Chapter 93: Old Qi, Don’t Say Your Son Doesn’t Care About You!
“I was out recruiting students this time, and coincidentally, I came across a little girl. At first glance, she seemed oddly familiar. After some contemplation, he asked the old man, wasn’t she your daughter when she was younger?” Professor Wu asked the old man.
Professor Wu and the old man had known each other for a long time. In fact, the old man’s daughter had been raised under Professor Wu’s care.
“As I inquired further, I discovered that the girl’s last name is also Lian. Can you believe it?”
Professor Wu was quite surprised too. When he saw Lian Qingxue, he experienced an indescribable sense of familiarity and affection. Who could have thought that she might be the descendant of an old friend?
“She… surnamed Lian?”
The old man sat in the chair, gripping the armrest tightly. His veins bulged, and he asked, “How is she doing?”
“She’s doing very well. She relied on herself to get into our university in the capital city, ranking second in the province. She’s exceptionally outstanding…” However, there’s one thing, Old Lian. I hope you don’t get too upset. She grew up in an orphanage.” Professor Wu said.
The old man remained stunned, struggling to find the right words to express his emotions. After a while, he managed to force a bitter smile and said, “I had suspected it for a long time. After all these years of searching, there couldn’t be any other explanation…”
Professor Wu understood the old man’s words and sighed inwardly, acknowledging his difficult journey.
Old Lian came from a scholarly family, not an aristocratic clan, but he had a comfortable life except for his family, which was not so harmonious. His parents had passed away early, and his wife had died young. Only his daughter remained.
Old Lian had lavished love and care for his daughter, who was also beautiful. Who could have imagined that Lian’s daughter would fall in love with one of Old Lian’s students when she turned twenty? Not only that, but she even became pregnant before marriage.
As an old father, Old Lian was shocked. He scolded his daughter severely for a moment, unwilling to accept her marriage like this.
Who could have expected that his daughter, who was also headstrong, would choose to elope when faced with Old Lian’s disapproval? She left, and there has been no news from her since.
Professor Wu knew that Old Lian had grown up in such a family that he had a somewhat old-fashioned and conservative mindset.
After raising his precious daughter for twenty years, facing such an incident, which father wouldn’t be angry?
After his daughter left, Old Lian didn’t know how much he regretted it. But after so many years, what use was there in regret?
His daughter wouldn’t come back.
“Do… Do you have her photo?” Old Lian’s heart was filled with complex emotions, hoping but fearing disappointment.
“I don’t have a photo, but an interview with her online,” Professor Wu replied.
Professor Wu opened the interview video on the computer in Lian’s house. When Lian Qingxue appeared on the screen, Old Lian became excited.
“Exactly the same! Exactly like my little girl when she was young!”
In an instant, Old Lian confirmed the connection between Lian Qingxue and himself.
He greedily watched the video, playing it over and over again. But by the end, his expression turned somber.
“… Does she have a boyfriend?” Old Lian looked at Qi Yun in the video, feeling particularly unhappy.
“Cough, didn’t you hear what they said? This Qi Yun is the top scorer in the province!”
“Hmph! My little granddaughter is only eighteen!”
“Old Lian, think about how her daughter left!” Only because Professor Wu and Old Lian had known each other for so many years he dared to advise like this.
Old Lian fell silent for a moment, looking at Qi Yun, still displeased.
“What’s so good about him? My granddaughter is so beautiful…”
“Hehe, don’t talk nonsense. Can someone who tops the province’s exams not be outstanding?”
“What does being the top scorer mean? It’s like I’ve never seen one before…”
Old Lian’s tone was a bit twisted. He wasn’t unaware that being the top scorer meant little to the university, but it was the highest honor for a student.
“Besides, your granddaughter looks good. Is Qi Yun ugly?” Professor Wu asked Old Lian.
“Well… He’s just average!” Old Lian said even more awkwardly, unwilling and unsatisfied.
“Don’t blame me if I didn’t advise you. I’ve heard that your granddaughter didn’t have a happy life and her living conditions weren’t good. Her boyfriend helped her, making her the lively and cheerful person she is now. Think about it, does she like you or her boyfriend more?” After Professor Wu finished speaking, Old Lian froze.
“Furthermore, you say she’s your granddaughter, but does she recognize it? You might have to ask Qi Yun to put in a good word for you!”
A fatal blow.
Old Lian finally remembered that he had driven his daughter away back then. Leaving his granddaughter as an orphan had been a heart-wrenching decision for Old Lian. Now, after eighteen long years without any contact, he couldn’t help but wonder if she would even recognize him. The uncertainty filled him with doubt, and he lacked the confidence to face her.
Did he really have to please this young man?
Old Lian was torn!
“I… I’ve finally found my granddaughter, and if she has a boyfriend, the time for our grandfather-granddaughter reunion will only be a few years. How can that be enough?” Old Lian said in distress.
Of course, I don’t want my granddaughter to have a boyfriend so early.
We haven’t even enjoyed the joy of being a close-knit family!
Professor Wu looked at Old Lian’s stubborn expression and scratched his head.
Had he dug a pit for Qi Yun?
Old Lian’s name was quite influential in the University of the Capital. Since his daughter left, Old Lian had thrown himself into teaching, probably to alleviate his grief.
He refused to take up any administrative positions in the university, such as becoming a dean. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to teaching.
During that time, he also participated in several major national projects.
Old Lian seemed to lack power and influence for nearly twenty years, but his students were spread all over. His influence was not insignificant.
Many of his students became officials and businessmen or made a name for themselves.
Not to mention that the current president of the University of the Capital had attended Old Lian’s classes.
As Qi Yun, a University of the Capital student, had caught his attention…
Danger!
……
Professor Wu sat for a while, seeing that Old Lian was restless, knowing that his emotions were still running high, and he didn’t stay long before taking his leave.
After he left, Old Lian stood up and walked through the quadrangle courtyard and arrived at the room door.
He stood there for a long time before finally pushing open the door.
Inside was a room full of girlish atmosphere. The bed, dressing table, desk, and chairs were neatly arranged and clean as if someone had been living here all along.
On the dressing table, there was a photo in a frame.
The photo showed a girl who was remarkably similar to Lian Qingxue. She smiled at the camera, radiating youth and beauty.
Old Lian picked up the photo and gently caressed it, remaining silent for a long time.
……
Qi Yun had no idea that someone was clenching their teeth and cursing his name. He swaggered back home and flopped down on the sofa, pushing aside his father, who was reading the newspaper.
Qi’s father: ???
What’s wrong? Have you become a top scorer with a long butt? Can’t fit on half of the sofa?
Qi Yun patted his father’s shoulder and said, “Old Qi, from now on, don’t say your son doesn’t care about you!”
Qi Dad: ……
Today was a sunny and beautiful day. The sky was clear, and an excellent day to spank his son.
Unexpectedly, the feeling of being a top scorer wasn’t bad. He was quite excited!