Chapter 304: Nineties: Spring Water Family Chapter 304 Extra Twelve Father-Son Bond 2

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

Consultation room.

"Uncle, Auntie, you've finally come. I've missed you to death."

Seeing a large crowd surge in, Ruirui got excited as if rising from the dead, bouncing up from the bed.

"Hey hey hey, careful now."

"He's on an IV drip, he can't move around recklessly."

"Watch his hand, don't dislodge the needle."

Lin Xiyu and the three nannies were so startled their hearts trembled, almost simultaneously rushing over to surround him with solicitous care.

"It's not dislodged......"

Ruirui chuckled, swinging his legs off the bed.

"Aiyo......"

Lin Xiyu looked at her nephew who now stood straight and required her to look up, feeling quite moved: "How long has it been since we last met? You've grown taller again, half a head taller than me."

"Of course......"

Liu Jie laughed in agreement: "Boys in high school change daily. My boy is the same. In his first year he still sat in the very front row, but in his second year he shot up rapidly, moving straight from the first row to the last."

"Ruirui must be 1.8 meters by now, right?"

Lin Xiyu stretched out her arm, measuring against the top of Ruirui's head.

The little nephew has grown up, can't ruffle his hair anymore.

It really is true, makes one feel a bit regretful!

"Not yet, 1.79."

Ruirui saw her thoughts, lowering his own head to nuzzle against her palm.

The not-so-soft hair strands turned Lin Xiyu's heart into a puddle of water.

Ruirui hasn't changed, still the little nephew who clung to her most as a child.

No matter how tall he gets, in front of his aunt he's still a child.

"Eat a bit less, don't grow any more."

Guben's teasing banter rang by her ear, interrupting the warm aunt-nephew interaction: "Pilots have a height limit, can't exceed 185. You're only in your first year of high school and already 179. If you keep shooting up like this, you'll exceed the standard and won't be able to be a pilot."

Ruirui was embarrassed: "This thing isn't something I can control."

"You this person......"

Lin Xiyu scolded coquettishly: "If you can't speak properly then don't speak. We were perfectly happy, and your words ruined the whole atmosphere."

"I'm genuinely concerned about him, that's why I said it......"

Guben quibbled, stubbornly refusing to admit it was because seeing his wife ruffle the nephew's head made his heart sour.

How could Lin Xiyu not see through his petty thoughts, laughing as she teased him: "Where does your so-called concern come from?"

"A high schooler catches a slight chill and gets a fever, physical quality too weak."

Guben bluffed with a straight face: "Maybe it's because he grew too fast. He'll need more nutrition from now on, supplement calcium."

Lin Xiyu was angered into laughter: "Just now who said to eat less, and now you're talking about nutrition again."

"Nutrition and eating less don't conflict."

Guben took pleasure in bickering with his wife.

Lin Xiyu gave him a white eye, not wanting to bother with him anymore.

"Uncle, if you want to show off your affection just say so directly."

Ruirui watched with amusement, helping his aunt tease his uncle: "No need to beat around the bush, we're long used to it."

"Hey, you brat, relying on growing a bit taller you dare provoke your uncle?"

Guben laughed angrily, lunging forward in a flash to lock his arm around his neck.

"Ruirui's on an IV, what are you messing around for?"

Grandma Gu entered, just catching this scene, instantly exploding with rage.

Guben's arm stiffened, and before the old lady rushed over, he hurriedly let go.

"Hahaha."

Lin Xiyu was amused by his rare cowardly look, laughing until she couldn't close her mouth.

——

Grandma Gu doted on her great-grandson. After Ruirui finished his IV, she insisted on sending him home first.

The group arrived at the dormitory where the father and son lived. As expected, the room was cold and quiet, exactly as imagined, without a trace of human warmth.

Fu Zheng was usually busy with training, rarely cooking at home.

Father and son these years have always eaten at the school canteen.

Ruirui started high school, didn't come home at noon, and also bought food outside to make do with a meal.

Grandma Gu saw the fridge empty, not even a rotten vegetable leaf, and gave Fu Zheng another huge scolding.

Fu Zheng lowered his head to listen to the lecture, not daring a single complaint.

——

Guest house.

The whole family, young and old, sat on the plane for several hours, flying all the way from Jinan; after a day of travel, they were somewhat weary.

Fu Zheng saw the group to the guesthouse to rest, and after Grandma Gu fell asleep, he went alone and knocked on Grandpa Liu's door.

The old master seemed to have anticipated his arrival; he had already brewed a pot of hot tea and was sitting at the tea table by the window waiting for him.

"Grandpa Liu......"

Fu Zheng did not hide anything; upon entering, he stated his purpose directly: "There's a matter I've considered for a long time, and I still want to trouble you once more — to apply for a transfer to Sanya."

"Give me a reason."

Grandpa Liu pointed at the sofa opposite, gesturing for him to sit.

"I've stayed in Nanjiang too long; I want to change my environment."

Fu Zheng sat as bid, poured himself a cup of tea, and as if venting, tilted his head back and drank it to the bottom in one go.

