Chapter 68 Strategy: On the sixty-eighth day, I'll be clinging to her.
Ye Minjia said, "Don't tell me such an awesome confession. Quickly call him and tell him."
Xiang Di nodded and immediately took out her phone to contact Bai Jiangxin.
She's incredibly courageous right now; if she delays any longer, she'll probably lose heart again.
When Xiang Di dialed the number full of anticipation, he was stunned.
Bai Jiangxin's phone is switched off.
Ye Minjia asked uncertainly, "Do people still turn off their phones these days? Could they have really gone abroad?"
Fortunately, he had Bai Jiangxin's father's phone number, so he quickly made a call. His father said that he had just been feeling a bit down these past few days and had gone to his grandfather's house to relax.
Ye Minjia breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. I thought he had gone abroad so soon. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Uncle."
He was about to hang up when Bai Guang suddenly asked him, "You also know that his mother wants to take him abroad? Did Xin'er tell you?"
"No, his mother told me."
So Ye Minjia roughly recounted to Bai Guang the story of her chance encounter with Bai Jiangxin's mother at the entrance of the residential area on the day the college entrance exam ended.
As for what Bai Jiangxin's mother told him, he omitted it, considering it was a matter of family privacy.
"Uncle, may I ask you when Bai Jiangxin is going abroad?" Ye Minjia said. "A few of us classmates want to go and see him off."
Although it's supposed to be for medical treatment abroad, we don't know how long the treatment will take. If it takes a long time, we don't know when we'll be able to meet again. They will definitely go to see him off.
Bai Guang paused for a moment and asked him, "Are you willing to let him go abroad to study?"
"ha?"
Ye Minjia was stunned.
Wasn't it supposed to be about going abroad for medical treatment? How did it turn into going abroad for university?
He glanced blankly at Xiang Di, and Xiang Di looked back at him blankly as well.
Ye Minjia asked cautiously, "Uncle, Bai Jiangxin has already taken the college entrance examination, so what does it mean to go abroad to study?"
“The literal meaning.” Bai Guang countered, “What did his mother tell you she was taking him abroad for? It couldn’t be for a vacation, could it?”
"To cure the illness," Ye Minjia said without much thought, "but can this illness really be cured?"
There was no response from Bai Guang for a long time before Ye Minjia finally spoke up: "Hello? Uncle?"
"I'm here," Bai Guang said in a deep voice. "Did his mother tell you what illness it was?"
...
After hanging up the phone, Ye Minjia was a little puzzled: "Why do I feel like Bai Jiangxin's father is testing me?"
"You're overthinking it," Xiang Di said. "Didn't we say it's a hereditary disease? His father must have known about it a long time ago."
“That’s true,” Ye Minjia said. “So, did he go abroad for medical treatment or to study? Why don’t his parents’ testimonies match up?”
Xiang Di shook his head.
She really didn't know that.
"Forget it, let's just ask him when his phone is on," Ye Minjia said. "Remember to tell him everything you just told me. If he's moved to tears, be sure to take a picture and send it to me."
Xiang Di: "..."
-
After hanging up the phone with his son's classmate, Bai Guang sat at his desk in a daze for a long time.
How could someone have such a disease? And if it's a hereditary disease, why didn't he know about it?
Was Ye Minjia just making up a lie to joke with him, or is there really such an incredible thing in this world?
With too many questions needing a clear answer, Bai Guang frowned and dialed his father's number directly.
Faced with his direct questioning, the old man remained silent for a long time, neither denying nor denying, which was tantamount to admitting it in a roundabout way.
“It’s actually true… No wonder you’ve never been close to us children since we were little.” Bai Guang smiled incredulously, his tone complicated. “Back then, we discussed taking care of you in your old age, but you refused and moved away with Mom.”
“Living with your children isn’t necessarily a good thing,” the old man said calmly. “Besides, I don’t want to be lying in a hospital bed waiting to die, and still have to hear you all complaining in your hearts that I’m an old codger.”
