Chapter 17: Father

Dai Linxuan strolled around the cemetery for a bit and was preparing to leave when he received a call from Dai Songxue, reminding him that today was the day they had agreed to visit Father together.

“I won’t forget.” Dai Linxuan gave the neat tombstone one last glance and said warmly, “Grandpa, it’s windy today. Put on an extra layer before you head out.”

The hemiplegic old man responded with effort: “E-eat… know.”

Dai Linxuan asked, “Grandpa, have you eaten breakfast?”

Dai Songxue said, “Together.”

Dai Linxuan left the cemetery and walked toward the car parked by the roadside. “Of course we’ll eat lunch together, but you can’t skip breakfast. It’s a two-hour drive from the old residence to the sanatorium. Your stomach can’t handle it.”

“G-good… good.” Dai Songxue on the other end seemed to want to smile, but because he couldn’t control his facial muscles, he let out a strange hum instead.

Dai Linxuan gave a few more instructions, ones that anyone would find considerate and filial.

He hung up the phone, bent down to get into the car, and said, “To Hai’an Sanatorium.”

“Linxuan, do you want to grab something to eat?” Liu Zeng asked. “I saw a lot of breakfast shops on the road we just came from. We can buy some to eat in the car.”

Dai Linxuan propped his elbow on the car door, his fingertips lightly scraping across his throat. “Never mind, it’s inconvenient.”

Liu Zeng didn’t press further. He knew that for someone like Dai Linxuan, raised immersed in propriety and etiquette, eating in the car was an extremely rude affair.

The car headed toward the eastern part of the city, leaving the cemetery nestled amid green hills and clear waters behind. Stray sunlight glinted off the glass of tall buildings, casting flowing light onto Dai Linxuan’s face and gilding it with a faint golden edge.

He resembled a perfect jade carving—serene and dazzling.

Unfortunately, the sunlight was soon blocked by the sanatorium building, casting a layer of gray over Dai Linxuan’s face. He didn’t rush to get out of the car. Instead, he called out, “Uncle Zeng.”

Liu Zeng responded.

Dai Linxuan said, “From now on, don’t tell Xiao Li about my daily routine or eating habits.”

Liu Zeng was stunned for a moment. “If he asks…”

Dai Linxuan looked into the central rearview mirror, meeting Liu Zeng’s eyes. “Just say everything’s fine, with occasional fluctuations.”

“What if he asks about other things?”

“Let him know about anything harmless. As for the rest, Uncle Zeng, you should know how to handle it.” Dai Linxuan opened the car door. “From now on.”

“…Okay.”

Liu Zeng pondered for a moment, unsure whether Dai Linxuan didn’t want his younger brother to worry or if, as the recent media reports suggested, there was truly a rift between the brothers.

The sanatorium had a great environment. Unlike hospitals filled with the smell of disinfectant, this place was backed by mountains and bordered by water, with flowers and birds everywhere. Even the staff were all fresh-faced and attractive, making it feel more like a vacation manor than a medical facility.

“Mr. Dai, this way please.”

In bed 303, Dai Enhao sat in a supportive chair facing a window lush with greenery, while a nurse fed him nearby.

Knock knock—

Dai Linxuan’s footsteps were light. The nurse jumped at the sound. “Mr. Dai.”

“Sorry for startling you unintentionally.” Dai Linxuan took the bowl from her hands. “Take a break. I can handle this.”

The nurse’s face flushed slightly. “Alright. Ring the bell if you need anything.”

As she turned the corner at the door, the nurse glanced back. Dai Linxuan was bent over, scooping food to feed into Dai Enhao’s mouth. Some of it spilled without being swallowed, making his chin sticky. Dai Linxuan didn’t mind at all; he patiently wiped it clean with a handkerchief.

Twelve years, just like this. Truly filial.

Combined with his outstanding abilities, superior looks, and upright character, he was the ideal partner in the eyes of anyone attracted to men. Unfortunately, with no reference samples, the outside world still had no idea what type this young master of the Dai family preferred.

The nurse’s footsteps faded away. Dai Linxuan called out, “Dad.”

Dai Enhao’s eyes shifted, looking toward the young man before him.

