Chapter 163
Survive...
It seemed everyone was revealing this information to Adeline.
Everyone feared her life might come to an abrupt end.
"Anyway, let's not talk about that anymore. Take your time eating. I'm hosting a family dinner today and can't stay away too long, so I need to head back now."
"Be careful on your way."
Zephyr hurried back home and immediately saw Jada as he entered.
"Why are you standing out here?" He asked.
Jada questioned, "Where have you been?"
"I had something to take care of." Zephyr strode quickly into the living room, but as they brushed past each other, Jada grabbed his wrist.
"Tell me, who did you go see?"
For him to venture out alone in heavy snow, this person must hold extraordinary significance.
"I went to see a friend."
"What friend?"
This persistent questioning made Zephyr frown. "Why are you asking so many questions? You don't know them anyway."
"Man or woman? I can at least ask that, can't I?"
"Does that question even matter?"
"You're my uncle." Jada looked up at him with a sweet smile. "I'm just concerned about you. Grandfather has always wanted to settle your marriage. What's wrong with me helping out a little?"
"You're just a young girl yourself, and you're meddling in my business?"
Zephyr didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
It was bad enough being pressured about marriage by his parents, but now his niece was doing it too.
"I'm just curious. Tell me, I won't say anything to anyone else."
Jada wouldn't let him go.
Zephyr's expression darkened, "I'm your elder. It's not your place to question me about my marriage. You're just a kid overstepping."
"I'm not a kid anymore."
Jada was sick of hearing that phrase, as if she would forever be a child in his eyes.
He would never see her as a woman.
"If you're truly not a child anymore, then hurry up and find yourself a boyfriend. Don't make your grandfather worry."
With that, Zephyr stepped into the living room.
Jada followed him in, but with all the elders sitting in the living room, certain things couldn't be said.
Zephyr went with Roger into the study.
Roger asked, "You went to the hospital again. How is Adeline?"
Zephyr sat down on the sofa, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling. Though he had left the hospital, his heart still felt unsettled.
"When I got there, she was sitting alone in her wheelchair by the window, watching the snow. She looked incredibly lonely."
It was truly heartbreaking.
"You may find it sad, but Adeline herself might not think that way," Roger offered a different perspective, having some understanding of Adeline.
She was actually very strong.
"Perhaps she's content being alone."
"Come on, who can live forever by themselves?" Zephyr countered.
"Why not? Back then, we all tried to stop you from doing those risky things, but you did them anyway. You turned impossibility into possibility, so why do you think Adeline can't do the same?"
Zephyr fell into contemplation after hearing this.
He suddenly realized he might have been trapped in a misconception, viewing Adeline solely through his own lens. He always thought that with her physical disability and depression, living alone in the hospital must be miserable.
But he had never seen Adeline cry.
Each time, her face carried a faint smile. It wasn't a false mask, though the smile was never particularly bright.
It was as if... Adeline had calmly accepted her reality.
"Regardless, I definitely can't leave her alone. I'll visit her whenever I have time."
Roger thought for a moment, "Don't you think she resembles your sister?"
Zephyr had a sudden realization, "No wonder I felt such a strong urge to protect Adeline when I first met her. It's because she somewhat resembles my sister who passed away early."
"You're so dense, not even noticing this yourself." Roger shook his head.
He expressed the thought that had been on his mind.
"Every time I see Adeline, it's like seeing your sister. It's been what, 20 years since your sister passed away?" He sighed wistfully.
"Don't ever say that in front of Adeline. People might think you're using her as a substitute," Zephyr warned.
Roger picked up a pen from the desk and threw it at him. Zephyr dodged but caught it in his palm.
"What nonsense! I'm old enough to distinguish between your sister and Adeline. Besides, Adeline has a good character, quiet and gentle. I genuinely like her."
As Roger spoke, he felt concerned again.
"Actually, I think I'll visit the hospital too."
Zephyr was startled, "You were just lecturing me about not worrying about her, and now..."
