Chapter 67: A Chance Encounter with an Old Brother

In that small village gently cradled by the passage of time, a quiet struggle between emotion and reason was unfolding.

Ever since that fleeting exchange of glances between Liu Dan and Li Chao, gentle ripples began to disturb the stillness of Yuxin’s heart. Countless times, in the deep silence of night, her thoughts wandered to that figure—both familiar and yet distant. Selfishness, perhaps, is the truest reflection of human nature; Yuxin was no exception. She had once imagined that, if Li Chao were just an inconspicuous village doctor in a forgotten corner of the countryside, she might have summoned the courage to take that step and turn her feelings into the sweetness of a shared world.

But fate is ever capricious. Li Chao was no ordinary man—his radiance grew ever more dazzling, his potential boundless, his future as vast and enigmatic as a star-filled sea. Yuxin, a widow guarding an empty house yet harboring tender hope, loved with a purity and depth that words could scarcely capture. Meeting and coming to know Li Chao was, to her, a rare and precious warmth in her life. She knew well she could not be the wings that carried him to soar the skies, nor did she wish to become the shackles that bound his steps. So she chose to let go, embracing that wisdom and serenity which seeks not eternity, but treasures the beauty of what once was.

Li Chao’s gentle persuasion was like a spring drizzle—soft, persistent, yet powerless to alter what had already been decided. In Yuxin’s gaze, resolve mingled with reluctance; she shook her head softly, refusing the promise that might bring yet more entanglement. In that moment, she seemed transformed into the village’s most resilient wildflower, determined to bloom with her own radiance, no matter the wind or rain.

Yet love, in truth, does not diminish with circumstance. Li Chao understood deeply that, though Yuxin did not seek recognition, her sacrifices and devotion deserved all the gentleness the world could offer. Secretly, he vowed that, no matter how rugged the path ahead, he would never let this affection become a burden to Yuxin. Instead, he would prove through his actions that, though nameless and uncelebrated, she would always have a place in his heart.

On those long, weathered streets, sunlight poured lazily down, gilding this quiet scene with a gentle golden glow. In a world so complex and restless, it is rare indeed to find one who can hold fast to innocence and principle, never forgetting their original intent even as they move forward. Li Chao, a man whose character was a blend of strength and tenderness, stood as steadfast as the flagstones beneath his feet—tested by wind and rain, yet unwavering.

Yuxin, though her steps were unsteady from the fatigue of the night before, held in her clear eyes a boundless tenderness and resilience. She had not fully emerged from the embrace of last night’s tenderness, but her every gesture betrayed a sensitive care for the world around her. At the reception, the beautiful attendant bit her lip lightly, her gaze mixed with envy and puzzlement, as if silently confiding a secret tale of love and longing.

Leaving the hotel, the two walked side by side into the bustle of the world. Li Chao parted his lips, his voice tinged with weariness but still warm, offering, “At this moment, I feel adrift and hungry in spirit—shall we seek a quiet corner and savor the true flavors of life together?”

At his words, a gentle smile played at the corners of Yuxin’s lips, and she nodded softly. In that moment of tacit understanding, it was as if time’s gentlest brush had painted a series of tender scenes upon their hearts.

But life, ever unpredictable, delights in adding unexpected colors when least expected. Along the way, they encountered an old man in his sixties, clothes in tatters, like a solitary boat forgotten by the years, moored quietly at the roadside. His eyes were clouded, drool hung at the corner of his mouth, his helplessness and desolation enough to stir pity in any heart.

Yuxin, ever kind-hearted, spoke with a voice as warm as spring sunlight, gently sweeping across that cold street corner: “Has this old man lost his way? Should we lend a hand and light a lamp of hope for him?”

Li Chao paused, his gaze lingering on the old man as countless thoughts whirled within. As a healer, he knew the weight of his responsibility and the extent of his abilities. Yet the world was perilous, hearts unpredictable, and he could not help but hesitate. To help, or not to help—behind this simple choice lay too many unknowns and risks.

In this era, being a good person often requires greater courage and wisdom. Li Chao drew a deep breath; his reverence for life and his steadfast belief compelled him to make a choice. He spoke, voice steady and warm: “You are right, Yuxin. We cannot let the coldness of the world extinguish the kindness in our hearts. Let me use these hands, which have healed the suffering, to banish the shadows before him.”

Hand in hand, they walked toward the old man. In that moment, their figures stretched long beneath the sun, as if they were the most beautiful sight in the world.

Yet destiny’s brush quietly shifted the scene as Li Chao wrestled inwardly over whether to offer help. Suddenly, a young man in blue work clothes burst into view like a sudden storm, shattering the peace around them. The young man, barely past twenty, walked with hurried steps, his face a tangle of anxiety and barely restrained rage, as though weighed down by an unbearable burden—each stride full of unyielding resolve.

