Let him go?
Hearing Ye Qiu’s words, Qian Weidong’s eyes widened, glaring at Ye Qiu as if to say, “Are you still one of us?”
Guo Yuting looked at Ye Qiu in disbelief, a trace of resentment in her heart. Is this how you persuade people?
Even Old Master Qian glanced at Ye Qiu in surprise, his voice trembling, “Ye Qiu…”
Ye Qiu sighed, “There are countless ailments in the world, but heartbreak is the hardest to cure.”
“I may be a medical sage, able to treat all sorts of diseases, but heartbreak is the most terminal of terminal illnesses.”
Qian Weidong retorted instantly, “I don’t believe it.”
“What heartbreak? Isn’t it just liking someone and failing to win them over?”
“There are millions of women in the world. Why hang yourself on one tree?”
“In short, I won’t let this wretched boy become a monk. Even if I have to tie him up, I’ll keep him at home.”
“If you don’t let me go, I’ll die right here,” Qian Duoduo said, pulling a fruit knife from his pocket and pressing it to his neck.
Qian Weidong jumped in fright, “You wretched boy, what are you doing!”
Guo Yuting cried, “Duoduo, put the knife down. Let’s talk this over calmly.”
Old Master Qian’s eyelids twitched. He saw determination in Qian Duoduo’s eyes.
“I’ve decided to join the Buddhist path. If you don’t agree, I’ll end it here.”
As Qian Duoduo spoke, he pressed slightly harder, and a cut appeared on his neck, blood seeping out.
“You… you…” Qian Weidong was shocked and furious, too angry to speak.
Ye Qiu said, “Heartbreak wounds the spirit most deeply. The worst thing isn’t physical death, but a dead heart.”
“The trials of love have already killed Duoduo’s attachment to worldly passions. Even if he doesn’t become a monk, he’ll be a walking corpse.”
“Besides, Duoduo has found enlightenment. Becoming a monk might not be a bad thing.”
Hearing this, Qian Duoduo looked up at Ye Qiu, thinking, “Cousin, you get me!”
“No way,” Qian Weidong said. “The Qian family is a century-old scholarly household. If he becomes a monk, won’t Suzhou’s high society laugh us to death?”
“How will Yuting and I face people?”
“And the old master, a renowned scholar, his grandson a monk? Where’s the face in that?”
Ye Qiu said, “Uncle, can you bear to watch Duoduo die in front of you?”
“I…” Qian Weidong was at a loss for words.
Guo Yuting wept, “Duoduo, I beg you, as long as you don’t become a monk, I’ll agree to anything you want.”
Qian Duoduo remained unmoved, “My mind is made up. You’d better agree, or I’ll die right now.”
Old Master Qian suddenly spoke, “Fine, fine, let him go!”
Qian Weidong hurriedly said, “Father, no! He’s the only male heir of our third generation. If he leaves, who’ll carry on the family line?”
Old Master Qian looked up at the sky, tears streaming down his cheeks, “What sin have I committed to have such a grandson? What misfortune for our family!”
In that moment, Old Master Qian was overwhelmed with emotion. Fearing he might faint from anger, Ye Qiu quietly channelled some true energy to calm him.
Old Master Qian’s emotions settled, and he said, “Looking at history’s dynasties and great families, none escape the fate of decline.”
“Our Qian family has lasted a hundred years, no small feat. If the line ends, so be it.”
“When I die and face our ancestors in the underworld, I’ll take the blame…”
Ye Qiu suddenly spoke, “I understand now. Whether it’s Grandfather or Uncle, your main concern about Duoduo becoming a monk is the family line.”
“Actually, this is an easy problem to solve.”
Everyone turned to Ye Qiu.
“Ye Qiu, what’s your solution?” Old Master Qian asked urgently.
Ye Qiu smiled at Qian Weidong and Guo Yuting, “Uncle, Aunt, I suggest you have another child.”
What!
Qian Weidong and Guo Yuting blushed instantly. At their age, could they still have a child?
Besides, wouldn’t that be a joke?
Ye Qiu said, “Uncle, Aunt, are you feeling embarrassed?”
“It’s no big deal. The gambling tycoon had kids in his seventies, and a foreign pianist became a father in his eighties. At your age, having another child is no problem at all.”
Qian Duoduo chimed in, “I think Cousin’s suggestion is great.”
“You know nothing!” Qian Weidong snapped. “You think raising a child is easy? You think I can just have one whenever I want?”
“A man’s in his prime at forty-one. You’re in your peak years, why can’t you?” Qian Duoduo paused, then added, “Dad, are you saying you can’t?”
“Shut up!” Qian Weidong’s face turned red with anger, itching to slap Qian Duoduo. “If you weren’t so set on becoming a monk, would we be in this mess?”
Ye Qiu persuaded Guo Yuting, “Aunt, consider my suggestion.”
“The Qian family isn’t thriving. If you have another child, I’m sure Grandfather would be delighted.”
“Right, Grandfather?”
Old Master Qian nodded, “Ye Qiu’s proposal is good. I agree! Weidong, Yuting, get to it.”
Qian Weidong said bitterly, “Dad, we really can’t.”
Guo Yuting bit her lip, “Dad, you might be disappointed. We wanted another child before, but Weidong’s strength just isn’t…”
“Weidong really can’t?” Old Master Qian’s face fell. “It seems heaven wants to end our Qian family’s line!”
“Grandfather, no need to worry,” Ye Qiu smiled. “Have you forgotten what I do?”
“With my medical skills, I can definitely help Uncle.”
“Uncle, I’ll treat you later, guarantee you’ll be full of vigour. Forget one child, you could have a whole bunch.”
“Are you serious?” Qian Weidong was excited.
“Would I lie about this?” Ye Qiu laughed. “Trust me, I’ll make it happen.”
Thud!
Qian Weidong kicked Qian Duoduo, cursing, “You wretched boy, don’t you want to be a monk? Why are you still here? Get lost, you’re an eyesore.”
Guo Yuting added, “Duoduo, Tianlong Temple is far from Suzhou. You’d better get going!”
Old Master Qian shouted, “Scram!”
Qian Duoduo was depressed. Just moments ago, you were begging me to stay. How did you turn so cold so fast?
“Grandpa, Dad, Mum, take care. I’m leaving!”
Qian Duoduo kowtowed three times, then left the courtyard.
“I’ll see him off,” Ye Qiu said, chasing after him to the gate.
“Cousin, no need to see me off. Go back!” Qian Duoduo said.
Ye Qiu ignored him, looking at a nearby tree. “Master Du’e, come out!”
Whoosh!
Master Du’e jumped down from the tree, pressed his palms together, and said, “Amitabha! This old monk greets Benefactor Ye!”
Ye Qiu asked, “Master, you’ve been here a while. Why didn’t you come in?”
Master Du’e smiled faintly, “This old monk was afraid of getting beaten!”
