Pathological Growth

Neurosurgeon 🩺 x Freelance photographer 📷

In Huang Zijing's comfortable yet boring life, the first thing to disturb the still waters was discovering that his father was cheating.

Before long, his parents divorced in a bitter split, his father's mistress took his mother's place, and the whole ugly affair became common knowledge.

The first time Huang Zijing met Wang Linjun, his father held him by the shoulder and said, "From now on, Linjun is your older brother."

His dull life gained a few ripples, and Huang Zijing found himself with a new object of hatred.

But there were plenty of interesting things too: his stepmother was crazy, Wang Linjun always looked at him with something dark in his eyes, and there were secrets taking root in the shadows.

A lot of the time, Huang Zijing felt as if his family had been cursed.

His relationship with Wang Linjun was discovered, his deadbeat father cheated again, and his stepmother went completely insane. The strange, false balance of his life shattered for good.

He finally got his wish and left that twisted family.

As he was leaving, Wang Linjun cried, "You can keep using me. Just don't leave. I'll accept any kind of relationship. Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it."

Huang Zijing shook his head. "I hope we have nothing to do with each other from now on, and I hope you can learn to be yourself."

At the time, he was determined never to see Wang Linjun again and to sever all ties with that long, terrible chapter of his life.

But one night, Huang Zijing received a call from an unknown number. He recognized who it was instantly from the breathing on the other end.

This time, Wang Linjun didn't cry. His voice trembled a little. "I still... I still can't do it. My illness must be getting worse. I can't control myself... I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry..."

Huang Zijing's hand trembled as he hung up.

He knew he and Wang Linjun would never be able to break things off for good.

One was a potted plant spoiled by a greenhouse, the other a piece of rotten wood carelessly transplanted. Their soil had been forced to mingle, and they were destined to grow in a twisted way.

2026.1.12

Theme: May there be peace in the world