamlike reunion to eating together, painting walls, reading manga—those helplessness, sadness, and emotions that had been suppressed for a long time finally erupted completely at this moment.

Her lips trembled, and low, suppressed sobs sounded in the small living room.

Orange came over, rubbing its head against her leg, seemingly comforting her.

Zhang Yan squatted down and took Orange into her arms.

The sound of crying drifted, drifting out of the living room, drifting past the balcony that had just been painted, drifting toward the window.

Finally shattered by the night rain of late autumn.

Four Seasons Hotel Presidential Suite.

The door was pushed open slowly, Tang Song changed into slippers and walked toward the brightly lit living room.

"Yo, our Tang Zong is finally back?" A lazy, teasing, mature woman's voice drifted over.

Raising his head, he saw Big Sister sitting on the sofa.

It seemed she had just finished her evening exercise, wearing a set of fitness clothes that outlined her full, powerful curves to the fullest.

Her face still had a thin layer of sweat, and a few strands of hair at her temples were dampened by sweat, sticking to her fair cheeks.

Shining with a faint light under the lamps, she looked even more lazy, charming, and full of allure.

Tang Song came before her and asked with concern:

"When did you get back?"

Before eight, he had asked on WeChat, but Big Sister didn't tell him the specific time, clearly she was a bit angry.

"Pfft." Wen Ruan's peach-blossom eyes looked him up and down with a hint of mockery, "Looking at our Tang Zong's triumphant appearance, it seems the weekend trip to Yangcheng was quite fruitful!"

Tang Song smiled awkwardly, "It was okay."

"Hehe, I'm the one who's miserable," Wen Ruan sighed with feigned grievance, "Working hard to help someone go to Shencheng to 'appease' his pure and flawless white moonlight, and still having to be 'beaten' and tested by others, making me feel like a little mistress who went to challenge the main wife and was easily handled by her."

"I'm sorry, Ruan Ruan, you've worked hard."

"Sorry for what?" Wen Ruan blinked with feigned surprise, "Our Tang Zong is busy with a thousand things, caring for the world, occasionally in the gaps of work, 'inspecting' the 'humanistic customs' of different regions, and contributing to the local GDP and emotional consumption—this is a great thing. How could I blame you? I'm too proud of you to have time for that."

"Listen—" Tang Song was left feeling guilty by Big Sister's sarcastic remarks.

Of course, the main thing was that he still had Zhang Yan's matter hidden in his heart, and if he were to say it out, he really didn't know how to open his mouth.

Seeing Tang Song's guilty appearance, the mockery on Wen Ruan's face dissipated, turning into a hint of triumphant laughter.

But he had been married to Zhou Hui for so many years and had a daughter, Shuangshuang; to say there was no affection would be a lie.

She stretched out a smooth foot, her toes tapping lightly on his abdomen, her voice suddenly becoming cold and aloof.

Carrying a hint of a queen's tone, she said: "Isn't Tang Zong's eloquence very good? Why have you started playing dumb at this time?"

Following that, she slowly opened those plump, healthy, long legs and raised her eyebrows at him provocatively.

Tang Song's throat moved; looking at this Big Sister with natural charm, his reason was instantly washed away by a torrent of desire.

He pounced on her directly.

He decided to use the simplest and crudest method to "sleep-convince" Big Sister.

"Ah! What are you doing! Get lost!"

"You lecher—" Wen Ruan originally wanted to play some role-playing with plenty of interest, but soon discovered that Tang Song tonight was a bit wrong.

It was simply like Dian Wei who had opened his ultimate.

The rain outside the window became heavier, tapping against the glass window with a 'pitter-patter'.

Wen Ruan's eyes opened wider and wider, her gaze gradually losing focus.

Out-of-tune, broken gibberish spilled from her mouth.

In the confusion, she seemed to hear Tang Song's suppressed and urgent voice ringing in her ears, seemingly wanting her to help with something, and mentioning the Yangcheng branch of Xingyun International Group, wanting to introduce a talent to her.

But she couldn't hear clearly at all, nor could she think, and could only respond with subconscious "mm-ah" sounds.

November 6, 2023, Monday, overcast.

Early morning, the sky hadn't brightened yet.

The rain had stopped, leaving only a thin layer of water vapor condensed on the glass.

