Olive also learned from the specialized doctor that thereâre some differences between the people infected by the HIV virus and HIV patients. Infected people could use drugs to suppress the virus and increasing the immune system. They wouldnât necessarily turn into an HIV patient. Therefore, this disease should be detected earlier, so the treatment can start earlier.
Ellison was quite lucky. He was sent to the hospital because of a cold, then he found out that thereâs an HIV virus inside his body. The treatment was quite in time, but the risk of death was still there, waiting for him like a Grim Reaper waiting behind him to take his soul away anytime, causing him to be terrified and feeling uneasy every day.
Maybe he still hadnât figured it out by now, whether this virus was caused by his wild habit with women, or because of using drugs by injection. Since he was living his life carelessly, a disaster was bound to come sooner or later.
Sometimes, life happened this way. One moment itâs as if he was in heaven, but the next moment, he would be in hell. Such a contrast wasnât something that everyone could dwell with. Moreover, when such a disease as HIV was thrown in the society, just like the ancient times, people would be terrified with the mention of it, and would avoid it in hurry.
Luckily, outsiders didnât know about the news of Ellison being infected with HIV, itâs just ended up this way. She didnât know if this man had slight repentance of his preposterous lifestyle.
After a moment of silence, Olive spoke up to break the silence, âUncle Norton, I think Iâll go out first, so both of you can have a good chat.â
Norton patted her left hand, âSilly girl, just sit here. You donât need to go anywhere. They said people raise children so they could be taken care of by their children when they are old. But I think, Iâve done evil deeds in my previous life. If he was half as good as you, Iâd burn the incense and thank God.â
Looking at his whining look, Olive wanted to laugh for a moment. He obviously cared about his son in his heart, but he spoke as if he didnât have mercy on him.
Having the best hope for their children is the wish of every parent.
âDad, Iâm sorry.â All of sudden he knelt down, causing both the sitting ones to become startled.
âI know I used to be a bastard. Iâve been thinking a lot recently. Iâm really sorry that Iâm not a filial son.
Although I know that Iâm not your biological son, as I thought about it, both you and Mom had raised me with hardships all these years. You always gave the best for me. But I wasnât being grateful and kept making trouble for both of you, making both of you lose your face. Dad, Iâm sorry! I will definitely change and reflect on my past.â
âYou will? Can I trust you? Iâm afraid you canât change who you are.â Because of too much disappointment, Norton wouldnât believe easily that his unfilial son would change into a better person one day.
âDad, Iâll do as what you say and Iâll never disobey you anymore.â Ellison hastily showed his determination. He swore with his palm over his head.
âThen, return to the sanatorium.â
âI have consulted with the doctor. He said that, as long as I take the medicine on time every day, have regular checkups, I can still work like normal people. Dad, Iâm still young. I wonât just wait for death in another eight or ten years. I want to do something so I can accompany both you and Mom every day after I got off work to make up the mistakes that Iâve made.â
What he said was really touching.
âI definitely wonât let you meddle in the Angel Holiday Hotel. Youâd better give up this idea. Itâs a waste if you still want to get into the hotel. After ruining Hengdu, I canât let you also ruin Angel.â Norton was really determined, he was very angry when talking about the past.
Ellison knew that he was wrong, âI know that Iâve ruined Hengdu. Iâve lost your trust. Now that I think about it, I canât even forgive myself. How could I dare to ask you to reassign me at Angel.â
âIf you really want to repent, you can find a job to support yourself, leave your disreputable friends, and be a dependable person.â Norton eased up a bit and said with a heartfelt tone.
Even though he personally raised him, when he made a big mistake, both parents would regret it, and would sincerely hope that he would change into a better person.
Which parents would want their children to repeat causing trouble without repenting?
Olive sighed quietly, wondering if this man whoâs currently kneeling, could really understand the troubles and pains.
All sorts of Ellisonâs cards and credit cards were cut by his father. Except for the sanatorium bills that had been paid in advance, there wasn't any fund that he could use.
Itâs not because he wanted to put Ellison in a desperate situation. If he was being ruthless, he would just ignore him and let him fend on his own. He wouldnât ensure that he still had an active billing for his treatment, wouldnât force him into drug rehabilitation, and he wouldnât contact any best treatment for him.
In fact, heâs controlling his fund to keep him away from his dissipated life habit.
Itâs not that Ellison didnât understand this. Those friends of his would befriend him only for money. if he didnât have money, he was nothing to them. Let alone that they knew heâs infected with HIV, a virus that everyone talks about, they would definitely ask him to keep away from them.
Itâs the reality of how the human heart is. When you had everything, everyone would make an effort to flatter you. When you had nothing, youâll turn into someone who ran out of luck.
After Hengdu was gone, he was driven out of the country. He had nothing except the rehabilitation and treatment fees that had been paid in advance by his family. He would always remember that time when he borrowed money from his disreputable friends, whom he used to call brothers in his circle, said that theyâre willing to risk their life when thereâre difficulties. All of them looked for various reasons to evade him with their hideous faces.