“I’ve thought it all out. If your mother passes away first, I will go with her. The funeral will be taken care of by someone, so there’s no need to trouble you. You can just come and attend when you have time.”
“If I go first, I have already given you what was due to you. All the remaining assets I have will go to your mother. I will set up a trust for your mother, so you don’t need to worry about the finances. But if your mother still wants to live with you, please take good care of her, considering how hard it was for her to raise you.”
He has even made arrangements for his own funeral, which shows how little he expects his children to be filial.
When he was young, the old man saw through too many people's hearts. Apart from his wife who had been with him through thick and thin, he trusted no one, not even his own children.
Bai Guang and his father have been estranged for too many years. The distant father-son relationship between him and his father, just like that between him and Xin'er, cannot be repaired overnight.
Bai Guang could only ask, "How is Xin'er doing lately?"
"Fortunately, I've finally regained my appetite these past two days," the old man said. "Why don't you come over sometime? I'd like to talk to you in person about some things concerning Xin'er."
Bai Guang had the same idea and replied, "Okay."
He acted quickly, immediately having his assistant buy him a plane ticket, and arrived in the old man's city early the next morning.
When Bai Guang arrived at the old man's house, Xin'er was still in bed. The old man asked him to sit down and have breakfast together.
After breakfast, the old man asked the old woman why she hadn't gone out to play cards yet. The old woman quickly grabbed her purse of change and happily went out to find her mahjong friends.
The father and son went to the study, and Bai Guang asked directly, "You sent Mom away, didn't she know?"
"I don't know. Only Xin'er and I in our family have this illness, so only Xin'er and I know about it. We haven't told anyone else." The old man then asked him, "How did Xin'er's mother find out?"
"According to Xin'er's friend, his mother must have noticed it before we got divorced."
"So she's back now, saying she wants to take Xin'er abroad for medical treatment?"
“Yes,” Bai Guang said. “But his mother told me that she was going to take Xin’er abroad to study.”
The old man sneered, "Studying abroad? Why didn't she come back to find Xin'er a few years ago? Now that Xin'er has finished her college entrance exams and is going to university in China, she suddenly reappears."
"So you also feel something's not right?" Bai Guang asked.
"She's a medical doctor in America now, working for America. We've long since stopped being on the same side as her." The old man narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp. "She didn't even know she was coming back to China this time, saying she was taking Xin'er there for treatment. Who knows what she's really up to? Whether it's for university or treatment, if it's for university, we have plenty of good universities in China. If it's for treatment, our current medical standards aren't necessarily worse than theirs."
"To be honest, let's not even talk about how many people would believe this disease if I told them. It's incurable. It's not like you can hear what other people are thinking anytime, anywhere. You need a medium. But once it's exposed to the public, the only outcome is being taken to cooperate with all sorts of psychological research."
The old man said, "When I was young, I worked myself to the bone so that my descendants could enjoy my blessings, not so that my grandson could suffer abroad."
Bai Guang nodded; he shared the same thought as his father.
It's less of an illness and more of a supernatural ability that completely defies traditional pathology. Their family wants to live a peaceful life, and the fewer people outside who know about it, the better.
Bai Guang said, "I asked Xin'er, and he himself has no plans to go abroad. Besides, he's been in really bad shape lately."
“I know,” the old man said, “it’s because of that child named Xiang Di.”
Bai Guang was somewhat surprised: "He told you?"
"He didn't say anything. How could he have the nerve to tell me?" The old man snorted. "I read his mind."
Bai Guang: "..."
After hesitating for a while, he still asked uncertainly, "So mind reading is real?"
The old man didn't waste any words with him. He grabbed the man's arm and, after a half-second, calmly said, "I don't have Alzheimer's. Do you want me to show you my recent medical report?"
Bai Guang smiled wryly: "...No need, I trust you."
