Chapter 29: The Agreement Between the Zhou and Cai Families

The next day.

Zhou Chen carried a snake-skin bag and took a taxi to the Cai family estate. Inside the bag were pre-mixed traditional Chinese medicines, which his grandfather had instructed him to deliver to Cai Yameng’s grandfather.

Cai Yameng was waiting at the main gate. Seeing Zhou Chen arrive, she went to greet him. Zhou Chen had sent her a message while in the taxi, informing her that he would be visiting Elder Cai today. Cai Yameng did not look down on the medicinal herbs just because they were packed in a cheap bag. In fact, she had heard from her grandfather since she was a child that Zhou Chen’s grandfather possessed extraordinary medical skills and was a recluse of great talent.

She had even urged her father to visit the Zhou family to seek treatment for his cancer, but her father felt too guilty to face the elder. Moreover, he believed that since world-renowned cancer experts could not cure him, traditional Chinese medicine—even if it could provide some maintenance—would never offer a permanent cure. He felt it was better to avoid the embarrassment of being looked at differently by the Zhou family.

The walk from the front gate to Elder Cai’s residence took several minutes. Along the way, Cai Yameng glanced at Zhou Chen from time to time, feeling that his temperament had changed; he seemed increasingly self-assured. As an ordinary person, his ability to remain composed in the face of the Cai family’s luxurious estate was proof of his remarkable character.

Contrary to what Zhou Chen had imagined, Elder Cai’s residence was an old house with a strong sense of history. Armed guards stood at the entrance. They only allowed Zhou Chen to pass after confirming that neither he nor his bag contained any dangerous items.

"Grandpa, Zhou Chen is here."

A thin, elderly man appeared. He looked to be in his nineties, radiating an aura of decay and twilight. Yet, his eyes were sharp and piercing; having been a soldier, his heroic spirit remained intact despite his frail body.

Zhou Chen cupped his hands in a traditional salute. "Elder Cai, I am the grandson of Zhou Guangxi. I am here today at my grandfather's request to deliver some medicinal herbs to help nourish your health."

A smile appeared on Cai Zhongying’s wrinkled face. "So you are the grandson of my old friend Guangxi. You look just like he did when he was young; no wonder I felt a sense of closeness the moment I saw you."

The guard standing beside Cai Zhongying couldn't help but take a few extra looks at Zhou Chen. Having served the old man for many years, this was the first time he had ever heard him express a sense of affinity for a young person. He was used to seeing rich heirs who were all flash and no substance, political heirs who were hypocritical and treacherous, and military heirs who, while better, were often stern and cold. This young man, dressed in plain clothes, had managed to make the elder want to bridge the distance between them immediately.

Zhou Chen held a natural respect for the veterans who had defended the nation and protected its people. "I came today to bring you greetings from my grandfather, and he also asked me to check your pulse and see how your health has been in recent years."

Cai Zhongying nodded, smiling. "Guangxi has a worthy successor. It seems your medical skills surpass your father's."

As he spoke, Cai Zhongying extended his wrist. The guard hesitated, his hand hovering near his waist, ready to draw his weapon if anything seemed amiss. Cai Zhongying waved his other hand, signaling the guard to stand down, not wanting to dampen the young man’s spirits.

Zhou Chen placed his fingers on Cai Zhongying’s wrist. He pressed gently, locating the *guan*, *cun*, and *chi* positions, corresponding to his index, middle, and ring fingers. After checking both wrists, Zhou Chen nodded slightly, signaling he was finished. He now understood everything about Cai Zhongying’s condition.

Cai Zhongying felt a flicker of nervousness. Though he did not fear death, every extra day he lived meant the Cai family remained strong. "Little Chen, how is it? How much longer does this old bag of bones have?"

Zhou Chen shook his head. "Pulse reading can only reveal your current physical condition; it cannot predict your remaining lifespan. Your overall health is acceptable, but you have several old injuries. One of them is located in your liver, which is affecting your body’s detoxification function. Have you been feeling weak, tired, and lethargic lately? Do you lack an appetite, feel nauseous, or find yourself wanting to vomit at the sight of greasy food?"

