Old Master Lu had invited a few doctors here in preparation of his grandson coming home. A lot of medical equipment had also been brought over from the hospital and placed in Lu Lixingâs room to constantly monitor his physical condition.
There wasnât anything good to say. In the eyes of the others, Lu Lixing had returned home to wait for his death.
Facing death, one should be like a leaf that fell to its roots. Most people didnât want to die in a hospital, so the doctors would go along with their patientsâ wishes and allow them to return home.
Lu Lixing had an accurate understanding of his bodyâs current condition. But, if he said that he had fully recovered, it would sound unimaginably outrageous. He couldnât speak frankly. He could only euphemistically say to Old Master Lu, âGrandfather, donât worry. I feel much better.â
However, after he said these words, the faces in the room sank. Even Ji Qingqing was looking at him with a sympathetic gaze.
They thought; sure enough, he was having the last burst of energy and lucidity before his death.
âGood, itâs good that youâre feeling better.â Old Master Luâs hands trembled around the prayer beads he was holding. He was shaky as he stood up. Ji Qingqing, who was next to him, quickly supported him.
âHave a good rest, grandfather⌠grandfather will come back to see you later.â Old Master Lu waved his hand, âGo out, all of you go out!â
Everyone slowly shuffled out of the room with heavy countenances. They left quietly without making any sounds.
Aunty Pei was broken-heartedly crying in the living room. Seeing Old Master Lu coming downstairs, she quickly stood up. So choked up with emotions, she had to stop and start again as she asked, âElder Lu, is there really no way to save Young Master? Canât he go to a better hospital? Or find a better doctor. Or, he could go abroad for medical treatmentâŚâ
She was crying so much that she couldnât get the remaining words out. She couldnât accept that Lu Lixing was going to die soon. âYoung Masterâs vitality seems good to me. He can walk, smile, and speak. Perhaps, his condition isnât as bad as the doctor said it is?â
The old man briefly closed his eyes after hearing these words. In the past month, he had consulted countless medical experts. If there was even the slightest hope, there was no way he would have easily given up.
âI know that youâre feeling awful seeing him so unwell. As his grandfather, I feel the same way. As the Lu familyâs successor, this child hadnât had a free day of his own since childhood. If I had known this was going to happenâŚâ Old Master Lu paused. The remaining words were stuck in his throat.
In a tearful voice, Aunty Pei said, âElder Lu, I⌠I really canât bear to watch as Lixing⌠Heâs young. Heâs not even married yet. How can he just leave the world like this?â
âOnce something becomes a foregone conclusion, we can only try to come to terms with it. At the hospital, Head Doctor Chen already told me that Lixing wonât be able to make it past the next few days. We should start making arrangements.â
Panic-stricken, Aunty Pei asked, âArrange what?â
Old Master Lu closed his eyes. He deeply sighed. âMake arrangements for his funeral.â
Once the word âfuneralâ came out Old Master Luâs tired mouth, it seemed as if this tough old man had aged several years in the span of a second.
It was so cruel of fate to have a white-hair person send off a black-hair person to the afterlife, especially for Old Master Lu, who had already lost his son and was now going to lose his grandson too.
âFuneral?â Aunty Pei asked in a trembling voice. She stared at Old Master Lu for a long time. She suddenly collapsed back down on the couch. âElder Lu, Young Master, heâŚâ
âDeath is inevitable for everyone. Back when Lixingâs father died, I couldnât immediately accept it either.â Old Master Lu tiredly waved his hand. âIâve already assigned this task to Qin Shao. Itâs inevitable that some things will be missed when a man handles this type of matter. You should check that everything is done properly.â
Aunty Pei shakely stood up. She tried her best to push down the sorrow in her heart. âI understand.â
Old Master Lu moved his gaze to Ji Qingqing. There was still a glimmer of hope in his heart. Great Master Wu had said that if Lixing married Ji Qingqing, he would be saved. Right now, modern medicine couldnât save Lixing, so he placed all of his hopes on Ji Qingqing.
âQingqing, you know about Lixingâs condition. I know that Iâm imposing on you by asking you this, but I hope that you can keep him company during the next few days.â
Elder Luâs words were earnest. He didnât even notice how pleading his voice sounded.