The old man rolled his eyes and continued, "So Xiang Di found out that Xin'er had this hereditary disease and dumped her, right?"
Bai Guang asked in a puzzled tone, "He got dumped?"
"Otherwise, why would Xin'er come crying to me?"
Bai Guang's tone was even more puzzled: "He cried too?"
Is this still his son who has such high aspirations?
“Isn’t it normal to cry after a breakup? Do you think everyone is like you, not reacting at all when your wife threatens divorce? If a man is so indifferent to his wife, then you’re only suited to living alone.” The old man sighed. “But I can understand that kid, otherwise I wouldn’t have kept it from your mother my whole life.”
In this way, the father and son basically understood the whole story.
They could help Xin'er with Jiang Ruya's situation, but they really couldn't interfere in matters of the heart.
Someone knocked on the door of the study, and the old man said, "Come in."
The door opened, and the maid said that young master Xin'er had gotten up.
“Go and talk to your son,” the old man waved his hand. “His mother can’t be relied on, so as his father, you have to give him some support.”
-
Bai Guang didn't really know what to say to his son.
Instead, his son apologized to him first after seeing him.
I'm sorry to have worried you these past few days.
Bai Guang shook his head: "It's good that you're alright."
Bai Jiangxin continued eating his breakfast with his head down. Bai Guang sat opposite him, and after a long pause, he also said an apology.
Bai Jiangxin was taken aback and looked up at him.
“Your grandfather used to tell me not to complain about adult matters in front of you, because it would affect you. I didn’t understand why. When did I ever complain to you?” Bai Guang said. “Now I realize that’s what your grandfather meant. I’m sorry for giving you bad childhood memories.”
The apology came too late, and Bai Jiangxin didn't react much. He took a sip of porridge and said calmly, "It's okay. You're much better than my mother."
Bai Guang: "..."
I didn't feel praised at all.
He missed so many years because of his own actions, so there's nothing to complain about. After he passes away, it's enough that his son is willing to take care of his funeral.
Anyway, the Bai family, whether it's inherited from their ancestors or not, are naturally indifferent to emotions, even among their own father and son.
"You don't need to have any further contact with your mother. Your grandfather and I will handle this matter."
Bai Jiangxin lowered his eyes and hummed in agreement.
Just a few days ago, he even thought that even if his mother had ulterior motives, his illness might actually be cured if he went there.
If he recovers, will Xiang Di be willing to be with him?
When people are desperate, they tend to try anything, and he forgot how he got through those few days.
At that moment, I felt like the sky had fallen. Reason and emotion were fighting. I told myself I should understand her, but I was also afraid that she would really not want me anymore.
While killing monsters in the game, he thought, "Isn't she ashamed and unable to face him? Then I'll drag her to bed and do all the things she's thought about. Once we've done everything physically, those fantasies won't be fantasies anymore, and she naturally won't feel ashamed."
Fortunately, I escaped to my grandfather's house, turned off my phone temporarily, and calmed down for several days before I could barely suppress those morbid thoughts.
"I heard you broke up with Xiang Di, that kid..." Bai Guang coughed lightly, "?"
Bai Jiangxin paused, holding the spoon, but didn't say anything.
Bai Guang didn't know how to advise him, so he just told him to try to put himself in the other person's shoes and try to understand them.
“Your mother’s appearance this time was too sudden. She told that child so that you would go abroad with her,” Bai Guang said. “If that child can’t accept it, then let it go. You will meet another person you like in the future.”
Bai Jiangxin said, "No, it won't happen again."
There will never be another person besides her.
“What are you saying? How old are you?” Bai Guang felt his son was still too young. “You can’t stay single for the rest of your life just because of that child.”
“She hasn’t officially dumped me yet.” Bai Jiangxin looked at his father. “She just said she needs to think it over, it’s not certain.”
Bai Guang: "...Alright then, Dad wishes her the best in accepting you."
