Chapter 998: The Later Years (Side Story of Pei Ziheng and Xia Ling’s Past Life)

Translator:

Atlas Studios

Editor:

Atlas Studios

Pei Ziheng was now old.

He was 92. His longevity often drew envy, even from the world’s richest.

His eyes were still bright and sharp as a hawk’s when he looked at others. His teeth were great for his age. He could chew through his favorite rare steaks with ease. However, he knew that his inner organs were failing one by one. During his annual health check-ups, his family doctor would always say, “Mr. Pei, you must take care of your body. At this age, every day alive is a blessing from G.o.d. You must cherish the time you have left.”

He took strolls regularly, played golf, and followed his doctor’s instructions so that he could live longer.

All these, because he couldn’t die yet.

His mission was not complete. The girl he loved was still alive. He had promised her to protect her for life, how could he die before her?

—The girl he loved, was Xia Ling.

He called her a “girl”, but she was already 72, with grey hair and a gentle smile. However, in Pei Ziheng’s heart, she was still the 12-year-old girl he met. Innocent and carefree, oblivious to the dangers and perils in the world.

He said he would protect her for life and he meant it.

Even if she was married and with a family.

Even if she was happy with another man.

Every morning, Pei Ziheng would drink a cup of black coffee and read the news. In the “Global Economy” or “International News” section, he would see the man she married—Li Lei. His hair had greyed, but still looked energetic with a calm yet commanding smile. He kept his body in shape, with a nice set of teeth, as if challenging Pei Ziheng to live a longer life.

Pei Ziheng was in very low spirits.

He was 92 this year, Li Lei was 80. A full Zodiac cycle between them. Unless he could live another 12 years, he would definitely die before Li Lei. As he thought of this, he solemnly ate his bread while cursing Li Lei to meet with an accident tomorrow.

However, before Li Lei succ.u.mbed to his curse, Pei Ziheng met with an accident.

He collapsed suddenly while golfing.

His company hurriedly rushed him to the hospital. But it was all too late. Even though they were able to resuscitate him, half of his body was paralyzed from the sudden brain hemorrhage. The doctor informed him that he would have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Hearing that, he stared soullessly into the sky.

He started settling his business.

He made sure that everything that needed to be planned and pa.s.sed down was done accordingly and made his will.

The sudden paralysis made him realize the fragility of life. He had to settle things quickly before he became a vegetable.

He sent out a courier to the Li family overseas, stating his intention to meet Xia Ling.

The courier arrived on a spring evening. The grey-haired lady was sitting on the rattan chair in the backyard, pruning camellias. Upon hearing Pei Ziheng’s invite, she was lost in thought and muttered, “It has been some years since I met him.”

Ever since she migrated, you could count with one hand the number of times they had met. As she grew older and built her family, she sealed all these memories deep in her heart, planning to let it die with her.

Why the sudden invite?

The courier said respectfully, “You should know, Director had a sudden brain hemorrhage. After his resuscitation, I think he feels rather sentimental.”

As we grew old, we would all be sentimental.

Especially for someone like Pei Ziheng, who had never married. Rumors flew around that he never forgot the only woman who had stepped into the halls of marriage with him—Ye Xingling, or Xia Ling.

Xia Ling stared at the red camellia in front of her. After a long while, she agreed.

At the snap of her scissors, a stalk of camellia fell.

The courier was elated and thanked her profusely.

She laid down her scissors and stood up, carefully swiping away the petals on her s.h.i.+rt. With her housemaid’s a.s.sistance, she went to look for Li Lei. She said softly to the man that had accompanied her for life, “I saw the news a few days ago. He is paralysed now. It just feels wrong, like…”

She did not continue.

Li Lei knew her intention. Pei Ziheng was already old and was p.r.o.ne to illness. She was worried that before she could say her goodbyes, he would leave the world forever.

He looked at his wife. “If you want to, you can go. Remember to bring more clothes and take good care of yourself.” At their age, they were no longer the spontaneous and rash youth they used to be. Even if they met, nothing would happen. But if they did not, she might regret for life when he pa.s.sed.

Xia Ling looked at him gratefully and gave him a long hug.

Without packing any luggage, she followed the courier to the Pei family. To be exact, it was the house she decorated during her youth, the one she lived in with Pei Ziheng.

“Why does he still live here?” She questioned the courier. “Don’t the Pei family have many huge mansions, hot springs and rejuvenation villas? This house is so small. How many doctors and servants can it fit? He is already so old, what if any mishap happens?”

The courier knew this too. He said with a bitter smile, “The Director insisted on living here. He doesn’t listen to anyone. You know his temper. Once he has made up his mind, no one can change it. But…” He looked cautiously at Xia Ling. “Maybe if you try to persuade him, he might just listen to you.”

Xia Ling pursed her lips and walked solemnly into the villa.

Pei Ziheng knew she would come. He specially ordered his servants to prepare a tea room, wore his newly tailored grey suit, and combed his silver hair. Even though he was half paralyzed, he still asked his servants to move him to the sofa. He sat as upright as he could, as if the paralysis had never happened.

The housemaid was very concerned. “Sir, with your body strength now, you won’t be able to sit like this for long.”

Pei Ziheng insisted. The sole reason he wanted to see her, was to leave a good impression for her before he became fully paralyzed.

He looked elegantly as she stepped into the tea room, just like years ago. “Xiao Ling, you’ve come.”