The Only Choice - Extra 6

During Zhao Dezhen's period of poorest health, she spent her days in the hospital. Zhou Fanfan set aside most of her work, staying by her side almost every night.

Cancan also came to the hospital frequently. After school, backpack still on, she would do her homework in the hospital room.

Sensitive for her age, she knew her mother had been feeling down lately because of Grandma's condition. So, she wanted to be there for the adults.

After school this day, she had the driver take her to the hospital as usual.

"Great-Grandma, look what this is!" Waving a test paper, she ran to the bedside, proudly showing it to Zhao Dezhen. "I got full marks again on the weekly test! First in the whole class!"

Zhao Dezhen's eyes crinkled with a soft smile. "Our Cancan is so brilliant. Your grades are much better than your mother's were when she was little."

Cancan sat down by the bed. "Really?"

"Really… Your mother was playful and careless back then. She never came first in her class."

"What place did she get then!"

Zhao Dezhen looked at her fondly, almost as if seeing a young Zhou Fanfan in her. "Around twentieth in her class… But she worked hard later in high school, caught up, and got into a good university. Your mother is clever, she was just a bit of a mischief-maker."

Cancan asked, "Did Mom do her homework properly when she was little? Would she get scolded if she didn't?"

"Not doing homework isn't right, so if she was disobedient, I would scold her too."

"Why did you scold her, Great-Grandma, and not Mom's own mom and dad? If I don't do my homework now, my dad sure lectures me."

Zhao Dezhen pressed her lips together, a glimmer of tears in her clouded eyes. "Fanfan wasn't as fortunate as you, Cancan. When she was little, her parents were both very far away. So, only Great-Grandma was here to scold her."

Cancan felt a pang of sadness. She couldn't imagine her own parents not being by her side. She knew she would cry very, very loudly.

"Then… why did they go so far away? Why didn't they stay with Mom?"

"The world of adults is often full of things beyond their control." Zhao Dezhen stroked Cancan's head. "So, Cancan, in the future, when Great-Grandma is no longer here, you must take good care of your mother. Be good to her, always care for her and love her, understand?"

A ten-year-old could already understand things about death. She knew Great-Grandma hadn't been well at all lately. This 'no longer here' probably meant dying.

Cancan hung her head, silent.

Zhao Dezhen looked at her, her tone turning firm. "Zhou Cancan, did you hear what Great-Grandma said? In the future, our Zhou family will rely on you. You must take good care of her for me."

Cancan looked up, nodding as if making a solemn vow. "Mm! Great-Grandma, don't worry, I will. Daddy and I will definitely take care of Mom!"

Zhao Dezhen smiled. "Yes… Yuanbai is here too. Then I can rest easy. Rest easy."

The old and the young in the hospital room talked softly, their conversation weaving between seriousness and lighthearted laughter.

Zhou Fanfan, leaning against the wall outside holding a box of pastries, felt tears stream down her face.

Yet, the fear they had all held at bay finally materialized.

Zhao Dezhen passed away on a winter night that year. The doctors said she felt no pain at the end, that she left in her sleep. For an elderly lady nearing ninety to go this way was a peaceful end, a blessed event. They advised the family to grieve in moderation.

Zhou Fanfan tried hard to accept it. She declined Guan Yuanbai's help and single-handedly arranged the funeral. When guests came to offer condolences, she accepted their sympathies with grace. Throughout, she appeared perfectly composed.

But when Mrs. Zhao's body was being transferred to the crematorium, just before it was to be wheeled towards the furnace, she finally broke. She blocked the path of the attendants, fell to her knees, clutching the gurney tightly, her body shaking with sobs.

"Why did you still have to leave me…"

"Grandma… what do I do now that I'll never see you again…"

The composure she had maintained for days shattered completely the moment she clearly understood her grandmother was about to be turned to ashes.

She completely broke down.

Guan Yuanbai crouched down, held her, his own eyes red-rimmed as he gently pulled her away. "Fanfan, let Grandma rest in peace."

Zhou Fanfan's grip was so tight her fingertips turned white. Only after a long time, soothed by Yuanbai's embrace, did she slowly release her hold.

The attendants wheeled the body away. Zhou Fanfan leaned against Guan Yuanbai's chest, her spirit shattered, her heart utterly broken.

On this day, her grandmother had truly, completely left her.

——

For a long time after, Zhou Fanfan couldn't find her footing. Occasionally, seeing something related to Zhao Dezhen would bring tears to her eyes effortlessly.

Guan Yuanbai saw it all, his heart aching for her. But he also knew this was a pain no one else could resolve for her. All he could do was be there for her when she needed, ensuring she never felt alone for a single second.

On April 10th the following year, it was Guan Yuanbai's birthday.

The moment she got home from school, Cancan dashed into the kitchen, pulling the pastry chef aside, begging her to teach her how to make a small cake.

Right then, Zhou Fanfan also came into the kitchen. She suggested they not make a small one, but a bigger cake, and that she would help.

It had been so long since Cancan had seen her mother cook or bake anything herself. She was thrilled, immediately grabbing her hand, chattering about what kind of cake to make. They finally decided on a blueberry flavor.

Guan Yuanbai had work matters at the company today and wouldn't be back early, giving them more time to prepare. After finishing the cake, Zhou Fanfan personally cooked several of Guan Yuanbai's favorite dishes. She and Cancan also decorated the dining room with balloons for a birthday atmosphere.

When Guan Yuanbai returned home, his attention was caught by the candlelight glowing in the dimness. Cancan popped out from the side, launching into the "Happy Birthday" song.

Zhou Fanfan walked up to him carrying the cake. "Happy Birthday."