Bai Jiangxin said thank you in a low voice and continued eating breakfast.
Bai Guang asked him when he planned to go back, and he said he would go back today, but before he went back, he wanted to talk to his grandmother.
-
The old lady went out to play cards and didn't come back until lunchtime.
Hearing that her grandson wanted to talk to her alone, the old lady took him for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner, as a way to digest her food.
Bai Jiangxin wasn't actually interested in the love stories of the older generation at all, but he needed to refer to them. Since the old man was too embarrassed to say it, he could only ask the old woman.
The old lady was quite carefree, sharing many stories from her youth, including how she won over her suspicious and wary husband.
After talking for a while, this wasn't what Bai Jiangxin wanted to hear, so the old lady simply asked him what he wanted to hear.
"How have you put up with Grandpa all these years?" Bai Jiangxin said. "Don't you think Grandpa is very perceptive? He always seems to be able to guess what other people are thinking."
The old lady chuckled as she listened to his feigned calm probing.
“No need to ask so tactfully,” she said. “I knew your grandfather could read minds back when your father was still wearing open-crotch pants. He didn’t dare tell me, so I just pretended not to know.”
Bai Jiangxin's eyes showed a look of surprise.
How did you...?
"When two people are together for a long time, they will eventually notice something is going on," the old lady said. "Even if the girl doesn't know it now, she will eventually find out; it's just a matter of time."
Bai Jiangxin couldn't help but ask, "You don't mind?"
“At first I minded, but when two people live together, there are so many things that require communication and understanding, like daily necessities. Many couples can't stay together because they don't communicate in time, and the conflicts accumulate.”
The old lady said gently, "Anyway, I believe I have a clear conscience and I truly love your grandfather. Your grandfather is also genuinely good to me. Xin'er, there is no such thing as good or bad in mind reading. It just depends on whether you are a sincere person or not."
"Human hearts are complex, and sometimes they may disappoint you, but you must believe that there are always people who love you and are genuinely good to you."
Bai Jiangxin smiled slightly: "Thank you, I feel a bit more enlightened now."
"Hey, that's good."
The afternoon sun was a bit too bright, and the old lady, who was afraid of getting sunburned, put up a parasol and said, "Let's go back."
Bai Jiangxin agreed.
Seeing her grandson's fair skin, the old lady thoughtfully asked, "Do you need an umbrella? The sun is quite strong."
Bai Jiangxin originally wanted to say no, but then he thought that someone liked his fair skin.
Let's use this as a cover. He took the parasol: "I'll hold it."
While sharing an umbrella with her grandson, the elderly woman, who is just over 1.6 meters tall, suddenly realized how tall her grandson had grown; she only barely reached his chin.
She looked up at her grandson's increasingly mature and handsome profile, recalling when she first met her husband, who was only two years older than her grandson.
Time flies so fast; she and her husband have grown old, and their grandson has grown up.
Bai Jiangxin noticed his grandmother looking at him and looked down to ask, "What's wrong?"
The old lady coughed lightly.
"Actually, I don't really feel like I have any privacy in front of your grandfather. Do you know why?"
Bai Jiangxin shook his head.
The old lady put it more tactfully: "Compared to your grandfather, who can hear what others are thinking just by touching them, your grandfather can hardly hear what I'm thinking. You don't have experience now, but you'll understand after you get married."
Speaking of which, the old lady was quite proud: "Your grandfather is old now and there are some things he can't do anymore. He hasn't heard my thoughts for many years."
The old lady gave him a look that said, "You're too young to understand," and Bai Jiangxin raised an eyebrow and decided to pretend he didn't understand either.
In fact, he had already guessed most of it, but he just lacked an opportunity to put it into practice.
-
After saying goodbye to his grandparents, Bai Jiangxin and his father took a flight home that evening.
On the way to the airport, Bai Jiangxin finally turned on his phone.
