Chapter 7 - "Call Me, Grandfather"
Old Mr. Fu was currently awake at this time. He was slowly getting better and the pain he felt was decreasing.
Mrs. Qin was about to leave the hospital room when Kim Hyejin asked her mother to take good care of her dog since she was sick.
Mrs. Qin looked like she was in a dilemma hearing her mention her dog.
"Follow me outside, I have something to say to you." Mrs. Qin said to her before walking out the door with the bag she came with.
Jia Li looked confused with her mother's sudden change in facial looks. She turned to the Old man and smiled at him.
"Grandfather Fu, I will be back."
The Old man waved at her, and she left.
Right outside the door to the hospital, Mrs. Qin sighed as she said to her.
"I know you are not going to like this, but she is dead."
Jia Li was left in a trance. She was yet to fully digest the shocking news her mother just delivered to her.
"Mum...mum? What do you mean?." She asked, trying to wave the possibility of the Negative, happening.
Mrs. Qin sighed before explaining further. "Your dog is dead. She died last night. She was old and too sick your Dad had to take her to the vet, but it was too late. I'm sorry."
Tears streamed down Jia Li's eyes. That dog was dear to her heart because it was her grandfather's. Her grandfather owned the dog and used to take walks with it when he was alive. And when he died, she took over and started to care for it.
Since her grandfather died, the dog easily fell sick, and she has been so careful with it.
"Jia Li, don't cry. You know the dog is too old and was bound to die soon." Mrs. Qin said as she placed her hand on her shoulder.
The mother and daughter were of the same average height.
"I know. But I didn't expect her to leave without saying goodbye. I mean, I wanted to be with her in her last moments. She was the only living thing that reminded me of Grandfather." Jia Li said as she broke down in tears.
Mrs. Qin could feel her daughter's emotions. She knew how close she was to her Grandfather when he was alive. Now, his dog which she took care of every day of her life since his passing has passed away.
She could tell the agony she was feeling at the moment, but she didn't know how to console her. But she couldn't bear to see her only child crying, so she embraced her while patting her back.
"Li, it's okay, everything will be alright. Your Dad felt so bad that he promised to get you another dog."
"No, I don't want another dog." Jia Li refused before letting go.
"Fine, but stop crying. You don't want to disturb the patient." Mrs. Qin said in a kind reminder.
"Okay." Jia Li replied as she wiped tears.
"Mum, has she been buried?." She asked.
"Yes. Your Dad buried her last night." Mrs. Qin replied.
Jia Li sniffed as she completely wiped away her tears.
"Go in, I will see you later. I need to rest before I resume my duties for today." Mrs. Qin said to her.
"Bye Mum." Jia Li said before walking into the room.
Seeing her go in, Mrs. Qin turned around to leave.
When Jia Li came into the room, the old man's gaze fell on her, and he noticed her red eyes.
He could tell she had been crying.
"Girl, what happened?." He asked in concern.
Jia Li took a seat beside him before explaining what transpired.
From what she said, Old Mr. Fu got to understand how close she was to her late grandfather.
"Did you like the dog so much?." He asked.
"Yes. I have known her since she was a puppy. But it's too bad she is gone already, and I didn't even get to say goodbye." Jia Li said with regret in her tone.
"Sorry about the loss of your dog. If you didn't stay with me last night, you could have had an opportunity to say goodbye to her." Old Mr. Fu said with compassion.
"No Grandfather Fu, don't talk like that. I don't regret saving your life instead of saying goodbye to my dog. Your life is more important." Jia Li clarified to the Old Man immediately.
She didn't want him to misunderstand her.
"I know. Now let's move away to another topic, I don't want you looking so gloomy, it makes you look ugly." Old Mr. Fu teased her.
"Grandfather Fu, you said I'm ugly?." Jia Li asked with widened brows as she caressed her face with her fingers.
"Did I say that?." Old Mr. Fu asked as he feigned ignorance.
"Grandfather Fu, I am truly offended by your words. How can you say I'm ugly when I'm sad?." Jia Li asked with a frown on her face.
She truly looked offended.
"Are you angry?." Old Mr. Fu asked with a smile on his aged face.
"Of course I am, but how do I dare to say it? You will have me locked up in the dungeon." Jia Li said as she looked away with furrowed brows.
Old Mr. Fu chuckled softly. He was truly amused by Jia Li's acts.
'I mean, how could she say she didn't dare to say her true feelings when she already did?.'
"Do I look scary to you?." Old Mr. Fu questioned.
"You do not look scary, but who knows if you wouldn't lock me up?." Jia Li said.
Jia Li wasn't so beautiful, and wouldn't ever be amongst the World's most beautiful women, but her average pretty looks sure stood out.
Maybe if she was well taken care of when she was a child, her looks would surely have made those marks.
"Girl, I am not so heartless as to lock up my savior in a dungeon. You are always free to air your views. And stop calling me GrandFather Fu, call me Grandfather." Old Mr. Fu said to her in a kind smile.