Ji Xingmi didn't know her mumbling was overheard. She looked at the person opposite her with confusion, wondering why he suddenly smiled. Even Old Master Ye was there, fists clenched, smiling.
"You don't need to worry about your grandfather; there are other arrangements. Just stay put in the capital and don't let him worry!"
"Okay, I understand!"
"Xing'er, how is your Grandpa Hua's health?" Old Ye was still concerned about the old man's well-being and shifted the topic back.
"Not good, terrible!"
"This... how could this be!" Old Ye seemed so shocked that he sat down abruptly on the chair behind him, speechless.
In contrast, Hua Qingming remained smiling, as if they were talking about someone else's health, not his own.
"It seems I still have a chance, don't I!" Seeing Ji Xingmi's demeanor, Hua Qingming felt that although she was delivering bad news, she appeared to have a plan.
"Xing'er? Is that true? Can it be treated?" Hearing this, Old Ye also asked urgently.
"Well, it will take some time, and the patient must cooperate. Otherwise, even with my best medical skills, I can't do anything!"
"He'll listen, of course, he'll listen. If he doesn't, I'll hold him down, and you can give him the medicine!"
Hearing Old Master Ye's words, Ji Xingmi's lips twitched. She was utterly speechless. What was he saying? Wasn't he afraid of the person in front of him?
"Alright, alright. Specifically, how do you want me to cooperate? I can't disappear from the public eye for too long!"
"Grandpa Hua, do you truly understand your own condition?" Ji Xingmi saw him nod, assuming he had some awareness of his situation. "Grandpa Hua, your body is like a leaky house. Although there's a fire inside for warmth, the wind that blows in is too strong, rendering the fire useless. Moreover, your lungs have cancer! So, during this period, have you felt pain even when breathing?"
"Old Hua??" Old Ye exclaimed in shock upon hearing Ji Xingmi's words. Was he really that ill? Was he in pain even when breathing? How had he endured it without showing the slightest sign?
"Grandpa Hua, have you been unable to sleep lately?"
"Sigh~ I underestimated you. Then tell me, how much time do I have left? I'm not afraid of death; I'm just worried that after I'm gone, unfinished tasks might disappoint the people."
"Old Hua!"
"..." Ji Xingmi didn't know what to say. He wasn't afraid of death; he was merely concerned that his people might not fare well after his departure, or even become disillusioned with the country. Was this... faith?
"How long does Grandpa Hua want?"
"Two years, give me two more years! I can..." He coughed violently, unable to finish his sentence. Hua Qingming couldn't continue speaking. His emotions got the better of him, and he couldn't stop coughing.
Ji Xingmi didn't hesitate. She immediately took out golden needles from her bag, unbuttoned Hua Lao's shirt, administered several acupuncture points, and gave him a life-saving pill. With her help, Hua Lao's cough quickly subsided. Seeing that he was no longer coughing, Ji Xingmi withdrew the golden needles and helped him button his shirt.
"Thank you, little Xing'er! I haven't felt this comfortable in a long time. Before, I would cough for a long time, sometimes even faint before it stopped. Xing'er, can you help Grandpa? Help Grandpa live for two more years?"
"Ah? I might not be able to do that!" Just as she was about to say something, Old Ye interrupted her. "Xing'er, you!"
"Forget it, there's no need to force it!"
"Grandpa Hua, Grandpa Ye, can't you wait for me to finish speaking? I can't do it because, after two years, I can't just give Grandpa Hua some medicine and have him die, right? Are you sure I won't be arrested and charged with treason?" Ji Xingmi was exasperated. At their age, they were still so impatient and always interrupting her!
"You impudent girl!" Old Ye started to come towards her, and Ji Xingmi quickly ducked behind Hua Qingming.
"Alright, alright, we misunderstood you. Come out quickly, your Grandpa Ye won't hit you!"
Ji Xingmi peeked out and saw that Old Master Ye had indeed sat back down. Only then did she confidently emerge, find a chair, drag it over, and sit next to Hua Lao. To prevent Old Ye from having another chance to hit her, she felt safest sitting by Hua Lao's side.