Roger gave him a look.
Zephyr wisely fell silent.
Fortunately, the snow stopped in the afternoon, and Roger called for a driver to take them to the hospital.
Zephyr was, of course, also in the car.
Not far behind them, a white car followed closely.
Jada gripped the steering wheel.
She was determined to find out exactly who Zephyr had gone to see.
At the hospital.
Roger and Zephyr entered the room to find Adeline playing chess by herself.
Left hand versus right hand.
The game was remarkably sophisticated.
Roger found it interesting and remained silent, quietly standing behind Adeline to watch.
She was so immersed in the game that she hadn't noticed anyone coming in.
Zephyr, uninterested in chess, scratched his cheek and turned to leave the room.
He entered the elevator as its doors closed, just as another elevator opened.
Jada had arrived.
She walked down the corridor, peering into each room until she quickly found Roger.
She lingered at the doorway, secretly watching.
But she didn't see Zephyr.
Was Zephyr not here?
Adeline finished her chess game and looked up to see Roger. "When did you arrive? Why didn't you say something?"
It was terribly impolite to ignore an elder while absorbed in chess.
Roger sat across from her, "I saw you were engrossed in your game and didn't want to disturb you. Do you find chess interesting sometimes?"
Adeline nodded.
Playing chess allowed her to be quiet, to think of nothing else, to immerse herself completely and focus only on the next move.
It was as if all the noise and troubles around her had disappeared.
It was a different world.
"People say chess cultivates the mind, but I believe that if one can quiet down and truly appreciate the brilliance of each move, it becomes a reflection on life itself."
What people lacked most was calmness and thoughtfulness.
When dominated by emotions or feelings, people forgot to think and act impulsively. But if one could calm down before each impulse, they naturally discovered that life was like a chess game.
Each chess move represented a choice.
"You're absolutely right."
"Adeline, regarding your legs, I spoke with a doctor a couple of days ago," Roger felt this was the perfect moment to bring it up.
Adeline looked up at him.
To say she didn't care would be impossible. If one wanted to live, everyone hoped to run and jump, not to be confined to a wheelchair forever.
Even going to the bathroom required assistance.
That situation was truly awkward.
Initially, Adeline couldn't accept it at all. She would go entire days without drinking water or eating, just to avoid bathroom difficulties.
Later, a caregiver talked to her.
That's when she slowly began to accept it.
But she never mentioned any of this to Zephyr.
Partly because she didn't want to burden him further, and partly because she didn't know how to express it.
Roger spoke gently, "The doctor says our country's medical capabilities are limited right now. Your legs aren't beyond recovery, but you need surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and certain specialized medications. However, our hospitals don't have these resources—they would need to be imported from abroad, which delays treatment."
"Are you suggesting going overseas?"
"I have considered it, but whether to go or not ultimately depends on your decision." Adeline harbored many secrets that couldn't be unlocked with just a few words.
"You don't need to give me an answer right away. Take your time. You've grown accustomed to staying here, and I imagine suddenly changing locations might be uncomfortable for you. So feel free to stay here for now, and don't worry about the medical expenses."
"I..."
Before Adeline could finish, Roger already knew what she wanted to say.
"Don't even think about offering me money. At least not now—I wouldn't accept it anyway. If you truly want to repay me, focus on taking your medication and recovering. Once you're better, you can earn your own money."
What could Adeline say? Roger had said everything.
"Thank you."
Roger smiled, "Good. I see you're enjoying chess by yourself, so I won't disturb you anymore. If you need anything, call Zephyr. He's always free, and having you here to anchor him means he's less likely to engage in those dangerous activities of his."
Adeline smiled gently, "I understand. Don't worry."
Roger left.
Adeline gathered the chess pieces on the board and began sorting the black and white pieces.
Suddenly, Jada pushed open the door.
Adeline looked up, startled.
Jada examined her coldly, "My uncle came to see you this afternoon? My uncle Zephyr."