Their eyes met, and Li Chao’s body trembled involuntarily as the floodgates of memory flew open—Sun Peng. The name echoed in his heart, stirring waves of old emotion. This was the companion of his brightest youth, the brother with whom he had shared meals and a bed—their innocent friendship as clear and precious as morning dew in summer.

After high school, the currents of life swept them apart, and the scarcity of phones and computers made their bond slowly fade, leaving only a faint trace of nostalgia. The joy of reunion quietly sprouted in Li Chao’s heart; he was about to open his arms and greet this surprise with a smile—never expecting that the next moment would freeze his joy as abruptly as a winter wind.

Sun Peng strode up to the senile old man—not with the gentle gaze of a long-lost friend, but with eyes as cold as blades. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and struck the old man’s weathered face hard, the sharp crack followed by an outburst of fury: “Don’t you know you have dementia? Why are you wandering out here?!”

The scene was like a bolt from a clear sky, leaving Li Chao stunned, the smile frozen on his lips, his heart a tangled mess of emotions. He had never imagined that the once kind-hearted friend with whom he had shared everything would now be so harsh to a helpless old man.

In that moment, Li Chao saw the complexity and duality of human nature and felt keenly the unpredictable changes wrought by time. He stood rooted, thoughts churning: shock and confusion at Sun Peng’s actions mingled with sympathy and pity for the old man. In this world full of uncertainty, he realized once more that no matter how beautiful the past, people inevitably change with time, and that pure friendship might only ever remain inscribed in memory, an untouchable piece of the past.

“Are you trying to work me to death?!” The voice exploded like a long-suppressed volcano, filled with boundless anger and helplessness, tearing the air and shattering the last illusions Li Chao had about their friendship.

The old man’s frail body trembled under the blow, tears welling in his eyes as he began to sob helplessly, like a child abandoned by the world—full of grievance and confusion. The sudden commotion quickly drew the attention of passersby.

Some were shocked, some angry, others sighing; all stopped in their tracks, pointing and whispering among themselves. In this land where filial piety is the foundation of virtue and the belief that children should care for their elders runs deep, such an act was intolerable. The crowd condemned Sun Peng’s behavior, their words full of sympathy for the old man and censure for his son.

“A son hitting his own father! Unforgivable!”

“That’s right! Even if the old man is at fault, you can’t treat him like this!”

“Ah! What an unfilial son, a disgrace to his family!”

Each word of reproach was like a sharp knife, cutting into Li Chao’s heart. He looked at the friend who had once shared his hardships and secrets, now standing on the wrong side of morality, scorned by all. A web of disappointment, sorrow, and anger surged within him, almost suffocating.

He realized that sometimes, it is through small details that one glimpses a person’s true nature. Sun Peng’s actions completely shattered his image in Li Chao’s heart, revealing a stranger, cold and unrecognizable.

Li Chao knew he could no longer stand by, letting such things happen. He had to step forward, to speak for the innocent old man, and also to draw a real, if imperfect, line under the friendship that once was. He shook his head, as if saying farewell to his past self, then strode forward with resolve.

His steps were steady and strong, each one a declaration of his commitment to justice and protection of the vulnerable.

“Xiao Chao, what’s wrong?” Yuxin’s voice was filled with concern and confusion; she had clearly sensed the upheaval in Li Chao’s mood, the anger barely contained. But now, Li Chao’s mind was fixed on one thing—to seek justice for the wronged old man. He had no time for questions, leaving only a cold reply: “There’s a fire in my chest—I can’t vent it, I’ll suffocate!”

With that, he marched forward, his figure soon standing not far from Sun Peng. In that instant, time seemed to freeze, the clamor of the crowd fading into a distant blur.

Sun Peng finally noticed Li Chao’s arrival. A glimmer of joy flashed in his eyes—the thrill of reunion after so many years. He stretched his arms wide, eager to embrace the brother he hadn’t seen in so long, calling out, “Brother! It’s been ages!”

But Li Chao’s response stunned everyone. He did not return Sun Peng’s embrace. Instead, he raised his hand and struck Sun Peng across the face with a resounding slap. The blow sent Sun Peng sprawling and shattered whatever remained of their old friendship and shared memories.

Sun Peng was dumbstruck, unable to believe what had happened. The crowd erupted in exclamations and hushed conversations, unable to comprehend why Li Chao had so decisively turned on his friend.

Yet Li Chao’s mind was clear. This slap was not only an expression of his anger and condemnation toward Sun Peng’s actions, but also a reckoning—a painful awakening from his own blind trust and leniency in the past.