Chapter 2: Misfortune never feels sorry for the poor

Huo Mingze and Shen Modi found a nearby café. After sitting down, Huo Mingze ordered a coffee. Shen Modi handed her personal information to Huo Mingze. She highlighted the main points: "Thank you for helping me out just now. The main reason I'm going on blind dates is because my dad is sick and may not have much time left. I want to put his mind at ease. Of course, I am also at the age where I should be getting married."

Huo Mingze nodded in understanding and shared his situation, "The reason I'm going on blind dates is because I genuinely want to get married." The person he had been with for six years left the country as soon as they said they would, in the way he despised the most. So, his bride could be someone else. He could end a six-year relationship and start a new one in six minutes.

Shen Modi continued, "My family has a heavy burden. My dad is sick, and my younger brother attends a school for the deaf. If we do get married, I will need to continue supporting my dad and brother. But don't worry, I won't touch your salary." Since there were no feelings involved in a blind date, it was better to clarify these things upfront.

Huo Mingze nodded, indicating his understanding: "You can use my salary. I've said that if we get married, your parents will be mine as well. If you have no issues, we can get the marriage certificate anytime. Shall we exchange WeChat?"

He didn't know much about her, but at least she was a filial woman. Filial piety meant she had a good heart. A woman who took on the responsibility of caring for her father and brother couldn't be that bad. Besides, he could afford to take the risk.

"Okay." Shen Modi didn't hesitate and took out her phone to add Huo Mingze on WeChat. That's what blind dates are about, right? Two strangers who find each other suitable in various aspects and then talk about marriage. Moreover, she came on the blind date with marriage in mind.

Just after they added each other on WeChat, a message came through from her brother: "Sister, I have arranged for Dad to be discharged from the hospital."

Shen Modi's heart sank, and her hands trembled as she quickly typed: "Dad's condition is so serious, how can he be discharged?"

Her brother was born without hearing, so he couldn't speak. But he was very smart and had been attending a school for the deaf for years, becoming proficient in typing and sign language. Her brother replied: "Dad insists on being discharged. Sister, let him be discharged."

Reading that, Shen Modi could almost see her brother's face filled with despair and helplessness. She understood, she understood it all. Both her dad and brother thought they were a burden to her. Her brother even came home with his backpack last month, refusing to go back to school.

With a lump in her throat, Shen Modi immediately called her dad. The phone was quickly answered. Her father, Shen Weiguo, sounded calm and warm, though his voice was slow due to illness: "Modi, what's wrong? The discharge was my idea, don't blame Xiaoguang."

"Dad, please don't get discharged, okay?" Shen Modi's tears streamed down, her voice filled with pleading. With someone else around, she wanted to hold back her tears, but she couldn't.

"Xiaodi, Dad's illness can't be cured, so don't waste any more money. I promise you, I'll rest well at home, and I'll try to live a few more years, live to see you get married, live to see you have children..."

"Dad, your illness can be treated. It's just chronic, so the treatment will take longer. The treatment isn't expensive; it's all affordable medication, and insurance covers a lot of it. We can afford it. Dad, please don't leave the hospital yet. I'm coming over now." Shen Modi's eyes were red. She had to convince her dad to stay in the hospital.

"Xiaodi, you don't need to come to the hospital. Xiaoguang and I are already on our way home, we'll be there soon."

"Dad... I'm coming home now." Shen Modi choked up, her throat tightening. She felt a deep panic, as if her dad somehow knew about his condition. His voice seemed to carry a suppressed despair and reluctance.

"Alright, take your time and be safe." Her dad laughed on the phone and then hung up. Hearing her dad's laughter, her heart clenched again. She lifted her head slightly, trying to force back the tears, but they still rolled down her cheeks.

At that moment, Huo Mingze handed her a tissue as she put down the phone. "Thank you! I'm sorry, but I need to leave now." Shen Modi took the tissue, turned away, and quickly wiped her tears, not wanting Huo Mingze to see her in such a state.

Huo Mingze comforted her, "Life is long, and there will be difficult times. Let me take you home!"

"No need, I can go by myself, thank you!" Shen Modi picked up her bag and headed to the counter to pay. Huo Mingze got there first. "I'll get it!"

"You already paid for the coffee earlier." Shen Modi insisted on scanning the code. She was used to not owing anyone anything.

Huo Mingze gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from the counter. He scanned the code and paid, saying, "When you're with me, you never need to pay."

Shen Modi looked at the hand on her wrist. Was she too exhausted these past few years? Was she too fragile? She suddenly felt that a respectful marriage might not be so bad after all.

Huo Mingze had already paid. He released her wrist. Shen Modi gathered herself, said they would be in touch, and hurried out of the café. She walked to the roadside to hail a cab. Shortly, a Chevrolet pulled up in front of her. Huo Mingze rolled down the window and called out, "Get in, I'll take you home."

"No need, the cab I called will be here soon." Shen Modi didn't want to trouble Huo Mingze.

"I have time, I'll take you. You'll have to wait a while for the cab." Huo Mingze insisted.

"Thank you, and sorry for the trouble!" Shen Modi was indeed anxious to get home, so she opened the car door and got in. Huo Mingze leaned over to help her fasten the seatbelt. Shen Modi tensed up. Once he had secured her seatbelt, Huo Mingze focused on driving. Shen Modi let out a sigh of relief and glanced at him. His fingers, gripping the steering wheel, were long and well-defined.

"Where do you live?" Huo Mingze asked.

Shen Modi immediately gave her address, "In Liyuan Community." This was a house they rented. Their family used to have their own house. Later, when they discovered her brother was born deaf, their father sold the house to pay for her brother's treatment. However, her mother took the money and left. That year, Shen Modi was 11, and her brother was 2. The house money was gone, and her brother's treatment was delayed. At that time, they were living in Meicheng. After Shen Modi graduated from college two years ago, the three of them moved from Meicheng to Haicheng. Since they were renting anyway, it didn't matter where they lived.

However, misfortune never spares those who are already suffering. She and her father managed to save 170,000 yuan to get her brother a cochlear implant. Then her father fell ill and was diagnosed with liver cancer. The doctors said it had already spread, and surgery wouldn't be very effective. They recommended conservative treatment with anti-cancer drugs, along with chemotherapy and radiation.

She had always kept the truth from her father, telling him that he was just exhausted from years of hard work and that a hospital stay would make him better. As for her brother's cochlear implant, she told him she wanted to save up a bit more to get a more expensive imported one, suggesting they wait another year.

Soon, Huo Mingze parked the car at the entrance of the community and asked, "Do you want me to accompany you upstairs?"