The old man was incredibly insightful; there was no reason he couldn't see it. In the last moments of his life, he only wanted to arrange everything for the Wei family, but he was already powerless to do so. His eldest son, Wei Haifeng's, prejudice against Zhou Xuan was not something he could easily resolve. He knew his eldest son's personality very well. The fact that he wasn't reacting to Zhou Xuan now was only because of his own reasons. If he were to withdraw, Wei Haifeng's attitude towards Zhou Xuan would definitely not be the same.
However, the old man also knew that Wei Haifeng was not stupid, but he was indeed a bit narrow-minded. If he went, Wei Haifeng's attitude towards Zhou Xuan would worsen, but he would not go so far as to punish Zhou Xuan severely. The second son, Wei Haihe, was more insightful and capable than his eldest son, but he was too focused on politics and had become indifferent to family affection.
Of course, to achieve good development in politics, the first thing to have is an iron will. This is what is meant by having an iron will. If you are soft-hearted, you will not achieve great things. The second son is much better in his attitude towards Zhou Xuan, but Zhou Xuan is based on feelings, while the second son is based on interests. Alliances are formed when interests are needed, but if it is necessary to abandon or turn against each other because of interests, the old man believes that Wei Haihe is absolutely capable of doing so. This is what the old man is most worried about.
The person he trusted most was actually his third son, Wei Haihong. He was actually quite pleased that his third son didn't pursue a career in government. His third son's personality was such that he valued loyalty and affection. His relationship with Zhou Xuan was the only one that was truly genuine. There was no self-interest between them. If the other was in trouble, they would do everything in their power to help, without any thought of exchanging benefits. This was what the old man trusted most. He was sure that if the Wei family ever faced any difficulties in the future, Zhou Xuan would definitely lend a helping hand out of consideration for Wei Haihong.
Then there are his granddaughters, Wei Xiaoqing and Wei Xiaoyu. Xiaoqing is deeply in love with Zhou Xuan. Although they can't be together, Zhou Xuan isn't a heartless person and will definitely feel guilty towards her. As for Xiaoyu, although the two parted on bad terms, Xiaoyu gave birth to a child. Blood is thicker than water. Even if Zhou Xuan can't admit it, or is forced by circumstances to not admit it, the child is still Zhou Xuan's flesh and blood. How can he ignore it?
On this point, the old man was least worried. What he was most worried about was the careers of the Wei brothers, Wei Haihe and Wei Haifeng. With Zhou Xuan's help, Wei Haihe had seen results in a short time, which also allowed him to establish himself in the capital and consolidate his foundation. This made Wei Haihe realize Zhou Xuan's importance. However, the old man also knew that "given his second son's temperament, he had a very strong desire for control. He would try every means to bring someone with Zhou Xuan's abilities under his command. Moreover, Zhou Xuan was a free and easy person, which would create hidden dangers for the future."
The old man sighed deeply. Although he was not afraid of death, he still felt that there was not enough time and that everything was not arranged properly.
There's a song lyric that goes something like, "Let me borrow another five hundred years from heaven!"
Of course, this is impossible. Throughout history, countless powerful emperors have all desired longevity and immortality, but in the end, all they gained was a pile of yellow earth.
Zhou Xuan sat silently for a long time and could see the old man's melancholy, but he was helpless. He was powerless to help. It seems that some TV shows and fortune telling are right. The love between immortal demons and immortals and mortals is destined to end tragically. If the immortal one has to watch his beloved slowly grow old and die, that is the most painful thing in the world.
Although he possessed miraculous abilities, Zhou Xuan knew that he was not omnipotent and could not defy fate. In some matters, he might be stronger than others, and do things better and more steadily. But decades later, his fate would be the same as everyone else's; he would still just be an ordinary person on Earth. However, this made Zhou Xuan feel better. If he lived too long and Yingying died of old age in front of him, he couldn't accept the thought. He only wanted to grow old slowly with Fu Ying; that was the life of an immortal.