Zhang Yan sat up from the bed, hugging her knees, and stared blankly.

The sky outside the window changed bit by bit from ink blue to gray.

"Ding-ding-ding—"

The WeChat voice call notification sounded abruptly.

Her body jolted violently, and she grabbed the phone by her pillow almost subconsciously.

【Zhang Lu】

She breathed a sigh of relief, yet inexplicably felt disappointed, and connected the voice call.

"Hello, Lulu."

"Hello, Zhang Yan, you had a happy weekend, right? I was very tactful and didn't dare to disturb you at all." Lulu's voice carried a hint of teasing.

Zhang Yan bit her lip and just responded with a soft "Mm."

"I'm going to Xingyun International this morning for the second interview, not sure when I'll be done." Lulu continued, her voice filled with unhideable excitement and nervousness, "By the way, I've already organized the draft from the last business trip and put it in the shared cloud drive. If you have time, you can hand it to that Fatty together."

Zhang Yan hesitated, her voice dry as she said: "I—Lulu—I have to ask for leave this morning too."

"Ah? Have you already asked?"

"No, not yet."

"I asked for a sick leave with pay yesterday, and that dead Fatty passed it reluctantly. Now that you're suddenly asking for leave too, he probably won't approve it and will definitely try to make things difficult for you again."

Zhang Yan pressed her lips together, "It doesn't matter."

"Then you should do this, Zhang Yan, it's best to keep your current job while looking for another, at least stay until the 15th of this month to get the social security paid, right? Don't be too impulsive."

"I really have something very urgent."

"What is it?"

Zhang Yan hesitated for a moment, and finally whispered: "My mom is sick, I—I have to accompany her to the hospital for an examination."

"Ah?! Auntie is sick? What illness? Is it serious?" Lulu's voice instantly became anxious.

"I don't know."

Listening to her tone, which was clearly trembling, Lulu on the other end of the phone seemed to understand something.

She said decisively: "Then just ask for leave directly; this is a huge matter! Don't worry about whether he approves it or not! At worst, we don't want this crappy job anymore!"

"Mm."

"Then I won't disturb you; let's keep in touch. If needed, I'll come find you directly after my interview."

Hanging up the phone.

Zhang Yan checked the time, opened DingTalk, and submitted her leave application with an expressionless face.

Then, she began to tidy up numbly.

Washing up, changing clothes—she didn't even eat, just mechanically fed Orange cat food and water.

When she picked up the half-old backpack, her gaze couldn't help but fall on the bedside table, on that exquisite jewelry box.

Footsteps echoed hollowly in the dilapidated hallway.

Going downstairs.

She raised her head to look at the gloomy sky, didn't stop for a moment, and strode forward.

The breeze blew the strands of hair at her collarbone, outlining her entire figure as a thin and lonely silhouette against the gray background.

Yucai Middle School East Campus, Middle School Division.

Zhang Yan handed her ID card into the small window of the guard room and wrote her information and the name of the person she was visiting, Chen Shuangshuang, in the visitor registration book.

She walked in smoothly.

She had been here a few times before, when she had earned some money and wanted to improve her relationship with this "younger sister" and buy her some gifts.

The campus was very quiet, with only the sound of reading drifting out from the windows.

Passing through the tree-lined path, arriving at the second-year teaching building, and coming to the door of her sister's classroom.

Standing quietly in the shadow of the hallway, waiting.

Who knows how long, the harsh bell for the end of class rang, the classroom door was pulled open, and students wearing blue school uniforms poured out in twos and threes.

Zhang Yan's gaze searched quickly through the noisy crowd, and soon she saw that familiar yet somewhat strange figure.

Chen Shuangshuang had grown taller since they last met, wearing a simple ponytail, her face still carrying an unstripped childishness.

She wasn't laughing or playing with classmates, just hugging her schoolbag alone, walking outward silently.

Their gazes met in the air.

Chen Shuangshuang's footsteps paused, and she walked quickly to Zhang Yan, her lips pressed tightly, not saying a word, only her eye rims gradually beginning to turn red.

"Let's go, let's go ask for leave."

Zhang Yan and she came to the head teacher's office, and after explaining the situation, she used her own ID card as a guarantee to successfully ask for leave for Chen Shuangshuang.

Throughout the process, Chen Shuangshuang was unusually silent.

