TLSMLMMM Chapter 42

“He’s retaliating against you over the tax investigation,” the middle-aged man said, his brows tightly furrowed. “He knows perfectly well that the young master is the Chu family’s only heir, yet he deliberately did this. He’s clearly humiliating the Chu family in every way he can.”

Old Master Chu stared at the photograph in silence for a long time.

He could accept seeing his grandson covered in dirt while working at a construction site. He could accept seeing him serving dishes and washing plates in a restaurant. He could even accept that, after losing his memory, his grandson had been forced into marrying into another family.

But Old Master Chu could not accept seeing the Chu family’s only heir being trampled under another man’s feet.

That man surnamed Si knew exactly where his weaknesses lay. This photograph was not merely a response to the tax investigation; it was also a warning.

He could make Chu Junlie do even more humiliating things and record everything as evidence. If the Chu family made another move against him, he would release those recordings and photographs to the public.

When that happened, the Chu family would become the laughingstock of the capital. Even if Chu Junlie eventually regained his memories and wanted revenge, learning what had happened would only make him even more resistant to inheriting the Chu family business.

After all, the Chu family had been the first to make a move against him.

And it was also the Chu family that had abandoned him when he fell into misfortune.

Old Master Chu deleted the photograph, his expression grave.

Perhaps he had taken the wrong step from the very beginning. The moment Si Yunyi had sent him that photograph, he should have brought Chu Junlie back to the Chu family.

But one thoughtless decision had brought things to this point. Now, it was too late to change anything.

“Master, what should we do now?” the middle-aged man asked respectfully, lowering his head.

“Leave the Si family alone for now.” Old Master Chu looked at the photograph of the young man on the table. A trace of unbearable reluctance flashed through his eyes. But when he looked again at the photograph of the young couple on the table, his gaze grew increasingly resolute.

“Let Junlie stay in Hong Kong a little longer.”

×××

The old man’s biopsy results for the mass had come back, and they were more or less what Doctor Wen had anticipated.

Before the surgery, Doctor Wen had assessed the old man’s liver function. He handed the evaluation results to Chu Junlie, who had come to look after the patient.

Chu Junlie stared at the documents in confusion. Seeing this, Doctor Wen carefully explained the results to him.

“This assessment directly determines whether the patient can safely undergo surgery. Grades One and Two mean the patient can safely proceed with the operation. If the result is Grade Three, he’ll need another period of medical treatment before we can operate.”

“Then, what about the old gentleman?” Chu Junlie asked, unable to make much sense of the documents in his hands.

“Grade Two. Through imaging examinations, we’ve basically determined how much of his liver needs to be removed. We’ll work to keep his liver function within a relatively normal range over the next few days. You also need to make sure he pays particular attention to his diet.” Doctor Wen looked at Chu Junlie.

“His surgery will be scheduled soon. Try to reassure him and make sure he gets a good night’s sleep over the next couple of days.”

“I understand.” Chu Junlie took a deep breath. “Thank you, Doctor Wen.”

Chu Junlie returned to the hospital room and looked nervously at the old man before him. His intense stare only made the old man more nervous.

“Xiao Chu, what did the doctor say? Has the cancer spread?”

“No.” Chu Junlie took two deep breaths. “Uncle, your liver is in pretty good condition. You just need to prepare for surgery.”

The old man heard this and resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the young man.

When Chu Junlie thought about how the old man would soon be able to receive surgical treatment, a small smile appeared on his face.

“Uncle, the doctor said you need to eat well and sleep well. They’ll schedule your surgery very soon.”

“I understand all that.” The old man waved his hand dismissively. “But what about you? You’re running to the hospital all day and constantly asking for time off. Doesn’t your boss say anything?”

“I work part-time at the restaurant. I switched shifts with one of the coworkers I trained with.” Chu Junlie glanced at the time. “The manager at the clothing store is also a good person. They’re willing to let me take time off.”

Seeing Chu Junlie repeatedly checking his watch, the old man waved him away.

“Go on, hurry up! At the rate you’re dragging your feet, when will you ever be able to buy your sweetheart a diamond ring?”

