Chapter 20 (Just Met)

At this point, Luo Hong also got up.

He had a good tolerance for alcohol and didn't feel dizzy or lightheaded when he woke up, but the smell on his body was really unpleasant, so he filled two basins with water and rinsed himself off in the bathroom.

It was called a bathroom, but it was actually in the kitchen. They knocked a small drain hole along the wall and put up a straw curtain. His dad took showers there all year round.

The place wasn't big, and he felt extremely cramped standing inside. It felt like someone was choking him as he breathed. After washing up, he let out a long sigh, dried his hair, and walked out, where he met his mother's eyes.

Liu Yinfeng said irritably, "At least boil some water. Don't act recklessly just because you're young."

Luo Hong: "That would take forever to burn, it's too much trouble."

Liu Yinfeng: "If you're afraid of getting too much trouble, don't drink so much."

Luo Hong knew he was going to get scolded, so he just smiled and didn't take it seriously.

Liu Yinfeng seized the opportunity: "I told you, but you won't listen. You should get a wife to keep an eye on you."

Here we go again, Luo Hong: "I've told you there's no rush, I'm still so young."

Liu Yinfeng: "I'm not young anymore."

A young man in his early twenties, if he doesn't go to school, he'll have to find a wife.

Luo Hong: "You just said that I'm taking advantage of my youth, and that you can say whatever you want, whether it's right or wrong."

“You’re the one who talks back the most,” she said, pushing him away. “Get out of the way, don’t get in my way.”

She nags, but each time it's only a few words.

Luo Hong sometimes felt that urging someone to get married was like a clock striking twice on time in his mother's eyes—the obligation to remind them had been fulfilled, and the rest was up to them to figure out.

What could be done? Luo Hong didn't know either.

He shook the wet hair from his forehead, poured himself a glass of water, tilted his head back, and gulped it down.

Luo Yan saw her brother as soon as she came out of the room and said, "You're up so early?"

Luo Hong casually wiped his face with the back of his hand: "You're the one who's early enough, you don't have to go to school or work."

Luo Yan said seriously, "But I need to use the restroom."

Alright, it's broad daylight now, so Luo Hong doesn't need to accompany her. He waved his hand and said, "Go ahead."

It seemed like she needed his permission. Luo Yan wanted to say, "If you tell me to go, I'll go," but her body wouldn't cooperate, and she quickly left, touching the goosebumps on her hands.

As soon as the door opened, the sunlight streamed in.

Luo Hong stood on the threshold, arms outstretched, and exclaimed, "Ah! Good morning!"

The exclamation at the beginning was so abrupt that it startled Li Jianhong, who was washing up.

She looked over while biting her toothbrush, and smiled as a greeting.

Luo Hong smiled, then casually patted Wangcai and Laifu, who were wagging their tails, and whispered, "Wait, I'll get you two some food."

The local dogs grow quickly. In the six months since they arrived at No. 13 courtyard, they have already developed a rather fierce and warlike demeanor. They bark at strangers, but their expressions change when they hear about food.

Luo Hong thought to himself that even a dog's face could express flattery, and broke off a piece of calcium milk biscuit: "Let the two of you have a taste of meat too."

Wangcai Laifu's tail swayed more and more vigorously, and he didn't forget his work. Hearing unfamiliar footsteps, he immediately ran towards the gate.

When Li Jianhong saw who it was, she quickly called out, "Come back, don't shout."

He jogged forward a few steps on his own.

Even though it has no name or surname, the puppy can understand it, but its eyes are still on the guest.

The Zhou sisters instinctively huddled together, saying, "Jianhong, let's talk outside."

The three women had a mysterious look on their faces, and Luo Hong couldn't help but take another look.

He certainly recognized his childhood friend's two older sisters, and couldn't help but feel curious.

Luo Yan, who had just returned from the restroom, was no exception. As soon as she entered the room, she shared with her brother, "I don't know what Jianhong and the others were talking about, but they stopped talking as soon as they saw me."

Luo Hong stroked his chin: "I'll go to the Sanfang store later and ask; maybe he knows."

Luo Yan remembered something: "Our bicycles are still in front of Brother Hongyang's shop."

Luo Hong: "What are you going to do today?"

Luo Yan: "Let me read your book."

He has removed the books by Luo Hong that were inappropriate for children.

But he vaguely remembered that some of the remaining parts were not suitable for his sister to watch, so he said, "Don't watch it, let's go out and play."

Luo Yan: "Aren't you going to... his shop?"

Calling Zhou Weifang's name felt like burning her mouth. Luo Hong said, "Just for a little while. There are two cars he can't take apart. I'll lend a hand. Then I'll take you to see a movie."