Now, Zhou Xuan no longer has any thoughts of money or power. Life is short, and the decades pass in the blink of an eye!
The old man pointed to the potted clivia in front of him and said, "Little Zhou, look at this clivia of mine. Compared to those brightly colored flowers, it's my favorite!"
Zhou An understood that the old man liked the clivia because he used it as a metaphor for people.
After a pause, the old man suddenly changed the subject, turning to look at Zhou Xuan and asking, "You went to the Haihe River today, right? How was it? What were your thoughts and feelings?"
The old man's question was quite clever. He knew that Wei Haihe wanted to win Zhou Xuan over, but when he asked Zhou Xuan, he only asked for his opinion and feelings, without asking whether he would accept Wei Haihe's invitation.
Zhou Xuan smiled wryly, "I only went there to broaden Fu Yuanshan's horizons. If I went to a place like Secretary Wei's, I would be like a country bumpkin in the big city, making a complete fool of myself. Secretary Wei even asked me what you said before, asking if I was interested in pursuing a career in government. But I'm not cut out for that. I just think I'm better suited to hanging out with Li Wei, strolling around town, gambling and fishing with Brother Hong, living a peaceful life with Yingying and my family. Being an official or doing business is too complicated and exhausting for me. I can't do it!"
The old man smiled slightly. Zhou Xuan was indeed that kind of person. Although he hadn't asked his second son Zhou Xuan for his answer today, what Zhou Xuan said now was exactly what he had imagined.
"You, you..." The old man chuckled and then said, "Forget it, let's not talk about that. I've come to terms with it. Children and grandchildren have their own destinies, and I really can't control them. But, Xiao Zhou, there's something I'd like to ask you!"
Zhou Xuan suddenly saw the old man speak so solemnly, and immediately nodded and said, "Old man, please speak. If it is something I can do, why make a request!"
“I know you will do it, you will agree, I will just go…” The old man sighed, and said in a low voice, “If in the future, I mean in the future, when I’m not here, do you understand what I mean?” Zhou Xuan was stunned. He understood very well what the old man meant by that look in his eyes. He was making arrangements for his death!
But Wei Xiaoqing didn't understand. She never even considered the possibility that her grandfather would die. Instead, she assumed that her grandfather was saying he wasn't in the capital or not with Zhou Xuan.
Zhou Xuan paused for a moment, then straightened up and nodded solemnly, "Please speak!"
The old man then said in a low voice, "Xiao Zhou, I won't say anything about our third son, your brother Hong. You two are like brothers. As for Xiao Yu and Xiao Qing, I won't say anything either. If anything happens, I understand what you're thinking!"
When Wei Xiaoqing heard her grandfather suddenly mention her and her sister, she was startled and quickly focused her attention to listen.
"What I'm asking of you is that if the Hai brothers, Haifeng and Haihe, ever hurt or stab you in any way in the future, I beg you—" The old man's voice grew heavier and weaker as he spoke, "I beg your understanding, please, for the sake of this old man, don't hold it against them!"
When Zhou Xuan heard the old man say this, he thought he was talking about his relationship with the Wei sisters, Wei Xiaoqing and Wei Xiaoyu, especially Wei Xiaoyu, who was pregnant. To be honest, although she had deceived him first, he still felt that he owed Wei Xiaoyu a debt in terms of feelings. He just couldn't repay her debt, and it was impossible for him to repay her debt. He would never abandon Yingying no matter what.
The old man meant that he should take care of the two sisters from now on, and that Wei Haihe and Wei Haifeng might become enemies with him because of this. Of course, he wouldn't fall out with the Wei brothers, and he would have to endure whatever they said.
The old man seemed to know that Zhou Xuan hadn't fully grasped his meaning, but he wouldn't explain it now. As long as Zhou Xuan agreed, he would understand what he had said to him today and what he had asked him to promise if such a thing really happened in the future.
When Wei Xiaoqing heard her grandfather say the next thing, she was very disappointed. She thought her grandfather would ask Zhou Xuan to take better care of her, but she didn't expect that her grandfather would just ask Zhou Xuan to promise not to blame her father and second uncle. What kind of nonsense is this?
