The entire body weight of Shen Zhao was no more than that of a seven or eight-year-old child.
Coupled with the traumatic aftereffects, including severe emotional distress, the doctors informed them that this could lead to the patient experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm in the future.
This filled everyone who cared about Shen Zhao with deep concern.
However, for Shen Zhao himself, there was no way he would commit suicide or self-harm, no matter how painful things became.
His life was fiercely protected by his mother, and he was determined to live well.
Months after the earthquake, Jiang City began to slowly rebuild.
Shen Zhao’s wounds had healed significantly; however, the aftereffects and pain from his amputation were far from over.
This would accompany him for the rest of his life.
“Grandpa, Grandma, let’s go.” After some time recovering, and with his wounds slowly healing, Shen Zhao was almost ready to go home.
His emaciated upper body was clad in an oversized long-sleeve T-shirt, his cheeks still slightly hollowed out. Those once bright and spirited eyes now appeared somewhat dim as he sat in a wheelchair, needing a safety belt for support.
To shield his shattered state from the eyes of others, Old Li, fearing that he might feel uncomfortable, had even draped a blanket over his legs to spare him the pitying glances of passersby.
Since the earthquake in Jiang City, there had been no further disasters across the nation. The pace of rebuilding gradually accelerated, and in just a year, Jiang City had transformed significantly.
“Shen Zhao!”
A boy about eighteen or nineteen years old waved at the one who had just opened the door and then walked over briskly.
“What brings you here today?” Shen Zhao smiled, seated in his wheelchair, appearing as though he had started to move on from that disaster.
“Don’t mention it. I went to the orphanage today, and those kids clung to me for candy. All the money I had was spent on buying chocolates. Now I don’t even have enough to buy lunch,” Zhang Zixin chuckled, patting his pocket. He pushed Shen Zhao’s wheelchair further inside while peeking about, “I came to mooch off a meal. Where’s Grandma? Huh? Why is no one here?”
“They went grocery shopping. You arrived early; we just finished breakfast not long ago.”
Their current home was situated in the suburbs, where the houses were generally low and small. Nearby, there was an orphanage and a hospital. Although not as abundant in resources as the city, it was still decent.
Many areas in Jiang City remained ruins needing reconstruction, and since most of the population had been buried beneath the rubble, the demand wasn’t great. Thus, the government wasn’t in a rush, focusing mainly on rebuilding schools, hospitals, and some residential buildings.
There were many orphans at the orphanage who had lost their parents; sometimes Old Li and Wang Guifang would volunteer to care for those children too.
Zhang Zixin was supposed to be in school, but since today was a special day, classes were canceled. So he took a trip to the orphanage, bringing plenty of chocolates and candies to cheer the kids and then came to Shen Zhao’s home.
“Shen Zhao. Are you… really not planning to go back to school?”
Shen Zhao paused his hand on the wheelchair wheel and smiled nonchalantly, “No, I’m not going back.”
“Anyway, I’m not worried about food and clothing now, I can support myself with my own hands, so going to school doesn’t hold much meaning anymore.” Moreover, in his current condition, he would only trouble others to take care of him at school, so why bother?
“…Alright.” Zhang Zixin could tell he was speaking the truth, so he didn’t press the issue further.
“Do you want to go out for a walk? The sun is nice today, and it’s not too cold outside. I’ll keep you company.”
“Sure, let’s go.” Shen Zhao agreed eagerly.
He also wanted to see the scenery outside. Usually, Old Li and the others would take him out, but since they were older and not in great shape, Shen Zhao had reduced the number of outings.
It had been half a month since he last went out.
Zhang Zixin pushed Shen Zhao outside, and the two didn’t notice the vibrating phone resting on the sofa in their room after they left.
Before lunch, Zhang Zixin returned with Shen Zhao, and the house was silent.
Zhang Zixin felt a bit puzzled, “Where are Grandpa and Grandma? They usually would be home at this time.”
Shen Zhao had a bad premonition as he maneuvered his wheelchair to the sofa and found the phone. He felt his face change when he looked at it, seeing several missed calls from his grandparents.
He quickly dialed back, and after a few rings, it connected.
“Grandpa? Where are you?”
“Hello, this is Jiang City New District No.1 People’s Hospital… Are you a family member of the phone’s owner? They’ve been in an accident and are currently in surgery…”
Shen Zhao’s face turned pale, and he lost strength in his hand holding the phone.
“…To the hospital.”
At Jiang City New District No.1 People’s Hospital, Shen Zhao and Zhang Zixin quickly arrived. Just then, a stretcher covered with a white sheet was pushed out of the emergency room, accompanied by another one heading toward the morgue.
“We’re sorry, the elderly lady didn’t survive to arrive at the hospital. The other gentleman just died after failed resuscitation. Are you a family member? Please accept our condolences…”
In an instant, Shen Zhao felt as if the world were spinning around him.
When he woke up, he saw Zhang Zixin watching over him beside the bed with bloodshot eyes, and when he noticed Shen Zhao had regained consciousness, he opened his mouth, hesitating for a long time before saying, “…Shen Zhao, Grandpa and Grandma hope you will be okay…”
Live on.
But—
In just one day, he lost the last two relatives who loved him and whom he loved.
Shen Zhao found it hard to accept and a suicidal thought began to blossom in his heart.
Seeing him remain silent, Zhang Zixin also fell into silence. By evening, he left with a heavy heart after the nurses urged him to leave.
The night breeze was biting cold.
Shen Zhao gazed at the calendar on the table; in truth, he didn’t need to look. He already knew what day it was.
He had promised his grandparents that today they would visit their mother’s grave along with those who had perished.
Shen Zhao opened the window, climbed onto the table, and looked down from several stories high; his heart was filled with desolation.