“Yes, Uncle, how can you not care about your own health? Just listen to Grandpa.” Fu Ying was very close to her second aunt, so naturally she also cared about her second uncle.
"Yingying. Yingjian!"
Fu Ying heard Zhou Xuan calling her softly, and she reached out to tug at her clothes, turning around to look at him and asking, "What is it?"
Zhou Xuan whispered, "Yingying, I can heal your second uncle's foot."
Fu Ying paused, then remembered Zhou Xuan's ice-based abilities, and was overjoyed. Yes. How could she have forgotten Zhou Xuan? Back at the bottom of the sinkhole, her wrist had been pierced by Ito's crossbow, but Zhou Xuan had healed her wound without her even realizing it—healed her while she was asleep. She hadn't even felt a thing.
After Fu Ying's second aunt, Fu Zheng, told Zhou Xuan about Li Tao's situation, he secretly used his ice energy to examine Li Tao's legs. His left leg was slightly better and would recover given time, but his right leg was much more serious. The bone was shorter than normal, and there were several bone fragments. The surgery hadn't been completed completely. If he used his ice energy, he could stimulate growth and restore the bone to its original state. He could also transform and devour the bone fragments. This wasn't difficult; it was quite simple. Since he had ice energy, the most difficult thing he had ever done was treating the old man's cancer, a task that remains one of the most challenging to this day.
Fu Ying was about to speak directly when she suddenly remembered that Zhou Xuan's secret couldn't be revealed casually, not even to her closest relatives. Telling him might cause Zhou Xuan a great deal of trouble. She needed to think of a solution. A good idea! It could cure her second uncle's illness without revealing the secret.
Fu Tianlai was also considering which hospital to send Li Tao to for treatment when Fu Ying said to him, "Grandpa, Zhou Xuan knows some traditional Chinese medicine. However, some medicine is kept at the villa in the Queens district. I will go and get it tomorrow. Let Zhou Xuan treat my second aunt's husband. It will save us from having to go around to different places."
Fu Tianlai was taken aback by Fu Ying's sudden remark, then remembered Zhou Xuan's special abilities. A thought struck him, but he was somewhat surprised that Fu Ying said he could cure diseases. He wondered if Fu Ying was just saying it casually, or if it came from Zhou Xuan himself.
Thinking of this, Fu Tianlai glanced at Zhou Xuan, only to see Zhou Xuan slowly nod. Fu Tianlai was immediately overjoyed. Zhou Xuan's own words meant that he was certain the cure was possible, which only increased his surprise. What other amazing abilities did Zhou Xuan possess that would bring him even greater delight? Fu Tianlai immediately said, "Li Tao, I think it's best to do this. You can stay at home, and tomorrow Yingying can bring back the medicine so Zhou Xuan can treat you."
Li Tao had always been afraid of his father-in-law's authority. Although he was dissatisfied, he dared not say anything against it. In the Fu family, Fu Tianlai was the head of the household. Apart from Fu Ying, no one had ever objected to his words. However, back then, Fu Ying was young and the whole family doted on and protected her.
Fu Zheng, however, was unwilling. After all, she was Fu Tianlai's biological daughter, and some things were easier to say. She said angrily, "Dad, it's one thing for Yingying to be a child. Why are you joining in the commotion? This is a life-altering event for Junjie's father. If it can't be cured, he'll be crippled. How can we let a child mess things up for him?"
Fu Tianlai glared at him. He snorted, "So, just because you're married doesn't mean you're no longer Fu, and I can't control you anymore?"
Li Tao quickly reassured him, "Dad, okay, okay, I'll stay home. Tomorrow, let Xiao Zhou treat me. Dad means well, Fu Zheng. Don't argue with Dad. Everyone just wants my leg to get better soon, right? They don't mean me any harm, right?"
"That's true," Fu Zheng thought to herself. Although her father was rather stern and wouldn't listen to advice, he still loved her and Li Tao, his son-in-law. Fu Zheng had no reason to harm him, so she remained silent. She figured she'd let Yingying's fiancé cause some trouble at home tomorrow. With the whole family watching, he couldn't go too far. It would just be a formality; going to the hospital a day later was fine, since it had already been over a month. One more day wouldn't matter.
"Dad, alright, alright. Let Yingying take a look when she gets her medicine tomorrow. We won't go to the hospital the day after tomorrow either, since it's Yingying's engagement ceremony the day after tomorrow."
As Fu Zheng spoke, she also calculated that Fu Ying's engagement ceremony was the day after tomorrow, and that her aunt and uncle would be attending.
Fu Zheng's words clearly indicated that after letting Zhou Xuan take a casual look tomorrow, they would still need to go to a major hospital for treatment after their engagement ceremony.
Fu Tianlai was too lazy to argue with Fu Zheng at this point. Saying too much wouldn't be good either, since they wouldn't believe him anyway. As long as Zhou Xuan used the medicine as a cover and cured Li Tao's leg, that would be the end of it. He didn't want Li Tao to promote Zhou Xuan; the goal was to cure him discreetly.
Aunt Yu had prepared the meal. Li Junjie pushed his father's wheelchair into the dining room. Zhou Xuancai saw that the long mahogany dining table was laden with dishes. Although there were many dishes, they were all Chinese dishes—spicy, vegetarian, and mixed—a variety of styles. The tableware was also all Chinese-style, using bowls, chopsticks, and other utensils.
The person seated at the head of the table was naturally Fu Yu Xiaohai, with Fu Tianlai to his left, followed by Fu Ying next to her grandfather, then Zhou Xuan, and opposite them were Li Tao and Fu Zheng, and then Fu Se and Yang Jie, a married couple. Li Junjie, on the other hand, was seated at the very back.
