Chapter 36: Old Master’s Wish and a Basketball Game

Old Master’s latest stunt of playing dead left me questioning everything.

He seemed quite happy on this outing, but I was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally. My composure had completely shattered.

Initially, I wanted to push Old Master back to the hospital, but he refused.

He insisted on wandering around, so I had no choice but to keep pushing him along.

After that, I kept staring at the ground suspiciously, wondering if I was still sane.

I pushed Old Master, descending the slope.

After turning a corner at the bottom of the long incline, a road with cars appeared. The traffic light was red, and several vehicles waited quietly.

Beside it was a rather large park, where children swung on swings, laughing and playing with others, their joyful shouts echoing occasionally.

Nimble elderly people stretched their legs, their white hair belying their lively spirits as they worked out on the parallel bars.

Old Master watched them for a while, remaining silent.

I pushed him along the edge of the park. A middle school stood next to it.

It was a holiday, so no students were in class, yet the school grounds were still lively.

On either side of the main gate was a sports field, with a row of basketball courts lined up near the entrance, where a group of middle schoolers played a back-and-forth game.

Old Master asked me to stop here for a moment.

I wiped sweat from my brow, remembering the middle schoolers who had dribbled past earlier.

After observing for a bit, I saw them, just as I expected. The group in short-sleeved shirts was on the court nearest the gate, playing a serious game of offense and defense.

Old Master tilted his head and said, “Xiao Feng is quite skilled at basketball. I watched him play once during their school’s sports day.”

I mustered a weak hum in response.

‘Old Han isn’t just skilled; she’s a monster.’

Old Master watched for a moment, then sighed with a smile. “How wonderful it would be if Xiao Feng were here. I’d love to see that child play basketball again…”

I remained silent. Old Master then asked me, “Isn’t Xiao Feng out of town? When will he be back?”

I could only offer a wry smile. “How would I know?”

Old Master uttered an “Oh” and returned his gaze to the middle schoolers on the court.

On the court, the players dribbled back and forth. Just then, someone made a successful layup.

Old Master clicked his tongue. “Quite impressive, actually… but if Xiao Feng were here, these kids wouldn’t stand a chance…”

“Old Han is twenty already,” I said helplessly. “These students all know each other from playing together. Even if Old Han really came, it would be tough to bring him along…”

Old Master sighed. “Talk to Xiao Feng for me. I miss him dearly… I wish to see him one last time, then I’ll have no regrets.”

I didn’t utter a sound. After speaking, Old Master turned his head, utterly engrossed in watching the students play on the court.

‘Old Master said he wanted to see Old Han. For an old man with one foot in the grave to wish to see his grandson, it was a perfectly reasonable request…’

‘But Old Han was now a girl. A perfectly fine grandson had turned into a granddaughter. Would the old man be able to accept it?’

I sighed, pondering. ‘Since this is Old Master’s wish, if there’s truly no other option, then worst case, I’ll just have Old Han come to the hospital and we’ll tell Old Master the truth…’

I also watched the court. A smiling boy executed a handsome layup, successfully scoring a point.

The people around him exclaimed in admiration. The boy simply smiled, nodded to his teammates, and walked to the sidelines to inbound the ball.

I sighed. “Then I’ll ask her.”

We stayed there for almost half an hour until Old Master grew tired. I pushed him back to the hospital.

After leaving the hospital, I remembered Old Han and Old Shen were still playing basketball at X High.

With nothing to do at home, I decided to take a taxi to X High.

The school grounds were quite empty, but the main gate was open, and the classroom building doors were unlocked.

I walked through the teaching building, arriving at the same basketball courts where I had come with Old Han before.

X High had many courts, at least twenty of them. Like the middle school I’d just visited, it was a holiday, yet many students were here playing.

At least half of the twenty-plus courts were occupied.

I stood outside the courts, watching for a while. I spotted a familiar hooded figure.

Huang Li, the tall boy from before, was also there. Old Han easily faked him out with a change of direction.

This time, he looked utterly resigned, probably having been schooled too many times. He simply gave up defending, watched Old Han make the layup, then sighed and slowly walked under the basket, ready to rebound.

On a chair by the basketball hoop sat two familiar figures, one large, one small.

I watched for a moment, then went to a nearby convenience store and bought four sports drinks, bagging them.

Slowly, I made my way toward the two by the basket.

Old Shen rested her head on her arm, her hair flowing over her shoulders, idly watching the court.

Xiao Yao couldn’t sit still on the chair, constantly looking around.

Suddenly, she spotted me approaching with the plastic bag. She let out a joyful cry, stood up with a grin, and lunged into my arms.

I helplessly extended my arms to catch her. Old Shen also snapped back to attention, turned to look at me, and smiled. “You’re here.”

I sat on the chair, holding Xiao Yao with one arm. I placed the plastic bag on the chair, pulled out a bottle of drink, and handed it to Old Shen.

“Here,” I said. “Some refreshments.”

Old Shen took it, smiling. “Thanks.”

Xiao Yao snuggled into my arms like a puppy, her warm breath seeping through my clothes and warming my chest.

With effort, I reached into the plastic bag for another drink. I tapped her little head gently, albeit helplessly. “This is for you.”

Xiao Yao lifted her head from my embrace, likely thirsty herself. She stared at my chin for a moment, and I looked back at her with a helpless expression.

She squirmed on my lap, took the drink, and struggled with the bottle cap for a long time before pitifully saying, “I can’t open it…”

I effortlessly took the bottle, twisted the cap open, and handed it back to Xiao Yao.

She leaned back into my chest, took the drink, and gulped it down, her little head tilted back.

After a while, she let out a satisfied “Puh-ha” and then idly watched the court.

Old Shen smiled faintly. “Three years or more…”

I gave a wry laugh. “You wish!”

Old Shen gazed at me, still smiling, yet a hint of melancholy shadowed her expression.

Holding Xiao Yao, I stared at her for a moment. “What’s bothering you?” I asked.

Old Shen clearly flinched. “Nothing?” she replied.

I nodded, but offered no further words.

‘Whenever Old Shen relaxed, she would always display that melancholic expression. I should have grown accustomed to it by now.’

‘Yet, with her transformation into a woman, facing this delicate face, it seemed I needed time to adapt all over again.’

I raised an eyebrow and looked back at the court.

Old Han scored another point with a layup, glancing our way in the process. Upon seeing me, she smiled.

I nodded back at her.

Xiao Yao nestled obediently in my arms, still glancing around occasionally.

Every time the little one turned her head, a strand of hair brushed my nose, tickling it. I raised a hand to rub my nose.

Old Shen turned her head to look at me, lazily resting her head on her arm. “What were you busy with this morning?” she asked. “Why did you suddenly stop replying to me?”

I sighed helplessly. “I was looking after Old Han’s grandfather. Old Master woke up, so I had to push him out for a walk and some sunshine.”

Xiao Yao turned her head, tilting it. “Grandpa? What happened to Grandpa?”

I ruffled her little head, sighing. “Your grandpa and I went on a rollercoaster ride. It scared me half to death…”

Old Shen gave me a silent look, then idly turned her gaze back to the court.

“She can’t go now, can she?” she mused.

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