Days passed so hectically for all of them. He Chen and the others were busy ramping up their popularity and sales. Graduation was also approaching so there were some university matters that needed their attention.
However, no matter how busy he was, Jiang Li made sure to visit his parents at least once a week. He also never forgot to check on Tang Lan, Feng Ru, and Gu Feng's status daily. So far, it was safe to pour most of his time and energy on work and university since those three were not doing anything problematic for him.
...
"Are you eating on time? Your stinky brother is telling me weird things, like you are now getting big as a celebrity. But why do I feel like you're growing thinner these days? Did you join an entertainment company or an army camp?"
One time, after work Jiang Li visited the oncology center. Father He bombarded him with these questions. The half-worried, half-angry expression on He Song's face caused him to smile wryly and almost reply, 'Dad, I'm not sure if joining an army camp can make someone thinner, but I'm sure I should be the one worrying for you. You've gotten so thin you're practically just half of your previous self. What the hell happened?'
It was the other man who had changed drastically... from a burly tone-bodied farmer to a bald, frail and deathly pale-skinned middle-aged man. It was quite shocking especially since the changes happened only in less than two months.
When Jiang Li first saw this father, the only problem had been the dark sunken circles around his eyes. But now... To be honest, it was an unbearable and heart-wrenching sight to look at. One time, Feng Ru even told him that the aura of death surrounding the man was so heavy, so much that it was a wonder how he could still hold on and reject King Yama's calling.
'In the past life, He Song probably did not make it.' He pursed his lips in sympathy. 'It's understandable why the severely broken-hearted He Chen sealed off all his memories of him and started hating hospitals...'
"Hey, stinky boy, I asked you a question. What's wrong with the company or band you joined? Why am I suspecting that they are starving you or overworking you to death?!"
Jiang Li shook his head and laughed, "Dad, don't worry about me. No one dares to starve me. The people from my company are taking good care of me. After all, I'm quite successful now, a cash cow, per se. My band Pesticide has just sold half a million copies of our first album and as we talk, my team leader is proposing to our CEO to let us have a nationwide tour. I'm sure if that is approved, your son will earn big, more than winning the lottery."
He Song looked at him quietly from the confines of his sickbed. A couple of seconds later, he turned to Mother He who was at the side sorting and arranging the fruits He Chen brought.
"Hey, my dear, come here. I think our son is being so boastful now and is need of a spanking. What half a million albums and a nationwide tour? Are we living in a fantasy? Also, which sane person would listen to a song sung by such a weird band? Hey, are you the one who named it?" The last question was asked to the younger man.
"Dad, it's not me." He answered with an awkward laugh, wondering if he should be glad that even though He Song's body had become frailer, his mouth was at least as loud as ever. "I swear, my brain's working perfectly too fine to think of such a sickening band name."
"Not you?" Jiang Li felt a bad premonition when he made out disappointment and anger from He Song's voice. "You're such a disappointment then! How dare you say the term pesticide is sickening? Brat! I thought you're finally at least showing appreciation to your Dad's craft! But no, you're still as stinky as ever! Come, have a taste of my beating!"
"Old He, don't overexert yourself!"
Mother He rushed to stop the man whose hands reached out to give his son's head a taste of his fist. Jiang Li took a stepped back to avoid the kick the old man threw at him. He then looked up and sighed.
'Am I the only one finding everything here suddenly turning so hard to follow?'
'So weird and hard to communicate with... No wonder when compared to him, I feel like I am actually never insane...'
'Well, thankfully despite being like this, he is still a good man.'
He remembered, this Dad, He Song, was a simple and honest fellow who worked himself so much in order to feed his family and send both his sons to school. Quite the admirable one actually, primarily because instead of feeling inferior for being a mere farmer, the person was very proud of it and often said that his eldest son was a disappointment for not following after his footsteps.
'... No matter what his quirks and oddities are, I hope he makes it this time... I want to believe a miracle can happen.' Thinking of this, he bid them goodbye, using his rehearsals with the band as the excuse.
"Escaping from me again? Have you no shame, you brat?! I'm such a weak man and you don't dare accept my punch! Bah!"
Behind him, He Song seemed as spirited as ever based on his impassioned yells. It was because of this that Jiang Li didn't dare to go back and stay.
...
'She's here again...'
Jiang Li's face showed hopelessness after seeing a beautiful trouble emerging from the corridor ahead. This girl wearing a peach knee-length dress was a rare sight in a place like this so she easily drew people's attention to her, especially since there was a happy grin on her lips, making her exceptionally captivating.
In a voice akin to a refreshing spring breeze, Na Yu called out, "Brother He."
He turned his head at her who started walking side by side with him towards the exit of the center. His voice was laced with awe as he laughed and said, "I'm wearing a cap and a face-mask but you can still recognize me. Miss, you're making me sigh in defeat..."