sbdcsierra Chapter 152 Even Memories Can Have Gaps
Chapter 152 Even Memories Can Have Gaps
Jian Zheng bowed politely, then turned and walked out of the Academic Affairs Office. As he walked through the narrow corridor towards the school cafeteria, his mood, like the dimness at the end of the corridor, remained tense and uneasy.
"The thing I was worried about has happened. The Xichuan Discipline Inspection Commission started investigating last week. Why didn't my mom tell me when I went home the other day? Did she not know, or did she deliberately not tell me to avoid making me worry?" Jian Zheng thought to himself as he walked. "No matter what, I should tell my mom what happened here as soon as possible."
Thinking of this, Jian Zheng turned around and went back to the classroom, taking out a phone IC card from his backpack. He walked out of the school gate and came to a public phone booth on the street corner. He dialed Chang Xidi's office, but no one answered until the busy tone came through the receiver. He dialed three times in a row, but no one answered the phone.
He realized it was lunchtime, and his mother had probably gone to eat lunch. Jian Zheng sighed and decided to try again after his afternoon nap.
Too lazy to go back to school, he found a shady spot next to a phone booth and sat on the curb. The midday sun was blinding, so he closed his eyes slightly.
Hong Kong Island's roads are narrow and congested with traffic, the constant roar of vehicles echoing through the streets. High-rise buildings line both sides, their glass curtain walls reflecting blinding light, adding to the city's coldness and alienation. Standing in this environment, Jian Zheng felt completely shut out from the surrounding hustle and bustle, leaving him only with his own solitude.
At this moment, he was filled with an unprecedented sense of loneliness. Far from his familiar home and facing the unknown ahead, he felt immense pressure. For twenty-three years, he had been used to his mother arranging everything for him, and had never truly worried about anything. But now, he had to face everything on his own.
After enduring about an hour, he dialed Chang Xidi's office number again, but still no one answered. Normally, this phone wouldn't go unanswered; when Chang Xidi went out on inspections or official business, she would arrange for her secretary to be on duty.
Jian Zheng began to worry. He tried calling home, and the phone was answered after only two rings. "Hello, who is this?"
"Mom, why are you home at this hour?" Jian Zheng was both happy and worried when he heard his mother's voice.
Chang Xidi was surprised and hesitated slightly before saying, "Hmm? Zheng'er? Oh, I have a bit of a headache, I'm going home to rest."
Hearing his mother say this, Jian Zheng became even more worried. "Mom, are you sick? Have you been to the hospital?"
Chang Xidi was an iron lady; she never took a day off, not even when she had a headache or a high fever of over 39 degrees Celsius.
"It's nothing, I probably caught a cold from the change of seasons. I've taken some medicine, and I'll be fine after a nap. But you, why are you calling at this hour? Don't you have class?"
Jian Zheng said, "The director of the Education Department contacted me, and the Xichuan City Discipline Inspection Commission sent a letter of assistance to investigate my admission qualifications. Mom, did the city's Discipline Inspection Commission contact you? I didn't hear you mention it when I came home the day before yesterday. I'm a little worried. Are you alright?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Jian Zheng pressed, "Mom, Mom, are you listening?"
Chang Xidi coughed lightly and said, "Zheng'er, Mom is here. I know that the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection has received a reply regarding the matter of the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption requesting their assistance in the investigation. The facts have been clarified, and the whole matter has nothing to do with you. Your Education Department also informed you of this, right?"
Jian Zheng said, "That's what the Academic Affairs Office told me. They also told me to study hard and not feel burdened."
He added the second half of the sentence himself, afraid that his mother would worry.
After a brief silence, Chang Xidi continued, "However, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection still determined Cheng Agen's actions to be a transfer of benefits."
Jian Zheng said worriedly, "What should we do then? How much money did Uncle Cheng give that classmate? Why don't we return the money to Uncle Cheng? That should be alright, right?"
Chang Xidi said, "You're overthinking it. Cheng Agen sent someone to tell you that since his only son is gone, he's going to make sure no one has an easy time."
Jian Zheng said in surprise, "Uncle Cheng is because of Cheng Zhi? What does this have to do with it? Cheng Zhi's incident was an accident, and we are all very sad. Why should we take our anger out on others?"
Chang Xidi sighed: "He's gone crazy now, reporting everything he sees, and he's even teamed up with several fish farmers in Cuihu Lake to resist the city's campaign to clear out fish farmers."
Jian Zheng asked, "Mom, are you in charge of this operation?"
Chang Xidi did not answer, but continued on her own: "Back then, I was in charge of supporting the aquaculture enterprises in Cuihu. At that time, as long as it could make these people rich, the policies would be biased. Now that time has passed, if we delve into those past events, how can there be no problems at all?"
Although Jian Zheng couldn't see his mother's expression on the other end of the phone, he could tell from her dejected tone that she was facing a difficult situation.
At that moment, he didn't know what to say to comfort her, so he called out, "Mom? What will happen? Please tell me the truth."
Chang Xidi said, "I've been suspended from my job. Your father told me not to tell you, afraid it would affect your studies."
"Why didn't you tell me? I'd be going home right now," Jian Zheng said urgently.
“You dare,” Chang Xidi rebuked sternly. “I told you not to cause trouble, why won’t you listen? Your father will be back in a couple of days, we’ll handle it.”
Jian Zheng knew in his heart that even if he went back, he wouldn't be of much help. As for making his mother worry more, in other people's eyes, it might just confirm the rumor and make their whole family seem guilty. "Mom, I'll listen to you, I'll stay here."
"That's right. It's so late, hurry up and get to class."
Jian Zheng nodded in agreement. "Mom, please take care of yourself. Don't hide anything from me, and be sure to call me."
"Okay, I'm hanging up now." Chang Xidi said and hung up the phone.
Jian Zheng held the already busy receiver for two seconds, then put it back on the phone.
……
Jian Zheng snapped out of her vacant gaze, picked up the water bottle, and was about to bring it to her lips when she saw Shang Yibo staring blankly at the coffee table. She gently nudged Shang Yibo's arm with the water bottle, saying, "What's wrong? Why are you spacing out?"
Shang Yibo snapped out of his daze and quickly asked, "Are you done talking? And then?"
Jian Zheng smiled slightly and continued, "Then, after attending classes for less than two months, I decided to apply for withdrawal."
Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo was preoccupied and looked at Jian Zheng with surprise.
“Oh, right,” Jian Zheng seemed to remember something and added, “You were just asking me how I got to Singapore, right? After I dropped out of HKU, I didn’t go back to Xichuan. My dad made arrangements for me in Singapore, so I went straight there.”
Shang Yibo frowned, puzzled, "This happened in November 1999? I was still Wang Jie back then, how come I know nothing about this part of your life? Is there something wrong with my memory again? It's strange, why are there gaps in my memories of you?"
Jian Zheng glanced at Shang Yibo and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Back then you were busy attending an oral English training course in Beijing and were deeply in love with Zhou Yanruo. You didn't have time to care about me."
Shang Yibo rolled his eyes at Jian Zheng and muttered, "Come on, you didn't say it, did you? Now I'm starting to doubt my memory again."