CHAPTER 303: CHAPTER 293 CHERISH

"That’s not the same at all!" Su Rongyu exploded immediately, "Everyone has their limits! My second brother is an adopted son of the Su family, but in the end, he’s still a person, an independent individual! He can’t lose himself just to repay a debt!"

After he said this, he smacked his lips, "But, I never used to see him as himself. He was just a puppet in my mom’s hands; she could toss him around as she pleased. He used to live unhappily. It was this year—no, last year—that I discovered he changed. His entire mental outlook began to relax, and he started to assert himself with my mom. This is all because of you. Sis, could you stop being mad at him, please? If you’re really that upset, why not have someone beat him up? It’s okay to break an arm or leg! Vent your anger and then forgive him?"

Tu Hengsha shot him a glance, "I don’t commit illegal acts!"

"He wouldn’t dare report you!" Su Rongyu emphasized, "As long as you’re willing to forgive him, what’s a broken arm or missing leg? Ask him if he’s willing! He’d gladly bring himself over for you to beat up!"

"Enough." She gestured to get out of the car, "Hurry back, you don’t need to worry about your second brother’s affairs."

"I am worried! Sis, I’m about to leave! I was the one talking nonsense and causing you both trouble; if you don’t make up before I leave, I’ll feel guilty and won’t leave in peace." Su Rongyu hurriedly stopped her from exiting the car.

Tu Hengsha was stunned, "Leave? Where are you going?"

A deep sadness swept across Su Rongyu’s face, "I’m going to Aid Africa."

"Aid Africa?" Tu Hengsha was extremely surprised, "What are you going to do in Africa?"

"Are you looking down on me just like the others?" Su Rongyu misunderstood her intention, "I studied engineering, going to Africa will surely let me accomplish something!"

"No, that’s not what I mean. Why did you suddenly decide to go on Aid Africa? Especially with your family situation right now." Mentioning his family situation, Tu Hengsha still felt slightly awkward. She was not in the wrong, but sitting so calmly with the Su Family was somewhat odd.

Su Rongyu’s eyes turned gloomy, "Everyone thinks I’m a good-for-nothing who does nothing but eat, drink, and have fun. But what should I have been capable of? My dad is so competent, and my eldest brother is so outstanding. I’m the youngest in the family, everyone spoiled me, and never had any demands for me. I just grew up muddle-headed like this! My biggest worry as a kid was my brother hitting me, but it was just another way to express feelings between brothers. I didn’t want to grow up to be a waste either, but I’m really uninterested in the company business; I can’t do it, and I can’t bring myself to do it. In college, I randomly picked a major and didn’t study hard, hung out with friends both locally and abroad, made a bunch of friends my dad calls riff-raff, both Chinese and foreign. When we were in Africa, we were all shocked that such backward poverty still exists. Influenced by classmates from abroad, I did what I could manage, but what could someone like me do? Money, that’s it! So I thought, once I graduate, I’ll go on Aid Africa, but my family disagrees. My dad was furious, but when I told Yueyue about my thoughts, she was the only one who supported me."

It wasn’t really support though, at the time Fan Yue looked at him with a disdainful gaze, "I never thought you, a waste, would have such a non-waste idea."

Yes, in Fan Yue’s eyes, he was always a waste. Fan Yue only ever had harsh words for him, but this time, she gave him what was not really a compliment, and he was overjoyed.

He didn’t know why he liked Fan Yue. They met because she was a paparazzi and he just happened to be with celebrity friends. He didn’t care about the gossip she captured but found her hilarious and adorable when she ran panicked and hit a tree while trying to hide after a whole night of stalking, like a rabbit. He wanted to tease her more.

After some encounters, they became familiar, and he even intentionally collided with her car...

Why wouldn’t she pay him any attention?

Later, he found out she was married.

He felt quite disappointed for a while, but eventually, he came to terms with it. If she was married, they could just be friends! He continued to approach her cheerfully despite her being mean every time, but he had become used to her standard treatment toward him.

Later, she had issues with Cui Pei, so he often talked to her about Africa, about the poverty and backwardness there, and also about the natural scenery, about how when he and his friends slept in the off-road vehicle, lions would press their faces against the window.

He knew she wasn’t happy, but still, when he talked about these things, her eyes would shine, and she’d say, "It sounds interesting. The Sahara is also in Africa."

"Yes!" he said at the time, "If you like it, we can go together!" He noticed Fan Yue’s face change immediately and realized he had blundered, quickly adding, "Or I could go first, and once I settle in, you can come visit. I can take you to see the lions, and we can watch the stars in the Sahara, ride camels. There was even something about—the sand in the Sahara being formed from missing someone?"

That earned him another disdainful side-eye, but she told him, "Sanmao said, ’Every time I think of you, a grain of sand falls from the sky, forming the Sahara. Read more if you can, don’t you find it honorable to be a layabout?"

He giggled foolishly. As a guy, these literary expressions never stuck with him, but back then, this phrase moved him, "Look, it’s so beautiful. Can I take you there?"

At that time, she was indifferent, only saying, "Let’s talk about it later."

"Later" meant in the future, didn’t it? He was overjoyed, but who knew things would turn out this way...

Later was the future. Later was time. Later would always come, changing for no one, only there would never be a later for him and Fan Yue again...

Yet, he would still go to Aid Africa, to not be a waste, to do what he wanted, to become someone she liked who had pursuits. Also, he’d see the lions for her, ride camels in the Sahara, count the stars.

Every time I think of you, a grain of sand falls from the sky, forming the Sahara.

Lately, he frequently thought of this phrase and how the girl recited it. He would never forget this sentence in his life...

Lost in memories, silent, he didn’t notice until he came back to the present that the person beside him had left the car.

Tu Hengsha didn’t realize how deeply immersed Su Rongyu was, not even noticing when she got off. Getting ready for bed, she habitually checked her phone one last time and noticed Su Rongyu had sent her a message, "Sis, I still say, if you truly love someone, cherish the days they are by your side. None of you know what a despairing experience it is to lose someone. I hope you never have to experience it."

She naturally understood Su Rongyu’s heart. She lost her best friend, and Su Rongyu lost his love, forever beyond reach.