Chen's grand mansion.
Xena finished taking Qiushou Chen's pulse and smiled, instructing softly: "Mr. Qiushou, you must behave from now on. Don't be mischievous anymore, or I won't look after you!"
"Xena, don't leave this time. Please stay here," Qiushou Chen said, his voice laced with yearning.
Xena smiled: "I won't leave, Grandpa."
Then she glanced at Fyren: "I've made a friend here, so I'll stay."
"That's good. That's good. Xena, do you have a sweetheart yet? Grandpa can introduce a young man to you."
Xena was both amused and exasperated: "Grandpa, just focus on recovering."
Fyren nodded, chiding gently: "Listen—take good care of yourself and get better, okay?"
Xena said: "Mr. Qiushou, rest now. I need to leave. There are company matters, and I must go to the pharmaceutical factory today."
"Right, Xena. Start dating early. Youth fades quickly!"
Fyren grew impatient: "Why do you talk so much? Just focus on your recovery."
Xena swatted Fyren lightly and whispered crossly: "Don't be disrespectful to the elderly."
She turned back to Qiushou Chen: "Grandpa, I'm off now!"
Fyren said: "Alright, get well soon. I'm leaving too."
Xena pushed him back: "Why are you leaving? You haven't talked enough. Mr. Qiushou misses you the most. You should stay and chat with Grandpa."
Fyren made a face: "What would I say to him? He's spaced out right now, isn't he?"
Xena shot him a glare and left.
Fyren rubbed his chin and approached Qiushou Chen.
Qiushou Chen weakly stretched out his hand: "My grandson, come here so Grandpa can have a look!"
Fyren lazily pulled over a chair, slouched into it, and reluctantly extended one hand: "Fine, but just for a bit. I don't have much time."
Qiushou Chen held Fyren's hand, exhaled softly, and smiled: "My grandson is so handsome."
"Ugh, handsome—what does that matter now? I'm getting old."
Qiushou Chen wasn't offended. He kept smiling, rubbing Fyren's hand back and forth.
Fyren tried to pull away: "Oh, stop that—you're acting strange, just like last time."
"Grandson, have you made up with Cora?"
Fyren stiffened: "Grandpa, that's ancient history. We broke up over three years ago! It's done! From now on, she's her, I'm me—no one should interfere with each other. You shouldn't keep telling people you miss me. I'm not your biological grandson. You have two real grandsons. Why fixate on me?"
Qiushou Chen sighed: "They're not capable, Fyren. Grandpa just likes you..."
Fyren looked utterly defeated.
This old man was delirious. Nothing he said made sense.
What Fyren didn't know was that the room was under surveillance—unobstructed, 24/7.
At that moment, Bin Chen and Cora were watching the monitor, observing how visitors interacted with Qiushou Chen. One reason was to ensure visitors treated the old man well; the other was to see if any interaction might jolt loose forgotten memories.
The old man had already shown signs of dementia, forgetting many faces.
Fyren's behavior made Bin Chen and Cora furious enough to explode.
Qiushou Chen had always adored Fyren most. He'd held the boy in his arms since infancy. What a strange twist of fate.
It was at Fyren's full - moon banquet that Qiushou Chen took him as his adopted grandson. Back then, Qiushou Chen was in his prime, wielding immense power. In Crystalpeak City, his every move could shake the entire Northlandia.
He'd been like a godfather then, with well - wishers flocking from all directions, everyone currying favor. He'd been revered by all.
Sadly, more than twenty years had passed, and the hero had aged. The era had ended his glory, leaving him with a frail body.
But Qiushou Chen still remembered Fyren. He recalled that when Fyren was born, the first word he uttered wasn't "Dad" or "Mom," but "Grandpa"—and it happened right in Qiushou Chen's arms on the full - moon day.
Everyone was astonished. Even Hong Zhang joked with a hint of jealousy: "Dammit, this brat didn't call me 'Dad' once, but today he suddenly calls 'Grandpa'! Maybe I should just send him to the Chens to raise."
Qiushou Chen, a master of diplomacy, had quickly replied: "Hong, this child and I share a bond. If you really give him to me, I'd be overjoyed! Hahaha, I'll take him as my adopted grandson. I'll cover all his expenses from infancy to adulthood."
Thus, thanks to the newborn Fyren, the relationship between the two families mended.
Time passed. More than twenty years later, Fyren had grown into a tall, robust man, president of Dasheng Group.
But Qiushou Chen was now a shadow of his former self, lying there, his past glory faded.
And the child who'd once called him "Grandpa" was now impatient with the old man. How heartless!
Bin Chen was livid: "This is outrageous! A cold - blooded wretch! Everyone in Crystalpeak City knows the Chens practically raised him, and now... now he acts like this!"