Cai Zhongying’s eyes lit up; Zhou Chen was exactly right. "Yes, yes! My appetite has been terrible lately. I don't even have a taste for the braised lion's head meatballs I used to love." He sighed, recalling the past. "Back when we were fighting the Japanese invaders, I took a bullet to the liver. If not for the timely emergency surgery, this old body would have been left on the battlefield back then."

Cai Zhongying then asked, "Is there a way to permanently heal these old wounds? It’s not that I’m afraid of death, but I’ve finally reached a time of peace, and it’s truly miserable not being able to enjoy a meal."

Seeing the hopeful, childlike gaze of the old man, Zhou Chen smiled gently. "Don't worry. My grandfather knew your condition, which is why the herbs he asked me to bring include ones specifically for nourishing the liver. However, for the next two months, try to avoid greasy and spicy foods so as not to burden your liver. Once it has recovered, you will not only have a better appetite but will be able to eat whatever you like."

Cai Zhongying promised repeatedly, "Of course, of course, I will watch my diet! The problem is, even if I wanted to eat right now, I just don't have the stomach for it!"

Watching Zhou Chen play the part of a "little divine doctor" and getting her grandfather to listen as obediently as a schoolboy, Cai Yameng found it hard to believe. Was this truly the high school classmate she had known for three years? How did she not know he could read pulses and treat illnesses? Suddenly, a mysterious filter seemed to settle over Zhou Chen in her eyes.

The rest of the time was spent in pleasant conversation. Cai Yameng couldn't even get a word in and could only silently pour tea for the two of them. As the old man and the young man chatted, they inevitably touched upon the conflict between Zhou Chen’s generation and that of Cai Yameng’s father.

"This matter is my fault, and I apologize to your family. I never imagined that my Cai family would repay kindness with ingratitude. It is a disgrace to the family name," Cai Zhongying said, clearly filled with self-reproach, his clouded eyes even brimming with tears.

The older generation valued honor and loyalty above all else. Zhou Guangxi was both a savior and a close friend to Cai Zhongying, and the fact that his own son had deeply wounded the son of his benefactor left him feeling guilty and ashamed. Yet, he was helpless, as his child was already grown.

Cai Zhongying looked at his granddaughter, then at Zhou Chen, and his eyes lit up. He took a sip of tea to clear his throat. "Little Chen, you’re an adult now, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Cai Zhongying asked, feigning indifference, "Have you ever been in a relationship?"

Zhou Chen nodded. "I was in one, but I met the wrong person, and we’ve already broken up."

Cai Zhongying looked pleased. "Good, it’s good that you broke up." Seeing Zhou Chen’s puzzled look, he coughed. "I mean, the end of one relationship is the beginning of another. You will meet someone better next time."

The words made Zhou Chen think of Gu Zhaoyue. He smiled. "Yes, the next one will be better."

Cai Zhongying changed the subject. "By the way, did your grandfather ever mention the agreement between the Cai family and the Zhou family?"

Zhou Chen was confused. "What agreement?"

Cai Zhongying coughed again. "It seems he didn't tell you. I actually had an agreement with your grandfather that if our children were a boy and a girl, they would be joined in marriage. Unfortunately, both families had boys, so we had to push the agreement to the next generation."

Zhou Chen’s mouth twitched. He hadn't expected to have such a romantic entanglement. But he felt absolutely nothing for Cai Yameng. He refused immediately, "Elder Cai, times have changed. The era of arranged marriages is a thing of the past. An arranged marriage would not bring happiness to either me or Cai Yameng."

Cai Zhongying was momentarily stunned. Over the past few years, countless heirs from wealthy and powerful families had pursued his granddaughter. While some were motivated by interest, many were genuine admirers. If Zhou Chen had agreed, regardless of what Cai Yameng thought, Cai Zhongying would have insisted on the marriage. After all, he had already failed the Zhou family once; he could not fail them again. This was a debt the Cai family owed, and it had to be repaid.