Polite Refusal

The day of Father Chen's heart surgery happened to be a Monday afternoon.

Coincidentally, Chen Shu had been selected by his school to participate in a design competition and couldn't get back right away. By the time he finally finished the competition and left the venue, the sky outside was already dark. Only the bus arranged by the organizers was parked by the road, responsible for taking the participating students back to school.

"Chen Shu! Chen Shu! Wait for me! Why are you walking so fast!"

Duan Chengcai, another participant, hurried to catch up from behind, panting. "Are you in a rush to cash in a lottery ticket? Why are you walking so fast? The bus from the organizers won't leave for another half an hour!"

Chen Shu stood at the bottom of the steps, his hair messed up by the night wind, covering his obsidian-like eyes. "My dad is having surgery today. I'm going to hail a cab back later, so I won't be taking the bus."

Duan Chengcai was stunned for a moment before realizing that Chen Shu's father had a heart condition. "So your dad is having surgery today? You should have said so earlier. Is there anything I can help with, other than money?"

He had a very clear understanding of his own situation; he was broke. He could offer his help, but money was out of the question.

Chen Shu shook his head. "There's nothing to help with. The doctors have arranged everything."

Duan Chengcai couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. "Didn't you say you were still short several hundred thousand for the surgery fee? How did you get it all together?"

Chen Shu lied through his teeth, but upon closer inspection, his expression was the same calm demeanor he usually had in the dorm, making him seem extremely reliable. "I've been studying stocks recently. I bought a few that did well, and after reinvesting for a while, I managed to save up enough."

Duan Chengcai was shocked. He stared wide-eyed and pressed, "Stocks?! Several hundred thousand?! You got it all so quickly?! For real?!"

The series of question marks expressed his inner shock.

Chen Shu asked in return, "You want to know?"

Duan Chengcai nodded eagerly, his eyes shining as brightly as light bulbs. "Yes, yes, yes! Good brother, if you've found a way to get rich, bring me along!"

Chen Shu glanced down at his phone and saw that the taxi he had called for in advance was almost there. "We can talk about that after you quit your job at the bar. It's getting late, I'm leaving first. I'll contact you later."

Duan Chengcai called out anxiously from behind, "Hey, you haven't explained it clearly, why are you leaving? You're telling me to quit before I've even gotten rich!"

With his back to him, Chen Shu walked into the night and waved without looking back. "You can only get rich after you quit. Think about it carefully. Come find me when you've figured it out."

How could there be two paths in life that one could walk simultaneously? You always have to give one up to truly step onto the other. Chen Shu already planned to use his memories from his rebirth to seize the opportunities of the era. At the same time, he would also give Duan Chengcai a hand. Tricking him into quitting that job now wasn't a bad idea; at least he could walk a freer path. He believed the wish to help him get rich would also be realized in the near future.

By the time Chen Shu arrived at the hospital late at night by car, Father Chen's surgery was already over. Only his younger brother and sister were in the hospital room, keeping watch.

"Brother, you're finally here! We waited for you for so long today, we thought you wouldn't make it back!"

Perhaps because of Zhuang Yihan's deliberate arrangements, in this life, not only had his younger brother Chen Ji come to A City, but even his younger sister Chen Nian had been brought over. Seeing her brother whom she hadn't seen in a long time, her eyes curved into crescents, full of joy. It was just that her shy personality made her hesitant to say words of concern.

Chen Shu hummed in acknowledgment, showing a bit more gentleness towards the only sister in his family. He casually patted Chen Nian's high ponytail, and seeing his father lying in bed in a deep sleep, he asked, "How did the surgery go today?"

Chen Ji was just walking out of the bathroom with a small plastic basin. He couldn't help but grin when he saw Chen Shu, a smile that easily reminded one of the simple sun in the mountains. "Brother, you're back. The doctor said Dad's surgery was very successful, but the anesthesia hasn't worn off yet, so he needs to be watched all night. It's a good thing your friend was here helping all day, otherwise Ah Nian and I would have been clueless. We didn't understand anything about signing papers or handling procedures, and we didn't know how to use any of that equipment. The city is just too high-tech."

Chen Shu paused. "Friend? What friend?"

Chen Ji scratched his head, seeming a bit confused. "The friend who helped arrange Dad's hospitalization. He was here all day. Didn't you know, Brother?"

