A Reversal of Fate
Despite the dire predictions, it wasn’t the end of the world, or even of Hong Town. The scientists would later explain that when the comet entered Earth’s atmosphere, it broke apart into small pieces, and then even smaller ones. Some of those meteors burned away, some of them fell into the sea and conjured minor waves, and some of them made impact in Hong Town. There was certainly some structural damage, even the kind that would take years to repair, but repair they would. Humans are resilient.
********
Xu Yuan and Zhan Wang smiled at each other across the rocky beach as those meteors rained down. Despite the tumor, despite the bullies, despite the comet, they had found each other again. In that moment, they both felt that everything would be alright as long as they were together.
Suddenly a small meteorite landed near where Xu Yuan was standing, shaking the ground beneath him. He was thrown sideways and hit his head against a rock, knocking him unconscious. Zhan Wang screamed his name and ran to him. He cradled Xu Yuan’s head and patted his cheek, tears springing to his eyes.
“Xu Yuan! Xu Yuan, wake up! Xu Yuan, please, wake up!” Wang put his head on Yuan’s chest, listening for a heartbeat, but was terrified to realize that he couldn’t feel one. He tried to remember the CPR training he’d taken years earlier, but his hands were shaking and his mind was empty. He felt like his world was crashing down. It’s supposed to be me, not you. Yuan, you can’t leave me…
********
Xu Yuan opened his eyes. He wasn’t on the beach anymore. He looked around and saw that he was in the courtyard of his home, and standing in front of him was… Granny Chang!
Confused, he asked her: “Nainai, how are you here? And how did I get here?” Then, with a shock it dawned on him. “Am I dead?”
Granny Chang reached for his hand. “No, Xiao Yuan, you aren’t dead, though you are somewhere in between at the moment. I’m so happy to see you again, but it isn’t your time yet. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of my grandson for quite a while longer. He needs you.”
“I need him too,” Yuan replied.
Granny Chang smiled. “I knew I did the right thing by bringing you two together. You were destined for one another.”
Yuan smiled in return, but then pain stretched across his face. “Nainai, his illness…”
“Yes, I know - it’s very serious. But that’s exactly why you must stay with him. You’re the only one that can save him.”
“Save him? How can I save him? Don’t you remember what I am? A jinx who brings trouble to everyone around me.”
Granny Chang sighed and patted his cheek. “I never believed that. No one that really knows you has ever felt that way. It’s true that you were touched with misfortune from birth, and it has caused you a lot of heartache. But Xiao Yuan, it’s like the Master said: Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and the tide can be turned.”
Yuan remembered his conversation with the monk, and the gift he’d been given:
On December 12th, at exactly 4:15 pm, at the place where the comet falls, make a sincere wish to reverse the course of fate.
“Do you mean the wish I made?”
“Yes,” she replied. “You risked your life to make that wish. You offered your own future for my grandson’s, and that choice has changed everything.”
“What do you mean? How can I save him?” Yuan looked at her with pleading eyes.
Granny Chang smiled again and gently patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’ll understand soon enough. But now you must return to him - this stress isn’t good in his condition. Please give him my love.”
********
After a few moments of panic, Zhan Wang tried to calm himself enough to help Xu Yuan. He was about to start chest compressions, when to his surprise, Yuan began to stir, and a small whimper came from his mouth. “Xu Yuan, can you hear me? Are you okay?”
Slowly Yuan began to move his head and his eyes finally opened. “Zhan Wang?”
A huge wave of relief washed over Wang. He took Yuan’s hand in both of his and kissed it. “Yes, I’m right here. I’m so glad you’re awake. For a minute there I thought I was losing you…”
“I think maybe you almost did. I saw Nainai.”
Wang looked at him in confusion. “My… my grandma? You saw her? What do you mean?”
“Before I woke up, I was… somewhere else. Nainai was there. She told me to come back to you. She sends her love.”
Zhan Wang wondered if Xu Yuan was suffering from a concussion, but didn’t want to upset him, so he just smiled. Then after a moment he asked “Can you stand? Do you think you can walk? We shouldn’t stay here.”
Yuan tried sitting up, and his limbs seemed to be working okay, if a little stiff. “I think so.” Wang stood up and then helped Yuan stand, putting his arm around Yuan’s back in support. Slowly they started walking toward the road.