Not knowing how long it would take, Luo Yan shook her head: "Never mind, I'll go find Huifang to play."

The brother and sister each had their own plans, but after breakfast they still went out together.

Zhang Hongyang's restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, so he has to prepare the vegetables and meat very early in the morning.

He was working, wearing a floral apron tied around his waist, when he saw someone and said, "Hey, didn't you collapse last night?"

Luo Hong punched him on the shoulder: "You drank the most, and you still have the nerve to say that."

Zhang Hongyang: "I'm so embarrassed."

He had just finished cleaning the fish, and waved his hands in the air twice: "Now I'll wipe your face again."

Luo Hong could smell it, and pinched his nose, saying, "What the hell is this?"

Zhang Hongyang snapped his fingers: "Money."

The two seemed to have a lot to talk about, so Luo Yan took her leave first.

She only remembered that she had bumped into Zhou Weifang yesterday after getting on her bike, and the wheels rattled all the way to Wu Huifang's house.

At this time, everyone in my family has gone to work.

Wu Huifang was idly fiddling with the radio when she saw her friend, and was overjoyed: "Yanyan! Let's go play in the street."

Under such a bright sun, Luo Yan didn't really want to go anywhere, but since she had nothing better to do, she said, "Okay, I'll just wander around."

It means it doesn't cost any money.

However, Wu Huifang was reluctant to spend the money, muttering, "My good days are numbered. Once the results come out, my parents will definitely make me pay."

Luo Yan imitated her mother, praying to the Bodhisattva for protection, saying, "Don't say anything unlucky."

Wu Huifang said pitifully, "Yanyan, you're still the best to me."

He then suggested, "Let's go to the Imperial College and touch the four archways; we didn't go before the exam."

She had wanted to go before the exam, but Luo Yan thought that it would be better to do more practice questions than to engage in feudal superstition.

But now that the exams are over, it's not a bad idea to cram at the last minute.

She said, "Okay, wherever you want to go, that's where we'll go."

Wu Huifang jumped up, looking anxious: "Let's go, let's go, there will definitely be a lot of people if we go late."

There were quite a few people, and among them were a few familiar faces.

Wu Huifang had many friends. Recognizing the boy as a student from the next class, she waved and shouted, "Wang Tongguang, Zhang Zongming!"

With several passersby between them, the two boys approached a little closer before saying, "You guys are here to touch the Four Archways too?"

"They represent two people," Luo Yan said, not wanting to pretend she hadn't heard, so she smiled and greeted them.

Wu Huifang stood in the middle and introduced them to each other: "Yanyan, these are Wang Tongguang and Zhang Zongming from the next class. You two, these are from our class..."

“I know, Luo Yan,” Wang Tongguang interrupted too quickly, and realizing his rudeness after speaking, he added, “Teacher Zhang has always told us to learn from her.”

Luo Yan replied, "Teacher Zhang also showed us your essay."

She certainly knew Wang Tongguang, and had even mentioned him to a friend yesterday, but perhaps because the conversation was rather ambiguous, she felt inexplicably embarrassed now, and her ears quietly blushed.

Seeing this, Wang Tongguang said, "It's hot enough today, I'll treat you to popsicles."

It's all so random, just talking about eating popsicles.

Wu Huifang was completely confused: "Huh? Why?"

Zhang Zongming, who had been silent until now, said to his cousin with a hint of exasperation, "He just picked up his royalties from the post office; he's got money to burn."

Everyone in the school knew that Wang Tongguang was a good writer. Wu Huifang was familiar with them and said, "Impressive, another one published."

Wang Tongguang: "It's been a while, but no one has come to claim it."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Luo Yan, hoping she would also show a different expression.

Luo Yan was completely unaware, and even began to examine how many bricks were on the floor.

She was very good at spacing out while others were talking, quietly pretending not to exist.

Wu Huifang was already used to it and knew that she must be uncomfortable, so she said, "We won't eat. You can go now. See you later."

"Don't go back!" Wang Tongguang thought anxiously, "Luo Yan."

The shout brought Luo Yan back to her senses, and her large, clear eyes stared at him intently.

Wang Tongguang, quick-witted, said: "I wanted to ask you the answer to the last math question."

His intelligence is actually a bit odd, Luo Yan asked blankly, "Aren't you a humanities major?"

Both arts and science students use the same math paper, except for the final optional questions.

Wang Tongguang thought to himself, "No wonder people say it's easy to lie but hard to cover it up." He braced himself and said, "I tried it too."

