Chapter 64
"It's a bit scarce, but I'm not running a pharmacy, it's enough for my needs. As for aesthetics, what's more important than health?" Yang Jiabo glanced at Wei Feng's injured leg. "Your leg injury will also require those medicines."
"You've gone to so much trouble for me. Once I recover, I'll find you some beautiful flowers." Wei Feng's tone suddenly shifted as he said with nostalgia, "Jiajia, you were so adorable when you were little, all pink and tender."
Yang Jiabo rolled his eyes, unsure how the conversation had taken such a turn. "You were pretty silly as a kid too, adorably dumb."
"Where was I dumb? I was a perfectly normal child back then." Wei Feng believed he had been quite bright compared to his peers. As for his brother and Yang Jiabo, they were hardly normal.
"Sure, whatever you say." Yang Jiabo opened a nearby cabinet and took out a thin blanket. The weather had turned chilly lately, and the quilt he had prepared for Wei Feng was a bit too light.
"I'm just stating facts."
The two bickered and teased each other, dredging up old memories, yet strangely, the years of separation melted away, as if they had returned to childhood. It wasn’t until Yang Jianguo called them for dinner that they realized how much time had passed.
Wei Feng recuperated at the farmhouse. Dr. Chen treated him daily with acupuncture, while Yang Jiabo ensured he was well-fed. Within days, the weight he had lost returned. Wei Changdong and his wife visited whenever they could, watching his condition improve day by day, their gratitude beyond words.
Compared to the care the Yang family showed Wei Feng, the couple felt they had failed as parents. Yang Jianguo, having noticed their guilt, reassured them with his own experience—after all, Wei Jing had once looked after Yang Jiabo. Only then did the Wei couple ease their hearts.
News of Wei Feng’s likely recovery soon reached the Wei family. Old Master Wei was overjoyed, and his own condition improved slightly. Wei Jing, upon hearing the news, wanted to visit—both to see Wei Feng and Yang Jiabo. This time, it was all thanks to Jiajia.
Staring at a photo of the two on his desk, Wei Jing pondered what gifts to bring - something for Wei Feng, and of course, something for Jiajia, who had worked hard.
Wei Feng’s days at the farmhouse were peaceful, except for one oddity - a relative of the Yang family named Luo Lixin. The man often loitered around Yang Jiabo, their interactions seemingly friendly yet carrying an undercurrent of something else. After several encounters, Wei Feng finally pinpointed the strangeness. Having dealt with psychologists in the military, he was sensitive to the field.
Recalling Yang Jiabo’s past hardships, Wei Feng wondered if those experiences had left psychological scars. His heart ached for his friend, but he hesitated to broach the topic, fearing he might worsen things. Little did he know, Yang Jiabo’s issues stemmed not just from this life but from a previous one - a lingering affliction across two lifetimes.
Yang Jiabo, unable to stand Wei Feng’s hesitant expression any longer, snapped, "Just say it. If you have something to ask, ask. If you’re not uncomfortable holding it in, I’m uncomfortable watching you."
"It’s nothing." Wei Feng shook his head. How could he possibly ask outright, "Are you mentally ill?"
"Acting all coy like this, people would think you’re some delicate maiden." Yang Jiabo scoffed, turning back to the herbs he was processing. His recent harvests required simple preparations before Dr. Chen’s more specialized treatment.
Wei Feng wasn’t offended. Instead, he joked, "Have you ever seen a maiden as brawny as me?"
"Can’t say I have." Yang Jiabo smirked before dropping a bombshell. "Luo Lixin is a psychologist. He’s here to treat me."
His tone was casual, but Yang Jiabo avoided meeting Wei Feng’s gaze. He knew Wei Feng wouldn’t see him as a freak or judge him, yet the tension remained.
"You overthink things. If something’s bothering you, talk to me. I’ve never been as sharp as you, but at least I don’t have these kinds of worries." Wei Feng’s relaxed demeanor put Yang Jiabo at ease.
"True. Maybe being a little dumb isn’t so bad." Yang Jiabo’s shoulders loosened, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Jiajia, you’ve got a visitor." Dr. Chen walked in with a tray of dried herbs, his eyes flickering toward the door.
