Chapter 89: Change
These days, no matter how busy he was with his studies, Jiang Hong felt a strong urge to visit Lu Xiu in the demon sacred land of Wu County over the weekend.
He decided to buy a plane ticket in advance. With no classes on Friday afternoon, he would first go back to Chongqing. It might be too late to go home, so he could take a long-distance bus to Wu County directly from the airport, arriving around eleven or twelve at night...
If it were after the National Day holiday, he would have more time.
But who to find once there? Would the Hanging Walkway open for me? Do I need to notify them in advance about closing it off? He didn't have contact information for any demon kings in the sacred land, so would it be useful to ask their subordinates?
Once there, would Lu Xiu meet me? He should, right? What should I say to him?
Thus, Jiang Hong was quite conflicted, flipping back and forth looking at flight tickets, getting frustrated with the booking app raising prices every time he checked, almost wanting to throw his phone and curse.
Suddenly, Jiang Hong remembered He Jian’s brothers, one in the Demon Hunting Commission and the other in the Demon Association. Betting on both sides, couldn’t he ask for their help?
"Dad," Jiang Hong said sweetly to He Jian.
He Jian answered nonchalantly, "What is it, son? I don’t want a late-night snack."
"Dad, can Uncle help me get into the headquarters of the Demon Association in Wushan?" Jiang Hong crawled over, pleading, "Can you take me there once?"
He Jian glanced at him and said, "What do you want to go there for? Why not ask the Little King? Queen Mother, if you do this, our whole family will be executed."
Zhang Xiting, engrossed in his video game, added without looking up, "Exactly, you’re the Queen Mother’s dad, which also makes you the Demon King’s dad. The Demon King definitely won’t stand for it; you’ll be the first one he gets rid of..."
Only Jin in the dormitory knew the whole story and immediately understood, saying, "You want to give him a surprise, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Oh, I see," He Jian said, "Understood, I'll contact them for you, Queen Mother."
"Thank you!" Jiang Hong was incredibly grateful.
"But after the National Day holiday, we're going to intern at the Demon Association," Zhang Xiting said. "Actually, if you're not in a hurry, you could wait until then."
"Huh?" Jiang Hong responded in confusion, "Why? Isn't that next semester's arrangement?"
"It's changed this year," He Jian answered, "Didn't you hear what Xiao Pi said last time? Someone wanted to make a fuss at the Principal's office, but before they could even start, the Principal readily agreed."
This year, due to strong protests from the demon students, everyone was reluctant to intern at the Demon Hunting Commission.
"I've always been one to go with the flow," Cao Bin's response to this was, "If it represents the students' wishes, why not discuss it? Although I'm the Principal, I don't want Cangqiong University to be a place of autocracy."
During Cao Bin's comprehensive demon-hunting class, Jiang Hong had many questions, but the most important thing was to first admire Cao Bin.
"This year, because no one wants to go to the Commission, everyone is crowding to intern at the Demon Association and local branches," Cao Bin explained, "It's hard to schedule, so we moved the internships for the second and third year undergraduates to this semester."
Originally, the plan was for Jiang Hong and his classmates to intern at the Commission in the first year, at the Demon Association in the second year, at local branches of the Commission in the third year, and finally at local branches of the Demon Association in the fourth year.
"You want to go to Wu County?" Cao Bin asked, "It's good to visit Lu Xiu. He might not be accustomed to life in the sacred land."
"Really?" Jiang Hong, who had been there, thought of the somewhat desolate sacred land and said, "Even Teacher Psyduck, who was once an acting Demon King, didn’t seem to want the position, did he?"
"Probably no one wants to stay there," Cao Bin casually replied, "Everyone is drawn to the mortal world."
Jiang Hong didn't expect Cao Bin to guess so quickly and repeatedly asked him not to tell Lu Xiu. Cao Bin then inquired, "He must have been pleased with the sword you made for him?"
"I don’t know…" Jiang Hong said, "I guess he liked it?"
Cao Bin didn't continue the topic and never inquired about Jiang Hong's relationship with Lu Xiu, moving on to start the class.
"Jiang Hong." After class, Yuan Shiyu came again. He couldn't enter the building as it required access, so he had to wait downstairs for Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong: "Yeah... huh? What's up?"
Yuan Shiyu said, "Want to have dinner together?"
Yuan Shiyu hardly had any friends at school. The demon students didn't actively socialize with human students, and most human students, coming from demon-hunting families, knew about his family's issues and kept their distance.
For half a year, Yuan Shiyu had been acting alone. He didn’t even know what had happened, let alone that Jiang Hong was the boy who had swapped fates with him. He simply felt that, other than the teachers, only Jiang Hong paid him any attention, and instinctively started to see Jiang Hong as a friend.
