Chapter 80: Family

Translator: _Min_

Gu Dai’s brows furrowed slightly, “Grandpa Shi is sick?”

Lin Ye sighed, “He suddenly fell ill with a fever a month ago, so severe that he had to be hospitalized. He’s been getting better lately, but there’s still s lingering cough. The doctor said it’ll take another two months to fully recover. They wanted to keep him in the hospital for further observation, but the old man insisted he was fine and threatened to starve himself if he wasn’t allowed to leave, so we had to take him home.”

As the two talked, they unknowingly reached the villa, and Shi Kun overheard them.

Shi Kun’s eyebrows shot up, and he glared at Lin Ye, booming energetically, “Little Dai, don’t listen to those doctors’ nonsense. I feel perfectly fine. They just want to cheat me out of my money! Cough, cough, cough…”

Lin Ye quickly stepped forward, lightly patting Shi Kun’s back, “Dad, be careful.”

Shi Kun waved his hand, “It’s nothing, nothing. I’m fine.”

Then he looked up at Gu Dai, his eyes shining with excitement, “Little Dai, come over here and let Grandpa Shi have a look.”

Gu Dai walked closer, noting the changes in the old man’s appearance since she had last seen him. There were more wrinkles on his face, and his hair had turned completely silver. Despite these changes, he still gave her the same warm feeling as before.

Gu Dai greeted him, “Grandpa Shi.”

Shi Kun acknowledged her, looking her over with a smile, “Little Dai, it’s great that you’re alive. There’s hope for the Gu family. You’ve become more radiant but also a bit too skinny. Haven’t you been living well these past three years? Why don’t you live with Grandpa Shi and Nuannuan, and I’ll hire some chefs to fatten you up?”

Gu Dai had indeed lost weight in the stressful years she’d been staying with Song Ling’s family, but she reassured him with a smile, “Grandpa Shi, I’m skinny thin. Being slender is the trend, so I’ve been dieting on purpose.”

Shi Kun shook his head, disapproving, “No, no, that’s not good. You should be plump. You must consider Shi family as your own home.”

Shi Kuang, who had just finished a meeting, also chimed in, “Your father and 1 were sworn brothers. I’ve always considered you as my daughter.”

Lin Ye and Shi Nuan nodded in agreement, “Yes, we are all your family.”

Tears welled in Gu Dai’s eyes, but she fought to hold them back, only to have them spill over. She wiped them away, nodding emphatically.

Gu Dai hastily presented the gifts she had prepared, “These are the gifts I’ve brought. 1 don’t know if you’ll like them.”

Shi Kun laughed, “We love them, we love them. Anything from you is welcome, but don’t bring gifts when you come to see me in the future, or Grandpa Shi will be angry.”

Gu Dai quickly complied, remembering that Grandpa Shi was still coughing, “Grandpa Shi, I once studied medicine with a master. Would you like me to take your pulse and check your condition?”

As soon as Gu Dai finished speaking, Shi Kun extended his hand, smiling, “Why not?”

Gu Dai placed her fingers on Shi Kun’s pulse, and a few minutes later, she reassured him, “Grandpa Shi, there’s nothing seriously wrong. It’s just a lingering cough, like the doctor said. I can prescribe some herbs, and you’ll feel better in a few days. If you’re worried about the medication, you can have a doctor look at it.”

Shi Kun’s eyes widened with delight, “No need to look, I trust Little Dai. Nuannuan, quickly bring the pen and paper.”

Shi Nuan excitedly complied, quickly fetching them.

Gu Dai wrote down the names of the herbs within moments.

Shi Kuang handed the paper to his assistant to retrieve the medication and then looked at Gu Dai, still with a bright smile, “We’re truly grateful, Daidai. Tell me what gift you want, and Uncle Shi will have it bought for you.”

Gu Dai quickly shook her head, “Uncle Shi, you said we’re family. I’m just prescribing some medicine for a family member; this is what I should do. How could I ask for a reward?”

Shi Kuang immediately agreed, “Yes, yes, we’re all family, no need to talk about these things.”

Lin Ye’s admiration for Gu Dai grew as she observed her calm and medical skills. She couldn’t help but ask, “Daidai, have you liked anyone these past few years? When you were little, you and Shi Wen were always together, and you were very close.. If you haven’t found someone you like, why not consider Shi Wen?”