Chapter 172: You Fool, Why Do You Keep Smiling?

Zhang Zhiyin helped Fang Zhou sit under a tree, using a torn piece of cloth to fetch some clean water, which she handed to Fang Zhou.

Maybe it was the exhaustion, but Fang Zhou found the water incredibly sweet.

“That’s enough.”

Fang Zhou drank deeply, signaling Zhang Zhiyin to stop.

She nodded lightly, then remembered he couldn’t see at the moment, so she spoke up.

“Alright, let me know if you get thirsty again.”

Zhang Zhiyin leaned her back against the tree trunk, quietly looking at Fang Zhou’s face, her feelings a mix of emotions.

Even after being soaked in the muddy river, his face was still so resilient.

Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a halo around him, making him look like a fallen hero from a fairy tale.

Clearly, Fang Zhou didn’t have to suffer like this if he hadn’t stayed behind to protect everyone…

The more she thought about it, the more it pained Zhang Zhiyin.

“Where are we now? Can we contact the outside?”

After resting for a while, Fang Zhou felt a bit more energy returning and asked.

He couldn’t see anything, relying entirely on Zhang Zhiyin for information.

“I searched around earlier. My phone was washed away, and your watch is waterlogged and useless. We’ll probably have to wait for rescue or hope for nearby villagers.”

Zhang Zhiyin sighed, telling him the truth.

If they weren’t injured, they could try moving south, but after falling and being swept away, they were too exhausted.

It was better to stay put and wait for rescue.

“The river likely doesn’t have many branches. The rescue team just needs to follow the river to find us.”

“Don’t be scared, we’ll be out of here soon.”

Fang Zhou gently reassured Zhang Zhiyin, trying to comfort her.

Zhang Zhiyin was amused by his words.

“Why does it sound like you’re the one comforting me when it’s you who can’t see?”

Her laughter lightened Fang Zhou’s mood, and he smiled broadly. “I’m just worried you might be scared.”

They both laughed, easing the heaviness of their situation.

“Besides, think about it, we survived being swept away by a flood. We must be destined for good fortune!”

“I’ll buy a lottery ticket when we get back, maybe we’ll win five million!”

Fang Zhou spoke with such hope that Zhang Zhiyin couldn’t help but laugh along.

“You mean the flood washed away your bad luck?”

“Exactly! In novels, the protagonist always gets stronger after falling off a cliff or facing hardship. With you, a great writer, by my side, you must be my wise mentor.”

“Hehe, when we get back, you’ll help me pick the lottery numbers!”

Fang Zhou’s bright smile made Zhang Zhiyin feel he was even more dazzling than the sunlight, almost too bright to look at directly.

“Sure.”

If I could, I’d give you all my good luck.

She softly agreed, her gaze shifting to the scenery behind him.

A lush green mountain stood firm and steady.

The sunlight after the rain felt like a hand lifting a maiden’s veil, revealing her shy beauty.

In ancient times, Liang Shanbo dared not look at Guanyin, and now, she dared not face the green mountain.

“Fang Zhou, what do you most want to do?”

At that moment, Zhang Zhiyin suddenly wanted to know Fang Zhou’s wishes. If she could, she wanted to help him.

“My wish? I just hope my little sister gets better soon.”

Fang Zhou couldn’t see anything, but his mind conjured images of his sister.

He had promised to be back today to see her, but it seemed he’d break that promise again.

Fortunately, his sister Fang Wenjing was always understanding, knowing he was busy and never blaming him for not making it back.

Fang Zhou felt bittersweet, both sad and comforted.

Their parents passed away early, and his sister matured quickly, living at school and taking care of herself from a young age, only asking her brother for help with things she couldn’t handle alone.

“What’s wrong with your sister?”

Zhang Zhiyin frowned, not knowing the situation.

She had met Fang Zhou’s sister before. With a ten-year age gap, when they were in high school, Fang Wenjing was still a cute little girl.

She’d come to the school gate to pick up Fang Zhou, who could lift her with one hand like a doll.

Back then, classmates joked about his brotherly strength.

“She’s sick, but I’ll make money soon to get her better.”

Fang Zhou’s smile faded slightly, but he didn’t mind telling Zhang Zhiyin.

After all, she was a good friend, and it didn’t matter if she knew.

Zhang Zhiyin’s heart sank, sensing something was wrong.

For Fang Zhou to be so worried and constantly thinking about it, it couldn’t be a minor illness.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Why apologize? It’s not a secret.”

Now wasn’t the time to delve into it further. She decided to investigate more when they got back.

“If you need my help, just ask.”

Zhang Zhiyin spoke cautiously, fearing that offering help might hurt his pride.

Fang Zhou chuckled lightly. If she had offered half a year ago, he might have broken his principles and borrowed money from a friend.

But now, they had enough for the kidney transplant.

“It’s fine.”

“Let’s not talk about that. What about you? What do you most want to do?”

Fang Zhou asked in return.

“I… probably want to write a book.”

“A book? Haven’t you written many already?”

Fang Zhou was puzzled.

“This one’s different. I want to write something based on reality, not fiction or fantasy.”

She silently added: I want to write our story.

About my secret love and the story behind it.

In her past books, the characters always had a bit of Fang Zhou in them.

This time, she wanted to make him the protagonist and write a story about him.

“With your skill, you’ll write it easily.”

“Good luck, and let me read it when you’re done, hahaha, ouch~”

Fang Zhou laughed so hard it pulled at his wounds, making him wince in pain.

Zhang Zhiyin smiled helplessly and walked behind him, speaking softly, “Don’t move, let me check your back.”

She gently lifted Fang Zhou’s shirt, shocked by the sight of the deep cuts, frozen in place.

The wounds crisscrossed his back, caused by sharp stones.

“You…”

You fool, it’s clearly painful, so why do you keep smiling?

Author’s Note :  (Fang Zhou’s blindness is only temporary! He will recover!)