"Sure," Jiang Hong, no longer disliking Yuan Shiyu, had started to believe more in fate, yet at the same time, he doubted it more. He vaguely grasped some understanding of 'fate' but couldn't articulate it. Everything seemed to be largely connected to his own mindset, including his relationships with people like Lu Xiu and Cao Bin. Surrounded by many factors, he bravely navigated through numerous dangers and challenges, moving forward.
"That's the nature of fate," Cao Bin had said after hearing Jiang Hong's thoughts, "Follow your heart and don't fear the thorns on your path."
Thus, Jiang Hong and Yuan Shiyu temporarily became friends.
Yuan Shiyu was very lonely. Seeing this, Jiang Hong often felt pity for him. Besides academic matters, if they had classes together, Jiang Hong would wait to have lunch with him.
"Are you going home?" Yuan Shiyu noticed Jiang Hong browsing flight tickets.
"Yeah," Jiang Hong replied, "Are you going back?"
Yuan Shiyu said, "I can't leave the school. The Commission has forbidden me to return home."
Jiang Hong remembered something. Had Yuan Shiyu's family been raided? The Commission indeed represented justice, or procedural justice, in his eyes. But rumors from other demon students suggested that the Commission was ruthless in conducting raids and detentions.
"It should be better after a while," Jiang Hong said.
"If you're going back, could you help me retrieve something?" Yuan Shiyu asked, "It's in my home's study. I'll send you the address and the door code. Don't bother if it's too much trouble."
Jiang Hong readily agreed, "If I have time, I'll go. It's no trouble."
Yuan Shiyu looked at Jiang Hong's phone somewhat melancholically. When their eyes met, he glanced at Jiang Hong again but said nothing. Jiang Hong knew he must be missing his mother. Having lost his father in childhood and then having his mother commit a crime when he grew up must be very hard, even if he never spoke about it.
A few days later, still missing Lu Xiu, Jiang Hong took a selfie with Yuan Shiyu and sent it to Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu replied with, "[???]"
Jiang Hong: [He considers me a good friend now.]
On Lu Xiu's end, he kept typing but no message popped up. Jiang Hong thought this was the most concerned Lu Xiu had been about him recently. Had becoming friends with Yuan Shiyu triggered some key word?
In the end, Lu Xiu only replied with: [Hmm.]
Jiang Hong pondered over the meaning of this "hmm" for a long time, wanting to ask Lu Xiu something but couldn't find the right topic.
Jiang Hong decided that he would visit Lu Xiu before the National Day holiday. Regardless of when the internship started, he would first go see Lu Xiu. With the ample holiday time, he could also visit home to recharge before leaving.
Another day, while Jiang Hong was booking his flight ticket, he received a call from his mother.
"Baby, what are you doing?" Jiang's mother asked, "Coming back for National Day?"
Jiang Hong replied, "Yes, booking my flight now." He thought to himself, was this telepathy? Even miles apart, there seemed to be a magical connection between him and his parents.
Jiang's mother said, "Then come back a bit earlier. It's hard to get tickets close to the holiday."
Jiang Hong answered, "I still have classes. I can only leave on the 29th... Wait, what's wrong?" He suddenly noticed something off in his mother's voice and asked, "What's going on at home, Mom?"
His mother quickly said, "Nothing, then come back on the 29th."
Jiang Hong persisted, "Wait, Mom, what happened? How's Dad?"
"Oh, nothing!" His father's voice came from the side, "Your mom just misses you!"
"Really?" Hearing his father's voice eased Jiang Hong a bit, but then a brief silence followed. The habits and understanding formed from living with his parents for years instantly alerted Jiang Hong that at this moment, his parents must be exchanging glances!
What were they communicating about?
"Mom!" Jiang Hong, outside the cafeteria at dusk, shouted into the phone, "What happened? Tell me the truth, don't lie to me!"
"Nothing, nothing," his mother said. "Your dad felt a bit dizzy a few days ago, went to the hospital for a check-up. They found something in his brain, a mass. The doctors aren't sure, they suggest a minor surgery to analyze it further."
Hearing these words, Jiang Hong's mind buzzed, and the world seemed to spin around him.
"Oh, I see," Jiang Hong said, somewhat dazed.
"I'm fine!" his father assured from the other end of the phone. "It's just a minor surgery! If you're busy, it's fine to come back later. It's all the same!"
"I'll come back right away," Jiang Hong responded immediately. "When is the surgery?"
"Monday morning," his mother said. "Okay, don't rush, and don't be scared, baby. The doctors said it's nothing serious..."
After hanging up, Jiang Hong quickly booked a flight ticket, still in a daze. Once he had secured the ticket, he realized he needed to hurry to Xi'an to catch his flight. He ran towards the campus exit, then remembered he had forgotten his ID and had to rush back to the dormitory.
"I need to go home for a bit."
Only Zhang Xiting was in the dorm room. Jiang Hong, in a rush and pale-faced, said, "Could you ask for a leave for me tomorrow?"