Fu Tianlai was very happy and in a good mood, and the old master Fu Yuhai also seemed to be in high spirits. Perhaps it was because the family was reunited that the youngest son, Pin Shen, was in a particularly good mood, and excitedly asked Yu to open a bottle of twenty-year-old baijiu and pour a glass for everyone.
The cup is actually not much bigger than a thumb. It's not about drinking much; Fu Tianlai wants this atmosphere, the atmosphere of family reunion.
After taking a sip, Fu Yuhai frowned and asked, "Only when the whole family is together do I feel like it's Chinese New Year. People from far away and those who have had difficulties come. Why didn't Ben and Johnny come?"
"This..." Fu Tianlai hesitated for a moment before saying, "Fu Ben has gone abroad on business and may not be back for a while. Johnny has also gone to Hong Kong and won't be back for a while either!"
The affair between Johnny and Fu Ben was actually kept secret from the old master by everyone except Fu Tianlai, Fu Ying, Li Junjie, and Zhou Xuan. Li Junjie hadn't mentioned it to his parents either, as it was a painful matter for his family. It was best to avoid mentioning it if possible. After all, blood is thicker than water. Fu Tianlai spoke harshly, but he couldn't bring himself to completely destroy Johnny; he simply cut off all of Johnny's financial resources and income, letting him experience the taste of destitution.
After the meal, Aunt Yu brought out a fruit platter. Zhou Xuan picked out a small, crisp, and sweet pear. After eating the fruit, Fu Ying quietly tugged at his clothes.
Zhou Xuan glanced at Fu Ying. He noticed that Fu Ying's eyes were secretly glancing at Fu Yuhai.
Fu Yuhai looked energetic and kept glancing at Zhou Xuan, who then understood Fu Ying's meaning. He had received Fu Ying's instructions on the way back from Liu Qingyuan's place.
Without a second thought, before his ancestor could speak, Zhou Xuan quickly rubbed his head and frowned, saying, "Yingying, I have a bit of a headache. I'd better go and rest!"
Others weren't surprised, but Fu Tianlai and his son Fu Yuhai were both taken aback; Fu Yuhai was disappointed, while Fu Tianlai was genuinely surprised. How could Zhou Xuan, with such a peculiar ability, have a headache?
However, after glancing at his father's expression and then at Zhou Xuan and Fu Ying's strange expressions, he immediately understood. His father had been playing chess with Zhou Xuan until 3 a.m. last night, and today, unusually, he slept in late, not getting up until midnight. He was already complaining about how the two young people, Yingying and Zhou Xuan, were trying to outlast him.
Once Fu Tianlai understood Zhou Xuan's meaning, he quickly said, "Zhou Xuan, hurry upstairs to your room and rest. You need to be in good spirits. The engagement ceremony with Yingying is the day after tomorrow, and we can't afford to miss it!"
Having received Fu Tianlai's imperial decree, Fu Ying dragged Zhou Xuan by the hand and rushed up the stairs, while Fu Yuhai's old face was full of annoyance.
The thought of her grandfather's expression amused Fu Ying, and she dragged Zhou Xuan upstairs, laughing all the way. By the time they reached Zhou Xuan's room on the third floor, they were completely out of breath.
Actually, Zhou Xuan didn't mind playing chess with Fu Yuhai. As long as the old man didn't stay up too late, and since he had secretly helped him improve his physique, two hours wouldn't be a problem. Of course, Zhou Xuan didn't intend to tell Fu Tianlai and the others about this. He felt there was nothing worth mentioning. He would help his family secretly if he could, without expecting anything in return.
"Yingying, you're so naughty!" Zhou Xuan laughed and lightly tapped Fu Ying's forehead with his finger. Fu Ying lay down on the bed, grabbed Zhou Xuan's finger, and put it in her mouth, laughing, "Let's bite it off and see how you tap me then!"
Zhou Xuan laughed as Fu Ying pulled him over and bit him, then screamed, "Ouch, it's broken!" He immediately rolled over and pinned her down, laughing, "Yingying, you're in big trouble now. I'm crippled, and you'll be responsible for me for the rest of your life!"
Fu Ying gave it a push, but couldn't budge it. She laughed and scolded, "Get lost! Where are you crippled? Let me see!"
Zhou Xuan stuck out his tongue and brought it closer, saying, "Bite off your tongue, and I'll show it to you!"
"Shameless," "shameless," "rascal," Fu Ying felt a little shy as Zhou Xuan pressed her down on top of her. She closed her eyes, not daring to look at Zhou Xuan, and softly cursed him a couple of times, her voice growing softer and softer.
Zhou Xuan stared blankly at Fu Ying's beautiful appearance and murmured, "Yingying, you are so beautiful!" Then he put his mouth towards her.
Just then, Li Junjie rushed in, saying, "Zhou Xuan, I need to ask you something." Oh dear!
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Zhou Xuan reaching out to kiss Fu Ying. She cried out "Ouch!" and stopped, covering her eyes.
Zhou Xuan and Fu Ying were so startled that they jumped up and sat down on the other side of the bed, their faces flushed.
Li Junjie said, "How come there's sand in my eye? Ouch, it hurts so much, Zhou Xuan. Can you help your cousin blow it out?"
Li Junjie's lie made Zhou Xuan and Fu Ying laugh.
Fu Ying blushed slightly, then became annoyed. She stood up, put her hands on her hips, and said irritably, "Come here, did you get sand in your eyes? I'll blow it out for you!"
Li Junjie covered his face, turned around abruptly, and dashed towards the door, shouting as he ran, "I can't take it anymore! Cousin, I need to go to the hospital, this grain of sand is too big!"
Fu Ying shouted, "Cousin, if you go around saying things like that, I'll make you regret it!"