Chapter 78: Extra – IF Route – Back to Xia Wansheng’s High School Days – Part 2
Xia Wansheng calmed himself down, reminding himself that this person’s brain was clearly not functioning properly, there was no point in arguing with him.
But they couldn’t just walk out of the infirmary hand-in-hand. Just yesterday, they were practically enemies, with Yu Congyan declaring he would never look at him again. Now, after a night of unexplained absence, they were acting intimately, even risking being labeled a “couple” by the disciplinary head.
His carefully maintained peaceful school life would be ruined.
“The school rules clearly prohibit romantic relationships, we’ll be caught and penalized.” Seeing that force wouldn’t work, Xia Wansheng tried to reason with him.
Finally, after being reminded of potential consequences, Yu Congyan obediently followed him to request a leave of absence to go to the hospital.
But they encountered another problem.
In the office, Xia Wansheng said, “Teacher, my roommate isn’t feeling well, we need to go to the hospital, could you please give us a leave slip?”
The homeroom teacher, with 20 years of experience, looked at the seemingly healthy and energetic Yu Congyan, then at Xia Wansheng, who had just returned from the infirmary yesterday, and imagined a tragic scenario of a student being bullied and forced to seek outside help.
She was about to approve the leave slip, but considering their safety, she hesitated.
“Wansheng, you know, this is a crucial period for your studies, I can’t guarantee your safety outside school,” she said, implying disapproval,
“How about I take this student to the hospital after my class this afternoon?”
That way, she could educate these disruptive students who prioritized causing trouble over their studies.
“Teacher, my roommate isn’t feeling well, it’s better if I take him to the hospital now.” Xia Wansheng gave Yu Congyan a look, signaling him to act the part.
He couldn’t let the homeroom teacher and Yu Congyan be alone. This guy, on their way here, had already become convinced they were in a relationship, ignoring all his attempts to remind him they were high school seniors and couldn’t date.
He had even fabricated a detailed story of how they met and fell in love in his dream. If Xia Wansheng wasn’t involved, he would have believed it.
Yu Congyan, receiving the signal, immediately clutched his head and started his performance. The homeroom teacher, seeing their insistence, and with the bell having rung twice, finally relented and approved their leave.
They finally managed to leave.
The hospital was still a long way away, and as poor high school students, they naturally had to walk.
Xia Wansheng also wanted to see if Yu Congyan’s “amnesia” was an act. As a notorious school bully, he must be recognizable outside.
But as they walked, he noticed Yu Congyan seemed unfamiliar with everything, as if he had no memory of this street he supposedly passed by every day.
If this was an act, it was incredibly convincing.
Xia Wansheng even saw a hint of the CEO’s aloofness in him and quickly shook his head to dispel this strange thought.
They finally reached the hospital after a long walk. The doctor, after listening to Yu Congyan’s situation and observing them for a while, finally asked, maintaining his professionalism:
“You’re saying, you haven’t experienced any trauma, just woke up one day and found yourself back in the past?” The doctor recorded his symptoms, suspecting they were messing with him.
After all, Yu Congyan’s physical examination was normal, his understanding of his current life clear, with no memory gaps.
“Perhaps you experienced some kind of psychological trigger, go home and rest, if your condition doesn’t improve in a few days, come back and see me.”
The doctor had never encountered such a strange case before, and some test results wouldn’t be available until tomorrow.
Yu Congyan didn’t seem bothered, as long as he could spend time with Xia Wansheng, it was fine.
Xia Wansheng, however, wondered if he was being too naive, unable to recognize this new type of pick-up tactic.
“Since everything’s normal, you should go back to school, I’ll be back soon.” He handed the medical slip to Yu Congyan, even pointing him in the direction of the school, worried he would get lost.
He had done his part, even if Yu Congyan didn’t remember anything, it didn’t change the fact that he had been targeted before.
“It’s not that simple,” Yu Congyan said, “If you leave me now, I’ll definitely get lost.”
He didn’t know when this dream would end, he might trigger some strange event somewhere.
Xia Wansheng turned to leave, Yu Congyan following closely behind. They looked like a bickering couple, arguing over some minor issue, when in reality, it was just a matter of who would give in first.
Xia Wansheng, realizing his plan had backfired, couldn’t just abandon him, he was troubled.
And looking at his watch, it was already late, the real reason for leaving school.
