Chapter 34 Errors Don't Disappear with Time
“We used to be classmates, in high school and college. It’s just that this guy went abroad after only one year of college, didn’t you know?”
Qiao Xing was stunned for a moment. She really didn't know that Qin Ce had left when he was very young. She thought that Qin Ce had lived abroad since he was a child.
"I don't know." After saying that, Qiao Xing turned to Qin Ce and asked, "Then why haven't I seen you come back before?"
Yang Han spoke first: "Then it seems that Lao Qin didn't tell you. He used to study in Xiacheng and rarely came back, so you probably didn't run into him... Wait, you two knew each other before?"
Qiao Xing said, "Yes, we were neighbors when we were kids."
"So that's how it is." Yang Han suddenly realized, and slapped his thigh: "Then I understand, childhood sweethearts!"
Qin Ce glanced at him, "Can't even a meal shut you up?"
Yang Han shrugged. "Old Qin, you're really something. You're dating and you didn't even tell us. I knew it! You didn't contact us when you came back. When are we brothers going to get together again?"
"We'll see." Qin Ce really didn't want to stay with this loudmouth any longer.
Every word Yang Han uttered made Qin Ce sweat with anxiety, fearing that he might let something slip.
"You bastard, I even gave up collecting junk to come have dinner with you..."
Qin Ce ignored him, pressed the service bell, and called the waiter to pay the bill.
The lobby manager paid the bill. He brought over a plate of fruit for dessert and asked with a smile, "Dear guests, did you enjoy the food today? Please feel free to offer any suggestions."
Yang Han waved her hand, "No, it's great. I like your house. How much is it?"
The manager maintained his unchanging smile: "The total is 1300. After deducting the vouchers for the three of you, you have 800 vouchers left. Would you like to order anything else?"
The manager's words stunned not only Qiao Xing, but also Yang Han.
What is a voucher? When did this store start offering vouchers?
This time, Qin Ce spoke up before Yang Han could, "Could you make us another serving of tofu and those meatballs, to go? Thank you."
"Okay, sir, please wait a moment."
After the manager left, Qiao Xing asked in a low voice, "Why are there so many vouchers?"
Qin Ce said in a serious tone, "I don't know."
Yang Han scratched his head, completely baffled as to what Qin Ce was up to.
After the packed food arrived, the three of them went out. Yang Han sat in his car, watching the two cross the road.
Then he was shocked to find that Qin Ce had gotten into the pink electric car.
"Holy crap..." Yang Han stared in disbelief as the electric scooter drove away, before turning back to look at his driver.
Did you see that?
Driver: "Yes, I saw it."
"What does that mean? I don't understand."
Driver: "I don't know."
"Never mind." Yang Han waved her hand. "Let's go. Oh, by the way, let's check out that guy from earlier. What was his name again? He's my ex-boyfriend."
To figure out what Qin Ce is up to, we first need to figure out what's going on with Qiao Xing.
Yang Han, this rich second-generation, is indeed a bit too idle.
Qiao Xing drove Qin Ce home, and Qin Ce took the packed food to the old man's house, while Qiao Xing went home first.
The old man sat alone on the sofa, with traditional opera playing on the television. He leaned on his cane, closed his eyes, and hummed along with the sounds from the TV.
She seems to be in a good mood.
Qin Ce placed the takeout box on the table, touched it, and found it was still warm.
"Grandpa, let's eat first." Qin Ce walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
The old man remained unmoved, his eyes already closed, only his voice had stopped.
The old man suddenly said, "Xiao Ce, your dad called me."
Qin Ce paused, a hint of something unreadable flashing across his face before returning to calm: "Let's eat first."
The old man opened his eyes, looked up at him, and asked, "Aren't you really going back to see him?"
"There's nothing to see."
"Sigh..." The old man sighed, his gaze drifting elsewhere, his eyes somewhat unfocused. "He did make a mistake back then, but so many years have passed, he's still your father."
Qin Ce remained silent for a long time before sitting down next to the old man.
"Mistakes do not disappear over time."
The old man turned to look at him, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say for a moment.
One is his son, and the other is his grandson.
"In the end, it's still my fault." The old man shook his head, a hint of self-reproach showing on his weathered face.
Qin Ce patted his shoulder. "Let's eat, or the food will get cold."
The old man gently shook his head. "I can't eat. Back then, your father was about your age, no, not even as old as you. He was only twenty-five, in the prime of his youth."
"He pursues freedom, but what does he pursue..." The old man thought for a moment, "He pursues the highest form of love. I think he's neglecting his duties and forcing her to get married and have children."
"Later, I married your mother. Your mother also has a strong personality, and the two of them had constant friction living together. Actually, at that time I realized that I might have made a mistake."
But it was too late; the child had already been born, and it was too late to regret it.
They rarely go home, and when they do, they argue.
So the old man took Qin Ce away from that troublesome place and lived a quiet life in this small town, hiding his identity.
When Qin Ce was eight years old, his mother came and took him away.
His parents had already divorced by then, because his mother discovered that his father was having an affair and was spending lavishly on that woman.
Qin Ce's mother had a strong personality, so she went to settle accounts with that woman. However, Qin Ce's father got agitated and accidentally pushed his mother.
At that time, his mother was pregnant. After the fall, the baby was lost, and his mother was completely heartbroken.
They even came to hate the old man, and took Qin Ce away, never to return.
The old man murmured, holding Qin Ce's hand, "Little Ce, I see you're not married by thirty. I'm worried. I'm afraid you'll be influenced by your parents and lose hope in marriage."
Qin Ce frowned. "Why are you saying all this out of the blue?"
"Grandpa is already this old. If we don't say some things now, I'm afraid it will be too late to say them later."
"He's talking nonsense again."
Grandpa Qin gave a bitter smile: "Don't be nervous, everyone has to go through this. I just wanted to tell you that not all marriages are failures."
"Two people need to maintain each other. If it's just one person giving, even the best relationship will wear down. Xingxing is a good girl. Don't keep it from her for too long, or you'll regret it later."
Qin Ce remained silent.
“You’re different from your dad. He wanted to pursue his own love, but you don’t believe in love at all. What can your grandpa do? He can only force you to get married.”
"If you have a girl you like, Grandpa won't interfere with you at all."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Qin Ce felt increasingly uneasy as he listened.
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