"What happened at home?" Zhang Xiting inquired.
"My dad's not feeling well. I'm in a hurry; I've booked a nine o'clock flight and need to get to the airport now. I'll text you the details later," Jiang Hong explained.
"Shall I accompany you?" Zhang Xiting offered, taking off his headphones, but Jiang Hong insisted it wasn't necessary. Zhang Xiting helped him pack, handed him a charger, and told him not to worry or panic, assuring him it would be okay.
"Where's Lao Sun?" Jiang Hong asked.
"He must have gone out," Zhang Xiting replied. "Are you running late?"
"Yes, just let him know for me. I have to go now," Jiang Hong said.
Anxious, Jiang Hong sent a message to Cao Bin asking for leave. Cao Bin inquired about it in WeChat. Jiang Hong didn't elaborate, just mentioning a family issue. Cao Bin then asked, "Are you at the front or back gate? I'll send Lang Quan to take you directly to the airport, it'll be faster."
"Thank you, Teacher," Jiang Hong felt like crying. Soon, Lang Quan arrived in a Rolls-Royce, performing a drift at the school gate, even brushing past a flowerbed.
Jiang Hong: "..."
"Let's go!" Lang Quan urged. "Even if we don't make it, it's okay! King Xiang has a private plane at Xianyang Airport. We'll definitely get you home today!"
Jiang Hong: "..............................."
"Don't tell me you also pilot the private plane," Jiang Hong said as he got into the car, trying to make a joke to lighten his mood.
"Of course!" Lang Quan exclaimed.
Jiang Hong: "Are you sure you know how to fly a plane?!"
"Who doesn't know how to fly a plane?" Lang Quan said, "Just fly it like this... just pull the control stick, right? And to land it, do it like this..."
"Ahh! Don't yank the steering wheel!"
"Flying a plane is easy!" Lang Quan said, "I'll teach you next time!"
Exhausted, Jiang Hong leaned back in his seat. Soon, he began searching on his phone for the meaning of 'occupying lesion'. He regretted googling it, as searching for diseases online is almost like preparing for one's funeral. Jiang Hong felt like he was falling into an abyss, spending even more time trying to forcefully banish all the negative thoughts.
The four-hour journey home felt incredibly long for Jiang Hong. Upon reaching the hospital, he had to wait anxiously for his nucleic acid test results before he could enter. By the time he was allowed in, it was already midnight.
It was a double room. His father, dressed in hospital attire, lay sleeping on his side under the dim light, his once-tall figure seemingly shrunken in an instant.
"Dad—" As Jiang Hong entered the room, he couldn't help but rush to the bedside and burst into tears, thinking, "How did my dad get so thin!"
"Your dad just went to the bathroom," Jiang's mother entered carrying rice noodles, explaining, "That's Uncle Li..."
Jiang Hong: "................................."
Jiang's father returned from the restroom, his head shaved in preparation for surgery the next day, and greeted, "Baby, you're back."
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Jiang Hong apologized, having woken up his father's roommate. He was so embarrassed he wished he could launch himself to the moon.
"No problem, no problem!" the fellow patient chuckled heartily.
"I told you it's nothing serious," Jiang's father, feeling a bit embarrassed about his illness, said, "But your mother insisted on telling you in advance."
Jiang Hong responded, "Of course, I had to come back!"
Jiang's mother then said to the patient, "This is my son. He's studying at Northwest University of Science and Technology... Baby, what's your major again?"
"What is my major again?" Jiang Hong quickly checked his phone and said, "Oh right, Mechanical and Electronic Engineering!"
"Our niece is studying international trade!" the patient added, "When you're free, we should arrange a meeting between you two!"
"Absolutely, we must!" Jiang's father agreed cheerfully.
Jiang Hong: "................"
"Baby, are you going home to sleep?" Jiang's mother asked.
Jiang Hong replied, "No, I'll stay here with Dad. I already slept on the plane."
"Then I'll be off," his mother yawned and said, "I left the rice noodles for you. Your dad's having surgery tomorrow morning. You have to make sure he doesn't eat or drink anything."
"Go ahead," Jiang's father said, "I'm just lying here, not bedridden and immobile."
So, Jiang Hong ate a large bowl of chicken rice noodles deliciously in front of his father, both patients watching him swallow mouthfuls with envy.
That night, Jiang Hong started his bedside vigil. Although his father hadn’t yet undergone surgery and didn't need care, as he could manage everything himself, post-surgery, he would be bedridden due to the anesthesia and skull surgery.
Jiang Hong couldn't sleep, realizing that it wasn't the "minor surgery" his mother had described, but an actual craniotomy, due to a tumor in the cranial cavity. It was still unknown whether the tumor was benign or malignant; it would only be known after it was removed and biopsied.
