Chapter 254: Give Me a Chance
Lan Jue had come several times to Grace Hospital with Zhou Qianlin, so he had become proficient in most of the tasks they usually perform. However, even with his training and Discipline, the process was still a slow one. It was night by the time heโd seen to most of the hospitalโs tenants.
As he was preparing to leave for the night, he suddenly remembered one denizen he hadnโt seen yet โ that old woman who had left him with such a strong impression the last time.
He climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway to the final doorway before the end. Sopping before the knock, he quietly knocked.
โCome in.โ The quiet, quavering voice called out to him. To him, the voice sounded unhappy.
Pushing the door open, he entered.
โGranny Bess. Hello.โ Lan Jue smiled pleasantly towards the old woman, who was seated in her favorite spot by the window.
As ever, Granny Bess was dressed meticulously. She stared out of the window, but Lan Jue didnโt know if she were watching the skies or the roads.
She turned her head to regard the young man, with eyes of uncommon clarity. They were gorgeous eyes, that made the viewer think Granny Bess must have been exceptionally pretty in her youth.
Lan Jue nodded amicably. โIโm here to help clean up your room, and clean your clothes.โ
โMh.โ Granny Bess nodded her head.
Without any further discussion, Lan Jue set about his tasks. He performed them as heโd seen Zhou Qianlin do, first cleaning the clothes then returning to tidy up the room. By the time heโd finished sweeping, her clothes were ready.
These were all things he preferred, and was very particular about doing properly. He was a bachelor, so he knew how all of this had to be done. When he finished, he approached Granny Bess.
โHey there, your fingernails look a little long. Would you like me to help you clip them?โ Lan Jue asked.
She shook her head, lifting her eyes to stare at him.
He answered by dropping to his haunches. This meant Granny Bess wouldnโt need to crane her neck to look at him.
This was the closest heโd ever been to this old woman, and though he couldnโt understand why, there was something very familiar about her. He was inexplicably fond of her.
โThe moon will be out. We had fine weather today.โ Darkness had blanketed the world outside, but the clear skies were alive with dots of distant starlight.
โThe moonlight is beautiful. Granny Bess, you should have some food.โ Lan Jue said with a smile.
Once again the elderly woman shook her head. โThe moonlight is enough. When the moon comes out, thatโs when Iโm needed. You can go.โ
Lan Jueโs heart was heavy, worries that Granny Bess was beset by no small number of weights on her shoulders. Her eyes regarded him, clear and bright, but there was something strange alive in their depths. There was a story in there, somewhere.
Lan Jue nodded, and rose to his feet. He opened the door but, with one foot out the door, he heard Granny Bessโ voice calling towards him from behind.
โBe good to her.โ
Lan Jue stopped in his tracks, and turned to regard her.
Her eyes were already staring back out of the window. She spoke again, quietly though and mostly to herself. โDonโt let appearances cloud your eyes. Donโt let suffering blot out the moonlight.โ
Lan Jue just looked at her, not understanding. But there was substance there, he knew. He bid her farewell once more, then left the hospital.
Granny Bessโ words followed him on the road home. Though he didnโt understand what sheโd said, he felt it held some profound significance for him.
By the time he got back to the jewelry shop, his guest was already waiting for him.
โDid you go looking for me?โ The Driver stood as Lan Jue entered. He wore a dark grey suit with white stripes, a shimmering vest within, and a dark blue tie. His short-cut hair and impressive figure completely the manly representation.
Still, even so handsomely dressed, there was still an air of rogue-like charm that surrounded him. The chilly flash in his eyes didnโt help.
โYeah, lemme just change my clothes.โ Lan Jue waved to him, indicating that he sit. He exited to his apartments in the back to change.
When drinking, oneโs environment and atmosphere were important. Heโd been comfortably dressed and busy all afternoon, but now that the Driver had arrived dressed so formally, he had to match him.
When he re-appeared, he was clad in a French grey three-piece suit with dark blue stripes. The cobalt blue tie held the whole ensemble together, and pared well with both the color and style.
A gentlemanโs clothes shouldnโt exceed three colors, otherwise it looked messy and fickle.
When the Driver saw him, he smiled. His suit was a product ofย , and wearing it was a sign of respect and appreciation.
The two gentlemen left the jewelry shop, with the Driver in front and Lan Jue just behind. They walked leisurely towards Wendyโs shop.
The posh interior of the seamstressโ shop was already prepared for their arrival. The sign outside expressed their current disinterest in visitors. Inside, a simple table had been stocked with an ash tray, some dried fruit and a fruit bowl. Beside that was another table, this one over a meter long and more than thirty centimeters wide. Upon it were set a host of various whiskies.