“The year you had your accident, I’d just turned eighteen.” Dai Linxuan scooped up a spoonful of thin porridge. “In the blink of an eye, I’m thirty now.”

Dai Enhao couldn’t understand what he was saying at all. He only reacted to the food at his mouth, swallowing it as soon as it entered.

“The doctors say that although your condition is stable, the chances of waking up are minuscule.” Dai Linxuan wiped the corner of Dai Enhao’s mouth. “But I truly hope you wake up, live to a hundred, and keep me in check so I don’t waste my years and actually accomplish something.”

Outside the window, bird calls filtered through the green foliage. Faintly, a black car could be seen pulling in.

Dai Linxuan withdrew his gaze and coaxed like one would a child, “Let’s make a deal.

“Next spring, after it opens, it’ll be your sixtieth birthday. You strive to wake up before then, and I’ll strive to present a grand gift at your birthday celebration.

“You’re not speaking, so I’ll take that as agreement.”

Dai Linxuan cleared away the tray and called the nurse to take it out. Soon after, hurried footsteps accompanied by the rolling of a wheelchair approached from outside.

Dai Songxue arrived before his voice did: “En- Enhao…”

Dai Linxuan stepped aside half a pace. “Grandpa, Uncle Huang.”

After his stroke, Dai Songxue had become a firm believer in traditional Chinese medicine and always brought Huang Qisheng with him wherever he went.

Dai Songxue was wheeled up to his son. Perhaps due to emotional agitation, his usually limp hand gripped with surprising strength, causing Dai Enhao to show a reflexive withdrawal response.

“Dad… Dad, I’m sorry.” Dai Songxue’s chest heaved dramatically, leaving him short of breath for a moment. “Let that woman bully… bully you… for so many years!”

Dai Linxuan half-squatted and lightly patted Dai Songxue’s back. “Grandpa, don’t get worked up. Relax.”

Dai Songxue grabbed his wrist instead. “The doc… doctors, what do they say?”

“Twelve years now. Unless it’s a medical miracle, otherwise—” Dai Linxuan shook his head.

“You go ask.” Dai Songxue instructed Huang Qisheng. When he looked back at his son, his eyes were already red-rimmed. He asked in a daze, “I’m Dad. Do you… still… remember?”

Though Dai Enhao couldn’t move or respond to the outside world, he could eat, blink, and even focus his gaze on someone. Occasionally, it created the illusion that he was actually conscious.

If he responded with “I remember” right now, would Dai Songxue really be happy? Did Dai Songxue truly wish for his son to recover and call him Father again?

Probably not.

Dai Songxue spoke with difficulty but couldn’t stop rambling on, his words filled with guilt and remorse. He dragged Jiang Qiujun into it every now and then, cursing her venomously.

Dai Linxuan listened quietly, showing no reaction.

“Linxuan, come, hand…” The three generations clasped hands together, tears wetting Dai Songxue’s aged cheeks. “Luckily, there’s Lin- Linxuan. So much like you. Such a good… good child.”

Dai Linxuan let him hold on, lowering his eyes without a word.

Once Dai Songxue had vented his emotions, he suddenly lifted his gaze sharply. “Quick, Linxuan. For your dad… Dad… transfer him to another hospital!”

“Transfer to what hospital? Aren’t the conditions here good enough?” The speaker wasn’t Dai Linxuan, but the belated Jiang Qiujun.

Behind her trailed Dai Enhao’s siblings—Dai Linxuan’s uncles and aunts—followed by Dai Yi and her generation. Most were adults now, and the married ones had even brought their children.

Everyone knew Dai Songxue cared most about his eldest son Dai Enhao. With the family gathered, they all came to show their faces. A rough count put the crowd at twenty or thirty people.

Dai Linxuan greeted the elders one by one.

Dai Songxue craned his neck, glaring fiercely at Jiang Qiujun. “You hid… hid him away for twelve years!”

“How can you call it hiding? As his wife, I have the right and duty to provide him with the best care.” Jiang Qiujun smiled faintly. “Dad, don’t worry about it. Isn’t Enhao doing well?”

Dai Songxue turned red with anger, speechless.

