Chapter 059: A Brief Respite

Every word, every gesture, every perfume, every scene, every scent is swiftly perceived by human emotions. Without emotion, we would be like machines, inhabiting a dull, gray world.

So, when Qi Yue’s feelings spilled over because of something her grandfather said, Lin Yu’s heart stirred as well. His own grandparents had passed away early, and his maternal grandparents lived far away in Shanghai, whom he saw only once every few years—so he rarely experienced the warmth that comes from generations. Subconsciously, he began to see Qi Yue’s grandfather as his own kin.

Moved by this, Lin Yu suddenly spoke up, “Xiao Yue! Don’t you have a hundred thousand in your bag? Just leave it with Grandpa.” The old man’s ideas and plans for organizing the Sunset Club, as well as his professional touch, made Lin Yu feel a deep respect for these elders who already had one foot in the grave. But what truly moved him—what made him willing to part with that sum—was emotion.

As for what he might gain from this investment, he had no expectations. He simply sought peace of mind.

Upon hearing Lin Yu’s instruction, Qi Yue was briefly stunned, then remembered that he had indeed put a heavy bag in her purse. Seeing the thick stack of pink bills, she could hardly believe her eyes. She wanted to ask Lin Yu where the money came from—she knew his family background—but before she could speak, her grandfather Sun Jin burst out laughing, praising Lin Yu and Qi Yue for their generosity, saying they were far better than Qi Dazhu.

Seeing her grandfather’s childlike glee, muttering, “Now your Grandma Wang won’t look down on me anymore,” Qi Yue decided not to ask anything more. She simply said, “Grandpa, this money is from Lin Yu and me. Use it as you wish.”

“Heh, I’ll just write both your names when the time comes. Ah, getting old really isn’t easy. A sip of porridge, and I have to run to the toilet. Young man, will you accompany me?” the old man sighed.

“Let’s go, Grandpa,” Lin Yu replied, rising quickly to help him up. Since the old man lived in a single-story house without an indoor bathroom, they went to a public restroom.

“Back then, I could piss three feet against the wind; now, with the wind behind me, I piss on my own shoes,” the old man lamented as he relieved himself, his bent figure making him look almost like an old lady.

Lin Yu couldn’t help but burst out laughing at that remark, accidentally splashing his own hand.

“Don’t laugh, young man. When you reach my age, you’ll understand why men at sixty are called samples, and at seventy, commemorative pieces.”

“You’re still full of vigor!” Lin Yu replied with a smile, feeling this old man was quite a character.

“My granddaughter is a good girl, but she didn’t have good parents. Grandpa isn’t a fool—they can’t keep their secrets from me. Son, help me look after Qi Yue. I can see you truly care for her. That child is like an orphan, really. She has a home she can’t return to. Her parents are never around.” After finishing, the old man patted Lin Yu’s shoulder. Lin Yu was nearly six feet tall, so the gesture cost the old man some effort.

“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I won’t let her suffer even a bit,” Lin Yu promised, his words firm.

“Good. If you ever face any troubles you can’t solve, come to Grandpa. Back in the day, I worked in education. I have plenty of students.” The old man’s words were earnest and sincere.

By rights, Lin Yu should have been happy to receive such a promise. Yet an ominous feeling crept into his heart, as if the old man was entrusting his granddaughter to him for good.

Lin Yu didn’t dismiss the old man’s bent frame or clouded eyes; instead, he felt a willing reverence.

Before they returned to the house, the old man gripped Lin Yu’s hand, as if using all his strength to squeeze. His hand was warm but weak, yet Lin Yu felt its weight profoundly.

He used to think Qi Yue’s wealthy family and lively nature made her one of those rare girls who lived carefree lives. But after Sun Jin’s words, Lin Yu suddenly realized just how pitiable the girl truly was.

Afterward, Lin Yu and Qi Yue stayed to share dumplings with Sun Jin, and during the meal met the famed Grandma Wang—a plump, gentle, dignified old lady.

Since it was during the holidays, that afternoon coincided with a seniors’ choir organized by the courtyard, and the song was “Sunset Glow.”

Listening to the familiar, nostalgic lyrics—“Nothing is more beautiful than the sunset glow, warm and serene”—Lin Yu suddenly remembered the phrase: Old soldiers never die; they simply fade away.

Without bidding farewell to that group of spirited elders, Lin Yu took Qi Yue’s hand and quietly slipped out of the hall.

Side by side, beneath the maple trees of the sanatorium, they wandered, sharing the bittersweet sunlight that slipped through the leaves in delicate patterns across their bodies.

Lin Yu sensed that Qi Yue, her eyes misty, had suddenly become untouchable. It was as if they’d returned to that moment when the light touch of a finger upon a palm brought a subtle happiness.

The girl was pure, uncommonly quiet, and there was a gentle sadness in her eyes, like the melancholy sung in A Sang’s songs.

“Lin Yu, do you think we’ll always be together? Even if the Mayan prophecy about the end of the world in 2012 comes true, still together?” Qi Yue picked up a leaf, speaking softly.

“Though the world changes every moment, and my feelings for you might shift with the passing of time, I think it’ll only grow deeper,” Lin Yu replied with a smile.

“What do you mean—‘I think’? You should say ‘must,’ it must grow deeper. Don’t you know?” the girl protested.

“Well, we have to get to know each other better to be sure it’s getting deeper!” Suddenly, Lin Yu flashed a mischievous grin and reached out with a wicked hand.

“Ah, go to hell! Did you forget what I said? Even holding hands needs advance approval! As for anything else, don’t even think about it until you get into university!” Qi Yue resisted, then fluttered off like a butterfly.

Watching her flit joyfully among the maple trees like a butterfly, Lin Yu chuckled and chased after her.

Occasionally, a stray maple leaf drifted down, as graceful as a startled swan.

Lin Yu suddenly felt like shouting three times, just as the psychologist in “My Boss My Hero” did: “Water! Water! Water!”

The beauty of the scene, his good mood, and the desire to release pent-up pressure compelled him. The next stage would demand much from him.

The first was the midterm exam after the National Day holiday—the first real test he’d face since gaining his search system ability.