Chapter 65: Classmates

Early the next morning, as they sat at the breakfast table, Su Yi heard his father, Su Chaodong, praising him.

“Yi, the therapy technique your friend taught you is truly remarkable. Last night, I slept without any pain in my shoulders, and when I stretched this morning, everything felt perfect.”

“The method your friend shared is extraordinary—I've never heard of a therapist achieving such immediate results for their patients.”

“You remember Aunt Huang, a few blocks away? Last month, she twisted her leg and could barely walk. Her son took her to a renowned therapist in the county after someone recommended him. Two hundred yuan per session, a week of treatments, and she still felt no improvement. The pain returned as soon as she got home.”

“This kind of skill is clearly their livelihood. The fact that your friend was willing to teach you is a tremendous kindness. You really must find time to thank them properly for me and your mother.”

Zhang Sufang walked by from the kitchen carrying a plate of fried eggs and said, “Isn’t it amazing? Yi, with this technique, I don’t think you need to look for a job in Zhongzuo anymore. You could stay here and open a little therapy clinic. With such real results, business would be great—much better than working for someone else.”

“I know it doesn’t sound too dignified for a college graduate to do this kind of work, but these days earning money is what matters. Most importantly, you could stay home. What do you think of my idea?”

She paused, then added, “We can’t let your friend lose out, either. They’ve been so thoughtful. When the time comes, you should bring it up with them—let’s pay a fee for using the technique. However much it costs, we’ll find a way to gather the money…”

Su Yi felt overwhelmed and quickly shook his head. “Mom, please don’t get carried away. My friend specifically told me when teaching me the technique that I mustn't pass it on or use it for profit. It’s a family secret, a legacy. Otherwise, it’d be impossible to explain to their relatives.”

“They trusted me, and I really can’t go against my conscience by making money off their method. Please let go of this idea.”

“Yi is right. Let’s not mix in any wild ideas.” Su Chaodong sighed inwardly at the missed opportunity, but he respected Su Yi’s wishes.

After breakfast, Su Chaodong went off to work, and Zhang Sufang planned to buy groceries at the market. Su Yi, with nothing to do, volunteered to take on the task.

He went downstairs, wheeled out an old, rusty bicycle from the stairwell—the very one his father had bought him when he started junior high.

Mounting the bike, Su Yi wobbled his way toward the market.

His home wasn’t far from town, just over two kilometers. The road was newly paved asphalt, and Su Yi enjoyed the bright sunshine, feeling relaxed as he quickly reached the marketplace.

Like most small-town markets in the country, the town’s market was poorly planned in its early years. The roads were narrow, the stalls laid out haphazardly, and vendors pushed their way into the center of the street, making the morning rush a crowded chaos.

After buying the groceries, Su Yi patiently followed the throng—mostly elderly men and women—shuffling forward step by step.

A blaring car horn sounded behind him.

The driver seemed fed up with the congestion, honking repeatedly without much pause.

Su Yi frowned slightly and instinctively looked back.

Behind him was a black Honda Accord. The young man at the wheel wore a floral shirt, the driver’s side window rolled down fully, his head jutting out as he watched the snail-paced crowd, nearly cursing aloud.

Just as Su Yi was about to look away, the young driver suddenly called out his name.

“Su Yi!”

“You are?” Su Yi asked, puzzled, as he didn’t recall knowing the man.

“I’m Zhuang Haoqiang! We were in the same class in junior high—don’t you remember?”

Recognition dawned on Su Yi. Now that Zhuang Haoqiang mentioned it, he vaguely recalled him. It had been over ten years since junior high, and the man before him looked nothing like the boy he remembered—which explained why he hadn’t made the connection.

The crowd in front thinned out a bit. Su Yi glanced ahead and said, “Let’s talk outside.” With that, he pedaled out first.

Once clear of the crowd, Zhuang Haoqiang pulled his car over and, sitting in the driver’s seat, spoke.

“It’s been more than ten years since we graduated from junior high, hasn’t it? I heard you went to college. I guess college students tend to forget old classmates—you didn’t recognize me after three years together in junior high.”

“Sorry, Haoqiang, you’ve changed a lot. I remember you were much shorter and thinner back then.”

“Haha, I won’t hold it against you. So, where’s the college grad making his fortune these days?” He glanced at Su Yi’s bicycle with a teasing smile.

“I work in Zhonghai. I just came home for a bit because of some family matters.”

Su Yi could read the situation—there was no malice, just a bit of showing off.

“You scholars have it good, working in big cities and living comfortably. I saw on the news that a random apartment in Zhonghai costs three or four million now. People like me have no hope of living there. A lifetime’s hard work is worth just one of your city apartments.”

He patted the steering wheel. “I didn’t continue school after junior high. I learned business from my uncle for a few years, and now I run a grain and oil wholesale business on Hecha Road. My whole life will be spent in this small county where you can see the end from the start.”

“You’re doing well for yourself—being your own boss. I’m still out there hustling as a wage earner,” Su Yi offered a small compliment.

“Haha, you’re smooth with words.” Zhuang Haoqiang chuckled, then remembered something. “It’s rare for us old classmates to bump into each other like this. How about we gather a few more tonight for a reunion? Everyone’s local, just a phone call away.”

He rattled off a few names, and Su Yi vaguely remembered them, though they hadn’t kept in touch after graduation.

“I don’t think—”

Su Yi was about to decline, but Zhuang Haoqiang cut him off, “Don’t be so wishy-washy. It’s settled. Tonight at nine—I’ll pick you up. Your house is still near Yangshui, right?”

When Su Yi nodded, Zhuang Haoqiang said, “Let’s exchange numbers, then. I’ll contact you later.”

With that, Su Yi had no choice but to comply. After swapping phone numbers, Zhuang Haoqiang drove off.