C19 Old Master Xue

Xue Zhengqing led Qian Duojing out of the train station, and sure enough, they spotted two black sedans waiting for them outside. Zhengqing helped Duojing into one of the cars, and after dropping off their belongings at home, they headed to the hospital to visit Old Master Xue.

Upon their hurried arrival at the hospital, they found the elderly man lying frail on the hospital bed. Zhengqing, holding Duojing's hand, approached Old Master Xue and earnestly said, "Dad, this is the daughter-in-law you chose for me — Qian Duojing. We're married now, and I've brought her here. I'll take care of her for life, so you have no need to worry."

Old Master Xue's dry, frail hands reached for Duojing, and with narrowed eyes, he surveyed her from head to toe. After a careful examination of her face, a smile finally graced his lips. "Little Qian, you bear such a striking resemblance to your parents. Your mother was the belle of your village back in the day." He then began to cough, prompting Duojing to quickly assist him into a sitting position and gently pat his back to ease his breathing.

With a smile, Duojing responded, "Yes, a lot of people say my mother and I look alike." Holding her hand, he asked, "Little Qian, you don't hold any grudge against Mr. Xue for picking you up so late and for the delay in fulfilling our promise to your family, do you?"

"Not at all. We should have replied sooner, but with my father's passing and my mother's illness, it slipped our minds. After sending the letter, you promptly sent someone to reassure me with the marriage certificate. You're a man of your word," she assured him.

Old Master Xue's satisfaction grew; Duojing's face reminded him of the couple who had saved his life, and her heart was just as kind. She was gentle and good-natured. He repeatedly exclaimed, "Good! Good! What a good child!"

Zhengqing then inquired of his father, "Dad, you sent Second Brother to the station to meet Miss Jiang. Who is she?"

"She's your Uncle Jiang's daughter. She's just returned from studying abroad and arrived on today's train," his father explained.

"And Second Brother's relationship with Uncle Jiang?" Zhengqing probed further.

Taking a labored breath, Old Master Xue confided, "I don't have much time left. My dying wish is to see all of you settled and to repay the debts of gratitude I owe in this lifetime. Your Second Brother is employed at Old Jiang's newspaper, and Jiang has the intention of giving his daughter's hand in marriage to him."

Xue Zhengqing inquired, "Second Brother hasn't even met Miss Jiang. Are they really going to get married just like that?"

"It's up to him. The only wedding that's been arranged is yours," Old Master Xue remarked before closing his eyes, signaling his desire to rest.

Qian Duojing gently assisted him onto the bed. She exchanged a glance with Xue Zhengqing, and they quietly left the ward to let him rest.

As they walked back, Xue Zhengqing said, "Duojing, we should stay in this family mansion for now. You've seen my father's condition. Even though we have our own place, we can't just move out. If Dad decides to return to the mansion, someone needs to be there. We can be on hand to care for him whenever he comes back."

Duojing nodded in agreement, "I understand. Old Master Xue's health is a priority, and it's our duty as the younger generation. Are your siblings also staying there?"

Xue Zhengqing reassured her with a smile, "Don't worry, they're all easy to get along with. My eldest brother, Xue Zhengxing, is away on business and won't be back for a few months. You've met my second brother, Xue Zhengchao; he enjoys reading, writing, and working at the newspaper office during the day, returning only in the evenings. As for my sister, Xue Yuvyuv, she's lively and cheerful, just a year older than you, so you two will surely hit it off."

Duojing expressed her concern, "There are so many people in your family?"

Taking her hand, Zhengqing reassured her, "Dad threatened to break my legs if I didn't bring you back. Everyone in the family was there and heard it. They all understand how much you mean to him, so no one will mistreat you."

He looked into her eyes earnestly and continued, "Duojing, I know it's daunting being in unfamiliar surroundings, and it's natural to feel uneasy. I have to head to the Department Store tomorrow. With Dad being ill, my eldest brother out of town, and my second brother uninterested in the business, I'm the one who has to step in for now. That means I won't have much time to spend with you, but please know that you can talk to me about anything when I return each evening."

Qian Duojing nodded in understanding. She wasn't the type to cling to her partner, not needing to be with him around the clock.

Furthermore, she wasn't one to depend on a man for her livelihood. Having settled in, she planned to continue seeking employment. It was important for a woman to have her own financial resources, as economic independence shapes one's life. Besides, she had come to realize that this era was indeed a reality.