Ding Yifen: "Then you can sleep at home tonight and go to work with your dad first thing tomorrow morning."

Duan Ye: "Okay."

After saying that, Ding Yifen went out: "You two keep chatting, Mom's going to sleep now."

Only Duan Ye and his son remained in the room.

Duan Ye: "Dad, there's one more thing. When did Grandpa come back?"

Duan Sheng: How did you know?

Duan Ye's lips twitched: "He really came back? Did you know he went to see Qing Yuan's father?"

Duan Sheng nodded awkwardly: "I know, he said he wanted to discuss it."

Duan Ye: "How exactly did you plan to discuss this? Why didn't you inform me and Qing Yuan at all?"

"Dad, where is Grandpa?"

Duan Sheng: "I came back last weekend. You were still in Wenzhou at the time, so I didn't tell you. Now you're back at the base. But your grandfather said that things over there are almost over, and you'll be back soon."

Duan Ye couldn't wait that long. Remembering Grandma Luo's instructions, he took out his phone and said, "Then I'll give him a call."

And so, Duan Ye walked out while making a phone call.

Duan Sheng: "Child, don't worry, your grandfather is a very sensible person."

Duan Ye returned to his room and stood by the window. The window was open. It wasn't snowing tonight, and the room was heated, so the cold wind wasn't too cold on his face.

The phone rang for a while before being answered, and Duan Jiancheng answered it while yawning.

"Ono, what time is it? Why are you calling so late?"

Duan Ye: "Grandpa, I didn't mean to bother you so late, but what were you doing back in Kyoto last week meeting with Qingyuan's father?"

Duan Jiancheng laughed: "You brat, are you here to interrogate me on behalf of your wife?"

Duan Ye: "Grandpa, how could I dare? I just want to know, do you... also oppose us?"

Duan Jiancheng sat up, wearing a military green coat, and turned on the bedside lamp: "It's not that I'm against it, but the matter of Qingyuan's two uncles is no small matter. Since it's no small matter, it should be handled with caution."

"Grandpa only discussed the facts with that person from the Luo family, but as for their attitude, Grandpa has no idea."

"If Grandpa is not mistaken, the powerful families in Kyoto are probably all itching to make a move. Once this matter is settled, I don't know how many hands will be ready to strike against the Luo family."

"Xiao Ye, the Duan family must not get involved in these messy things. You must understand."

Duan Ye naturally understood.

"Grandpa, when are you going back to Kyoto?"

Duan Jiancheng yawned: "Let's wait a while longer."

"Grandma Luo wants to see you."

"..." Duan Jiancheng fell silent, but his drowsy state was immediately jolted awake.

Not hearing a reply, Duan Ye tentatively asked, "Grandpa, don't you want to see him? Should I refuse?"

Before he could finish speaking, Duan Jiancheng sighed, "When?"

What's meant to happen will happen, and Duan Jiancheng was deceiving himself, saying that Zhang Shufen didn't recognize him at the Luo family's dinner party. Who knew...

Duan Ye was stunned. No, he really got to see him? So easily? You know, sometimes when he wanted to see his grandfather, he wasn't even allowed to.

"The sooner the better."

Duan Jiancheng put on his glasses and glanced at his phone: "Today is Tuesday, so I'll come back this weekend. Can you help Grandpa arrange a time? I'll arrive in Kyoto on Saturday morning."

Duan Ye: "!!!"

"Grandpa, what's your relationship with Grandma Luo? Could it be that the first love she was talking about is you?"

Duan Jiancheng was silent for a moment, then scolded him: "You brat! What nonsense are you asking about? He's just an old classmate!"

Hearing that powerful roar, Duan Ye's suspicions deepened.

He had never seen the old man so vulnerable before; this was the first time.

Duan Ye couldn't help but worry: "Grandpa, Grandma is still waiting for you in Shanghai, you mustn't..."

Seeing that Duan Ye's words were becoming increasingly outrageous, Duan Jiancheng became even angrier: "What are you guessing all day long?! Grandpa is practically half-buried, do you think I'm so sensible?! Do you think I'm like you?!"

Duan Ye calmly replied, "Grandpa, don't talk nonsense. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Duan Jiancheng cursed at him, "You brat, you're so glib!"

After saying that, Duan Jiancheng hung up the phone.

Duan Ye held his phone, looking somewhat thoughtful. He seemed to have discovered something extraordinary.

Duan Ye couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the old man jumping up and down.

No wonder Grandma Luo was so confident; it turns out they were old acquaintances.

Just as Duan Ye was about to close the window, a familiar voice came from below the window.

"You went home today?"

Duan Ye was stunned for a moment before he stopped closing the window.

He had forgotten that his and Nanxing's bedrooms faced the same direction, and they used to often stand by the window in their respective bedrooms to chat, discuss problems, and gossip.

Duan Ye: "Yeah, you're home now. Is your injury getting better?"

Nanxing: "I'm much better now, there's nothing serious."

"Didn't your sister-in-law come back with you today?"

Duan Ye: "I'm going to stay at my parents' house for a few days."

"I'm glad you're alright. It's getting late, get some rest."

After saying that, Duan Ye closed the window, blocking out everything outside. He didn't even think about it for a second. Apart from being stunned for two seconds when he first heard her voice, he felt nothing else.

Nanxing swallowed back all the words he wanted to say.

She was annoyed that she shouldn't have made a sound, but when she heard Duan Ye's voice, her longing struggled to grow from her flesh and blood.

I thought that even a simple greeting would be nice.

As long as Duan Ye could say a single word to her... that would be good. She sat in her wheelchair, looking out at the dark night sky.

The nights after she grew up were really not pretty at all. There was no moon or stars in the sky, and no one loved her by her side. She didn't like it at all.

Nanxing signed the contract today. What was once out of reach is now within reach.

But she didn't care about the things that were within her reach back then, or rather, she was certain that Duan Ye would never leave her, no matter who else he left.

It was Duan Ye's passionate love that made her forget that people get tired and that all their enthusiasm will eventually run out.

Half a life for a bright future...

Nanxing couldn't help but speak softly, "Nanxing, isn't this what you've always wanted? Why can't you smile now?"

Duan Ye had already finished his shower and fallen asleep peacefully, but Nan Xing sat there listlessly until dawn.

Although the distance between them was only a few meters, no light could shine through her window in the pitch-black night.

Nanxing seemed to see that night at the KTV, when Duan Ye looked at her with tears in his eyes, his gaze filled with disappointment, heartbreak, and disbelief.

Nanxing used to avoid me, but now I understand. That look in her eyes said: "Nanxing, you don't know how to cherish, do you? Then let me teach you, starting with losing me."