Chapter 106: Absent from the School Anniversary Celebration

This story is purely fictional.

At the television station building, Chi Zhaoming was analyzing a South American football match when his phone began to ring incessantly. He glanced at the caller ID; it was an old classmate from the Dahe Daily.

He already knew the reason for the call: the upcoming anniversary celebration of their high school alma mater.

He stared at the phone for a long time without answering. At this moment, Chi Zhaoming truly did not want any contact with the outside world. He was currently in such dire financial straits that he could not even scrape together a hundred yuan, let alone the thousand that would be required to handle the matter.

The problem was that he was penniless. Where was he supposed to find a thousand yuan to cope with this reunion? Thinking of this, he felt as if his head were about to explode, and he kept shaking his head.

Before long, the damnable phone rang again. He realized he could no longer put off answering, so he picked it up.

"Is that Chi Zhaoming? It’s Lao Fuzi from the Dahe Daily," the voice on the other end said.

"Oh, hello! I know it’s you, Lao Fuzi. Is there anyone who doesn't know your famous name?" Chi Zhaoming replied.

"Do you have time this Saturday? If so, you should come to our high school reunion—it’s also the school’s anniversary," Lao Fuzi said.

Chi Zhaoming looked at the desk calendar and replied, "I’m not in Dahe right now; I’m away for a seminar. I’m afraid I can’t make it this Saturday."

"We’ve reached out to all our high school classmates, and most have confirmed their attendance. I’m the organizer for this reunion, so if you really can’t make it, I suppose there’s nothing to be done. I can only say it’s a pity. Teacher He even specifically asked about how you were doing. I told her you were doing well, just very busy with your work at the television station," Lao Fuzi said, mentioning other details about the event.

"Please convey my thanks to Teacher He for remembering me! I will visit her when I have the time. I am truly sorry that I cannot return for the reunion. Just take plenty of photos, and I’ll enjoy them when I come to the newspaper office to see you," Chi Zhaoming said.

"There is one more thing I need to tell you. This reunion includes a donation ceremony for the alma mater. Since you won't be there in person, how would you like to express your contribution?" Lao Fuzi asked.

Chi Zhaoming had heard exactly what he hoped not to. He had wanted to avoid the reunion altogether, but Lao Fuzi had brought up the donation directly. "Well—let me think about how to handle that. I don't have my cards with me, and since this is a work trip, I only brought a little pocket money," Chi Zhaoming said, feeling embarrassed.

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Work comes first. How about I cover the donation for you, and that will be that?" Lao Fuzi asked.

"Wait a moment. I’d like to ask, what kind of amount are you expecting?" Chi Zhaoming asked.

"Generally speaking, we are all people of some standing now. We shouldn't look too shabby for our alma mater’s anniversary. I heard that a high-ranking official returning from the capital donated ten thousand yuan. We should at least donate a thousand, right?" Lao Fuzi said nonchalantly.

Hearing the figure of one thousand yuan, Chi Zhaoming found it aligned with what he had feared. It wasn't a large sum, but his current situation made him incredibly anxious. Never mind a thousand—even if asked for a hundred, he would have been at a loss.

Regardless of how difficult things were, he couldn't tell Lao Fuzi the truth. Though Lao Fuzi was unaware of the situation, he sensed Chi Zhaoming's hesitation and quickly added, "Since you can't be there, let's just forget about the donation. I'll tell the organizers I couldn't get in touch with you."

"That wouldn't be right. Just tell them for now that I'm out of town, and I'll figure out the donation later," Chi Zhaoming said before hanging up. He exhaled a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Isn't this guy doing great at the television station? Last year he got a promotion and went to a health retreat, and the Dahe Daily even ran a special report on his achievements. Why is he so reluctant to part with a thousand yuan for a donation today? I even offered to cover it for him, and he still wouldn't give a straight answer," Lao Fuzi muttered, shaking his head as he put down the phone.

After hanging up with Lao Fuzi, Chi Zhaoming’s heart remained unsettled for a long time. He immediately called Wu Zhengzhe to see if he had received the same notice.

Wu Zhengzhe saw the call and answered. Chi Zhaoming’s voice came through: "I just got a call from Lao Fuzi about the high school anniversary. Did you get one?"

