Brother Wang said over the phone that after they got to the hospital and ran a series of emergency tests, the doctor’s diagnosis was exactly the same as Li Xu’s.

"The doctor on duty said my grandpa’s organs are basically all failing. There’s no point in treating him at the hospital. It’s just a matter of the next day or two... They told us... to take him home."

Li Xu sighed. "If he has any last wishes, you should do your best to fulfill them in the next day or two."

Brother Wang said, "My grandpa keeps asking for a popsicle."

He told Li Xu over the phone, "I’m thirty years old, but I still remember it clear as day. The first popsicle I ever had was one my grandpa bought for me. It cost fifty cents. You have to understand, back in those days, a bottle of soy sauce was only five cents."

"I’ve thought it through. In the final moments of his life, all Grandpa wants is to eat another popsicle. How could we, his children and grandchildren, deny him that wish?"

"Forget a popsicle—even if Grandpa wanted a drink right now, I’d have a couple of glasses with him."

Li Xu said, "Brother Wang, you’re right. True filial piety isn’t about defying the heavens, using all sorts of machines and medicine to forcibly prolong a life that’s about to end.

It’s about respecting his wishes, helping him fulfill his last desires, and letting him pass on more comfortably, more peacefully, and with fewer regrets."

"Thank you."

Brother Wang thanked him and hung up.

「It was already late autumn.」

Some of the smaller convenience stores had stopped selling popsicles for the season.

He made a special trip to a nearby supermarket and bought several of the most expensive imported ice cream bars—the kind that cost over ten yuan each. He then ran home and held one to his grandfather’s lips.

But Old Wang only took two licks before shaking his head and mumbling, "Doesn’t taste good... Too rich... I want... I want something icy..."

Without a word, Brother Wang immediately ran downstairs again and came back with a bunch of classic one-yuan ice pops.

These classic ice pops were icier and had a higher water content.

Brother Wang tore open the wrapper and placed the frosty popsicle in his grandfather’s hand.

Old Wang looked at the popsicle in his hand, and a glimmer of childlike satisfaction flashed in his cloudy eyes.

He opened his mouth and took a careful bite.

The icy, slightly sweet crystals slowly melted in his mouth.

"Mmm... Delicious. This is the flavor..."

Old Wang ate slowly, savoring every moment.

It was as if he were eating the most precious thing in the world.

Soon, he finished the ice pop.

Old Wang wasn’t satisfied. "Can I have another?"

With red-rimmed eyes, Brother Wang nodded. "Grandpa, I bought a lot. You can have as many as you want."

...

「Late that night.」

Just as Li Xu put down his medical book and was getting ready for bed, he faintly heard the sound of crying coming from the neighboring complex.

He let out a sigh.

He turned off the light and went to sleep.

「The next morning, the sun shone warmly.」

A black Mercedes sedan pulled up to the clinic entrance, right on time.

Ding Aiguo was there to pick up Li Xu and Song Sisi.

"Chairman Ding, we’re so sorry to trouble you to come all this way yourself," Li Xu said with a smile as he opened the car door.

"Haha, don’t be so formal," Ding Aiguo replied with a laugh.

Li Xu placed the cooler he was carrying inside the car.

Behind him, Song Sisi seemed a little reserved. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Ding Aiguo said, "I’m the one who’s lucky today, so of course I’m excited. You mentioned yesterday that you got three... Golden Leopard-Striped Loaches? I’ve never had them before. I’m looking forward to a new experience."

The three of them chatted and laughed all the way to Li Garden, arriving in no time.

Elder Li was already waiting for them in the courtyard.

He saw Li Xu, then his gaze fell upon the pretty and poised Song Sisi, and a knowing smile touched his eyes.

"Finally willing to bring your other half along?" Elder Li teased deliberately.

Song Sisi’s face instantly flushed red.

Li Xu neither denied nor explained it, simply introducing her. "Sisi, this is Elder Li."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elder Li. I’m Song Sisi," she said, her face still red.

"Haha, since this is your first visit, I must give you a little something."

As he spoke, Elder Li turned and took an exquisite velvet box from his housekeeper, handing it to Song Sisi. "Here, young lady, take this. It’s a little welcome gift from Grandpa Li."

Song Sisi was overwhelmed, waving her hands and not daring to accept it.

Li Xu smiled. "Go on, Sisi, take it. It’s a token of Elder Li’s kindness."

Only then did she cautiously accept it, whispering, "Thank you, Elder Li."

Elder Li nodded, satisfied.

Then, his gaze was drawn to the cooler Li Xu had placed on the table.

He eagerly opened it.

Inside lay three loaches, entirely golden and covered in a beautiful leopard-print pattern. They rested quietly on a bed of ice. Although dead, their scales still shimmered with a brilliant luster, and they were in absolutely perfect condition.

"What a find!"

Elder Li’s eyes lit up as he praised them again and again. "Wild Golden Leopard-Striped Loaches of this quality... truly a once-in-a-lifetime find. Today, this old man will have to pull out all the stops to be worthy of such a supreme ingredient."

He glanced at Ding Aiguo. "You’re in for a treat today, you kid. I’ve also prepared an excellent fish. Just you wait. Today, I’m going to give you all a ’Battle of the Fish Kings’!"

With that, he turned, strode into the kitchen, and began his culinary creation for the day.

Elder Li was getting on in years, after all. So, despite his high spirits, the more strenuous prep work, like washing and chopping vegetables, was still handled by the housekeeper.

He, meanwhile, acted as the master chef directing the operation, personally taking over only for the most crucial, core steps of the cooking process.

Ding Aiguo was a man of refined taste. Even though he was here to freeload a meal, he naturally wouldn’t arrive empty-handed.

He had his driver retrieve an exquisite leather case from the trunk.

"Elder Li has been in good health and good spirits lately. A meal isn’t complete with just food! We need some fine wine to liven things up!"

This time, he hadn’t brought tea, but rather a bottle of red wine from Burgundy, France. Its elegant packaging hinted at an exceptional vintage.

"Elder Li, a little high-quality red wine is good for circulation and heart health," Ding Aiguo said with a smile.

Elder Li poked his head out of the kitchen and laughed heartily. "Excellent! You’re a thoughtful one, you kid. Today, I’ll have a taste of this foreign stuff of yours."

Ding Aiguo hadn’t just brought the wine; he’d also brought a set of crystal stemware.

He skillfully uncorked the bottle.

A complex bouquet of blackcurrant, cherry, and oak instantly filled the living room.

He poured a small amount for himself and for Li Xu.

Li Xu rarely drank red wine, so he curiously copied Ding Aiguo, gently lifting his glass to the light and giving it a slow swirl.

He watched as the swirling liquid left streaks like tears on the side of the glass, which then slowly slid back down.

"I’ve often heard that you can judge a red wine’s quality by its ’legs.’"

Li Xu asked curiously, "Chairman Ding, what’s the secret behind that?"