Back when Dai Enhao’s car accident left him in a vegetative state, Jiang Qiujun had transferred him away. Aside from Dai Linxuan, Dai Yi, and herself, no one else could see him. Only during holidays would she graciously send a video call to the old residence, letting Dai Songxue catch a glimpse of his precious son.

Dai Second Uncle consoled him. “Big Brother looks pretty good. I asked the doctors—few vegetative patients live more than ten years. Big Sis-in-law hasn’t mistreated him.”

Dai Songxue angrily slapped the armrest, but his stroke left his arm limp and powerless, devoid of any authority. “If it weren’t… for that woman, how could Enhao…”

Dai Linxuan glanced at Dai Yi and interjected, “Grandpa, it’s a rare family gathering. Let Zilin and the others see Great-Grandpa first.”

Dai Linxuan’s words carried weight, temporarily quelling the tense atmosphere.

Among the youngest generation, the oldest child was only eleven and had never met Dai Enhao.

They approached one by one, affectionately calling out to this great-uncle they’d never met, even if no response came.

A few kids seemed rehearsed; as soon as they got close, their eyes reddened, and they cried out, “Great-Uncle, I feel so bad for you.”

It had a rather dramatic flair.

Jiang Qiujun’s expression remained flat, as if watching an unrelated play.

Dai Yi lowered her voice and sneered, “Such good acting at such a young age. Should send them to your company as child stars.”

Dai Linxuan said, “You weren’t bad yourself as a kid.”

“That was because Lai Li suddenly showed up, okay? He was rotten as a kid, always playing the victim or on his way to it, desperate for all your attention.” Dai Yi huffed a laugh. “If I didn’t use a few tricks, would I still have a big brother?”

“Great-Grandpa, wake up soon.” Dai Zilin, grandson of Dai Third Uncle and the most shrewd of the bunch, clung to Dai Enhao. “Grandpa misses you so much, and so do Dad and Great-Grandpa.”

Under their parents’ meaningful glances, the other kids piled on too, grabbing hands and arms until he was surrounded. If hugging legs weren’t improper, there’d probably be more clinging there.

Dai Linxuan wasn’t moved by the family affection. Along with Dai Yi, he quietly reminisced. “I was either balancing things or on my way to balance them. A drop too much on one side, and it was never quiet.”

Dai Yi had been lively and mischievous as a child. When aggrieved, she’d wail. Lai Li didn’t cry, but he knew exactly how to tug at heartstrings—what Dai Linxuan couldn’t resist.

The funniest part was that due to psychological issues, Lai Li could only sleep with Dai Linxuan at night. Dai Yi, unhappy, insisted on joining, but at ten, it was an age when boys and girls should sleep separately. She threw a tantrum—crying, fussing, even threatening to hang herself—until Jiang Qiujun dragged her away for the first beating of her life.

Afterward, sniffling, she grabbed a pair of scissors, aiming for Lai Li’s little pecker. “I can’t sleep with Brother? Neither can you!”

“If you hadn’t shown up, he’d be a eunuch now.” Dai Yi sounded a bit regretful. “I was only ten back then—no juvenile detention for me.”

Unfortunately, not only did she fail to snip it off, but she got the second beating of her life.

Dai Linxuan: “You two are quiet now.”

Dai Yi’s smile didn’t change. “Your heart’s not at home anymore. What’s there to fight over with him?”

“…”

The Dai family, four generations strong, spent the morning getting emotional around the hospital bed. Finally, amid pushing and shoving, they prepared to leave.

“I’ve booked a private room. It’s a ten-minute drive—you all go ahead.” Jiang Qiujun checked the time. “Linxuan, Xiao Yi, see everyone out.”

Once they were mostly gone, Jiang Qiujun sauntered over and pulled Dai Enhao’s hand from Dai Songxue’s grasp. “You’ve seen your precious son. Remember to keep your promise.”

Dai Songxue stared at her without speaking.

“Or welch on it—no big deal.” Jiang Qiujun didn’t care. “But I’m Enhao’s primary guardian. Whether transferring hospitals or pulling tubes, it all needs my signature.”