โYou sure are a fan of single-malt!โ Lan Jue said through a laugh.
The Driver had already snatched up the firs whisky in line. Wendy appeared from somewhere in the back, bearing two crystal glasses which she placed on the table for them. She, too, laughed. โNot just him. I thought you also favored the taste. Even me, after smelling your cigar smoke and the scent of whisky Iโm starting to enjoy it myself.โ
Lan Jue smiled pleasantly at her. โSo why did you only bring two glasses? Itโs always more fun to drink together.โ
Wendy shook her head. โNo thank you. Iโll be fine watching you two enjoy yourself, I donโt drink much anyway. If I woman always drinks and becomes a drunkard, how will she ever get married?โ
The smile on Lan Jueโs face spread wider. โIf word of that ever got out, thereโd be a line spanning across the Avenue of gentlemen looking to propose to Miss Wendy Wang.โ
The Seamstress responded with a snort, and a despondent look.
โAlright,โ the Driver interjected, โdonโt pay any mind to this heartless young man. I donโt know why you like that crazy guy anyway.โ
โAm I crazy?โ The voice startled them, especially since it came from the door theyโd locked. A man had someone found his way inside.
His normally scruffy hair had been slicked back and fondly managed today. He was dressed in a fine, wine-red suit. His beard had been cut and cleaned up, making him appear ten years younger.
He bore a bottle in one hand, and an arrangement of flowers in the other. They were white as the driven snow, and looked like beautiful crystals in full bloom. Strangely, they emitted a strange blue mist which formed floral patterns of its own
Wendy stared at him in shock, an expression mirrored by both the Driver and Lan Jue.
The Driver was worse, with a scowl that turned his craggy face. He nearly dropped the whisky bottle in his hand.
The man approached the table and placed the bottle upon it. A silver stag head glinted in the light. Written on the label: 46 year. It was a famous bottle of former era whisky โ Dalmore 46. Even in the former era, it was anย .
The man didnโt stop once heโd placed the whisky on the table. He moved around until he was facing Wendy, and stretched out his hand bearing the bundle of flowers heโd brought with him. โIโm sorry, for making you wait so many years. Heโs right, actually โ I must be crazy. The obsession in my heart clouded my mind. I havenโt been able to move passed what happened all those years ago. But I woke upโฆ and although there will always be things that will never be fixed, those things are gone now. The living must always look forward. Iโm sorry you had to wait for me. I just hope, if it isnโt too late, that you could give me another chance? I will do everything in my power to make up for it.โ
Wendyโs eyes were wet with tears, and she instinctively took a step backward. She stared at the man before her, and though her eyes were moist no tears would fall for they were also filled with stubbornness, even anger. But even as they watched the hard light in her eyes gradually receded. In the face of everything, that burning anger eased.
She stomped forward and began beating her tiny fists against his shoulders.
He said nothing, did not attempt to dodge or retreat. Instead he smiled and wrapped her in to his arms.
The Driver and Jewelry Master exchanged a wordless glance. Suddenly, the two of them felt it was no longer appropriate to be here.
Lan Jue gave the Driver a telling look before rising to his feet. It was a beautiful moment he didnโt want to tarnish.
The Driver also stood, though his expression was somewhat gloomy, and helpless. But more than that, there was joy.
โWhere are you going? Such a happy occasion, and we have no friends to celebrate with?โ Wendy, her arms wrapped around the manโs waist, smiled happily towards Lan Jue and the Driver.
โYou know, I am really fighting the urge to lay my hands on you.โ The Driver growled. โNoโฆ itโs more accurate to say Iโve been fighting the urge for years. Iโm warning you right now that Wendy isnโt just my business partner. In my heart, sheโs my sister. If I hear you hurt her again, I wonโt be responsible for my actions.โ
Lan Jue reached out an arm and patted the Driverโs shoulder. โYou know youโre threatening a Paragon.โ
The Driverโs response was thick with contempt. โI donโt care, he โโ He stopped suddenly, eyes wide, and stared from the man to Lan Jue and back again.
Lan Jue shrugged at him, mirth dancing in his eyes.
Wendy lifted her head to look in to the manโs eyes. โYou did it?โ
The man nodded. โI have. Not because of any power, but because my experiences finally opened my heart, and allowed me to see clearly what I should have learned so many years ago. That was the only way I could discover what was truly important to me. Power, was not what I needed. You are what makes me happy, and Iโm sorry it took so long for me to realize it. I will use all the rest of my days making up for this debt. I will love you completely, and with the same zeal as one cooks food.โ
The Seamstress laughed.
Comparing endless love to cooking foodโฆ surely there was only one person in the cosmos who could make such a metaphor. The Gourmet smiled back at his Seamstress.