When Xu Qingtong saw his maternal uncle, things were not as his older female cousin had described. The old man was perfectly lucid. Seeing Xu Qingtong arrive, Chen Jialiang put down his book and said mildly, "You're back, Qingtong!"
"Uncle, I was away for ten whole years to save Senior Sister, unable to stay by your side and attend to you. Please punish me!" Xu Qingtong walked over to Chen Jialiang and spoke respectfully.
"How is that girl from the Du Household now?" Chen Jialiang asked.
"Don't worry, Uncle. She's fully recovered! She'll come to see you in a few days!"
Chen Jialiang murmured in acknowledgment, then said, "Qingtong, to see you once more while I'm still alive-the heavens have treated me well. I have no regrets left in this life!"
"What are you saying, Uncle? You still have a long life ahead of you! You'll live another eight or ten years and be just as hale and hearty as you are now!"
"There's no need to comfort me. I know my own condition! I don't have much time left. It's just that not being able to see you marry that girl from the Du Household and have a little rascal of your own leaves a small blemish on an otherwise perfect picture!"
"Uncle, are you getting confused? Senior Sister Du is my senior sister. She isn't betrothed to me!" Xu Qingtong protested.
"Boy, I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. I wouldn't misjudge someone! I don't care whether you're betrothed. That girl from the Du Household is absolutely a good match for you! Take your uncle's advice: once you let some people slip away, you'll never get another chance!"
Xu Qingtong fell silent and said nothing for a long time.
When he returned from his uncle's place, Xu