"I’ll go see." Yang Jiabo set down the herbs, wiped his hands, and headed outside.
Outside the Yang family’s bamboo house, a woman in her forties or fifties paced nervously, occasionally peering toward the door. She was plump, with permed hair and a stylish blue dress. Though her appearance had changed, Yang Jiabo recognized her instantly.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" Yang Jiabo frowned, reluctantly approaching.
"Hurry up and let me in, I've been standing here forever!" Li Guizhen snapped, her glare prompting a silent thought: What an ungrateful child, completely lacking in filial duty.
"What do you want?" Yang Jiabo sighed but unlocked the door.
Li Guizhen brushed past him, scanning the room for Yang Jianguo. "Where’s your father?"
"No idea." Yang Jiabo poured her a glass of water and sat across from her. Despite her fashionable attire, age had taken its toll—streaks of white roots peeked through dyed hair, wrinkles deepened, and age spots dotted her temples.
Li Guizhen sat close, her voice sharp. "How could you not know?"
"I was asleep when he left."
"Still so lazy at your age! Greedy and slothful since childhood, a dog can’t stop eating crap, and you’ll never change. Your father spoils you rotten. Who’d ever marry a lazy oaf like you? If you end up a lonely old bachelor, think of the shame you’ll bring me!" Li Guizhen ranted.
[狗改不了吃屎 (gǒu gǎi bù liǎo chī shǐ): lit. A dog can’t stop eating crap; fig. Old habits die hard.]
She was a hypocrite—freely criticizing others, especially her son. However, today's outburst was mild compared to the vile, profanity-laced verbal abuse Yang Jiabo had endured in the past.
"Why are you really here?" Yang Jiabo’s expression darkened.
"Can’t I visit without a reason? You’re my son, what’s wrong with seeing you?" Li Guizhen’s face twisted. "I’m your mother. If I scold you, who are you to glare at me?"
"Who else is here? And when have you ever visited without wanting something?" Yang Jiabo sneered.
"Is that how you speak to your elders? What kind of manners did your father teach you? I should’ve known, you’ve always favored him over me!" Li Guizhen’s voice cracked as she burst into tears. "My life is so bitter, I might as well die!"
"Can’t you just say what you want?" Yang Jiabo massaged his temples, fighting back his rising fury.
Li Guizhen never expressed herself clearly. Instead, she nagged, attacked, or threatened suicide when things didn't go as she wanted.
The first time Yang Jiabo had seriously contemplated suicide was after a fight with her over house repairs. Li Guizhen was clueless when it came to practical things; when their roof started leaking, she had no idea how to fix it.
Yang Jiabo had handled everything - contracting workers, sourcing materials. But when a neighbor claimed his contractor was overpriced and unskilled, Li Guizhen berated him endlessly without checking facts. Their argument escalated until she wailed about killing herself.
Overwhelmed by rage, Yang Jiabo had roared, "Stop threatening me with death! I’ll die first!"
Standing on a rooftop, he felt an overwhelming urge to jump. It was then he first realized something was seriously wrong with his mental health.
Wiping her tears, Li Guizhen said, "I want to remarry your father."
Yang Jiabo didn’t hesitate. "No."
"Why not? Or do you want him to find you a stepmother?" Her shrill voice startled him.
"Have you forgotten why you divorced?"
"That was years ago! Can’t we start over? Don’t you want our family reunited?" Her tone wavered with guilt.
"No man could ever get over that."
"You're just refusing to help me! You and your father live comfortably while I'm suffering alone - don't you have any compassion?"
"You reap what you sow." Yang Jiabo felt drained, as he always did after talking to her. If she had genuinely cared about the family, things wouldn't have ended up like this.
"Cut the lectures. If you're not going to help, I'll talk to your dad myself." Li Guizhen's anger flared, her thoughts turning bitter: Useless son, can't count on him for anything.
Li Guizhen refused to give up, but Yang Jiabo stood firm, refusing to agree or help. Enraged, Li Guizhen turned her attention to Yang Jianguo, unleashing her anger on Yang Jiabo instead.
Next door, Wei Feng frowned at the harsh shouting and said, "I'm going over there."
Dr. Chen hesitated, knowing family disputes can be tricky, but concern for his patient won out. "I'll go with you."
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