"Since we’ve talked about your grandfather, why don’t you tell more about him? From our conversation, I sense your grandfather must be very important to you," Hu Jingtang said.
"My grandfather was an exceptional old Chinese dicine doctor; people referred to him as a divine doctor, but he passed away several years ago." ntioning his grandfather made Xiao Yifei a bit emotional. If it weren’t for the circumstances, his grandfather would surely still be here, alive and well, just like the elderly Mr. Hu Jintang standing in front of him.
"Our family has always practiced traditional Chinese dicine for generations, so there are so secret recipes handed down. My grandfather used a secret formula to treat patients, and though effective, it took a toll on him. Eventually, his body couldn’t handle it; after treating patients, it would take him days to recover. That’s why he departed from this world so early," Xiao Yifei said, thoughtfully revealing the true reason for his grandfather’s passing. The kindhearted Mr. Hu deserved to know, and maybe Hu Jingtang would know sothing about the Biwei Silver Needle. Xiao’s goals now were twofold: to quickly develop a cure for the virus and to find the Biwei Silver Needle as soon as possible. He’s delayed the second task long enough, and he feared his grandfather would be disappointed in him should he continue dawdling.
"So there really was such extraordinary dical skill. I vaguely heard about sothing like this before but thought such secret recipes had been lost. I never expected a doctor would use their own life to save others. Xiao Yifei, now I understand where your kindness and integrity co from; they were inherited from your grandfather. Indeed, he educated you well," Hu Jingtang praised.
"What a pity! Your grandfather passed away too soon. Otherwise, I would’ve loved to visit him and et this legendary divine doctor." In his mind, Hu Jingtang conjured the image of an elderly man, though he couldn’t quite picture what he looked like. His admiration for Xiao Yifei’s grandfather also influenced his gaze toward Lin Mu, expressing several degrees of approval.
He suddenly felt he might have overstepped with his words. Despite his good intentions toward Xiao Yifei, Hu felt unworthy, as the image of Xiao’s grandfather seed far too radiant.
"Mr. Hu, have you heard of an item called the Biwei Silver Needle? Over the years, both my grandfather and I have been searching for it. If we had found it earlier, my grandfather wouldn’t have passed away so soon," Xiao Yifei asked Hu Jingtang with a trace of hope.
"This is the first ti I’m hearing about such an item, but don’t worry, I know many esteed old Chinese dicine doctors. When there’s ti, I can ask around for you; maybe they’ll know sothing," Hu Jingtang replied.
"Thank you, Mr. Hu. I feel quite guilty. Despite knowing you for only a few days, you’ve already helped so much. I don’t know how to express my gratitude or what I can do for you. I must treat you to a al soday," Xiao Yifei mused, realizing that in such a short ti, Mr. Hu had provided him with invaluable assistance, a favor he might never be able to repay in a lifeti.
"Oh, there’s nothing much to talk about repaying. I’m just here lounging at ho every day with nothing to do; chatting with you brightens my day. No need to treat to a al; honestly, I think my cooking is better than most restaurants. Anyti you wish to co over, you’re always welco. I’m always at ho," Hu Jingtang said.
Hearing this, Xiao Yifei relaxed. Although he initially intended to leave, he reconsidered and decided to stay and chat with Mr. Hu a bit longer. Being ho alone could be quite dull after all.
"Do you live alone in such a large house, Mr. Hu? When I visited the other day, were those your granddaughter and grandson? Don’t they live with you?" Xiao Yifei suddenly pondered how having soone’s company might be comforting, just like Mr. Hu. Despite having everything he needed, a large house, what Mr. Hu seed to lack was soone to converse with.
Quietly, Xiao Yifei considered spending more ti with him to alleviate so feelings of regret. He hadn’t had the patience to listen to his grandfather when he was alive, a missed opportunity to learn from him. Now he decided to treat his conversations with Mr. Hu as a chance for redemption.
"They live with , but usually stay at school and return ho on weekends. Many children grow up not wanting to be ho anymore. The girl is quite considerate though; every weekend, however busy, she returns to see and have a al together. As for the boy, I don’t expect him to co ho often. Typically, he won’t co ho unless he runs out of money or sothing important at school brings him back," Hu Jingtang shared.
Listening to Mr. Hu talking about his grandson, Xiao Yifei suddenly recalled his own behavior back in the day. After going to college, he rarely returned ho, busy with part-ti work or interned at various hospitals, and didn’t spend quality ti with his grandfather, which Lin Mu now particularly regretted.
"So many years have passed, I’ve gotten used to living alone, though it’s sotis really quite boring," Hu Jingtang admitted.
Thus they chatted aimlessly, with breaks here and there. The autumn sun stread through the windows, warming them softly. Lin Mu rembered the big tabby cat his grandmother used to have, which loved basking in the sun, and could always find a warm spot. An hour or two later, as the sun’s position shifted, the tabby cat’s sunbathing spot moved accordingly.
"Perhaps the weather is ant for doing nothing, just lounging and basking in the warmth indoors," Xiao Yifei remarked.
"Young people should focus on their careers; clearing your na is your most important task. I am just an old man; there’s no need for you to spend your ti with ," Hu Jingtang realized Xiao Yifei wished to stay longer but reminded him there were more significant matters to attend to.
Hearing this, Xiao Yifei responded, "I’ll head back then; I am indeed quite busy. I took special leave from the director this afternoon just to co. He seed quite curious about you; when I told him I was visiting, he happily granted the leave," Xiao Yifei ntioned.
"What’s there to be curious about an old man like ? I’m just an ordinary doctor," Hu Jingtang said.
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