Chapter 117:
“You’re my grandson, how can I not worry?” The Old Master said in a deep voice: “I’m still saying the same thing, don’t waste energy on feelings. Once you’ve played enough, settle down and find a suitable person to marry.”
“In your eyes, what is a suitable person?” Pei Yuzhou asked.
“Someone from the social circle, with family backgrounds not too different. Although the family doesn’t need you to enter a marriage alliance to exchange for benefits, finding someone of equal social standing can save you a lot of detours. She can help you out somewhat, and you won’t have to work so hard.” The Old Master paused, then continued: “Your grandmother and I were also in a marriage alliance back then, with no feelings, but we lived respectfully for more than twenty years, and it was just fine.”
Pei Yuzhou asked indifferently: “Did you really have no feelings? Then why do you always stare blankly at her photograph?”
“That was me looking at your mother’s photograph!” The Old Master got a bit agitated, his face flushing red, and he glared at him angrily, “Why drag me into this when we’re talking about you?”
Pei Yuzhou stood up, walked to the water dispenser to pour a cup of warm water, returned to the bedside and handed it to him, “I see your health is pretty good, at least you can live another twenty years.”
The Old Master was furious but helpless against him, took a sip of water to calm down and soothe his breathing, “Are you really thinking of marrying that girl back home?”
“Hard to say.”
His casual tone made it hard to tell how much was real and how much was fake.
The Old Master’s gaze sharpened, his attitude firm, “I advise you to drop that idea. I won’t agree.”
Pei Yuzhou didn’t want to make him angry and stayed silent.
The Old Master set down the water cup, “Even stepping back ten thousand steps, even if you want to marry her, would she be willing to marry you? She’s a Chinese girl, with a sick older sister at home. Would she be willing to stay in America?”
Pei Yuzhou wasn’t surprised. It was too easy for the Old Master to investigate Meng Shuyou’s background. “It’s too early to talk about these things now. You should rest well. Getting better is the most important thing.”
The Old Master felt like his punch had landed on cotton; saying more was just wasting breath. Even he couldn’t guess what Kerwin was really thinking.
Just then, the medicine liquid was almost finished. The housekeeper pressed the call bell twice.
Moments later, the nurse arrived at the hospital room to remove the Old Master’s IV needle. “Today’s infusion is done. Remember to take the prescribed medicine on time. If there’s any discomfort, call us promptly.”
The housekeeper: “Okay.”
The Old Master sighed lightly and didn’t bring up the earlier topic again. “Your birthday is coming up soon. How do you plan to spend it?”
Pei Yuzhou parted his lips, “You know, I never celebrate my birthday.”
The Old Master disagreed, “You have to at least have a simple dinner. How many more birthdays do you think I can spend with you?”
Pei Yuzhou said no more, “You decide.”
After staying in the hospital room for half an hour, he glanced at the time, “I have a contract to sign tonight. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
The Old Master waved his hand, “Go ahead and get busy. No need to come over.”
Before leaving, Pei Yuzhou instructed the housekeeper, “If anything happens, give me a telephone call.”
The latter nodded, “Okay, don’t worry.”
After Pei Yuzhou left the hospital room, the Old Master gazed toward the doorway and murmured softly: “Do you think he’s really fallen for her?”
The housekeeper shook his head, “Mister Kerwin’s thoughts—you can’t figure them out, let alone me.”
“For one woman, he specially flew to China and even mobilized medical resources to help her.” The Old Master rubbed his temple, “I’m just afraid he’ll get caught up in useless romance. Fiona back then was the same, recklessly insisting on being with a Chinese man, and in the end, she regretted it deeply.”
Recalling the past, he exhaled a turbid breath, his shoulders slumping powerlessly, “It was my fault.”
Memories were like an old tape, blurred and faded, but no matter how much time passed, they still carried a profound history.
