Chapter 3 Stardust 3
"At that time I knew something happened at home, but I didn't want to believe it. I went to ask my mother why my father hadn't come back yet, but she didn't say anything, just kept crying. The police stayed in our house for a long time that day, and my father didn't come back until they left. I don't know how I fell asleep, and when I woke up, my mother had left home. I wanted to look for her, but I had no idea, so I could only stay at home and wait silently."
At this point , Chen Qiaoluo suddenly turned around and looked at me: "Hello Zhu Yun, have you ever experienced the feeling of helplessness and despair? That day when I was alone in the empty house, I was really scared to death. The anxiety and fear in my heart eroded my heart inch by inch. I didn't know what I should do or what I could do."
The sadness in his eyes was like the rising tide, drowning me in an instant, leaving only the sound of lonely wind in my chest.
I heard him continue, "In the following days, my mother always went out early and came back late, and her eyes were almost always red and swollen during that period. I asked about my father's whereabouts several times, but every time I mentioned it, she would cry, and then I never dared to ask again. In our old street, news always spreads very quickly. Within a week, the news that my father had killed someone spread throughout the street. The neighbors in the past also began to point fingers at our family, and the children who used to play with me no longer wanted to stay with me. They said that their parents told them that I was the son of a murderer and that I was born with dirty blood in my bones."
The desolation in his words made me feel sad. I reached out to hold his hand, but his palm was cold. I opened my mouth to say something to comfort him, but the words just wouldn't come out. I think at this moment, what he needed most was not the empty words of comfort, but the real company of someone.
Seeing me holding his hand, Chen Qiaoluo turned around and gave me a weak smile, saying, "Don't be sad. I'm not saying this to make you sympathize with me. I just want to tell you these things, so I said it."
"I don't sympathize with you." I looked into his eyes and replied, "Chen Qiaoluo, sympathy is an act of treating the weak. In my opinion, you are strong enough, so strong that I can't help but admire you."
I can't imagine that a young child would still work so hard to live after going through so many things. Yes, work hard to live. Maybe Chen Qiaoluo's skipping classes and lack of knowledge disappointed everyone, but I know he did it just for Aunt He Pei. He didn't want the only person he could rely on in his life to work harder, and his filial piety was enough to move everyone.
Compared to him, I am such a failure.
I laughed at myself and said, "Chen Qiaoluo, I probably haven't told you about my family. In fact, my mom divorced my dad when I was in elementary school. The reason for the divorce was ridiculous. She felt she was bound by this family. At that time, she ignored my presence and left with her suitcase. I still remember the last words she said. She said she didn't love my dad and she didn't want to spend her life with someone she didn't love.
"It's ridiculous, isn't it? She doesn't know what responsibility is, nor does she know how to be a mother. I didn't understand her then, but now that I'm older, I hate her even more. I hate her for leaving and being irresponsible. But now when I hear you talk about your story, I suddenly feel that my hatred is so ridiculous. No matter what, I should be grateful to her for giving birth to me, right? At least, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have such a good life now."
I smiled at Chen Qiaoluo, took the beer and drank it all.
The wind kept blowing over the rooftop. Chen Qiaoluo and I sat there for the entire afternoon, and we drank all the wine he had hidden.
Just when I was drunk and dazed, I seemed to hear Chen Qiaoluo's voice.
He said: "Hello Zhu Yun, if one day you know the truth, I hope you won't hate me."
When I woke up again, I was still lying on Chen Qiaoluo's back like last time. It was already dark, and I didn't know how he carried me out of the school.
I patted his shoulder, jumped off his back, and said in annoyance, "Why did I pass out from drinking again? You are so stupid for not calling me."
"Why should I call you? What if you get drunk and crazy, won't I be the one who suffers?" Chen Qiaoluo looked at me seriously and said.
"Bah, I can drink a lot." I rolled my eyes at him and said, "Don't you still have to go to work? Don't send me off. I can go back by myself."
"Really?" he asked uncertainly.
"Of course it's true, just hurry up and leave." I pushed him forward, waved my hand and said, "See you at school tomorrow, I'll go home first."
"Well, bye."
I never thought I would meet Guyu on my way home. It was already past eight o'clock in the evening. After saying goodbye to Chen Qiaoluo, I took the bus home. When I passed by Tashan Middle Road, I happened to see him walking hurriedly on the street.
In my impression, Guyu is always gentle and polite. I have never seen him so flustered. I was startled, but my body was one step faster than my brain and I got out of the car directly.
It wasn't until I followed him all the way to the hospital that I realized I had done something stupid. This was just a person who didn't like me, so why should I worry about him so shamelessly? I smiled bitterly in my heart, but still followed him into the hospital.
