Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 37

Since he was the one being asked for help, Liang Jinsong naturally had the right to make demands. For now, that demand was merely a meeting. Regardless, Liang Qi felt this was an opportunity worth fighting for. That night, she called Jiang Yuan.

“Yuanyuan, would it be convenient for you and your family to meet with my father?”

On the other end of the line, Jiang Yuan hesitated. “Liang Qi, should we really do this?”

The idea of borrowing money from a classmate’s parent felt absurd no matter how she thought about it. When Liang Qi said she would find a way, Jiang Yuan imagined Liang Qi might ask her family for help, but she never dreamed that Liang Qi’s family would actually agree. Putting herself in their shoes, her mother was a complete stranger to Liang Qi’s parents. Even if they adored their daughter, why would they agree to such a request?

“Since my dad proposed to meet you, it means the opportunity exists. How will we know if we don’t try?”

These words convinced Jiang Yuan. She remained silent for a moment and then said, “Then, can I go see him alone? My mom hasn’t been discharged yet and is still on an IV drip these few days, so it might not be very convenient.”

“I will let my dad know,” Liang Qi said.

“Thank you, Liang Qi.”

“It is fine. When are you free?”

“Whenever fits your father’s schedule. Aside from working on Saturdays, I am available anytime.”

“Okay.” Liang Qi did not say more and went to coordinate with Liang Jinsong to confirm the time and place.

After informing Jiang Yuan that Liang Jinsong had agreed, Liang Qi sent her one last WeChat message before going to sleep.

[Cookie Biscuit: Since you have decided to do something, give it your best effort to fight for it.]

The meeting was arranged for Friday evening after school in a private room at a restaurant. Liang Qi accompanied Jiang Yuan to the restaurant and stopped at the entrance, looking at her. “My dad is in the first private room on the second floor. Do not be afraid. He is a reasonable person. Even if things do not work out, he won’t make things difficult for you.”

Jiang Yuan nodded. “I understand. I will talk to him properly.”

She lifted the door curtain and stepped inside. She noticed that although the restaurant was not large, it was very neat. This was not a high-end establishment but a common Chinese eatery, and even the private rooms were somewhat simple. Jiang Yuan stopped at the door, knocked, and waited until she heard a “Come in” before pushing the door open.

Liang Jinsong sat in his seat wearing a casual suit, neither stiff nor overly relaxed. In his forties, he appeared extremely elegant with serious features but a gentle expression, making it easy to gain a favorable impression of him. He was a person completely different from her own father. He was knowledgeable and possessed a demeanor where every move reflected a refined upbringing. Even before he spoke, his mere presence gave Jiang Yuan a sense of a powerful aura that set him apart from ordinary people.

The moment Jiang Yuan entered, she felt his gaze fall upon her with a faint, though not impolite, sense of appraisal. She closed the door behind her, walked to the dining table, and said softly, “Hello, Uncle.”

“Hello,” Liang Jinsong replied with a smile, gesturing with his hand. “Please, sit.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiang Yuan pulled out a chair and sat down.

She looked up at Liang Jinsong. Meeting the gaze of an elder twice her age gave her the feeling of being completely seen through. She could not help but think of Liang Qi. Although they were father and daughter with similar looks, their personalities were polar opposites. Liang Qi was cheerful, generous, and lively, while Liang Jinsong was very composed, radiating an air of effortless control.

He spoke first. “I heard you are Qiqi’s friend?”

“Yes, we are deskmates,” Jiang Yuan replied.

“How long have you known each other?”

“About, one month.”

Liang Jinsong did not comment on this and quickly shifted the topic to Jiang Yuan’s family. “I heard from Qiqi that a family member is ill and needs treatment?”

“It is my mother,” Jiang Yuan said truthfully. “My mother needs heart surgery.”

“So you need to borrow money.” His tone was affirmative.

“Yes.” Jiang Yuan’s hands, resting flat on her lap, curled slightly as she gripped her school uniform. She tried her best to hide her nervousness. “I have already borrowed some from my father, but I am still finding ways to get the remaining amount.”

“Borrowed?” Liang Jinsong caught the word. “Pardon my directness, but your parents are not together?”

“They are divorced.”

“Then, does your mother have a job?”

“She does, but it has been suspended because of her illness.”

Liang Jinsong was silent for a while and then asked, “The treatment costs are not low, are they? I imagine, at least several tens of thousands of yuan?”

“Yes, it is quite a lot.” Jiang Yuan’s expression darkened, and she lowered her head slightly, not quite daring to look at him. “I am also working hard to earn money.”

“Oh? You are working?” Liang Jinsong was somewhat surprised. “A part-time job?”

“A part-time job at a convenience store. My family owed some money before, and I am paying it back.”

“How long have you been working part-time?”

“Since my first year of high school. It has been over a year.”

“Are you not afraid it will affect your studies?”

“I will try my best to ensure it doesn’t.”

“You should know that the academic workload in the third year is very heavy. Even if you can manage now, are you not worried your grades will slip later?”

“Even if my grades slip, I cannot ignore my mom.” Jiang Yuan pursed her lips. “She is my family and has been kind to me. I cannot simply give up on her. No matter how hard it is, I must try to save her.”

Otherwise, she would live a life of regret and self-reproach. In this world, there is still gratitude and responsibility. She could not be that selfish; she could not abandon a loved one’s life.

