Over the weekend, Jiang Cheng and Xiao Zhan went to the hospital to visit Jiang Cheng's father.
Mrs. Jiang was naturally by his side. Together with Jiang Cheng and Xiao Zhan, they first went to consult with the attending doctor.
The doctor was seasoned and didn't beat around the bush. He told the three of them bluntly that they needed to prepare themselves mentally. Mr. Jiang's kidney failure had reached an irreversible stage. Unless a new kidney could be found, he didn't have many days left. After days of bad news, Mrs. Jiang had become numb. She no longer cried or made a fuss, only walked back to the hospital room in a daze.
Xiao Zhan had known Mr. Jiang's illness wasn't a minor one, but because he and the Jiang family had always been somewhat distant, he hadn't expected things to be this serious.
He and Jiang Cheng followed behind Mrs. Jiang quietly and stopped at the corner of the corridor, not far from the hospital room.
Jiang Cheng punched the wall. It was a soft blow, without much strength.
"The doctor says my dad only has a few days left, and here I am visiting him without a single piece of good news. The company's performance is tanking, the cash flow is strained—when he asks about it, I don't even know how to respond!"
Xiao Zhan understood that Jiang Cheng had been overwhelmed lately, scrambling to solve the Jiang Group's financial problems. Add to that the high cost of hospitalization, and he was stretched to his limit.
Working in Yunshen Credit as a salesperson had turned out to be a relatively relaxed job for Xiao Zhan. Wang Yibo was elusive, and Xiao Xue barely managed him.
Xiao Zhan stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Cheng's forearm.
"Don't be like this. There's always a way out. If you collapse now, who will look after Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang?"
Jiang Cheng kept his eyes tightly shut. His arm trembled slightly, as if he was overwhelmed.
Xiao Zhan didn't know why, but he just held on tighter, trying to offer warmth.
After a moment, Jiang Cheng opened his eyes, now bloodshot. For some reason, Xiao Zhan's heart sank at the sight of that expression.
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth and spoke with difficulty.
"Xiao Zhan, can I ask you something? Can we sell the house?"
It was the weekend, and the hospital bustled with people. The noise was everywhere. Xiao Zhan didn't respond. After a while, as if he hadn't heard clearly, he asked Jiang Cheng,
"What did you say?"
Jiang Cheng turned and held Xiao Zhan's hands tightly.
"If we sell the house, we might be able to get through this rough patch. Once I figure out a solution for the company's financial problems, we can buy it back. I know it's not ideal, but I've really tried everything. I can't think of another way..."
This time, Xiao Zhan seemed to have heard Jiang Cheng's words clearly. He didn't pull his hands away—just looked down at their interlocked fingers.
He asked softly,
"...You really can't think of any other way?"
Jiang Cheng nodded firmly, anxious and uneasy.
"The banks won't extend the loans, creditors are pushing hard, and the shareholders are all threatening to pull out. I've really tried everything—I have no other options. And now with my dad in this condition... Xiao Zhan, I really don't have a choice."
It was strange—though the surroundings were noisy, none of it seemed to compare to the thunderous weight of Jiang Cheng's words. Xiao Zhan wasn't as emotional. On the contrary, he was surprisingly calm—just deeply sad.
Not long ago—really, just not long ago—he too had a crisis that needed immediate resolution. Jiang Cheng was dealing with banks and shareholders, while Xiao Zhan had to face loan sharks who threatened his entire family's safety.
Back then, how desperate were they? Xiao Zhan had also reached a dead end. He had even thought about sacrificing his own life in exchange for his parents'—that it would be worth it.
If not for Wang Yibo, Xiao Zhan might already be dead.
Did he have other options back then? He didn't know. But when he couldn't repay the loan sharks, never once did he think about selling the house he shared with Jiang Cheng.
And now, Jiang Cheng was telling him, "Why don't we sell the house?"
Xiao Zhan sighed. Still, he gently pulled his hands away.
He looked up at Jiang Cheng, whose eyes were full of red veins.