As soon as he turned on his phone, messages from the past few days flooded his notification bar. Bai Jiangxin glanced at them and, amidst the barrage of WeChat messages, spotted a message from a certain sunflower.
Compared to Ye Minjia's relentless bombardment, this sunflower was clearly much more reserved, only telling him to contact her as soon as he returned, as she had something important to tell him.
Bai Jiangxin stared at the message she sent, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. He wondered what important matter she was talking about, as long as it wasn't about breaking up with him.
"By the way, the admissions offices of Yenching University and Tsinghua University called me a couple of days ago. They must have known about your college entrance exam scores in advance and asked if you had considered going to their schools."
Bai Guang suddenly remembered this matter, but after he told his son, his son didn't react for a long time.
He turned his head and saw his son staring at his phone.
"Xin'er, are you even listening to me?"
Bai Jiangxin snapped out of his daze: "What did you say?"
Bai Guang had no choice but to repeat what he had just said, asking him, "Which university do you want to go to? Yenching University or Tsinghua University? Or do you want to apply to a university in the early admission batch? Something like public security, law, or military."
Bai Guang had no intention of interfering with his son's future. What era were they living in? The idea of sons following in their fathers' footsteps was outdated.
Bai Jiangxin said, "No rush, let's see which university she applies to."
Bai Guang: "Who are you looking at?"
Bai Jiangxin: "Xiang Di."
Bai Guang was speechless for a moment, then joked, "She hasn't even said she's accepted you yet, why are you still clinging to her?"
Bai Jiangxin said calmly, "I'm going to keep bothering her."
"..."
He not only inherited his grandfather's ability to read minds, but also his love-struck mind.
“Xin’er, Grandpa and I are your family, so we can accept that you can read minds, but that child isn’t,” Bai Guang said. “You can’t force her to be with you, do you understand?”
Bai Jiangxin pursed his lips and said calmly but stubbornly, "I don't want to understand."
He has given Xiang Di so much time; she should have come to her senses by now.
If she still can't figure it out, then she should keep thinking about it. He can wait indefinitely, but she shouldn't even think about going to find another man.
Unable to persuade his son, Bai Guang felt a bit of a headache: "Whatever."
Upon arriving at the airport, the father and son, who had purchased first-class tickets and were about to enter, were suddenly met with a heart-wrenching scream from the economy class queue not far away.
"Honey! I can't bear to part with you!"
"Baby! I don't want to leave you either!"
Looking over, Bai Guang saw a young couple there, reluctant to part.
He hated young people showing affection in public without regard for the occasion; he found it offensive to even look at, so he simply told his son, "Let's go."
Bai Jiangxin didn't move, but kept watching the couple kissing passionately in public.
Bai Guang sensed something was wrong: "Xin'er?"
Bai Jiangxin turned to his father and suddenly asked, "Dad, can you do me a favor?"
Bai Guang: "..."
It doesn't feel like I'm very busy.
As expected, it wasn't.
The flight, which took an hour and a half, quickly brought us to our destination.
As soon as he got into the car, Bai Guang took the phone from his son. Before he could even say anything after the call connected, a sweet voice excitedly exclaimed, "You finally answered my call!"
“Child, it’s me,” Bai Guang said in a deep voice. “I am Bai Jiangxin’s father.”
"Ah... hello uncle." The girl hesitated. "Where is Bai Jiangxin?"
“That’s right, Bai Jiangxin is planning to go abroad with his mother.” Bai Guang said calmly, “After going there, he probably won’t be back in China for at least five years.”
The girl asked in surprise, "What?! He'll be gone for so long?... Will he come back for the New Year?"
“No, he said he has no attachment to this city anymore.” Bai Guang glanced at his son beside him, coughed lightly, and tried his best to remain calm. “I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. After thinking it over, I could only ask you for help.”
After talking with the girl for a while, Bai Guang hung up the phone and tossed it back to Bai Jiangxin with a forced smile: "Happy now?"
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