Chapter Eighty-Four: Unattainable Happiness

  Ji Xin'an started looking for a suitable prosthesis when Zou Wei Guo was discharged from the hospital. Although Ji Xin'an had experience from her past life, she had never come into contact with information about prosthetics before, so it can be said that she was no different from others and didn't understand anything. She could only ask others for advice. After inquiring with many professionals, she learned that there was a prosthesis manufacturer in the United States that had recently developed a new type of product.

  It is made of titanium alloy, light in weight and good in hardness. The design conforms to the principle of ergonomics, with more flexible joints. After wearing a prosthesis, the injured person can walk more freely, and the damage degree of the stump surface at the junction with the leg is very low.

  Although the product is very good and suitable for people like Zou Weiguo who have only had a small leg amputation, this product has just been produced and the output is very small. It's even difficult to buy in the US, let alone in China which is not yet very open, so Ji Xin'an now has money but can't spend it.

  Ji Xin'an said he would find the best for him, so after having this choice, all others became mediocre. Why settle for mediocrity when you can have something good?

  Then he thought of Song Jiangliang, who had more contacts than Ji Xin'an. Moreover, it was common for people in the entertainment industry to know several foreign friends. Song Jiangliang did not disappoint him and finally managed to buy the prosthetic limb after some twists and turns, although at twice the price, but Ji Xin'an felt that the money was well spent.

  After several months, Zou Weiguo's injury finally healed. Ji Xin'an had originally wanted to find a better rehabilitation center for him to undergo physical therapy, but those famous rehabilitation centers were either in Beijing or Shanghai. If only Liu Lihua accompanied him, it would be inconvenient, and the rehabilitation process was also very long, so others couldn't possibly have that much time to accompany him. In the end, they could only choose to conduct prosthetic adaptation training in their own city.

  After starting rehabilitation, Zou Weiguo devoted himself to the effort with all his might, no matter how painful it was. He gritted his teeth and persisted, never complaining, and didn't stop for a single day, letting everyone see the iron will of a soldier. Even the doctors who were used to seeing patients in pain couldn't help but admire his perseverance.

  Zou Weiguo can already walk with the help of crutches, but no one dares to let him go there alone, so Zou Ze occasionally accompanies him during his days off.

  Every time he sees him fall and get up again, his body is all bruised and purple, the stump and prosthetic rubbing against each other until they bleed, bandaged and continuing to practice, Zou Ze can't bear to watch anymore, not only feeling heartache but also even more admiring of his father.

  "Dad, take a rest and practice again later." Zou Ze saw Zou Weiguo fall to the ground once more, hastily helping him up. Due to his unaccustomed prosthetic limb and lack of agility after amputation, every time he fell, even with someone's help, it was very difficult for him to get back on his feet.

  "I'm fine, it's just a few falls, and for your dad, I'd say it's nothing." Zou Weiguo smiled, stood up, pushed him away, and continued to practice, wanting to better control his prosthetic leg and get rid of the crutches soon.

  Looking at his father's weak but strong back, Zou Ze felt a sense of admiration for the first time. He had been here for a while and had seen many people with similar conditions to his father. During rehabilitation, some were irritable and vented their dissatisfaction on their families, while others couldn't bear the pain and wanted to give up. But his father was different, he didn't speak every day, but silently persisted.

  Zou Weiguo's efforts paid off quickly.

  After a while, Zou Ze suddenly wanted to take Ji Xin'an to the hospital. Ji Xin'an hadn't visited Master for a long time, not because she didn't want to go, but because she couldn't bear to see her once strong master in pain now. She also believed that Master wouldn't want his weakness to be seen by an outsider like herself. So unless it was really necessary for her help, she wouldn't go, thinking of waiting until the day when Master recovered and then visiting him again.

  But today, looking at Zou Ze's mysterious face, asking him what he didn't say, his heart couldn't help but add a few more expectations.

  When Ji Xin'an arrived at Zou Wei's rehabilitation place, he saw another astonishing scene. Zou Wei was moving forward step by step with great difficulty but on his own, without the help of any external forces.

  "Master, can you go now?" When Zou Weiguo stopped to rest, Ji Xin'an followed Zou Ze and walked over, her excitement could no longer be concealed.