"There's a significant chance it's malignant, about an 80% probability," Jiang's father said calmly to Jiang Hong, "But even if it is malignant, it can be controlled, and I can undergo chemotherapy if needed. Medical technology is advanced now; it can be treated. Your mom didn’t want me to tell you; you mustn't let her know I’ve told you."
Hearing the beginning of his father’s explanation, Jiang Hong almost cried again, but his father's composure helped him calm down as well.
In his year as a demon hunter, Jiang Hong had gained an initial understanding of reincarnation and rebirth. He knew that in this world, togetherness is fleeting, and separation inevitable. Everything relies on fate and cause and effect, bound by a single thread.
Although it was still hard to bear, Jiang Hong had come to accept many things.
"Even if I can't..." Jiang's father began again.
"Don’t say that, it's inauspicious!" Jiang Hong admonished.
Jiang's father thought for a moment and smiled, "I don’t know why, but the other day, I was talking with your senior about the company and we ended up discussing metaphysics, fate, and connections..."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, you talked about these things with Lu Xiu? But don't overthink things, Dad."
"Yeah." After a moment of silence, Jiang's father added, "Honestly, I used to think about handing over the company to you, baby."
Jiang Hong felt like his father was preparing for the worst, but he couldn’t bring himself to interrupt. Several times, he tried to change the subject, but his father seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
"But now I think," his father continued, "the most important thing is to be happy. As long as you're happy, baby, that's good enough for me."
Jiang Hong finally cried. He lay on a small bed, not daring to face his father. He turned towards the wall, trying his best to hold back his tears, even though they kept flowing.
Jiang's father said with a smile, "After the surgery tomorrow, I'll have to be bedridden for a while. You take good care of your mom, keep her company, and cheer her up."
"Okay," Jiang Hong said, choking back tears.
Jiang's father remained silent, but Jiang Hong knew he wasn't asleep, perhaps reminiscing about his life.
Until 8 in the morning, Jiang Hong, who hadn’t slept all night, received a message from Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu: [Are you up?]
Jiang Hong didn't elaborate. He felt his mood was already poor and didn't want to drag Lu Xiu into it. After all, aside from feeling sorry for him, Lu Xiu couldn’t do anything. Lu Xiu likely had enough troubles of his own.
Jiang Hong: [Yeah, I’m up.]
Lu Xiu didn't ask what he was doing, and they didn't communicate further.
Jiang's mother also arrived, and Jiang Hong went to freshen up. His mother was touching up her makeup in the restroom. She glanced at her son, realizing he hadn't slept all night, and hugged him gently, patting his back.
Jiang Hong’s eyes reddened. Mother and son, in unspoken understanding, said nothing and went out to wake up Jiang's father.
Then, Jiang's father was wheeled into the operating room, still smiling and waving at them.
Jiang's mother sighed and sat with her son on a bench in the corridor. Jiang Hong wrapped his arms around his mother, and soon, unable to stay awake any longer, he slowly fell asleep.
When he woke up, a nurse was calling him, handing him a medical prescription. His father was still unconscious from the anesthesia. Jiang Hong quickly rubbed his eyes and went downstairs to get the medicine. His mother stayed by the bed, waiting for the biopsy results.
That night, when Jiang's father woke up, Jiang Hong fed him some liquid food and began taking care of him. The workload wasn’t much on the first day. The nurse they hired would come the next evening, so the mother and son tried to keep the mood light at the bedside. Once Jiang's father rested, Jiang Hong stayed by his side, as it was more convenient for him, being a male, to care for his father.
At eleven, Lu Xiu’s greeting arrived on time.
Lu Xiu: [Have you gone to sleep?]
Jiang Hong: [Yeah.]
He lay curled up in bed, covering his phone's light with the blanket.
Lu Xiu: [Goodnight.]
Jiang Hong stared at the screen, knowing that the biopsy report wouldn't be available until tomorrow at the earliest. He wondered if divination would be of any use. As a demon hunter, he hadn’t learned anything that could help his father.
[Are you asleep?] Jiang Hong sent another message to Lu Xiu. Based on recent experiences, Lu Xiu was unlikely to reply and would probably just tell him in the morning: [I went to bed early last night.]
But that night, Lu Xiu unexpectedly replied: [Not yet.]
Jiang Hong, feeling very upset, just wanted someone to talk to. Talking to anyone else seemed inappropriate, as none of his friends could help, only adding to his distress.
As he hesitated, Lu Xiu suddenly sent another message.
Lu Xiu: [Is your uncle feeling better?]
Jiang Hong was startled, wondering: How did you know?
As if reading his mind, Lu Xiu replied: [Principal Cao told me, said your dad is sick and you rushed back home.]
Jiang Hong thought: Did I mention that? I don’t think I told the Principal my dad was sick, just that there was a family issue. But I did tell Zhang Xiting.
