Pushing open the door of the ward, Mr. Cheng had already regained consciousness. When he saw Liu Fei, his previously weary and lifeless eyes suddenly lit up, and his spirit became more vigorous.
"Liu Fei, you're here. Sit down."
"Mm." Liu Fei nodded and took a seat on the metal stool that Sun Sun had brought over for him, facing Mr. Cheng.
"Let me see your work." Mr. Cheng glanced at the paper-wrapped box in Liu Fei's hand.
"Mm." Liu Fei opened the box and handed the wooden carving to Mr. Cheng.
"Not bad, not bad at all. Liu Fei, you're the most talented woodcarver I've seen in years. I believe that if you continue to develop in this field, surpassing Rodin will only be a matter of time."
Mr. Cheng praised, running his withered hands gently over the "Eagle Spreading its Wings" wooden carving. The carving was asymmetric, looking as if it had been done on a whim. However, amidst the dynamic knife strokes, it maintained basic standards, seeking elegance and solemnity. This combination of casualness and dignity not only conveyed the dynamic energy of the eagle about to take flight but also displayed the dominance of the king of birds, reaching the realm of "following one's heart without overstepping boundaries."
Seeing the hopeful look in Mr. Cheng's eyes, Liu Fei didn't respond. If he hadn't witnessed the battle between Embroidered Needle 111 and the black combat mecha, Liu Fei would have at least considered using woodcarving as a means of livelihood. But now, that possibility was zero.
Now, mechas were Liu Fei's dream, and entering the Zoro Mecha University was his only goal.
"Sigh!" Seeing Liu Fei unmoved, Mr. Cheng sighed deeply. Being an experienced person, he could see through Liu Fei's unwavering determination and knew that he wouldn't be swayed by external temptations. Thus, he didn't insist further.
A long silence filled the ward.
Liu Fei wanted to say some comforting words, but for a moment, he found himself at a loss for words, unable to find anything suitable to console this influential figure in the carving industry.
"Liu Fei, do you know why I've never paid you a high salary?" Mr. Cheng broke the silence, speaking slowly.
"It's already quite high," Liu Fei shook his head. He didn't think that the salary he received was disproportionate to his labor and contribution. On the contrary, he thought that Mr. Cheng's payment far exceeded his expectations.
"No, it's not high. It's actually very low. The price each of your works sells for is enough to cover your four years of university expenses. To prevent you from becoming arrogant and having unrealistic expectations, I've only been paying you one-tenth of what you deserve. Now, Cheng's Woodcarving is also closing down, and this centuries-old family business is about to end in my hands..."
Mr. Cheng's face was filled with melancholy, perhaps feeling a bit tired. He paused here, seemingly reminiscing about the past.
"These years, I've saved up some money. Later, Sun Sun will pay you the salary you deserve..."
"No need!" Liu Fei interrupted, decisively refusing.
"Let me finish. Liu Fei, although you have exceptional talent in woodcarving, I know that your heart isn't in it. I don't expect you to continue Cheng's legacy. Heh, it's not much of a legacy anyway. Cheng's Woodcarving has a history of hundreds of years, and though it has some fame, it has never produced a master-level figure. This business, it's better to let it go..."
"Cough, cough..." Mr. Cheng coughed violently, his face turning blood-red from the exertion.
"It's okay, it's okay. Heh, let's not talk about this now. There won't be another chance in the future. It's okay, you can sit down first."
Mr. Cheng waved his hand, gesturing for Sun Sun to sit down. Sun Sun, unwilling to disobey her grandfather, could only sit by the edge of the bed.
"Liu Fei, time is running out. Besides Sun Sun, there's nothing much left for me to worry about. Sun Sun lost her parents at a young age and didn't receive parental love. Although she appears gentle and fragile, she's actually determined and strong-willed. I'm a bit worried about her..."
Mr. Cheng looked at Sun Sun with a loving gaze, a look of indulgence and reluctance on his face.
"Grandpa..." Sun Sun grabbed Mr. Cheng's hand, tears welling up in her eyes, holding his frail hand tightly.