  "He can only walk a few steps, and still unsteadily at that. He's still far from being able to walk on his own." Zhou Weiguo wiped the sweat from his face, saw the two approaching, and smiled slightly. Today, he could finally walk without holding onto the railing for support, even if it was just a few steps, it was exhilarating nonetheless.

  The doctor on the side heard this and interjected, "This is not bad at all. You are the fastest patient I have seen to adapt to a prosthetic limb. Although your prosthetic limb is indeed better than others, your speed of adaptation is also surprising." The man said with admiration, anyone can't ignore Zhou Weiguo's efforts.

  "Alright, did you hear that? This is all thanks to you. If it weren't for the good prosthetic leg you bought me, I wouldn't be able to walk so soon." Zou Weiguo took off his prosthetic leg and gestured to Ji Xin'an. At first, he didn't think much of it because he didn't understand, but after coming here and seeing other people's clumsy prosthetics, he realized that this one must have been difficult to come by and was probably very expensive.

  "Master, if you sit there every day without doing adaptive training, even if I give you a prosthetic limb ten times better than this one, it's useless. Besides, this is what I promised you in the first place, if you don't bring out your best, you'd scold me instead." Ji Xin'an just smiled carelessly and said exaggeratedly.

  "It's still this little girl who is right, I've followed many patients who gave up on prosthetic limbs because they couldn't bear the pain. Your hard work is the main reason you can stand up so quickly." The doctor nodded in agreement with Ji Xinan's words.

  "Alright, you're all very impressive, let's not argue here. Today, to celebrate my dad being able to walk on his own, my mom has prepared a table of delicious food at home and is waiting for us. If we don't head back soon, it'll get cold." Zou Ze helped Zou Wei Guo clean up their things and interrupted the conversation between several people, already having the intention to leave with his backpack.

  The two of them burst out laughing and left with Zou Ze together to enjoy Liu Lihua's delicious food.

  As he gradually became more familiar, Zou Weiguo was able to control his prosthetic leg with increasing ease, and his walking became more stable. By the time Chinese New Year arrived, Zou's gait was almost indistinguishable from that of an able-bodied person. If there was still a difference, it was only in the slightly stiff posture and lack of flexibility in his walk. With time, Zou Weiguo will surely become even more accustomed to his new leg.

  At New Year's, Ji Xin'an went back to her hometown as she did every year. This year, however, Zou Ze felt particularly down because over the past year, due to various things, he had often been with Ji Xin'an. When they weren't together, he would think of her and know where she was, so all he had to do was go find her and he could see her. He had grown accustomed to always being able to see Ji Xin'an, but now that she was suddenly gone, it felt really unfamiliar.

  When eating the New Year's Eve dinner, Zou Ze was still thinking about whether Ji Xin'an would call, because he didn't know the phone number of where she was now, so he could only wait. But Ji Xin'an might have been playing and completely forgotten to call, not a single call came in for several days. Tonight is New Year's Eve, even if Ji Xin'an doesn't call herself, she will still give Zou Wei Guo a New Year's greeting, so he ate with some distraction.

  Every time the phone rings, Zou Ze's movements are faster than anyone else's. He is always the first to pick it up, but he often comes back disappointed.

  At a little past eleven o'clock, he finally got through to Ji Xin'an's phone, and it was still answered by Zou Ze first. This time, however, there was no disappointment, as the voice he most wanted to hear came from the other end of the line.

  "Zou Ze, Happy New Year." Ji Xin'an answered the phone and immediately recognized Zou Ze's voice, then smiled and greeted him for the new year.

  "Happy New Year, An'an, how have you been these past few days?" Zou Ze listened to the voice on the other end of the phone and felt that the firecracker sounds from that side were even more pleasant than his own.

  "What can I do, it's great of course, the New Year atmosphere here is very good, a big crowd of adults and children, makes me feel like I've returned to my childhood." Ji Xin'an smiled happily, really like a little kid.

  Zou Ze was also infected by her and laughed, "Then let's have more fun, it's not easy to find a game that can make you so relaxed."

  "Yes, it's been a long time since I've felt so relaxed." This year has been busy with one thing or another, never having a moment to spare. "Is the master around? I'd like to pay my respects for the new year."