Chapter 89: Change
These days, no matter how busy he was with his studies, Jiang Hong felt a strong urge to visit Lu Xiu in the demon sacred land of Wu County over the weekend.
He decided to buy a plane ticket in advance. With no classes on Friday afternoon, he would first go back to Chongqing. It might be too late to go home, so he could take a long-distance bus to Wu County directly from the airport, arriving around eleven or twelve at night...
If it were after the National Day holiday, he would have more time.
But who to find once there? Would the Hanging Walkway open for me? Do I need to notify them in advance about closing it off? He didn't have contact information for any demon kings in the sacred land, so would it be useful to ask their subordinates?
Once there, would Lu Xiu meet me? He should, right? What should I say to him?
Thus, Jiang Hong was quite conflicted, flipping back and forth looking at flight tickets, getting frustrated with the booking app raising prices every time he checked, almost wanting to throw his phone and curse.
Suddenly, Jiang Hong remembered He Jian’s brothers, one in the Demon Hunting Commission and the other in the Demon Association. Betting on both sides, couldn’t he ask for their help?
"Dad," Jiang Hong said sweetly to He Jian.
He Jian answered nonchalantly, "What is it, son? I don’t want a late-night snack."
"Dad, can Uncle help me get into the headquarters of the Demon Association in Wushan?" Jiang Hong crawled over, pleading, "Can you take me there once?"
He Jian glanced at him and said, "What do you want to go there for? Why not ask the Little King? Queen Mother, if you do this, our whole family will be executed."
Zhang Xiting, engrossed in his video game, added without looking up, "Exactly, you’re the Queen Mother’s dad, which also makes you the Demon King’s dad. The Demon King definitely won’t stand for it; you’ll be the first one he gets rid of..."
Only Jin in the dormitory knew the whole story and immediately understood, saying, "You want to give him a surprise, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Oh, I see," He Jian said, "Understood, I'll contact them for you, Queen Mother."
"Thank you!" Jiang Hong was incredibly grateful.
"But after the National Day holiday, we're going to intern at the Demon Association," Zhang Xiting said. "Actually, if you're not in a hurry, you could wait until then."
"Huh?" Jiang Hong responded in confusion, "Why? Isn't that next semester's arrangement?"
"It's changed this year," He Jian answered, "Didn't you hear what Xiao Pi said last time? Someone wanted to make a fuss at the Principal's office, but before they could even start, the Principal readily agreed."
This year, due to strong protests from the demon students, everyone was reluctant to intern at the Demon Hunting Commission.
"I've always been one to go with the flow," Cao Bin's response to this was, "If it represents the students' wishes, why not discuss it? Although I'm the Principal, I don't want Cangqiong University to be a place of autocracy."
During Cao Bin's comprehensive demon-hunting class, Jiang Hong had many questions, but the most important thing was to first admire Cao Bin.
"This year, because no one wants to go to the Commission, everyone is crowding to intern at the Demon Association and local branches," Cao Bin explained, "It's hard to schedule, so we moved the internships for the second and third year undergraduates to this semester."
Originally, the plan was for Jiang Hong and his classmates to intern at the Commission in the first year, at the Demon Association in the second year, at local branches of the Commission in the third year, and finally at local branches of the Demon Association in the fourth year.
"You want to go to Wu County?" Cao Bin asked, "It's good to visit Lu Xiu. He might not be accustomed to life in the sacred land."
"Really?" Jiang Hong, who had been there, thought of the somewhat desolate sacred land and said, "Even Teacher Psyduck, who was once an acting Demon King, didn’t seem to want the position, did he?"
"Probably no one wants to stay there," Cao Bin casually replied, "Everyone is drawn to the mortal world."
Jiang Hong didn't expect Cao Bin to guess so quickly and repeatedly asked him not to tell Lu Xiu. Cao Bin then inquired, "He must have been pleased with the sword you made for him?"
"I don’t know…" Jiang Hong said, "I guess he liked it?"
Cao Bin didn't continue the topic and never inquired about Jiang Hong's relationship with Lu Xiu, moving on to start the class.
"Jiang Hong." After class, Yuan Shiyu came again. He couldn't enter the building as it required access, so he had to wait downstairs for Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong: "Yeah... huh? What's up?"
Yuan Shiyu said, "Want to have dinner together?"
Yuan Shiyu hardly had any friends at school. The demon students didn't actively socialize with human students, and most human students, coming from demon-hunting families, knew about his family's issues and kept their distance.
For half a year, Yuan Shiyu had been acting alone. He didn’t even know what had happened, let alone that Jiang Hong was the boy who had swapped fates with him. He simply felt that, other than the teachers, only Jiang Hong paid him any attention, and instinctively started to see Jiang Hong as a friend.
