After hanging up the phone, Chen Chongshan stood there stunned for a long time, feeling uneasy and even a little sad.
He felt a strong aversion to Yuan Yuan's actions, as if it were charity from her. But as Yuan Yuan said, if he didn't accept the money, where else could he get it?
Chen Chongshan's mood plummeted to rock bottom in that instant. If he didn't accept the money, Chongming's medical expenses would remain a distant prospect, but if he did accept it, the distance between him and Yuan Yuan would only grow further and further.
In fact, the distance between them is already quite far...
Yuan Yuan has entered Tanzhou Normal University, one of the highest institutions of learning in Chu Nan Province. Her family background and her own circumstances will inevitably make her a privileged young woman. However, Chen Chongshan still lives at the bottom of society, struggling to survive and anxiously worrying about Chongming's medical expenses.
He had an admission letter from Tanzhou University, but he knew it was a journey he would never be able to complete in his lifetime. And it was on this journey that he and Yuan Yuan would embark on different paths.
The hormones of youth always give rise to many beautiful feelings, but these things that are too beautiful are ultimately difficult to survive in the cruel reality.
Upon hearing the sound of Chen Chongshan's motorcycle, Ah Huang had already come out to greet him, wagging its long tail around Chen Chongshan.
Chen Chongshan smiled, patted Ah Huang, and looked up to see his younger brother sitting in a wheelchair not far away, waiting for his return. Chen Chongshan suddenly felt that having these things was enough.
He shouldn't expect too much from things that don't belong to him.
We shouldn't force it.
Life is full of helplessness, and you must learn to accept it calmly instead of wallowing in despair.
Having figured things out, Chen Chongshan felt much lighter. With a smile, he called Ah Huang into the house.
...
The next morning, Chen Chongshan found the residential area where Yuan Yuan lived by following the address Yuan Yuan sent him on his phone. The county town was not big, and Chen Chongshan was quite familiar with it, so finding it was not difficult.
This is a high-end residential community on the banks of the Zi River. The residents here are all wealthy and influential people in this small county. From the demeanor and clothing of Yuan Yuan's parents, Chen Chongshan could guess that her family was not ordinary, so it was not surprising that they lived in a high-end community.
Chen Chongshan carefully followed the address to his doorstep, then let out a long sigh of relief before ringing the doorbell. He found his apartment at No. 1, 10th floor, Unit 2, Building 8.
"They're here."
Before long, a slightly reserved middle-aged woman's voice rang out from inside. Chen Chongshan recognized it as Yuan Yuan's mother's voice. Sure enough, it was Yuan Yuan's mother, Ye Wanzhen, who opened the door.
"Auntie," Chen Chongshan quickly and respectfully greeted her.
"Yes, it's here."
Ye Wanzhen nodded, her expression calm: "Come in and sit down."
"Oh, okay." Chen Chongshan nodded and followed Ye Wanzhen into the house, but his anxiety grew stronger.
No one was home; Mr. Yuan must have gone to work. The spacious house was decorated in a high-class style, exquisite yet elegant, with several calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls, exuding a scholarly atmosphere.
Ye Wanzhen sat down on the sofa in the living room, then gestured for Chen Chongshan to sit down as well. After a pause, she said, "Xiao Chen, Yuan Yuan called you, right?"
"Yes, Auntie, Yuan Yuan asked me to come," Chen Chongshan nodded in reply.
"Um."
Ye Wanzhen nodded, her calm expression sending a chill down Chen Chongshan's spine: "Xiao Chen, Yuan Yuan told me about your family's situation, and it's truly pitiful. So this time, she asked us to lend a helping hand, and her father and I both agree. We're willing to give you this 100,000 yuan, and you don't even need to pay it back..."
Chen Chongshan shook his head and hurriedly said, "Auntie, I will earn money to pay you back once Chongming recovers."