"Just that?"

Grandpa Liu lifted his eyelids, looking at him with a half-smile.

"There's also a personal reason."

Fu Zheng rubbed the rim of the cup, his mood complex to the extreme.

"Is it because of that female doctor?"

Grandpa Liu knew full well: "Must you avoid her? Is there no other method to resolve it?"

Fu Zheng smiled bitterly: "If avoiding her could solve it, I wouldn't need to ask you."

"Xiao Zheng, your heart is in turmoil......"

Grandpa Liu didn't beat around the bush with him, speaking straight: "You're afraid you'll let down your ex-wife, let down your son, so you want to run away."

The room fell silent for a moment.

After a long silence, Fu Zheng spoke again with a bitter smile: "Ruirui just started high school; I don't want to cause him trouble, delay his studies."

"You go tell her....."

Grandpa Liu had his own mind: "Have her wait for you three years; if she's willing to wait, in three years Grandpa Liu will personally preside over your wedding. If she's unwilling, then forget it; I'll stake this old face of mine again, get those old comrades of mine to step in, and have you transferred to Sanya — from then on, worlds apart, wanting to meet would be hard."

"Grandpa Liu......"

Fu Zheng didn't expect Grandpa Liu to say this; he was visibly stunned for a moment.

"Xiao Zheng, don't learn from Grandpa Liu....."

Grandpa Liu sighed faintly: "When Grandpa Liu was young, I was just as stubborn as you; only in old age did I deeply realize — however lonely and miserable a person is, if it weren't for Xixi and Lele, with a bit of concern still in my heart, I'd have long since lost the will to live."

"I have Ruirui; I don't feel lonely."

Fu Zheng didn't want the old master's words to disturb his resolve.

"You're just a blockhead."

Grandpa Liu laughed in anger: "No wonder your grandma is angry with you; your dad, nearing retirement, has rekindled his old flame with his first love, and you're so much younger than him — what concerns do you have?"

"Actually...."

Fu Zheng felt a pang in his heart: "My dad marrying that woman — my younger brother and I aren't comfortable with it either; it's precisely because of this that I can better understand Ruirui's feelings, don't want him to feel stifled inside, thinking I abandoned him."

"So, have that female doctor wait three years......"

Grandpa Liu genuinely considered for him: "Once Ruirui gets into military academy, he'll be an adult, no longer a child; he'll have his own path to walk, no longer bound by family ties. At that time, what you need to do is no longer revolve around your son, putting him first in everything, but take good care of yourself, not let him worry for you."

"Is that so?"

Fu Zheng raised his head in a daze, looking at the old man before him who had bamboozled him into a daze, secretly pondering whether to believe him.

"Change your angle, think about it in reverse."

Grandpa Liu saw he was still hesitant and changed strategy: "Your dad's remarriage has been some years now, right? Isn't your mood different now from when you first learned he would remarry? From initial resentment, to now being relieved, even fortunate — fortunate he remarried, otherwise there'd still be a physically frail, ailing rotten old man for you to constantly worry about, and you and your younger brother wouldn't be living so easily and freely?"

"My dad's health is okay too......."

Fu Zheng thought secretly, not like you old man say, a rotten old man riddled with illness.

"Sooner or later it is......"

Grandpa Liu brooked no rebuttal: "Everyone has that day."

Fu Zheng: "......."

——

One must say, Doctor Su's medical skill is still very high; Ruirui was on an IV for a day, drank a dose of traditional Chinese medicine, and by that evening the fever had subsided, with no recurrence.

Grandma Gu was happy in her heart, and looked at her eldest grandson more favorably.

Fu Zheng took a day off, accompanied the family to tour the ancient city; Ruirui also wanted to come along, but was ordered to stay home and rest properly.

"No way, you all go play and just leave me alone at home?"

Ruirui felt very wronged, head drooping, listless and spiritless.

A pitiful little expression, like a little puppy abandoned by its owner.

Grandma Gu couldn't bear it, wanted to speak up for her great-grandson.

"Doctor Su said, the recovery isn't thorough, can't go out."

Fu Zheng refused to compromise, directly citing the doctor's orders.

"She says it and I have to listen?"

Ruirui suddenly seethed with resentment, retorted back disgruntled.

Fu Zheng's breath caught.

He had just said it casually, didn't expect his son's reaction to be this intense.

"Who is Doctor Su?"

Grandma Gu sensed something was off, her probing gaze sweeping back and forth between father and son twice.

"The doctor who treated Ruirui."

Fu Zheng's expression was a bit unnatural.

"Oh, that female doctor?"

Grandma Gu didn't know about the conversation between Grandpa Liu and Fu Zheng last night, but from his expression she could also make out a few clues.

Combined with Ruirui's reaction......

The old lady's eyebrows were tightly knitted, a bad premonition welling up.

——

Grandma Gu's worry, how could Fu Zheng not see it.

His son's obvious resistance toward Su Qin was also the reason he made up his mind to request a transfer away from Nanjiang.

He didn't want to deny it, Su Qin was indeed somewhat different from other women, like a ray of sunshine after a long absence, illuminating a heart that had been dark for a long time.

