After getting her mother's consent, Zhang Tian'ai quickly instructed Old Wang, "Old Wang, my brother is going to the first year of senior high, but I'm not! I want to go to the third year, and it must be Class 3-2!"
"Can you keep up with the curriculum for the third year?" Zhang Zhenpeng asked Zhang Tian'ai with a look of suspicion.
Zhang Tian'ai said dismissively, "Whether I can keep up or not, what does it matter! At worst, I'll spend three years in the third year, waiting for you..."
Zhang Zhenpeng's face darkened. "Why do you specifically want to go to Class 3-2? Is it because of He Ximeng?"
"What do you think?" Zhang Tian'ai replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"If you don't say, then it must be. I'm curious, we both met He Ximeng for the first time today, how do you know he's in Class 3-2?"
Zhang Tian'ai smiled sweetly, "Who told you your sister is a heartthrob? If I want to ask something, it's easy to get... in minutes, there'll be a long line of young boys offering their services..."
"Just boast all you want! I don't see He Ximeng showing any interest in you!"
What Zhang Zhenpeng said struck a nerve with Zhang Tian'ai. She had tried her best to flirt with He Ximeng, but he was like an insulator, not even glancing at her...
"This is outrageous!" Zhang Tian'ai said indignantly.
However, having finally met a basketball player she fancied, how could Zhang Tian'ai give up so easily?
"A girl pursuing a guy is like piercing through a veil! Just you watch, in less than a month, I'll have him obediently fall at my feet..."
"I doubt it!" Zhang Zhenpeng shook his head. "From his eyes, I can see his passion for basketball... I feel like we're the same kind of person, with only basketball in our eyes..."
"You're silly! Playing ball and dating aren't mutually exclusive..."
"Busy practicing and improving my skills... who has time for dating..."
"Serves you right, you single dog!"
"I'm single, and I'm happy..."
Meanwhile, the Zhang siblings were bickering in their Rolls-Royce. For them, tens of thousands of yuan in sponsorship was a mere trifle, and the grade they were in didn't matter. If they didn't get into college, they would go home to inherit the family business. If they did get into college, they would still go home to inherit the family business... The college entrance examination, for wealthy children like them, was neither a narrow bridge nor a dragon's gate...
On the other side, He Ximeng and Cui Pangzi were cycling home in a hurry.
The basketball game was fun, but He Ximeng also realized another big problem: his mother's illness!
If He Ximeng remembered correctly, it was after this game that he found a medical report in his mother's drawer, which suspected cancer...
There was still a year before he would go to the other side of the ocean, which meant his mother had only a year left to live.
With a heavy heart, He Ximeng bid farewell to Cui Pangzi, rode into his residential compound, locked his bicycle in the garage, and walked up the stairs to the second floor.
Looking at the familiar staircase and the familiar security door, as He Ximeng took out his key to open the door, he felt incredibly nervous – more nervous than leading his team in the finals...
"Mom, I'm back!"
"Son is back!"
To be honest, after not seeing her for over twenty years, He Ximeng missed Ms. He Fengting dearly. Seeing her again, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
He Fengting looked just as He Ximeng remembered her, not having changed at all, gentle, elegant, confident, and beautiful.
However, seeing He Ximeng's teary eyes, He Fengting was a bit bewildered. "What's wrong, my son? Did you get bullied at school?"
"No, no!" He Ximeng quickly clarified. "I just missed you a little..."
"Oh my! Is this my shy, awkward, silly son?" He Fengting teased. "You miss me after just one day? Tell me, did you get into trouble at school?"
He Ximeng shook his head quickly.
"Then you flunked an exam and are afraid I'll blame you?"
He Ximeng still shook his head.
"Then you lost the basketball game and came to me for comfort?"
"What are you talking about?" He Ximeng was speechless. "Nothing is wrong, really. I just genuinely missed you a little..."
Saying that, He Ximeng opened his arms, looking like he wanted a hug.
"Alright, alright!" He Fengting reluctantly gave He Ximeng a hug. "Is everything really okay?"
"Everything is fine, I swear!"
"If everything is fine, then go take a shower quickly! You stink!" He Fengting said, pinching her nose as if pretending to be disgusted, urging He Ximeng to go wash up.
"Dinner is ready, it's kept warm in the pot. You can get it yourself after you shower. I have to go work overtime later..."
"With your body like that... what kind of overtime do you have to work!" He Ximeng immediately became anxious upon hearing his mother was going to work.
"What's wrong with my body?"
"You don't need to hide it from me anymore, I know everything."
"You know what?"
"Cancer!"
"Cancer?" This time, He Fengting was truly stunned. "When did I get cancer? You child, what nonsense are you spouting? Look, this is my physical examination report from a while ago. I'm very healthy!"
Saying that, He Fengting took out the medical report from the drawer and slapped it on the table.
"I was wondering why you're acting so strange today. Where did you hear that I have cancer..."