What a fool Zhu Junhao is. I laughed at myself in my heart.
Guyu almost ran to the fifth floor. I finally waited for him to stop at the door of a room, and then I saw clearly that it was the operating room. He kept walking around anxiously, and I wondered who was inside. The person who could make Guyu so anxious must be someone very important to him.
I was watching all this carefully from a distance like a voyeur. I didn't know how long it was before my dad called.
I whispered a few words, and just as I hung up the phone, I saw Guyu's eyes were already on me. It seemed that he had not expected to meet me here. He was stunned for a moment, and then waved at me.
I am a spineless person, at least that's how I feel when it comes to Guyu.
When I approached, Guyu asked, "Why are you here?"
Did I follow him all the way here? No, how could I say that? I bit my lower lip tightly and said nothing.
Seeing me like this, Guyu seemed to understand something and then asked, "What's your name?"
I had never thought that Guyu would ask this question. I was stunned for a while before I stumbled and said, "Hello Zhu Yun. My name is Zhu Yun."
"Hello, Zhu Yun?" He frowned, then suddenly smiled, "What a nice name."
We didn't say anything more. After a while, the door of the operating room was opened from the inside, and the doctor came out. Seeing this, Guyu immediately rushed over and asked, "Doctor Li, how is my mother?"
"Xiaoyu, you're here." Doctor Li took off his medical mask and said, "Your mother is fine for now, but I told you last time that her disease is basically incurable. If she becomes critically ill again, even Hua Tuo may be unable to save her."
Dr. Li’s words made Guyu silent, with a look of sadness on his face.
I didn't know what to say, so I just reached out and held his hand. He also felt my movement and turned back to smile weakly at me. Then a nurse came out pushing a hospital bed, and Guyu let go of my hand and ran over.
Guyu's mother lay on the bed with her eyes tightly closed, her face was pale, and her facial features were surprisingly similar to Guyu's. I don't know what disease Guyu's mother had, but I know that what she wanted most at this moment was to have someone accompany her.
I stayed in the hospital for the whole night. I offered him the bread I bought several times, but he shook his head and refused. Although I felt sad, I could do nothing about it.
I never thought that I would meet Chen Qiaoluo in this ward the next day.
When I came back from the cafeteria after buying food for Guyu, I saw them standing at the door of the ward confronting each other. Guyu looked very bad, and Chen Qiaoluo was standing in front of him with a sad face.
How did these two people know each other? I had never heard Chen Qiaoluo talk about it.
I was guessing countless possibilities in my mind. Just as I was hesitating whether I should disturb them, Guyu suddenly raised his hand, and then the bag in his hand hit Chen Qiaoluo in the face.
I was startled, and before I could react, I saw everything in the black plastic bag fly out.
That was money, one red hundred-dollar bill after another flying in the empty aisle.
Then, Guyu's indifferent voice was heard.
He said, "Chen Qiaoluo, you don't have to pretend to be so hypocritical."
I have never seen Guyu like this before; it was as if a storm was brewing in his eyes.
Just when I thought Chen Qiaoluo would lose his temper, I heard him soften his voice and say, "Guyu, don't be like this. Auntie's health is the most important. You can dislike me and hate me, but please take back the money."
"Haha, take it back?" Guyu suddenly sneered and said, "Chen Qiaoluo, do you think I will be grateful to you for doing this? Don't dream. Don't forget who caused all this."
After saying these words, Guyu didn't look at Chen Qiaoluo again, turned around and walked into the ward, leaving Chen Qiaoluo standing there alone. There were scattered hundred-dollar bills under his feet, and he stood there like a traveler with no way home.
My heart felt like it was being gnawed gently by ants, leaving only tiny, lingering pains that eroded my entire body inch by inch.
I don't know how long it took, but Chen Qiaoluo suddenly raised his head and looked towards me. When he saw me, a bitter smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. Then he squatted down and started to pick up the banknotes that fell on the ground.
Seeing this, I hurried over to help him.
When I handed him the money I had picked up, he just lowered his head and asked softly, "Hello Zhu Yun, are you disappointed in me?"
I shook my head, but saw him stand up and walk out. I stood there for a few seconds and then chased after him.
The sun was still shining brightly outside, and I caught up with Chen Qiaoluo and stopped him. At this moment, I didn't know what was wrong with me, but I just felt that I couldn't let him leave alone like this.
Seeing me chasing after him, Chen Qiaoluo stopped.
I opened my mouth and after a while I blurted out: "I'll buy you a drink."
