Amidst the intense rhythm of Chén Zhāoyáng and Lín Xiǎotáng sprinting toward the high school entrance exams, time quietly slipped by. Summer weather was unpredictable, and a typhoon was quietly approaching the coastal city.
At this time, Chén Zhāoyáng was frantically juggling his studies and the family business while keeping a constant eye on his father's medical condition. The pressure was like a mountain, yet he was supported by the conviction in his heart as he steadily pressed forward. Using his free time, he not only helped his mother at their convenience store but also pondered various business ideas, attempting to unearth more wealth opportunities in this seemingly tranquil little fishing village and lay a solid foundation for his family's future. Meanwhile, Lín Xiǎotáng remained constantly by his side. The two of them kept each other on track with their studies, and their bond grew deeper through these days of fighting shoulder to shoulder.
As news of the typhoon spread through the school, students chattered noisily during breaks, their excitement tinged with a hint of unease. "I heard this typhoon is going to be fierce! They might even suspend classes!" one student remarked, sparking a wave of commotion among the people around them.
Hearing this, Chén Zhāoyáng calculated the potential impact of the typhoon in his mind. Memories from his past life told him that while the typhoon was dangerous, it might also harbor business opportunities.
By the time school let out, the sky was completely choked by dark clouds, and a howling sea wind swept across the campus, bending trees this way and that. Chén Zhāoyáng looked up at the sky, a hidden worry stirring in his heart. He found Lín Xiǎotáng and said, "Xiǎotáng, it looks like the typhoon is about to hit. You'd better be careful on your way home."
Lín Xiǎotáng nodded slightly, a trace of tension flashing in her eyes. "Mm, I know. You be careful too."
The two of them walked side by side out of the school gates. A fierce wind rushed at them, snapping their school uniforms against them loudly. On the street, pedestrians hurried along with anxious expressions. Chén Zhāoyáng and Lín Xiǎotáng hadn't gone far before huge raindrops poured down, instantly soaking their clothes.
"This rain is coming down so fast!" Lín Xiǎotáng exclaimed as rain streamed down her cheeks.
Chén Zhāoyáng looked around and spotted a small grocery store along the street that was still open. He grabbed Lín Xiǎotáng's hand and said, "Quick, let's duck inside the shop and buy an umbrella while we're at it."
The two of them dashed into the grocery store, which was packed with people sheltering from the rain and overwhelmingly noisy. Chén Zhāoyáng managed to squeeze his way to the counter and discovered only a single floral umbrella was left. He bought it without hesitation, turned around, and handed it to Lín Xiǎotáng. "Here, take this."
Lín Xiǎotáng looked at the floral umbrella, then looked at Chén Zhāoyáng. "What about you?"
Chén Zhāoyáng smiled. "I'm a big guy, a little rain won't hurt me. Just make sure you don't catch a cold."
Yet Lín Xiǎotáng insisted on sharing the umbrella with him. Blushing, she said, "Let's share it. Otherwise, if you get sick from the rain, I'll worry."
Warmth flooded Chén Zhāoyáng's heart, and the two of them shared the floral umbrella as they stepped back out into the wind and rain.
Carried by the gale, the raindrops struck the umbrella surface like bullets, making a rattling din. Water quickly rose on the streets, submerging their ankles and making walking arduous. Chén Zhāoyáng gripped the umbrella handle tightly, tilting the umbrella as much as possible toward Lín Xiǎotáng while leaving half of his own body exposed to the rain.
"Chén Zhāoyáng, shift this way a bit, you're getting soaked," Lín Xiǎotáng said, noticing his movements and pulling at the corner of his jacket.
Chén Zhāoyáng responded with a smile, "I'm really fine. Don't worry about me, watch your step so you don't slip." As he spoke, he used his other arm to shield Lín Xiǎotáng tightly.
As they trudged with difficulty through the wind and rain, they passed a factory, and Chén Zhāoyáng suddenly saw several workers at the factory entrance frantically moving cargo. A thought stirred in him. He remembered hearing in his past life that if one could help a factory protect its goods during a typhoon, one might receive a reward. He turned to Lín Xiǎotáng and said, "Xiǎotáng, wait for me here for a moment. I'm going to ask if I can help."
Lín Xiǎotáng looked a bit worried. "The wind is so strong, be careful!"
Chén Zhāoyáng ran over to the workers and shouted loudly, "Misters, can I help out?"
