The auntie expressed that if this were to happen to her, it was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to survive for three months, let alone a year, which was how long Elder Lin had persevered for.

  She’d rather die readily instead of being tortured endlessly every day. Even if he had fallen asleep, his eyebrows were knitted together due to the pain he was experiencing. Within ten minutes, he would definitely wake up.

  The auntie knew that she couldn’t tolerate the repeated process of waking up from the pain and trying to fall asleep after that. She would definitely go crazy.

  However, this thin old man in front of her had hung in there for so long. The auntie cried every day. She cried so much that tears couldn’t seem to flow out today.

  After listening to her words, Zhai Sheng’s mood became gloomier. “Elder Lin, have you really decided to tell Nan Nan the truth only after you have persevered to the very last moment? I’m worried that your perseverance will let Nan Nan regret for life as she won’t have the chance to see you for the very last time. Elder Lin, you choose to hide from Nan Nan in the name of her own good but completely ignore the pain she will feel after knowing the truth. Elder Lin, don’t you think you’re being too selfish?”

  In Nan Nan’s heart, career would never be ranked above kinship.

  Elder Lin revealed a smile that was uglier than a cry. “It’s not the first day you and Nan Nan know about my bad character. I’m old and about to die. Could it be that you’re not willing to let me be stubborn for the last time before I die? I feel heartache for Nan Nan. I can’t accept Nan Nan crying in front of me. No, I can’t.”

  Elder Lin choked a sob and couldn’t continue his words.

  \r \r \r

  If he had a choice, he wouldn’t wish for this as well. It was just that when he thought of his disciple and the triplets crying, Elder Lin realized that his heartache was three times stronger than the physical pain his body was suffering from. Everyone said that he had a heart of stone and didn’t care about relationships. However, he realized he wasn’t that strong. He couldn’t even handle a single tear from his disciple and the triplets.

  “Zhai Sheng, we are all selfish. Don’t worry. I have an arrangement for Nan Nan. After I leave, spend more time to accompany her. With children, I believe Nan Nan will walk out of this very soon. In the future during Tomb-Sweeping Day and Winter Solstice, don’t…… don’t…… don’t forget to come visit me in a family of five.”

  The auntie eventually couldn’t hold it back. She covered her mouth and ran to the side to cry.

  If it wasn’t that he couldn’t hold on any longer, Elder Lin would definitely not say such things to Zhai Sheng. He was pricking Zhai Sheng’s body with a knife, cutting the flesh from his heart. “What shall we do? The triplets are about to celebrate their birthdays. Can…… can I……” He only wanted to live for a few days more. Just a few days more…… At least until the triplets celebrate their birthdays this year. Would that be okay?

  Elder Lin didn’t have much energy to begin with. After saying so many things to Zhai Sheng, his emotions fluctuated badly. Elder Lin couldn’t breathe and his voice lowered. It hurt so much that he almost couldn’t utter any sound.

  Zhai Sheng took a deep breath and poured a cup of water for Elder Lin. He placed his hand behind Elder Lin’s back and soothed him. “You’re really suffering a lot.” Zhai Sheng could feel that if not for Elder Lin’s perseverance, he would have already passed away from the pain he was suffering every second and minute.

  Not only did Elder Lin feel heartache for Qiao Nan, but he also loved the triplets.

  He didn’t want the triplets to shed tears, especially on their birthdays, because of his illness, even if they could celebrate their birthdays every year.

  On the account of Elder Lin working hard for the sake of the triplets, Zhai Sheng, who was the father, felt a sense of shame. He didn’t think that his love for the triplets was any less than Elder Lin. However, the perseverance Elder Lin had was something he was unable to have now.

  “It’s…… not tough.” Elder Lin had said these so softly that Zhai Sheng could hardly hear them. Elder Lin only had one thought, which was for Qiao Nan and the triplets to be happy for as long as possible. This was also why he was protecting Qiao Nan and the triplets. As long as they were well, all his sufferings were worth it.

  Seeing that Elder Lin was about to use up all his energy, Zhai Sheng quietly pushed Elder Lin back to his room. He carried Elder Lin to bed, personally removed his shoes, and helped cover him with the blankets.

  Before he left, he ordered the auntie to pay close attention to Elder Lin’s situation. If Elder Lin’s behavior was the slightest bit unusual, regardless of how late it was, she shouldn’t hesitate and should inform him immediately.

  Elder Lin didn’t have anyone else around him. Given that he was so seriously ill, if something unexpected really happened, she couldn’t have handled it alone. Aside from bearing the pain and reluctantly agreeing to Elder Lin’s perseverance, there was nothing else Zhai Sheng could do for this old man.

  The auntie’s eyes were swollen and she cried until her throat was hoarse. She could only nod to express that she had heard and remembered Zhai Sheng’s words.

  The moment he came out from Elder Lin’s house and the second the door to Elder Lin’s house was shut, Zhai Sheng suddenly thought of Old Master Zhai. Elder Lin would rather suffer, vomit, and tolerate the side effects from the medicines he took so that the triplets could celebrate their birthdays without being gloomy. What about his old master?

  Zhai Sheng and Zhai Yaohui had slept on the mattress next to Old Master Zhai yesterday night. That night, Old Master Zhai slept especially well. Indeed, as what Zhai Sheng had said, he even snored. Upon hearing Old Master Zhai’s snoring, Zhai Yaohui and Zhai Sheng felt more at ease and smiled.

  Based on the old master’s loud snores, he should still be in the pink of health. Were they too sensitive? Upon hearing the old master mentioning his wife, they became worried that something had happened to him.

  However, at this moment, Zhai Sheng was no longer that certain.

  Those closely involved couldn’t see clearly. Nan Nan trusted Elder Lin, thus she hadn’t discovered Elder Lin’s strange behavior. On the other hand, didn’t this also prove that Elder Lin had put on a very successful act in front of Nan Nan?

  At least from the appearance and mood, Nan Nan didn’t feel that anything was wrong with Elder Lin’s health condition.

  Old Master Zhai had already made him worried enough. He didn’t expect that after going to the Lin family’s home, he would find out about the pain and unbearable truth. Zhai Sheng had a cold face to begin with. Now, it turned so dark that even dogs would have to run around him if they saw him.

  “What’s wrong? You look terrible. Did something happen to Elder Lin?” Miao Jing was shocked at Zhai Sheng’s face. “Say something. You know how much Nan Nan values her master.”