When Jiang Zhaolin was young, he was very short and thin, never getting enough to eat, which earned him the
nickname "Skeleton."
His family was extremely poor. His father was bedridden, paralyzed, and his mother was worn out and sick
from overwork. Any money they could scrape together was spent on medicine, so there was no room for
affection or pampering for him.
His parents believed that the school would provide food for Jiang Zhaolin and rarely managed his daily life.
In reality, his middle school only offered one free lunch to poor students.
Jiang Zhaolin didn't dare tell his parents the truth, so he would pack up the school's fruit and meat to
take home, subsisting on white rice and seaweed soup for his three meals.
The poverty of his home life made him mature beyond his years. By the time he was in his teens, Jiang
Zhaolin was more mature than Shao Zhixin, who was in his twenties.
He always appeared good-natured, smiling at everyone. Even when faced with indifference or disdain, he
seemed too dull to understand, and instead would shamelessly say, "Thank you," or "I'm sorry," as if he was
born without a nerve to feel hurt.
In his early years, Jiang Zhaolin's grades were poor, and he didn't like studying. However, he was diligent
and had a sweet tongue, skilled at pleasing his classmates and their parents, making connections with
everyone by showing concern for them. This allowed him to "accidentally" visit their homes on weekends or
holidays to get a meal.
Once, while moving his father outside to get some sun, he got injured, rolling down the stairs and ending up
semi-conscious on the concrete, unable to move.
He Xu responded to the report and took him to the hospital.
When Jiang Zhaolin woke up, his head still bandaged, he smiled and said, "Uncle, I'm a little hungry."
He Xu held his face with a sad look.
From then on, He Xu became another source for Jiang Zhaolin to get meals.
He Xu topped up his meal card and went to the school principal to discuss his special situation. After
multiple negotiations, they secured additional financial aid, ensuring he could have three meals a day.
Jiang Zhaolin's parents were illiterate, and to them, the principal was a distant, unattainable figure. It
was only then that Jiang Zhaolin realized such things could be negotiated.
He Xu solved his biggest problem at the time, becoming an extraordinary figure in his eyes.
He naturally started calling He Xu "father" and He Chuan Zhou "sister."
They weren't even in the same school or grade and only met during holidays. Jiang Zhaolin would actively
visit them, helping with chores, and tending to the plants on their balcony.
But compared to a genuine friendship, his relationship with his classmate Tao Siyue was deeper.
To Jiang Zhaolin, He Xu was a mentor who changed his outlook on life, while Tao Siyue was a companion in
hardship, supporting each other through thick and thin.
When they met, Tao Siyue's father, Tao Xian Yong, had just started his company and was beginning to gain
some success. Perhaps Jiang Zhaolin's charm made Tao Siyue feel close to him. She gave him everything she
could, even cutting her hair to sell for money to support him.
The two students, both without any income, spent their days figuring out how to get enough to eat and make a
lot of money. This bond was perhaps deeper than that of family.
He Chuan Zhou knew that Jiang Zhaolin's interactions with people were more about skill than sincerity,
dictated by his upbringing.
He was good at talking and catering to others' preferences, always appearing enthusiastic but with an
underlying guardedness that made it hard to truly get close to him, something even he couldn't control.
To Jiang Zhaolin, Tao Siyue and He Xu were special. He introduced them to each other, hoping to make more
friends and one day become independent, repaying those who had been good to him.
So, when He Xu had an accident, Jiang Zhaolin was torn, unable to abandon Tao Siyue while feeling guilty
towards He Chuan Zhou. His usually effective social skills failed him at this critical moment, leaving him
indecisive and unable to fully support either side.
He Chuan Zhou didn't resent him, just felt it wasn't necessary.
She didn't have to keep this friend and didn't want any more unnecessary connections with Tao Siyue because
of him.
Her state at the time was too negative, unable to maintain goodwill towards others. Even though Jiang
Zhaolin hid it well, she didn't know how to handle their relationship, so she simply ignored him.
Years later, Jiang Zhaolin seemed somewhat different from her memories. But when he smiled, He Chuan Zhou
saw the same boy who used to force a smile to please her.
He used to gesticulate enthusiastically, describing the food his family prepared for New Year's Eve: "Such
big pieces of braised pork, cooked to perfection! The fish was bigger than the plate, and I ate two extra
fried eggs!"
In reality, his parents were both in the hospital that day, and he was at home starving, drinking water. He
Xu, on duty, heard from the patrolling police and sent food to him.