We sat side by side in the stands of the football field, with a green field below. I opened the pull ring of the beer can and handed it to him. Chen Qiaoluo took it silently and drank a big sip. Seeing him do this, I also drank the can of beer in my hand.
It was unknown how much time had passed until the sunset gradually dyed the sky red. Chen Qiaoluo finally spoke: "You must be very curious about the relationship between Guyu and me. The person who was accidentally killed by my father was Guyu's father."
I had never expected such a result, and the shock in my heart overwhelmed me in an instant.
Chen Qiaoluo had a self-deprecating smile on his face. He said, "My dad worked on a construction site that year, and Guyu's dad was the supervisor of the site. It took two years from the start of construction to the completion of the construction site. During those two years, the developer used various excuses to evade the workers and withheld their wages. My dad and his friends were so angry that they went to argue with them. Those grown men were all rough men, and they started fighting over a disagreement. They never thought that such a big accident would happen in the end."
Chen Qiaoluo said: "Since my dad went to jail, I have seen my mom taking money out many times. One time I followed her secretly and found out that she was giving money to the family of the man my dad killed. My mom has been in poor health these years and can no longer make much money, and Guyu's mom's health has been getting worse since that incident. I have no choice. I know that compensation is our responsibility. Since my mom can no longer pay it back, I have to bear it. It is natural for a son to pay for his father's debt."
I couldn't answer Chen Qiaoluo's question, so I could only drink with him in silence. It turned out that this was the reason why Chen Qiaoluo skipped classes to work. It turned out that I had wrongly blamed him for so long.
The guilt in my heart came with the drunkenness. I half-closed my eyes and leaned back on the steps behind me. After a while, I gently said, "Chen Qiaoluo, you don't have to blame yourself too much."
I closed my eyes, the sunlight fell on my face, and there was a large area of red in front of me.
Chen Qiaoluo didn't say anything else. Just when I was about to fall asleep, a shadow suddenly blocked the sun. Just when I was about to open my eyes to see what was going on, I suddenly felt a cold touch on my lips, and then Chen Qiaoluo's voice rang out.
He said, "Hello Zhu Yun, thank you."
I was startled by Chen Qiaoluo's sudden action. I panicked and pretended to be asleep, but thousands of thoughts kept flooding into my mind.
I don't know how long I pretended to sleep, until the shock in my heart had worn off, I rubbed my eyes and said, "Ah, how did I fall asleep? "
Chen Qiaoluo on the other side seemed not to notice that I was just pretending to sleep. He glanced at his phone and said, "Let me take you home. It's already past seven."
"Um."
I stood up from the steps and was about to go down when I heard Chen Qiaoluo's voice again. He said, "Yunhao, no one in this world wants to be a bad person. I know my father did something wrong, but it was just an unintentional mistake. His mistakes have caused two families to fall apart, and he has borne the bitter fruit of his own actions. But I don't hate him, I just know that he is my father and the person I love the most. I can't change the things in the past, and all I can do is to do my best to pay for the sins my father has committed."
I turned around to look at Chen Qiaoluo; his face was blurry in the dim sky.
My heart seemed to be covered by a silent wave. I don't know how long it was before I opened my mouth and said, "Chen Qiaoluo, go to college. Only when you are admitted to college will your life have hope, and you will be more capable of making up for Guyu's family."
Chen Qiaoluo didn't say anything else.
In the dim light, I could sense the sadness emanating from his body. I wanted to reach out and hug him, but I controlled myself in the end.
I think some people have to grow up alone. Whether it's me or Chen Qiaoluo, we have to move forward alone in the end and face the unexpected future alone.
Since I knew about the relationship between Guyu and Chen Qiaoluo, I went to the hospital more diligently to take care of Guyu's mother. I don't know if this is for myself or for Chen Qiaoluo.
As for the kiss he gave me that evening, I could only regard it as an unreal dream I had, and I didn’t even dare to recall it.
The remedial classes at school lasted for a month and then ended. During this period, Chen Qiaoluo seemed to have listened to my words and did not skip a single class. Occasionally, I would meet Guyu at school, and his attitude towards me was much better than before.
In August, I went to work in a restaurant with Chen Qiaoluo. I knew he needed money, so I accompanied him. He told me not to do so, but I just laughed it off.
After this summer vacation, everything seemed to change. I even felt that I had grown a lot since I heard about Chen Qiaoluo and Guyu. Chen Qiaoluo's pride and Guyu's resentment were only because each of them had too much on their shoulders.
Watching them, I gained a new appreciation for responsibility.
I just hope that after the sun sets today, everything will be better tomorrow.
