Chapter 188 - First Meeting With Mr. Dai (2)

The first impression Li Caiyi got of Mr. Dai was that he looked like a gentle man. 

Despite his haggard and pale face, his smile exuded a calming effect on those who saw it. He looked extremely weak and could only sit up properly when Dai Shenqiang helped him, but his voice sounded genuinely happy and enthusiastic for having a new face visit him.

"Shen, are there your friends from school?" Dai Bolin smiled at Li Caiyi and Meng Renshu. Both teenagers automatically bowed their hands in unison as a greeting. 

"Father, look closely. Aren't they wearing the same uniform as big brother? They are big brother's schoolmates."

Dai Bolin appeared visibly brightened when he heard that. "Is that so? That's good news! Zhi had never brought his friends to meet his father before."

Li Caiyi subtly studied Dai Bolin's condition and couldn't help but feel the heartache. A skinny body with bone protruding from his hospital gown, hairless head covered by a knitted hat, and a pair of weak-looking and shaky hands. It was heartbreaking to see, but Li Caiyi kept a straight expression and smiled politely.

"Good day, Mr. Dai. My name is Li Caiyi, and this is Meng Renshu. Zhiqiang had been helping us a lot in school, so we came to pay a visit." 

"Oh-ho, what a lovely young lady. I'm surprised my quiet and moody son could be acquainted with you, much less a friend." Dai Bolin chuckled weakly.

"You flatter me too much, Mr. Dai. Zhiqiang is a hardworking and smart person. He helped me with my assignment before, and I'm always grateful to him."

Dai Bolin grinned even wider hearing that. "I see. So that kid finally has someone who can speak for him like that, huh? I'm so glad. He is a tough nut to crack, but I'll feel happy if you can continue to be friends with him. Although he appeared like he had a good head on his shoulder, in reality, he was actually pretty clumsy."

His words were overflowing with his care and affection for his son. It made Li Caiyi's nose sour. 

"Yes, of course, Mr. Dai. I will continue to be his friend and look after him, just like how he always looks after me."

"Oh, what a dependable-looking girl. I like you. Hohoho—cough!" Dai Bolin laughed heartily but quickly choked on his own saliva and coughed hard, alarming everyone in the room.

"Father! Are you okay?" Dai Shenqiang asked with a panic-stricken face. Li Caiyi and Meng Renshu were also tense as they waited for Dai Bolin to recover from his cough.

After a series of violent coughs, Dai Bolin raised his head and chuckled. "Haha, it seems I have worried all of you. I was just choked on my saliva from speaking too fast."

Dai Shenqiang sighed helplessly. "Please don't scare us like that."

"Shen, your father won't drop dead just like that. Can't you let an old man cough in peace?"

"And please stop saying those inauspicious words, Father!"

Li Caiyi couldn't help but feel jealous, seeing how they bickered against each other. It looked very….normal. Something that her family had long lost. 

Perhaps because she had never gotten a true fatherly love before, her heart softened easily in front of Dai Bolin, who visibly loved his sons so much.

"Oh yeah, I'm getting distracted because of Shen. How about you, young man? Did Zhi also inconvenience you in any way?" Dai Bolin smiled at Meng Renshu, who had only stood silently since earlier. Li Caiyi glanced at him curiously, waiting for him to reply. 

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Dai. I'm Zhiqiang's senior, and he had also helped me once in the past."

"Oh, you are already in your third year. I thought both of you were his classmates. It seems Zhi is really trying hard to change in high school. Not only did his friend visit me but also his senior. I'm very happy today."

Li Caiyi noticed something off from his statement, so she asked him, "Mr. Dai, what do you mean by 'changing in high school'? Did Zhiqiang used to be a different person than he is now?"

"Haha, Zhi is a little wild child in the past. He often got into the fight, and his academic records are his only saving grace. If it weren't for that, he would be long since getting kicked out of the school!" Dai Bolin chatted merrily and looked healthier when talking about his son. 

"But he changed after graduating from middle school. He suddenly said he would study well, get a good job, and earn enough for me to live my retirement life in peace. Isn't he such a good boy?"

Dai Shenqiang appeared unsure as he said, "Uh, Father? I don't think you should tell that without asking big brother's permission."

Dai Bolin snorted. "What is wrong with what I'm saying? I'm not spreading lies, and even if he was a delinquent in the past, he is still your big brother. Or are you ashamed of him?"

"Why are you pointing your finger at me? I was just saying because I'm worried Brother wouldn't like it if we carelessly spill his past to other people."

"They aren't other people but your brother's friends!"

Dai Shenqiang sighed in exasperation. "Yes, yes. You are right, Father. I'm sorry for interrupting."

"So Zhiqiang was once a delinquent? No wonder he is so skilled in fighting." Li Caiyi muttered in a low voice.

"Huh? Did you say something, young lady?" 

"Ah, nothing, Sir. I was just amazed that Zhiqiang had such a past. He looked like he was the type that prefers to stay indoors."

"You are actually right about that. Zhi is not the type that will actively seek trouble, but trouble always seeks him first. That's why I'm always worried about him." Dai Bolin sighed before he seemed to remember something. 

"Come to think of it, where is your brother, Shen? Why didn't he come yet?"

Dai Shenqiang's face twitched, and he quickly came up with a reason. "Brother is still busy with his librarian work. He probably will come here soon. Don't worry, Father."

"Tell him to come here as soon as possible, since his friends are here. How can he leave his friends to go by themselves while he works? That kid is still too rigid for his own good," Dai Bolin complained. 

Dai Shenqiang made a resigned expression before replying, "Yes, yes. I will text Brother after this."

Li Caiyi quickly noticed that Dai Shenqiang was trying to cover something, judging from his flustered reaction. She had been trying to reach Dai Zhiqiang for hours, so only God knows when he would find out that she and Meng Renshu were in the hospital visiting his father.

She didn't expose Dai Shenqiang and helped him distract the sickly man instead. "How about I peel some fruits for you, Sir? What about some apples?" 

"I won't refuse anything you offer, young lady. There is some benefit for being sickly like me, hohoho." Dai Bolin reached out his hand, and Li Caiyi instinctively took his hand in hers.

His hand was thin as a stick, and his grip was weaker than a baby's. Li Caiyi carefully held his hand back like she was holding something precious while holding back the urge to grimace.

"Please continue to be a good friend with my son. This old man would forever be grateful if you did."

Li Caiyi seemed to know why Dai Zhiqiang could work so hard. If this man in front of her was her father, she probably would do anything to take care of him. 

She smiled while cupping his hand gently between hers, "Yes, I will."