Chapter 266 Rapid Progress in Learning
Zhou Xiaochuan finally couldn't hold back anymore: "Mom, am I your biological son?"
Fang Hua stared into Zhou Xiaochuan's eyes and said firmly, "No!"
The words "not" stunned Zhou Xiaochuan, who looked at Fang Hua with tears in his eyes: "Mom, is it true?"
Fang Hua nodded: "Yes, it's true. What did you hear outside? Tell me, I want to hear it."
Zhou Xiaochuan choked up: "They said I wasn't a child of the Zhou family, and that my parents died saving you, which is why you adopted me."
Fang Hua sneered: "So, you think you can do whatever you want in this family? We're nice to you because we feel guilty? We're strict with you because we're letting your parents down?"
"Zhou Xiaochuan, you really are... really something. You're such a grown man, think about it yourself. Over the years, has all the kindness I've shown you been genuine? Every time I've criticized or disciplined you, was it because you did something wrong?"
"I can't believe that someone your age is so clueless, unable to even tell the difference."
"Let me explain this to you now. Your father is my younger brother. They didn't die while saving anyone. It was an accident that left you, who was just born."
“You can ask around about this. I believe I have never wronged you in all these years of raising you, and I have even treated you better than your brother.”
"Think about it yourself. When you were a child, things weren't good. If there was candy at home, wouldn't you get it first? Your brother would have to wait until you were done eating before he could get half a piece of candy."
"Do you remember when you were seven or eight years old? During the famine, no one had any food. They would give you all the white flour they could get. Your brother was only fourteen or fifteen years old at the time. When he was hungry, he would drink bowls of cold water and give you his rations."
"You and your friend got into a fight over a sweet potato, your brother went to help you, then carried you home on his back, and then stole two steamed buns from the mess hall for you. Then your dad hung him up and beat him. Don't you remember?"
Zhou Xiaochuan's tears welled up instantly: "Mom, please stop talking..."
Fang Hua's eyes reddened: "Why wouldn't I say anything? I only have one son. I've been neglecting him all along, and I've been taking care of you wholeheartedly. How can I not be heartbroken to receive such skepticism in return?"
"Xiao Chuan, you really have broken my heart. In the past twenty-two years, have I ever mistreated you even once? Your brother finally got married and found a wife. If you have any sense of humanity, you shouldn't be hostile towards her."
"Even if she has all sorts of flaws, she's still your brother's wife and your sister-in-law. It's none of your business to be hostile towards her."
Zhou Xiaochuan panicked and tried to explain, but he didn't know where to begin. He hesitated for a long time, but couldn't utter a single word.
Fang Hua was really tired and disappointed: "I've said everything I needed to say. Every year when you go to sweep your uncle's grave, it's actually the grave of your biological parents. Go and see it for yourself when you have time."
“Now, tell me, who told you that you are not the Zhou family’s biological child? Who is sowing discord behind your back?”
Zhou Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "It was Xiao Liu. Xiao Liu told me."
Fang Hua nodded directly: "Okay, you believe everything outsiders say, but whatever we tell you is meant to get you killed! Xiao Chuan, you really are... really capable."
Without glancing at Zhou Xiaochuan, she went over and sat down, looking at Jiang Zhizhi who had been standing to the side: "Zhizhi, let's eat, don't worry about him."
Zhou Xiaochuan stood there stunned for a long time, making sure that Fang Hua wasn't yelling at him to eat like before.
He felt even more upset. He didn't want to accept the fact that he wasn't a child of the Zhou family. He had been making a scene lately because he really disliked Jiang Zhizhi.
He felt even worse watching Jiang Zhizhi steal the love of one person after another.
He was jealous, so he disliked Jiang Zhizhi even more.
Fang Hua's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. What right did he have to make a scene?
After standing there in silence for a long time, Fang Hua and Jiang Zhizhi were almost finished eating when he quietly went into the kitchen, ladled out a bowl of porridge, and then quietly sat down to eat.
Fang Hua simply glanced at him calmly and said to Jiang Zhizhi, "After you finish eating, hurry up and wash up and start studying. I'll clean up the kitchen."
Jiang Zhizhi didn't stand on ceremony; she had indeed fallen behind on her plans these past two days: "Mom, then thank you for your trouble."
She glanced at Zhou Xiaochuan again, not expecting him to react like this. She thought he would run away from home in a fit of anger.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. Running away from home now could lead to even greater consequences if you accidentally get caught.
...
Over the next few days, Jiang Zhizhi was very busy. Every day at noon, she would go to Jin Huaiying to study, getting up early and going to bed late to memorize those knowledge points.
With nothing to do, her mind was filled with the mantras that Jin Huaiying had taught her.
And how to diagnose illnesses by looking at a person's face, how to examine the tongue coating, the eyeballs, and the ears...
From minor ailments to complex and difficult diseases, everything was stuffed into Jiang Zhizhi's mind like a duck being force-fed.
Seeing Jiang Zhizhi's talent, Jin Huaiying added many more challenging elements, asking her to digest and analyze them herself, and then write an analysis report for him.
Every day, he would remind Jiang Zhizhi of one sentence: "No matter what, never forget the purpose of your medical studies."
Life was too busy for Jiang Zhizhi to even think about Zhou Xiye.
Zhou Xiaochuan seems to have changed a bit lately, but only towards Fang Hua. He helps Fang Hua wash vegetables, collect clothes, wash dishes, and even makes tea for her every day.
Jiang Zhizhi wasn't sure if he genuinely realized his mistake or was just afraid of ending up on the streets.
Anyway, she still didn't talk to Zhou Xiaochuan, and Zhou Xiaochuan wouldn't take the initiative to contact her.
At school, Sun Xiaoyue became much quieter and seemed to be studying very hard. She would ask Cheng Feng questions every day, and the two helped each other a lot.
There were rumors circulating privately that the two were dating, but neither of them admitted it.
The end of the year is fast approaching, and school courses are less demanding. We've started preparing for exams and holidays, and it's currently the review phase.
Jiang Zhizhi felt like her head was about to explode with knowledge.
During dinner that evening, Fang Hua glanced at the calendar: "The Lunar New Year's Eve is in three days. When does Xiye get a holiday?"
Jiang Zhizhi then remembered that she had said she would visit Zhou Xiye when she had time, but she had never had time. When she finally had a day off, she went to study with Jin Huaiying.
After Fang Hua finished speaking, he frowned again: "I'm afraid your dad won't even come back for the New Year. With the New Year approaching, he'll have even more excuses not to come back from his grassroots post."
She hadn't given up on the idea of divorce for even a minute.
Jiang Zhizhi looked up at Fang Hua and suddenly paused, "Mom, have you been feeling unwell lately?"
Fang Hua shook his head: "No, everything is fine."
Jiang Zhizhi had just learned face diagnosis from Jin Huaiying, and then leaned over to take a closer look: "Mom, I'll go with you to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow morning. My diagnosis might be a little inaccurate. Have you been having some heart problems lately?"
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