The Luckiest Man

Chapter 36: Your Grandpa Will Still Be Your Grandpa

Translator: Larbre Studio

Editor: Larbre Studio

It was quite scary to see the usually bubbly and cheerful Mister Liu now serious and intimidating. Shen Xiaoling secretly stuck out her tongue and giggled, “It’s so scary when grandpa is serious and strict!”

“Ha! Did I scare you? It’s okay,” Liu Huajun looked at the pair of siblings endearingly, “Even if I am strict at anyone, I would never be angry at my dear Xiaoling. Come, come, let’s go steam some dumplings!”

To steam dumplings, they had to leave them in the pot for fifteen minutes after the water started to boil. Soon, the dumplings were ready to be served. Out of habit, Hong Xiaofu and Shen Xiaoling prayed, “We are God’s favorite children!”

Liu Huajun was amused. He asked, “Do you have to pray before your meal?”

“Of course,” Seeing that Liu Huajun had not lifted his chopsticks, Shen Xiaoling did not dare eat. She continued explaining, “My brother said that we could grow up healthily and safely thanks to the grace of God. He had provided us with nutritious food and a safe place to grow up in!”

“We need to be grateful,” Hong Xiaofu added on with a smile, “I feel like whenever I pray, my luck improves a little.”

Liu Huajun listened carefully in silence. Although the two children shared their story lightly, they had experienced many hardships just to enjoy a full meal. Despite that, they remained optimistic, hardworking, and cheerful. That was really commendable.

Liu Huajun also smiled as he held his hands together and said, “Then, I will also pray. May God bless my two favorite children!”

After he finished praying, the trio broke into fits of laughter, “Ha! I feel like a different person now! Alright, grandpa will start eating now!”

The dumplings, particularly the prawn dumplings, were incredibly fragrant. The meal was extremely hearty. Even Liu Huajun ate six or seven more dumplings than usual.

“Oh, it’s so rare to have such an enjoyable meal,” After the meal, Liu Huajun laid down on the bed. He sighed in satisfaction and said, “Alright, my old bones are not as energetic as before. I’m already so tired from this morning’s activity. You two do not need to accompany me all the time, go and get your work done. I am going to take a nap.”

Hong Xiaofu and Shen Xiaoling knew that the body of an elderly would not be as robust as a young man—it was definitely time for him to rest. Hong Xiaofu replied, “Sure, grandpa. Lie down and rest, Xiaoling and I will come back.”

Liu Huajun lightly waved his hand, “Go ahead, don’t get too tired.”

After sending the two children off, Liu Huajun smiled and muttered to himself, “oh, I have not been so happy in a really long time. This is really not easy…” He closed his eyes, and he was soon snoring softly.

Time passed quickly. Liu Huajun sat up from the bed and put on some clothes. In the blink of an eye, it was one o’clock in the afternoon. After pondering for a while, he opened a drawer and took out a certificate, before leaving the house. He hired a cab from the main street and rushed to the city’s provincial government office in the downtown area.

When the guard at the door saw Liu Huajun, he immediately greeted him with a salute, “Sir, what are you here for?”

“Is Governor Zhao Qimin in his office?” Liu Huajun asked as he stood casually. He took out the certificate and handed it to the guard, saying, “If he is, bring me to him.”

Hearing Liu Huajun’s authoritative tone, the guard immediately took the certificate and glanced at it. Then, the guard quickly snapped another salute, “Headman Liu, Governor Zhao is in his office, I will bring you to him immediately.” The guard thought to himself that he was good, and the man in front of him was an important figure. Sure enough, a notable man would remain such. He couldn’t afford to upset him.

Soon, a formally dressed woman in her mid-thirties hurriedly walked through the gates. When she saw Liu Huajun, she smiled, “Old Liu, you could have just dropped me a call, and I would have sent a car to pick you up.”

“That’s too troublesome,” Liu Huajun said as he walked forward, “Xiao Li, is Zhao busy?”

The secretary, Xiao Li, was one of Governor Zhao’s most capable officers. A Peking University postgraduate, she was also one of the most qualified people in the office. In front of Liu Huajun, however, she was a little girl. Holding onto Liu Huajun’s arm, she said, “He was at a meeting just now. As there are more cases regarding the Awakeners recently, he is always busy with meetings. But, old Liu, even if you are in a hurry, you have to slow down. Governor Zhao has asked me to pick you up.”

After the two entered the provincial government office, they took the lift and quickly reached the sixth floor. As they alighted, Liu Huajun saw a man in his fifties waiting there. He had clearly defined facial features and was dressed in a suit. The moment he saw Liu Huajun, the man immediately walked over to greet him. “Mister Liu, you could have contacted me, and I would have personally paid you a visit! You did not have to travel such a long distance to…”

“Enough of this nonsense,” Liu Huajun hummed, “You have been so busy these days, how will you find time to visit me?”

Since he had assumed the position, no one had dared talk to Governor Zhao that way. But there was always an exception. The man before him had changed his diaper when he was a baby. He couldn’t afford to upset him.

The three entered the reception room. Zhao Qimin supported Liu Huajun as he sat down before taking a seat opposite him. Secretary Xiao Li quickly left to prepare tea for the guest. Zhao Qimin thoughtfully said, “Old Liu, you came to meet me today… is there a problem?”

“Yes, there is a problem, but it is not a big one.” Liu Huajun waited for the tea to be served. He took a sip of the drink before continuing, “I remember that I have a spot for Awakening, right?”

As the governor, Zhao Qimin was naturally sharp. Hearing Liu Huajun’s words, he frowned, “Liu, I may be wrong, but do you wish to be Awakened?”

Zhao Qimin had mentioned that for a reason: Liu Huajun had previously made it clear that he did not want to waste the country’s resources. However, as he had just mentioned it again, he may have wanted to help others.

Zhao Qimin’s thoughts ran wild. What kind of person could make Liu Huajun personally make a trip down to ask for this favor? Did such a figure exist in Shencheng? Should he pay that person a visit?

“I do not want this,” Liu Huajun did not hide his intentions. When he thought of Hong Xiaofu and Shen Xiaoling, he broke into a broad smile, “I have adopted a grandson and granddaughter today. My grandson has Awakened, but my granddaughter has not. So, see what you can do about this.”

Zhao Qimin broke into a cold sweat. See what he could do? What could he even do about that? According to the regulations, that would not be an easy matter to resolve. But would he dare go against him? If that old man got mad at him, it would spell trouble.

“Old Liu,” Zhao Qimin started, as he flashed him a sheepish look, “As you know, this spot is extremely precious, there are only a handful of spaces nationwide. You managed to secure a spot as you are one of the country’s most important figures. If you had decided to use it on yourself, it would have been alright. But if you are giving your spot up to someone else…I cannot afford to do that… I’m afraid that the higher management would blame me for it—”

“Why can’t you?” Liu Huajun’s throat tightened, “Ask him to meet me! Let’s see what he can do about it!”