Guan Yuanbai looked at her through the candlelight, his gaze soft. "Did you two plan a surprise for me?"

Zhou Fanfan smiled. "Yes. Are you happy?"

Guan Yuanbai: "Mm, very happy."

"Then make a wish now."

Cancan chimed in, "Yes, yes! Daddy, make a wish, quick! Blow out the candles!"

Guan Yuanbai nodded. Under the gaze of his wife and daughter, he closed his eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles.

The lights came on. Cancan pestered him, "What did you wish for, Daddy?"

Guan Yuanbai's eyebrow quirked slightly. "Not telling."

"Aww, you're so mean! Tell me, please, just a little hint!"

Zhou Fanfan laughed. "Alright, stop bothering your father. Let him eat his dinner."

Cancan pouted. "Okay…"

The three sat down at the dining table. Guan Yuanbai knew from the first bite that the dishes were cooked by Zhou Fanfan.

"The gifts today are already too good," Guan Yuanbai said.

Zhou Fanfan was amused. "This isn't the gift. I haven't given you your real gift yet."

Guan Yuanbai smiled back. "What did you get me?"

"I'll give it to you later. Eat first."

Cancan said, "Daddy, Daddy, I got you a present too! I'll give it to you later."

"Is that so? Now I'm looking forward to it."

After dinner, they gave Guan Yuanbai his presents in the living room. Zhou Fanfan had bought him a limited-edition watch, a style he particularly liked. After Zhou Fanfan presented her gift, Cancan mysteriously brought out hers—a stack of small cards. Unfolding them revealed handwritten vouchers for "One Massage," "One Errand," "Stop Crying Immediately," and so on.

It was incredibly thoughtful. Each card was decorated with cute little cartoons, full of design effort.

Zhou Fanfan watched with a smile, but as she looked on, her eyes began to redden. Not wanting the other two to notice, she excused herself to get some juice from the kitchen and stood up.

When she was little, she had made a gift just like that for her grandmother.

——

The April night still held a chill. Unable to sleep, Zhou Fanfan sat in the study working, trying to keep her mind from wandering back to the past.

Ding ding—

Her phone rang. Zhou Fanfan answered. "I'm in the study. Why are you calling?"

"Come to the balcony."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Guan Yuanbai's voice came through the phone. "You'll see when you get here."

Zhou Fanfan put her work aside, walked from the study to the balcony, and didn't see anything at first. But she heard faint voices below, so she went to the railing and looked down.

"Daddy! Light it!"

"Okay."

On the ground below was a circle of candles arranged in a heart…

After Guan Yuanbai crouched down and lit them, fireworks placed inside the heart shot upwards, scattering sparks like starlight, dazzling and brilliant against the night sky…

Zhou Fanfan stared at the scene in astonishment, then looked down at the two figures standing there—one tall, one small—their faces illuminated by the radiant glow.

"Mom! Isn't it pretty?!" After the firework display ended, Cancan, now holding a sparkler, waved up at her.

Zhou Fanfan called down, "So pretty!"

"Daddy did this for you! He arranged the heart all by himself! Mom, come down quickly!"

Zhou Fanfan nodded, turned, and ran downstairs.

She walked up to Guan Yuanbai. "What are you doing… It's your birthday today, not mine."

Guan Yuanbai said, "Can't I show you this on my birthday?"

Zhou Fanfan gave a soft laugh. "Well, I suppose you can…"

"Are you feeling a little happier now?" Guan Yuanbai asked her.

Zhou Fanfan was taken aback. She said quietly, "I am happy…"

Guan Yuanbai gestured for Cancan to go tidy up the candles. Cancan scampered off eagerly. He wrapped his arm around Zhou Fanfan and said softly, "I made a wish when I blew out the candles today."

"What was it?"

Guan Yuanbai: "I wished for you to be happy forever."

Zhou Fanfan's heart clenched. "That was your birthday wish…"

"My wish is for you to be happy." Zhou Fanfan fell silent.

Guan Yuanbai continued, "I know you've been missing Grandma all this time. But Fanfan, the departed are at peace. If Grandma knew you were remembering her with such a heavy heart, she wouldn't be at ease."

Zhou Fanfan hadn't realized he'd noticed her mood today. She whispered, "I'm sorry… Has it been affecting you and Cancan?"

"No, don't apologize to me. I just want you to be able to think of Grandma with joy, not with sorrow. Fanfan, you still have me, and you have Cancan. We are your family. We will always be by your side, understand?"

"Yeah! Mom! I'll always be with you!" Cancan, running back after hearing the last part, immediately declared her love. "Mom, I'm just like Daddy!"

Zhou Fanfan hugged her daughter. "Really?"

"Really!" Cancan looked up. "And I promised Great-Grandma before that I would take care of you and love you. I can't break my promise!"

Zhou Fanfan's nose stung. "Thank you, Cancan."

"No need to thank me! It's what I'm supposed to do! Right, Daddy?"

Guan Yuanbai nodded. "Right. We'll be here together."

Zhou Fanfan looked up at Guan Yuanbai, tears welling in her eyes—tears of apology for the recent period, but also of profound gratitude.

Guan Yuanbai reached out and gently wiped her cheek. "No more tears. Let's go back inside, okay?"

Zhou Fanfan took his hand. "Okay."

"Mom, hold my hand too!"

Zhou Fanfan couldn't help but smile. "Okay."

The three walked back towards the house side by side. Zhou Fanfan held one hand of each, her heart feeling both weighty and deeply content.

Compared to what she had lost, what she possessed was actually so much…

She thought, she would begin to live her life well, but she would also remember forever.

Just as Guan Yuanbai had said, she would remember with joy.

---

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