Chapter 2679: 2581.2482 Cold Little Hands (Alliance Leader's Instant Noodles Flight Extra Update 2)

2581.2482 Cold Little Hands (Alliance Leader's Instant Noodles Flight Extra Update 2)

Director Pan was in high spirits, constantly talking about how when he first came here years ago, there weren't this many people, and how each place has turned into what it is now.

But the director, being old, showed fatigue after walking for over an hour. Su Yun suggested they still take the cable car up the mountain; Zheng Ren looked at the high cable car and immediately thought of a roller coaster.

The experience of riding a roller coaster with Yi Ren back then is still fresh in Zheng Ren's memory, truly frightening. Standing below, Zheng Ren could already imagine himself on the cable car, and how cowardly he would become.

His hands and feet were cold, trembling as he held Yi Ren's hand—this didn't seem right. It wasn't like illness; it was better to keep this timid appearance deep in his memory.

After hesitating for a long time, amidst the laughter of the crowd, Zheng Ren still decided to stay behind alone.

There was no way around it; even Zheng Lao Ban, who was impervious to blades and bullets, had weaknesses—like a fear of heights, an underdeveloped vestibular nervous system, an unwillingness to socialize, and… an unwillingness to eat.

Zheng Ren sat bored on a stone bench, watching the crowds come and go, feeling that this place was far inferior to the deserts of Sai Bei.

The experience of stargazing in the desert remained unique in Zheng Ren's heart. After all, with few people, one of Zheng Lao Ban's criteria for judging a scenic spot is how few people there are.

Moreover, in the vast Gobi Desert, lying side by side with Yi Ren on the dunes and gazing at the star-filled sky, it felt as if no other person or thing existed in the universe—a truly wonderful feeling.

Zheng Ren watched alone as everyone took the cable car up the mountain; Director Pan seemed to be telling Su Yun about his past climb up the mountain. Yi Ren showed no fear, looking a little excited as she played selfies with Chang and the Chu Family Sisters.

Lao He was a little afraid, but he was still pulled aboard. Feng Xu Hui stepped onto the cable car with a thudding gait and sat with Liu Xiao Jie; he carefully looked after Liu Xiao Jie, and their relationship seemed to be progressing.

Big Chu and Little Chu sat together; Zheng Ren smiled slightly, recalling how during surgery they both straightened up at the same time, their graceful arcs merging into one, and both gave him a thumbs-up.

Having them around is really great.

Watching the crowd gradually fade into the distance, even with Zheng Ren's eyesight unable to see them anymore, a pair of cold little hands slowly covered his eyes.

Zheng Ren didn't dodge; just which family's brat was playing a joke on him?

His fingers were dry, with red patches, cracks, and hardening… could this be chemotherapy-induced hand-foot syndrome? Zheng Ren immediately said, 'Xiao Shitou, is that you?'

'Yah, you could guess that?' Shi Jian bounced up to Zheng Ren, panting.

'How did you guys come here?' Zheng Ren smiled and rubbed Xiao Shitou's head.

'Doctor Zheng, you're here too.' Wen Xiaonuan walked over and said, 'I originally wanted to take Xiao Shitou to West Mountain Park, where there are fewer people, but I took a wrong turn and ended up here.'

Zheng Ren looked at Xiao Shitou's system panel; the red had faded somewhat, and his being able to persist in coming here could be considered a small miracle.

This might be the child's last dream; he still has this lingering thought supporting him, Zheng Ren thought.

On Xiao Shitou's frail shoulders, the left side of his neck was thick with a large tumor, the one compressing his airway.

Zheng Ren immediately recalled the imaging data: a thyroid tumor invading the external carotid artery and the fourth cervical vertebra. Xiao Shitou likely felt numbness in his limbs; perhaps the airway wasn't completely blocked, but the nerves in the cervical vertebra were invaded.

This is an unsolvable problem; Zheng Ren forced a smile, not wanting to leave too heavy an impression on the child.

Xiao Shitou was already beyond cure, and Zheng Ren had no good solution; just being able to walk steadily would be not bad.

'Doctor Zheng, I only found out yesterday that you won the Nobel Prize.' Wen Xiaonuan hadn't expected that the little doctor who had sent Xiao Shitou a QQ inquiry back then was actually a big shot; she said somewhat awkwardly.

Especially when she thought about her past acquaintance with Zheng Ren, Wen Xiaonuan felt even more uneasy.

'Hehe.' Zheng Ren gave a dry laugh; he wasn't used to people looking at him with envy and admiration. Especially someone like Wen Xiaonuan, an ordinary person rather than a clinical doctor.

'Uncle, you're amazing!' Xiao Shitou said.

'Call me brother.' Zheng Ren said seriously, 'I remember when we first met you called me big brother; why are you calling me uncle now?'

'The first time we met wasn't for you to watch my mom while I played a game, was it?' Xiao Shitou said, 'I think calling you uncle is more formal.'

'Still call me brother.' Zheng Ren insisted.

Xiao Shitou hehehed and said, 'Brother, you're amazing. I even said I'd win a Nobel Prize someday, but you beat me to it.'

Zheng Ren looked at his bright, clear eyes and his uncoordinated limbs, feeling endless regret.

Just as Su Yun said, Xiao Shitou's life is also a torment.

'Too bad, I don't have time left.' Xiao Shitou whispered.

Wen Xiaonuan's eyes instantly reddened; before tears could fall, she turned around, her voice slightly trembling, 'I'll go get some water; Doctor Zheng, what would you like to drink?'

'I'm not thirsty, thanks.' Zheng Ren said somewhat wistfully.

'Brother, you know what illness I have, right?' Xiao Shitou sat beside Zheng Ren like an adult and asked softly.

'Mm, I know.' Zheng Ren nodded.

'Actually I don't want to be treated anymore; it's too exhausting, too unbearable.' Xiao Shitou raised his hand toward the sun, 'Look at my hands—after each chemo, the skin peels off layer by layer. My whole body feels uncomfortable, plus nausea. I'm hungry, but seeing food makes me nauseous. Every meal is like taking medicine; I have to force myself to eat with a smile, or else my mom will cry.'

'You've suffered.' Zheng Ren said solemnly.

'It's not suffering; I feel awful, but I want to live. Not wanting treatment yet wanting to live—is that contradictory?'

'Is it because of your mom?'

'That's only part of it. A while back, about six months ago, my mom told me once. She didn't want me to go, but the doctors said there was no hope. She put it vaguely, but I know what she meant.'

'She doesn't want me to leave, but since treatment is too tormenting, she lets me choose.'

'Then what happened?' Zheng Ren asked.

'I don't want to die; I still have so many roads to travel, so many people to meet, so many games to play, so many movies to watch. If I go, I won't be able to accomplish anything. But living is really hard, truly hard.'

Xiao Shitou doesn't seem like a ten-year-old child; he's more like an adult. The carefree innocence typical of his age is something he never got to enjoy—instead, life has forced him to mature prematurely.