Chapter 60: The Mountain is High and the Road is Long, One Must Climb

  The patient, sitting upright on a long bench in the mountains, at this moment when she was not careful to touch the truth, Li Xiyin's life seemed to be slowly disappearing. Countless memories of tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, or even if she fell asleep, being woken up by nightmares, came flooding back. This was once a closed world that she didn't dare let anyone touch, but unexpectedly it was revealed at the time when she least wanted to mention it, and also to the person she least wanted to show it to. In this city, in this place, with this person, she had brought so much novelty, fun...and the happiness she lacked the most. And now, everything had to go back to its original state.

  "Is it very serious?" Yoon Yeol-woo asked with concern.

  Zuo Xiying nodded slightly, her face cold as frost, and she regained the appearance of the ice and snow beauty that had been seen by the reservoir.

  Shan Yong walked up and sat down beside Zuo Huiying, who shifted her body slightly to the side, keeping a distance from him as if she was on guard against a stranger. Shan Yong seemed not to notice this small movement and continued in a serious tone: "I'm familiar with this illness. Mild cases involve insomnia and forgetfulness, while severe cases involve depression and despair. About 35% of patients have suicidal tendencies...and about 40% are likely to develop various mental illnesses, even after recovery, the probability of relapse is still around 30%."

  Zuo Xiying suddenly turned around, her eyes like arrows and ice, staring at Shan Yong, startling him. Shan Yong quickly explained: "I wasn't talking about you, my dad had this illness before, he's still not fully recovered... so I've done a lot of research on this disease."

  "Ah!? You're kidding, right?"

  Zuo Xiying was taken aback, and subconsciously said a sentence, still thinking that this was another one of those pitying words she least expected. But unexpectedly, Shan Yong swore solemnly: "Why would I lie to you? Not just my dad, but also my mom and me, we're all almost depressed."

  Left Xiying stunned, foolishly staring at Dan Yong, but did not know where this came from, and the eyes were mostly unbelief.

  Shan Yong saw that his sister didn't believe him, so he clapped his hands and said: "Really, do you know what my family's situation was like before? When most people's salaries were only a few hundred yuan, I had spending money of several hundred yuan; when most people rode bicycles, my dad bought a Crown car. Don't look at how it is now, in the past we were among the top rich second-generation kids at Hengda Royal School... Really, I'm not lying to you. Hehe, but those girls weren't as beautiful as you, sister."

  Zuo Xiying was suddenly amused and burst out laughing. Unintentionally, any heavy topic couldn't stop the sudden arrival of a joke, and she asked subconsciously: "How is it possible to have depression? I've seen your mom, not at all like that."

  At that cheerful boss, still quite impressed, at this time Zuo Xiying felt that Dan Yong had an intentional component, but also had a gratitude for this unconventional comfort.

  But unexpectedly, Shanyong's face also turned gloomy, and he said in a low voice: "This involves privacy, just like you don't want to tell others about your own affairs. I've never told anyone before... But since we're both in the same boat, there's no need for me to hide it from you... It was when I was in my third year of high school, my dad took out all his savings and borrowed over 5 million yuan to buy a wine house on Yingxiong Road, which is now Lǘròu Xiāng Huǒ Guō (Donkey Meat Fragrant Hot Pot). At that time, it was called Lǘ Yuàn Jiǔ Lóu (Donkey Garden Wine House). The location was good, the atmosphere was lively, and my dad had even hired a donkey meat chef from Dezhou. There were many repeat customers, and at that time, it was very popular... In front of the wine house, there were more people waiting in line than eating inside. According to my dad's idea, he could recover all his investment within a year..."

  She sighed and knew that there would be changes later, but Zuo Xiying still asked subconsciously: "Then it went bankrupt?"

  "Ah, to this day I still don't know what's going on. First, it was the quality inspection and business administration checking, they came three or five times, and even took food samples back for testing. How could there be fakes? My dad has been honest his whole life, he doesn't owe anyone money overnight, he doesn't sell leftover meat from the night before, and he never gets involved in other people's business. Everyone in the industry knows he's an honest man... I reckon it's because business was too good and someone got jealous. This thing isn't over yet, right after that, big and small newspapers reported that Luyu Wine House was suspected of food adulteration and detected nitrate in the braised meat, which immediately ruined the business. Whose sauce doesn't have this ingredient? Later on, even the chef was poached away... Over a million yuan invested, only opened for more than four months, not even paying back loans, just like that it went bankrupt. My dad was so angry he couldn't get out of bed at the time......Damn it, to this day I still don't know who played the dirty trick."

  Shan Yong let out a long sigh, releasing the pent-up emotions in his heart. The knot in his heart was still there, and talking about it again brought back the old feelings of depression. He spoke of the past that he never wanted to mention, the eternal pain in his heart.

