On Sunday, Zhuang Zi'ang sat on the same patch of grass where he and Little Butterfly had flown their kite, staring bnkly at the flowing river. He sat there all morning.

  Around noon, his phone rang. He excitedly pulled it out, only to see that it was Zhuang Wenzhao calling. Disappointment washed over him.

  "Dad, what is it this time?" Zhuang Zi'ang's tone was indifferent.

  "Come home for lunch. Your Aunt Qin made a whole spread of delicious food," Zhuang Wenzhao said, adopting an uncharacteristically gentle tone.

  After the events of st time, he had done a lot of self-reflection and felt that he had been too cold towards Zhuang Zi'ang. He decided to put aside his pride and try to mend their father-son retionship.

  "Can you just leave me alone for a while? Please don't bother me for now," Zhuang Zi'ang pleaded.

  "You're still my son. It's been long enough, you should be over your anger by now. Are you really going to stay away forever?" Zhuang Wenzhao raised his voice.

  "No, I won't. At most three months, I promise I'll come home," Zhuang Zi'ang said with absolute certainty.

  In the past, Zhuang Zi'ang always tried his best to please his father, hoping to earn a little bit of fatherly love in return. Over the years, he had done countless chores in that house.

  Mopping floors, cleaning windows, washing dishes, doing undry—he had even learned to fix pipes and clean the range hood, humbling himself like a servant. But to his disappointment, he rarely received a smile from his father in return.

  Now, facing a life-threatening illness, he had finally seen through it all. Because when Zhuang Wenzhao learned the truth, the care and concern he showed were no longer genuine fatherly love. It was just a performance, driven by the shackles of morality.

  Zhuang Wenzhao took a deep breath and patiently tried to reason with him. "Zi'ang, I admit that I've been negligent and haven't shown you enough care."

  "I also haven't done right by Yuhang with his upbringing, which made him not respect you enough, but I've already told him to change his ways."

  "For your grandfather's sake, please move back home. I don't want the old man to worry."

  ...

  As soon as Zhuang Zi'ang heard the mention of his grandfather, tears welled up in his eyes. He steadied himself and said, "Dad, I already talked to Grandpa. He agreed to let me stay at Mom's for a while. Please, just let me be for a bit."

  Zhuang Wenzhao was silent for a long time before finally agreeing, "Alright then, when you've had time to sort things out, come back."

  After hanging up the phone, Zhuang Zi'ang stared at the flowing water beneath his feet, lost in thought. There wasn't any huge rift between him and his father, but the coldness between them wasn't something that could be mended overnight.

  His stepmother and stepbrother might not say anything, but they would surely be uncomfortable with him back in the house. It was better not to disturb them.

  Zhuang Zi'ang then called Xu Hui. "Mom, when are you coming back? I want to cook you a meal."

  Xu Hui's voice sounded rushed. "I'll be busy for a few more days. You know how my work is. But it's the thought that counts."

  "I... I'm not feeling well," Zhuang Zi'ang said, holding back tears.

  "Then go see a doctor and get some medicine. I'll transfer some money to you in a bit. I have to go now," Xu Hui said hastily, ending the call.

  A moment ter, she transferred five hundred yuan.

  Zhuang Zi'ang stared at his phone screen, his fingers trembling slightly. His mother was so busy with work; he shouldn't trouble her further.

  Strictly speaking, he was in his father's custody. It was already a lot that she cared for him this much. He hoped she would find someone suitable soon, someone to take care of her in the second half of her life. He wasn't a good son; he wouldn't be able to care for her in her old age.

  Zhuang Zi'ang sat by the river for a while longer. Then Li Huangxuan called, asking if he wanted to come over for dinner. Zhuang Zi'ang made up an excuse to decline. He was afraid that seeing Li Huangxuan's happy family would make him jealous and warp his mind.

  The things that other children had from birth, he had strived for with all his might, only to end up with a defective version. But on second thought, Zhuang Zi'ang felt that he was still somewhat lucky. If he had a happy family like Li Huangxuan's, being diagnosed with a terminal illness now would be an even greater tragedy.

  ...

  On Monday, the bright red fg was raised on the sports field. During the morning assembly, the school principal summarized the previous week's monthly exams and went on a bit longer than usual.

  Zhuang Zi'ang hadn't slept well the night before and kept yawning while standing in formation. Lin Mushi's gaze remained fixed on him the entire time, never leaving him for a moment. She was terrified that Zhuang Zi'ang would suddenly colpse and never wake up again.

  When it was time for the student council representatives to speak, Css 9 once again failed to win the "Model Css" red banner, causing an uproar of compints.

  "I told you, Xie Wenyong just isn't cut out for it."

  "Under his brilliant leadership, our css's discipline and hygiene were a complete mess st week."

  "You don't know what you've got till it's gone. Now I finally understand how outstanding Zhuang Zi'ang really was."

  ...

  Hearing these words, Xie Wenyong felt like his heart was being cut by knives. He had clearly tried his best, but he was still only fit to carry Zhuang Zi'ang's shoes. Now he had to face reality: there was indeed a significant gap between him and Zhuang Zi'ang.

  During the fourth period, which was css meeting time, Xie Wenyong inevitably faced another round of criticism. He stood on the podium, trying to expin and defend himself, but his words seemed weak and unconvincing.

  Finally, he lost his temper and threw down the bckboard eraser. "Fine, then I'll quit too! Anyone who wants to be css president can have it."

  This was supposed to be a strategic retreat; he thought everyone would try to persuade him to stay. But to his surprise, most people's eyes immediately turned to Zhuang Zi'ang, filled with expectation.

  Zhuang Zi'ang stood up helplessly. "Everyone is responsible for our css not getting the red banner. We can't bme Xie Wenyong alone. Let's not be too harsh on him."

  He actually knew the real reason. It was that Xie Wenyong cked authority and couldn't get everyone on board. So, many people deliberately opposed him and threw spanners in the works, causing the css's performance to decline.

  Zhuang Zi'ang turned to Xie Wenyong. "Since you've taken on the role of css president, don't give up so easily. Remember what I said st time: put your heart into working for the css, show them your sincerity, and they will definitely support you."

  "Zhuang Zi'ang, then why did you quit?" Xie Wenyong immediately retorted.

  "I had my reasons, which I had no choice but to follow," Zhuang Zi'ang sighed helplessly.

  "Don't just lecture me. Come up with some practical solutions!" Xie Wenyong was anxious and spoke a bit too harshly.

  "That's enough, Xie Wenyong," Lin Mushi stood up angrily. "I won't allow you to talk to Zhuang Zi'ang like that."

  Why was their school beauty always protecting Zhuang Zi'ang? It was so infuriating.

  "Zhuang Zi'ang has done so much for us. If you could learn even half of what he does, it would be more than enough," Lin Mushi gred at Xie Wenyong, her beautiful phoenix eyes filled with tears.

  The other students were also puzzled and whispered among themselves.

  "Lin Mushi seems to be even nicer to Zhuang Zi'ang than before."

  "They were already quite close. There were even rumors about them before. It's not that surprising."

  "Then what about that girl who came to see Zhuang Zi'ang st time? Is this a love triangle?"

  ...

  Zhuang Zi'ang kept signaling to Lin Mushi with his eyes. Please don't be impulsive and reveal that matter.