"Liu Fei, I hope you can help me take care of Sun Sun."
Mr. Cheng's eyes were fixed on Liu Fei, while Sun Sun, who was initially heartbroken, lowered her head, her face blushing with embarrassment. She couldn't believe that her grandfather would say such things so bluntly, and in front of her.
"I..." Liu Fei was taken aback, pondering for a moment before saying, "I want to go to school."
"Heh, I know you want to go to school. I'm not asking you to marry Sun Sun..."
"Grandpa!" Sun Sun pouted, shaking Mr. Cheng's arm. Her eyes dared not meet Liu Fei's, wishing she could find a hole to hide in.
"Heh, stop shaking. Grandpa still has a lot more to say... cough, cough, cough..." Mr. Cheng smiled kindly, withdrawing his hand and gently stroking Sun Sun's head, overflowing with affection.
"Liu Fei, can you promise me one thing?" Mr. Cheng suddenly became serious.
"You can tell me." Liu Fei's meaning was clear – if he could do it, he would.
"Help me look after Sun Sun, protect her!"
"Sure." Liu Fei couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. His greatest fear was that Mr. Cheng would ask him to marry Sun Sun or continue running the woodcarving shop. Protecting Sun Sun, on the other hand, was much simpler and entirely manageable for Liu Fei. This was something he could easily promise, without any problems.
Experience was a good teacher. A seemingly simple promise immediately trapped Liu Fei. Mr. Cheng, being the cunning person he was, naturally knew that Liu Fei was stubborn and wouldn't easily agree to anything, but once he did, he would definitely follow through!
If Ironhead hadn't died, Liu Fei wouldn't have been fooled. Compared to the cunning Mr. Cheng, Liu Fei was still too inexperienced.
A hint of cunning flashed in Mr. Cheng's eyes. Naturally, Liu Fei didn't realize the responsibility that this promise entailed. This promise would make Liu Fei's colorful journey even richer and more varied.
"All right, I've said my piece. I'm tired. You should go home and rest early."
"Mm."
"I'll walk you out."
"No need."
Liu Fei strode out of the room, with Sun Sun not saying much either, following closely behind him. After months of interaction, Liu Fei had some understanding of Sun Sun's character. She was the type of girl who didn't speak much
, but she was strong-willed.
Every time Liu Fei went to the wood carving shop, Sun Sun would pour him a cup of fragrant tea. Liu Fei wasn't interested in tea, and at first, he didn't even look at it, simply ignoring it. However, Sun Sun, though silent, would always stand by Liu Fei's side, holding the tea with both hands. In the end, Liu Fei gave in. At least, after drinking the tea, there wouldn't be a woman standing by his side all the time, which made Liu Fei uncomfortable. Eventually, Liu Fei chose to drink the tea, so every time he entered the Cheng's Woodcarving shop, he would gulp down a cup of fragrant tea...
"Give me your card, I'll transfer the money to you," Sun Sun softly said as they walked out of the room, behind Liu Fei's back.
"No need."
"Give it to me."
"No need," Liu Fei shook his head firmly.
"Then... what about your tuition?" Sun Sun hesitated for a moment and asked.
"I'll figure it out myself." Liu Fei walked away briskly.
"Wait a moment," Sun Sun said softly, head down, her voice barely audible.
"Mm?" Liu Fei turned back, looking at Sun Sun, whose face resembled a sunset. He couldn't understand women's physiology. Why were they always blushing? Looks like he needed to read some books to understand the physiological differences between men and women.
"Just now... Did you take grandpa's request seriously?"
"Why?"
"I... I don't need your protection. I can take care of myself," Sun Sun desperately fidgeted with her clothes, sometimes, she had to be a little more explicit with this wooden block.
"Oh... that's good. I'm leaving."
"Wait..."
"Yeah?" Liu Fei turned back, looking at Sun Sun, who seemed regretful. Why was she so silly? Why didn't she let him protect her?
