"The Red Line".

Lu Qing never expected that Grandma would open with such a bombshell.

Bai Xing was equally caught off guard. Despite the tubes still attached to her body and the oxygen tank nearby, ready for use, Grandma managed to utter something so unexpected the moment she opened her eyes.

At that moment, the elderly woman leaned against the bed, her kind expression pale and weary. Yet, from the concern in her eyes, it was clear she cared deeply about the conversation the two had just had—

Could it be that this young man doesn’t want my granddaughter anymore?

Is he refusing to go on a trip with Xing’er? Did he reject her?

He looks like a decent young man, not some uncultured ruffian. Could he have someone else outside?

I’ve heard young people these days are quite liberal, much more so than in my day. Could Xing’er end up getting hurt?

No, I have to help her.

“…Grandma, when did you wake up?”

Bai Xing immediately pulled Lu Qing over.

“Just now, just now.”

The old woman’s gaze never left Lu Qing, scrutinizing his appearance with satisfaction.

“Hello, Grandma. My name is Lu Qing. I’m Bai Xing’s… boyfriend. How are you feeling? Are you doing okay?”

“Ah, yes, yes. Just a bit worried.”

The old woman hinted, “You see, Xing’er finally found such a sensible young man. How could she not hold onto him?”

“Huh?”

“Sigh, young man, let me tell you, Xing’er has never suffered any hardships. I’ve always protected her well; no one has ever bullied her. In the future, if she ever acts up or throws a tantrum, just tell me. While I still have breath in me, I’ll help you keep her in line.”

The old woman struggled to sit up straighter, her gaze fixed on Lu Qing, making him feel the weight of her expectations.

“…Alright, alright. I understand, Grandma.”

In this situation, he couldn’t say anything that might spoil the mood. After all, Doctor Qi once said— “Illness stems from the heart.” Any ailment arises from the heart, and “all diseases are born from emotional turmoil.”

Once a person’s emotions are disturbed, the heart’s fire can affect the internal organs, leading to various symptoms.

To Lu Qing, this was undoubtedly one of life’s truths.

Even in Western medicine, doctors often emphasize staying positive and avoiding constant gloom, as low spirits can weigh heavily on one’s mental health.

Therefore, Lu Qing couldn’t possibly say anything discouraging during Grandma’s chemotherapy, lest she feel down or regretful.

But this worked out perfectly for Bai Xing—

“Hey, my grandma’s asking you—when are we getting married?”

“???”

Lu Qing’s eyes widened as he turned to look at the mischievous little imp beside him. He hadn’t expected her to “take advantage of the situation,” using his kindness to deliver a critical blow!

How many times had she pulled this trick?

Lu Qing couldn’t say for sure, but he couldn’t let her get away with playing the tyrant by his side.

He subtly reached behind her, lightly tapping her bottom through her dress, and shot her a sideways glance that clearly said, “Just wait till we get home; I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget.”

But outwardly, he smiled and said to Grandma,

“After we graduate.”

“!”

“Once we’ve settled into stable jobs and have steady income, we’ll consider it.”

Hearing this, Bai Xing was stunned.

Grandma’s face lit up with joy.

Her aged face bloomed like a chrysanthemum—

“Good! Very good, Xiao Lu. With your words, this old woman can rest easy, truly rest easy.”

She reached out her left arm, her thin, withered hand fumbling into the pocket of her hospital gown. From it, she pulled out an ancient-looking Guanyin jade pendant, strung on a red cord. She held it in her palm and offered it to Lu Qing—

“Xiao Lu, Grandma doesn’t have anything of great value. This Guanyin was something I obtained from a temple when I was just a teenager. It’s been over sixty years now. In Buddhism, the older something is, the more spiritual power it holds. This pendant had been nurtured by a previous master for decades before it came to me. Xiao Lu, today I’m giving it to you, hoping that the family Buddha will protect you and Xing’er, guiding you both to a peaceful and prosperous life together as you walk through the latter half of your journey.”

“Grandma, this…!”

Lu Qing never imagined that his perfunctory response would earn him such a sincere blessing from Grandma,

and even the offering of a family heirloom. It left him in a dilemma.

“This is too precious, Grandma. I… I can’t…”

“Hush, don’t say anything unlucky. Xiao Lu, in Buddhism, there’s a cycle of reincarnation. There’s no such thing as too precious or not. By placing it in your hands, you and Xing’er will live well, year after year, in peace and safety. This is a good thing, a very good thing. So, just accept it.”

The old woman smiled kindly, handing over what might be the most important and valuable family heirloom of her life.

“…”

The cool texture of the jade was unmistakable.

But this seemingly light object now felt as heavy as a mountain in Lu Qing’s hands.

Staring at the image of Guanyin, he felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

At this moment, there was no turning back.

Bai Xing stood beside him, not daring to speak.

She knew that her relationship with her senior was nothing more than her one-sided pursuit and their mutual benefits.

It wasn’t a solidified, committed relationship.

Yet today, her senior had kindly accompanied her to the hospital, only to be given a family heirloom by Grandma, effectively sealing their future “marriage”…

The moment he accepted the Guanyin, his earlier words of convenience became…

irrevocable.

There was no way back.

—「The act had to become real.」

“…”

Lu Qing stood still, gazing at the Guanyin in his palm.

A strange sense of déjà vu washed over him.

【Where have I seen this before?】

【Where exactly have I encountered Grandma’s family Buddha?】

【It’s so familiar.】

【Too familiar.】

Lu Qing racked his brain.

Searching his memories for any trace of its existence.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

The old woman watched him, holding her breath.

Bai Xing waited for his answer, her eyes fixed on him.

Until—

After pondering for over fifty seconds, he took a deep breath.

Suddenly, he looked up and smiled at them.

“Alright, I’ll accept it.”

“!”

“Grandma, I’ll take good care of it.”

Lu Qing carefully wrapped the Guanyin’s red cord around his left wrist and tucked it into his sleeve—

Under their astonished gazes,

he sighed inwardly:

【So, is this how you’re inspiring me?】

【So, you really do exist.】

…

…