The old man was in poor health and passed away before he graduated from high school. 　　Later, every time they drank together late at night, Gou Yiyang said that the thing he regretted most in his life was that he didn't spend more time with his grandmother when she was still alive, and he always complained that she was nagging. 　　Chen Mo immediately said, "There's no need for you to come along." 　　Although he knew it sounded strange, he insisted on saying it anyway, "Spend more time with the elderly during holidays; they might be a bit long-winded as they get older." After a moment's hesitation, he added, "Don't be so impatient." 　　As soon as I finished speaking, I could feel two pairs of eyes scanning over me. 　　Chen Mo remained unfazed. 　　Gou Yiyang paused for a moment before saying, "I know. Thanks...brother." 　　After saying that, he turned around and patted Xi Siyan's arm: "Class monitor, the important task of caring for our classmates is entrusted to you. Call me if you need anything." 　　"Um." 　　Ten minutes later. 　　The understated Maybach cruised through the brightly lit night market. 　　The car windows were tightly closed, and the interior was a quiet, self-contained space. 　　Chen Mo sat in the back seat, leaning back with his arm raised over his eyes. The other person sitting next to him remained silent, as if he didn't exist. 　　Chen Mo quickly said, "Find a place to drop me off by the roadside." 　　The gazes from the side felt almost tangible, and Chen Mo heard him ask, "And then?" 　　"Then I'll take a taxi myself, anything is fine." 　　The other person seemed puzzled, "Is all this going on for you really necessary?" 　　"Unnecessary?" Chen Mo lowered his arm and looked over, the arm pressing his eyelids into wrinkles, making his fatigue even more pronounced. But his words were direct enough, "There's no one else here. Gou Yiyang is just being dense to call you here. Seeing that the person you're helping is me, does the squad leader really think he can be happy to help?" 　　Xi Siyan laughed in anger. 　　It's obvious. 　　The man's smile was anything but gentle; instead, it exuded an oppressive aura. "You think I was acting just now?" 　　Chen Mo raised an eyebrow: "Isn't that right?" 　　"Chen Mo." Xi Siyan called his name, his tone growing colder. "I do not like to meddle in other people's business, but if I do, I don't like to be criticized. Especially when it's an excuse like the Yang brothers fighting each other. If you're not satisfied, you can fight for it with your own abilities." 　　Chen Mo laughed. 　　"Who are you going to compete with? Your childhood sweetheart?" Seeing the veins throbbing on Xi Siyan's forehead, Chen Moyou wasn't satisfied. She moved closer to him, and said, word by word, "He's not worthy?" 　　Before the other party could react, Chen Mo turned around and leaned back. 　　He smirked, "Still competing with the rest of the Yang family? They're too busy." 　　Xi Siyan ultimately did not throw him out of the car. 　　The car drove all the way to the hospital entrance. 　　Chen Mo stood by the roadside, watching the car disappear at the street corner, before turning and heading into the hospital. 　　On the other side, inside the car that had just turned the corner. 　　Driver Lao Lin glanced at the rearview mirror and carefully said, "Siyan, are you really leaving like this? I think that child seems quite ill." 　　Xi Siyan: "With such a sharp tongue, should I help him?" 　　“I don’t think he was targeting you,” Uncle Lin said, trying to smooth things over. “Ultimately, it was the Yang couple who went too far. They didn’t have to treat everyone equally, but at least they shouldn’t have been so biased. Even when they’re so sick, they’re still only thinking about…” 　　Old Lin had been with the Xi family for many years and naturally knew Yang Shule, but he didn't say his name out loud. 　　After all, it's not his place to criticize. 　　Old Lin continued, "Anyone would be upset about this. Although it's not entirely Shule's fault that the baby was switched at birth, you two grew up together, so I understand that you should take his side. But I still feel that we shouldn't be too biased in this matter." 　　Regarding the mix-up, Xi Siyan remained noncommittal. 　　He simply said, "Uncle Lin, when did you start believing rumors from the outside world?" 　　"Isn't that right?" Uncle Lin laughed. "You've always been one to side with your relatives and never with what's right. When have you ever reasoned with anyone?" 　　The car was quiet for a while. 　　"Find someone to put in a good word with the hospital." 　　"Don't die from this illness." 　　Chapter 4 　　Chen Mo successfully registered at the emergency room. The doctor who saw him was overly meticulous, asking about every single symptom. It wasn't until he started the IV drip that more than half an hour passed. 　　Four whole bottles of water were hung up, and by the time they were finished, the sky outside was already beginning to lighten. 　　Chen Mo was woken up by the nurse during his brief sleep. The moment he saw the calendar on the wall, he still felt as if his heart had suddenly stopped. 　　The body heat receded like the tide, and the symptoms of soreness and weakness in the limbs also lessened. 　　As the pain recedes, you can feel the vibrant life force of your youthful body gradually returning. 　　It was mid-September, and the early morning breeze was slightly cool. Sunlight shone on the rooftops of city skyscrapers, the clouds dispersed, and sanitation workers were sweeping fallen leaves along the roadside in front of the hospital, their rustling sounds drowned out by the honking of city traffic. 　　Everything remains the same, yet it is completely different from yesterday. 　　After eating breakfast, Chen Mo hailed a taxi. 　　The driver asked, "Where to?" 　　"Mingjing Bay". 　　"Oh, that's more than ten kilometers." The driver started the meter, glanced back at him, and said with a smile, "Just came from the hospital at this hour? Sick?" 　　Chen Mo: "I have a cold." 　　"The temperature difference between day and night has been significant these past two days, making it easy to catch a cold." The driver was a rather friendly middle-aged man , and he asked, "Are you still in school at your age? Were you sick and no one from your family was with you?" 　　Chen Mo smiled and said, "At my age, I'm way past the age where I would look for my parents when I'm sick." 　　“That’s not right.” The driver showed him a family photo pasted on the car, his tone bittersweet but filled with pride. “My daughter is about your age, and her grades are pretty good. She’ll be taking the college entrance exam next year. Her mother quit her job to take care of her and stay with her, and she still complains. But there’s nothing I can do. I’m out here every day, running around to make a living, you know? There’s no other way.” 　　Chen Mo glanced at the photo and said, "Then your daughter is very lucky." 　　“What’s so lucky about her? Her family’s circumstances are just average, and she’ll have to rely on herself in the future.” He glanced at him in the rearview mirror and said, “Young man, if you can live in a place like Mingjing Bay, your parents must be very busy with work, otherwise, how could they not worry about their child?”

Chapter 8