However, her appearance would inevitably break the peaceful life, leaving a shadow in his son's heart.

He didn't want to let his son be sad, didn't want to see that face so similar to his wife's reveal a sorrowful expression.

His son's resentful complaints, heard in his heart, were like digging into his heart, just as painful.

——

In September, Kashgar Ancient City's scenery was beautiful like an oil painting.

Enthusiastic and hospitable Uyghur girls twisted their slender waists, stepped to cheerful beats, singing and dancing.

The babies played crazily; as long as they saw a pretty little sister dancing, they would happily toddle over, circling happily behind her bottom.

Guben and his wife doted on the children and didn't impose many restrictions, letting them run wild.

The whole family played happily, only Fu Zheng was an exception.

Before leaving the house, his son's words were like a thorn piercing his heart, making his heart both sour and stifled, so depressed he could hardly breathe.

"Eldest Brother, what's up with you this time?"

Guben saw he had worries, deliberately teasing him: "Rare to accompany us out for once, so unwilling? Face all sour, just like someone owes you a few million and hasn't paid back?"

"Had some business yesterday, didn't sleep well."

Fu Zheng smiled bitterly and rubbed his brow: "Early morning brain's like paste, not a bit of energy."

"Worried about Ruirui?"

Guben probed: "Looking at his physical quality it should be fine, probably no big problem, drink a few doses of traditional Chinese medicine and he'll be well soon."

"Ruirui's body is no big deal, just a bit of acting up."

Fu Zheng didn't want to expose his worries, casually brushing it off: "This kid resents me leaving him at home while taking you guys out to play, threw a huge tantrum."

"Grandma's at home keeping him company......"

Guben saw he didn't want to say more, didn't ask further.

"Xiao Bin......"

Fu Zheng was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Tell Eldest Brother the truth, about Dad remarrying, do you still blame him? Still can't let go like when they just got married?"

"Want to hear the truth?"

Guben was so smart, associating with what happened in the infirmary last night, he guessed his intention at once.

"Of course."

Fu Zheng nodded, pinning hope on his younger brother to give him some feasible advice.

For example, whether Grandpa Liu's proposal was feasible.

Whether there was a suitable method, without affecting his son's situation, to maintain the delicate balance among the three people.

"If you really want me to say......"

No matter how smart Guben was, he couldn't guess the twists and turns in his heart.

Seeing Eldest Brother adopt a posture of listening respectfully, he followed his inclination and spoke his true feelings: "Even after so many years, even meeting during holidays, I still cannot truly accept that woman."

"In my heart there is only one mother, mother's position is irreplaceable; for Father's sake, tolerating things a bit, not tearing face on the spot is already good enough; wanting me to open my heart to her, treat her as family, is fundamentally impossible."

——

"Between you two......"

Fu Zheng heard 'tolerating' and his eyes revealed surprise: "Still have frequent little frictions?"

"How could there not be?"

Guben sneered: "You don't think either, that woman has her own biological son, her heart is definitely biased toward her own son, Dad always feels he owed her back then, listens to her in everything, that home already has no place for us brothers."

Fu Zheng's eyebrows knitted tightly, his heart cooling bit by bit.

Younger Brother's words weren't wrong, everyone has selfish motives.

If one day Su Qin has a child, would she also play favorites?

At that time, Ruirui.......

——

"Grandpa Liu, sorry, disappointed you."

Returning from the ancient city, Fu Zheng thought back and forth, and once again knocked on Grandpa Liu's door.

This time, he didn't hesitate again, firmly expressing his thoughts.

"Sigh."

Grandpa Liu sighed with great regret: "Since you've already decided, Grandpa Liu won't say anything more, the transfer matter will be as you wish, arranged as soon as possible."

Fu Zheng harbored guilt, through the balcony window glanced at the infirmary's direction, the corner of his mouth rippling a trace of a bitter smile.

Su Qin, sorry, I cannot accept your feelings.

It's not that you're bad.

It's me, I'm not worthy!

——

Grandpa Gu kept his word; the transfer order came through, and Fu Zheng moved from the Army to the Navy. That same year, he died heroically during a live-fire exercise.

When the tragic news arrived, the infirmary in Nanjiang gained another heartbroken person.

Su Qin blamed herself for his death and could not let it go; she remained single ever since, unmarried to this day.

——

Her father's sacrifice dealt Ruirui a heavy blow as well.

The seventeen-year-old boy's sunny smile vanished, and for a time he sank into deep self-reproach and bewilderment.

Grandma Gu personally went to Sanya and, together with Guben and his wife, brought him back.

Under the meticulous care of their closest kin, the poor child finally survived the most agonizing period.

On the eve of his senior-year graduation, he resolutely applied to become a Navy Pilot and passed the selection with excellent grades.

Though Grandma Gu was filled with reluctance, she still fulfilled his wish, sending him through the School Gate with tears streaming down her face.

Ruirui carried on his father's legacy; after graduating from the Military Academy he entered the Navy and became an outstanding Navy Ace Pilot.