  "...". Left Xiying murmured, but didn't ask further. However, at this moment, looking at Shan Yong's desolate expression, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy and stretched out her hand to comfort him, gently and softly grasping Shan Yong's hand. Shan Yong turned his head and continued speaking:

  "After that, it's all tragedy. The store was sold, our house, car and furniture were all sold, my family became so poor that we couldn't even afford my tuition... My mom saw my dad's condition and decided to cut her losses, she gritted her teeth and we all went back to our hometown in Rongma Village. Out of sight, out of mind, my mom thought it was the right decision, if my dad stayed in the city, he might have lost everything, including his life. At that time, not just my dad, even I couldn't bear the pressure, but fortunately, we managed to get through it."

  I think I can imagine the psychological pressure you've been through, it seems to be a bit heavier than mine. So, how did you guys get through it?

  "What else can we do? Ordinary people, they just grit their teeth and get through it, but it's really tough. My dad went from being a rich man to a poor one overnight, and for two or three months he was walking around with his tail between his legs. When he returned to our hometown of Resonant Horse Village, he was still like that. My mom got anxious and scolded my dad, saying: 'Look at you, it's infuriating! You've just lost a couple of bucks, what's the big deal? I married you when you were just as poor as you are now... If you can't even make a living, then forget it. I'll marry another man who's worth something, and our son won't even take your surname, so we don't have to look at your miserable face anymore...'"

  Shan Yong talked about family matters, making Zuo Xiying burst out laughing. She learned a few phrases from her mother and followed Shan Yong's tone, becoming softer and more comfortable. Smiling, she said: "Thanks to my mom for stimulating my dad so much. Later, I also dropped out of school for a year. Our family of three found two big workers in the village and renovated our old house. Tourism in Lao Ding Mountain started again, and we coincidentally opened a farmhouse inn when we returned home. Although it's not as luxurious as before, we've managed to get through the tough times."

  A simple life story, listening to Zuo Xiying was so happy and not surprised. A happy life is similar everywhere, but misfortune is different in thousands of ways. Looking at her sister's appearance, Shan Yong still thought she was indulging in depression, and said: "Actually, this illness is just thinking that you are sick yourself. At that time, my parents and I were all suffering. You need to calm down and think about these things. Who can bear the blow? Everyone will get depressed, but there's no way out, we have to hold on. Later, I found that working hard was a good solution. Every day, covered in mud and stinking sweat, exhausted to death, couldn't care about depression anymore, and then forgot..."

  "Come on, don't be so glum. Let me teach you a trick. Think of something happy, think of the good things in life. We can't always look forward, let's look back instead. For example, our lives may not be great, but think about Somalia and South Africa, those poor countries where people can't even afford pants. Or think about Vietnam and North Korea, they only make a few dozen yuan a month... once you compare, wow, your happiness index will shoot right up! You'll realize we're actually living in paradise, haha... really, this trick works. If not, I've got another one. When I'm feeling down, I just think of Big Peng, that guy can solve all my worries with just one sentence..."

  Speaking with flying colors, the listener was filled with laughter. When mentioning Lei Da Peng, Zuo Xiying couldn't help but laugh. Seeing that her Shifu (senior) had been teased into laughter, Shan Yong laughed and turned his head to look at her expression. Zuo Xiying felt embarrassed and turned her head away, not letting Shan Yong see her crying-and-laughing face. Unexpectedly, in the midst of movement, she was still holding hands with him. Subconsciously wanting to pull back, her hand tightened, and when she turned her head again, it was Shan Yong who had intentionally held on. Zuo Xiying tried hard to pull back, but Shan Yong wouldn't let go, saying playfully: "It's you who took my hand first, I haven't had enough yet. How come I don't feel depressed at all?"

  "Hate, hate..." Xiying was angry, and with one hand, she pounded on Shanyong's arm, pulling her hand back forcefully. Shanyong laughed carelessly and handed over the medicine bottle and water bottle, saying: "Here, take it. Is this little illness worth taking medicine for? Try not to take medicine, all medicine has some toxicity, happiness is the best medicine."

  Zuo Xiying took it in her hand, and suddenly her eyebrows moved, a surge of gratitude rose up in her heart, but she couldn't say a word, as if remembering the first person who didn't treat illness as an illness, nor treated her as a patient. Silently putting the medicine into her bag, this small episode was like putting down a huge stone in her heart, and when she looked up, she asked Shanyong with some relief: "I also know some principles, but I just can't help thinking wildly sometimes."

  "What's on your mind?" Yun asked curiously.

  "I can't tell you for now." Zuo Xiying smiled and winked, being mysterious.

