With over two million in his account, Zhou Fan finally began to think seriously about the future for himself and Miaomiao. He truly did not want to live in the city anymore. He could not bear to stay in a place so full of memories, much less continue living in the house where he had shared countless beautiful moments with his parents. To those left behind, the sight of the familiar furniture and belongings felt like a thousand cuts.
The doctors hired by Madam Chi were highly professional, and Miaomiao worked hard. After the initial period of weakness during recovery, she was slowly able to walk with the help of a prosthetic. However, the pain of rehabilitation made her drop tears uncontrollably. Watching from the side, Zhou Fan felt as if a knife were twisting in his heart. But Miaomiao was far too sensible; sensing the distress of her brother, she would try her best to smile and comfort him after each session.
This sensible little girl was well loved by the doctors and nurses. After one treatment, a doctor approached Zhou Fan and introduced him to his mentor. The mentor was famous in the industry for treating children with disabilities caused by birth or accidents. Now retired, he lived in a small town in his hometown. The town’s development was average, but it was peaceful with pleasant scenery and a perfect place for retirement. More importantly, it was convenient to get to the city. It only took a thirty minute drive to reach the central hospital whenever Miaomiao needed psychological counseling or prosthetic adjustments.
Zhou Fan thanked him repeatedly, researched the town, and called the old gentleman. The man was kind and, having heard the story of the siblings from his student, agreed to take them in. When Miaomiao returned to the ward, Zhou Fan held her hand and asked in a low voice if she were willing to move from the bustling capital to that small town.
Miaomiao smiled while shaking his hand and said she would go wherever her brother went. Zhou Fan smiled and kissed her cheek.
The money in the account seemed like a lot, but over twenty thousand had already flowed out during the past month of treatment and customization. This was only the beginning. Since Miaomiao was in a growth phase, she would need a new prosthetic every three to six months. To avoid pain and allow her to walk, run, and attend kindergarten like other children, they had to use high quality prosthetics. A good replacement cost around two hundred thousand.
Combined with his own daily expenses, Zhou Fan knew that spending without earning would eventually lead to ruin. There were still ten years ahead. Zhou Fan’s grades were poor, and it was too late to change that. Even if he graduated from a second tier university, finding a job in today’s society would be difficult. Ultimately, he set his sights on a technical school. He decided to learn a trade and start working early to support himself and Miaomiao, leaving the money in the bank strictly for her treatment.
Chi Hanqing sat on the edge of his bed while staring motionless at the message on his phone. The message came from a number he knew by heart, a number that had sent him countless messages which he had deleted, leaving traces only in his memory. The content of the message left him so dazed he could not believe his eyes.
After the phone call with Zhou Fan, hearing the comfort and promises of his lover had finally given him the strength to deal with the procedures for going abroad. For the past month, he had been locked at home under unprecedented surveillance. His phone was checked constantly to prevent him from contacting Zhou Fan. He found no opportunity to send a message, and Zhou Fan had not contacted him either. He told himself repeatedly that it would pass.
But he never expected that after only a few days, Zhou Fan would have a change of heart. He claimed he already liked someone else.
Chi Hanqing wondered who that person was. Back when it was just a secret crush, he could barely endure the bitterness of watching Zhou Fan with other boys. But now he had experienced the tenderness of Zhou Fan firsthand. He knew how good it felt to be held and kissed. Like someone who had seen the light, he could never return to the darkness.
Chi Hanqing gripped the phone and thought it was a lie. He called Zhou Fan only to be rejected, and his messages received no reply.
Confused, he sat for a while before a thought struck him. He rushed out of the room. In the living room, the butler was speaking with the head maid about the vacation to Nanshan Manor next week. Seeing him, the butler smiled and called his name.
Chi Hanqing asked where his mother was. The butler noted the Mistress had not returned yet.
Chi Hanqing said nothing. He zipped up his jacket and took his sneakers from the shoe cabinet. The head maid tried to stop him and noted he was not allowed to go out.
Chi Hanqing pushed her hand away almost rudely and told her to move. He did not believe the words Zhou Fan said were lies. He had to see him with his own eyes. Even if it were a breakup, he had to hear it from Zhou Fan himself. After being pushed, the head maid quickly pulled her phone from her pocket to call security, but the front door opened first.
