Chapter Seventy: Calamity Strikes from the Sky

"I didn't know pork came in different cuts. This is the first time I've heard of that."

“You don’t like fatty meat and won’t touch any fat, so I always choose pork shoulder for braised pork. I made pork shoulder once before, but you thought it was too dry and only ate a couple of bites. Pork shoulder is the meat in your favorite mushroom soup. Don’t you always say that the meat is more tender?”

Chu Zhen's cooking is so delicious that I've stopped eating out. I always thought he was exceptionally talented, but today I realized he's just putting his heart into cooking for me. He notices my every whim. And me? He doesn't know what he likes or dislikes at all.

"You touched me so early in the morning, you deliberately brought me here to buy groceries, didn't you!"

"I guess so. I was just using my position for personal reasons. The vegetables at the market are definitely much fresher. Come on, let's go buy some more vegetables. I'll make you a big meal for lunch today."

We originally planned to do some in-depth research at the morning market, but we ended up leaving with two huge bags full of groceries. I rarely have the chance to go to the market, and today I saw a lot of fresh produce. Chu Zhen bought anything I had never seen before; I wonder if he knows how to cook it.

When I got home, I cleaned up all the groceries. I wanted to help Chu Zhen pick and wash the vegetables, but I was promptly refused. The kitchen is always his domain between us.

"Chu Zhen, how about I go pick up Chu Lin? We bought so much food today, we can't possibly finish it all." I was bored. On weekends, I would always pick up Chu Lin to stay with me. When Chu Zhen was busy, I could pass the time with Chu Lin. Today was supposed to be a workday, but we spent it at home, which was really boring.

"Okay, then you can drive there yourself. Be careful on the road."

With Chu Zhen's permission, I grabbed my car keys and immediately headed out.

When I arrived at the orphanage, I greeted the director and then went to find Chu Lin. The little guy was extremely excited to see me.

"Mom, why did you come today?"

"I missed you~" I patted Chu Lin's head. I always feel especially good when I see him.

"Where's Daddy? Why isn't he here?" Chu Lin looked around with his little head.

"Dad is making something delicious at home, so I'm here to pick you up."

"Really? That's great!"

Along the way, Chu Lin was excitedly waving his arms and legs in the back seat. Children's world is so easily satisfied. He was so happy just from an unplanned meeting. It's clear how much he looks forward to Saturdays every week.

With a loud bang, everything went black before my eyes. I could still hear Chu Lin crying, but the sound gradually faded away, and I knew nothing more.

I don't know what happened during that time. There was noise in my ears, but it soon subsided. I could still hear other people shouting and crying—my parents' voices, Yan Yan's voice, and even Wang Sihong and Chen Weiqi's voices. However, only Chu Zhen's voice kept echoing in my ears, though it sounded a little hoarse. I tried hard to open my eyes to see if Chu Zhen was sick, but I couldn't lift my eyelids. Was I dreaming? I let myself continue to sleep, thinking that perhaps the dream would end when it got light.

"Lin Dang, can you hear me?" Chu Zhen's voice rang in my ears again.

"I can~" I wanted to answer, but I couldn't make a sound.

"You're a strong girl. I knew that from the first moment I saw you. The day you bumped into me, you hit my heart directly. Since then, your image has often appeared in my mind. Now, do you want to lie here irresponsibly? Do you know that my heart can't take any more stimulation after the surgery? Can you bear to just lie here like this and ignore me?" I felt my hand being held tightly. This wasn't a dream. Chu Zhen's voice was so real. I could feel the dampness on my hand.

No, no, Chu Zhen has a heart condition. I was filled with worry and tried my best to open my eyes. After countless attempts, I finally felt a ray of light shining into my eyes.

"Lin Dang, Lin Dang, you're awake! You're finally awake!"

Stimulated by the bright light, I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Chu Zhen's face, along with his overjoyed voice.

"Wait a minute, I'll go call the nurse!" Chu Zhen let go of her hand, turned around and went out to call the nurse.

I took a moment to calm down. Surrounded by white walls and various medical equipment, I realized I was hospitalized again.

The doctor came over, looked at my eyeballs, and then looked at the data displayed next to me.

"You're quite something, young lady. You've had a brush with death, haven't you? You're destined for great wealth and honor." The doctor said kindly. "Alright, you two can spend some time alone. I'll go talk to the nurses about some things to keep in mind, but you still need to rest more since you've just woken up."

Chu Zhen saw the doctor off. "I just had a brush with death. I've only just woken up and I'm completely dazed."

"Lin Dang, you're finally awake~ Is anything bothering you?" Chu Zhen asked me softly after returning. His voice was just like in my dream, hoarse and deep. His already well-defined face was even thinner, his beard was thick and bushy, and his hair was messy. He was completely different from the Chu Zhen I knew.

"Chu Zhen, what happened to me?" I still don't know what happened to me. I only remember that I went to pick up Chu Lin to go home for dinner, and then, right, I think I got into a car accident.

"Where is Chu Lin?" I thought of Chu Lin, and I heard the child crying in my ear.

"Lin Dang~" Chu Zhen grabbed my hand and put it to his mouth, "You were in a car accident."

"Car accident?"

"Yes, you were in a car accident on your way back with Chu Lin. The other vehicle was a truck. The driver was drunk and lost control of the vehicle, which hit you. It all happened so suddenly. The dashcam footage shows that you passed out instantly, so you don't know anything."

"How long was I unconscious? Did my parents come too? I think I heard their voices."

"You've been asleep for half a month. You hit your head and there's a bruise. Lin Dang, I was really afraid you wouldn't wake up. Thank God, you've finally woken up." Chu Zhen couldn't hide her excitement, her eyes glistening with tears.

I reached out and touched his beard.

"Chu Zhen, you've lost so much weight and look so haggard."

"Silly girl, I'm fine. As long as you're awake, that's all that matters. By the way, are you hungry? Do you want anything to eat?"

"How is Chu Lin? Is he injured? Is it serious?" Chu Zhen hadn't answered my question about Chu Lin's condition, and I had a bad feeling.

"Chu Lin is gone." Chu Zhen's voice was soft, but it echoed in my ears like thunder.

"Gone? What does that mean?" Even though I knew what it meant, I still didn't want to admit it.

"Lin Dang, Chu Lin is a pitiful child. Perhaps he can have a perfect family in heaven."

I can't lie to myself anymore. Chu Lin saw my excited face the last time he saw me, how excited he was in the car. But I'll never see it again. My tears are streaming down my face. I've been waiting for myself to turn thirty, even complaining that time is passing too slowly. I wanted to adopt Chu Lin as soon as I turned thirty, but all of this happened so suddenly.