CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: SHI YANG DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL (PART 2)

That evening, Zhao Dazhuang sat next to Director Shi, while Liu Xiue sat with Shi Yang’s mother, and Zhao Meimei squeezed in with Shi Yang.

During the meal, Shi Yang rarely indulged and didn’t dare to eat much; he’d just taste a dish to try it and then stop, turning to assist Zhao Meimei with her meal.

Director Shi raised his glass to Zhao Dazhuang: "All these years, I’ve been indebted to you and your wife for looking after Yangyang and his mother. I’ve kept all of this in my heart, and I’m truly grateful. Look, I’m a few years older than you, so from now on, just call me Brother instead of Director Shi; it sounds too formal."

Zhao Dazhuang, being a sentimental person, was deeply moved by Director Shi’s words. Holding his glass warmly, he alternated between taking bites and sips, drinking heartily.

With someone of Director Shi’s status, social drinking couldn’t be avoided. He had some capacity, but overwhelmed by genuine emotion today, by the end of the meal, both were a bit tipsy.

Zhao Dazhuang and Director Shi hugged each other and uttered quite a few nonsensical things.

Zhao Dazhuang, being a chubby man with a beer belly, had his face flushed from drinking, feeling overheated, he directly lifted his short-sleeved shirt, exposing his belly.

Director Shi, usually well-groomed and dignified, had his shirt collar pulled open. At first, while slightly drunk, he was mindful of his appearance, but as he drank more, he became warmer, breaking into a sweat, and eventually unclasped his shirt buttons, leaving it open.

Director Shi was grateful to Zhao Dazhuang’s family of three for sincerely taking care of Shi Yang and his mother, acknowledging the hardship they endured. No need to speak of distant events, just this recent hospitalization showed that they were truly kind-hearted people.

Zhao Dazhuang, on the other hand, was mindful of the enrollment spot Zhao Meimei received for primary school. Without Director Shi’s help, he would have run himself ragged, and yet it might not have worked out. Whether Zhao Meimei could attend a good primary school greatly impacted her future; it was a major life event.

Director Shi embraced Zhao Dazhuang, speaking from his heart: "Old friend, from now on, let’s treat both our families as one. If you face any difficulties at home that I can help with, please don’t hesitate to ask. Don’t treat me as an outsider."

Zhao Dazhuang patted Director Shi’s back: "Big Brother, rest assured, your wife and Yangyang are entrusted to us. We’ll take care of them. My Meimei has been close to her Brother Yangyang since she was little. My wife and I have always regarded him as our own child, and we like him very much, so please, don’t be courteous with us."

Director Shi was genuinely a bit drunk that day, with red-rimmed eyes and words tinged with liquor: "Back then, I really messed up! I wanted to act noble even after being disgraceful! Yangyang is my own son, and Xu Jing is my wife, the mother of my child. I kept worrying about that rubbish conscience, and now the child isn’t close to me, and my wife acts like a stranger. I truly regret my actions!"

As soon as Director Shi finished speaking, the entire table fell silent; no one expected him to reveal such things.

Xu Jing’s eyes turned slightly red, reaching out to grab a tissue and gently pressing it to her eyes.

Zhao Meimei was busy eating the prawns her Brother Yangyang had peeled, suddenly sensing the atmosphere was off. She lifted her head in confusion, looked around, and turned to whisper to Shi Yang, only to find Shi Yang sitting bolt upright. His fingertips holding the chopsticks were slightly pale from exertion, and he pressed his lips tightly together, seemingly suppressing something intensely.

Zhao Meimei was adept at reading people’s expressions, knowing it wasn’t the time to interrupt carelessly. With a mouthful of shrimp, she chewed noisily, and under the table, her chubby little hand quietly grasped Shi Yang’s left hand resting on his leg. She was surprised to find it clenched into a fist, trembling slightly.

Zhao Meimei gently rubbed the back of Shi Yang’s hand, and Shi Yang turned to look at her.

At this moment, Shi Yang’s eyes were astonished and shaken, with emotions surging inside, yet he outwardly maintained a calm appearance. As he looked at Zhao Meimei, and she grinned at him with an innocent, charming smile, the knot in Shi Yang’s heart suddenly loosened, his gaze landing on the two hands stacked one over the other, gradually calming his overexcited heart.