"Sure," Jiang Hong, no longer disliking Yuan Shiyu, had started to believe more in fate, yet at the same time, he doubted it more. He vaguely grasped some understanding of 'fate' but couldn't articulate it. Everything seemed to be largely connected to his own mindset, including his relationships with people like Lu Xiu and Cao Bin. Surrounded by many factors, he bravely navigated through numerous dangers and challenges, moving forward.
"That's the nature of fate," Cao Bin had said after hearing Jiang Hong's thoughts, "Follow your heart and don't fear the thorns on your path."
Thus, Jiang Hong and Yuan Shiyu temporarily became friends.
Yuan Shiyu was very lonely. Seeing this, Jiang Hong often felt pity for him. Besides academic matters, if they had classes together, Jiang Hong would wait to have lunch with him.
"Are you going home?" Yuan Shiyu noticed Jiang Hong browsing flight tickets.
"Yeah," Jiang Hong replied, "Are you going back?"
Yuan Shiyu said, "I can't leave the school. The Commission has forbidden me to return home."
Jiang Hong remembered something. Had Yuan Shiyu's family been raided? The Commission indeed represented justice, or procedural justice, in his eyes. But rumors from other demon students suggested that the Commission was ruthless in conducting raids and detentions.
"It should be better after a while," Jiang Hong said.
"If you're going back, could you help me retrieve something?" Yuan Shiyu asked, "It's in my home's study. I'll send you the address and the door code. Don't bother if it's too much trouble."
Jiang Hong readily agreed, "If I have time, I'll go. It's no trouble."
Yuan Shiyu looked at Jiang Hong's phone somewhat melancholically. When their eyes met, he glanced at Jiang Hong again but said nothing. Jiang Hong knew he must be missing his mother. Having lost his father in childhood and then having his mother commit a crime when he grew up must be very hard, even if he never spoke about it.
A few days later, still missing Lu Xiu, Jiang Hong took a selfie with Yuan Shiyu and sent it to Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu replied with, "[???]"
Jiang Hong: [He considers me a good friend now.]
On Lu Xiu's end, he kept typing but no message popped up. Jiang Hong thought this was the most concerned Lu Xiu had been about him recently. Had becoming friends with Yuan Shiyu triggered some key word?
In the end, Lu Xiu only replied with: [Hmm.]
Jiang Hong pondered over the meaning of this "hmm" for a long time, wanting to ask Lu Xiu something but couldn't find the right topic.
Jiang Hong decided that he would visit Lu Xiu before the National Day holiday. Regardless of when the internship started, he would first go see Lu Xiu. With the ample holiday time, he could also visit home to recharge before leaving.
Another day, while Jiang Hong was booking his flight ticket, he received a call from his mother.
"Baby, what are you doing?" Jiang's mother asked, "Coming back for National Day?"
Jiang Hong replied, "Yes, booking my flight now." He thought to himself, was this telepathy? Even miles apart, there seemed to be a magical connection between him and his parents.
Jiang's mother said, "Then come back a bit earlier. It's hard to get tickets close to the holiday."
Jiang Hong answered, "I still have classes. I can only leave on the 29th... Wait, what's wrong?" He suddenly noticed something off in his mother's voice and asked, "What's going on at home, Mom?"
His mother quickly said, "Nothing, then come back on the 29th."
Jiang Hong persisted, "Wait, Mom, what happened? How's Dad?"
"Oh, nothing!" His father's voice came from the side, "Your mom just misses you!"
"Really?" Hearing his father's voice eased Jiang Hong a bit, but then a brief silence followed. The habits and understanding formed from living with his parents for years instantly alerted Jiang Hong that at this moment, his parents must be exchanging glances!
What were they communicating about?
"Mom!" Jiang Hong, outside the cafeteria at dusk, shouted into the phone, "What happened? Tell me the truth, don't lie to me!"
"Nothing, nothing," his mother said. "Your dad felt a bit dizzy a few days ago, went to the hospital for a check-up. They found something in his brain, a mass. The doctors aren't sure, they suggest a minor surgery to analyze it further."
Hearing these words, Jiang Hong's mind buzzed, and the world seemed to spin around him.
"Oh, I see," Jiang Hong said, somewhat dazed.
"I'm fine!" his father assured from the other end of the phone. "It's just a minor surgery! If you're busy, it's fine to come back later. It's all the same!"
"I'll come back right away," Jiang Hong responded immediately. "When is the surgery?"
"Monday morning," his mother said. "Okay, don't rush, and don't be scared, baby. The doctors said it's nothing serious..."
After hanging up, Jiang Hong quickly booked a flight ticket, still in a daze. Once he had secured the ticket, he realized he needed to hurry to Xi'an to catch his flight. He ran towards the campus exit, then remembered he had forgotten his ID and had to rush back to the dormitory.
"I need to go home for a bit."
Only Zhang Xiting was in the dorm room. Jiang Hong, in a rush and pale-faced, said, "Could you ask for a leave for me tomorrow?"
