Chapter 78: Affection Blossoms Between Them

Faced with the guest’s request, Wang’s father did not dare to be negligent, especially since he had yet to discern the old man’s true intentions.

“Dad, what are you…” It was clear that, as his son, Lu Ming had no idea what his father truly intended.

The old man’s name was Lu Fuguo. In his younger years, he had served as a soldier. During a breakout battle, he stayed behind to cover his comrades’ retreat, engaging the enemy alone. His eye was struck by a bullet, leaving him in dire straits. When his ammunition and supplies were exhausted, unwilling to be captured, he leaped from a cliff.

By some stroke of luck, when Lu Fuguo had resigned himself to death, the tangled branches along the cliff spared his life. He fell to the bottom of the mountain unconscious. Coincidentally, a farmer and his daughter, out gathering herbs, discovered the wounded Lu Fuguo.

The old man carried Lu Fuguo home, and upon seeing signs of life, began to nurse him with great care. The farmer’s daughter, upon seeing Lu Fuguo covered in wounds, felt no fear, but instead was moved by admiration.

Under the meticulous care of the farmer and his daughter, Lu Fuguo gradually regained consciousness, and his body slowly recovered. However, the eye destroyed by shrapnel could never heal.

When Lu Fuguo learned of this, he was devastated, even entertaining thoughts of despair.

Wang Xiaoli, the farmer’s daughter, pitied him.

She knew of a legendary method that might cure Lu Fuguo, “nourishing the eye with the eye.”

This method meant transplanting one's own eye to replace the patient's injured one. Yet, the risks were enormous; one false step could create another victim.

Wang Xiaoli understood well the pros and cons, but driven by her affection for Lu Fuguo, she pleaded with her father to perform the surgery himself.

The old man had only his daughter; he was loath to sacrifice her eye for a stranger. He vehemently opposed it, yet Wang Xiaoli, as if possessed, remained unmoved no matter how he tried to dissuade her.

In the end, her persistence prevailed, and the old man found himself at Lu Fuguo’s bedside.

“Young man, your body has almost recovered. Only your eye remains,” he said.

When his injury was mentioned, Lu Fuguo immediately grasped the old man's sleeve and pleaded, “Sir, please heal me. I will repay you one day.”

“Repay? You are little more than a ruined man now. How could you possibly repay me?” the old man retorted, not to wound him, but to see whether, in the face of adversity, this young man would succumb to despair. For most, losing an eye would be a tragedy beyond measure.

“A ruined man? Sir, I don’t see it that way.”

The old man was surprised by Lu Fuguo’s response. “Why not?”

“First, I’ve lost only one eye, not both; second, I fought for honor. Even if I had sacrificed myself, it would have been a worthy death. How could I be called a ruined man?” Lu Fuguo replied with conviction.

In that moment, the old man felt his daughter’s choice had been justified. In a few words, Lu Fuguo had revealed himself as someone who could withstand hardship.

“Young man, to be honest, there is a way to solve your eye problem, but…” the old man began, but Wang Xiaoli shook her head, signaling him not to continue.

Since time immemorial, daughters have followed their own hearts. The old man, as her father, understood her thoughts and quickly changed course. “But you must agree to one thing.”

With hope for his sight restored, Lu Fuguo was overjoyed. “What is it?”

“First, you must marry my daughter. Second, you must never abandon her.”

Wang Xiaoli, still a young maiden, blushed at her father’s words and hurried outside.

After she left, the old man grew more candid with Lu Fuguo. “Will you agree or not?”

Lu Fuguo weighed his options. During his unconscious days, he knew someone had cared for him. When he awoke, it became clear that it had been Wang Xiaoli. For the first time, amid the chaos of war, he understood what it meant to fall in love at first sight. Yet, he knew he was a man who had lost an eye; how could he burden her? He never expected her father would make such a request.

Lu Fuguo was both shocked and delighted.

Seeing his silence, the old man grew angry. “Well? Is my daughter not good enough for you? Consider carefully—your recovery depends on your answer.”

Deep down, the old man hoped Lu Fuguo would refuse. Wang Xiaoli’s mother had died early, and he had raised his daughter alone; he could not bear to pay such a price for a stranger.

“Sir, I am willing.”

The old man’s heart sank. He said nothing, but went outside.

“Sir…” Lu Fuguo, seeing the old man leave, was anxious. “Do not worry. I will treat you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, sir!” Lu Fuguo replied.

The old man did not answer, but approached his daughter. Seeing her shy expression, he knew she had heard everything.

“Daughter, are you sure?”

He longed for her to say no, but her reply dashed any hope.

“I am sure, father!”

Her words were clear and decisive.

Without a word, the old man turned away and entered his room.

After dinner, he said to Lu Fuguo, “Drink this medicine.”

Lu Fuguo followed his instructions and drank it all, then lay on the bed as if dead.

Then he turned to Wang Xiaoli. “Daughter, you too.”

Wang Xiaoli saw her father’s tears, but thinking of her beloved Du Fuguo, she drank it in one gulp.

Looking at the two before him, the old man felt a surge of sorrow in his heart.