At the mention of a diamond ring, Chu Junlie immediately perked up. He stopped being polite and stood up.

“Then I’ll be going now, old man!”

Watching Chu Junlie hurry away, the old man couldn’t help raising his hand to call after him.

“Bring your sweetheart to see me before my surgery!”

“Got it!” Chu Junlie called back from a distance, making an “OK” sign with his hand.

That evening, after Chu Junlie finished clearing away the dishes, he saw Mr. Si head straight into the bedroom.

Chu Junlie wiped down the table and cleaned the dining area. All the while, his eyes remained fixed on the bedroom door, but Mr. Si never came out.

Did Mr. Si have some important work to do today?

Chu Junlie took a shower and changed into his pajamas. He tossed and turned on the living room sofa, waiting for a long time, but the person he wanted to see still hadn’t appeared.

Lie Feng was lying nearby, watching his restless owner and wagging his tail in malicious amusement.

So what if he didn’t shed fur?

He was still unemployed.

Chu Junlie met Lie Feng’s gaze, then looked at the tightly closed door. He stood in front of it for a long time, yet he didn’t dare knock.

Mr. Si had already told him that he wasn’t allowed to disturb him while he was working.

But without someone to warm Mr. Si’s feet tonight, wouldn’t he get cold?

Chu Junlie raised his hand, but his fingers stopped in midair. He hesitated for a long while, moving his hand back and forth, yet in the end, he still couldn’t bring himself to knock.

He was afraid Mr. Si would get angry. If Mr. Si became angry, he might never allow him to warm his feet again.

This was the only thing he could do for him. He couldn’t afford to lose even that.

Watching his owner cower pathetically in front of the door, Lie Feng stood to the side, enjoying the show. His tail swayed back and forth as he silently mocked him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Chu Junlie noticed the big tail swinging back and forth. He turned to look at Lie Feng, then suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Lie Feng’s wagging tail stopped.

He had a vague feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

Si Yunyi had enjoyed several days of having his feet warmed by Chu Junlie. Today, when he visited the old residence, the butler told him that he’d passed by a shopping mall and seen a new model of foot warmer on sale. The second one was half price, so he’d bought one for Old Master Si and asked Si Yunyi to take the other one home.

Si Yunyi tried the new foot warmer. Its temperature was just right. Once he placed his feet on it, it provided steady warmth without making any noise. It was quite satisfactory.

Having someone worth hundreds of billions warm his feet came with a certain psychological burden. But with this device, he could move his feet freely and enjoy a little more independence.

After working in the bedroom for a while, Si Yunyi suddenly heard the sound of claws scratching at the bedroom door.

Immediately afterward, he heard Chu Junlie’s slightly lowered voice.

“Lie Feng, don’t scratch the door! Mr. Si is working!”

The scratching grew louder, accompanied by the soft whimpering and whining of a large dog.

Si Yunyi remained silent for a moment before putting on his slippers and walking to the door. He opened the bedroom door.

The moment the door opened, Chu Junlie quickly released Lie Feng’s tightly held paw. Lie Feng immediately jumped to the side, looked at his owner with a wronged expression, and lifted his paw to lick it.

Chu Junlie was crouching at the doorway. He looked up at Si Yunyi with an utterly innocent expression.

“Mr. Si, Lie Feng might have missed you. He kept scratching at the door. I was trying my best to stop him just now.”

Lie Feng licked his left paw, then his right, looking at his owner with a deeply aggrieved expression.

This was nothing short of bullying a dog just because it couldn’t speak human language!

Si Yunyi glanced at the wronged Lie Feng, then at Chu Junlie standing before him. He didn’t expose the young man’s little trick and simply asked calmly,

“Is something the matter?”

“N-no, nothing.” Chu Junlie stood up, his ears turning red as his gaze fixed on the man’s feet.

“I just wanted to ask if you were cold.”

“It’s not particularly cold today.” Si Yunyi closed the bedroom door behind him and looked at Chu Junlie.

“Is there anything else?”

“Oh, right!” Chu Junlie recalled the old man’s instructions. “Mr. Si, I visited the old gentleman at the hospital today. Doctor Wen told me that his condition is now suitable for surgery, and his operation will be scheduled soon.”

