Chapter 26: A Sudden Transformation and a Plea for Help

During our time at X High School, we were practically worlds apart. Though we’d known each other since childhood, even sharing a class in elementary school, our acquaintance barely extended beyond a nod.

By middle school, however, even that casual recognition vanished.

We weren’t in the same class. Initially, we’d exchange nods when passing each other, but eventually, even that ceased. We would simply cross paths in the hallway, him heading towards the basketball court, and me towards my classroom.

I preferred to stay in the classroom, rarely speaking to anyone. He, on the other hand, loved playing basketball and making friends. He was an exceptional player, a pivotal member of the school team, and possessed immense personal charm.

At that time, I was merely a diligent student, burying my head in books. I earnestly believed in the future our teachers painted, convinced that academic success was the only path forward. My grades were outstanding; in Chinese, Math, and English, no one in the school could surpass me. I was a quiet, awkward bookworm, speaking to no one.

I saw myself as a blade of grass dormant beneath the winter snow, waiting for the long spring to finally unfurl its true colors. That sounded impressive, yet I forgot that my parents were merely grass, and even if I were to emerge, I’d still just be a damn blade of grass—the kind a dog could easily drown with a single piss.

My teachers didn’t show me much favor either, since my parents were abroad and no one was there to bribe them. My excellent grades were merely a negligible entry on his payslip. Still, they served some purpose; I became his capital for bragging. Overall, my utility was akin to a large, tasteless chicken rib—more trouble than it was worth.

Then, one day, it dawned on me:

I wasn’t a flower of the nation, nor was I as formidable as I’d imagined.

In truth, I was just a few yuan on my teacher’s payslip. The behavior and grades of those unruly kids in class directly impacted his salary.

Not studying, constantly fooling around, only causing trouble for the teacher… That wasn’t youthful mischief; that was cutting off someone’s livelihood. So, when my grades plummeted, that bastard would erupt, making me do punitive writing, stand outside, and then barring me from class.

By then, it was quite late in my realization. Having no friends, they would snicker, mock, and in places I couldn’t hear, curse me with a ‘serves him right’.

The morning I realized all of this, I stood in the hallway. It was February that year too. For the first time, I found myself gazing contentedly at the sunlight streaming in from outside.

Old Han, the class representative for Class Fourteen, poked his head out, carrying a thick stack of homework. Perhaps it was unusual for me to be standing in the hallway during class, for he asked me, quite oddly, “What’s wrong?”

I simply smiled, offering no reply. Instead, I told him, “Let’s go online. My treat.”

I recall that day, we spent hours at the internet cafe, playing CrossFire. I covered all his internet fees. With a monthly allowance of four thousand yuan, even for a middle schooler who rarely spent money, it felt like an inexhaustible sum, no matter how recklessly I splurged. So, I paid for his internet and drinks. He offered to pay me back, but I simply waved it off.

However, Old Han was a proud person. He disliked being indebted to anyone. Thus, he promptly returned the fifty yuan I had spent that day.

When I returned to school that day, I was still an irreproachable student with perfect grades. Old Han and I transitioned from mere passersby back to our old nodding acquaintance. Honestly, I thought that was perfectly fine. At the time, I harbored a certain arrogance, deep down unwilling to form close bonds with anyone.

Two years prior, had I not pushed Xiao Yao out of the path of a speeding truck, and had I not spent two months on crutches, Old Han would never have become my closest brother. I would still be that somewhat melancholic bookworm, seeing through the path ahead, yet straying further and further down a road predefined by others.

And the midday a month ago, when he transformed into a girl, would also cease to exist.

Thus, sometimes I truly believe, fate is a damn wondrous thing.

****

The February wind felt warm. Old Han and I walked a full lap around the rubber track, neither of us speaking. ‘How much longer were we going to walk like this?’ I wondered. I turned my head to see Old Han idly dribbling a basketball, looking as if something weighed heavily on her mind.

After observing her for a moment, I pulled out my phone to check the time; it was almost noon. I began to ponder where Old Han and I should eat, and what we might do that afternoon. There was no point calling the other two at home. Dragon Brother would undoubtedly be engrossed in games, uninterested in going out. As for Ming Hai, who knew how long her ‘re-sleep’ would last.

My stomach had begun to rumble with hunger. Old Han had pulled up the hood of her hoodie. As I glanced over, I could only see her pale chin and the cascade of silky hair spilling out from beneath the hood. She continued to dribbling the ball, walking slowly around the track, and judging by her posture, there was no telling how much longer she intended to go.

Just as I was about to suggest we find somewhere to eat, Old Han suddenly spoke. “Lu Ren.”

I paused, surprised. Then I asked, “What is it?”

Old Han remained silent for a moment, before saying, “Can you go to the big hospital for me tomorrow?”

I asked, “Why?”

