James Black didnât say anything, but his gaze stayed fixed on Jane Sampson. Her tone left no room for negotiation, so she had already set the time to go.
She knew he would be free on the eighth lunar day.
"Why are you staring at me with that gaze? Drive us home already." Jane Sampson urged. The car had heating, and after being inside for a little while, she felt her body warming up. She withdrew her hand from James Blackâs and blew on it twice for warmth.
Since childhood, her health hadnât been great. In the winter, her hands and feet would always turn icy cold.
At night, when they slept, Jane Sampsonâs favorite thing to do was place her cold hands on James Blackâs belly for warmth, with her feet pressed against his lower legs. The warmth was beyond comforting.
Sometimes sheâd make James Black shiver and inhale sharply from the cold, only for her to laugh heartily all by herself.
James Black still didnât rush to drive off but suddenly said, "Rachel Miller wouldnât have told you she hopes Iâll meet the Miller family, would she?"
"Eh? How did you know?" Jane Sampson was startled. It was trueâRachel Miller wanted James Black to visit his elder brotherâs grave, forgive him, and convey to Father Miller that he bore no resentment. Essentially, it meant meeting the Miller family.
"He probably mentioned that his father is ill and hopes you can persuade me to meet him to fulfill his last wish?" James Black pressed further.
"How do you know everything?" Jane Sampson was stunned. "Rachel Miller said theyâve kept the news of his fatherâs illness hidden from the outside world, afraid that it might cause instability within the companyâs management."
"Thereâs nothing I donât know if I want to know." James Black let out a sarcastic laugh. "The Miller family thinks theyâre good at hiding things, but their secrets can only be kept from people who lack connections."
"Did he also tell you about the Miller familyâs hereditary disease?" James Black chuckled lightly. "Seems like heâs shared quite a lot with you."
Jane Sampson scratched her head. She hadnât said a single word, and yet James Black had guessed everything.
"Since you already know, letâs finalize the plan for the eighth lunar day," Jane Sampson said. "Rachel said he doesnât know when itâll be his turn. Judging from the way he spoke, he mustâve inherited this illness too."
Rachel Millerâs two brothersâthey both inherited this hereditary disease. Naturally, Jane Sampson couldnât help but worry about James Black.
"The Miller familyâs hereditary disease has a 70% chance of being passed down to the next generation. Among that 70%, 50% will actually manifest symptoms. The age of onset varies; some develop it as young children, while others donât show symptoms until old age," James Black explained. "As for me, I happen to fall into the fortunate 30%."
"When I was born, I underwent tests that didnât detect this disease basis. Later, after my grandfather brought me back, he took me to the most authoritative hospital in Capital Province for testing as well. The results were the same as when I was a childâI donât carry this disease basis in my body. Iâm healthy."
At this point, James Black glanced at Jane Sampson, whose face was glowing with joy, and softly chuckled under his breath, "Happy now?"
"So happy!" Jane Sampson hugged James Black tightly and planted a kiss on his cheek, her entire face lighting up like a blooming flower.
It wasnât just happinessâmore than that, it was relief.
She had finally found James Black, and her heart just wished for him to always remain healthy and well.
Just like the New Yearâs wish she had made that day, hoping that he would live this lifetime peacefully, smoothly, and without worry.