Thatâs why sometimes he also thought his family is better. No matter when they hated him for not being strong enough, they never gave up on him.
âDad, I know that I was wrong. I can only put all the blames on myself. I have dropped my drug addiction and I promise that Iâll never touch that thing anymore. I wonât approach my previous circle and never contact them anymore. Dad, Iâm sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me, okay?â
That dignified man was about to cry as he spoke, perhaps he thought of what he had gone through in this time and became overwhelmed with his feelings.
Olive turned her head to look at her boss, Norton. His expression looked indifferent and only asked coldly, âCan you promise that you wonât disturb Olive with her work at Angel? And not making any ideas regarding Angel anymore?â
âOlive has managed Angel very well. She is more capable than me. I know nothing except having a wild lifestyle and befriended those disreputable people. I was able to be a general manager in Hengdu was also because of you, but aside from being a bastard, I was useless, and even ruined Hengdu. I was too ashamed to step into Angel again. Iâll only upset you and worry you all the time, whether or not I will ruin Angel again. So, Dad, Iâll listen to you. Iâll look for a job outside steadily and support myself with my own ability. In this life, I wonât promise that Iâll make you proud. But at least, I wonât make both of you worry anymore. Dad, believe me, this time I really want to change myself and become a new person.â
Ellisonâs words were filled with sincerity.
They didnât know when Iory entered the room. She walked to her son and looked at the lost child who was finally about to return, âOld man, since Ellison is regretting it sincerely, you can forgive him this time. Give him a chance to change into a new person.â
âThatâs right, Uncle Norton. Who never does any mistake? Itâs better if he acknowledges his mistake and tries his best to correct it.â Olive also helped to speak in time.
Norton sighed helplessly and looked at his son. His penetrating gaze was as if he looked through his son and seeing the truthful intention of his heart, âDonât think of deceiving me anymore.â
âDad, this will be the last time. If I still canât please both Mom and you, you can cut off our ties as father and son. I wonât complain.â As if he was making a quick decision, Ellison swore to his father.
Iory glared at her son, âHow can you talk like that! Even though you already knew that weâre not your biological parents, but Ellison, you should already know how your father has treated you all these years. The humanâs heart is soft. Even if we find our daughter, do you think that we will let you go?
Son, itâs all up to you now. We also donât know how long will your father live with this body. So, letâs just let him live these days in peace, okay?â
She was a loving mother and all her words were so touching. Olive almost cried as she felt her eyes started to be filled with tears. If the man in front of him remained the same, had an ulterior motive, and did not cherish this affection, then he should be struck by lightning.
Ellison was slightly touched as he listened to his mother, dared not lift his head, âMom, I know I was wrong.â
âGet upâ Itâs not that Iory didnât understand the saying of âA kind mother would have a prodigal sonâ, but since her son was willing to change and started a new, she couldnât help but be soft to him.
Ellison kept on kneeling and cautiously studied his fatherâs expression.
Nortonâs gaze was cold, but didnât look at him, and mumbled, âAre you deaf? Donât you hear what your mom said?â
âThank you, Dad,â Ellison said sincerely before standing up. His legs were a bit feeble since the floor was hard causing his knees to be painful. Itâs just a small pain that he couldnât show.
Olive looked at the family whose relationship had mitigated. She couldnât help but smile, âWell, itâs rare for all of you to come together. Itâs almost lunch time now. What if I arrange a family reunion meal here, so all of you can eat happily?â
Iory replied as sheâs afraid her husband would object, and quickly said, âThis is a great idea. Olive, we will trouble you then.â
Norton snorted slightly but didnât object.
Olive took it as his approval. She picked up her phone and dialed the number. Of course, she especially instructed the chef about which ingredients that can or cannot be used on all the dishes.
Norton shouted out his dissatisfaction on the side, âSilly girl, youâre so talkative. Since youâre not allowing me to eat anything, you might as well starve me to death.â
Iory was feeling annoyed at him, âOlive was thinking about your health, and yet youâre still so fussy about it.â
Because of Ellisonâs effect, the game wasnât successful. Iory pulled her son and attentively asked about his recent condition, while Norton stood alone silently at the balcony. Although it looked like he didnât want to see his son anymore, his ears were listening to the conversation in the ward.
Olive actually kinda hoped to see this family in a harmonious relationship and also hoped that Ellison was wholeheartedly wanted to obey his parents during his unknown rest of life. This way, the regret of the misfortune would be less.
The restaurant was quite efficient. It didnât take long for the delivery girl to knock on the door. As unwrapped the cover of the dish, the smell of food was flowing everywhere.
Olive helped to put the table cloth. Norton intended to ask her to sit down and ate together. But, she felt that itâs better to leave them some privacy this time, âItâs rare for all of you to have a good meal together. I wonât join you anymore. Alan is about to return, I have to go down. You enjoy your food and have a good chat.â
After returning to her ward, Olive made a phone call to Alan.
As always, Alan teased her, âWifey, whatâs wrong? Do you miss me?â