Times of Our Lives - Chapter 35

A few days after stopping the medication, Zhuo Jinjin’s spirits noticeably improved. At the end of July, Han Dong and Zhang Ganggang visited Beijing again under the guise of a vacation. The little girl’s hospital room was lively all day long.

When the weather wasn’t too hot, Zhuo Xiaoyuan suggested they go climb the Great Wall.

On a weekend, when it wasn’t too crowded, they chose Mutianyu. Zhuo Xiaoyuan carried Zhuo Jinjin to the top of the mountain. The majestic Great Wall stretched out like a dragon lying on the mountainside, unfolding slowly before them.

Zhuo Jinjin held onto her brother’s shoulder, her eyes wide, and her frail back slightly arched with excitement.

Zhuo Xiaoyuan quietly held her.

Zhang Ganggang took a picture of the scene. In the photo, Zhuo Jinjin sat on Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s arm, while the boy looked up, gently gazing at his sister.

“Let’s climb a bit,” Ji Qinyang said, pulling Xie Meng along. He extended his other hand to Zhuo Jinjin. “Do you want to get down and walk a bit?”

The little girl nodded vigorously. Zhuo Xiaoyuan carefully set her down.

Zhuo Jinjin gripped Ji Qinyang’s fingers tightly. She walked slowly, each step filled with effort. She walked for a long time, finally breaking into a radiant smile under the sunlight.

“Brother,” on the way back, Zhuo Jinjin leaned against Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s shoulder and whispered, “I’ve been to the Great Wall.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan carried her without turning back. “Yes, Jinjin is really great.”

The little girl smiled and said, “You’re not a hero if you don’t reach the Great Wall.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan replied, “You’re already a hero.”

Zhuo Jinjin said nothing. She hugged her brother’s neck and buried her face in the sweat-soaked back of Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s neck.

A drop of water fell to the ground. Zhuo Jinjin reached up to touch Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s face, but he avoided her.

“Don’t touch,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan said hoarsely. “It’s sweat, not clean.”

Zhuo Jinjin leaned in to Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s ear and said, “Brother, don’t cry.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan: “…”

Zhuo Jinjin: “Don’t cry.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan: “…”

Zhang Ganggang hurriedly developed the photos from their Great Wall climb. He and Han Dong had planned a trip of only five or six days. By the time they left, Zhuo Jinjin was still in good spirits.

That night, the little girl began to fall into a coma, and the first critical illness notice was issued in the early morning.

When Ji Qinyang and Xie Meng arrived, Zhuo Xiaoyuan, exhausted from a night without sleep, was at Zhuo Jinjin’s bedside.

“She just woke up once,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan said calmly. Xie Meng saw that the girl was clutching the photo taken a few days earlier.

Ji Qinyang gently touched Zhuo Jinjin’s forehead.

At noon, the hospital issued the second critical illness notice. Zhuo Jinjin woke up once more, looked at Zhuo Xiaoyuan, and with an oxygen mask on, she couldn’t speak but gently blinked her eyes.

Zhuo Xiaoyuan held her hand, bent down, and kissed his sister.

“Sleep now,” he said. “Brother will take you home.”

Zhuo Jinjin squinted her eyes, seemingly smiling. Xie Meng saw her subtly shape her lips behind the oxygen mask.

It was a “good” word.

In early August, after a long dry spell, Beijing finally had a heavy thunderstorm in the evening. The refreshing summer breeze carried the smell of earth, and the thick clouds blocked the last of the daylight.

Zhuo Xiaoyuan waited at the train station with Zhuo Jinjin’s urn, accompanied by Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang.

“Be careful on the road,” Xie Meng handed him the bag when the train arrived. “The arrangements in Suzhou are all set. Han Dong and the others will come to pick you up. Don’t forget to contact them.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan nodded. “Thanks.”

Ji Qinyang punched him lightly. “We’re all brothers. No need for thanks.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s drooping eyes lifted slightly. He managed a small smile. “Thanks for many things. Also, thank you for Jinjin.”

The train stopped, and the doors opened.

“I’m leaving,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan waved his hand. He boarded the train and looked down from the window. Suddenly, Xie Meng pointed at his bag and said something.

“?” The screeching sound of the tracks made it hard for Zhuo Xiaoyuan to hear. He shouted, “What?!”

Ji Qinyang yelled, “Watch your bag!”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan was somewhat bewildered. When he opened the bag, he found a wrapped white cloth on top, inside of which was a stack of brand-new 100-yuan bills.

“……” Zhuo Xiaoyuan suddenly stood up, pressing his sister’s urn against the train window.

The train slowly departed from the station. Xie Meng ran alongside the train for a while and finally stopped, waving his arm and smiling at Zhuo Xiaoyuan.

Zhuo Xiaoyuan slowly sat back down. He rested his head on the urn, letting his tears flow freely. The sobs that had been trapped in his throat finally broke free, and he wept uncontrollably, the tears pouring down like rain.

When Qian Mo found Ji Qinyang in the sight-singing and ear-training room, he was wearing headphones and focused on composing music. Qian Mo waited for a moment before walking up and tapping on the desk.

“Do you need to work so hard?” Qian Mo sat down opposite him.

Ji Qinyang took off his headphones and rubbed his forehead. “What brings you here?”

Qian Mo: “I heard from Tao that you want to advance next month’s concert money?”

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow and didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

Qian Mo snorted: “Who told you to give so much to friends before? Regretting it now?”

“First, I don’t regret it,” Ji Qinyang said淡ly. “Second, I mentioned not to discuss this topic.”

Qian Mo raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, I won’t bring it up. Has Wen Tao agreed to help you?”

Ji Qinyang frowned and remained silent.

Qian Mo looked at him for a while and then proudly took out an envelope and handed it to Ji Qinyang. “Make sure to thank me properly.” He said with satisfaction, “Take this for now.”

Xie Meng had just settled his tutoring payments for the past month. He counted the money and, after a while, still looked uneasy. Xu Shaohe, observing him, couldn’t help but ask, “Meng Meng, are you unhappy with the amount and want a raise?”

“……” Xie Meng felt a bit awkward. “No, it’s not what you think.”

Xu Shaohe: “It’s not what I think? Your face is showing it clearly.”

Xie Meng simply remained silent, finishing the key points for Xu Shaohe and letting him work on the problems.

Xu Shaohe, not pleased, said, “Just because I guessed your thoughts doesn’t mean you have to torture me like this… Watch out, or I’ll cut your salary!”

Xie Meng: “……”

TL Note – I’m sorry if there was any mistake i was bawling my eyes out