Chapter 251 - 230: Guest
Chapter 251: Chapter 230: Guest
Because he had gone to the Gu Mansion for dinner the previous night, where drinking was unavoidable, the staff had arranged for Grandpa Tang to leave an hour later than usual. Grandma Tang wasn’t home, and Grandpa Tang indeed had many chores to attend to personally. For instance, he had to tend to his flowers and plants. He also had to follow his wife’s instructions to periodically check on the rooms of his children and grandchildren, especially his eldest granddaughter’s. He would dust and wipe everything down, ensuring the room was spotless and gleaming, even if she hadn’t been home to stay in it.
After he finished all his chores, Grandpa Tang got dressed, grabbed his briefcase, and came downstairs, ready to head out. But just then, a young guest arrived. Dressed in a military uniform, he stood as tall and sturdy as a pine tree. He had handsome features and a bright smile, and he called out warmly, "Grandpa."
Grandpa Tang was slightly taken aback. The young man introduced himself as Bai Junfan, the eldest grandson of the Bai family. He explained that he was in Beijing to attend a victory celebration and had made a special trip to visit Grandpa and Grandma Tang.
Grandpa Tang knew that the Bai family’s eldest grandson had gone missing. For one to suddenly appear now was rather surprising. Bai Junfan then explained the circumstances of what had happened back then in detail, holding nothing back. Grandpa Tang nodded frequently as he listened. He was delighted to learn that Bai Junfan was already a deputy battalion commander at such a young age, had earned meritorious honors, and was set to study abroad as one of the military’s elite. Patting his shoulder, Grandpa Tang praised him repeatedly, "Good! Excellent! Truly a worthy son of a general’s family. The Bai family has a successor!"
They went into the living room and chatted for half an hour. Bai Junfan’s demeanor was impeccable and his conversation refined. He possessed the resolute and decisive air of a soldier, yet he did not lack the elegance and erudition of a scholar. Although he had been adrift for many years due to his family’s misfortune, he hadn’t lost the fine upbringing expected of a scion of an aristocratic family. Grandpa Tang developed a very favorable impression of the young man.
Grandpa Tang still needed to leave, so as soon as the half-hour they had spoken of was up, Bai Junfan immediately stood to take his leave. Grandpa Tang picked up the two boxes of ginseng he had brought and tried to give them back. "This is good stuff. Your grandfather needs it more than I do!"
Bai Junfan lowered his head slightly, his eyes reddening. "Grandfather is in the hospital, but he should be getting better soon... It was for him that I specially asked a comrade from the Northeast to find this wild Northeastern ginseng. It’s for him, but I also wanted to share it with you, Grandpa Gu, and a few other seniors... I hope you all remain healthy and well! My grandfather always said you are all trusted friends who would guard each other’s backs. Seeing you is like seeing him! I heard that Grandma Tang was unwell some time ago. As a junior, I should have visited and attended to her personally, but my military duties wouldn’t allow it. I feel terrible about that. This is just a small token of my filial piety. Please, Grandpa Tang, you must accept it!"
Hearing his earnest words, Grandpa Tang couldn’t bear to refuse the young man’s sincere gesture. After a moment’s thought, he accepted one box and had him take the other one back. "Wild ginseng is especially rare, and your grandfather needs it right now. I’ll keep one box. If it’s not enough, remember to come back and get it."
The two of them walked to the door. Grandpa Tang was seeing his guest out before leaving himself. Just then, he saw a man who looked like a driver pacing around frantically. When the man saw Bai Junfan emerge, his eyes lit up and he shouted, "Xiao Fan! Hurry! We have to get to the hospital, or it’ll be too late!"
Bai Junfan quickly asked, "What’s going on? Is it Grandpa...?"
"Yes! The family just got a call from the hospital. They said the Old Master is in critical condition. It looks like he might not pull through this time! They told me to come get you immediately and go straight to the hospital!"
Bai Junfan turned to face Grandpa Tang, clicked his heels together, and gave a military salute. With red-rimmed eyes, he said, "My grandfather is in critical condition. I must rush to the hospital at once. Forgive my departure!"