The two walked out of the school gate one after the other, silent all the way.

Until standing by the road waiting for a car, Zhang Yan finally opened her mouth,

"Which hospital?"

"The First Affiliated Hospital of Pharmacy University."

"Which department did you register for?"

Chen Shuangshuang's shoulders trembled violently, her voice carrying a cry as she squeezed three words through her teeth, "Oncology Department."

Zhang Yan's hands and feet instantly turned cold, "Oncology? Oncology?"

"Mm." Chen Shuangshuang nodded, sobbing as she said: "Chen Yao came back yesterday; she said she would accompany us to the hospital today too. She definitely—she definitely doesn't want Mom to get treated! That's why I called you."

Chen Yao was her older sister from the same father but a different mother, who had just graduated from university.

Zhang Yan also knew a little about the conflicts in this blended family,

because of the age gap and the fact that they weren't born of the same mother, those two older siblings had always been full of vigilance toward Chen Shuangshuang and her mother.

Especially since her mother often had to send her living expenses and child support, and had even secretly sent her relatively large sums of money several times when she was already an adult.

This matter had been caught by the other side.

Once, Chen Yao had specifically called to scold her.

Zhang Yan looked at the panicked Chen Shuangshuang in front of her, and her sense of responsibility as an older sister instantly overwhelmed all her panic and fear.

She gritted her teeth and said firmly: "It's okay. Tumors can also be benign. Let's go over and take a look first; the situation might not be as bad as that."

Chen Shuangshuang looked at her, lowered her head silently, and followed her into a taxi.

She was a sensitive, smart girl; the complexity of her family made her much more mature than her peers.

She knew that her older brother Chen Bingwen was about to get married, and the family's finances were already very tight.

If her brother's fiancée knew about this, the marriage would definitely be called off immediately.

Her mother's serious illness was no less than a devastating disaster for their family; her father would definitely shrink back for the sake of his son's big event.

Those two older siblings without blood ties would definitely be eager to "cut" ties with her mother immediately.

She didn't want to lose her mom.

But she was only a 15-year-old middle school student, with no way to do anything, and no one took her seriously.

At this moment, the only person she could think of and rely on was this "older sister" who had always been excluded but shared the same blood.

The taxi stopped and started in the congested city.

Forty minutes later, they finally arrived outside the hospital gate.

The two walked quickly into the outpatient building.

In the hospital on Monday, there were people everywhere, and the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant and the noise of the crowd.

Zhang Yan's hands and feet were cold, her lips dry.

She held Chen Shuangshuang's hand tightly, and after consulting at the information desk, took the elevator toward the Oncology Department.

The two started from the Medical Oncology Department, searching room by room.

Soon, Chen Shuangshuang pulled her arm hard, her voice urgent: "Over there!"

Zhang Yan looked in the direction of the sound and saw her mother's thin, frail body slumped on the bench in the corner of the second office, coughing violently and suppressedly from time to time.

Uncle Chen sat beside her, his head hanging, not saying a word, the expression on his face gloomily terrifying.

The fashionably dressed Chen Yao stood in front of them, holding several examination forms and CT scans, speaking loudly about something.

Zhang Yan pushed through the crowded crowd, walking toward the inside with difficulty.

As the distance closed, Chen Yao's cold and mean voice gradually entered her ears.

"... The doctor made it very clear; for your situation, if you want to use the best CAR-T cell therapy, it needs 1.3 to 1.4 million, and it's not certain it will be completely cured, and I don't know how much more will be spent later."

"Even taking a step back, using oral immune modulators plus monoclonal antibody treatment, it will cost 100,000 to 200,000 a year!"

"My brother is about to get married! The bride's side has already prepared the dowry and bride price, just waiting to hold the wedding banquet."

"If the other family knows our family is burdened with such a life-threatening matter, can this marriage still happen? Whose house will it count as? Everything is messed up!"

"This is cancer! It's lymphoma!"

The two words "cancer" were like a bolt from the blue, shattering Zhang Yan's last bit of luck completely.

Her brain made a loud "buzzing" sound, and she stumbled, nearly falling on the spot.

She looked blankly at her mother, who was being tortured by illness and was unusually weak.

Her reason collapsed at this moment.

"Mom—"

She rushed over abruptly, pushed Chen Yao aside, and hugged her mother's frail body tightly.