AST 1529 - Predestined Life, I Love Her More Than I Love Myself (1/2)

“Hello, young man.” The old man greeted Qing Shui kindly.

“Grandpa, this is Qing Shui.” Qin Qing introduced in haste.

“Mmh, the young lad’s not bad at all. Little Qing’er has great taste. You’ve finally found someone you’re satisfied with after so long.” The old man broke out in laughter.

Qing Shui touched his nose lightly. It seems like the talk about Qin Qing’s marriage was a well-known issue in Qin King Manor. Everyone had assumed they were dating just with her bringing home a man.

“What are you talking about, Grandpa? We’re just friends. He has great medical skills and so I’ve brought him here to diagnose your condition.” Qin Qing was speechless by his reaction.

“My sight hasn’t muddled despite my age. You dare claim that you have no feelings for this young man?” The old man looked at Qin Qing warmly and with tender affection.

“Nope. I don’t.” Qin Qing replied stubbornly.

“Well, that’s fine. Hey kid, do you like our Qing’er?” He chuckled.

“Yes, very much. I care neither for food nor drink, but a day apart from her feels like years.”

The old man laughed heartily while moving towards the house. This exquisite-looking two-story building was the only one around here. There were many plants in the courtyard but they weren’t messy. The old man must have planted them himself.

“The young lad even has medical knowledge.” As he walked, he spoke with a smile.

“I have some knowledge of it!”

“Hey, can you stop being this modest? Just answer whatever my grandfather asks!” Qin Qing intercepted.

“Sure, sure, then I won’t hide it from Grandfather anymore. My medical skill is unparalleled and extraordinary. I’ve never met anyone who surpassed my skills.” Following her outburst, Qing Shui corrected.

Qin Qing spotted the issue with that sentence. With a blush, she didn’t bring it up. How shameless of him to regard her grandfather as though he was his own...

The old man chuckled, observing the sentiments between the pair, and felt a rush of happiness that couldn’t be expressed in words. He laughed. “What can you tell about my condition then?”

The old man was testing Qing Shui; he was obviously aware of his own condition. With his status, he had been in contact with many great physicians, but none of them was able to help.

“Grandfather is near the end of his predestined life.” Qing Shui stated straight to the point.

Qin Qing glared at Qing Shui. She hadn’t realized how thick-skinned he was. The old man, on the other hand, remained calm and regarded Qing Shui with interest. It was the first time he had seen anyone who could make Qin Qing look so helpless. Alas, there was always someone who could overcome another.

Still glaring, Qin Qing spoke up nervously. “Then, are you able to help Grandfather?”

“Silly girl. I’m reaching my predestined age, nothing’s going to change that.” The old man shook his head.

“If I could heal Grandfather, how would you thank me?” Qing Shui smiled at Qin Qing.

“How do you want me to repay you?” Flustered, Qin Qing returned the question. If he did manage to extend her grandfather’s life, then to reciprocate with gratitude is the right thing to do.

“How about this? You’ll stay by my side for the same length of time as I’ve extended Grandfather’s life.”

“Alright, but I’ll merely be by your side.” Qin Qing emphasized.

“Of course, what are you fantasizing about?” Qing Shui rebutted in exaggeration.

Qin Qing was filled with annoyance and resignation.

“Grandfather, allow me to feel your pulse!” Qing Shui smiled. After a few tries, he no longer had any qualms calling her grandfather in an overly familiar manner. It was absolutely bizarre to Qin Qing.

The old man extended his hand with a smile. “Even if you’re a miraculous physician, you won’t be able to save a man from his destined life.”

The old man had already embraced the fact and was able to discuss life and death openly. He no longer made a big deal out of dying, and this wasn’t something that just anyone could do.

“That’s not necessarily true. Your predestined lifespan now isn’t the actual end. A martial artist would have suffered countless of severe injuries, on top of cultivation. These would cause the body much harm with accumulation. The predestined lifespan now, is actually half of what it’s supposed to be.”

The old man and Qin Qing both understood what Qing Shui was saying, but it was a fact that his predestined life had already been halved and so, the initial predestined age had become a wishful thinking.

“Could it be that Qing Shui is able to restore the predestined years?” The old man figured out what he was trying to say in an instant.

“At my current level of skills, I can only restore a portion of it, and not heal you completely.” Qing Shui stated honestly, but the amount he was able to restore was still substantial.

Such words startled the old man and he grew doubtful of what Qing Shui had said. However, recalling that he was brought here by Qin Qing, he retained some confidence that the young man was able to keep to his words, but whatever he could return was probably at minimal.

Thinking back about how Qing Shui wanted Qin Qing to stay by his side as long as he’d helped her Grandfather restore his years, he was even more sure that he wouldn’t be able to restore much.

“Qing Shui, how many years can you restore for my grandfather?” Qin Qing didn’t have a number in mind. After all, even if he could restore 10 years, even if it would be a miracle, it would still be too little. She had hoped that it would be more than that, but she knew that either way, seeking to restore it was a wishful thinking.

“I can’t be sure either, I will only know after I’m done with the treatment. Sister Qing, you must keep in mind that you’ll have to stay by my side for as long as I managed to restore it. I wonder how long Sister Qing would want me to restore for Grandfather, to restore more or fewer years?” Qing Shui chuckled.