Shuangling: Braving the Rapids

After descending the mountain, the three had lunch at Aimin's house. Eager to return to school, Yue Chuan left early, while Professor Meng was arranged by Aimin to rest in the study on the second floor.

"Teacher, climbing mountains is quite tiring. Why don't you take a nap? I'll take you for a walk around town this afternoon."

Aimin poured Professor Meng a cup of tea, and just as he was about to leave, Professor Meng suddenly grabbed his arm and said with a smile, "Aimin, don't bother buying me local specialties. I'm going back to the provincial capital tomorrow morning. Before I leave, I have a few things to tell you."

Seeing his mentor's seriousness, Aimin sensed something was amiss and quickly advised, "Why don't you stay a few more days? I'd like to accompany you to visit the ancient villages behind the mountain!"

"Something came up at the college, and besides, we need to get the Chrysanthemum research group set up for you as soon as possible. Seeing how enthusiastically you're working, I can't let you down, can I?" Professor Meng chuckled.

Despite Professor Meng's gentle tone, Aimin still sensed something amiss. Before he could think further, the other party continued, "Before coming to see you, Xiaoyun went to the provincial capital to see me and told me some things about you two."

Judging from Ai Min's reaction, he didn't seem surprised. Given Chen Yun's personality, she would definitely say something to Professor Meng.

"The girl cried and said that you and your mother both have epilepsy, which is why you don't date her. Tell me the truth, are you just making up this excuse because you're too embarrassed to directly reject her?"

Professor Meng wasn't the only one with this suspicion; Chen Yun initially thought so too. When she confided in Professor Meng, she specifically mentioned that Aimin hadn't had a relapse in years, which was probably why Professor Meng hadn't directly inquired about his condition when they met.

The mentor and student had known each other for many years and had even worked on experiments together all night. If Aimin truly had a hidden illness, Professor Meng should have known about it long ago.

Seeing Aimin hesitate and remain silent, Professor Meng grew anxious. "What are you being so coy about in front of me? What? Can't I ask about your personal relationships?"

"No..." Aimin sighed, "Teacher, my father does have epilepsy, and I most likely inherited it..."

"What do you mean by 'high probability'?" Professor Meng's tone was somewhat reproachful. "Xiaoyun said you got the diagnosis report at the provincial hospital, and you haven't had a follow-up appointment in all these years?"

"One year, the school organized a physical examination for teachers, including brain CT scans. The report showed abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, but the conclusion was ambiguous..." Aimin lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with his mentor, like a child who had done something wrong. "Teacher, this disease gradually worsens with age. My father's symptoms were mild when he was young, but they suddenly deteriorated, and in the last two years, the attacks have become more and more frequent..."

"That's all your subjective assumptions!" Professor Meng waved his hand to interrupt. "You can't diagnose epilepsy based solely on tremors and a single report, can you? You haven't had any seizures or fainting spells in recent years, and your medical reports don't provide any evidence. You know, medical conditions were poor in the past, and it's not impossible for diagnostic reports to be wrong!"

Sensing that Professor Meng's words had a hidden meaning, Aimin suddenly looked up as if he had thought of something, then shook his head and remained silent.

"Judging from your expression, you must have thought of something." Professor Meng said, observing his beloved student's changing expression. "You may not know, but Li Baihe's father and I were old friends. Back when I was sent to the countryside, it was he who informed the higher-ups. Well, let's not talk about those old stories, but I can tell you one thing clearly—Li's father has a very good personal relationship with the vice president of the Provincial People's Hospital..."

Upon hearing this, Aimin felt as if struck by lightning, his mind going blank. He finally understood what Professor Meng was trying to say. The reason he believed he had epilepsy was partly due to his father's illness and partly due to the diagnosis report from years ago. But if someone had tampered with that report, then all of this would be overturned.

"No! Secretary Li is a good person. He's been very polite to me the whole time! He never stopped me from dating Bai He! Even though I was disciplined by the school, he promised to arrange a job for me in the provincial capital..."

His memory suddenly flashed back: that night, he first had a big fight with Li Baihe, then his hands started shaking uncontrollably, and then Baihe forcibly dragged him to the hospital.

