Chapter 147: Han Hanxue's Request

Su Bai ignored Han Hanxue and turned his attention to Han Jianye instead! He knew that the key to the matter still lay with Elder Han.

"Elder Han, is this little trinket really worth that much now?"

"When my friend gave it to me, he told me he spent less than two hundred yuan on it when he bought it!"

Han Jianye, who had been toying with the teapot, showed no reaction whatsoever upon hearing Han Hanxue's words, as if he hadn't heard them at all. But when Su Bai mentioned that the teapot had cost less than two hundred yuan, Han Jianye burst out laughing with great amusement!

"Could my old eyes have deceived me?"

"Never mind that. Since it's a sincere token of affection from little Su, I, this old man, will gladly accept it!"

Actually, whether the teapot was worth two hundred or two hundred thousand yuan, Han Jianye truly did not care. It would not have any impact on him either way. He simply wanted to use this opportunity to test Su Bai's character. Hearing Su Bai's response, Han Jianye couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up!

The old man and the young man chatted idly for nearly twenty minutes. Han Hanxue watched as Su Bai completely turned a deaf ear to her words, showing no intention of leaving whatsoever!

"Ahem, ahem, ahem..."

Han Hanxue tried to use her coughs to remind Su Bai and let him know it was time for him to leave!

Hearing Han Hanxue's coughs, Su Bai naturally understood what she meant—she was reminding him that he should go. However, seeing that Elder Han was still thoroughly enjoying the conversation, he couldn't bring himself to just stand up and leave.

Han Jianye looked at Han Hanxue, who kept making fuss nearby, and said with a warm smile, "Alright, Xiaoxue, I'm fine!"

"I'm having a rare good mood today, chatting with little Su, and you even have to meddle in that!"

Han Hanxue said coaxingly, "Of course not, Grandpa. The doctor said you need to rest more and shouldn't sit up for more than fifteen minutes, but you've already been up for over twenty minutes!"

Han Jianye waved his hand dismissively.

"What do doctors know? I know my own body best. Lying down all this time makes my bones rust; getting up to move around feels much better than just lying there!"

"Little Su, don't mind Xiaoxue; she's only doing this for my health."

Hearing that Elder Han was in poor health and needed more rest, Su Bai naturally couldn't stay here much longer. Besides, the purpose of his visit had already been achieved.

"Elder Han, you should rest more. I'll head back now, but I'll come visit often in the future!"

"And thank you, Elder Han!"

Han Jianye waved his hand dismissively once again.

"Alright, alright, off you go!"

With that, he turned around with his hands behind his back and walked back into the house!

For some reason, Su Bai felt an endless sense of loneliness emanating from that hunched back. It was that feeling of a hero in his twilight years, yet it remained so majestic, carrying a vicissitude of life beneath a frame that was no longer strong.

Back in the car, Su Bai looked at Han Hanxue apologetically.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know Elder Han's health was poor and that he couldn't chat for too long. I'll definitely pay attention next time!"

Su Bai had already prepared himself for Han Hanxue to lash out at him and call him inconsiderate or clueless. He had resolved to endure whatever harsh words she might throw at him without a single complaint!

"Alright, no offense taken since you didn't know. Just remember for next time."

Hearing this, Su Bai looked at Han Hanxue in mild surprise! Why had she suddenly become so easy to talk to?

The awkward silence descended upon the car once more. Neither of them spoke; one simply drove quietly, while the other stared blankly ahead.

"It's been so long since I last saw Grandpa laugh so heartily like he did today!"

Huh? Su Bai looked in puzzlement at Han Hanxue as she drove.

"In the past, Grandpa was personally in charge of promoting Great Xia's cultural propaganda."

"But in recent years, Great Xia's culture has been constantly assimilated by foreign cultures. Seeing the traditional cultural spirit of Great Xia vanishing bit by bit, Grandpa has been deeply worried at heart!"

"His lifelong wish is to see our Great Xia culture flourish and spread. He believes that as a great nation with five thousand years of cultural heritage, we should not be reduced to our current state."

"Therefore, when he heard your song *Heaven and Earth Dragon Scale*, he truly loved it from the bottom of his heart. He felt that you are the hope for our Great Xia's cultural propaganda, and that you can propagate our culture to the entire world!"

"That's why he broke his own rule, stepping forward to speak up for you even after stepping back into the second line of retirement!"

"Because he knows very well that his time is running out. He wants to witness the hope of Great Xia's cultural rise within his remaining lifetime!"

"He has pinned all his hopes on you now."

"You won't let him down, will you?"

Su Bai, who had expected Han Hanxue to give him a severe scolding, fell silent instantly upon hearing these words. At the same time, his heart was struck by a profound sense of shock!

What kind of broad-mindedness and ideological awareness must an old man possess to hold such thoughts? At this moment, the hunched figure of the elder magnified infinitely in Su Bai's mind, becoming towering and majestic.

Su Bai understood that it was precisely because of such individuals, who poured their entire lives' efforts into the bright future of Great Xia, that the peaceful and prosperous era of Great Xia existed today! It was because these people did not hesitate to break their usual conventions for the sake of Great Xia that peace and tranquility were brought to its people!

At the same time, Su Bai gradually began to realize what turbulent undercurrents were hidden beneath that seemingly peaceful exterior! Just as Elder Han worried, if Great Xia's culture were gradually invaded by foreign cultures, and our spiritual pillar was eroded bit by bit by the spiritual opium of foreign influences, what would we have left to defend the enduring prosperity of our motherland?

Therefore, as a citizen of Great Xia, one must keep the string in their heart taut at all times and maintain a sense of crisis!

At this moment, Su Bai seemed to understand the true meaning of his future endeavors. It was not merely about achieving personal wealth and glory, but even more importantly, about making the culture of Great Xia shine across the entire world.

"Rest assured, I won't let Elder Han down."

Su Bai spoke every single word with absolute conviction and force.

Looking at Su Bai's serious expression, Han Hanxue nodded.

"My tone might have been a bit too sharp earlier, and I hope you didn't take it to heart. I was just really worried about my grandfather."

"I was afraid you were like the others, approaching him simply for his current resources and influence."

"But seeing the change in Grandpa today, I realize I might have overthought it."

"Even someone as shrewd as Grandpa chose to trust you, so I shouldn't doubt you either."

"So, I'm sorry..."

"As long as you can keep Grandpa this happy and fulfill his lifelong wish, I will exhaust all my resources to help you clear any hurdles you encounter."

"This is the promise I, Han Hanxue, make to you."

Seeing the sincere determination in Han Hanxue's eyes, Su Bai knew she genuinely hoped he could shoulder the heavy responsibility of Great Xia's cultural promotion. Su Bai did not dare to make rash promises, as even he himself did not know what the outcome would be.

"I will do my utmost!"

Han Hanxue nodded with a sense of relief.

The car sped swiftly away into the distance.