821 A Story II

"Unfortunately, good times never last forever," said the old man. He knocked the tobacco out of the pipe and inserted a new batch.

"My wife was diagnosed with uremia during Ye Shu's freshman year. Back then, that illness would burn a hole in your pocket."

Ye Yuwei felt herself stiffen uneasily. She could sense that this was the turning point of her father's life.

"The news came like a bolt from the blue. Even after selling the shop, it was not enough to pay for my wife's treatment. Then suddenly, Ye Shu brought back one million dollars in cash. He said the money was for my wife to treat her illness."

"One million?" murmured Ye Yuwei. One million dollars back then was practically equivalent to ten million dollars today. How did her father, a university student, get so much money?

"Yes, one million," replied the old man incredulously and reignited his tobacco. "That day, I beat him and scolded him. I just wanted him to tell me where he got the money from. But Ye Shu was a man of few words. He kept quiet no matter how hard I beat him or shouted at him, he only said the money was for his mother's treatment."

"After that, Ye Shu left," muttered Gu Juexi in his deep voice, "and never came back."

"Yes. He was gone. He said he was going overseas to further his studies and left with Ye Di," said the old man with a chuckle, sounding resigned.

"What had he done?" Ye Yuwei was scared when she asked, she was afraid that her father was involved in illegal activities.

"He left, but every year, he would send money back to you, anonymously," Gu Juexi continued, "It was forty years ago when he left."

Ye Yuwei nodded aggressively and looked at Gu Juexi.

The old man stopped abruptly then laughed. "I've told you everything I know. And I know Ye Shu, he won't do bad things."

"But where is he now?" asked Ye Yuwei frantically. Her breathing quickened when the old man stood up.

The old man's body trembled slightly and he stood with one hand on the table. "Girl, your father called me 'dad' for twenty years, I long to see him more than you do," said the old man, placing his hand over his heart.

"Okay, please leave now and never come back. You are not welcome here."

There were so many questions Ye Yuwei wanted to ask but she was held back by Gu Juexi.

"Weiwei," Gu Juexi said softly, silently telling her to stop asking.

Ye Yuwei pursed her lips grudgingly and eventually gave up asking.

She pushed away Gu Juexi's hand and kneeled in front of the old man. "Grandfather, no matter where my father is, I will find him. Thank you for today. I also want to thank you on behalf of my father and auntie, for your kindness and graciousness in taking them in as your own."

The old man waved his hand. "Okay, go on now. An eye for an eye. When a calamity is broken, everything will be resolved."

Gu Juexi bent to help Ye Yuwei stand up.

As they turned around, the old man spoke up suddenly, "The girl is the only one Ye Shu has. I know you are highly competent, but if you hurt her, I will hunt you down."

Ye Yuwei was puzzled, but Gu Juexi stared at the man with coldly and gripped her hand firmly. "Sir, don't worry, I will never ever let her down."

The old man waved his hand again to dismiss them. The sentence that he blurted out when they turned around was incomprehensible.

"The barrier that you can't cross is the calamity of a lifetime."

When Ye Yuwei wanted to turn around again, Gu Juexi quickly pulled her away and they left the place.