At this moment, there are truly three people, three thoughts, and three expressions.
Zhou Xuan saw that the old man was panting a little, but his face was rosy and he looked to be in good health. However, his supernatural ability detected that the old man was having a final burst of energy before death. Originally, he had detected that the old man should have two to three months left, but now every now and then he would find that the old man's bodily functions were deteriorating faster. At that rate, it seemed that the old man's life might be even shorter!
Zhou Xuan quickly helped the old man up, using his supernatural abilities to stimulate his body's potential while guiding him into the villa. "Grandpa, let's go inside and rest for a bit!"
The old man knew his own situation. Although others didn't know his circumstances, he understood them and knew he couldn't hide them from Zhou Xuan. His current state was definitely under Zhou Xuan's detection capabilities.
After Zhou Xuan's countless treatments, the old man could basically feel that when Zhou Xuan's special ability was working and improving in his body, he would feel comfortable and like a gentle breeze was passing over his face. So whenever this happened, he knew that Zhou Xuan was using his ability to heal him. And now, he felt it again, but the sad and helpless expression on Zhou Xuan's face indicated that his body was beyond saving.
If possible, Zhou Xuan would not care about any losses or damages and would definitely treat and improve him. Judging from his current expression, it can only mean that he has reached the end!
After helping the old man into the living room, he pointed upstairs and said, "Zhou Xuan, help me to my room upstairs. I want to take a nap; I'm a little sleepy!"
Wei Xiaoqing quickly stepped forward, supporting her grandfather on the other side, and together with Zhou Xuan, helped him up to the room on the second floor. After helping him lie down, Wei Xiaoqing pulled up the thin air-conditioning blanket to cover her grandfather.
The old man seemed to be really tired. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Zhou Xuan felt a tightness in his heart. The old man's condition was definitely not a good thing!
After the two quietly left the room, Wei Xiaoqing said in a low voice, "Zhou Xuan, come upstairs with me, shall we have a chat?"
Seeing her sorrowful expression, Zhou Xuan couldn't refuse, so he nodded and silently followed her upstairs to her room.
Here, Zhou Xuan recalled some things that had happened between him and Wei Xiaoqing, as well as things that had happened with Wei Xiaoyu. What about Xiaoyu? He had never heard the old man or the Wei family mention her, and he couldn't very well ask her. Although he didn't ask aloud, he really wanted to know.
In the room, Wei Xiaoqing sat on the edge of the large Simmons bed, looking at Zhou Xuan standing there blankly. She bit her lip and said angrily, "Even if it's impossible for us, you can't look at me like this, can you?"
Zhou Xuan suddenly realized what was happening and said with a wry smile, "It's not that I'm giving you that look, it's that I'm thinking about something else!"
Wei Xiaoqing sighed softly, turned her face to look out the window, and didn't say anything, but tears kept flowing down her face.
Zhou Xuan looked at Wei Xiaoqing's pale and thin face, tears streaming down her face, a few strands of hair clinging to her snow-white cheeks, making her look so weak and pitiful.
With a sigh, Zhou Xuan softened and sat down, placing himself more than a meter away from Wei Xiaoqing. After a moment of silence, he said, "Xiaoqing, I can't say anything to you. In this life, all I can say is I'm sorry. There are countless men in the world better than me... You..."
"Don't talk to me about this!" Wei Xiaoqing interrupted Zhou Xuan sharply, then added, "You don't need to say anything, just let me cry for a while!"
Zhou Xuan could only calm down and watch Wei Xiaoqing cry silently. Tears dripped onto the ground, wetting a puddle little by little. Zhou Xuan dared not say anything more, for fear that the more he spoke, the more conflicted he would become.
Wei Xiaoqing kept her word and cried for a few minutes without making a sound. She pulled out tissues one by one to wipe her tears, and within a few minutes, there was a large pile of tissues on the ground.