It's surprising that he has such a strong spirit of self-challenge. Luo Yan said, "Sorry, I forgot about it as soon as I finished the exam."

She was comparing answers with Wang Qianyun when she left the exam room, but after taking a nap, it was almost like she had amnesia. When asked, she unconsciously frowned.

Wang Tongguang quickly said, "It's nothing, it's not important."

Why ask if it's not important?

Wu Huifang wasn't stupid; she naturally took a step to the right, shielding her friend behind her.

Even though he hadn't said anything, Wang Tongguang felt that the other person had seen right through him, and he gave an awkward smile.

"What a loser," Zhang Zongming thought to himself, but said aloud, "If you guys have nothing to do, why don't you all hang out together? It's more fun with more people."

Wu Huifang does enjoy lively gatherings, but it depends on the occasion. She said with an iron face, "We have something to do, so we'll be leaving now."

Zhang Zongming thought he had already done his best, and as soon as the person left, he said irritably, "Your mouth is usually so talkative, isn't it? Are you mute today?"

The two cousins, who were the same age, grew up together, went to school together, and were no different from blood brothers.

Wang Tongguang: "I didn't know what to say when I saw her."

The "she" in this context refers to Luo Yan.

Zhang Zongming: "Think about it carefully. When she goes to college, there will be plenty of boys chasing after her. What chance will you have?"

Wang Tongguang: "I have no future now, so what future do I have?"

Zhang Zongming: "Then you can continue to secretly like her. In a few years, when she gets married, you'll be crying."

Wang Tongguang: "Keep your voice down, don't ruin the girl's reputation."

Zhang Zongming: "Before it was about learning, now it's about reputation. You're so afraid of everything. Even if I were Luo Yan, I wouldn't respect you."

This man doesn't act like a man at all.

Wang Tongguang was provoked by his cousin: "Then tell me, what should I do?"

Zhang Zongming: "Isn't Huifang here? Have her ask her to invite Luo Yan out to watch a movie and have some Western food."

Wang Tongguang hesitated: "Wouldn't it be bad to let people know?"

Zhang Zongming: "You think they didn't notice?"

Wu Huifang wasn't blind; of course she could see it.

She hadn't walked far when she muttered to herself, "Wang Tongguang's eyes are practically shining when he looks at you."

Luo Yan: "Perhaps his eyes were just naturally that bright."

"Don't interrupt," Wu Huifang said. "No one can hide anything from me. He definitely has feelings for you."

Luo Yan: "This is the first time we've spoken."

The implication is, how is that possible?

Wu Huifang: "Do you need to talk to anyone else? Just standing there, I think even Wang Tongguang would get dizzy."

Luo Yan: "He shouldn't be that superficial."

There's a promising sign, Wu Huifang said: "You seem to have a high opinion of him."

Luo Yan: "He can write articles, so he must have some depth."

She's no good; her pen just won't obey her commands.

There's some truth to that. Wu Huifang said, "He's good-looking, and the two of you look quite like a perfect match."

Luo Yan was used to seeing people with just two eyes and a mouth, so she didn't react much to it.

Wu Huifang got excited: "In our grade, the boys are mostly him and..."

No matter how focused Luo Yan was on her studies, the prominent figures in her school still heard about her and would occasionally chime in with their opinions.

The two walked and talked, and only parted ways when it was almost lunchtime.

When her daughter came home for dinner, Liu Yinfeng complained, "You just go out to eat with your classmates. Look at your brother, he's never home during holidays."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Luo Hong stepped inside the house: "Should I not have come back?"

Liu Yinfeng was surprised: "I thought you weren't coming back for lunch."

Luo Hong was being sweet-talking today: "Nowhere else can I find your skills."

Because of what her son said, Liu Yinfeng put an extra egg in his noodles.

As Luo Hong ate, he noticed there was still food left at the bottom of his bowl and said, "Wow, I'm living the good life that Luo Yan is living now."

As if someone had mistreated him in terms of food, Liu Yinfeng said, "Even food can't shut you up."

Luo Hong: "I..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but instead said, "Dad, why are you back?"

Luo Xinmin gasped for breath as he spoke: "My stomach hurts."

The family quickly got to work.

Luo Hong was strong and helped his father into the room. Luo Yan poured water, and Liu Yinfeng found the medicine.

The three of them stood at the foot of the bed, staring intently. Luo Xinmin, having recovered his composure, said, "Lying down is much more comfortable."

Liu Yinfeng: "What did you eat at work yesterday?"

Luo Xinmin: "It was the same few dishes over and over again, we didn't eat anything else."

He had difficulty speaking and clutched his chest.

