Without Old Master Lu around, the roomful of lively people were more relaxed. They broke off into small groups and chatted with glasses of wine. From time to time, someone would come over to toast Lu Beichuan. Sometimes, he would give them face by taking a sip of wine. Other times, he wouldn’t give them a face and brush them off with a casual acknowledgment. He always kept in mind Ye Zhen’s words about not getting drunk.

  Moreover, under the circumstances of not knowing the specifics of Old Master Lu’s situation, Lu Beichuan had to keep his head clear.

  “Zhouzhou, did you fall down earlier?” Ye Zhen crouched down to check on her son.

  If he had fallen earlier, his injuries definitely wouldn’t be light.

  Zhouzhou gave her a big smile with squinting eyes. “Dad held me!”


  Ye Zhen smiled and stroked the back of his head. She looked over at Lu Beichuan.

  Lu Beichuan heard Zhouzhou’s voice and turned to look in their direction. His eyes met Ye Zhen’s, and they saw the smile in each other’s eyes.

  ***

  Old Master Lu, who had been helped back to his room by Butler Lu and Lu Shaoyan, didn’t have a good complexion and was gasping. He sat down on a sofa with their help.

  Butler Lu hastily fetched several pills from the colorful pill bottles in the cabinet. Lu Shaoyan brought over a glass of warm water to Old Master Lu.

  Old Master Lu was panting badly to catch his breath. He swallowed the pills. Sitting next to him, Lu Shaoyan patted his back to help him. It took a long time before Old Master Lu’s condition finally stabilized.

  Seeing Old Master Lu like this, Butler Lu was anxious. “Old Master, this won’t do. I’ll go call the doctors over.”


  Old Master Lu waved him off. “Don’t. It’s the holidays. You just sent those doctors away. If you call them back now, how can they celebrate New Year’s?”


  “But your body……”


  “I’m fine. It’s an old problem. I’ll be fine after taking medicine and resting.” After saying that, Old Master Lu looked at Lu Shaoyan. “Go back out to play with the others. You don’t have to stay here. I’ll be fine after resting.”


  “You’re already like this and you say you’re okay? I thought you’re different from those elders that get more muddled-headed as they age, but now, I see you’re the same as them.”


  Old Master Lu didn’t get angry. He smiled. “You’re even telling me what to do now. I spoil you too much!”


  Butler Lu brought over a blanket and covered Old Master Lu with it.

  Lu Shaoyan tucked him in and said, “Be good and rest in your room the next few days. Don’t bother with what’s happening outside. It’s more important for you to get better. There’s New Year every year. It’s only if you get better that we can continue to celebrate New Year together every year, right?”


  “I’ve gotten old. I can see that I don’t have much time left. How many years do I really have left to spend with you?”


  Lu Shaoyan fell silent before laughing. “That’s nonsense. After the holidays are over, let’s go to the hospital for a check up. Even if there’s really something, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Just get it treated as soon as possible. Medical treatment is advanced now. If it can’t be treated in China, then go abroad for treatment. You’ll definitely get better.”


  “Going abroad for treatment……” Old Master Lu sighed with regret. “Was your mother’s illness cured abroad?”


  Perhaps, it was because he had gotten old. Old Master Lu was especially fond of recalling past events lately, but doing that led to him having insomnia from regret.

  There were some regrets that became even more impossible to make up as time passed.

  Old Master Lu had money and power, but he couldn’t change the past.

  Lu Shaoyan remained silent and only stared at Old Master Lu.

  “Your mom…… is she well?”


  Lu Shaoyan didn’t answer. Old Master Lu felt as if he was on tenterhooks.

  “Say something. Is your mom well?”


  Perhaps, Butler Lu had seen something in that silence. He walked over and tried to persuade Old Master Lu, “It’s getting late. You should turn in for the night. You can talk about this tomorrow.”


  Old Master Lu turned a deaf ear to him. As he stared at Lu Shaoyan, his hands started trembling. “Just tell me. How’s your mom doing?”