Chapter 199: Chapter 201: Wanting to Grow Up

Later, Chen’s father hardened his heart and stopped taking care of his second brother and his family. As a result, when the second brother’s children fell ill and were hospitalized, the blame was placed on Chen’s father. The whole family blamed Chen’s father and even knocked down poor Chen Lidong, causing his head to bleed on the spot.

Of course, young Chen Lidong didn’t remember all this, but it was during this time the relationship between the two families began to sour. Even though Chen’s father would still visit them during holidays, he stopped talking to his brother and sister-in-law. The second brother’s family constantly criticized Chen Lidong for his poor studies, claiming he was unintelligent with no potential.

Every time these accusations were made, it felt like a knife was twisting in Chen’s father’s heart. He always blamed himself for his son’s injury, thinking that fall might have caused Lidong to become slow. He did not show a pleasant face to the second brother’s family. This time around, when it was proven that Lidong’s poor performance in school was due to wrong studying strategies and not any damage to his brain, Chen’s father felt relieved. Otherwise, one day, he would have driven himself crazy with guilt.

Whether the Chen family came or not, he didn’t care. Besides, he had nothing to say to that younger brother of his. But the fact that his own parents didn’t even visit really broke his heart. No matter what, they were still their grandchildren, weren’t they?

Indeed, those so-called relatives couldn’t compare to these neighbors, let alone the Tang Family whom they haven’t known for too long.

Zhang Xiangcao and Xu’s mother almost came every day and cooked meals for their family. Otherwise, Lidong, who stayed in the hospital alone to take care of two patients, might not have even had time to eat.

Fortunately, as the doctor stated, both patients woke up without any major issues. However, upon realizing that she and her son indeed had almost died, Chen’s mother was overwhelmed with guilt that they might have left Chen’s father alone to face the grief of losing his wife and son. She held onto him, sobbing uncontrollably.

Chen Lidong stood aside, clenching his hands. For the first time in his life, he felt guilty towards his parents. He was so grown up, but still worried his parents.

“So, do you want to grow up?” Tang Yuxin came by, pulled over a chair and sat down, looking straight at the teenager in front of her. The youth still had an innocent face. He used to live carelessly, but now he showed subtle signs of maturity that came from some strong external pressure. Even though it was forced upon him, he had certainly grown up.

Even though some growth comes at the expense of happiness.

“Yes,” Chen Lidong let go of his tightly clenched hands, “When I grow up, I will work hard. I will make my parents proud. I will make those who looked down upon us ru their eyes. I, Chen Lidong, swear to make more money in the future, buy a big house for my parents, and get them a car.”

Tang Yuxin reached out her hand and gently patted Chen Lidong’s head.

“Well, once you’re out of the hospital and become a rich person who can buy mansions and drive cars, then we can discuss more.”

“This…” she took out a few books from her bag and threw them into Chen Lidong’s hands, “Dreaming of becoming a rich person, earning money, buying big houses, all these are dreams for the future. But every step you take now brings you closer to that goal. First aim to be among the top five in your class. Your current ranking of twelfth is far from enough.”

“Don’t worry, I will,” promised Chen Lidong, grabbing the books. The fingers of the young boy were still slender, and his mind alert. But after a near-death experience and a profound realization, for the first time in his life, he had clear goals.

“By the way, where’s Sisi?”

Chen Lidong had been continuously looking at the door, wondering why the little girl hadn’t come to see him. He had been sick and nearly died. Didn’t the little girl care about her brother? Or had she completely forgotten him? Suddenly, his heart filled with a sour feeling.

Tang Yuxin leaned back in the chair,

“Don’t you remember what happened at that time?”

She was asking an obviously confused Chen Lidong.

As expected, Chen Lidong really was perplexed. He shook his head blankly. He didn’t know. How could he know? All he knew was that he fell asleep and when he woke up, he was already in the hospital.

Tang Yuxin propped up her face on the armrest of the chair. Her fair skin was so clear in the light, but her eyes remained slightly cold.

“I broke your house’s windows, damaged your door, and dragged you out. We then went to find your mother. My silly little sister was worried you’d feel cold, so she took off her own jacket and covered you with it. Now she has a severe cold and has been coughing for several days.”

Chen Lidong’s sour feelings in his chest suddenly shattered into pieces, and the acidity welled up in his eyes. He didn’t know what to do and he felt the strong urge to cry.

“Don’t worry,” Chen Lidong said, his voice resolute like he was making a solemn vow.

“I will treat Sisi well in the future, I will be good to her for the rest of my life.”

Tang Yuxin smiled and stood up. She never took Chen Lidong’s words as a promise. Men’s promises, especially those made in their youth, could never be trusted.

Life is just too long. As long as he remembered Sisi’s lifesaving grace and could help her at critical moments, that was enough.

Chen’s mother and Chen Lidong’s conditions were not serious. They were just victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. Though it was severe, their recovery was quick. With Xu’s mother and Zhang Xiangcao delivering food every day, they regained their strength in just a few days, and Chen Lidong even gained a few pounds.

Every time Tang Yuxin saw Lidong’s now round belly, she couldn’t help thinking, ‘Would this handsome boy become a greasy middle-aged man in the future?’

Time is a butcher’s cleaver.

It could turn so many people into hideous forms.

Sisi had recovered as well and was always clamoring to visit her brother. However, Tang Yuxin felt it best for her not to come. After all, it was a hospital with all kinds of diseases and her resistance was still so weak.

As for herself, she didn’t want to come, either. But she didn’t want Chen Lidong to fall behind in his studies. Anyway, they were now living in a city apartment and planned to spend the New Year there.

She could study at home, and likewise here. So, she called Xu Miaomiao to join them and the three of them studied together ultimately.

This arrangement made the parents feel more at ease.