2. A Windfall from the Heavens

Xiao Yao didn’t know when he had fallen asleep at the bedside, but it was the old man who woke him.

Blinking away his drowsiness, Xiao Yao saw that the old man was already awake, half-reclining against the headboard, looking remarkably spirited. His mind instantly cleared, and he asked in delight, “Grandpa Zhao, you’re finally awake! You gave me quite a scare last night. How are you feeling now?”

“It’s the same old problem, but I’m fine now.” Old Mr. Zhao gripped Xiao Yao’s hands tightly, his face filled with emotion. “I heard from the nurse just now—last night, it was all thanks to you. If you hadn’t rushed me to the hospital in time, I fear I wouldn’t have survived the night.”

“Well, fate has brought us together, hasn’t it? You came to my little restaurant for two days in a row. If you were in trouble, how could I just stand by and do nothing?”

Old Mr. Zhao slapped his thigh. “That’s well said! Fate has indeed brought us together.”

“Do you have any family, sir? You didn’t go home last night—your family must be worried. You’d better give them a call. I couldn’t find your phone last night; otherwise I would’ve informed them then.”

“I’m all alone, never married, no children. The only one who’s been with me for a long time is my housekeeper, and he still cares about me. But he went abroad a few days ago and is still on the plane. He won’t land until noon.” There was a hint of sorrow and loneliness in the old man’s voice.

Xiao Yao hadn’t expected that this wealthy and distinguished Mr. Zhao was actually an elderly man all alone. Since the old man was recovering, it was best not to dwell on such disheartening topics.

He quickly changed the subject. “I can tell from your accent that you’re not a local. It sounds unique—where are you originally from?”

“My hometown is right here in Hanzhou. I went abroad when I was seven or eight, and I’ve been away for eighty years. Most of that time I lived in France. My accent still has its roots in Hanzhou dialect, but after so many years overseas, it’s inevitably been influenced—the local flavor is no longer pure.” The old man explained.

“So you’re like a fallen leaf returning to its roots, planning to spend your twilight years here in Hanzhou?”

“That’s right, that’s exactly my plan. When people grow old, they long for home. Even though I have no relatives or friends here or abroad, walking the streets of Hanzhou, I somehow feel more at peace.” Xiao Yao couldn’t truly understand the old man’s feelings, but he could sense the heaviness in his words.

After chatting for a while, it was time for breakfast. Xiao Yao went to the hospital cafeteria and brought back a hearty meal to share with the old man.

That morning, the old man needed three rounds of IV drips. Knowing he had no one else to care for him, Xiao Yao didn’t feel comfortable leaving, so he stayed to keep him company.

It wasn’t until after lunch, when only the last drip remained, that the old man’s housekeeper finally arrived in haste.

The housekeeper, Lu Xuhui, was in his prime, around fifty, exuding competence even in the sweltering heat, dressed in a crisp suit.

Seeing the old man’s wan appearance in the hospital bed, Lu’s eyes reddened. “Sir, are you alright? Why did you suddenly fall ill again? Didn’t I arrange for the family doctor to be by your side at all times? Did you send Dr. Han away?”

“My health’s already like this—how many days do I have left? All I want is to spend my remaining days as I wish, in peace, without anyone disturbing me. Dr. Han is highly skilled; there’s no need for him to waste his time on me.” The old man sounded philosophical and open-minded.

On the way from the airport to the hospital, the housekeeper had already learned what had happened the previous night.

The one to whom the old master owed his safety was none other than Xiao Yao.

“Mr. Xiao, thank you so much for your help. I’m Lu Xuhui, housekeeper of the Zhao residence. Your kindness will not be forgotten—I’ll be sure to bring a proper gift to thank you in person another day.” Lu Xuhui gripped Xiao Yao’s hands sincerely.

“You’re too polite—it was nothing, just the right thing to do.” Xiao Yao was a little unaccustomed to such formal gratitude from an elder.

Once the pleasantries were over, Mr. Zhao instructed, “Xiao Yao has kept me company for half a day and a night. He must not have slept well last night. See him out and let him go home for a good rest.”

Indeed, Xiao Yao had spent the night on a chair and was truly tired, so he made no further protest. He stopped by his restaurant briefly before heading home for a proper rest.

Xiao Yao rented a one-bedroom apartment in an old neighborhood, conveniently close to the restaurant.

The next morning, Xiao Yao was planning to visit Mr. Zhao at the hospital, but instead received a call from Housekeeper Lu.

It turned out that Mr. Zhao had been discharged that very morning, and a sumptuous family feast had been prepared in his honor. A car would be sent to pick Xiao Yao up shortly.

After hanging up, Xiao Yao thought to himself that Mr. Zhao was indeed stubborn—if he hadn’t insisted on leaving, the doctors would never have released him so soon.

About five minutes later, the driver called.

The man who came to pick him up looked to be in his early thirties, spoke little, and treated Xiao Yao with great respect.

What amused Xiao Yao was that the old man’s residence was extremely close to his restaurant—no more than a kilometer away. It would have been faster to walk.

The luxurious Mercedes S600 stopped in front of a three-story villa, where Lu Xuhui came out personally to greet him.

They chatted as they walked along a cobblestone path toward the villa.

It was Xiao Yao’s first time visiting such a luxurious home. The sprawling lawns outside and the opulent interior décor left him wide-eyed with amazement.

To thank Xiao Yao, the old man had prepared a lavish family banquet. The table boasted a foot-long Australian lobster and wild abalone, both firsts for Xiao Yao. The dishes, made with rare ingredients, were exquisite, but even the simple home-style stir-fries were astonishingly delicious. Clearly, today’s chef was no ordinary cook.

“The chef here has remarkable skills. If my restaurant’s head chef could cook like this, I’d never have to worry about slow business again,” Xiao Yao exclaimed in admiration.

Lu Xuhui explained, “Today’s chef was specially invited from a five-star hotel—his skills are naturally first-rate. If you like the food, please eat your fill.”

After the meal and a cup of tea brewed by Lu himself, Mr. Zhao first inquired about Xiao Yao’s family background, then suddenly said, “I’ve had no children or close relatives my entire life. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be preparing to donate all the wealth I’ve accumulated over a lifetime.”

He paused, then continued, “You saved my life. If not for your selfless help last night, I might be in the morgue now. Any ordinary person knows to return a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude. For saving my life, I must repay you.”

“I intend to bequeath all my assets to you!”

Though Mr. Zhao’s voice was a little weak, these words struck Xiao Yao like a thunderclap, leaving him unable to regain his composure for a long time.