Grandpa Tang watched him hurry toward the sedan parked by the roadside. He fumbled with the door handle twice before getting it open. Grandpa Tang sighed, followed him, and took a small white porcelain vial from the pocket of his tunic. He handed it to Bai Junfan through the car window.
"Your grandfather has a bad heart, and so do I. This is a Life-saving Pill, made from a recipe someone gave me. I had Old Chinese Doctor Du prepare it, and I find it works quite well. Perhaps it will be useful for your grandfather too. There’s only one left. Take it, dissolve it in water, and give it to him. It’s worth a try."
Bai Junfan held the white porcelain vial in his hand, looked at it, and then tried to hand it back. "Grandpa, there’s only one. You..."
Grandpa Tang waved his hand dismissively. "Go on. Saving a life is what’s important."
"Then... Grandpa, thank you!" Bai Junfan bowed his head, filled with endless gratitude.
The sedan sped away from the Tang Mansion. Bai Junfan opened his palm and looked at the small porcelain vial resting in it. The corner of his mouth curved into a slight smirk. He said to the driver, "You’re too slow. Pull over at the corner. I’ll drive!"
When they arrived at the hospital, Mr. Bai was still undergoing emergency treatment. Bai Junfan handed the small vial to Doctor Jia. Doctor Jia pulled out the soft stopper and sniffed it repeatedly, his expression a mixture of excitement and profound mystery. "A Life-saving Pill? There are many herbs in this that I can’t identify right away! How about... you let me take a small piece to..."
Bai Qingyue, who was standing nearby, snatched the vial. "There’s only one pill! If we let you take half, what good will the rest of it do? I don’t care anymore, just give him the whole thing!"
Doctor Jia said regretfully, "But if we could identify the herbs in it, we could also..."
"Do you know what time it is? If anything happens to Old Master Bai, the Bai family will be in a very difficult position, you understand?"
Bai Junfan personally administered the medicine to Mr. Bai. An hour later, Mr. Bai opened his eyes.
Upon waking, he was able to drink half a bowl of chicken soup and half a bowl of rice porridge.
The Bai family was overjoyed. From that moment on, Bai Junfan not only completely agreed with his aunt’s arrangement for his marriage, but he also secretly swore an oath: ’I must marry the Tang family’s eldest granddaughter, no matter what!’
’With my aunt’s hints, of course I wouldn’t believe that the "Life-saving Pill" from Grandpa Tang was actually from the hands of Old Chinese Doctor Du. For that Tang granddaughter to be able to create a pill that can snatch someone back from the brink of death, she must have not only inherited a master’s ultimate secret recipe, but she must also be an expert in herbs!’
’This wasn’t just about simply recognizing herbs. Any ordinary Chinese doctor can identify many precious herbs, but there are some that even an old doctor like Doctor Jia might not be able to recognize!’
’They are exceedingly rare herbs, infused with Spiritual Energy!’
’As a practitioner of Ancient Martial Arts, I deeply understand the miraculous uses of such rare herbs for a Martial Artist!’
’They can enhance one’s Combat Power and advance one’s power!’
’My Ancient Martial Arts training has reached a plateau, and I haven’t had a breakthrough in a long time. I desperately need a wife who can provide me with such immense help!’
That night, after making love with Yang Liu’er, Bai Junfan asked her if she was certain she had seen Gu Shaojun become crippled and Tang Yaxuan marry him in her dream. Yang Liu’er, basking in the sweet afterglow, was reluctant to recall such unpleasant things. However, Bai Junfan cajoled her into compliance, and she recounted a few details. Bai Junfan listened, lost in thought.
He didn’t overthink it. The word "rebirth" certainly didn’t cross his mind. However, he had read a book about dreams as a child and firmly believed that dreams were connected to real life. Sometimes, dreams could offer a kind of warning, just as Yang Liu’er’s had. If she hadn’t warned him that his grandfather would have an accident today, he wouldn’t have made the trip to the Tang Mansion, and his grandfather might have really passed away.
’But in Liu’er’s dream, Gu Shaojun becomes a cripple, and I marry Tang Yaxuan... what could that signify?’