"Even if my heart breaks from love, don't blame anyone, it's only because the encounter was too beautiful. Even if my tears run dry, I'm hurt to the core, and my heart turns to ashes, it doesn't matter..."
On the way back to school, Su Yudie hummed a song happily.
This song was older than she was.
Zhuang Zi'ang was infected by her optimism, and it seemed he had forgotten his troubles too.
A faint scent of peach blossom floated along the campus's tree-lined path.
"Xiao Hudie, give me your phone number. Next time I look for you, I can just call."
Zhuang Zi'ang had to organize his words for a long time before he finally mustered the courage to ask for her contact information.
Su Yudie seemed to have been anticipating it for a long time and immediately reached into her pocket to pull out her phone.
It was exquisite and small, glowing with a faint blue light in the sunlight.
The two happily exchanged contact information.
With the emotional groundwork laid over the past two days, there was no awkwardness at all.
Su Yudie instructed, "Look for me during the day. I don't use my phone at night."
"You only know how to watch idiotic jokes, why don't you watch them at night?" Zhuang Zi'ang laughed loudly.
"How dare you mock me! I'm not like you boys who only know how to play games." Su Yudie feigned annoyance and rushed forward to tug at Zhuang Zi'ang's shirt.
The two chased each other along the tree-lined path.
Their joyful laughter filled the lush green grass on both sides of the road.
Class 9's classroom was on the second floor, and the two parted ways at the stair landing.
"Goodbye, Xiao Hudie. I'll text you."
"Mm, I might not check my phone when I'm busy, but I'll definitely reply when I see it."
After watching Su Yudie go upstairs, Zhuang Zi'ang walked towards his classroom.
Halfway there, he suddenly turned and took a few steps up the stairs, wanting to catch up and see which class Xiao Hudie was actually in.
He searched the third, fourth, and fifth floors, but could no longer find any trace of the girl.
Did she walk that fast?
Zhuang Zi'ang patted the railing, walking down the stairs step by step, feeling dejected.
They were already friends, but she wouldn't tell him her actual class.
Was it still a lack of trust?
The afternoon classes were difficult to endure; most students were drowsy and listless.
Zhuang Zi'ang remembered how quickly time had passed yesterday afternoon when he was fishing by the river with Xiao Hudie.
Was this the legendary theory of relativity?
The last class ended promptly at six o'clock.
Zhang Zhiyuan walked into the classroom and beckoned, "Zhuang Zi'ang, come with me."
Zhuang Zi'ang quickly packed his schoolbag and followed him.
Only when they were far from the classroom did he cautiously ask, "Teacher Zhang, where are we going?"
Zhang Zhiyuan said seriously, "To the hospital. I must personally meet your attending physician and talk to him."
"There's no need for that, Dr. Chen is very busy." Zhuang Zi'ang instinctively refused.
He was afraid of the smell of disinfectant in the hospital and afraid of seeing doctors in white coats.
The hospital walls had heard more devout prayers than temples.
Too many partings of life and death, too many separations of yin and yang, happened there.
Zhang Zhiyuan's mind was made up; he would not give up any chance to save Zhuang Zi'ang.
Even if it was truly beyond help, he wanted to hear it directly from the doctor.
Arriving at the parking lot, he started his old Buick and motioned for Zhuang Zi'ang to get in.
Passing the bus stop at the school gate, they happened to see Bus No. 19 slowly pulling into the station.
Zhuang Zi'ang sat in the passenger seat, stretching his neck, trying to find that peach blossom in the crowd.
Unfortunately, he was disappointed. Perhaps there were too many people waiting for the bus, or perhaps Zhang Zhiyuan drove too fast.
He didn't get to see Xiao Hudie.
Upon reaching the Central Hospital, Zhuang Zi'ang led Zhang Zhiyuan to Chen Dexiu's office.
Chen Dexiu adjusted his glasses, shook hands with Zhang Zhiyuan, his expression grave.
Zhang Zhiyuan introduced himself, "Hello, I am Zhuang Zi'ang's homeroom teacher. I've come to understand his condition."
"You are truly a diligent and responsible good teacher." Chen Dexiu's eyes showed admiration.
"Zhuang Zi'ang told me you are also a dedicated and responsible good doctor. Is there really no way?" Zhang Zhiyuan pleaded earnestly.
Next, the two discussed Zhuang Zi'ang's condition.
Chen Dexiu was rigorous and had profound medical skills, using a large number of professional medical terms to express eight words: the illness is critical, and there is nothing that can be done.
The last glimmer of hope in Zhang Zhiyuan's eyes quietly faded.
Sadness surged into his heart like a tide.
"He's only eighteen, why is this happening?"
"There was a girl with the same illness, even younger than him!" Chen Dexiu sighed.
While the two were talking, Zhuang Zi'ang sat quietly to the side.
It was as if the topic they were discussing had nothing to do with him.
It had been two days, and he had gradually emerged from the initial shock and sadness, calmly accepting reality.
He thought about all the classmates in his class; what would they look like when they were old?
White-haired, toothless, faces full of age spots, walking with a tremor.
He wouldn't have any of those worries.
I, Zhuang Zi'ang, will always be eighteen.
Coming out of the hospital, Zhang Zhiyuan's mood was exceptionally heavy, and he didn't speak for a long time.
"Teacher Zhang, don't look so serious, cheer up." Zhuang Zi'ang's tone was light.
He mimicked Xiao Hudie's tone, comforting his homeroom teacher.
Since nothing could be changed, it was better to live each day happily.
"Zhuang Zi'ang, is there anything you want to eat or drink?" Zhang Zhiyuan's voice was mournful.
"I don't want to be pitied or sympathized with." Zhuang Zi'ang said.
"No, I didn't mean that." Zhang Zhiyuan quickly explained.
"Just drop me off at the school gate, and then go home early to be with your wife and kids!" Zhuang Zi'ang said nonchalantly.
Although he really wanted to take the opportunity to make Teacher Zhang treat him to a big meal, he had eaten a bit too much hot pot at lunch.
It was better to eat something simple for dinner to avoid overworking his digestive system.
At the school gate, Zhuang Zi'ang bid farewell to Zhang Zhiyuan and went home alone.
Passing a snack stall, he casually bought a hot dog egg fried rice.
Only upon entering his home did he realize that the boss had written "Dog Food" on the takeaway box for easy differentiation.
His appetite vanished instantly.
According to the doctor's orders, Zhuang Zi'ang took a handful of colorful pills.
He somewhat doubted what good these pills would do.
If he took them, he could live for three months; if he didn't, he could only live for ninety days?
He picked up the fish food and fed some to the pair of goldfish.
It was once widely rumored that fish only had a seven-second memory.
If only he were a fish, he could forget all sorrow and just swim carefree.
Next to the fish tank, there was a bamboo flute.
The red tassel was exceptionally vibrant.
This was the only item Zhuang Zi'ang had brought from home.
He had learned to play the flute for a while when he was young, but later, busy with schoolwork, he gradually neglected it.
Now, picking it up again, even playing the simplest "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" would sound discordant and unpleasant.
Suddenly, a melody surfaced in his mind.
It was the music he heard yesterday when he met Su Yudie, very unfamiliar.
It was pleasant to the ear, yet somewhat strange.
La so so xi do xi la, so la xi xi xi xi la xi la so...
Zhuang Zi'ang tried to play it a few times, but it didn't form a tune, and he eventually gave up in frustration.
Night had already fallen; if he continued playing, he feared the neighbors would come knocking.