Together Forever

Chapter 21.3

Final Chapter

This particular project was unexpectedly problematic.

After Gu Pingsheng had arranged last-minute to switch around his class schedule for all the classes that he taught, he had only had time to return home to grab his luggage before hastening to the airport. Of course, even amid all this hurrying around, he still made a visit to the hospital. For so many years, his elderly grandfather had been tormented by sickness, and even after his liver transplant, he needed to take anti-rejection medications for the rest of his life. Hence, one could certainly imagine both the physical and psychological pressure that weighed on him.

During Gu Pingsheng's visit this time, however, the elderly man for once actually showed some smiles on his face. With tones of self-mocking as well as pangs of heartache for him, Grandfather uttered, "Both of us, grandfather and grandson, can be considered to have the worst health in the family." Seeing him dressed in his suit and carrying a suitcase, the elderly man could deduce his upcoming plans. "Business trip?"

Gu Pingsheng set his suitcase down beside the bed and took a seat on the chair. "There's a last-minute need for me to go to London. I will be back in about ten days."

This grandfather and grandson pair seemed to both have words to say, but as they looked at one another, both smiled and neither of them spoke first.

He did not have the time to stay too long, and as he was about to leave, he suddenly stated, "Last time, there wasn't the chance for the two of you to meet. This time when I come back from London, I will bring her to formally see you."

Possibly because he was physically feeling quite well today, the elderly man, surprisingly, was not very much opposed to this.

"That student of yours is graduating this year? Have the two of you considered where would be a suitable workplace for her?"

"She just completed her internship term." Once Gu Pingsheng finished saying this, he quickly added in a joking tone, "But her grades are just average. A lot lower than mine. If she wants to find a good, suitable job, she's going to need to put in a bit of effort."

The elderly man laughed with amusement. "Oh, you ... Vain. Still so vain. You've never been humble."

During this project in London, he unexpectedly ran into an old classmate. The two of them were on opposing camps, and in the meeting room during the daytime, they would contest over every word, as if each one was worth gold. Although the two of them were old friends, due to this project, there was not much private social interaction between them. It was only after the true legal negotiations were complete that they learned they were both staying in the same hotel.

The coincidental encounter occurred in the hotel's elevator lobby.

"TK." The beautiful blonde woman beside his old classmate gave him a warm hug, and with non-fluent Chinese, she asked in delighted surprise, "How are you? Are you doing well nowadays?"

"Extremely well." Gu Pingsheng's answer was given in Chinese as well as he patted her briefly on the back in a platonic gesture.

That old classmate did not understand the greetings they had exchanged and, when they released each other, only grinned and joked that now that two old flames had seen one another, he, the new flame, had no importance at all.

Amid the nonstop jesting and teasing, there were people getting into the elevators as well as people getting off with hurried steps. Only when he heard them talk about their child did Gu Pingsheng at last, somewhat after-the-fact, ask in pleasant surprise, "Since when?"