As dusk settled, Jason Luo and Grace were guessing what delicious dishes their father might cook when Henry Luo arrived, carrying several big bags.
"Whoa!"
Steaming pressed duck, braised pork rice, sweet-and-sour grass carp, nourishing snake soup, crispy pigeon… he laid out more than a dozen dishes at once, leaving Jason and Grace completely stunned.
"Dad… you made all this?"
Henry Luo sighed. "Even if I could, where would I go to catch snakes?"
"Then how—"
Henry gave a bitter smile. "Jason, you have no idea. Our house was surrounded! I didn't even make it through the front door before getting stopped by boxing fans. Once they heard you weren't seriously injured and would be discharged soon, they were overjoyed! When I told them I didn't have time to chat because I had to bring you food, they dragged me straight to a big restaurant. If I hadn't stopped them, they would've ordered every single item on the menu!
"A few wealthy folks even tried to stuff money into my pockets just for a chance to meet you. I refused, of course. Jason, looks like you've really become famous!"
Jason frowned. Fame was nice, but not if it disrupted his family's life.
"Dad, you did the right thing. A meal's fine, but we can't accept money. If anyone needs to talk business, tell them to go through Mr. Raul. I signed a contract with him, so we can't be making private deals behind the scenes."
Henry nodded. "I know. Alright then, let's eat."
With so much food, there was no way three people could finish it all.
After dinner, Jason told Grace to head home and get some sleep, taking the leftovers with her.
The moment she left, Jason quickly asked his father to help him to the bathroom—he'd been holding it far too long...
When he returned, finally relieved and relaxed, Henry suddenly spoke in a serious tone.
"Son, there's something I want to talk to you about."
Jason's heart sank. He already had a feeling what it was, but this time he didn't plan to avoid it.
"Dad, it's about boxing, right?"
"Yeah, Jason. I just want to hear what you really think."
Jason took a deep breath. "Dad, I know I scared everyone this time… but please believe me, something like that almost never happens. I… I really want to keep going. But I also want your support. Dad, please say yes."
Henry was silent for a long while before slowly saying, "Son, that day, when we saw you get knocked down for the first time on TV, I never imagined boxing could be so brutal. My first thought was, 'For a bit of money, this is way too dangerous. No way can I let him keep doing this.'
"But when you got knocked down again and again, yet stood back up each time, I was moved by your determination. If you didn't truly love boxing, you wouldn't have that kind of willpower.
"I was torn—didn't want you hurt, but didn't want to crush your dream either. It was hard to decide. But after these past couple of days, seeing so many people cheering for you, I've finally thought it through.
"Son, if you really want to keep going, I just want you to be clear about one thing: if you're doing this just for money, we should quit now. I promise, if the three of us work hard together, we'll live well without boxing."
Jason, who had been listening quietly, blurted out, "Dad, that's not it! I'm not fighting just for the money—I want to win the Gold Belt!"
At this point, Jason told his father everything—Coach Pedro's condition, his dream, and his own resolve.
After listening, Henry looked at him for a long moment before breaking into a smile.
"Good! If that's what you truly want, then you have my support. But while I also want you to aim for the world title, my reason's different."
Jason blinked in confusion. "Not for money, not for the coach—then what for?"
Henry stood up. "For pride—for the pride of where we come from, to make our people proud! Jason, you grew up in the States, so there's a lot you might not know. Your grandfather's generation came here to escape war. They survived, but often faced prejudice and bullying. That's why your grandfather gave me the name Zhihua—it means 'to aspire to make our people proud.' But I'm just an ordinary man, and I've never been able to live up to that ideal."
He patted Jason's shoulder. "Jason, I couldn't do it myself, but fate has given you the chance. If one day you win the world championship, it'll mean a lot to our people. Then I can finally say I've lived up to your grandfather's hopes."
Jason hadn't expected his father's name to carry such meaning. Make their people proud?
He felt a surge of new strength, his eyes lighting up. "Dad, I understand. From now on, I'll train even harder. Someday, I'll make our people proud in the ring!"
"Good boy! I'll be waiting for that day. When it comes, bring that Gold Belt to show your grandfather first! Hahaha!"
Father and son were completely in sync now, elated beyond measure.
"Hey Dad, since it's for our people's pride, maybe I should change my name to Zhenhua!"
Henry immediately smacked him on the head. "Nonsense! If you change it like that, we'd be equals—don't talk such nonsense!"
"Huh?"
Jason had no idea what he'd said wrong, earning a good laugh from his father. Luckily, there was no one else in the hospital room to see it...
The next morning, Jason was almost fully recovered and could walk on his own. Grace arrived early, bringing hot congee.
As soon as she stepped in, she saw father and son laughing together and asked, puzzled, "Dad, what's going on? Why are you two so happy?"
Jason grinned. "Dad agreed to let me box again. So next, he's planning for you to go back to school. You'd better get ready!"
"What?!"
Grace's face fell immediately. "No way, Dad! I'm too old for that. I've missed two or three years—how can I catch up? Please, spare me!"
Henry deliberately straightened his face. "That's not happening! What, you plan to be a waitress forever?"
"I'll do anything else! But going back to school now? Everyone will laugh at me... Please, Dad! Brother, say something! I really don't want to go!"
Her expression was so adorable that father and son couldn't hold back anymore—they burst out laughing.
After a moment of stunned silence, Grace realized what was going on. "You tricked me! Ugh, you're the worst! Brother, I'm never talking to you again!"
Laughter and teasing filled the hospital room, drawing curious glances from passing nurses and doctors...
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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