“How did you get here? I’m not sure if I can stay on the bike right now, even if you drive it,” Yuan admitted.
“No need - my father drove me. He’s waiting for us at the road.”
Yuan looked at him in surprise. “Your father? And he knew you were coming to find me?”
“Yes, he did. And I’m as shocked as you are. He suddenly said he’d been wrong to keep us apart. I’m not sure if he’s being sincere… but at least he brought me here.”
“Maybe he realized that was the only way you would go willingly to Jingzhou to get treated.”
“Maybe. It’s true that I would never have gotten on that boat without making sure you were safe. But now… you’ll come with us, right? You should see a doctor too, and the whole town’s been evacuated. I’m sure the exams will be postponed, so you won’t miss anything.”
Yuan thought of Granny Chang’s words. You’re the only one that can save him. If there was any chance, he had to try. “Yes, don’t worry. I’m coming with you. I promise I won’t leave you again.”
Finally they made it back to the road, and Mr. Zhan was waiting there. When he saw Yuan’s condition, he ran over to help support him and bring him to the car. “What happened? Xiao Yuan, are you hurt?”
Wang addressed his father in a tight voice. “I’m glad to hear that you’re worried about him now. A piece of the comet fell near him and he was knocked out. I’m concerned that he may have a concussion.” He looked his father straight in the face. “He’s coming with us to the hospital.”
Wang was expecting some resistance, but his father simply said “Okay.” They got in the car and drove back to the coast. Xu Yuan called his mother and sister to let them know that he was okay, and would be going to Jingzhou with Zhan Wang and his father. When they arrived, the others had already left with Lin Xia’s family, but Mr. Zhan’s men and the boat he had chartered were waiting for them at the dock. They boarded and began the journey to Jingzhou.
********
The boat trip to the mainland was a little rough, due the disturbances from the comet’s debris, but they stayed on course and reached the shore in good time. Mr. Zhan thanked the Captain for safely steering the ship, and he replied: “Actually, given the conditions, I thought it would be much more difficult. It seems we had luck on our side.” They climbed into the car that Mr. Zhan had arranged and drove to Jingzhou, heading straight for the hospital. Wang and Yuan leaned against each other and rested in the backseat, their hands intertwined.
When they arrived, Zhan Wang and Xu Yuan reluctantly split up, so that Yuan could get a checkup, and Wang could take the final brain MRI that would help guide his surgeon, along with other pre-surgery procedures. After he was finally examined, Yuan hurried to the second floor to find Wang and his father. On his way up the stairs, he passed by a mother and child on their way down. The child tripped on her shoelace and was about to take a dangerous tumble, but Yuan caught her and steadied her. The mother bowed and thanked him profusely. “We’re so lucky that you were here!”
As he continued to the room, Yuan thought again about what Granny Chang had told him. It’s like the Master said: Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and the tide can be turned… You offered your own future for my grandson’s, and that choice has changed everything. Could it really be? Had his wish truly reversed his fortune? Could he bring luck to Zhan Wang too?
When Wang saw Yuan, he interrupted the nurse talking to him and his father. “Xu Yuan, what did the doctor say? Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. The doctor said a minor concussion is possible, but as long as I continue to feel okay there’s nothing to worry about.”
Zhan Wang sighed in relief. “Thank goodness.” He turned back to the nurse apologetically. “I’m sorry, please continue.”
The nurse described the preparations that Wang needed to make. The surgery was scheduled for the following day, so he must stop eating after midnight, as well as showering with a special antiseptic body wash the next morning before coming to the hospital. After finishing, she asked if they had any questions.
“Are they going to shave my head?” Wang asked.
“Yes, I’m afraid that’s necessary for the procedure.”
“Well, there go my good looks.”
Yuan gave his shoulder a gentle push. “Worry about your brain instead.”
Wang smirked. “Eh, there’s nothing much in there to worry about anyway.”
Mr. Zhan frowned. “I’m glad you find this funny.”
Wang rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Come on Dad, lighten up. What am I supposed to do? Cry? Beg? I’m trying to hang on to my dignity here.”
“You should take this seriously!”
Wang snapped. “Oh, believe me, I know exactly what I’m risking. For your information, I didn’t even want this surgery. But Yuan begged me. I promised him I would try to live, so here I am, trying.”
Mr. Zhan was stunned for a moment, but then he turned to Yuan. “Thank you,” he said with a slight bow. Yuan just nodded in return.