Even his sister Chen Nian tugged on Chen Shu's sleeve and said cheerfully, "Brother, Brother Yihan is so nice. Not only did he wait outside with us the whole time Dad was in surgery today, but he also took me and Second Brother out to eat lots of delicious food. He said that after Dad recovers from surgery, he'll find a way to arrange for me and Second Brother to study in the city. Is that true?"

'Brother Yihan?'

'Zhuang Yihan?'

Chen Shu was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected the other man to come today. Although many questions popped up in his mind, facing his sister's curious gaze, he could only answer her current question first. He asked in a gentle voice, "Then do you want to come and study in the city?"

Although he didn't have the ability right now, in a few years, he would find a way to bring both his siblings over.

Chen Nian lowered her head, a little embarrassed. "The city is nice, it has everything. But Brother, it's so big here, so big and beautiful, it makes me a little scared. Studying here must cost a lot of money too. I'm still more used to being at home."

She had lived in the mountains for too long. After coming to this big city, she was first struck by its prosperity and beauty, but that was immediately followed by unease and nervousness. She didn't even dare to breathe too loudly and instinctively felt an urge to escape.

When Chen Shu had first come to A City, he had felt the same way as his sister, so how could he not understand her thoughts? He patted Chen Nian's braid and said in a low voice, "Of course, you're more used to home, but when you grow up, you should also see the outside world. Study hard, and when there's a chance in the future, Brother will bring you all over."

As he spoke, he looked at his younger brother Chen Ji and patted his shoulder. "You too, don't fall behind in your studies."

That mountain path was muddy and rugged. Only by using books as stepping stones could they climb out. That was the only way.

Chen Ji nodded vigorously. "Brother, don't worry, I'll study hard. It's already dark outside, you should hurry back to school and rest. We're here to take care of Dad. Your studies are important, don't get distracted."

Chen Shu didn't insist. His relationship with his father had always been rather strained. In his memories, every meeting was inevitably filled with arguments and bickering. Since the man had just had surgery, it was better to have a few quiet days, lest he be angered into another health crisis.

"Where are you and Ah Nian staying tonight? Do you have enough money?"

Chen Ji said, "We have enough. Someone brings us three meals a day here. Dad is in a VIP room, and the hospital even added two companion beds on the side for me and Ah Nian to take care of him. They're very comfortable to sleep in."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and took a delicate little card out of his pocket, handing it to Chen Shu. "Brother, Brother Yihan got us two rooms at the hotel next to the hospital. He said we could sleep there at night and it would be more convenient for showering. But I want to stay with Dad tonight, so I didn't go. Could you tell him to cancel the rooms so we don't waste money?"

Chen Shu stared at the room key card, pausing imperceptibly. He hadn't expected Zhuang Yihan to have arranged so much behind the scenes. "It's fine, you keep it for now. If you and Ah Nian get tired, you can go to the hotel downstairs to sleep. Dad will probably need to be under observation for another week."

He fell silent for a moment after speaking, then finally asked, "...Where is that friend of mine?"

Chen Ji shook his head blankly, indicating he didn't know. Chen Nian was more observant. "Brother Yihan seemed pretty busy. He took a call and went out. I don't know if he's in the hallway."

Chen Shu ruffled her hair. "Take good care of Dad. I have something to do, so I'm leaving first. I'll come see you guys tomorrow."

After speaking, he walked toward the door of the room. Just before leaving, he seemed to remember something and glanced back at his dark-skinned but gaunt and weak father on the bed. He paused, then closed the door behind him and left quietly.

When Chen Shu found Zhuang Yihan, the man was standing in the entrance of a dimly lit stairwell, on the phone. He seemed to be handling some important business, hanging up one call only to take another, barely taking a break for nearly half an hour. Glimpses of the night sky were visible behind the exhaust fan, silently narrating the passage of time.

"Have the people from Wan Rong reschedule the negotiation meeting to next week. Don't concede on any of the points that need to be changed in the contract..."

"When we acquired that plot of land from Jintao, there was a government regulation that it must be developed within five years... Try to get the construction and approval procedures done this year... I have something else, have the design institute send the concept to Director Li later..."