I've never seen him in so much pain before. Liu Yinfeng said, "Why don't we go to the hospital to get him checked out?"

Luo Xinmin disliked hospitals; the smell of disinfectant always reminded him of the days when he had his leg amputated, and his face was full of resistance.

Liu Yinfeng was also aware of the situation and compromised, saying, "Then you should lie down for a while. If you're still not feeling better later, you'll have to go to the hospital."

Luo Xinmin agreed weakly, so everyone stopped arguing with him and retreated to the living room.

When something happens, parents are the pillar of support for their children.

Liu Yinfeng wasn't so easily frightened by the slightest disturbance, so she said, "What are you two doing standing here with such gloomy faces? Go do what you're supposed to be doing."

Luo Yan had nothing to do in the afternoon, so she picked up a book to read.

Luo Hong didn't sleep well last night, so he went to catch up on his sleep.

The brother and sister stayed quietly in their respective rooms, and soon they came in handy.

Around 3 a.m., Liu Yinfeng went into the room to check on her husband and was startled by his sweaty appearance. She called out twice but received no response, and her hands began to tremble: "Luo Hong, Luo Yan!"

He spoke with his full name and surname, and his voice was loud.

Luo Yan's heart skipped a beat, and she dropped the book and ran away.

Luo Hong reacted quickly, and the brother and sister squeezed together at the doorway of their parents' room: "What happened to my dad?"

Liu Yinfeng gripped her son tightly: "The hospital, we have to go to the hospital."

Luo Hong arranged everything meticulously: "Mom, you take the money, I'll carry Dad on my back, and Yanzi, go flag down a car."

Beijing has taxis, but not many.

As Luo Yan ran out, she worried that she wouldn't be able to stop them, and her heart clenched with anxiety.

Fortunately, she was lucky; her family quickly and in a flurry of activity, managed to get an emergency room appointment at the nearest First Hospital.

After the examination, the doctor said, "Appendicitis, surgery is recommended."

Is surgery really going to be required? Liu Yinfeng wasn't mentally prepared for this and opened her mouth to ask a few more questions.

The two children were in complete agreement: "Go ahead, we'll listen to the doctor."

Liu Yinfeng didn't object, but as soon as the operating room door closed, she began to feel uneasy.

Luo Yan held her mother's hand, trying to distract her: "Mom, shouldn't we bring some clothes for Dad?"

Liu Yinfeng's reply was completely irrelevant: "Door? I ran in such a hurry that I don't think I closed the door."

There are people in the yard during the day, so nothing should be stolen.

Luo Yan: "It's okay, I'll go back and check on it later."

Liu Yinfeng nodded absentmindedly, then blamed herself, saying, "I shouldn't have listened to your father. If we had come earlier, we wouldn't have needed surgery."

The thought of a gash in her stomach terrified her.

Luo Yan also regretted not insisting at noon, but still said, "You know my dad."

The aftereffects of her husband's wartime experience were numerous, and she would fall ill several times a year.

The family is actually used to it, otherwise they wouldn't have reacted so quickly.

Liu Yinfeng sighed, "We can't let him do as he pleases anymore."

The situation is relatively stable at the moment, and Luo Hong lightens the mood: "That's right, everyone knows you can easily handle my dad."

"Don't talk nonsense," Liu Yinfeng glared at her son, but still gave him face with a smile: "Sit down and wait, my legs are hurting from standing."

Without a word, the brother and sister tacitly divided the work.

Luo Yan stayed by her mother's side, while Luo Hong stared at the operating room door until the nurse came out and said, "The surgery was successful," at which point they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Yinfeng breathed a sigh of relief and began making arrangements: "Daughter, you go home and tell your dad. Never mind, I'll go back myself. You two stay here and keep an eye on things."

Luo Hong: "Let Yanyan accompany you home; she can also help you carry your things."

Liu Yinfeng: "No need, no need. I only feel at ease when you two are here. Just keep an eye on Dad."

Without her permission, the brother and sister stayed by their father's side in the ward, waiting for him to wake up from the anesthesia.

The two people stood on either side of each other, and a nurse would come to check on the wounds later.

Since men and women are different, Luo Yan took a step back and found there wasn't much room to stand, so she simply went outside to wait.

She stared absently at the half-wall that had crumbled in the corridor, when suddenly she heard someone call her name. She turned around but didn't react for a long time, as if she didn't recognize the person in front of her.

Wang Tongguang said awkwardly, "Don't you remember me? We just met this morning."

Luo Yan: "No, no, I'm just a little surprised. What are you doing here?"