“If we’re done here, let’s head to the house so you can get some rest before tomorrow.”
********
Though it was already late when they left the hospital, there was quite a lot of traffic on the road, but they still made it to the Zhan home quickly. “I don’t think we hit one red light the whole way,” remarked the driver.
When they reached the house, Mr. Zhan asked the housekeeper to prepare a guest room for Xu Yuan, but Zhan Wang interrupted. “Don’t bother, he can stay with me.” Mr. Zhan looked like he was about to argue, but he held his tongue. Wang and Yuan headed up the stairs to Wang’s room. Wang pulled a towel and a fresh pair of pajamas out of the closet and handed them to Yuan. “You’ll have to wear my clothes for now. You go ahead and shower first.”
After they’d both showered, they dried each other’s hair. As he finished drying Wang’s, Yuan couldn’t resist running his fingers through it. “I’m going to miss this beautiful hair,” he teased.
“Don’t remind me,” said Wang. “I hope you still like me without it.”
Yuan reached down and wrapped his arms around Wang’s neck. “Luckily it’s not the only good thing about you.”
They climbed into bed and lay facing each other. “You should sleep,” said Yuan.
“Not a chance,” replied Wang. “I’ll be sleeping all day tomorrow, remember? I don’t want to miss one moment of this night with you.”
What they were both thinking, but didn’t say, was that this might be their last night together. Yuan could feel tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. He tried desperately to hold them back, wanting to be strong for Wang, but soon they started to fall. “I love you,” he said.
Wang kissed his eyelids, tasting his salty tears. “I love you too.”
They undressed, taking their time, touching and kissing every inch of each other’s bodies, each one trying to memorize the other. They made slow, unhurried love, not like the previous times, which had been quick and passionate in typical teenage fashion. This was something entirely different - a tender joining of bodies and souls, a promise of unending devotion.
If we can’t be together in this life, I will find you in the next.
********
At 8 am the next morning, they arrived at the hospital to check in for the surgery. As Wang was going through the final preparations, the surgeon stopped by to greet them. Before she left, Yuan made a point of giving her a firm handshake. And when it was time for Wang to be taken in for the surgery, Yuan placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. If I’m truly blessed with good fortune now, I want every bit of that luck in the operating room with you today.
“Wang…” Yuan started to say, but then he found he couldn’t speak. There was so much in his heart, so much that he wanted Wang to understand, but in that moment, words failed him. He felt like he was on the verge of tears again.
“It’s okay,” Wang said. “I know. Me too.” They held each other tightly for a few moments longer, and then the nurse took Wang out of the room.
********
During the surgery, Xu Yuan and Mr. Zhan sat side by side in the waiting room. Zhan Xu and Bian Ye were there as well, but they sat across the room, so Yuan was forced to make awkward small talk with Mr. Zhan. They mostly sat in silence, but it was a long time to wait, and they both needed a distraction. He was surprised when Mr. Zhan started asking him questions about his hobbies, studies, and plans for the future, trying to learn more about him. His relationship with this man had not started on the best foot, so he wasn’t quite sure how to act, but he tried to be respectful. He’s still Wang’s father.
After some polite conversation, Mr. Zhan hesitated and then said: “Can I ask you for advice?”
Yuan tried not to look as shocked as he felt. Advice? What kind of advice could Mr. Zhan possibly want from me? He gave a small nod, so Mr. Zhan continued.
“I know it was wrong to tell my sons who they can love, even if I was trying to protect them. I’ve already accepted your relationship, and theirs,” he said, pointing to Zhan Xu and Bian Ye. “But both my sons still seem so angry with me. Look, those two won’t even sit near me.”
He paused, and Yuan realized he was waiting for a response. How do I explain this to him without insulting him? Despite the danger, he could see that this conversation was too important to avoid.
“Can you really blame them? You’ve been telling them that what they feel is disgusting for so long. And Wang told me what you did to Xu Ge’s ear… that was one of the first things he saw when you took him to live with you. All that doesn’t go away because you’ve decided to accept them.”
Mr. Zhan sighed in frustration. “But I can’t change the past. What do they want from me?”
“Maybe try asking them that? And then really listen to what they have to say, even if it’s hard to hear. There’s no easy way to fix your relationships with them. It’s going to take a lot of time, and a lot of effort on your part.”