"You know better than me about the state of the Jiang Group and your father. Whether we sell or not, I have no opinion. You decide."
Xiao Zhan's words were direct. Jiang Cheng couldn't tell if he was upset, but didn't dare ask further. Just as he was about to reach for Xiao Zhan's hand again, Mrs. Jiang came out of the room.
"How long are you two staying? I'm heading home to get some things for your father. One of you has to stay and watch over him."
Jiang Cheng glanced at the time. "I'll stay. I'm free tonight."
Xiao Zhan paused, then gave a somewhat restrained smile.
"Sorry, Auntie, I have to go home for dinner with my parents tonight."
The Jiang and Xiao families were old acquaintances. Mrs. Jiang and Mrs. Xiao got along well, so she didn't find it inappropriate. She even told Xiao Zhan to send her regards to his parents. Xiao Zhan had already planned to go home tonight, but he had told his parents he might come depending on Mr. Jiang's condition.
Now, though, he didn't want to stay another moment. Maybe it was the crowded hospital, the overwhelming smell of disinfectant—or maybe because his heart had suddenly turned cold.
Cold and tired. He had no strength left.
Back home, Mrs. Xiao had indeed prepared a whole table of dishes he liked. The two elders barely ate, instead fussing over Xiao Zhan and filling his bowl.
As dinner wound down, Xiao Zhan sipped his hot soup, his whole body warmed. Mr. Xiao cleared his throat.
"Why didn't Jiang Cheng come with you?"
Xiao Zhan set down his bowl. "He's staying at the hospital with Uncle Jiang. Things aren't looking good."
The elder Xiaos had visited Mr. Jiang in the hospital a few days ago, so they understood what Xiao Zhan meant by "not looking good."
Mr. Xiao sighed, bowl in hand. "Fengmian used to be so fit—always nagging me to exercise. Never thought he'd fall sick first."
Thinking of the once-indomitable Jiang Fengmian now lying in a hospital bed, Xiao Zhan felt complicated emotions.
Mr. Xiao sighed again. "Jiang Cheng must have it hard, huh? Taking care of his parents and the company."
Usually, when Jiang Cheng was mentioned, Xiao Zhan would say a few words or speak on his behalf, even if not much.
This time, he quietly lowered his head and sipped his soup without replying. Mr. Xiao might not have noticed, but Mrs. Xiao, as his mother, knew her son's emotions inside out. She paused on her way to the sink with the empty dishes and looked back at him.
"Zhan Zhan, is Jiang Cheng's company having problems? His mom mentioned something—what are you two planning to do?"
Xiao Zhan stopped drinking and helped clear the table.
"I don't really get involved in his company matters. He should be handling it."
Mrs. Xiao turned on the faucet and began washing the dishes quickly, her mouth not idle.
"Jiang Cheng isn't as capable as his father in business. Their family depends on Jiang Fengmian. You should be more cautious. Just because it's his problem doesn't mean you shouldn't care—don't let yourself get dragged down too."
Whether it touched a nerve or a sore spot, Xiao Zhan suddenly looked up sharply.
"Mom, how can you say that!"
Dinner was almost over. The fruit Mr. Xiao had prepared sat untouched.
Mrs. Xiao had always had reservations about their situation. She'd mention things now and then, and Xiao Zhan never took it to heart. But this time, she finally found an opening.
"What did I say wrong? Don't tell me you don't see it—Jiang Cheng can't manage the company. The Jiang Group's going under eventually. Back in school, he didn't study seriously. Your grades were way better! You weren't always so devoted to him. There's no need for you to stick it out and suffer with him!"
Xiao Zhan stared at his mother. "Then what do you suggest?"
Mrs. Xiao sighed. "Honestly, back in school, weren't you close with Wang Yibo? You used to praise him so much. Your dad and I didn't think much of it, but I saw him in the news recently—a proper young man and a philanthropist, no less!"
"We clearly misjudged him. He even forgave us our debt and offered you a job under his nose—that's not just business, that's friendship! Why don't you spend more time with him..."