Wang Tongguang held up the lunchbox in his left hand: "Come and bring my dad his lunch."

Luo Yan asked instinctively, "Is Uncle sick too?"

Wang Tongguang quickly explained, "He is a doctor."

Then it dawned on me: "Your dad is sick?"

Luo Yan nodded slowly twice: "Yes, appendicitis."

Wang Tongguang's parents are both doctors at this hospital and treat it like their second home. Just by looking at the ward arrangement, you can tell that he has just had surgery. They asked, "Who was the surgeon?"

Luo Yan: "I only saw the surname Chen."

She simply couldn't care less about anything else.

Wang Tongguang: "Don't worry, Dr. Chen is very skilled. He also removed my appendix."

He spoke very sincerely, but for some reason, Luo Yan found his words somewhat amusing, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

A secret joy welled up in Wang Tongguang's heart.

He thought to himself that this was truly effortless, and secretly said to the door of the ward, "Amitabha, Uncle, I'm sorry," while asking, "Have you eaten?"

Luo Yan: Not yet.

Wang Tongguang promptly offered up his father's dinner: "This is for you."

Luo Yan: "Huh??"

She burst out laughing: "No need, no need, you should take it to your uncle right away."

Wang Tongguang boasted shamelessly, "It's nothing, my dad isn't very hungry."

It was his bad luck that his father overheard him saying that.

No one knows a son better than his father. Wang Lianwen could tell from his son's lack of ambition, so he took the initiative to ask, "Chenchen, is he your friend?"

Chenchen? Is that a nickname?

Luo Yan's heart stirred, and she greeted him, "Hello, Uncle."

Wang Tongguang introduced her to his father: "My classmate Luo Yan, her father just had appendicitis surgery."

Having to give his son face no matter what, Wang Lianwen said, "Xiao Luo, feel free to come to me if you need anything. I happen to be on the night shift today."

The principle is the same everywhere: having connections makes things easier.

But Luo Yan felt she wasn't familiar with Wang Tongguang, so she just said thank you politely.

It was Luo Hong who came out to see where his sister had gone and helped her out of the predicament.

After the group reintroduced themselves, Wang Lianwen glanced at the medical record and reassured the family: "The patient had previously undergone amputation surgery and had repeatedly used medication during and after the operation, which is why he is waking up more slowly now."

Luo Hongbi's sister was better at handling interpersonal relationships and could exchange polite words back and forth.

Wang Lianwen was more sensible than his son. Seeing that his son wanted to stay there, he pulled him away.

Not far away, you can still hear someone say, "If you're going to come, you'll have to bring fruit tomorrow."

The Luo siblings didn't miss it either. Luo Hong lowered his voice and asked, "Is this your classmate? I've never seen him before."

Luo Yan: "She's a classmate from the next class whom I just met this morning."

Morning? Luo Hong: "Quite a coincidence."

Whether it's a coincidence or not, it doesn't matter anymore.

Luo Yan: "Let's go inside and see Dad."

Luo Hong didn't have time to figure out what the male classmate was thinking. The brother and sister continued to stand guard until their mother arrived, and the three of them started arguing about who should stay with them at the hospital.

Luo Yan was the first to be eliminated, mainly because her position made things the most inconvenient. Liu Yinfeng was next, after all, she herself wasn't confident she could support her husband, so in the end she could only entrust the matter to her son, saying, "Mom will come to take your place first thing tomorrow morning."

Luo Hong: "Remember to bring me two ounces of meat buns when you come."

When he has nothing to do, he acts nonchalant and irresponsible.

Liu Yinfeng wanted to say a few words of criticism, but seeing that her husband, who was just regaining consciousness, seemed to want to speak, she leaned closer to listen.

Luo Xinmin's lips moved, and four words popped out: "I want to eat too."

Liu Yinfeng replied to him, "Don't I look like a meat bun?"

Her tone softened: "When you're discharged from the hospital, I'll buy you two pounds to eat at home."

Luo Xinmin, his hand still attached to the IV drip, tremblingly raised it to shake his wife's hand.

Luo Hong couldn't help but tease his parents: "The child is still here."

Luo Yan obediently covered her eyes: "I didn't see anything."

Luo Hong: "This is a classic case of hiding something."

The brother and sister, when they're relaxed, tend to bicker, exchanging barbs across the air.

Liu Yinfeng complained that they were noisy and pulled her daughter away, saying, "Let's go, let your dad get some rest."

As Luo Yan walked away, she turned back to give her brother a provocative look before heading home, feeling smug.

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Author's note: I was planning to update at 7 AM tomorrow, but Jinjiang just won't let me update, damn it!