Page 316

Zhang Jue's heart skipped a beat.

Ventilator!

How could his father, a man who had always been strong-willed, possibly accept becoming like that?

Chapter 574 Goodbye is also goodbye

At the door of the ward, Zhang Jue didn't know how he got there. He raised his hand to push the door open, but heard his father's voice from inside: "Jiaojiao, let me go home."

"Dad, what are we going back for?"

"Jiaojiao, I know my own body. I need to go back and see your mother and our yard."

Zhang Jiao didn't dare to answer. The door was pushed open, and Zhang Jue walked in.

“Gou Dan is here too,” Zhang Erhe said as if he had found a savior. “Your sister won’t let Dad go back.”

Zhang Jue opened his mouth, his throat tightening: "Dad... the doctor said it... it can be cured..."

"Can it be cured? With tubes stuck in your neck, a stab wound, and a ventilator, you'll end up like those people Dad cursed his whole life, barely clinging to life, becoming a tool for the younger generation to fight for fame and fortune?"

"Dad, I didn't mean that..."

“I know you didn’t mean it that way.” Zhang Erhe’s voice softened. “But Dad doesn’t want me to live like that. I came into this world with dignity, and I will leave with dignity. Gou Dan, if you really are my son, take me home now.”

Zhang Jue was silent for a few seconds, then slapped the hospital bed: "Okay! Dad, let's go back."

That afternoon, Zhang Erhe was taken back to the courtyard house.

When Guan Xue saw her husband's expression, she immediately understood. Her fingers trembled, but Zhang Erhe grabbed her hand tightly: "Guan Xue, cook me another meal. I want to eat your cooking."

"Sigh..." Guan Xue responded, forcing back her tears as she went into the kitchen. But as soon as she picked up the spatula, the tears could no longer be held back. Zhang Jiao followed her in, and the mother and daughter embraced and wept bitterly in the kitchen. In the end, Zhang Jue came in and comforted them for a while before they wiped their faces and started cooking.

Once the food was served, Zhang Erhe gestured for Zhang Jiao and Zhang Jue to sit down, just like every ordinary dinner he'd had over the years. Looking at his family, he suddenly smiled and said, "Why are you all looking so long-faced? Your dad's already eighty-six; he's lived a long enough life."

Guan Xue felt as if her heart was being ripped out—Zhang Erhe had given her that life-saving pill back then; otherwise, he could have lived many more years. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up again.

Zhang Erhe seemed to see through her torment. In front of the child, he squeezed her hand tightly and gently pulled her into his arms. Guan Xue's tears finally streamed down her face, and she couldn't utter a single word.

After eating half a bowl of rice, Zhang Erhe put down his chopsticks. Zhang Jiao and Zhang Jue helped him to sit down on the sofa. He patted the seat next to him, and Guan Xue leaned over and snuggled into his arms.

Neither of them spoke again.

After a while, Guan Xue felt the hand on her body slowly stiffen. She looked up and saw that Zhang Erhe had slowly closed his eyes, a smile still on his face.

"Erhe—"

The courtyard was quiet, and the south wind blew through the old locust tree, gently shaking the leaves on the branches.

Zhang Erhe's funeral arrangements were kept simple. His senior brother had originally intended to send him to Babaoshan Cemetery. However, Zhang Jue said that the old man had mentioned wanting to be buried next to Ma Qianli and Wu Qian, so the brothers could be together and have a lively funeral. Ultimately, the senior brother respected Zhang Erhe's wishes.

On that day, the flagpole in the square was lowered by half, an exception.

The night before the funeral, Guan Xue sat alone in front of the coffin, refusing to leave no matter who tried to persuade her. Zhang Jiao tried to pull her away several times, but she just waved her hand and sat there quietly without saying a word.

Seven days after Zhang Erhe left, Guan Xue also left.

Thus, the story of the courtyard house came to an end.

On the morning of September 3, 2025, J-10 fighter jets once again streaked across the sky with colored smoke trails, while doves of peace took to the air.

Zhang Erhe clicked off the TV, stretched his stiff neck, and slowly walked down the stairs. The September afternoon sun was the same as always, slightly dazzling, yet very warm.

He raised his hand and tapped the sign on the beef noodle stall: "Xiao Ding, don't look so sad. Thanks to me, you've learned a new skill. Others don't have this kind of luck! Keep it up."

Turning his head, he looked at Old Li, who ran the convenience store by the door: "Shouldn't you be closing up today?"

Old Li tilted his head, somewhat puzzled—this kid was acting like a complete idiot just a couple of days ago, how come he suddenly understands everything today? Just as he was about to say something, Zhang Erhe had already turned back.

When the noodles were served, he took a bite and said, "Xiao Ding, keep it up! You'll soon surpass those old restaurants. If you succeed in the future, just ask your brother to invest in you."

Xiao Ding opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

After finishing his bowl of noodles, Zhang Erhe bought a pack of cigarettes from Lao Li and turned to leave.

"Hey, not waiting for anyone today?"

"I'm not waiting anymore."

"Where is that little girl from before?"

Zhang Erhe tilted his head: "I called this morning and we broke up for good."

He slowly walked home, and when he opened his eyes in the morning, he found himself transported back in time—still on September 3, 2025. His last memory was of Guan Xue nestled in his arms, but upon opening his eyes, everything seemed as if nothing had happened. The little girl in his mind called out for a long time without response, so Zhang Erhe had no choice but to suppress his confusion and continue with what he needed to do!

Just as I reached the alley entrance, I saw a car drive in from the opposite direction. The car stopped, and a woman got out, wearing a short skirt and with her hair down, as radiant as she had been in her youth.

Old Li at the alley entrance was about to call someone up to question her, but when he saw the woman get out of the car, he opened his mouth slightly—this scene was different from what was written in the file; Zhang Erhe shouldn't know this celebrity.

The woman slowly walked up to Zhang Erhe, blinked her left eye, and tilted her head: "Zhang Erhe, long time no see."

Zhang Erhe paused for a moment, then smiled frankly: "Long time no see."

P.S.: I originally planned to write a little more, such as about Xu Damao's whereabouts, Liu Guangqi's regrets, and Qin Huairu's manic behavior before her death. But when I wrote about Zhang Erhe's passing, everything became meaningless. This book is the longest of all my novels, and Zhang Erhe has also persevered, climbing step by step from an initial 5.2 rating to where he is now. Logically, I could have maintained my attendance record for another ten days or so, but adding any more unnecessary details would be hurtful to both me and you. So, I've decided to say goodbye. Thank you to every reader of this book, thank you to Bellufigelu from Jiudu, thank you to Fengyi from Shejifu, thank you for the regret! Thank you to Aquarius-Miao, and to many, many more long-time readers. Thank you all. May you have a long and fulfilling journey ahead!