862 A Million Times for You 224 (2/2)

It boasted of a rustic aura.

Although it was dilapidated and worn out, it was still rather spick and span.

No. 5 was carrying Gu Beicheng on his back while No. 8 and Xiao Bai were supporting his weight from behind. They followed the little boy to the main house.

The little boy knocked on the door politely and said. ”Grandpa, someone's here to seek treatment.”

”Let them in,” said a voice that seemed to come from an old man.

The boy pushed the door open gently and led them in.

A bearded old man was sitting on a high chair in the room.

He seemed to be a Taoist priest and appeared to be in his seventies or eighties, with his long, snowy white hair, which he had pulled back into a bun.

No wonder he wasn't enticed by money at all.

An Xiaoning bowed to him respectfully and said, ”Uncle, we just came here all the way from S Nation, precisely because we had heard about how skilled you are in treating illnesses. Several doctors have said that my brother is going to become a vegetable if he doesn't come to soon. Could you please take a look at my brother? I'll be eternally grateful.”

”I can, but I've never made deals for free. I don't want money or other material possessions. I just need you to promise me one thing.”

”That's only what I should do. I can't allow you to treat my brother for free. Go ahead and name your terms, I'll do it as long as it's within my means.”

The elderly man said slowly, ”I won't make you risk your life and limb or anything. All I'm asking is for you to talk to me using your real face and identity. We'll then talk about what you need me to help with.”

An Xiaoning was appalled to realize that the elderly man could tell that she was wearing a mask, for ordinary people would have never been able to do so.

She immediately agreed with a nod, ”Sure.”

She removed her mask to reveal her true face, after which she explained, ”I wasn't trying to hide my face on purpose. It's just, I've offended someone here and I'm afraid that he'll take revenge on me.”

”I understand.” He waved at his grandson and said, ”Yan'er, come here.”

The little boy stepped forward slowly and leaned on his lap.

The elderly man introduced, ”This is my grandson. I'll agree to help you if you promise to help me raise him until he reaches adulthood, Miss.”

An Xiaoning did not expect him to make such a request. Raising a child was no issue for her at all.

”No problem. But, Uncle, could you tell me why you'd like to place your grandson in my care? Most people would usually feel reluctant to part with their grandsons at all. Why do you trust me when you don't know me well at all?”

”This may be the first time we're meeting each other, but you've brought your brother here to see me, didn't you? That's a form of trust too. I definitely can't bear to give him up for adoption, but we're the only ones left in this family. I'm already advanced in my years, and I know the state my health is in. I'm afraid there won't be anyone to take care of him after I pass on. The world is full of evil souls. Frankly speaking, I would have placed him under the care of someone else even if you weren't the one who came here today.”

Weren't they a family of doctors? Why are the two of them the only ones left? An Xiaoning wondered.

Noticing that she was remaining silent, the elderly man added, ”Rest assured, Miss, you only have to raise him into an adult. My grandson won't want a single cent of your assets. How his life turns out after he reaches adulthood will all depend on him.”

”You're mistaken, Uncle. That's not what I'm worried about. Since I've agreed to adopt him, I'll definitely treat him like my own. Don't worry, Uncle. I, An Xiaoning, am a woman of my word. I'll need you to treat my brother, Uncle.”

Seeing how sincere she was, the elderly man nodded and said, ”Carry him into my room.”

An Xiaoning nodded and instructed No. 5 to bring Gu Beicheng into the room together with the elderly man while she shifted her gaze onto the little boy.

The little boy did not show any signs of reluctance despite having heard his grandfather's words, and he seemed to be rather sensible. She squatted down and asked, ”What's your name?”