Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  After getting such an answer, Miao Jing could not be happy for Qiao Nan. She was all too clear that once Qiao Nan found out the truth, what Qiao Nan would face was not sadness but the biggest blow from which she might never recover from. “Zhai Sheng, I’m anxious. I’m afraid Nan Nan and the triplets may not be able to take the shock.”

  Zhai Sheng did not say anything, but his expression was even more somber than Miao Jing’s. Based on his understanding of Qiao Nan, not only would what his mother had said be true, but in reality, it would be even more extreme than what his mother had said.

  Old Lin sincerely treated Qiao Nan as his own kin, and so did Nan Nan.

  “Mom, it’s not that she won’t be able to accept it. Rather, she won’t be able to bear it. I’m also worried about this.” The previous day, he had gone to pick the four of them up from work and school. Along the way, he listened to the incessant chatter of Er Bao and San Bao. There was bound to be a mention of Lin Yuankang every few sentences. Even though he did not participate in the conversation, every time Er Bao and San Bao talked about not having seen Grandpa Lin recently and how they felt as though their lives had become empty and cold, Da Bao would perk his ears up and listen closely. The words of Er Bao and San Bao resonated deeply with him and Da Bao could not help but clench his face and nod along.

  Da Bao’s care toward Old Lin was not any less than Er Bao or San Bao.

  If Old Lin was really gone, Zhai Sheng was afraid that Qiao Nan and the children would not be able to handle it and would break down. If it were really the case that Old Lin were to pass on, it would be difficult for him to persuade Qiao Nan and the children before he went to join the army.

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  “So what should we do?” Even Miao Jing herself had goose bumps upon hearing the news. The thought of Qiao Nan and the children being upset about Old Lin made Miao Jing panic. “If that really happens, should I comfort Nan Nan or the three children?” There were too many ‘treasures’ in the family. Now that all four treasures were going to face a challenge at the same time, Miao Jing was in a panic about who to comfort first.

  No matter who she comforted, Miao Jing could not bear to see them sad and shedding tears.

  Thinking of all these, Miao Jing was in a frenzy. “Zhai Sheng, do you think the medical skills of doctors abroad are better? If we hurry and send Old Lin overseas for treatment, do you think we can buy some time for Old Lin?” Every day counted when they were talking about delaying Qiao Nan and the children’s misery.

  What if foreign medical equipment and treatment methods were so advanced that they could really cure Old Lin’s illness?

  Actually, Miao Jing herself knew that this was superfluous.

  She had never suffered from cancer, but she knew how terrible this illness could be. Once a person suffered from advanced cancer, there was practically no medication in the world that could cure it. Besides, the problem of treatment would not be a long-term solution. In other words, advanced cancer could really only be cured by a miracle pill. Otherwise, there was no point in eating anything else. Even if they were to send him abroad and search through all the hospitals in western developed nations, she knew that it would only tire Old Lin out and make him suffer even more before his death.

  “No, let’s not talk about going abroad. With Old Lin’s health condition now, he can’t even get out of his house, take short-distance transportation, or even digest well.” Today, Old Lin had only said a few words to him, and while speaking, his mood fluctuated drastically. In the end, Old Lin was too tired to continue and his voice was raspy and he could not even speak any longer.

  If they insisted on sending Old Lin abroad for treatment, he could not guarantee that Old Lin could get on the plane safely in his current condition.

  This would no longer be about treatment but about sending Old Lin off even earlier.

  “Sigh……” Other than sighing, Miao Jing did not know what else she could do. “How about I send Old Lin some nourishing chicken soup? It doesn’t matter how much he can drink. However much he can drink, even just a single drop will be good.”

  With that, Miao Jing immediately stood up and huddled in the kitchen with the auntie to cook up chicken soup for Old Lin.

  Miao Jing, who had been consumed with cooking, had completely forgotten what Zhai Sheng had mentioned earlier about how he had suspicions that Old Zhai had similar thoughts as Old Lin, which was to survive to celebrate the birthday of the three children.

  Miao Jing did not believe that. She wanted to forget about this, but these words were spoken by Zhai Sheng himself. How could Zhai Sheng be confused by his mother and not remember what kind of important questions they had been discussing just five minutes earlier?

  Zhai Sheng would never rest easy about Old Lin and would call the caretaker auntie from time to time to check on Old Lin.

  Perhaps it was Zhai Sheng’s return that gave Old Lin someone to talk to. It was not that Old Lin did not think of seeing himself as an ordinary elderly who needed someone to take care of him now that he had this illness.

  But his care for Qiao Nan’s well-being triumphed over his own desires. And so, it was rare for Old Lin, who had been in a panic this whole time, to have someone to share his secrets and burden with.

  After he had endured for a period of time and finally getting a release, it was the most relaxing day he had had ever since he fell ill. As Old Lin chatted and eventually fell asleep, he was carried into the room by Zhai Sheng and he rested for half an hour before he finally opened his eyes and realized that he had fallen asleep unconsciously.

  This had been the most comfortable and peaceful day that Old Lin had had in the last ten days.

  In this half an hour, Old Lin was peaceful and at rest and did not scrunch his eyebrows up in pain. Neither did he wake up suddenly in pain or in shock. And just half an hour of good sleep was enough for the auntie to be eternally grateful.

  When Qiao Nan came home from work after picking up the children, she immediately asked Zhai Sheng, “Have you gone to see my master? What’s the matter with him? Why has he been refusing to allow the children and me into his house? He’s been saying he’s down with the flu. Has he visited the doctor? What did the doctor say? This flu has been going on for too long.”

  The last time her master had caught the flu, he had clearly agreed that they would be allowed to visit him as long as the children wore masks. This time, she wanted to use this method to enter, but her master would have none of it. He refused to see her, and even the children did not even stand a chance at entering his house. If they wanted to chat with him, they had to do so through a door!

  Thus, Qiao Nan had asked Zhai Sheng to take a look to get a clear answer. “Is my master throwing a temper?”