That evening, Director Shi personally helped Zhao Meimei’s family get a taxi and sent them off. Shi Yang and his mother stayed, waiting for Director Shi to arrange for a driver to come and drive the car away.

After entering the house, Zhao Dazhuang was still acting drunk, singing loudly all over the place, making Zhao Meimei laugh until she bent over. Liu Xiue, helpless, poked Zhao Dazhuang’s head, ultimately unable to resist joining in the laughter with a chuckle.

After Shi Yang recovered, he returned to school, but having missed over a month of coursework, catching up was challenging. Director Shi arranged with Shi Yang’s class teacher to allow him to study at the teacher’s home and help him catch up on the curriculum.

Because of this, Zhao Meimei couldn’t even see Shi Yang on weekends.

Liu Xiue, whenever she brought snacks or fruits for Zhao Meimei, never forgot to bring a share for Xu Xu as well. Being kind-hearted, when she heard Zhao Meimei describe Xu Xu, she figured his family’s financial situation might not be great.

On Thursday evening, Liu Xiue proactively asked Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, didn’t you promise to invite Xu Xu over to play? The weekend is almost here; tomorrow at school, ask Xu Xu when he can come over, so I can prepare in advance."

Zhao Meimei had almost forgotten about it but remembered when her mom mentioned it, "Okay, I’ll ask him tomorrow."

When Xu Xu heard Zhao Meimei really invited him over, he was so touched his eyes reddened a bit. His large, glossy black eyes fixated on Zhao Meimei, replying incoherently, "I can come any day, tomorrow? Or maybe the day after tomorrow?"

Zhao Meimei thought for a moment, "Then come over to my place on Saturday; you’ll still have Sunday to go home and do homework."

Zhao Meimei was used to doing homework on Sundays, so she assumed others did the same.

Xu Xu agreed without hesitation, "Alright."

Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu arranged a meeting time and place, setting it for Saturday morning at nine o’clock at the school’s entrance.

Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang often heard Zhao Meimei talking about Xu Xu, but today was the first time they met him in person.

Xu Xu’s mother, knowing he was visiting a classmate’s home, specially changed him into clean clothes and packed a small bag of home-fried soybeans.

Xu Xu accompanied Zhao Meimei to Liu Xiue’s grocery store to report in, hurriedly greeting Zhao Meimei’s parents politely, "Hello, Uncle and Auntie, my name is Xu Xu."

Xu Xu had a lovely appearance, with thick brows, big eyes, and a bright smile. After greeting, he shyly lowered his eyes, eyelashes casting shadows on his fair face, resembling a doll displayed in a cabinet.

Born with a particularly endearing look, Xu Xu was liked by all his teachers at school, who always treated him kindly.

Liu Xiue was evidently charmed by his appearance, warmly stepping forward, holding Xu Xu’s hand, and examining him carefully, finding him increasingly delightful. The child was indeed too pretty and cute.

With kind eyes, Liu Xiue invited, "My Meimei often talks about you at home. Come, I’ll take you and Meimei back home to play. I’ll make braised pig trotters for lunch, how about that?"

Xu Xu, hearing about the pig trotters, lifted his head in surprise, his big eyes blinking, a bit excited, "Really?"

Liu Xiue’s heart softened immediately, turning back to instruct Zhao Dazhuang to watch the store. Before leaving, she casually grabbed a few popular snacks from the shelves, giving each child a sandwich ice cream, the most expensive item in her store. Usually, she wouldn’t even let Zhao Meimei have it unless Shi Yang was around.

Xu Xu politely thanked her for the ice cream and, before leaving, remembered to bid Zhao Dazhuang farewell. Zhao Dazhuang, who also liked Xu Xu, cheerfully advised, "Feel at home here, play however you want!"

Xu Xu was genuinely happy, his face radiant with a smile, "Thank you, Uncle."

Zhao Dazhuang waved his hand, thinking Xu Xu was a really nice kid—polite, well-behaved, and seemingly worry-free. Then he turned to look at Zhao Meimei, who was bouncing alongside Xu Xu, full of energy, and he couldn’t help but switch to a mode of admiring other people’s children. Tsk tsk, look at other people’s kids, how are they raised...