When Weiwei and Qi went to visit Grandfather Feng again on the weekend, the weather was so nice and warm that the table was set up for them on the terrace.
Grandfather Feng seemed to be very proud of his garden. After the greetings and a cup of Pu-erh tea, he took Weiwei for a little tour.
"You've seen it all already," he told Qi. "You can have those dried lychees while I show Weiwei around."
He wants to talk to me privately. I hope he doesn't have any unsettling news for me.
The two of them strolled slowly from bush to bush, from tree to tree, with Grandfather Feng pointing out their names and functions in his garden.
"What I also wanted to do, Weiwei, is apologize," he said when they were far enough from the terrace where Qi remained observing them from afar seemingly with concern. "I realize that you must've been hurt by my little act in the park. I hope you can forgive me."
"That's quite alright," said Weiwei. "Don't worry about it."
He glanced at her, looking unconvinced. "I'm sure you'd already thought of my motives, such as protecting my business," he continued. "But in truth, it was really about protecting my grandson. Qi had a difficult childhood, with his mother passing away when he was very little, and then my son following her, because he couldn't accept such an injustice of life. How quickly despair can wear a person down!" The old man gazed at Weiwei. "I'm sure you know more than me what it was like for Qi because you also lost your parents. And even though I don't know the circumstances, I'm sure you felt the same pain he did growing up."
"I was fortunate: I had a very loving grandmother," said Weiwei. "She made my childhood as happy as it could've been without my parents."
Grandfather Feng smiled. "I'm very happy to hear that. Loneliness is hard, being surrounded by strangers is even harder. That's why I tried my best to always have Qi by my side when he was growing up." He chuckled sadly. "I'm sure I was harsher with him than your grandma was with you. I've always thought that it was my responsibility to ensure he grows up as tough as a man should be. As tough as I had to be." He paused and his gaze wandered over the garden. "But now I think I might've overdone it. No one raised me to be tough. Back in those days you grew up tough by necessity. You had to be tough to even survive, let alone make a good living. So it was very different."
"You've raised him well," Weiwei said softly. "He is a kind and good man."
They stopped by an intricately trimmed bonsai tree. Grandfather Feng gently ran his fingers through its leaves and let out a heavy sigh.
"As I got older, I began to understand better and better that there were many more reasons for my accomplishments beyond my toughness. Chance played a big role, and people around me played an even bigger one. My business partner, Mr. Wu, when it comes to business. But if not for my wife, I would have never succeeded in anything. She gave me the confidence in myself and stability at home. You remind me of her very much, Weiwei, the way you do good and believe in good in others," he suddenly broke off and turned away.
Grandpa Feng isn't that ruthless, after all. He must miss her very much. Sometimes life is so unfair…
"Well," he cleared his throat, "I shouldn't be apart from her much longer."
He walked a few more steps before turning to Weiwei again. By now he looked composed again and even tried to smile. "So I hope you at least forgive me – if not understand – why I felt compelled to meet the person who might have stolen my grandson's heart."
You only did your duty.
Weiwei felt that her cheeks flush. "Grandfather, I never meant to steal-"
"I know, I know," he interrupted. "I know you didn't pursue him. I suppose that's what I wanted to know – that it was meant to be. My guess, he couldn't help it. He was simply fortunate to meet you and recognize you for who you are as a person." He smiled wider. "If I were in his place, I'd fall in love with you the same way."
Now I feel even more embarrassed, Grandfather.
She shifted her feet slightly, unsure how to respond.
"I don't deserve all this praise," she said softly.
Grandfather Feng's eyes twinkled with a knowing look. "And I didn't expect any other response." He glanced at Qi, sitting back at the terrace, and waved slightly. "Now, speaking of my grandson, I feel like there is a distance between us now. It's of my own doing. So I was hoping you could help me," he looked at Weiwei intently, almost pleadingly. "Maybe you could help him understand why I made some wrong choices recently. With everything I had heard from Ms. Wu – and others – I felt that I had to act to force Qi down the right path. Only it turned out, everything I had heard was a lie, and I was pushing him to do the wrong path." Grandfather Feng took a step forward. "He's the only family I got. I don't want to lose him, especially for the little time that's left."
"He already forgave you, Grandfather!" exclaimed Weiwei. "He probably didn't tell you that properly, because he thinks it's part of being tough. But he won't misunderstand the important part: that you did it out of your concern for him, and that you still love him."
Grandfather Feng nodded thoughtfully. "You must be right, Weiwei. He's keeping many things inside, because that's what I taught him toughness should look like." He shook his head. "You reap what you sow. Plant melons, get melons; plant beans, get beans."
They passed a small pond with glittering fish swimming in it in silence.
Gradually, a faint smile returned to Grandfather Feng's face. "Thank you for listening to me, Weiwei," he said. "I feel better now. Maybe with your help, my grandson would see better what I can't explain to him because of my pride."
Weiwei smiled warmly back. "Of course, he will. Trust me, his heart helps him see your true intent, even when he's not ready to admit it to you, or to me – or even to himself."
Grandfather Feng didn't reply, but nodded, clearly moved.
As they turned back to the terrace, Weiwei caught Qi's look and gave him a small nod and a smile. Then she looked back at the garden and sighed, full of relief. She felt at peace again.