“That’s good.” Si Yunyi nodded at Chu Junlie. “You’ve worked hard.”

“It was nothing.” Chu Junlie smiled, gazing intently at the man before him.

“The old gentleman might be a little afraid of the surgery. He told me he wanted you and me to visit him before the operation. Would you have time?”

Si Yunyi thought for a moment about his work schedule over the next two days.

“I have time.”

“Then, once the old gentleman’s surgery has been scheduled, I’ll let you know?” Chu Junlie beamed.

“Mm.” Si Yunyi’s expression remained unchanged. “Anything else?”

“No, that’s all.” Chu Junlie lowered his head a little sheepishly, knowing that Mr. Si had seen right through his little scheme.

“Good night.” Si Yunyi quickly opened the bedroom door, bid Chu Junlie good night, and closed it again.

As he watched the bedroom door shut once more, the smile on Chu Junlie’s face gradually disappeared. When he passed through the kitchen, he deliberately glared at the dishwasher before returning to his bedroom. He took out his phone and began searching for foot warmers on Taobao.

During the brief moment when Mr. Si had opened and closed the bedroom door, Chu Junlie had caught sight of the culprit responsible for Mr. Si no longer coming to him to have his feet warmed!

Chu Junlie pressed his thin lips together. Relying on that brief glimpse, he searched Taobao until he found the exact same model, then carefully studied his opponent.

It had heating on both sides, three temperature settings, and even a massage function that his own service couldn’t provide!

Chu Junlie grew increasingly resentful of modern technology.

He spent the entire night thinking about strategies to defeat his rival. Early the next morning, while toasting banana bread, he received a call from Doctor Wen.

The old gentleman’s surgery had been scheduled for the following day. Starting that afternoon, he would have to fast from both food and water.

Chu Junlie immediately informed Si Yunyi of the news. After breakfast, the two headed straight to the hospital.

When the old man saw both young men coming to visit him, a hint of warmth appeared in his eyes.

“There’s no need to be nervous,” Si Yunyi said softly, standing beside the hospital bed to reassure the old man.

Seeing this, Chu Junlie immediately fetched a chair and placed it behind Mr. Si.

Si Yunyi sat down. Just then, the old man reached beneath his pillow and fumbled around for a moment before pulling out an old, worn book with a completely blank cover.

“I’ve spoken with the doctor, and I understand that this operation isn’t particularly complicated. But…” The old man sighed with a hint of emotion in his eyes. “There’s always some risk.”

“I’ve actually lived a long enough life. I’ve experienced all the sweetness and bitterness, the joys and sorrows life has to offer. My only regret is having a son like that, someone who has brought shame upon our ancestors.”

“Doctor Si.” The old man looked at Si Yunyi. “I heard from Doctor Wen that you studied medicine yourself in the past and earned an excellent reputation. The fact that I can undergo this surgery is also thanks to the large sum of money you provided.”

“I have nothing to repay you with. All I have is this medical book.”

The old man carefully handed the book to Si Yunyi.

“I don’t know how long this book has been passed down through the generations, but I know that several generations of imperial physicians came from my ancestors, and my father’s remarkable ability to cure illnesses with the right medicine came largely from this book.”

Si Yunyi stared at the medical text in silence for a moment before raising his eyes to the old man.

“This book may be extraordinarily valuable. Are you certain you want to give it to me?”

“Actually, I once thought about giving it to Xiao Chu.” The old man smiled and glanced at Chu Junlie, who was standing to one side. “Xiao Chu has a good disposition. He doesn’t look down on an old fellow like me, and he even rented a place for me and bought me meals.”

“But I’ve also noticed that when you and Xiao Chu are together, you’re the one who manages everything in the household. If I gave the book to Xiao Chu, he’d end up handing it over to you anyway. I might as well give it directly to you and save us that extra step.”

Si Yunyi lifted his eyes toward Chu Junlie.

Chu Junlie looked at the old man and nodded enthusiastically, wearing an expression that seemed to say, You understand me perfectly!