The workers were flustered and overwhelmed. Seeing Chén Zhāoyáng volunteer to help, an older worker said, "Young man, thank you! Hurry up and help move these goods into the warehouse!"
Chén Zhāoyáng immediately joined the moving crew, hauling cargo back and forth through the wind and rain. Although he was young, relying on the resilience and grit of his rebirth, he was not a whit inferior to the adult workers.
Lín Xiǎotáng watched Chén Zhāoyáng's busy figure from the side, her heart filled with admiration and heartache. She wanted to help too, but afraid of getting in the way, she could only silently cheer him on in her heart. Finally, through everyone's joint efforts, the goods were all safely moved into the warehouse.
Upon learning that a teenager had voluntarily pitched in, the factory owner walked over. He looked at Chén Zhāoyáng, who was soaked head to toe, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Young man, well done! Thanks to your help, these goods would have been ruined otherwise. This is a small token of appreciation, take it." With that, the owner handed Chén Zhāoyáng some cash.
Chén Zhāoyáng waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, I just wanted to help."
The owner insisted on giving it to him. "Take it, you've earned it. You're a sensible and kind kid, you're bound to go far."
Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Chén Zhāoyáng had no choice but to accept it.
Returning to Lín Xiǎotáng, Chén Zhāoyáng smilingly displayed the money in his hand. "Look, this is our unexpected harvest. We can go buy some good food later."
Lín Xiǎotáng looked at him, half-amused and half-exasperated. "You, what time is it and you're still thinking about making money? But you were really amazing just now."
The two of them continued on their way through the wind and rain. By now the wind seemed to have lessened somewhat, but the rain still fell ceaselessly. Passing a vegetable market, Chén Zhāoyáng noticed that some stalls had been blown over by the wind, and the vendors were busy tidying up. He stopped in his tracks once more and said to Lín Xiǎotáng, "Xiǎotáng, let's help them out too."
Lín Xiǎotáng nodded without hesitation.
They helped the vendors right their stalls and pick up scattered vegetables. The vendors offered profuse thanks, and an elderly woman selling fruit picked a few apples from her stall and handed them to the pair. "Kids, take these, it's just a small token of the auntie's appreciation. Thank you for your help."
Chén Zhāoyáng and Lín Xiǎotáng couldn't refuse and accepted the apples.
Resuming their journey home, the rain gradually stopped, and a ray of sunlight broke through the edge of the sky, spilling over the wet streets and casting a golden glow. The clothes of both Chén Zhāoyáng and Lín Xiǎotáng were soaked through, and their hair was a mess, but radiant smiles broke out across their faces.
"Even though we turned into drowned rats today, it feels so meaningful," Lín Xiǎotáng said with a smile.
Chén Zhāoyáng looked at her, his eyes brimming with gentleness. "Yeah, and we even made some money and got some apples. But most importantly, I have you by my side." As he spoke, his face flushed slightly.
Lín Xiǎotáng lowered her head, sweetness filling her heart. The two walked in silence, savoring this fleeting tranquility. Suddenly, Chén Zhāoyáng broke the silence. "Xiǎotáng, don't you think it would be great if things could always stay like this between us—helping each other and facing difficulties together?"
Lín Xiǎotáng raised her head, looked at Chén Zhāoyáng, and said firmly, "We definitely will. We're going to get into a key high school together, and go to university together too."
At this moment, the afterglow of the sunset spilled over them, outlining a picturesque scene. Behind them, the floral umbrella stood slightly battered, yet it bore witness to their warmth and growth on a typhoon night.
Upon returning home, Chén Zhāoyáng recounted today's experiences to his parents, who showered endless praise on his kindness and sense of responsibility. His mother looked at his soaked clothes with heartache and said, "You child, even when you're helping out, you have to watch your own health."
Chén Zhāoyáng smiled and said, "Mom, I'm fine. I even made money today, and this money can buy Dad's medicine."
Hearing this, his father's eyes filled with profound relief. "Son, you've grown up."
That night, Chén Zhāoyáng lay in bed, recalling every little detail of the day, his heart surging with warmth and strength. He knew that in this reborn life, with Lín Xiǎotáng's companionship and his family's support, no matter what difficulties he encountered, he could face them bravely. This experience on the typhoon night not only deepened his bond with Lín Xiǎotáng but also made him even more determined to change his destiny.