"What's wrong?" Mr. Cheng opened his eyes, looking at Sun Sun, who entered with a low mood, and asked affectionately.
"Nothing." Sun Sun sat down, shaking her head.
"You said you don't need his protection?" Mr. Cheng chuckled.
"Ah... Grandpa... How did you know?" Sun Sun looked up at her grandfather in surprise.
"Hehe, you're the one I've watched grow up. What do you think I don't know?" Mr. Cheng looked at Sun Sun with a face full of affection.
"Grandpa..." Sun Sun threw herself into Mr. Cheng's arms, burying her face in his chest, gently sobbing.
"Did he say 'that's good'?" Mr. Cheng asked.
"Mm."
"Do you regret telling him not to protect you?"
"...Mm." Sun Sun's voice sounded like a buzzing mosquito.
"It's okay. Liu Fei won't easily make promises, but once he does, he'll keep them. However, you must remember, don't easily let Liu Fei intervene. His knife skills are full of killing intent. If anything happens, he might kill someone. So, protect yourself and don't easily let Liu Fei take action, understand?"
"Liu Fei would kill for me?" Sun Sun raised her head, a face full of disbelief.
"Why wouldn't he?" Mr. Cheng chuckled.
"But... But..."
"Is it because he doesn't like you?" Mr. Cheng chuckled lightly.
"Grandpa..." Sun Sun covered Mr. Cheng's mouth with her hand, a face full of stubbornness.
"Liu Fei is currently focused on achieving his dreams. He naturally ignores matters of romance. How can you be sure he doesn't like you? Although Grandpa can't judge whether Liu Fei likes you or not, Grandpa can be sure that Liu Fei doesn't dislike you."
"Why?"
"According to Liu Fei's personality, if he dislikes someone, he definitely won't drink the tea that person pours for him. He's not someone who learns to compromise. You know, he prefers drinking plain water."
"Ah... he likes drinking plain water? Grandpa, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Sun Sun looked at Mr. Cheng in surprise.
"Hehe, letting him drink tea is you accommodating him, letting him drink plain water is him accommodating you. So, do you want Grandpa to let him accommodate you or you accommodate him?"
"But... but..."
"But what? Hehe, Grandpa likes drinking tea, but that doesn't mean Liu Fei also likes drinking tea. Just drink tea, Liu Fei doesn't mind, does he? He's finished the tea every time, wasting good tea. It's not easy for Grandpa to get good tea..."
"Grandpa..." Sun Sun blushed with embarrassment.
"Sun Sun, remember, feelings between men and women can be cultivated. Grandpa and your grandma got married after knowing each other for only three days, and they lived happily ever after. Your parents didn't have a free love either. They couldn't stand each other at first. Your mother even threatened to commit suicide if she didn't marry your father. After getting married, their relationship was incredibly good. They were inseparable, and in that disaster, they stayed together, even though they didn't live together. There's a letter from your mother to your father among the remains, saying 'Honey, marrying you is my blessing. I love you!'..."
"Grandpa... what should I do?" Sun Sun asked softly.
"Don't deliberately do anything. Just do what you feel like doing in your heart. Don't be afraid, don't back down! Have courage, have determination! In the competition with other women, you're already standing at the forefront of the starting line. He promised me to protect you, remember!"
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"Silly child, of course, Grandpa wants you to be happy. Grandpa is leaving, don't be sad, Grandpa is already eighty-seven, but I've lived to the average age, it's considered a good ending, there's nothing to be sad about. There's nothing to cling to in Cheng's Woodcarving either... Oh no..."
"What's wrong, Grandpa?"
"Grandpa forgot something important."
"What is it?"
"In two years, there will be a charity event on Phinidas Star, including a charity auction. The organizers have invited me, and I hope Liu Fei can bring my works to participate."
"I can go instead."
"He's more suitable than you. Tomorrow, ask Liu Fei to come over."
"Okay, Grandpa, you should rest early too."
"Mm, I hope I can see the sun tomorrow morning." Thinking of the charity event two years later, a hint of regret flashed across Mr. Cheng's face.