After leaving home, Zhuang Jianguo was filled with remorse and said to Zhuang Zi'ang, "Zi'ang, Grandpa didn't take good care of you. You've suffered too much."

Zhuang Zi'ang shook his head. "Grandpa, I'm fine. I'm living alone now, and it's very free and happy." He looked at the old man's head full of white hair, and his heart ached. His grandparents worked hard on the farm in the countryside, scrimping and saving to support his education. He might never have a chance to repay their immense kindness.

Zhuang Jianguo suddenly smiled and said, "Zi'ang, is that girl in the video, the one you were eating with, your girlfriend?"

Zhuang Zi'ang blushed. "No, she's a good friend of mine. Her nickname is Little Butterfly."

"Little Butterfly? What a cute name." Zhuang Jianguo could guess what he was thinking just by looking at his expression. Older generations are often more open-minded about young people dating. After all, it wasn't uncommon for people in rural areas to get married in their late teens. Zhuang Zi'ang was already an adult, and it was natural for him to have a girl he liked.

Zhuang Jianguo put aside the unpleasantness and changed the subject. "If you like the girl, you should spend more time with her. When I was young and courting your grandma, her father chased me all over the village with a bamboo carrying pole. But with my thick skin, I finally won her hand."

...

Zhuang Zi'ang listened quietly, but his heart was filled with sorrow. With only three months left to live, he didn't have the right to pursue the girl he loved.

Passing by a mobile phone store, Zhuang Zi'ang pulled Zhuang Jianguo inside. "Grandpa, let me buy you a phone. It'll be easier for us to keep in touch."

Zhuang Jianguo thought for a moment and then nodded. "Alright."

They had talked about buying him a phone before, but the old man was reluctant to spend money on monthly plan fees, saying the landline at home was sufficient. After this incident, he finally changed his mind. Being able to contact Zhuang Zi'ang anytime, anywhere, would ease his worries.

Inside the store, following the salesperson's recommendation, they chose the cheapest senior-friendly phone. It had a large screen, large buttons, and a loud speaker. The phone, along with the SIM card, only cost a little over two hundred yuan.

Zhuang Jianguo wanted to pay for it himself, but Zhuang Zi'ang insisted on paying, scanning the QR code to complete the transaction. Although most of his money came from his grandfather, he had very few opportunities to do something for him in the limited time he had left.

Sitting on a bench outside the phone store, Zhuang Zi'ang taught his grandfather how to use the phone. He saved his own number in the contacts list, which could be accessed by pressing the menu button on the top right. Then, pressing the green call button would make the call. There were only two steps, easy to remember.

When I was young, you taught me how to use chopsticks and tie my shoelaces. Now that you're old, I'm teaching you how to use a phone.

Zhuang Jianguo didn't want to take up any more of Zhuang Zi'ang's study time and said he wanted to go back to the countryside. Zhuang Zi'ang saw him off at the bus stop.

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"Zi'ang, it's almost summer vacation, right? Just three more months?" Zhuang Jianguo asked with a smile.

"Three months!" A wave of fear washed over him. He was now very sensitive to this timeframe.

Zhuang Jianguo, unaware of his grandson's thoughts, continued, "Your grandma has been raising some chickens. She keeps talking about how when you come home for summer vacation, the chickens will be big enough to make you some chicken soup."

Hearing this, tears welled up in Zhuang Zi'ang's eyes once more. What if his grandparents found out...?

"That Little Butterfly, if you really like her, you need to be proactive as a guy. When summer vacation starts, bring her to the countryside to visit. It'll make your grandma happy. I'm not getting any younger, but I still want to live to see you get married and hold my great-grandchild."

...

Every gentle word from the old man felt like a knife piercing Zhuang Zi'ang's heart. Zhuang Zi'ang covered his mouth, desperately trying to suppress his sobs.

Seeing this, Zhuang Jianguo thought his grandson was just sad to see him go and offered more words of comfort. It's not like it was goodbye forever.

Finally, the bus arrived.

Zhuang Zi'ang said, tears streaming down his face, "Grandpa, you and Grandma take care of yourselves."

Zhuang Jianguo smiled அன்பly. "Okay, come home early when summer vacation starts in three months!"

After the bus drove away, Zhuang Zi'ang sat at the bus stop for a long time. His mind was filled with images of his grandparents learning the devastating news and crying inconsolably.

It was too cruel.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

Zhuang Zi'ang walked back to school like a lost soul. Passing by the guardhouse, he suddenly remembered something. He stuck his head in and said to the security guard on duty, "Uncle, when my grandpa came this morning, you were able to find my class by looking up my name, right?"

The guard nodded. "Yes, the computer system has information on every student."

"Could you help me find someone? Her name is Su Yudiel," Zhuang Zi'ang requested.

The guard nodded and turned to operate the computer. After a moment, four large characters appeared on the screen:

No such person found!

Zhuang Zi'ang's eyes widened in disbelief. How could this be?

After thanking the guard, he left the guardhouse and walked towards the classroom. His mind was racing with questions. Finally, he concocted a plausible explanation.

She probably has two names. Just like Li Huangxuan, who said he was called Li Chao when he was a child, but later changed his name because he thought it was too common. Now, even at his age the elders in his family still call him Chaochao. Su Yudiel must have been her childhood name. She must have changed it.

Yes, that must be it. There had to be another explanation! What else could it be?

When Zhuang Zi'ang returned to the classroom, the first afternoon class had already started. Zhang Zhiyuan had already informed all his teachers about Zhuang Zi'ang's family situation, so the teacher didn't ask any questions and let him return to his seat.

"Dude, where did you run off to?" Li Huangxuan whispered.

"My grandpa came from the countryside," Zhuang Zi'ang replied briefly.

"Your Little Butterfly came looking for you, but you weren't here. The guys in our class are practically green with envy."

Not just the other guys, even Li Huangxuan himself was a little jealous. To be missed by such a beautiful girl was truly a blessing.

Zhuang Zi'ang took out his phone and typed under the desk: "What did she want? Why didn't she call?"

Soon, his phone vibrated with a new message from Little Butterfly.

"Nothing special, just wanted to see you."

Zhuang Zi'ang quickly replied: "Meet me by the flower bed after class?"

Little Butterfly: "Okay."

As soon as the bell rang, Zhuang Zi'ang dashed out of the classroom. The teacher was dumbfounded. I hadn't even dismissed the class yet! I was planning to hold you back for a couple more minutes!

By the flower bed filled with hyacinths and wisteria sat the girl who was always immaculately clean. The peach blossom tucked behind her ear looked like a wisp of pink cloud.

When Su Yudiel saw Zhuang Zi'ang, she immediately stood up and handed him an ice cream.

Zhuang Zi'ang was even more puzzled. Class 9 was on the second floor, and Su Yudiel said her classroom was on the fifth floor. He had left as soon as the bell rang. How did she have time to buy ice cream?

"Zhuang Zi'ang, eat it quickly before it melts."

"Little Butterfly, do you have some kind of secret that you can't tell me?"