In order not to make Cheng Ran worry, Jiang Hongshao waited until last to explain to him. In order to take care of his feelings, Jiang Hongshao called him first at the agreed time. This made Cheng Ran feel that he was being taken care of.
This position is wrong.
How come I feel like I'm being kept.
Cheng Ran frowned, "If you have any more news, you must tell me everything."
"Punish me?" Perhaps no one had dared to say such words to her. Jiang Hongshao was slightly stunned.
"You didn't tell me about viral myocarditis. Are you not going to synchronize with me? Don't use the excuse of being afraid of people worrying. Many things often lead to the opposite result because of such good intentions. Just like people need a sense of ritual, interpersonal communication cannot simply report good news but not bad news... Because if you want to show your good side to each other, you will be afraid to expose your ordinary or even bad side. In fact, you will become more and more alienated, and finally drift apart and become strangers. Real communication requires a sense of participation. A sense of participation means that I can know your joys and sorrows, happiness and sadness, all the ups and downs in your life, and appear in every important occasion. Even if I can't do anything when you are at a low point, at least I can hug you for warmth. Even if I can't stand shoulder to shoulder with you when you are at a high point, I can still applaud your achievements."
Cheng Ran spoke righteously.
Then, after finishing this speech that should have moved any girl, Jiang Hongshao on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, and said, "You used the wrong word, hugging together for warmth... not hugging for warmth."
"That's about it, roughly the idea." Cheng Ran laughed.
"Haha... it's very different, there will be ambiguity." She added, "But still... it's well said. If you have anything else to say, please tell me."
You think you are performing a stand-up comedy
Cheng Ran said in a bad tone, "Now I am punishing you. It's your turn to speak up about privacy, your family affairs, the grudges and hatreds of the wealthy families, and everything you have always concealed. Tell us everything."
Jiang Hongshao dragged out her voice, "Can you try another way? Or should I call you again tomorrow?"
For some reason, I had an evil and strange feeling when I heard Jiang Hongshao's words.
"It's too light. Is this considered a punishment? Calling me is considered a punishment? Classmate, you have a very problematic mindset!"
"So what do you want to do..."
"You're just being unreasonable and rolling on the ground... Or you could say something nice, like "I admire you very much..."
Jiang Hongshao: "Okay, I admire you so much." After saying that, she probably felt like she needed to add something, "Well, Cheng Ran."
Cheng Ran was shocked by this shameless humiliation, "... so fast?"
"It comes so suddenly because it comes from the bottom of my heart!" Jiang Hongshao responded.
I'd be crazy if I believed you!
"I cannot accept this kind of unconditional and emotionless flattery," Cheng Ran said, turning hostile in an instant. "Your No. 10 Middle School is very famous, right? Are there so many outstanding people in all aspects? Are there so many geniuses and talented people everywhere?"
"It's okay," Jiang Hongshao said lightly on the other end of the phone, "but I still think you're better this way."
Anyone who hears this would probably be slightly shaken.
Cheng Ran remained calm and asked, "Why do you say that?" He was ready to accept the praise.
“Sometimes people need a little blind optimism, maybe life can just get by… If you see reality too clearly, life will be very tiring.”
Cheng Ran: “…”
Jiang Hongshao was laughing so hard on the other end of the phone.
After a moment, without waiting for Cheng Ran's threat, Jiang Hongshao said, "I remembered something about my third aunt. My third aunt was born in a military compound. She had a playmate who grew up with her. He was the son of my grandfather's comrade-in-arms. His name seemed to be Liang Shi. It is said that Liang Shi has a lively personality, and he is simple and gentle because of his family's upbringing. He is also very smart and studious. They went to the same kindergarten and elementary school since they were young. Although they were not in junior high and high school, they were only two blocks apart. It is said that when he was in high school, my third aunt often skipped classes to go to his school to find him. In fact, his family also thought that he was a good son-in-law, so they turned a blind eye. They both had lofty ideals of practicing medicine and agreed to enter the same medical school together. Friends of my third aunt's generation all thought they were a perfect match made in heaven. My third aunt is good-looking. I have also seen photos of Liang Shi. He looks a bit like Takeshi Kaneshiro. It is said that the two walked side by side on the street in the fallen leaves of late autumn, attracting the attention of everyone in the neighborhood. They thought they were movie stars."
Cheng Ran thought about it and thought that if Lao Jiang’s third aunt inherited their family’s genes, this seemed conceivable.
"Later, Liang Shi was admitted to Renhe Medical College. My third aunt was a little worse and entered Capital Medical University. Liang Shi's medical college had a very tight schedule and great pressure. Everyone knows that it is much more difficult to graduate with a degree from that college than to be admitted. My third aunt fully supported him during this period, and the two agreed to get married after graduation. But in the sixth year of his studies, Liang Shi had the opportunity to study abroad. This trip would last another five years. For the sake of his studies and career, my third aunt gritted her teeth and accepted it. It is said that when they parted, the two hugged each other and cried all night..."
Cheng Ran secretly clicked his tongue, Renhe Medical College should be the best medical school in the country.
Jiang Hongshao continued, "This relationship lasted until the third year after Liang Shi went abroad. Later, when my third aunt was 28 years old, the two broke up. Later, my third aunt recalled the details and found that she could not find any reason. Because of the quarrel over trivial matters, the stubbornness of not giving in, and the uncompromising obstinacy, I thought who would be the first to turn back after the breakup. But my third aunt was arrogant and she underestimated the endurance of Liang Shi, who also grew up in a military family. So many, many years passed since this separation."
"It is said that at the class reunion last year, my third aunt saw Liang Shi who had returned from the United States. They were both in their forties, but time seemed to have stopped their youthful splendor. They took a photo, and Liang Shi looked at my third aunt gently... Later, people who came to the class reunion were all sighing about them. They were thought to be the most successful and perfect couple, but how things and people have changed."
Cheng Ran didn't say anything.
Jiang Hongshao said softly, "Later I asked my third aunt if she regretted it. She said that both of them had their own families and lovely children. There was nothing to regret. God gave them the best things."
"It's just that she doesn't understand, and she believes Liang Shi doesn't understand either. Why did they grow up together, and walk side by side through 28 years of spring, summer, autumn and winter, but eventually got lost?"
There is still one today, to make up for yesterday’s chapter.