I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Old Man Who Appeared Out Of Nowhere (1)

“Old Commander?”

Late at night, Ning Ran had been called out by Scarface and thought he just wanted to have tea and chat. She even joked about when he became the type to enjoy something as refined as tea. But when she stepped into the private room, she found the old man sitting inside, upright and dignified. Ning Ran panicked a little, unsure where to put her hands and feet.

“Old Commander, when did you get here?”

The old man was Commander Shen Wei from the military district. Though aged, he still carried the dignified aura of a soldier—calm, commanding, and stern without needing to raise his voice. He shook out his coat and said kindly, “Xiao Ran, don’t be nervous. I just wanted to come and see her.”

“Do you want me to make arrangements?” Ning Ran rubbed at her nose, a little flustered.

“No need. I just want to take a distant look at her. Wasn’t she in a coma for a while? She hasn’t been discharged yet, right?” The old man took a sip of tea. His wife hadn’t accompanied him this time due to mobility issues but had nagged him endlessly before he left.

Scarface immediately picked up the teapot and respectfully refilled his cup.

“This is my fault, Old Commander. Please punish me. I won’t say a word in protest,” Ning Ran said as she knelt properly on the floor mat.

“I didn’t come to give you trouble this time.” Shen Wei stretched his legs. “I just… really missed her. All these years, I could only look at the photos you sent me… sigh.”

“Then… how do you want to see her?”

“I just want to walk around the hospital, maybe have a little chat with her. I’m guessing she wouldn’t recognize me anyway…” His eyes softened at the thought of Yue Xi.

“Does the other side know you’re here in CH?”

“I came under the pretense of a work inspection. If they found out, things would’ve blown up by now.”

“Then I’ll have Scarface and a few others strengthen the security detail, keep an eye on the surroundings.”

“Mm, go ahead. I’m tired. Tomorrow, I’ll go by myself. No need to pick me up,” the old man instructed.

“Yes, sir.” Scarface and Ning Ran exited together.

“The old man really couldn’t hold back this time. He really does dote on Yue Xi,” Scarface said as they walked.

“Yeah. All these years, the Commander and Grandma have cared about Yue Xi just as much as ever.”

“She’s still their flesh and bl00d, after all. Even if they hate the other side, bl00d ties are bl00d ties.”

“Mm. Bl00d ties…” Ning Ran thought of her own past.

“I didn’t mean anything by it, don’t take it to heart,” Scarface, rough as he looked, had always been observant.

“I’m fine. It’s been a long time. Now, Yue Xi is my family. I should be thanking the Commander for giving me a little sister.”

“That’s good. Otherwise, I’d feel really guilty. And if Da Mei finds out, she’ll probably beat me up.”

“What are you talking about? If Da Mei doesn’t beat you, I will.” The deep bonds between Ning Ran, Scarface, and the others had been built through the old man’s influence.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Go home—your wife’s probably waiting.”

“Mm. You’d better hurry up and win back your wife too. We’re all waiting.”

“Got it, I’m going.” Scarface got into his car and waved.

Ning Ran smiled and waved back.

Yue Xi looked out at the nice weather. The hospital garden below was lively with people, and she felt a strong urge to go out and bask in the sun. She changed out of her hospital gown and informed the nurse before excitedly hobbling down to the elevator on her crutch.

Downstairs, Yue Xi spotted an energetic-looking elderly man sitting on the edge of a flowerbed, smiling warmly at her. Her heart jolted. A shadow flickered through her mind—“Grandpa?”

During her coma, she’d vaguely remembered things. The gentle and dignified elder in front of her was unmistakably the grandfather who had doted on her. Leaning on her crutch, she slowly walked over.

“Are you… Grandpa?” The closer she got, the stronger the sense of familiarity. She knew this gaze—it had always looked at her with love.

“You… recognize me?” Shen Wei was a little overwhelmed, his hand trembling as he gently cupped her face.

“Grandpa…” Yue Xi murmured.

“Xiao Ling, you remember?” He called her by her real name. Yue Xi looked just like his son. As he gazed at her, tears welled up in his eyes.

“I’m Xiao Ling? I’m Shen Qingling?” Memories surged in like a tidal wave. Yue Xi struggled to process it. “I’m Shen Qingling… Grandpa?”

“Yes, yes, you’re my precious granddaughter.” Shen Wei never expected her to recall anything this time. He hugged her tightly. “You’ve suffered, my child.”

“Grandpa…” Yue Xi was still reeling from the storm of memories crashing through her.

From a distance, Ning Ran watched quietly. Yue Xi recovering her memories wasn’t necessarily a good thing, but for her to finally reunite with her family was a cause for celebration. After all these years of missing kin, it had finally come full circle. She pulled out her phone and gently brushed her fingers over the picture of Sarah smiling on the screen. She smiled.

“Grandpa!” Three-year-old Yue Xi called in her soft little voice.

“Yes, my good little girl! Are you happy today?” Back then, Shen Wei still had mostly black hair. He lifted Yue Xi high above his head to make her laugh.