“So you thought of asking Qiqi for money.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan’s heart sank heavily. The way Liang Jinsong phrased it made it sound as if she had proactively asked Liang Qi for money. Although the ultimate goal was indeed to borrow money, who initiated the request made a world of difference.

In fact, Liang Jinsong was not wrong. He did not say Jiang Yuan had told Liang Qi to ask her family. And now, Jiang Yuan was indeed borrowing money from Liang Jinsong.

“I,” Jiang Yuan hesitated before answering, “do indeed want to borrow some money.”

Sensing Liang Jinsong’s gaze, she quickly added, “As her daughter, I must work hard for my mom’s condition. But I know that you and Liang Qi do not owe me anything. Even if you are unwilling, I will not have any complaints. Regardless, thank you very much, Uncle, for meeting with me today.”

“Mhm,” Liang Jinsong hummed lowly and then asked, “Do you know that Liang Qi lied to me in order to help you borrow money?”

Jiang Yuan was startled. “She, lied?”

Liang Jinsong’s lips curled, and he gave a soft laugh. “She said your family had been kind to her, so she hoped I could help you with this favor.”

Jiang Yuan’s heart began to beat very fast. She said immediately, “I am sorry, Uncle. Liang Qi only wanted to help me. She didn’t lie to you on purpose. I hope you won’t blame her.”

“So, you didn’t ask her to lie?”

“No, Uncle. I hope you can believe me, and believe that Liang Qi had no ill intentions. She is usually very good to me. She just wanted to get me an opportunity.”

“You don’t need to be so nervous. Relax,” Liang Jinsong could not help but laugh. “It seems your relationship is quite good.”

“We are indeed very good friends.”

“Just friends?”

“Yes, just friends.”

Liang Jinsong nodded slightly and said meaningfully, “I can also see that you are quite an important ‘friend’ to Liang Qi.”

For some reason, Jiang Yuan felt there was a hidden meaning in Liang Jinsong’s words. She hesitated. “Uncle?”

“Qiqi is my only daughter. I cherish her deeply and do not want her to be sad. She has had many friends since she was little, but for her to care about you this much, I imagine you must be very good to her.”

“Liang Qi is my friend. Being good to her is what I should do. If she needs it, I will certainly do my best to help her.”

“I can help with your mother’s illness, just as you hoped,” Liang Jinsong spoke calmly. “But I also hope that you and Qiqi remain friends forever.”

Jiang Yuan was stunned. “Uncle, Liang Qi and I will of course be.”

“And only friends.”

After this sentence, the private room suddenly became incredibly quiet.

“Uncle, I don’t quite understand.” Jiang Yuan did not understand why Liang Jinsong would set such a condition. Her friendship with Liang Qi was not for profit but because she wanted to be her friend.

Liang Jinsong smiled as he spoke. “You don’t need to understand too clearly. Perhaps it is better if you don’t. Tell me, do you sincerely want to be ‘good friends’ with Liang Qi for a lifetime?”

“Yes, I do.”

“That is enough.” Liang Jinsong rose slowly and extended a hand to her. “I hope you can keep your word.”

Jiang Yuan rose as well and shook his hand in time. Liang Jinsong quickly released her hand, glanced at the luxury watch on his wrist, and said to her politely, “I will make a trip to the hospital this weekend. We will be in touch then.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiang Yuan bowed politely to Liang Jinsong. Watching him leave the room, she felt as if a heavy stone had finally been lifted from her heart. She picked up her phone and sent a WeChat message to Jiang Mu, who was at the hospital with Xu Chengyu, telling him not to worry too much.

When she left the restaurant, the sky was almost dark. Jiang Yuan was preparing to wait for the bus at the stop across the street when she heard someone call her.

“Yuanyuan!”

She turned around and saw Liang Qi still waiting for her at the intersection, which surprised her. Liang Qi was bathed in the glow of the streetlight, making the scene look almost surreal. The light shone into Jiang Yuan’s heart, making her feel very warm.

“You didn’t go back with Uncle?”

“Of course not. I was waiting for you,” Liang Qi joked. “By the way, what did my dad say to you tonight?”

“Nothing much. We just talked about my family situation, and he said, he hoped we could stay friends forever.” Jiang Yuan recalled the final condition Liang Jinsong had set and felt slightly dazed.

“Is that so? Just that?”

“But things went smoothly,” Jiang Yuan gave Liang Qi a smile. “Uncle said he would help. Liang Qi, this is all thanks to you. I really should thank you.”

“Look at you, here you go again. Why are you always so polite with me? My dad isn’t someone who is easily persuaded. This was all your own doing.”

“But Liang Qi, right now, other than saying thank you, there is nothing else I can do. If you won’t even let me say thank you, I will feel terrible.” Jiang Yuan stood outside the glow of the streetlight with her backpack. Her body looked even thinner in the cool breeze, making one want to embrace her.

Liang Qi suddenly felt a bit of an itch in her heart. She blinked. “Well then, how about some practical compensation?”

“What is it?” Jiang Yuan asked seriously. She instinctively felt that if Liang Qi said this, there must be something she could help with, and she was happy to do so.

Liang Qi pointed a finger at her own cheek.

Jiang Yuan froze in place. The girl’s cheeks were rosy and flawless, as fair and tender as a sweet peach, making one want to take a bite. In that instant, Jiang Yuan suddenly recalled Liang Jinsong’s words, and her heart felt inexplicably empty.

It was as if, in the dark, a red thread had been snapped by her. Only much later would she realize that her racing heart and overwhelming panic in this moment were actually the first sprouts of a teenage crush.

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