Old Han turned her head and offered a faint smile. She said, “My grandpa has cancer, late-stage lung cancer. Could you do a buddy a favor and visit him at the hospital for a day as a volunteer?”

She spoke with such ease, as if she were merely suggesting we grab a meal somewhere.

It took me a long moment to process her words. I stood there stunned. Finally, I managed, “Your grandpa? Cancer?”

Old Han simply smiled, saying nothing. She continued to dribble the ball, head bowed. Seeing how composed she was, I realized she genuinely wasn’t panicking. I quickly pressed, “Do you have something on tomorrow? Why can’t you go? Your grandpa only has one grandson; wouldn’t it be proper for you to visit him?”

Old Han sighed, her gaze fixed on the ground. After a long pause, she said, “I’d love to go, but tell me, how can I?”

“This all happened so suddenly. Yesterday, I was cooking for Xiao Yao at home, when the critical illness notice arrived out of the blue. Grandpa is still in the hospital… I didn’t sleep a wink last night, and this morning, I was so choked up I could barely bear it.”

“My parents are abroad and can’t come back. I think my mom and dad are on the verge of a breakdown; they texted, urging me to visit Grandpa. But how can I go? I’m the only son of the Han family, and now I’ve suddenly turned into a girl. When I see my grandpa, am I supposed to tell him I’m Xiao Feng? Wouldn’t he have a heart attack?”

Upon hearing this, I was speechless for a long time, unsure of what to say. I took a sip of my cola and remained silent.

Old Han suddenly lowered her voice. “Old Lu, I know you’re full of clever ideas. Your buddy is begging you just this once. Please, for the next couple of days, go visit Grandpa for me. And when you go, help me come up with a good excuse. I’m truly at my wit’s end. Should I just kneel down and beg you?”

Old Han looked at me, and as soon as she finished speaking, she started to bend her knees. Startled, I quickly pulled her back up. “Are you crazy? Why would you kneel? Do you think I wouldn’t go?”

Old Han hadn’t slept last night and was exhausted from playing basketball this morning. When I pulled her up, I felt her body was limp and devoid of strength. As I helped her stand, she averted her gaze, biting her lip without a word.

Her face was notably pale. A faint layer of dark circles beneath her eyes was strikingly apparent. ‘Why did she always push herself so hard?’ I wondered.

Old Han had been playing basketball all morning and didn’t seem to have eaten anything. I sighed and said, “Let’s grab something to eat first.”

I remembered Old Han’s grandpa. Back in middle school, Old Han often invited me over to his house. I would sometimes spend the night there. His parents were frequently away on business trips. His grandpa, who lived nearby, would often come over to cook for Old Han and Xiao Yao, and the three of us would chat.

The old man used to love playing Chinese chess. Whenever he had free time, he’d hold Xiao Yao and pull me into a game. I’d visited Old Han’s home just two months ago, and his grandpa was still eager to learn how to use the internet. The old man had been so cheerful; though he seemed a bit frail, his spirit was robust. How could he suddenly have cancer?

The restaurant was sparsely populated, even at lunchtime. Fortunately, the place was clean, with only two students eating noodles by the window. I found a window seat as well and ordered two large bowls of beef noodles. Old Han rested her chin in her hand, staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought. When the beef noodles arrived, Old Han ate sporadically, barely touching a few bites.

After we finished eating, Old Han said she was going home. As she left, I patted her shoulder in a gesture of comfort. She simply smiled, saying nothing.

****

The next day, back home, I was still half-asleep when my alarm rang. I checked the time: 7:30 AM. Dragon Brother had pulled another all-nighter gaming, so she was likely still asleep. And Old Chu? There was no telling when she’d finally wake up.

I sighed, lamenting the perpetually inverted sleep schedules. ‘All this exercise is pointless if we keep this up. I should probably pick a free day soon to talk to them about it,’ I thought. I got up, washed, and fixed myself a quick breakfast. Grabbing two hundred yuan from home and tucking it into my pocket, I hailed a taxi and headed straight for the big hospital.

Early in the morning, the entrance to the big hospital was deserted, with hardly anyone around. The morning air was chilly, a damp cold typical of early spring. Even in my down jacket, I shivered. Checking the patient room number Old Han had sent me, I sighed and made my way into the hospital.

Old Han’s grandpa having cancer was indeed sudden. Though not a blood relative, I had played Chinese chess with the old man several times. This eccentric elder and I had developed a certain affection, and now, knowing he had late-stage cancer, I was at a loss for words.

However, I couldn’t visit empty-handed. Noticing a fruit stall at the hospital entrance, I bought a few kilograms. Inside the hospital, I inquired about the old man’s bed number at the front desk. The young nurse, looking half-asleep, told me it was on the third floor. I nodded and ascended the stairs.

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