"What happened at home?" Zhang Xiting inquired.
"My dad's not feeling well. I'm in a hurry; I've booked a nine o'clock flight and need to get to the airport now. I'll text you the details later," Jiang Hong explained.
"Shall I accompany you?" Zhang Xiting offered, taking off his headphones, but Jiang Hong insisted it wasn't necessary. Zhang Xiting helped him pack, handed him a charger, and told him not to worry or panic, assuring him it would be okay.
"Where's Lao Sun?" Jiang Hong asked.
"He must have gone out," Zhang Xiting replied. "Are you running late?"
"Yes, just let him know for me. I have to go now," Jiang Hong said.
Anxious, Jiang Hong sent a message to Cao Bin asking for leave. Cao Bin inquired about it in WeChat. Jiang Hong didn't elaborate, just mentioning a family issue. Cao Bin then asked, "Are you at the front or back gate? I'll send Lang Quan to take you directly to the airport, it'll be faster."
"Thank you, Teacher," Jiang Hong felt like crying. Soon, Lang Quan arrived in a Rolls-Royce, performing a drift at the school gate, even brushing past a flowerbed.
Jiang Hong: "..."
"Let's go!" Lang Quan urged. "Even if we don't make it, it's okay! King Xiang has a private plane at Xianyang Airport. We'll definitely get you home today!"
Jiang Hong: "..............................."
"Don't tell me you also pilot the private plane," Jiang Hong said as he got into the car, trying to make a joke to lighten his mood.
"Of course!" Lang Quan exclaimed.
Jiang Hong: "Are you sure you know how to fly a plane?!"
"Who doesn't know how to fly a plane?" Lang Quan said, "Just fly it like this... just pull the control stick, right? And to land it, do it like this..."
"Ahh! Don't yank the steering wheel!"
"Flying a plane is easy!" Lang Quan said, "I'll teach you next time!"
Exhausted, Jiang Hong leaned back in his seat. Soon, he began searching on his phone for the meaning of 'occupying lesion'. He regretted googling it, as searching for diseases online is almost like preparing for one's funeral. Jiang Hong felt like he was falling into an abyss, spending even more time trying to forcefully banish all the negative thoughts.
The four-hour journey home felt incredibly long for Jiang Hong. Upon reaching the hospital, he had to wait anxiously for his nucleic acid test results before he could enter. By the time he was allowed in, it was already midnight.
It was a double room. His father, dressed in hospital attire, lay sleeping on his side under the dim light, his once-tall figure seemingly shrunken in an instant.
"Dad—" As Jiang Hong entered the room, he couldn't help but rush to the bedside and burst into tears, thinking, "How did my dad get so thin!"
"Your dad just went to the bathroom," Jiang's mother entered carrying rice noodles, explaining, "That's Uncle Li..."
Jiang Hong: "................................."
Jiang's father returned from the restroom, his head shaved in preparation for surgery the next day, and greeted, "Baby, you're back."
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Jiang Hong apologized, having woken up his father's roommate. He was so embarrassed he wished he could launch himself to the moon.
"No problem, no problem!" the fellow patient chuckled heartily.
"I told you it's nothing serious," Jiang's father, feeling a bit embarrassed about his illness, said, "But your mother insisted on telling you in advance."
Jiang Hong responded, "Of course, I had to come back!"
Jiang's mother then said to the patient, "This is my son. He's studying at Northwest University of Science and Technology... Baby, what's your major again?"
"What is my major again?" Jiang Hong quickly checked his phone and said, "Oh right, Mechanical and Electronic Engineering!"
"Our niece is studying international trade!" the patient added, "When you're free, we should arrange a meeting between you two!"
"Absolutely, we must!" Jiang's father agreed cheerfully.
Jiang Hong: "................"
"Baby, are you going home to sleep?" Jiang's mother asked.
Jiang Hong replied, "No, I'll stay here with Dad. I already slept on the plane."
"Then I'll be off," his mother yawned and said, "I left the rice noodles for you. Your dad's having surgery tomorrow morning. You have to make sure he doesn't eat or drink anything."
"Go ahead," Jiang's father said, "I'm just lying here, not bedridden and immobile."
So, Jiang Hong ate a large bowl of chicken rice noodles deliciously in front of his father, both patients watching him swallow mouthfuls with envy.
That night, Jiang Hong started his bedside vigil. Although his father hadn’t yet undergone surgery and didn't need care, as he could manage everything himself, post-surgery, he would be bedridden due to the anesthesia and skull surgery.
Jiang Hong couldn't sleep, realizing that it wasn't the "minor surgery" his mother had described, but an actual craniotomy, due to a tumor in the cranial cavity. It was still unknown whether the tumor was benign or malignant; it would only be known after it was removed and biopsied.