Zhuang Yihan's voice was nearly hoarse before he frowned and hung up the last call. He glanced down at the time and realized he had been out for over two hours. He was about to head back to the hospital room, but just as he stepped out of the stairwell, he saw a tall figure leaning against the corridor wall. It was Chen Shu.

Zhuang Yihan froze, subconsciously halting his steps. "Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be at a competition?"

This sentence revealed that he had been secretly having someone keep a close watch on Chen Shu's movements, to the point that he even knew he was at a competition today and couldn't make it over.

Fortunately, Chen Shu didn't seem to mind. "The competition ended this afternoon. I just went to the room to take a look. The surgery was successful. And my brother and sister, thank you for your arrangements and for taking care of them."

For every large company, the busiest day of the week is always Monday, because all departmental decisions and meetings must be conveyed on this day. It must have taken Zhuang Yihan a lot of effort to rush over.

The last thing Zhuang Yihan wanted to hear was Chen Shu thanking him, because those polite words were a constant reminder that their current relationship was perhaps only slightly better than that of strangers. He forced a smile. "It's nothing, it's what I should do. I've spoken with the attending physician. Your father's health will only require medication from now on, followed by regular check-ups. It shouldn't be a big problem, so don't worry too much."

Chen Shu nodded and said no more. He glanced at the unconcealed fatigue in Zhuang Yihan's eyes and suddenly spoke in the silent corridor, "It's getting late. Let's go, I'll take you home."

Zhuang Yihan was stunned, feeling somewhat flattered and surprised. "What?"

Chen Shu patiently repeated, "Let's go, I'll take you home."

...

Outside the hospital, the sky had already darkened, but the trees along the road were still lush with leaves. Because it had rained, the air carried a faint earthy scent. The temperature was slightly stuffy and humid, yet for someone who had just come from the cold winter, it brought an indescribable comfort.

Zhuang Yihan sat in the passenger seat, looking at Chen Shu who was driving seriously beside him. He slowly let out a breath, feeling an inexplicable sense of surrealism, as if a lifetime had passed.

"Chen Shu..."

"Hm?"

"Your father will need to come to A City for regular check-ups in the future. It'll be inconvenient to travel back and forth. And for Chen Ji and Ah Nian, the educational resources in your hometown aren't as good as they are here. I was thinking of transferring them here to study, and then getting a house. What do you think?"

Zhuang Yihan had actually mulled over these words for a long time, but he had been worried Chen Shu wouldn't accept, so he never brought it up. But perhaps because the atmosphere of the two of them alone in the car was too good, too quiet, he said it as if possessed. He immediately regretted it and shut his mouth, nervously awaiting the other's response.

...

As expected, Chen Shu didn't say anything at first. He just lowered his head and lit a cigarette while waiting at a red light, then rolled the window halfway down to let the wind disperse the faint minty smoke. After a moment of silence, he said, "It's alright. My dad isn't used to living in the city. We can talk about this later."

As for his siblings' education, he wasn't in a hurry to bring them to the city just yet. Firstly, it would be too sudden, and secondly, if they rushed into that bustling world, they might not be able to settle down and study.

Chen Shu was more inclined to bring them to the city for visits every now and then in the future, to let them slowly get used to the environment, and then bring them over when the time was right.

Zhuang Yihan started to speak but hesitated. "But..."

Chen Shu glanced at him. His gaze, set against the night, seemed gentle and serene, polished by time until not a single sharp edge remained. "Don't worry too much about it. By helping to arrange the surgery, you've already solved my biggest problem. There are some things in the world you have to work for yourself. Too much help from others can be a bad thing."

Thinking back, wasn't it the same for them in their first life?

If Chen Shu had only treated Zhuang Yihan as a passerby in his life—someone who appeared by chance, solved the heaviest burden on his shoulders, and then quietly left, leaving him with only silent gratitude in his heart—it would have seemed like a gift from heaven no matter how you looked at it.

However, the Chen Shu of that time was too greedy. Besides this help, he also extravagantly hoped for Zhuang Yihan's love and affection. Unfortunately, the other couldn't give it, and he couldn't receive it. The abyss of the human heart is hard to fill, and it gradually turned into a punishment.

There are many things in the world that are best when they stop at the right moment. Love and hate are like this, encounters are like this, and so is help.