CHAPTER 159: 155 WERE KILLED, HE

Zhao Chun held an envelope in his hand, containing some money. The song had been sold—even though the earnings weren’t much, it was still an accomplishment. Moreover, recent flooding in neighboring provinces had made headlines, and the song had been approved to play in disaster-stricken areas, though only through the radio. It would also be broadcast nationwide on the airwaves.

As for the singer they had invited, they were even asked to perform voluntarily at a military base, to give people a taste of hope after despair.

Despite it being an incredibly scorching afternoon—the kind that makes you never want to step out—Zhao Chun decided he had to rush to the post office to send the money, especially thinking about Tian Sangsang’s difficult circumstances at home.

His white shirt was already dotted with beads of sweat. Zhao Chun felt that if someone were to sprinkle a bit of green onion and mustard on him right now, he could be served straight out of the kitchen.

"Damn it. This heat is brutal. For you, Tian Sangsang, I’m braving it out here. Please, don’t you ever forget me, alright?" Zhao Chun murmured to himself, his handsome face tinged with red under his fair complexion.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a small convenience store not far away and instinctively changed direction. Oh well, best to buy a soda first.

Just as he was about to step forward, his elbow collided with someone, and the envelope in his hand fell to the ground with a thud.

"Sorry about that, comrade. You dropped your belongings."

The voice of the man who had bumped into him was somewhat hoarse. He wore a hat and had a burly frame, dressed in a thin jacket despite the midsummer heat, and he bent over to pick up the fallen envelope.

Although Zhao Chun couldn’t see his face, the man’s attitude seemed polite enough, leaving Zhao Chun no outlet for anger. He responded, "It’s fine. Just watch where you’re walking next time."

The man straightened up and handed the envelope back to him. The two now stood face-to-face, less than an inch apart.

Zhao Chun reached out to take it and hurried toward the convenience store. Before he could react, the man’s hand suddenly produced a shining dagger, which plunged straight into Zhao Chun’s abdomen.

Once, twice... The dagger penetrated his body, scraping against flesh, sending shockwaves of pain rippling through him.

His vision started to blur, and the heavy scent of blood spread thick in the air. Zhao Chun struggled to blink. The man tilted his head slightly, a vicious smirk on his face.

"It’s you..."

The man tucked the bloodstained dagger into his oversized jacket. Everything had been planned; he looked entirely at ease, betraying no hint of suspicion. Naturally, he hopped on a nearby bicycle and rode off without a care.

The street was quiet, with only a few passersby and an occasional vehicle parked along the roadside.

Clutching his stomach in pain, Zhao Chun abruptly collapsed onto the ground. Blood spread slowly out from his body.

Maybe, in a while, someone would notice him lying there. But by then, would he still be alive?

Damn it. The money—gone. That damn bastard took it. And that money was supposed to be for Tian Sangsang.

...

"Mom, why hasn’t Chun Zisu written to us at all?" Almost half a month had passed since Zhao Chun last sent a letter.

"Your Chun Zisu probably has a lot going on. He’s in university now, must be very busy," Tian Sangsang replied while stroking Meng Shuyan’s hair, a faint, weary smile at her lips.

"Oh." Meng Shuyan lowered his head in disappointment but added considerately, "Chun Zisu should focus on his studies. I need to study hard too."

"Mm." Tian Sangsang nodded, her gaze dropping quietly. Someone who had always maintained frequent contact had suddenly gone silent—how could she claim it didn’t hurt? That would be a lie. Zhao Chun was quite a decent person, despite being a bit dense at times, and loyal to his friends. She couldn’t bring herself to tell her son that there’s no such thing as everlasting gatherings—that all relationships require upkeep, or they inevitably fade away one day.

Perhaps, they had already reached the day when their relationship with Zhao Chun faded out.

But Zhao Chun didn’t seem like the kind of person to simply disappear. He had mentioned selling his song—had that not come to fruition yet?

Tian Sangsang sighed. It was only one song, after all; she didn’t particularly care about that. What mattered was Zhao Chun... She only hoped he was doing well.

Sometimes, when she thought about it, she realized that even if they were worlds apart, as long as everyone was safe and sound, it would already be wonderful, wouldn’t it? Leading such a life was, in fact, something precious. There was no need to ask for more—this world was never perfect anyway. So that heartfelt wish? It was nothing more than, "May we live long, even if separated by thousands of miles, under the same bright moon."

...

Troubled times spared no one.

Meng Shuyan was feeling deeply depressed. Chun Zisu hadn’t sent him a letter lately, and his mood dragged even Little Milk Tea down to a lifeless state. At such a moment, there wasn’t anyone to comfort him, because everyone else was also drowning in their own gloom. Meng Shuyan glanced at Tian Sangsang. His mother had long been carrying a frosty expression, busily distracting herself with tasks every day, and eating without appetite. Aunt Ying was no different, always frowning worryingly.

"Ying, how’s it going? What did they say?" Tian Sangsang quickly approached Chen Ying, who had just come back inside, with concern.

Chen Ying pulled a chair closer and sat down, a bitter expression on her face. "The factory wants us to pay compensation. Boss Lin initially said it wasn’t my brother’s fault, and that he’d cover the costs; but today Boss Lin suddenly changed his mind and demanded my brother pay up."

To say Chen Ming had bad luck would be an understatement. Last time, on a trip to deliver fabric for another factory, his truck was hit by a car on the road. The driver fled after the collision and hasn’t been caught. Although Chen Ming escaped with minor injuries, his truck overturned. He’s still recovering from a small fracture at the hospital. The factory he was delivering to suffered business losses due to the delay in fabric supplies, and now they want Boss Lin to pay a thousand yuan in compensation. After negotiations, the amount had been lowered to eight hundred yuan. Eight hundred yuan isn’t a small sum, and Chen Ying’s family wasn’t willing to cover it; they were only willing to pay for the lost fabric. The losses the other factory suffered? Those should be sorted out between the two factories—it had nothing to do with Chen Ming, who was only a delivery driver.

But who was Boss Lin? A businessman, of course. The village chief had no way to talk him down. Just when a plan to pull some strings was forming, it turned out Boss Lin also had connections in high places, through none other than Yao Fangfang’s parents, who held city jobs.

"So what’s your plan?" Tian Sangsang mused. They couldn’t find the driver responsible, so ultimately, this was just a matter of paying compensation. Yet the real question remained—who would foot the bill?

"My father said he doesn’t want to trouble my uncle-in-law. It’s our family problem; we’ll handle it ourselves. He’s thinking of splitting the cost with Boss Lin. Boss Lin doesn’t agree." Chen Ying looked on the verge of tears. "My brother—how did he end up with such rotten luck? It’s all because of Yao Fangfang! She’s just so shameless!"

"What does this have to do with Yao Fangfang again?"

Chen Ying ground her teeth. "Boss Lin proposed a suggestion: his factory will cover the compensation, but only if my brother marries Yao Fangfang."

This was practically coercion. The other side wasn’t holding back at all. Tian Sangsang’s brows furrowed deeply. "Eight hundred yuan—if we scrounge a little here and there, we should be able to pull it together. Worst case, I have some savings too. But marriage is a lifetime decision. Money can always be gradually repaid, but once you’re married, undoing it isn’t easy."