"Yes, I received it yesterday. At the time, Lao Fuzi asked about you, and I told him we hadn't been in touch for a long time because of work, so I didn't know your situation. Did he contact you?" Wu asked.

"Yes, I just hung up with him. I didn't realize he had called you a day earlier. He told me that almost all the alumni had been notified," Chi Zhaoming said.

"He told me there would be a donation ceremony and that everyone should contribute according to their means. I know your situation well, and I know it would be difficult for you, so I’ve already made preparations. I guessed you wouldn't be able to attend, so I prepared your share as well. As it happens, I have to go back to my hometown for a case, so I can attend the anniversary. We can be absent ourselves, but our contribution shouldn't be, don't you think?" Wu Zhengzhe replied.

"When Lao Fuzi called me today, he asked about the donation. Perhaps he sensed my hesitation, so he said if I couldn't be there, I didn't need to contribute. Honestly, I want to attend, but I don't want to affect Dujuan’s mood or touch upon her fragile nerves by spending money," Chi Zhaoming said with a bitter expression.

"I understand your feelings, and I understand Dujuan’s as well. The impact on Dujuan’s life due to your circumstances is self-evident. Xiyu always picks the cheapest lunch box at school. One day I saw the other students buying the most expensive ones, but Xiyu only had the cheapest. It broke my heart. I took him out for a meal, but he wouldn't take any money from me. Xiyu is truly sensible. Even though you’ve lost all the family wealth, every word he says is in your defense. He doesn't blame you at all," Wu Zhengzhe said slowly.

Wu Zhengzhe paused for a moment, took a sip of water, and continued, "Furthermore, I went back to our hometown a few days ago."

"You went home recently? How are things at my place?" Chi Zhaoming asked.

"Things aren't very good. When I went back, I found that your parents' health was declining day by day. The two old folks are there all alone. I chatted with them for a long time and realized they are most worried about you. Your father’s cough gets worse every day, and he’s losing weight. Your mother is in tears every day, fearing that you are struggling. They don't know how Xiyu is doing or what Dujuan’s state of mind is, and these things weigh on them constantly. Your father’s cough never seems to get better; it’s getting more severe by the day. Yet, he still insists on doing all the heavy labor. I tried to persuade him to stop, but he’s getting on in years and can’t handle it."

"Yes, he doesn't know how to rest. In the past, whenever I went home, he was always busy with something. He said if he didn't move for a day, he felt uncomfortable. He said one must save money steadily so that if something happens, there’s something to fall back on. Otherwise, who can you turn to for help?" Chi Zhaoming said as he talked with Wu Zhengzhe about his family.

"It’s a blessing that both of them are still here. You should cherish that. Don't end up like me, regretting things for the rest of your life, brother!" Wu Zhengzhe’s eyes grew moist.

"I feel so depressed right now; I don't want to go anywhere. After everything that happened, it brought irreversible disaster to my family. Dujuan’s mental state isn't good either. She seems to be suffering from depression, and it’s getting worse. It’s hard to describe—sometimes she explodes in anger for no reason, and no matter how you try to explain, it’s useless," Chi Zhaoming said, his face full of sorrow.

"That’s where you’re wrong. After what happened, you shouldn't offer any useless explanations in front of Dujuan. I’ve spoken with her privately, and I understand her situation well. The wounds she has suffered cannot heal in a short time, so don't expect her to have a good attitude toward you right now."

Comforted by Zhengzhe, Chi Zhaoming’s mood began to improve slightly.

Just then, Mingyue called. "Father’s back has been hurting for a long time. If you have time, go back and check on him. I can’t get away these days, so I can't go back for now."

"All right. I’m with Zhengzhe, and I have time today. It’s been a long while, so I should go back and see them," Chi Zhaoming replied.

"I’ll go with you," Zhengzhe said.

"That works. Let’s head out now," said Chi Zhaoming.

After an hour of bumping along the road, Chi Zhaoming arrived at his old home.

The house was empty. Looking into the distance, he saw both his parents over by the fish pond. He had heard that it was time to harvest the fish, so they must be busy.

After parking the car, he began to walk down the small path leading toward the fish pond. (To be continued)