“I’m happy! Look! My red ribbon!” Yue Xi beamed, her face a miniature version of Shen Shao’s, as she proudly pointed to the large red flower pinned to her chest.

“Xiao Ling is so good. Tell Grandma what you want to eat,” Shen Wei said, putting her down.

Yue Xi skipped off toward the kitchen. Shen Wei looked at her tiny back and sighed. Thinking of his son, his heart ached again. The child was innocent—she didn’t know anything, so she could still smile this brightly.

“Grandma, Grandma! I want sweet and sour meat!” Yue Xi tugged at He Juan’s apron.

“Alright, Grandma will make it for you right now,” He Juan wiped her tears away.

“Grandma, why are you crying?” Yue Xi climbed up onto a chair and gently patted He Juan’s cheek. “I’ll wipe them for you.”

“Grandma’s not crying. You’re so good—Grandma’s just happy.” He Juan looked at the little girl’s face. So understanding at three years old. It was only a shame her father wasn’t around to see it.

“Grandma, are you missing Dad? I miss Dad too. Why doesn’t he take me to play anymore?” Yue Xi rested her little round face on her hand.

“Your dad… went far, far away. He…” He Juan’s eyes reddened again. “He misses you too, but he can’t come back…”

“Then I’ll go find him when I grow up. I’ll take him out to play.” Yue Xi didn’t understand the heavy atmosphere in the home. Everyone had told her that Shen Shao went far away, but she still missed her dad.

“Okay, okay. Xiao Ling is such a good girl. You’ll understand everything one day. Grandma will go cook for you now.” He Juan bit her lip to keep from crying aloud.

“Mm! Thank you, Grandma.” That was what the kindergarten teacher had taught—children should be polite.

Yue Xi snapped out of her memories, suddenly thinking of her grandma, who used to tell her stories and cook delicious food.

“Grandma… how is Grandma?” she asked.

“She’s doing okay, health-wise. But she can’t walk far, needs support to go anywhere,” Shen Wei held Yue Xi’s hand.

Yue Xi had so many lingering questions. Her memory was coming back in pieces—disjointed and unclear. “Grandpa, I remember bits and pieces, but it’s all scattered.”

“You’re grown now. There are things about our family that you deserve to know.” Shen Wei stood up and gestured toward Ning Ran in the distance. “Let’s go somewhere else. Too many people here—too much gossip.”

Yue Xi nodded and followed him. Soon, she saw Ning Ran and a well-built man walking toward them.

Ning Ran looked serious—different from usual. “Old Commander, this way.”

“Xiao Ling, you don’t know this person yet, but he’s been protecting you in secret all this time.” Shen Wei patted the man’s shoulder. “Ding Qiang.”

“Hello.” Ding Qiang extended his right hand.

Yue Xi shook it politely. “Hello, and thank you.”

“No need for introductions for Xiao Ning, right? She’s been with you every day, taking care of your life,” Shen Wei looked at Ning Ran with satisfaction.

“Big Sis, thank you.” Yue Xi gave her a warm hug.

“You…” Ning Ran hugged her back. “Let’s go. The car is ready.”

They arrived at a villa in the suburbs—modern in style, though unoccupied, the courtyard was well-maintained and clean.

Ning Ran opened the door with a key. “We bought this before coming back. I thought a bigger house might be more comfortable, but I was worried you wouldn’t agree, so we stayed in the old place.”

“You’re the best, Sis.” Yue Xi smiled radiantly.

“Hey now, that’s rare.” Ning Ran finally dropped her serious tone and leaned in close to whisper, “I know what’s on your mind—this is all for you two.”

“Seems my decision back then was the right one. You and Xiao Ning really hit it off. Seeing you get along like this puts me at ease,” Shen Wei said, pleased.

“Old Commander, it’s not what you think! I only treat Xiao Xi like my own sister.” Ning Ran frantically waved her hands, stammering.

“Good! That’s good!” Shen Wei simply wanted Yue Xi to live happily. If she wanted the stars, he’d find a way to fetch them for her. “At first I worried—you were just a kid yourself. Could you take care of another? But then, after reading your letters, my wife and I felt relieved. You’re a great benefactor to our family.”

“Old Commander, you give me too much credit. If you hadn’t taken me out of my broken home back then, I don’t know who I’d be now. I’m much happier now, and I have Xiao Xi as a sister,” Ning Ran said honestly.

“No more ‘Old Commander.’ It’s too distant. Just call me Grandpa, like Xiao Ling does.” Shen Wei looked at Ning Ran kindly.

“Yes… Grandpa.” Ning Ran was touched.

“Big Sis, we’re a family.” Yue Xi said, full of gratitude.

“Exactly. Qiangzi, don’t just stand there. Sit down.” Shen Wei noticed Ding Qiang still holding a tray of tea and frozen in place.

“Heh… thanks, Old Commander.” Ding Qiang scratched his head sheepishly.