"No, wait a minute." Ye Wanzhen interrupted Chen Chongshan, "Let me finish what I have to say."
"We don't need you to pay this money back. In fact, on top of the 100,000, I can personally give you an extra 20,000, but..."
Ye Wanzhen drew out her words and looked at Chen Chongshan with a serious and solemn expression. Under this gaze, Chen Chongshan felt even more uneasy.
The terrifying thing about life is that there are no "what ifs," but many "buts."
After scrutinizing Chen Chongshan with her eyes, Ye Wanzhen continued, "Xiao Chen, I know you and Yuan Yuan are classmates and good friends. Of course, I don't want to ask or investigate whether there's anything else between you two."
"Here is 120,000. Please accept it."
Ye Wanzhen took a paper bag out of her bag, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it in front of Chen Chongshan: "I hope that after you accept this money, you will no longer contact Yuan Yuan."
“I don’t need you to return this money. Consider it a donation for your brother’s medical treatment. I only have this one small request, and I hope you can agree to it.”
"As for the reason, I believe you know very well. I know that what I did was wrong, even immoral, and I hope you can understand my feelings as a mother."
Ye Wanzhen's words, spoken slowly and deliberately, struck Chen Chongshan like a thunderclap.
Chen Chongshan's hands were tightly clasped together at this moment. He lowered his head, as if he had suffered endless humiliation. He understood Ye Wanzhen's meaning: he and Yuan Yuan were never on equal footing.
He was furious, yet he could understand Ye Wanzhen's actions from a mother's perspective.
Cold sweat beaded on Chen Chongshan's forehead, and his whole body trembled slightly. Ye Wanzhen remained silent, quietly awaiting Chen Chongshan's answer.
She believed that Chen Chongshan was a smart man who could understand everything. Perhaps spending 120,000 yuan was a bit too much to nip an immature possibility in the bud, but Ye Wanzhen didn't feel sorry at all.
Yuan Yuan was the apple of her eye, and she couldn't let Yuan Yuan's future be affected in any way. She believed in love, but the experience of others had told her that marriage and love were two different things.
Although the two children were still young, she sensed something bad in the way Yuan Yuan looked at Chen Chongshan.
"Auntie," Chen Chongshan finally spoke after a long silence, "Don't you think the price you paid was a bit too high?"
Ye Wanzhen smiled slightly and shook her head, saying, "I don't think so. Compared to Yuan Yuan's lifelong happiness, which do you think is more important?"
Chen Chongshan suddenly laughed; his mind, under the immense pressure of his nerves, had become even calmer.
He nodded to Ye Wanzhen and said, "Auntie, you're overthinking it. Yuan Yuan and I have always just been friends and classmates. Perhaps it's because we were deskmates for three years that our friendship is a bit deeper than with other classmates. However, since you've made this request, I don't think I have any reason to refuse. Don't worry, I won't contact Yuan Yuan again."
"As for this money, you should take it back. I admit I need help, but I never need charity, and I would never stoop to selling my feelings, whether it's family, friendship, or love."
Chen Chongshan's tone was cold yet resolute. He slowly stood up and then bowed politely to Ye Wanzhen: "Auntie, I'll take my leave now."
"Wait a moment."
Ye Wanzhen was somewhat shocked by Chen Chongshan's attitude. She found it hard to imagine that a teenager could resist the temptation of 120,000 yuan when he desperately needed money.
She stopped Chen Chongshan and advised, "Auntie's attitude may be a bit excessive, but I hope you can understand. You should take the money back."
"No need. Thank you, Auntie."
Chen Chongshan shook his head, and then said, "If you are still not at ease, I can add Yuan Yuan to the blacklist in front of you."
Chen Chongshan kept his word. As soon as he finished speaking, he took out his phone and, in front of Ye Wanzhen, added Yuan Yuan to his blacklist. Then he bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Chen Chongshan didn't even glance at the paper bag containing 120,000 yuan.
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