Mr. Zhan didn’t respond. He looked completely defeated, so Yuan continued. “I can tell that your sons care about you. They want your love, and they want you to be proud of them. That’s why your rejection hurt them so much. If you’re sincere about making amends with them, and willing to put in the work, I’m sure they’ll be open to it.”
After that Mr. Zhan stayed silent and seemed lost in thought, so Yuan excused himself to take a walk. He wandered through the hospital for a while, then went outside to the small garden behind the hospital, and sat down on a bench.
Here, alone amongst the trees and flowers, the weight of this moment returned to him, and he was seized with fear. He might never wake up… or he might never recover. I could really lose him. He thought back to those moments on the rocky beach before Zhan Wang arrived, and the wish he had made for Wang’s health and safety. He closed his eyes and put his hands together to renew his plea. Please just let him be okay. I hope we can be together, but if he can have a long and happy life, I will gladly give up anything.
********
Many hours later, they were still anxiously awaiting news about Wang’s surgery. When the surgeon finally came out, they stood up and rushed over. “I’m happy to report that the surgery went well - in fact, even better than expected. I wasn’t sure if it would be possible, but we were able to completely remove the tumor.”
They all cheered in celebration. Zhan Xu and Bian Ye embraced each other, and Xu Yuan sank to his knees in relief. Then Mr. Zhan addressed the doctor. “What about any side effects? Will his memory or vision be affected?” Instantly the others went quiet and listened.
“It’s too soon to tell. As I said, the procedure went smoothly, but we won’t know more until he wakes up. He’s been moved to a patient room, so you can join him there. This nurse will take you.”
They followed the nurse to Wang’s room, where he had already been transferred and was still deep in sleep. He looked so still at first - Yuan couldn’t help touching his cheek to feel his warmth, and placing a hand on his chest to feel it gently rising and falling as he breathed. He took Wang’s hand and sat down for the next round of waiting.
Yuan was thrilled that Wang had survived the surgery, but he steeled himself for the possible consequences of the procedure. Would Wang lose his sight, or have trouble walking, or have memory issues? What if he doesn’t even remember me? Yuan didn’t want Wang to have to struggle or suffer, but at least he knew that Wang wouldn’t go through it alone. No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side.
After what seemed like an eternity, Wang finally began to stir. “I think he’s starting to wake up,” Yuan exclaimed, causing the others to join him around Wang’s bedside. Slowly Wang opened his eyes and looked around, first at his brother and Bian Ye, then at his father, and finally he focused on Yuan. As their eyes met, the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.
“I told you that you’re my lucky star.”
********
Epilogue: 10 years later
Zhan Wang and Xu Yuan were back in Hong Town for a long weekend, visiting Yuan’s mother. After lunch at the Wishing Fish Noodle House, they walked down to the beach and sat looking at the waves.
Yuan turned to Wang. “Do you remember the bonfire we had here before we left Hong Town? The wishes we made?”
“Of course,” Wang replied. “That was one of my favorite days ever. We did that photo shoot with Xia and Nuo, and then met up with Xu Ge and Ye to set off some fireworks on the beach. I think I was the one who suggested we make wishes, right? And they came true.”
He’s right, Yuan thought. In fact, all of them had, or at least something close. Zhan Xu was running a low-cost clinic for underserved communities in Jingzhou. With his tutoring help, Bian Ye had gotten into a decent college and earned a business degree - he was now managing the clinic. Mr. Zhan held an annual gala to raise money for their charity work, and had convinced many of his friends and business partners to become regular donors, to the point that they were now able to hold free clinics in rural areas across China several times a year. His sincere long-time support had gone a long way toward repairing his relationship with his son.
Lin Xia and Xu Nuo moved to Beijing to pursue their dreams. Xia completed an art degree, and then opened a studio with some of her friends, where they sold artwork and taught painting and drawing classes. Nuo was pursuing a career in acting, and while she couldn’t yet be called a superstar, she’d had some high profile roles that made her more well-known in the industry. Xia and Nuo had been together for a long time, but they were keeping it private due to Nuo’s career.
And then there was his own wish, and Wang’s….
Yuan met Wang’s eyes. “You and I said we wanted to still be by each other’s side after 10 years. We wished to be together forever.”
Wang put his arm around Yuan. “And here we are, together after 10 years. Are you still in for forever?”
Yuan kissed his cheek. “I’m in.”
The end.