Madam Chi walked in. Seeing the pale Chi Hanqing, a knowing smile appeared on her face as she asked if they had broken up.
Chi Hanqing’s expression changed as he asked how she knew. Madam Chi scoffed but did not answer. He asked urgently if she had found him and what she said to him.
Madam Chi noted it was not about what she said. She claimed his fickle playboy boyfriend asked her for a million and agreed to break up with him. She stated it was that simple.
The lips of Chi Hanqing moved as he whispered that she was lying. He bent over to put on his shoes while desperate to reach the door. The butler intended to stop him, but Madam Chi said coldly to let him go. She noted the procedures were finished and he could go where he liked as long as he was present when it was time to go abroad.
Chi Hanqing froze and looked at his mother. This was the first time she had ever offered him such a form of freedom. However, that was not what he cared about most. He remembered the address for the home of Zhou Fan and hurried there in a taxi.
To his surprise, Zhou Fan was not home. Not only him, but his parents and Miaomiao were all gone. He knocked for a long time only to be told by a neighbor that the family had not returned in a while. He wondered if they had moved.
Chi Hanqing stared at the door of the Zhou home for a moment before pulling himself together. He went downstairs and took a taxi to the school. He walked to the hallway of Class 11. Through the window, he saw the classroom full of students, but the seat of Zhou Fan was empty. Not only was he absent, but his backpack was gone as well. He wondered why Zhou Fan was not at school.
Chi Hanqing turned to see the surprised gaze of Old Jiang. He had a good impression of the teacher and knew from Zhou Fan that he was a responsible man. Old Jiang had not expected to see him and asked if he had forgotten something since he was supposed to be going abroad.
Chi Hanqing asked Teacher Jiang if Zhou Fan was not at school. Old Jiang was surprised by the interest. He looked as if he wanted to say something, hesitated, and finally sighed. He noted that Chi Hanqing probably had not heard that something happened to the family.
Chi Hanqing asked what happened. Old Jiang noted that his parents and his aunt and uncle went out and were in a car accident. He explained all four adults died at the scene and his sister was still in the hospital. He added this was over a month ago and patted the shoulder of the boy while telling him that Zhou Fan was a strong person who would get through this.
A buzzing sound exploded in the ears of Chi Hanqing. It took a very long time for him to digest those words. The warm concern of the Zhou parents and the sweet smile of Miaomiao had stayed with him like sunlight. That was the first time he had felt the warmth of a home, and he never imagined it would be the last.
Chi Hanqing began to speak about Zhou Fan and his sister but suddenly lost his voice. He closed his eyes and paused before asking which hospital they were in.
Old Jiang sighed and noted that Chi Hanqing was a good student with a good family. He stated the boy’s starting point was higher than the finish line of most people. Chi Hanqing looked at him and did not understand why he was saying this.
Old Jiang noted that the two boys were too young and many things could not be solved by impulse alone. He said that Zhou Fan was overwhelmed with the situation regarding his parents and sister. He warned that if Chi Hanqing went to him and his parents found out, it would be hard to handle.
Chi Hanqing’s eyes widened as he asked how the teacher knew about him and Zhou Fan. Old Jiang shook his head helplessly and noted he had seen all kinds of students in his years of teaching. He told the boy to go back and not to worry because if Zhou Fan really wanted to find him, he would contact him.
Chi Hanqing had no memory of leaving the school. He stood at the gates while looking around in confusion and finally chose to walk into Little Cloud. It was quiet inside. He sat by the window and stared at the table.
He could not imagine the pain and sadness Zhou Fan felt upon learning of the accident. Zhou Fan was only eighteen, a high schooler forced to face the death of his parents and the destruction of his happy home alone. What made him feel even more helpless was that this happened over a month ago, yet Zhou Fan had never contacted him.
A mocking voice in his heart asked what the use of telling him would be. It asked what he could do since he did not even dare to save the phone number or keep the messages. It noted he lived under surveillance and could do nothing. It suggested that was why Zhou Fan did not tell him. It claimed he was an incompetent coward locked in a cage who could not even go to the side of the other boy to comfort him. It concluded that it was no wonder the other boy wanted to break up and like someone else.