"Wait... why did we go to that hospital? Oh, I remember now! Baihe said his dad knew someone there. That's right, after arriving at the hospital, Baihe immediately contacted my father and found the chief physician of neurology. He personally handed me my medical records and diagnosis report..."

Recalling what happened back then, Ai-min suddenly became neurotic, laughing and crying at the same time: "Am I not sick? Did they all conspire to lie to me so that I would break up with Bai-he on my own initiative?"

The chilling truth sent shivers down his spine. Because of this report, he had carried a psychological burden for years, been separated from his beloved, and now, she was married to someone else…

Lost in thought, Aimin suddenly froze, clutching his head. At that moment, Professor Meng gently patted his shoulder. "Now is not the time to jump to conclusions. I suggest you come with me to the provincial capital for another checkup."

Aimin was still in shock, staring blankly at the professor without any reaction.

"Aimin, the past cannot be changed; we must look forward." Professor Meng took out a pager with a Chinese display from his waist. "Chen Yun just sent a message that she has contacted a neurosurgeon at the People's Hospital to prepare a comprehensive examination for you."

"This girl is deeply in love with you. She said that even if you were truly ill, she would accompany you during your treatment. You're quite lucky, young man, that two girls are still thinking of you. But now that Baihe is married, you should let go. Now that Chen Yun is treating you so well, don't let her down, Aimin!"

"Teacher, I..." Aimin's voice was hoarse as he said self-deprecatingly, "Chen Yun's father is a leader at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and I'm just a rural teacher. I'm not good enough for him..."

"You never had such outdated ideas before!" Professor Meng interrupted, frowning. "As parents, why would they stand in the way of their children's happiness? With your character and knowledge, how could you say you're trying to climb the social ladder?"

As he spoke, he sighed inwardly—the once spirited young man had been worn down by reality and become timid and hesitant.

"I know you mean well, and I will go to the provincial capital for a checkup," Aimin said with difficulty, "but I can't hold Chen Yun back..."

Before he could finish speaking, Professor Meng sharply rebuked him: "You're just too thin-skinned! Look at Chen Tiansheng! That kid may not be the best person, but he's shameless. Now he's the son-in-law of the district party secretary. Are you going to repeat his mistake and let the opportunity slip away?"

The gentle and refined Professor Meng had never spoken so harshly to Aimin before, not even when Aimin had committed such a serious offense. It was truly a case of "the deeper the love, the harsher the criticism."

"I am a farmer, and the son of a farmer. Back then, my competitiveness and desire to show off were merely a way to mask my inner inferiority complex. After graduation, all my classmates obtained urban residency permits, while I was the only one who received a disciplinary warning. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't even have been able to secure a position as a rural teacher. Tell me, does someone as useless as me deserve love?"

"So many people have endured hardships and tribulations in the past, and you still claim to believe in communism? Don't you even have this much awareness?"

Seeing his beloved student lower his head again, Professor Meng's tone suddenly softened. "Back when I was farming in the Great Northern Wilderness, I never dared to imagine that I could return to the podium and become a professor. I want to tell you, you are still young. When you're young, you should have lofty ambitions and a fearless, optimistic spirit! How is steel forged? Isn't it forged through countless hammer blows? You've learned your lesson, so get back up. You've come this far, what are you afraid of?"

Aimin was so shocked by his mentor's words that he was speechless. In those short ten minutes, it was as if he had been on a roller coaster, and his thoughts were more turbulent than ever before.

Aimin was stunned and speechless. In just over ten minutes, his thoughts surged more dramatically than any he had experienced in his life before.

Professor Meng was adept at ideological work; he didn't nag incessantly but gave Aimin plenty of room to think. He believed that his apprentice would surely overcome the shadow of failure, and as long as he agreed to go to the provincial capital with him for the inspection, his mission would be accomplished.

As for the future of Aimin and Chen Yun's relationship, that's beyond his control.

The conversation ended, but Aimin was still deeply troubled. This moment of confusion mirrored the one he felt years ago when he was diagnosed with epilepsy and broke up with Baihe. Overwhelmed by longing, he couldn't resist pulling out a blank sheet of paper and a kraft paper envelope that would never be stamped…