Cora lowered her head, watching Fyren sit there, impatiently jiggling his leg. Her heart ached.
Qiushou Chen kept rambling about the old days. When people age, they tend to tell young folks about their youth.
But young people rarely have the patience for such tales—especially a high - achieving, busy young man like Fyren, who had no time for stories of bygone eras.
"Enough, enough, Grandpa," Fyren interrupted. "That's enough reminiscing. Just rest and get better, okay?... Don't overthink. Stay grounded and live to ninety - nine. I've got company business, so I'm leaving."
Qiushou Chen looked heartbroken, clutching Fyren's coat tightly. "Fyren, please stay and talk a while. I've missed you so much these days."
"What do you want me to do? You have your own grandsons to call—you're not short of grandchildren. I've been swamped all day; how can I have time to keep you company?"
"Fyren!" Qiushou Chen's voice suddenly turned mournful. "I know... I'm dying."
Fyren flinched. "What are you talking about?"
"They all lie to me, but I know. Xena is the kindest, but even she can only do so much."
Fyren sighed wearily. "You've lived a glorious life. Can't you let go of such trivial worries? Don't be afraid. Good people go to heaven."
In the control room, Bin Chen exploded. "Is that human speech? The Chen family might as well keep a dog! This heartless wretch—send someone to throw Fyren out! I want Dad to live longer! That bastard is driving me mad!"
Cora suddenly tensed. "Wait, Dad."
"What?"
Fyren had reached the door when Qiushou Chen's frail voice drifted after him.
"Fyren, watch your step—don't fall. Grandpa is leaving. If you face business troubles, go to your uncle. Men must be broad - minded, not obsessed with gains. Business has ups and downs; life is the same. I'm old and useless... Oh, and I can tell Cora still cares for you. As a man, be the bigger person and apologize first..."
"When I was young, I chased beautiful women too, hehe—just foolishness. Men crave money, power, beauty... But only one family matters. We've had luxuries ordinary people can't imagine, but most of our families are broken. You can be confused in youth, but in old age, you need someone truly devoted... Cora, cough—Cora..."
Fyren stood frozen, like a statue.
The old man's coughing grew violent. Fyren whirled, his outstretched hands trembling, eyes red - rimmed. "Grandpa, take it easy. I'm not leaving. Let's talk slowly."
"Ah? You're staying?"
Fyren choked back tears, forcing a smile. "Yes, I'm staying."
Cora's throat tightened as she zoomed the camera, capturing the tears in Fyren's eyes.
Bin Chen's rage faded, muttering, "At least he has a soul."
Fyren clasped Qiushou Chen's hand. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. Maybe I... I've been a monster, unworthy of your kindness."
Qiushou Chen smiled, a tear trickling from the corner of his eye. "Fyren, among all the children, your heart is purest. Grandpa wasn't wrong. Remember when you were eleven—no, twelve? I gave you that puppy. When it died, you cried so hard no one could console you. You spent over two million from your allowance on its funeral. Adults didn't know whether to laugh or cry."
Fyren smiled ruefully. "I had no sense of money as a kid."
"Your parents raised you well. You're not like other rich kids. Your heart was always good. That's why Grandpa loved you."
Fyren let out a long breath. "Grandpa, can I visit you often from now on?"
"Ah? Really? That's great! Hahaha!" Qiushou Chen grew extremely excited. "Grandpa loves chatting with you. I know, all young people avoid me—Grandpa isn't fooling himself. But when you get old, you just gravitate toward young folks. I don't want to hold you back, though. I know you're busy..."
Fyren felt a surge of guilt.
"Grandpa, let's not talk about that. Hey, I just remembered—have you heard the Leng family has been making waves lately?"
"Ah? No idea! What's happening?"
Fyren filled him in. At the mention of business, Qiushou Chen visibly perked up, launching into a flurry of comments:
"Elton Leng has no real ambition. His father could rein him in, but the old man's been gone a while, hasn't he? Mark my words—trouble's brewing."
"His daughter, though—she's a force. What's her name?"
"Eliza."
"Right! I've always seen fire in that girl. She's fearless and independent, but no one takes her seriously. If she gains more experience, she'll outshine her father a hundredfold."
"Grandpa, your eye for talent is spot-on. Eliza just acquired majority shares and became chairman of First Holding."
"Wait, that doesn't add up. Her experience is too shallow. Someone must be pulling strings behind the scenes."
Fyren's heart skipped a beat. This old fox is sharper than ever!
He said, "Grandpa, do you think I should acquire Qianfeng?"
Qiushou Chen chuckled. "You little rascal—asking me questions to test me, eh?"
Fyren wondered, Is he really senile, or playing a role? Does he still see through everything? He's a living legend—I need to learn from him.