TSWPF -Chapter 245 Excitement

“Grandpa, we brought you something tasty.”

Just as Liu Zhen was feeling disappointed, another voice rang out. He lifted his head and saw a young man who looked very much like his youngest son walking in, with several others following behind him.

He suddenly stood up and took two steps forward, murmuring, “Jing’er…”

Liu Zhimou glanced at Liu Zhen in puzzlement, smiled and nodded politely, then turned to the old man. “Grandpa, we’re back.”

At that single word grandpa, Liu Zhen almost responded instinctively. But when he noticed Liu Zhimou’s gaze was directed at Old Man Xue, he immediately understood—this “grandpa” wasn’t meant for him.

Of course. The child didn’t even know he was his grandfather yet. How could he possibly call him that?

The old man glanced at Liu Zhen, then smiled at Liu Zhimou. “It’s good that you’re back.” As he spoke, he looked toward Liu Zhiyan. “Xiao Yan, didn’t you say you brought Grandpa something tasty? Where is it? What did you bring?”

Grinning, Liu Zhiyan pulled out a cloth bag from behind him, ran over to the old man, and opened it for him to see. “Look! These pears were all picked by us ourselves. We specially brought them back for you to eat. They’re really good—very sweet.”

They had been worried that Grandpa might scold them for being away so long, so they deliberately brought some fruit back to placate him, to let him know they were always thinking of him.

Seeing the pears, the old man nodded in satisfaction. At least these little rascals still had some conscience and hadn’t completely forgotten about him.

“This is more like it. At least you didn’t forget your grandpa.”

“How could we forget you?” Liu Zhiyan said sweetly. “If you weren’t busy, we would’ve taken you along to play with us too.”

The past few days had been truly fun—it even made him feel like he’d gone back to Niutou Village.

They had already agreed with their master that they would come back to play again next time they had the chance.

Hearing this, the old man couldn’t help but sigh. If it weren’t for the Emperor stopping him from retiring and returning home, he would’ve left long ago.

Who knew when the Emperor would finally let him go? Being tied down in the Imperial Medical Academy meant he couldn’t go anywhere, even if he wanted to have some fun.

At that moment, he genuinely envied Mr. Luo—free to go wherever he pleased, carefree, with no one daring to stop him.

“Alright,” the old man said. “You’ve been riding in a carriage for so long—you must be tired. Go rest for a bit.”

He wanted to first talk this matter over with Liu Zhimou and see how he would react. If Liu Zhimou was willing to acknowledge Liu Zhen, then he would let Liu Zhiyan and Liu Zhirou come over later to recognize their kin.

“Girl,” he added, turning to Li Qingling, “take the children down first. Zhimou, stay behind—I have something to talk to you about.”

Li Qingling gave a soft “mm” and led the children out of the flower hall.

Liu Zhimou raised his brows slightly and looked at the old man, asking what it was about.

The old man sighed inwardly, lifted his head to look at Liu Zhimou, and pointed toward Liu Zhen. “Zhimou, this is your father’s biological father.”

Cough… What a mouthful. But he couldn’t very well say outright, This is your grandpa. What if Liu Zhimou felt resistant?

His father’s biological father?

That meant… his grandfather?

Liu Zhimou looked toward Liu Zhen, who had been staring at him intently. Only then did he clearly see that his father bore four or five parts resemblance to this man.

Liu Zhimou’s lips moved slightly. After a moment, he finally spoke. “I’m sorry. I can’t bring myself to call you that just yet.”

Every time he thought about how his parents had once been torn apart by this so-called grandfather as well, the word simply wouldn’t come out.

There was resentment in his heart, so he didn’t want to call him Grandpa so easily.

Liu Zhen’s emotions fell from excitement into disappointment. He forced a smile. “It’s alright. Take it slowly.”

It was their first meeting—he couldn’t push him too hard.

“Good child, don’t just stand there. Come sit down and talk with Grandpa.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the old man, signaling him to leave.

But the old man pretended not to see and stubbornly stayed seated, sipping his tea.

What a joke. How could he possibly leave Zhimou alone here? What if Old Man Liu made some unreasonable demands of him?

He absolutely had to stay and keep an eye on things.

Seeing that the old man refused to leave, Liu Zhen had no choice. After all, this wasn’t the Liu residence—he couldn’t force someone else out.

Liu Zhimou walked over and sat down on a chair, then looked up at Liu Zhen. “What is it you want to talk to me about?”

Liu Zhen carefully examined Liu Zhimou again. With reddened eyes, he spoke. “You… you look very much like your father.”

If not for the mismatch in age, he would’ve thought the man before him was his youngest son.

No wonder Old Man Xue had stopped him from recognizing Liu Zhimou so quickly. The resemblance was simply too strong. Anyone who had known his youngest son would immediately connect the two as father and son.

Seeing the redness around Liu Zhen’s eyes, Liu Zhimou felt something stir in his heart. He nodded slightly. “Yes.”

He truly looked like his father—almost as if molded from the same cast.

Just like Xiao Ling had said, his father’s genes were overwhelmingly strong.

Liu Zhen took a deep breath to steady himself, lifted the corners of his mouth, and tried to look less severe.