"Mom!"
Xiao Zhan yelled, practically breathless.
He was both shocked and furious. "What are you even saying! Why bring up Wang Yibo? You think he's a good person? He's a loan shark! Do you know the shady things he's into now?!"
His last words came out as a shout.
Mrs. Xiao looked like she was about to argue back, but before she could, Mr. Xiao, silent till now, slammed the table.
"That's enough! What are you two yelling about!"
Both mother and son turned to him. Mrs. Xiao gave him a look, silently asking him to back her up. Mr. Xiao saw how red Xiao Zhan's face was and sighed heavily.
"Zhan Zhan! Wake up already! You've been like this for years—it's time to get help! End things with Jiang Cheng peacefully. Find a nice girl, get married, settle down. Live a good life, okay?"
In the end, they always circled back to the same place.
Xiao Zhan knew his parents meant well. Their words were hard to hear, their mindset old-fashioned, but all this for one uncertain dinner plan—they had still prepared his favourite dishes.
Everything they said and did came from worry.
But he couldn't accept it. Just like how he knew Jiang Cheng had no other choice, was cornered and helpless—yet he still felt sad about it.
Xiao Zhan left his parents' house in frustration, grabbing some clothes and storming out.
Late summer turning to early fall. The breeze was cool.
He bought a bottle of beer and walked a long way down a busy street, until he reached the end. It was quiet there, lit only by a single streetlamp, shining over an empty bench.
It was late. The streets were empty. Xiao Zhan sat on the bench, leaning back, staring at his own shadow, drinking silently.
He remembered reading a horoscope once that said: For Libras, drinking beer on a park bench helps turn your luck around.
Last time, he'd drunk until he was completely wasted. In the end, it was Jiang Cheng who found him and brought him home. It hadn't been that long ago—he could still remember the flock of pigeons pecking at bread on the ground. Did he need to change his luck again? Or did he just not want to go home?
He didn't want to go home. But where else could he go?
Xiao Zhan drank alone. Quickly, the beer was gone.
He drank fast. The alcohol hit hard, especially with his mood. Soon, he leaned back and fell asleep on the bench.
The dim light stretched his shadow long.
Late into the night, a figure approached under the streetlamp. Graceful and silent.
Wang Yibo walked over, took off his thick coat, and draped it over Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan couldn't hold his liquor well and got drunk easily. Now he was sound asleep. His hair was soft, lashes curled, like a well-behaved baby.
Wang Yibo gazed at him for a long while, then slowly sat down beside him.
He had known Xiao Zhan would be here. Lately, Wang Yibo had people keeping an eye out—after all, the conflict with Lao Zhang could escalate. Who knew how much background investigation Lao Zhang had done on him, so Wang Yibo had to be cautious.
He sat with Xiao Zhan on the bench. Didn't disturb him. Occasionally glanced at his sleeping face, otherwise just rested or handled work on his phone.
As the wind picked up, Wang Yibo put down his phone and leaned forward to adjust the coat on Xiao Zhan, making sure it didn't blow away.
In the early hours, Wang Yibo finally stood up.
He walked halfway down the block, where someone stepped forward respectfully.
"Mr. Wang, should we take Mr. Xiao home?"
Wang Yibo was silent for a moment. "No. Let him sleep. Just make sure he's safe."
The assistant nodded.
Wang Yibo continued down the block, turned a corner, and reached where he had parked. He got in the car but didn't start it right away. Leaned back in the leather seat, his gaze momentarily vacant.
After a while, he glanced at his watch—its tiny diamonds glinting in the dark.
He looked up, catching his own reflection in the car window. Dressed more sharply, his expression always serious. And in his ears, he seemed to hear Xiao Zhan's voice again, crisp and playful.
"With that salary of yours, maybe you'll never afford this watch!"
So carefree. So casual.
Back then, summer had just ended. Wang Yibo had started his junior year, while Xiao Zhan had entered his final year.
That was when Fang Tianze and Wen Qing had just broken up.