He had heard some disturbing rumors a few days ago, thinking the orphanage director’s condition might have worsened, so he had been wanting to visit her.
He hadn’t expected to bring someone along.
Seeing he couldn’t get rid of Yu Congyan, Xia Wansheng gritted his teeth, “Then come with me.”
Yu Congyan would probably be scared off after seeing this place.
He led him through winding alleys to the dilapidated apartment buildings near the hospital.
Hospital beds were too expensive. The director’s leukemia had dragged on for years, relapsing repeatedly, draining her meager savings and the kindness of those around her. She was just barely surviving now, taking it one day at a time.
Everyone knew what awaited them, but no one dared to say it.
Xia Wansheng walked in familiarly, then turned to Yu Congyan, who seemed unfamiliar with this place, “Turn right, take bus number 24 to the last stop, that’s the school.”
He then walked ahead, not expecting Yu Congyan to follow.
He considered this a fair exchange for the earlier incident, using the opportunity of taking Yu Congyan to the hospital to visit the director.
But his companion’s thought process was even stranger now. He wasn’t upset about being used and even followed him, Xia Wansheng thought, he’s not afraid of being sold, is he?
The director’s condition seemed stable, she was even able to sit outside and enjoy the sun.
Seeing Xia Wansheng, she instinctively asked about his well-being, “Shouldn’t you be in class? What are you doing here?”
Xia Wansheng explained that the school had given them a day off, “My classmate heard about your situation and wanted to visit you with me.”
He was about to help her with some chores when the director quickly said there was no need, but in the end, she couldn’t refuse his insistence and went to rest.
Then she started chatting with Yu Congyan, who seemed unfamiliar with the place.
“You two are in the same class, right?” She asked kindly.
Yu Congyan nodded, adding, “We’re roommates.”
He conveniently omitted the part about his lackeys attacking Xia Wansheng.
He should have beaten them harder.
Hearing they were close, the director’s face lit up, a smile appearing on her lips, “That’s good, remember to look after Wansheng, I can’t help him much with my condition, I’m relying on you now.”
Although she only knew these children during their early years, she tried to provide them with some sense of familial love.
This was why many, even after leaving the orphanage, still visited her during holidays.
Unfortunately, her condition was deteriorating, despite her efforts, she knew she didn’t have much time left.
She turned to look at Xia Wansheng, who was making her bed, too occupied to join their conversation.
She gestured for Yu Congyan to come closer, her tone turning mysterious.
“What’s your relationship?” Her expression remained unchanged, but her eyes seemed to pierce through him,
“I watched Wansheng grow up, I can tell when he’s hiding something, are you two keeping something from me?”
Although her health was failing, her years of experience at the orphanage had taught her to read the subtle emotions in people’s eyes.
Yu Congyan naturally wouldn’t reveal everything, but seeing this director was clearly an important person to Xia Wansheng, he decided to be honest, briefly explaining their future life together.
“Although it might sound strange now, you can rest assured, we’ll take care of each other.” He said.
They would be bound by fate, staying together through thick and thin.
Perhaps, many years later, they would even reach the end of their journey together.
“I see… that’s good, I’m relieved.” The director carefully observed him, trying to discern the sincerity in his words.
“This child is very guarded, you’ll have to be patient with him.” She finally nodded.
She remembered Xia Wansheng as a child, his understanding of the world still hazy, just knowing he was different from the other children, his perception of family and parents skewed.
As he grew older and understood his situation, he never complained, just focused on planning his future.
There wasn’t much a student could do, just study hard and save money. He started working part-time recently, his meager savings constantly drained by his family.
“He’s a good kid,” Yu Congyan said seriously, “Being guarded isn’t a bad thing.”
Xia Wansheng emerged from the room and, seeing the director’s contemplative expression, assumed they had been discussing something unpleasant, he hesitated to ask.
“You should visit less often, focus on your studies, I have caregivers here, don’t worry.” The director gently patted his head.
Just like when she first met him, the soft touch on the young boy’s head.
She didn’t have much time left, this might be their last meeting.
The touch was fleeting. Before Xia Wansheng could react, she was already urging them to go back to school, “Hurry back to class, I’m fine, remember to take care of yourself, call me if you need anything.”
Overwhelmed by her words, Xia Wansheng could only nod reluctantly, pulling Yu Congyan away with him.
He was relieved after seeing her, his worries eased.