“Child… have you… have you all been living well these past years?”

Though he knew they hadn’t had it easy, for reasons even he couldn’t explain, he still wanted to ask in person.

“We’ve lived quite well,” Liu Zhimou replied. Knowing the old man was probably asking about his father, he added, “Father once said that his days in Niutou Village were the most carefree and comfortable of his entire life.”

He hadn’t understood the deeper meaning behind those words back then. Now, he did.

“Is that so?” Liu Zhen pressed his lips together. If Jing’er had said that, it meant he truly liked life in Niutou Village.

“Jing’er… cough… did your father ever tell you about his past?”

Liu Zhimou shook his head. “No. My father never mentioned it.”

“I see…” Liu Zhen’s voice dropped. Jing’er must have decided never to return to the capital—otherwise, he wouldn’t have hidden his background from his own children.

It seemed he had truly broken Jing’er’s heart, making him unwilling to ever come back and face this old father again.

At the thought, Liu Zhen felt a stabbing pain in his chest. He coughed violently—and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The sudden change shocked both Liu Zhimou and the old man.

“Hey, hey, hey! Old Liu!” the old man shouted. “Didn’t I tell you not to get agitated? Do you want to die or what?”

After scolding him, he instructed Liu Zhimou to help Liu Zhen to the guest room to lie down, while he went to fetch his silver needles.

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou hurriedly supported Liu Zhen and helped him onto the bed in the guest room.

“Are you… are you alright? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

Though he still wasn’t ready to acknowledge this grandfather, they were connected by blood after all. He didn’t want to see him in such a frail state.

Liu Zhen gave a bitter smile and waved his hand. “I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’ll be alright after lying down for a bit.”

Spitting blood and calling it “fine”—Liu Zhimou didn’t believe him at all.

As for what illness it was exactly, he would ask Grandpa once he returned.

The old man came back quickly. He had Liu Zhen remove his upper garments, then swiftly inserted the silver needles one by one.

After he finished, Liu Zhimou asked what was wrong with Liu Zhen—what illness he had.

The old man sighed and told him about what had happened a few days earlier.

After listening, Liu Zhimou lowered his eyes. The resolve in his heart began to waver.

“Child, don’t listen to that old Xue rambling nonsense,” Liu Zhen said weakly. “Grandpa is fine. Don’t worry.”

The old man immediately shot him an angry look. “Fine? Another couple of mouthfuls of blood and even Hua Tuo himself wouldn’t be able to save you!”

This old Liu truly didn’t cherish his own body at all. Did he think he was still young?

Honestly…

Liu Zhimou looked at Liu Zhen’s pale face and smiled faintly. “Grandpa, rest properly. I’ll go bring my younger brother and sister over to see you.”

Forget it—why argue with an old man?

Besides, he regretted it now. He would forgive him this once.

If Father were still alive, he would probably agree with this decision.

“You… what did you just call me?” Liu Zhen asked excitedly, staring at Liu Zhimou. Had he… had he heard that right?

“Don’t move, don’t move,” the old man said sternly, pressing down hard on Liu Zhen’s shoulder. “If the needles shift and it costs you your life, don’t blame me.”

“Grandpa, don’t move around. Lie still. I’ll be right back.”

Without waiting for a reply, Liu Zhimou turned and quickly walked out.

Only after he could no longer see Liu Zhimou’s back did Liu Zhen withdraw his gaze. He looked at the old man excitedly. “Old Xue, did you hear that? Zhimou called me Grandpa. He called me Grandpa!”

He had thought it would take a long time for the child to acknowledge him. He hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

This child… had a pure and sincere heart.

The old man shot him a sidelong glance and snorted. “He’s been calling me Grandpa for a long time now.”

What was there to get so excited about?

“I’m his biological grandfather. You’re not,” Liu Zhen retorted. “Calling you Grandpa doesn’t count—you’re not related by blood.”

“We’re not biological, but we’re closer than blood,” the old man shot back stubbornly. “When I’m old, he’ll be the one to take care of my funeral.”

He refused to give in on this point. “Rou Rou likes me best as her grandpa. She hasn’t even called you yet. Xiao Yan hasn’t either.”

Seeing Liu Zhen’s disgruntled expression, the old man smugly rattled on like pouring beans from a jar, talking nonstop about his days spent with the children.

Liu Zhen listened with a mix of envy and jealousy. If only he had recognized his grandchildren earlier, he could have shared such memories with them too.

Instead, his grandchildren were calling someone else Grandpa, and just hearing that made his heart ache.

Only after his mouth went dry did the old man finally stop. Shaking his head smugly, he concluded, “Old Liu, you just can’t compare to me.”

At least, that’s what he thought.

“Hmph… after Zhimou finishes the spring examinations, I’ll take them back to the Liu family,” Liu Zhen said angrily.

“What?” the old man glared at him. “I don’t allow it.”

“Whether you allow it or not doesn’t matter. They’re not your biological grandchildren.”

“They are mine.”

“They’re not—”

“They are—”

“They’re not—”

“They are—”

When Liu Zhimou returned with Li Qingling and the others, this was the childish scene they were greeted with.