The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Zhang Xiaoguang's voice was low and hoarse, as if every word carried heavy memories: "You can imagine, such a family was a nightmare for me, a burden. After my mother remarried, life was not good. My stepfather was an alcoholic who would beat people when he was drunk. My mother endured it all for my sake, but I was still often beaten. At that time, my biggest wish was to grow up quickly and leave that family."

He paused, seemingly gathering his thoughts, before continuing, "When I was about to drop out of school after finishing elementary school, someone suddenly came to our house. He told my mother he would sponsor my education, saying he would pay for it as long as I could continue. I only met that person once, and I don't remember him at all, nor could I possibly remember him. He was dressed very warmly, his hat pulled low, and a scarf covering most of his face, so I couldn't see his features clearly. He was thin and spoke in a hoarse voice, but I could tell he was a man. He called himself 'Uncle Qian,' or maybe those were the two characters. He had an accent, I'm just guessing."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo frowned slightly and turned to look at Zhou Yanruo. She was also looking at him at the same time. They exchanged a glance and whispered, "Could it be Zhang Qian?"

Upon hearing this name, Zhang Xiaoguang abruptly raised his head, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "You know Uncle Qian?"

Zhou Yanruo didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "After the accident, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Sunan University all paid a considerable sum in compensation, and my grandmother sold our old house and also gave a large amount of money. Your family should have received quite a bit, enough to raise you. How come you're having such a hard time?"

Shang Yibo said in a deep voice, "Go on."

Zhang Xiaoguang gave a bitter smile, his voice tinged with helplessness: "Because my mother remarried. My grandmother said that since I changed my surname to Zhang, I am no longer a member of their family, and she can't give my mother a single penny. My grandmother gave all of my father's pension to my uncle's family. My mother and I are struggling to make ends meet, and we can't even afford the tuition."

Hearing this, Zhou Yanruo felt a pang of sympathy. Looking at the man before her, whom she had once hated with a passion, she suddenly realized he was just a pitiful person. She said softly, "How could you do this? You are, after all, her own grandson."

Zhang Xiaoguang shook his head, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice: "Thanks to Uncle Qian's financial support, I was finally able to continue my studies. I'm grateful for my dad's good genes for education; I got into university, graduated, came to Beijing, and found a decent job. Everyone has been very kind to me, especially Brother Can, who taught me so much. Later, I followed Teacher Shang and Sister Yanruo, and you all gave me opportunities to participate in business project negotiations. I should be grateful, I should be content..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo couldn't help but sneer, his tone laced with sarcasm: "Sounds pretty good, but you chose to be the villain. Why be the villain? I think it's in your family's genes."

Zhang Xiaoguang's face paled at Shang Yibo's words, but he didn't refute them. He simply lowered his head, his voice almost inaudible: "I'm a bad person. I shouldn't have said those harsh words. Sister Yanruo's parents are gone too; she's already pitiful enough. I..."

“Speak about yourself. No one here should pity you. You don’t deserve it.” Shang Yibo interrupted him again, his tone cold and hard.

Zhang Xiaoguang was silent for a moment, then finally raised his head, his eyes filled with determination: "I went to my dad's school, Tsinghua and Peking University. It's the top university in the country. My dad has a PhD, a PhD from Tsinghua and Peking University. If he hadn't joined that research project, he would have graduated long ago. He did it all to get authorship on the paper, so he could stay in Beijing, solve his residency problem, and bring my mom and me to Beijing. Beijing is so great! I should have come here twenty years ago. I should have grown up in Beijing, with the care of my parents. Instead, I'm all alone, drifting here."

"So you take your anger out on others for no reason, hide in a dark corner, and maliciously seek revenge. You are truly despicable," Zhou Yanruo said indignantly upon hearing this.

Shang Yibo: "We're actually sitting here listening to your nonsense, you bastard."

Zhang Xiaoguang hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to excuse myself. I'm the bad guy. Even if Teacher Shang beats me up, I have nothing to say."

"Who wants to hit you? You'd dirty my hands." Shang Yibo glared at him and said disdainfully.

Zhang Xiaoguang lowered his head, his voice so weak it was almost inaudible: "I even sent a private message to Professor Shang... I investigated and found that Professor Yin had been to the lab the night before the accident, so I concluded that he was also indirectly responsible for my father's death. Later, when I learned that Professor Yin was Professor Shang's biological father, I... sent some sarcastic private messages."

Shang Yibo then remembered that he had indeed received two messages about his background. At the time, he thought they were just malicious attacks from haters, and although he felt a little uncomfortable, he didn't pay much attention and deleted them casually. He never expected that this guy was the one who did it.

"I won't stoop to your level," Shang Yibo said coldly. "But remember this: if you dare to do evil again, don't blame me for being impolite." After saying that, he stood up and took Zhou Yanruo's hand. "Let's go. There's no need to waste time here."

Zhou Yanruo stood up, avoiding Zhang Xiaoguang's bow, and said, "Considering that you've come this far, I won't pursue the past. But if there's a next time, you can expect a summons."

Zhang Xiaoguang stepped forward and stopped Zhou Yanruo, saying sincerely, "Sister Yanruo, even if you don't forgive me, I still want to apologize to you. I mean it."

"Get out of my way." Shang Yibo pushed Zhang Xiaoguang away with disgust and said sternly, "You better behave yourself and don't force me to take action."

Zhang Xiaoguang staggered for a moment, then stood back in his original position, still blocking the doorway to prevent them from leaving. He choked out in distress, "Uncle Qian is gone. Before he left, he left me a letter, which his subordinate gave to me. Only then did I learn that it was my father who wronged Professor Zhou back then."

Zhou Yanruo was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"The letter said that the explosion was caused by my father's improper operation. This secret is known only to the only survivor, Uncle Qian, who has kept it from my father until now."

Zhou Yanruo swayed, and Shang Yibo quickly caught her.

Zhou Yanruo murmured to herself, "It wasn't an academic problem, nor was it an accident. It turned out to be a man-made disaster, and it was kept hidden for so many years, leaving so many people to live in pain."

Shang Yibo comforted her, "Yanruo, don't be sad, it's all over now."

Zhou Yanruo said softly, "Let's go."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoguang turned to the side and continued, "Uncle Qian's men also told me that Uncle Qian gifted company shares to Professor Zhou's daughter, who is you, Sister Yan Ruo. Yet you used the share dividends to set up a fund to support people like me. I am truly, truly ashamed. Sister Yan Ruo..."

Zhou Yanruo didn't say anything more and walked out, leaning on Shang Yibo's arm.

She was no longer sad; instead, she felt a long-lost peace. For years, the shadow of that accident had lingered in her heart like a thorn, pricking her painfully from time to time.

Now, the truth has finally come to light, and though cruel, it no longer matters to her. She has been freed from helplessness and pain, letting out a soft sigh as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Perhaps this was fate's arrangement. She no longer clings to the pain of the past; she has people and things to cherish in her life, and that is enough.

Shang Yibo lowered his head and asked, "Is what he said true? You didn't mention this to me before."

Zhou Yanruo: "I think you would agree with my approach."

Shang Yibo: "Of course I would agree."