  "Here, I'll give it to him." Zou Ze heard this and reluctantly handed the microphone over to Zou Weiguo, who was standing beside him. He still stood there, even if she wasn't talking to him, just wanting to hear her voice.

  After saying a few words with excitement, Zou Weiguo hung up the phone without hesitation. Zou Ze looked at the put-down phone with dissatisfaction before sitting back down at the dinner table.

  Zou Weiguo looked at the unusual Zou Ze, and his doubts grew even more. Since Ji Xin'an left, Zou Ze had been listless, but today he came to life just because of a phone call from Ji Xin'an, and now he was still thinking about something with a sly smile on his face. All this made Zou Weiguo think deeply.

  Then she took advantage of the phone call and started chatting, looking at Liu Lihua, "An An told me to help her bring a good word to you, saying that we are coming to pay our New Year's greetings."

  "An'an is such a sensible child, thinking things through so thoroughly." Liu Lihua couldn't help but feel delighted. That's just how people are - if they dislike someone, no matter how well that person does something, it's always wrong; but if they like someone, even the smallest thing they do will be magnified and praised. Right now, Ji Xin'an is clearly in the latter category.

  Zou Ze was delighted when he heard the music, even more so than when he was praised. Zou Weiguo looked at him and asked, "Zou Ze, what do you think of Anan?"

  "It's great, she's good-looking and has a nice temperament. Originally, her studies were already so good, and she can also write songs and sing. She even has a keen eye for investment. It seems like she's an all-around machine cat, I really don't know what she doesn't understand or can't do." As soon as he mentioned Ji Xin'an, Zou Ze's words suddenly increased, and the infectious smile of Ji Xin'an appeared before his eyes, causing him to chuckle lightly.

  "Zou Ze, do you like An An?" Zou Weiguo saw the expression on Zou Ze's face and became even more certain of his thoughts, so he directly asked him.

  Zou Ze heard this and a sentence got stuck in his throat, unable to speak, "Dad... what are you talking about?"

  "I'm not blind, your concern for Anan far exceeds that of an ordinary friend. A real man should dare to admit what he dares to do." Seeing his hesitant appearance, she couldn't help but take out the attitude she used to have towards Zou Ze, but this time it didn't bring about Zou Ze's displeasure.

  Liu Lihua looked at Zou Ze in surprise, it seemed that she still didn't care enough about her son, "Is that so?"

  Seeing Zou Weiguo's determined look, he knew that no matter what, he couldn't hide it anymore, so he nodded his head. "I do like Ji Xin'an, and I've liked her for a long time. But An'an didn't accept my confession at all, so you guys don't have to worry about me having an early romance."

  This time, Zou Weiguo did not immediately stand up to oppose it. "An An is indeed a good girl, you like her and there's nothing unexpected about that, while she didn't accept you which was also within expectation."

  "Why am I not good enough for her?" Zou Ze looked at Zou Weiguo in surprise, neglecting that Zou Weiguo was calmly discussing emotional issues with him.

  "It's not that you're not good enough for her, An'an is a girl who thinks more, in the current situation where nothing has been confirmed between you two, how can she possibly accept you? And even if An'an really gets together with you, can you make her happy?" Zhou Weiguo surprisingly changed his previous strict tone, which even made Liu Lihua look surprised.

  "Of course I can, I truly like An An, why can't I bring her happiness?" Zou Ze immediately retorted, he wouldn't deceive Ji Xin An like Yao Wen Huan did, he would always sincerely like her, so why couldn't he bring her happiness.

  "You're thinking too simply, have you considered the long-term consequences? Even if Anan likes you now, what happens after you two are together? Can you really give her happiness and what kind of happiness can you provide? Once you two break up, it's a long-distance relationship, maybe at first, you can still maintain this feeling of missing each other, but two years, three years or even more years later, your lives will be in completely different circles. How can you be happy if you're forcing yourselves to be together?" Zou Weiguo put down his chopsticks, thinking that he should let him face reality, the two of them are still young, and if they really get together, only to break up due to external factors, it's still them who will end up getting hurt.

  Thanks to Zou Weiguo's reminder, Zou Zeru suddenly woke up from his dream and realized that the college entrance exam was approaching, and he and Ji Xin'an were destined to be separated, perhaps Ji Xin'an had no confidence in himself or time...