  "It goes without saying, it's too comfortable for you. You should be like us, who are about to graduate, with no income, no job, no house, nothing at all. As soon as we step out of the school gate, we're forced to make money to support ourselves. Do you still have time to be depressed? Look at me, I'm so optimistic. In the future, when you're feeling depressed, just think of me, think of Da Peng, and it's guaranteed that your illness will be cured... Wait a minute, let me answer this phone call..."

  Shan Yong said, saying that Zuo Xiying's heart suddenly opened up a lot, and she looked at Shan Yong with great interest. Zuo Xiying felt that it was really a good medicine, at least when she was with him, she just ate and played and had fun, without any worries. This was also the reason why she had asked Shan Yong to go mountain climbing early in the morning.

  Shan Yongzheng picked up the phone and murmured a few times, but he didn't know what had happened. He was shocked to stand up from the stool, and then sat down in anger.

  Then Zuo Xiying seemed to feel the change in the tone of the drama, and Shan Yong didn't seem as cheerful as he claimed. Suddenly, his face lengthened, looking very angry, but he didn't lash out at Zuo Xiying, saying "I'll talk to you later" before hanging up the phone. This expression was like Zuo Xiying's secret had been exposed, and the excitement she had just felt was gone.

  Something's happened!? Xie Ying had a hunch in her heart, quietly approached him, looked at Dan Yong and carefully asked: "Is something wrong?"

  "It's nothing." Dan Yong suddenly came to life and forced a smile.

  Zuo Xiying suddenly became unhappy and said: "Your affairs are all written on your face, haven't you?"

  He let out a sigh, patted his forehead, and looked worried all over his face, typical symptoms of depression. He muttered awkwardly, "Nothing big, my thesis was rejected."

  "A graduation thesis?" asked Zuo Xiying.

  Shan Yong nodded and smiled wryly: "What's the point of being afraid, things will still happen anyway. This broken university just won't let people live in peace."

  When it comes to studying, Zuo Xiying knows what level he is at. With a big sister's attitude, she scolds: "Not studying hard and relying on others in school, serves you right! Did you copy from the internet again?"

  "Absolutely not, it has nothing to do with my studies. The paper is absolutely solid, if it's not passed, then the teacher is blind." Shuang Yong said calmly. Zuo Xiying saw Shuang Yong being so certain and was startled, laughing and asking: "Really? I think you don't look like a genius at all?"

  "You don't know about this situation, it was written by Simu Xian for me. Brother Xian's level is quite high, the article is at the provincial newspaper level." said Shanyong.

  "Huh? You're looking for Gunhand's writing?" Zuo Xiying's eyebrows were furrowed in shock, while Shan Yong nodded calmly, explaining: "My and Da Peng's graduation thesis were both written by him. Usually, even our homework was his responsibility. He basically served as a secretary for the two of us."

  "If the thesis is fine... then it's a problem with your character, right?" Zuo Xiying said with a sly smile, as if everything that happened to Shan Yong had an air of evilness that made people laugh.

  "This isn't right, it's come again. San Yong bitterly said: "It's not just me who died, we three all died, even the gunner died, and one shot brought us two back... I don't believe it, can't be that our three people all have problems? Not even answering yet and already being beaten back... Alright, Master Sister, what's the point of advising me? Give me those two pills to eat, I'm so depressed I'm about to get depression."

  Zuo Xiying was taken aback, brushing away Shuang Yong's hand that was offering her medicine. Suddenly, she burst out laughing, holding her stomach and doubling over, the flowers in her hair shaking violently. When she finally stopped laughing, as long as she didn't catch a glimpse of Shuang Yong's frustrated and helpless expression, she couldn't help but laugh again. It took a while for her to calm down, and then Zuo Xiying comforted him, "What can we do now? Should we go back? Let me think of a solution with you."

  "No need, don't bother, just hang it up, it's not like we haven't hung it before. I'll take a look later to see who's intentionally making trouble for me... We three brothers go to his house every day to throw bricks and tiles... Let's go, let's play, can't delay the fun."

  Shan Yong said, with a heroic spirit, all stagnant energy was gone, and he stretched out his hand.

  Zuo Xiying pursed her lips, looking at Shanyong in surprise, then suddenly smiled with appreciation. She was led by the hand up the mountain, listening to this unconventional solution, and several times she wanted to laugh but restrained herself. She didn't know if this method could solve the problem, but Zuo Xiying was certain that it would not depress Shanyong.

  They continued to climb up the mountain, on almost vertical steps. The two of them, who would occasionally joke and play around, were soon panting with exhaustion. There was still a long way to go before they reached their destination, but they were having so much fun that they didn't have time to think about anything depressing...

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