Junior High School life gradually settled into a routine, and Zhang Chenfeng found himself immersed in new knowledge, new friends, and various "small projects" that were quietly underway.
Drawing on his understanding of future trends, he began to subtly engage with cutting-edge computer information through Song Feng and Chen Yang (such as when they secretly used the school's modem to dial into the internet, browsing those rudimentary yet novel early websites).
Through Guo Xiaowen and Su Wanqing, he maintained his sensitivity to liberal arts and competition trends. Li Zhuang became his "ears and eyes" in the sports circle, full of energy and with friends spanning all grades.
One ordinary Friday, Zhang Chenfeng said goodbye to his friends at the school gate. "Brother Feng, don't forget about the computer club activity this weekend! Chen Yang said he got a fun programming game!" Song Feng reminded him.
"Got it!" Zhang Chenfeng waved with a smile.
Li Zhuang slung an arm around his new teammate's neck and shouted, "Brother Feng, we're going to the city stadium for a practice match tomorrow, want to come watch? I'll show you my new breakthrough move!"
"I'll see. If I have time, I'll come cheer you on!" Zhang Chenfeng replied. Guo Xiaowen and Su Wanqing, meanwhile, headed towards the library together, discussing next week's essay competition.
With the sense of ease that comes after a week of fulfilling activities, Zhang Chenfeng whistled all the way home. He pushed open the door, but the atmosphere felt different.
Normally, by this time, the kitchen would already be filled with the sizzling sounds and aroma of his mother cooking, and his father would be home from work, always making the house lively. But today, the house was quiet.
His mother, Han Juan, poked her head out from the kitchen, a smile on her face, but it seemed a little forced. "Fengfeng, you're home? Go wash your hands, dinner's almost ready."
"Okay." Zhang Chenfeng put down his schoolbag, keenly sensing something amiss. He walked into the living room and saw his father, Zhang Jianguo, sitting on the sofa, his brow furrowed, holding a cigarette but not lighting it, merely fiddling with it unconsciously.
Grandpa sat in his usual rattan chair, holding a newspaper, but his gaze seemed unfocused, his complexion looking a bit dull, not as ruddy as usual.
"Grandpa, Dad, I'm home," Zhang Chenfeng greeted them.
"Mm, it's good you're back." Grandpa looked up, trying to force a smile, but the corner of his mouth twitched, as if pulling at something, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before returning to his slightly weary expression.
Zhang Jianguo also came back to his senses, putting the cigarette back in his pocket. "You're back? How were your exams?"
"Alright, top ten in the grade," Zhang Chenfeng replied, his gaze fixed on Grandpa. He observed closely; Grandpa's posture seemed a little unnatural, his body slightly tilted to one side, not sitting as steadily as usual.
The sense of unease became more pronounced during dinner. The dishes on the table were Grandpa's favorites: braised pork belly, slow-cooked until tender, and stir-fried tender greens. But Grandpa ate very little, his chopsticks moving slowly. He usually ate two bowls of rice, but today, half a bowl seemed to be all he could manage.
"Dad, have some more of this pork; it's been stewing for a long time, very tender," Han Juan put a large piece of meat on Grandpa's plate.
Grandpa waved his hand, his voice a little hoarse. "Enough, enough. I ate a lot at noon, not hungry yet. You all eat, you eat."
Zhang Chenfeng's heart skipped a beat. Vague, heavy fragments of memory from his past life began to churn.
Feigning casualness, he asked, "Grandpa, haven't you been feeling a bit unwell in your stomach lately? Your appetite doesn't seem very good."
Grandpa paused, then laughed. "It's nothing, just an old problem. Maybe I'm a bit overheated, and my hemorrhoids are acting up again. It's uncomfortable, but it'll be better in a couple of days."
"Hemorrhoids?" Zhang Chenfeng's heart sank! That word was like a key, instantly opening the painful, dark door deep within his memory!
In his previous life, Grandpa started saying it was just "hemorrhoids" around this time, and kept refusing to go to the hospital for a thorough examination. His parents also thought it was a minor issue and didn't pay much attention.
It wasn't until later, when he was bleeding severely and rapidly losing weight, that he was forcibly taken to the city hospital. The diagnosis was already mid-to-late stage intestinal cancer! Afterward, the entire family plunged into a nightmare. They poured all their resources into taking Grandpa to the capital for treatment – surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy... Grandpa endured unimaginable suffering and eventually passed away agonizingly a year and a half later.
At that time, only Grandma stayed home with him while his parents rushed between the hospital and seeking doctors. The entire family was shrouded in endless gloom... Immense fear and grief washed over Zhang Chenfeng like a cold tide. His hand, holding the chopsticks, trembled.
