Chapter 42: Glimmer Of Hope

Du Fan sat in the classroom, his body physically present but his mind miles away. His pen hovered above his notebook, forgotten, as he stared blankly at the blackboard. Feng Yan's words from earlier in the day replayed in his head like a haunting melody. She had offered to help, but how? How could she possibly know about his father's condition? And how could she, a mere schoolmate, offer something that even the doctors hadn't been able to resolve?

His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, disbelief, and desperation. He didn't know if he could trust her, yet the seed of hope she had planted was impossible to ignore. His father's deteriorating health was a weight he carried alone, a burden so heavy that he had grown used to the crushing despair that accompanied it. Now, for the first time in months, he saw a faint glimmer of possibility—an opportunity to save his father.

But how could he ask for help? He had always been guarded, keeping his personal life separate from school, separate from the world. Talking to Feng Yan about something so intimate felt almost insurmountable. He didn't even know where to begin.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, but Du Fan barely registered it. He was still lost in his thoughts when the shuffle of students packing up around him stirred him back to reality. As his classmates filed out, he stayed in his seat, casting a glance toward Feng Yan. She was quietly packing her books into her bag, her face calm and unreadable.

Now or never, he thought. The clock was ticking for his father, and if Feng Yan truly had the knowledge to help, then Du Fan couldn't afford to waste any more time.

He stood up abruptly and made his way toward her. His steps faltered halfway across the room, though, and by the time he reached her desk, he felt paralyzed. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. He stood there awkwardly, his hands fidgeting with the strap of his backpack as he struggled to find the words. He opened and closed his mouth again, like a koi fish gasping for air, but nothing came out.

Feng Yan, who had been in the midst of organizing her things, paused when she saw his strange behavior. The sight of Du Fan, usually so composed and aloof, now fumbling to speak, was so comical that she had to suppress a chuckle. But seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she composed herself and met his gaze with a patient, understanding look.

She raised an eyebrow, silently urging him to speak. The longer he stood there without saying anything, the more comical the situation became, but she knew this wasn't the time for laughter. Du Fan's eyes were clouded with uncertainty and a touch of desperation, emotions that were all too familiar to her.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he stuttered, "H-how… how did you know?"

Feng Yan remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate.

Du Fan glanced around the empty classroom, clearly uncomfortable. He lowered his voice. "About my father… about the poison. How did you know?"

She simply looked at him, her expression calm, unreadable. She wasn't going to explain her rebirth, nor was she about to tell him that she had learned of his father's death in her previous life. That was a conversation for another day—if ever.

When Feng Yan didn't respond immediately, Du Fan's anxiety seemed to heighten. He shifted on his feet, his hands clenched at his sides as he wrestled with the idea of putting his trust in her. But he had no other choice. His father's life hung in the balance, and if there was even the slightest chance that Feng Yan could help, he had to take it.

"Can you… can you help him?" His voice was almost a whisper, as if saying the words out loud would somehow make them less real. He hesitated again, his eyes darting around nervously before locking onto hers. "Would you… would you come to my house and see him? Please."

Feng Yan studied him for a moment, gauging his sincerity. The flicker of hope in his eyes was unmistakable, and though she knew this was likely an incredibly difficult request for him to make, she had already made up her mind earlier in the day.

With a nod, she closed her bag and stood up. "Lead the way."

Du Fan blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting her to agree so easily. He opened his mouth to say something—maybe to thank her, maybe to ask her another question—but the words seemed to stick in his throat. For a second, he stood there in stunned silence, as if he couldn't quite believe that she was serious.

Seeing his hesitation, Feng Yan gave him a slight smile, a gesture that felt oddly reassuring given the gravity of the situation. "I'm ready. Let's go," she said, her voice calm and composed.

Du Fan swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it—the moment where hope met reality. He turned and led the way out of the classroom, feeling the weight of the decision he had just made pressing down on him. As they walked through the corridors of the school, his mind was still reeling from the fact that he had just asked Feng Yan for help. And even more surprising—she had agreed.

Feng Yan followed him in silence, her own thoughts swirling. She knew this was only the beginning, and what came next would be crucial. The poison in Du Fan's father was not something to be taken lightly, and she would need to be careful about how she approached it. But for now, her priority was simple: to follow Du Fan, see his father, and decide on the best course of action.

Du Fan, still processing everything that had just happened, couldn't help but glance back at her as they walked. Her expression was unreadable, but there was something in her demeanor that reassured him. Maybe—just maybe—things would turn out okay after all.

As they stepped out of the school gates and into the bustling streets, Du Fan's mind was still spinning, but there was one clear thought amid the chaos: for the first time in a long while, he wasn't alone in this fight. And that fleeting glimmer of hope, as fragile as it was, was enough to keep him moving forward.