Rebirth: Regaining Joyful Moments
Chapter 278 Standing Up

Chapter 278: Chapter 278 Standing Up

The dried bamboo shoots were homemade by Ji Ying,

Picked from the bamboo forest in spring, seasoned with salt and dry chili peppers, and finally dried into thin slices. They were very chewy and tasted exceptionally delicious.

"Brother Cheng," Ling Dong’s gaze kept falling on the dried bamboo shoots in Pei Yicheng’s hands, longing for a taste. Even from a distance, he could smell the aroma and desperately wanted to eat some.

"If you want to eat, there are surely people selling them back in town," Pei Yicheng said.

Pei Yicheng cherished the small pile of dried bamboo shoots as if it were treasure. These were handmade by Nianhua’s mother and a gift from Nianhua to him. How could he casually give them away to someone else? Wouldn’t that be squandering Nianhua’s kind intentions?

Ling Dong: "..."

He was not usually one to crave snacks, but Pei Yicheng’s possessiveness stirred an uncomfortable feeling within Ling Dong. Was Yicheng being a little too stingy?

"It smells so good."

As soon as Cheng Hao finished delivering goods and walked in, he was greeted by the fragrance. Without any hesitation or asking, he snatched some and stuffed them into his mouth, saying, "Mmm, delicious. Who made this?"

"I’m growing fonder of South City by the day. There’s so much tasty food here!" Cheng Hao commented while enjoying the snack.

Ling Dong: "..."

If he had known, he would have snatched some for himself, too.

Pei Yicheng clutched the remaining dried bamboo shoots, not giving Cheng Hao a chance to grab more. To change the subject, he asked, "Xiaohao, about joining the Liunian Company—what do you think?"

Having known Cheng Hao since childhood, Pei Yicheng naturally hoped they could earn money together.

"Yes."

Cheng Hao agreed without even asking what it involved, saying, "All the money I’ve made in the past six months is right here."

With that, Cheng Hao took out a passbook from the bag he carried with him.

"Aren’t you afraid of losing all your money in this venture?" Pei Yicheng joked as he glanced at the passbook.

"Without you, Brother Cheng, I wouldn’t have been able to earn this money." Cheng Hao understood very well that if it wasn’t for their help, he would have struggled to get by each month when he was in Ningbei, let alone save any money.

The money in the passbook, after setting aside some for buying gifts for Zou Yaru, could have been even more.

"Alright, consider this money as your investment in the company," said Pei Yicheng, and then he provided some further instructions.

The next day, Doctor Hu came to check on Pei Yicheng’s legs and said, "Try standing up."

Pei Yicheng’s eyes lit up instantly. Over the past few days, he had definitely felt his legs gradually gaining sensation; they tingled, they ached, and these feelings grew stronger day by day. However, as Doctor Hu hadn’t instructed him to try standing up, he hadn’t dared to attempt it, fearing that the legs he’d been so careful to rehabilitate might fail him once more.

"Brother Cheng, be careful," Ling Dong and Cheng Hao said as they stood one on each side of Pei Yicheng, gingerly holding onto him.

The words of Doctor Hu exhilarated both Ling Dong and Cheng Hao like an adrenaline shot.

Feet touching the ground, that indescribable sense of stability brought a flush to Pei Yicheng’s face. How long had he waited for this day?

"Brother Cheng, how is it, do your legs hurt?"

"Be careful."

Ling Dong and Cheng Hao flanked Pei Yicheng, closely monitoring his every step and asking about how he felt, their hands firmly supporting him and never daring to let go.

"It feels good," Pei Yicheng stated as he straightened his back. The perspective of sitting versus standing—each offered a different view.

Since the leg injury, this was his first time feeling his feet on the ground.

"I can stand up now," Pei Yicheng said, his voice trembling with barely concealed excitement.