I Fell In Love With My Friend's Younger Brother Who Has A Low Sense Of Presence. - Chapter 44
Chapter 44 A 20-Year-Belated Apology
Grandma Su had just gotten up when she saw Su Shizhi hurriedly running towards the door. She called out to him, “Shizhi, what are you doing in such a hurry?”
“Xiaoxiao was in a car accident. We need to get to the hospital right now,” Su Shizhi said anxiously, stopping in his tracks.
“What?” Upon hearing that her grandson had been in an accident, Grandma Su became worried and hurried over to Su Shizhi. “I’m going too. It’s only a little after six in the morning. Why is Xiaoxiao out so early? Is he okay?”
“He was in an accident three days ago.” Su Shizhi’s expression grew even more serious.
Grandma Su was stunned, then blurted out, “Why didn’t he tell us earlier about this child?”
“Shizhi, it’s such a big deal. Tell your parents and grandpa. Let’s go see Xiaoxiao together. He carried her all by himself and didn’t even tell us.”
When Yan Jiaxin, Su Ningge, and Grandpa Su learned of this, they too were worried and immediately got up, quickly changing their clothes and heading out. In the car, Yan Jiaxin was filled with heartache and worry, her eyes moist as she choked out a sob, “Xiaoxiao, why didn’t you tell us? He’s always told us nothing, but even something as serious as a car accident.”
Su Ningge held his wife’s hand, his eyes filled with worry.
Images of him and Su Shixiao flashed through his mind, and he realized how little he’d spent time with Su Shixiao. Most of the time, they’d been around Xiaobei, with Xiaoxiao watching quietly from the side. A sudden pang of pain pierced his heart, and he spoke bitterly, “Maybe we haven’t paid enough attention to him, haven’t cared enough about him, and that’s why he doesn’t rely on us.”
The car fell silent for a moment, because this incident made them realize exactly how much they’d neglected Su Shixiao. Because he was so well-behaved and sensible, and never cried or made a fuss, they’d subconsciously ignored him.
Ever since his brother called, Su Shixiao had been extremely uneasy. Nan Yanzhou, who was sleeping in the other bed, woke up and noticed him frowning and shifting restlessly. He asked softly, “Su Shixiao, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Su Shixiao turned to look at him. “My brother just called me.”
Nan Yanzhou asked, “Your brother knows, right?”
Su Shixiao hummed dejectedly. “I don’t know how to face them right now.”
Nan Yanzhou sat up and said seriously, “Don’t be afraid. I’m with you. If your brother wants to scold you, he’ll scold me first.”
He touched him comfortingly. She brushed his hair. “I’m going to brush my teeth and wash my face first.”
When Su Shizhi and the others arrived at the hospital this morning, they were heartbroken to see the two or three stitches on Su Shixiao’s head. Yan Jiaxin’s eyes welled with tears. “Xiaoxiao, you’ve been hospitalized for three days, and we only just found out. I’m so careless as a mother. I’m sorry.”
Su Shixiao was stunned for a few seconds. When he realized what was happening, he said calmly, “Don’t be sorry. I didn’t tell you in the first place.”
Nan Yanzhou then stood up from the bed and walked over to Su Shixiao. Su Shizhi and the others realized he was there too and looked at him in surprise. Su Shizhi, in particular, glared at him.
Nan Yanzhou gently squeezed his uninjured wrist, leaned in close, and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll be with you at the door.”
Su Shixiao’s eyes lit up with a faint smile, and he nodded, “Okay.”
Nan Yanzhou stood up and walked towards the door, saying, “Aunt Su Shuyan, Grandpa and Grandma, you guys chat slowly. I’ll be waiting outside.”
As he left the ward, Su Ningge approached Su Shixiao, his tone filled with worry and heartache. “How are you feeling now? Is it serious?”
Su Shixiao: “I’m fine. I’ll be well in a few days.”
Grandpa Su sat next to him and asked sternly, “How did you get into the accident?”
“It was my own carelessness,” Su Shixiao replied.
Su Ningge asked, “So, how’s the situation going? Do we need help?”
Su Shixiao, surrounded by his family for the first time, was questioned like this, cradling his pillow uncomfortably. “Have I taken care of it?”
Yan Jiaxin, standing nearby, saw her son answering every question so obediently. He had always been so well-behaved since he was a child. Her heart ached to the core. She couldn’t help but reach over and hug him, choking back tears. “Xiaoxiao, I’m sorry. It’s us who always neglected you. We didn’t give you enough love. That’s why you’re disappointed in us, don’t feel a sense of belonging, and never rely on us. That’s why you had to handle something as serious as a car accident all by yourself. I’m sorry, we’ll change.”
Su Shixiao let her hold him, not moving. Her every word tugged at his heart. This apology, twenty years late, wasn’t filled with sadness, nor with joy, but with calmness. After a pause, he said, “Mom, I don’t need much love. As long as… “Half of what Xiaobei has is enough. As long as you can remember Xiaobei’s favorite dishes and my favorite foods, don’t ignore me in everything, and don’t let me be the last to know about everything, or learn about it from others. I also hope you can remember my hobbies. Think of me when you buy Xiaobei a new iPad. When your eyes are all on Xiaobei, you can spare half your attention for me. I may not be as lively and fun as Xiaobei, and I may not make you laugh. Although I may appear indifferent and quiet, I love you too much and want your attention and love.”
Yan Jiaxin and Grandma Su’s faces were wet with tears. This was the first time Xiaoxiao had spoken to them at such length, and every word cut their hearts, letting them know clearly how much they had suffered because they were too partial to Xiaobei and ignored him. Xiaoxiao’s lack of closeness to them was their own fault, but how could they not love him? He was their bl00d, thicker than water.
Su Shizhi, Su Ningge, and Grandpa Su also had tears in their eyes. They felt guilty, remorseful, and heartbroken, as if something had stabbed them in the heart.
Yan Jiaxin hugged him, sobbing earnestly, “Of course we love you very much. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Xiaoxiao. It’s all Mom’s fault.”
Su Shixiao didn’t respond, but his heart ached. He was no longer at the age where he longed for his family’s attention and love as a child.
Su Shizhi: “Xiaoxiao, we’re sorry. We didn’t pay attention to you sooner, and you’ve suffered so much. We don’t ask for your forgiveness, but we just hope you can give me a chance to make amends. We really love you, and I will love you very much in the future.”
“Yes, Xiaoxiao, Grandpa loves you too.”
“Dad is sorry too. Dad should have paid more attention to you.” Su Ningge was truly distressed, blaming himself and feeling guilty. He really wasn’t a good father to Su Shixiao.
Su Shixiao slipped out of Yan Jiaxin’s embrace and saw his parents crying, their eyes red. A sudden jolt hit him in the heart, a feeling he couldn’t describe. Finally, he sighed and wiped his mother and grandmother’s tears.
“Don’t cry. Don’t you want to know how my injury is? My attending physician should be at work soon. If you’re worried, go ask him.”