"There's a significant chance it's malignant, about an 80% probability," Jiang's father said calmly to Jiang Hong, "But even if it is malignant, it can be controlled, and I can undergo chemotherapy if needed. Medical technology is advanced now; it can be treated. Your mom didn’t want me to tell you; you mustn't let her know I’ve told you."
Hearing the beginning of his father’s explanation, Jiang Hong almost cried again, but his father's composure helped him calm down as well.
In his year as a demon hunter, Jiang Hong had gained an initial understanding of reincarnation and rebirth. He knew that in this world, togetherness is fleeting, and separation inevitable. Everything relies on fate and cause and effect, bound by a single thread.
Although it was still hard to bear, Jiang Hong had come to accept many things.
"Even if I can't..." Jiang's father began again.
"Don’t say that, it's inauspicious!" Jiang Hong admonished.
Jiang's father thought for a moment and smiled, "I don’t know why, but the other day, I was talking with your senior about the company and we ended up discussing metaphysics, fate, and connections..."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, you talked about these things with Lu Xiu? But don't overthink things, Dad."
"Yeah." After a moment of silence, Jiang's father added, "Honestly, I used to think about handing over the company to you, baby."
Jiang Hong felt like his father was preparing for the worst, but he couldn’t bring himself to interrupt. Several times, he tried to change the subject, but his father seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
"But now I think," his father continued, "the most important thing is to be happy. As long as you're happy, baby, that's good enough for me."
Jiang Hong finally cried. He lay on a small bed, not daring to face his father. He turned towards the wall, trying his best to hold back his tears, even though they kept flowing.
Jiang's father said with a smile, "After the surgery tomorrow, I'll have to be bedridden for a while. You take good care of your mom, keep her company, and cheer her up."
"Okay," Jiang Hong said, choking back tears.
Jiang's father remained silent, but Jiang Hong knew he wasn't asleep, perhaps reminiscing about his life.
Until 8 in the morning, Jiang Hong, who hadn’t slept all night, received a message from Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu: [Are you up?]
Jiang Hong didn't elaborate. He felt his mood was already poor and didn't want to drag Lu Xiu into it. After all, aside from feeling sorry for him, Lu Xiu couldn’t do anything. Lu Xiu likely had enough troubles of his own.
Jiang Hong: [Yeah, I’m up.]
Lu Xiu didn't ask what he was doing, and they didn't communicate further.
Jiang's mother also arrived, and Jiang Hong went to freshen up. His mother was touching up her makeup in the restroom. She glanced at her son, realizing he hadn't slept all night, and hugged him gently, patting his back.
Jiang Hong’s eyes reddened. Mother and son, in unspoken understanding, said nothing and went out to wake up Jiang's father.
Then, Jiang's father was wheeled into the operating room, still smiling and waving at them.
Jiang's mother sighed and sat with her son on a bench in the corridor. Jiang Hong wrapped his arms around his mother, and soon, unable to stay awake any longer, he slowly fell asleep.
When he woke up, a nurse was calling him, handing him a medical prescription. His father was still unconscious from the anesthesia. Jiang Hong quickly rubbed his eyes and went downstairs to get the medicine. His mother stayed by the bed, waiting for the biopsy results.
That night, when Jiang's father woke up, Jiang Hong fed him some liquid food and began taking care of him. The workload wasn’t much on the first day. The nurse they hired would come the next evening, so the mother and son tried to keep the mood light at the bedside. Once Jiang's father rested, Jiang Hong stayed by his side, as it was more convenient for him, being a male, to care for his father.
At eleven, Lu Xiu’s greeting arrived on time.
Lu Xiu: [Have you gone to sleep?]
Jiang Hong: [Yeah.]
He lay curled up in bed, covering his phone's light with the blanket.
Lu Xiu: [Goodnight.]
Jiang Hong stared at the screen, knowing that the biopsy report wouldn't be available until tomorrow at the earliest. He wondered if divination would be of any use. As a demon hunter, he hadn’t learned anything that could help his father.
[Are you asleep?] Jiang Hong sent another message to Lu Xiu. Based on recent experiences, Lu Xiu was unlikely to reply and would probably just tell him in the morning: [I went to bed early last night.]
But that night, Lu Xiu unexpectedly replied: [Not yet.]
Jiang Hong, feeling very upset, just wanted someone to talk to. Talking to anyone else seemed inappropriate, as none of his friends could help, only adding to his distress.
As he hesitated, Lu Xiu suddenly sent another message.
Lu Xiu: [Is your uncle feeling better?]
Jiang Hong was startled, wondering: How did you know?
As if reading his mind, Lu Xiu replied: [Principal Cao told me, said your dad is sick and you rushed back home.]
Jiang Hong thought: Did I mention that? I don’t think I told the Principal my dad was sick, just that there was a family issue. But I did tell Zhang Xiting.