Now, his smile was a bit stiff, and he apologized, "Sister, we're really sorry about Ruiming. His father
spoils him, and he doesn't listen to his sister."
He Chuan Zhou nodded, recalling past events, and asked out of concern, "Are you doing okay lately?"
Jiang Zhaolin hesitated, then replied, "I'm doing great. I'm working well at the hospital. Don't be fooled
by my appearance, I'm quite popular with the patients. Life is good... They're all very kind to me, just
busy lately."
He smiled as he spoke, but He Chuan Zhou stared at him with a complex expression, looking like a mix of
sadness and worry, or perhaps pity.
She said, "Every time you lie, I feel like you're telling the truth."
Jiang Zhaolin's smile didn't change as he gently asked, "How do you know I'm lying?"
He Chuan Zhou didn't answer, just looked away and pointed to the door, indicating he should leave, turning
to go herself.
Jiang Zhaolin quickly grabbed her arm, the muscles on his right cheek twitching slightly, causing his usual
expression to crack. He let his lips drop and softly asked, "Sister, do you still blame me?"
He Chuan Zhou glanced at his face and said, "No."
This was the truth.
Jiang Zhaolin smiled again, but this time with an unmistakable hint of loneliness, "It seems society has
taught you to lie too."
He Chuan Zhou pulled back her hand, patted his shoulder, and left him with a few words, "Don't overthink.
Live well."
The shadows in the night deepened, and He Chuan Zhou's elongated shadow walked into the darkest, furthest
part without looking back.
The wind from afar stung the eyes a bit. Jiang Zhaolin's Adam's apple bobbed, and after a long while, he
came to his senses, pulling out his phone to scroll through his chat history.
On WeChat, almost all the messages were green text bubbles. Over the years, He Chuan Zhou had only replied
once, today, asking him to come pick someone up.
Jiang Zhaolin felt his collar tighten, pulling at it with two fingers but still finding it hard to breathe.
Back at the police station entrance, Tao Siyue was sitting alone on the steps, looking up at the deep, dark
night sky.
Jiang Zhaolin sat down next to her and looked up too. Only a few stars were faintly visible, blurry and
indistinct. He asked, "Where's your brother?"
"He ran off," Tao Siyue replied wearily, "I don't want to deal with him anymore."
Jiang Zhaolin reached out and patted her head.
Tao Siyue looked at him and asked, "Now that my dad is dead, are you relieved?"
Jiang Zhaolin opened his mouth, and the bitter taste at the back of his tongue made him realize the complex
emotions hidden in those three words. He lowered his gaze and, imitating He Chuan Zhou, said, "Don't
overthink it."
Tao Siyue continued, "You didn't attend his cremation or burial. I was alone, and they wouldn't stop talking
in my ear, eager to split his ashes and grab his property. I felt exhausted."
Jiang Zhaolin had plenty of excuses, but he couldn't utter a single one. Any reason would just sound cruel
and heartless. He leaned in, pressing his forehead against Tao Siyue's, and soothed her, "Don't listen to
them."
Tao Siyue seemed a bit lost and very dazed, "I only have you left."
Jiang Zhaolin responded with a soft "Mm," then turned and hugged her tightly.
Tao Siyue spoke each word softly, "Don't go looking for He Chuan Zhou anymore."
Jiang Zhaolin looked at their shadows on the ground, intertwined, his thoughts drifting for a moment before
being pulled back to reality. He steadied himself and earnestly replied, "Okay."
He understood clearly that He Chuan Zhou was more rational than he was. She didn't want him to disturb her
and didn't need his help.
So be it.
When many problems cannot be solved, these two words are the most fitting.
ยท
He Chuan Zhou stopped in front of a convenience store, went in to buy a bun, and received a call from Xiao
Chen as she came out. She gave her address and waited by the roadside. Soon, a vehicle pulled up.
The car's interior was lit with a warm yellow light, and the air was filled with a delicate fragrance,
creating an inexplicable sense of warmth.
Xiao Chen asked suspiciously, "Why did you walk so far? Why not wait at the police station? I wanted to go
in and throw a lawyer's card at them for daring to hit our people! Hey!"
He Chuan Zhou leaned back in the rear seat and said, "Tao Siyue and Jiang Zhaolin are there."
Zhou Tuoxing's expression briefly changed from shock to calm. He frowned and asked, "Was it them?"
He Chuan Zhou replied, "No, it was Tao Ruiming."
Xiao Chen asked, "Who are these people anyway?"
Neither of the two in the back wanted to explain, remaining silent. The driver, Xiao Chen, shrugged and
stepped on the gas.