He forced himself to calm down. He absolutely could not repeat the past! This time, he had to prevent it!
"You can't be careless about hemorrhoids either, Grandpa," Zhang Chenfeng tried to keep his voice sounding natural, with a child's concern.
"Our biology teacher just told us that some minor ailments, if left untreated, can turn into major problems. And bleeding... there are many reasons for bleeding. It's best to find out what's causing it."
Zhang Jianguo nodded. "Fengfeng is right. Dad, why don't I take the day off tomorrow and accompany you to the hospital? At least get some medicine."
Grandpa immediately shook his head, his attitude firm. "No, I'm not going! Hospitals, you can find illnesses even if you don't have them! It's just a minor problem, I'll be fine after a couple of days' rest. Why waste money?"
Han Juan also urged, "Dad, an examination would put everyone's mind at ease."
"I said I'm not going, so I'm not going!" Grandpa raised his voice, annoyed. "I know my own body! Let's eat!" The topic ended abruptly. The atmosphere at the dinner table became even more somber.
That night, Zhang Chenfeng tossed and turned in bed. The moonlight outside was cold, but his heart felt like it was being fried in a hot pan.
Grandpa's forced casual expression, his father's worried brow, his mother's strained smile, and that terrifying word, "hemorrhoids"... everything pointed to the ending he dreaded.
"No! Absolutely not!" he cried inwardly. "I can't wait any longer! I must find a way to get Grandpa to get an examination, a thorough colonoscopy!"
He knew that directly persuading his stubborn Grandpa would be ineffective; strategy was required. His parents were key. He had to make them truly realize the seriousness of the problem, not just see it as a typical "try to get an elder to see a doctor" situation.
A plan slowly took shape in his mind. He needed to leverage "authority" and a bit of "coincidence."
The next day was Saturday, and Zhang Chenfeng got up early. He found his mother hanging laundry on the balcony.
"Mom," he said with a serious expression, "I had a nightmare last night. It scared me awake."
Han Juan stopped, her face full of concern. "What did you dream about? You're sweating."
"I dreamed that Grandpa... was very, very sick, lying on a white bed, so thin he was just skin and bones..." Zhang Chenfeng's voice carried just the right amount of fear and a choked sob. "In the dream, it was because we thought it was a small problem and didn't get it checked in time, and then... then it was too late..." He couldn't be too specific, but it was enough to trigger his mother's imagination and unease.
Han Juan's face indeed changed, her hands trembling slightly. "Silly child, dreams are the opposite of reality. Don't think nonsense..."
"Mom, it's not just a dream!" Zhang Chenfeng pressed his advantage. "Our biology teacher really said that bleeding could be a sign of many serious problems, especially for the elderly. We absolutely can't just dismiss it as ordinary hemorrhoids! The teacher said one of his relatives had this happen, and it turned out to be intestinal cancer. But because it was discovered early, the surgery went well, and now he's fine! The teacher also said there's an examination called a colonoscopy that's the clearest!" He cleverly mixed truth (the importance of colonoscopy, early detection) with half-truths (the teacher's relative) to enhance credibility.
Han Juan was clearly frightened by the words "intestinal cancer." Her face turned pale. "Is... is it really that serious? But Grandpa's temper..."
"That's why we can't directly tell Grandpa we suspect a serious illness," Zhang Chenfeng lowered his voice. "We have to trick him into getting an examination. We can tell him it's a free comprehensive check-up organized by the company for retired employees, that it's a great benefit and a waste not to go! Or we could say... say Dad's company gave us a check-up card, and it's expiring soon, so it'll be wasted if we don't use it! Grandpa hates wasting money, so saying that might make him go!"
Han Juan looked at her son, her expression complex – surprise, worry, and a hint of hesitant persuasion. "Can... can this work? Tricking your Grandpa..."
"Mom! It's for his own good! If the tests are clear, we'll all feel at ease. If there is something, it could save his life!" Zhang Chenfeng's tone was urgent. "We can't wait any longer! Look at Grandpa's complexion yesterday, his appetite!"
Han Juan fell silent, the clothes in her hands unhung for a long time. After a long pause, she sighed heavily. "I... I'll discuss it with your Dad tonight."
Zhang Chenfeng knew that his mother was already halfway convinced. The rest depended on his father. He knew that although his father was filial, he sometimes lacked decisiveness. He had to add a little more fuel to the fire.
This weekend was destined to be spent in suppression and anxiety. On the surface, Zhang Chenfeng attended the computer club activities with his friends and watched half a football match with Li Zhuang, but a heavy weight pressed on his heart. Grandpa's slightly dull complexion and the word "hemorrhoids" swirled in his mind like a curse.
He knew the battle had begun. And this time, he absolutely could not lose.