Dai Songxue gripped the wheelchair armrests tightly. “Most venomous… woman’s heart.”

“I think it’s fine.” Jiang Qiujun stepped to his side, spreading her fingers in a mock circle around his withered old neck. “If I were truly ruthless, you two father and son should’ve reunited underground long ago. How could you perform this happy family reunion in front of me?”

Dai Songxue’s body stiffened. “If I die, you get… nothing.”

Everyone else had left. Huang Qisheng had just been sent to find the attending physician, the bodyguards were outside the ward separated by a small living room, and his stroke left him unable even to shout for help.

Jiang Qiujun savored Dai Songxue’s tension before finally releasing her hand with a smile. “Just kidding. I’m a law-abiding citizen—haven’t even dodged taxes.”

Dai Songxue’s breathing remained tense.

Jiang Qiujun pulled out a share transfer agreement and patted his shoulder. “Remember to sign at the dinner table. You’re half a cripple now. If it’s deemed coercion with me there, it won’t look good.”

The contract clearly stated in black and white: Dai Songxue was to transfer five percent of shares to Dai Linxuan.

*

Dai Yi waited in the car. It was a good while before she saw Dai Linxuan approaching.

She scoffed. “You etiquette sticklers sure take your time. Washing hands takes ten minutes?”

Dai Linxuan got into the car and immediately closed his eyes. “Let’s head out. We’re going to eat.”

Dai Yi asked, “Do you know about it?”

Dai Linxuan replied, “Know what?”

Dai Yi propped up her face and tilted her head to look at Dai Linxuan. “Grandpa has tried every trick in the book these past years, but Mom never let him see Dad even once. Why did she suddenly give in this time?”

Dai Linxuan didn’t hide it. “He traded shares for it.”

Dai Yi’s expression shifted slightly, and she pulled her arm off the car door. “To you? All the shares under his name?”

Dai Linxuan said, “Don’t worry. Just five percent.”

“Five percent isn’t much? How many people in that group back there even have more than five percent?” If Dai Linxuan weren’t her brother, Dai Yi might have gone and bought a pair of scissors to castrate him right in front of the old man. “That patriarchal dead old geezer.”

It was one thing for Dai Songxue not to like Lai Li, but he didn’t even like his own granddaughter. Even in a deal, he was only willing to hand shares over to his precious grandson.

Dai Yi turned to face the window. “Mom would never play favorites like that.”

Dai Linxuan opened his eyes and gave her a calm glance.

More often than not, only the favored child believed there was no favoritism.

“If only Dad were awake. With him around, Grandpa’s bias wouldn’t be so blatant.” Dai Yi fell silent for a moment before continuing, “You know, last time at the Old Residence, all those juniors called out to him, but he didn’t respond to me alone.”

Dai Linxuan withdrew his gaze. “Don’t invest too many feelings in someone who doesn’t like you.”

“What about you?” Dai Yi turned to look at him. “If I had to fight you for it, would you still like me?”

Dai Linxuan paused before saying, “No matter what happens, you’re still my sister.”

“Really? You’d better be…” Dai Yi muttered to herself for a bit, then suddenly asked, “Why didn’t you bring Lai Li today?”

“Is he coming to recognize a father?”

“Fair point. He doesn’t even have the Dai surname… and he can’t take it.” Dai Yi let out a puff of laughter. “He could still come for a meal, though. It’s rare for everyone to gather like this.”

Dai Linxuan said, “He doesn’t like these big group dinners.”

“Neither do I.” Dai Yi fell quiet after that, staying silent all the way until the car stopped.

The innocent, lively little girl was gone, replaced by an adult who wore a mask and spoke in veiled terms.

Dai Linxuan got out slowly. As he bent over, he braced his hand against the black car door, making his skin look deathly pale, with the bluish veins standing out clearly.

Dai Yi glanced back and froze for a moment. “You…”

Dai Linxuan closed the car door and walked over with a composed expression. “Me what?”

Dai Yi wasn’t sure if she’d seen wrong. Dai Linxuan’s hand had seemed to be trembling just now… but it looked perfectly normal at the moment—clearly defined knuckles, slender and strong.

“…Nothing.”