After that time he fainted, Grandpa often lost consciousness.
Although Grandpa had told him before that he would wake up, Wang Zhe would nervously drag him to bed every time, only feeling relieved after he woke up.
Chen Ziyun had once advised Chen Sheng to do his own thing, and that he wouldn't go back on his word, but Wang Zhe didn't listen. He was unusually persistent about this matter.
Chen Ziyun was helpless, but he could do nothing.
He could neither control his fainting spells nor persuade Chen Sheng.
Days passed like this, and Wang Zhe had now graduated from sixth grade.
In the past month, Chen Ziyun had actually started to cough.
He coughed day and night. Wang Zhe took Grandpa to the infirmary, but they couldn't figure anything out.
"Grandpa, are you really okay?" Wang Zhe asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." Chen Ziyun shook his head.
He took the report card and graduation certificate from Wang Zhe's hand. After looking at them for a long time, he asked, "Little Sheng, do you want to go to school in the city?"
"Okay!" Wang Zhe immediately nodded. "When we get to the city, Grandpa can also see a doctor. I think that Sun Panglin's skills are no good; he can't diagnose anything. When we get to the city, we'll find a big hospital."
Chen Ziyun sighed silently.
He avoided the question and asked, "Little Sheng, I have a friend in Yanming City who runs a school. He's quite famous even in Xià Gēng. You can get a better education there."
"Besides, Sun Tai is also there. If you're not familiar with the environment, you can look for him to hang out with."
Wang Zhe nodded cooperatively.
Then, Chen Ziyun took out a schoolbag from a nearby cabinet. It was black with a zipper, looking like a hiking backpack.
As soon as Wang Zhe saw the bag, he immediately remembered what it was.
It was the bag his Grandpa carried when he brought him down the mountain thirteen years ago.
This bag had been kept by Grandpa for thirteen years? Not damaged at all? Still as good as new?
And... he had rummaged through this cabinet countless times, and there was no such bag?
He quickly concealed his shock and asked, "Grandpa, is this a schoolbag?"
Chen Ziyun nodded. "When the time comes, you must carry this bag well. I'll put everything you need inside."
At this point, Wang Zhe still thought they were packing luggage, and this was the bag he needed to carry himself, while Grandpa would pack his own bag.
So he readily agreed: "Okay."
"Here's your ID card and household registration book." Under Chen Sheng's gaze, Chen Ziyun put both items into the innermost pocket of the schoolbag.
Wang Zhe found it a bit strange. It was fine to have his own ID card, but why did Grandpa need the household registration book? Shouldn't Grandpa be carrying such a thing?
"And a letter." He took out the paper from the bottom of the schoolbag and handed it to Chen Sheng.
"Little Sheng, you've grown up. Take a look at the words; are there any you don't recognize?"
Wang Zhe took the paper and found its texture to be somewhat smooth.
It didn't seem like ordinary paper, but more like parchment or something similar.
Where did Grandpa buy parchment?
He set aside this doubt and looked at the words on it.
There were five names and their detailed addresses.
【Principal of Jiuzhang School in Yanming City—Sòng Wènxiao】
【Chen Family in Lèyè City—Chén Yùnwén】
【Wu Family in Lèyè City—Wú Yàngāo】
【Fu Family in Wújí City—Fú Zǐjiè】
【Dean of the Feng Shui Academy at Anyang University in Lèyè City—Cháng Huì】
Upon seeing the first line, Wang Zhe instantly realized something. He immediately stuffed the paper back into Chen Ziyun's arms and loudly questioned, "Grandpa, why are you giving this to me? I don't know any of these people!"
"Little Sheng, these are people you can trust. If you encounter difficulties, you can find them."
"Then what about you? Grandpa, I'm going to junior high school in the city with you! If Grandpa thinks we don't have enough money, I can take on odd jobs. I'm a great cook; I can find a restaurant to work part-time! If that's still not enough, I can drop out of school. I don't like school anyway. I can..."
By the end, Wang Zhe's eyes were red, and he choked up.
Chen Ziyun quickly hugged Wang Zhe and said softly:
"I'm sorry, Shēngshēng, I can't hold on much longer."
"Impossible!" Wang Zhe instantly lost control. He struggled to break free from Chen Ziyun's embrace, stepped back a few paces, and roared, "Grandpa, how can you not hold on much longer! I told you that Sun Panglin is a quack; he can't diagnose anything! We'll go to a big hospital. A big hospital can definitely cure you! I won't go to school anymore. I can find a job quickly. If not, we can get a loan."
"Listen to me, Chen Sheng." Chen Ziyun stepped forward, stroked Wang Zhe's head, and said helplessly, "My illness cannot be cured."
Wang Zhe was somewhat desperate. His voice was choked with tears, "Is it hereditary?"
He had long suspected that Grandpa's inexplicable fainting spells back then would definitely lead to health problems later, but he hadn't expected the problems to come so quickly.
Chen Ziyun's body stiffened for a moment, then he nodded, "Yes."
"Then we have to see a doctor too." Wang Zhe sniffled, his nose running. "Grandpa, let's go see a doctor. Maybe we can still live for a long time. You come to the city with me, and we'll get proper medical treatment. Even if we don't have much time left, we still have to live, right?"
Chen Ziyun immediately hugged Wang Zhe. "Yes, Shēngshēng is right. Grandpa will hold on and live."
"Then Grandpa promises to go with me?"
"I promise."
"And Dà Huáng!"
"Yes, and Dà Huáng."
Ten minutes passed by the time Wang Zhe pulled away from Chen Ziyun's embrace.
He said, "Then Grandpa, when are we leaving?"
"In a few days. Let's pack our things first and then say goodbye to the people of Guojia Village."
Wang Zhe nodded heavily.
He remembered that many families liked to have farewell dinners. Grandpa had saved a good amount of money; buying some food, cooking some dishes, and having a gathering would be nice.
As Wang Zhe was thinking this to himself, Chen Ziyun took out that piece of parchment again.
"Little Sheng, you've grown up too. It's time I told you some things. About your parents, and about these people."
Wang Zhe nodded obediently.
"Your father's name is Chén Gù, and your mother's name is Hé Mèngyuè. Your father and I are from the same Chen Family."
"Are you wondering why I brought you here instead of looking for your parents?"
Wang Zhe nodded.
Actually, he had guessed that Chen Sheng's parents were probably dead, otherwise Grandpa wouldn't be raising him.
"They went to a very, very distant place. They haven't returned yet."
"Are they dead?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen them for a long time."
Chen Ziyun sighed. "The Chen Family and the He Family are mortal enemies, so your parents' marriage was not approved. Therefore, neither side accepted your existence. This is also why I haven't taken you to acknowledge your ancestors."
"It doesn't matter! Grandpa, I only need you. I don't care about the Chen Family or the He Family."
Anyway, he wasn't the real Chen Sheng. Even if Chen Sheng had a natural attachment to the Chen Family, he had died before Wang Zhe transmigrated. Now, the one occupying Chen Sheng's body was Wang Zhe himself.