chapter 16 If you don’t love, don’t hurt ===

Ulric understood his feelings; people always need hope, otherwise, what's the difference between them and the dead?
"Kid, since you're here today, there's something I want to ask you," Flynn said.
"Go ahead."
Flynn glanced into the room and then asked, "What do you think of my granddaughter?"
"She's great, kind-hearted, and considerate."
"Do you like her?"
"Huh?"
"Why the hesitation? I'm asking a straightforward question."
Ulric scratched the back of his head. "Sis Wilma is someone everyone likes. Old Master, why do you ask?"
"As long as you like her, then today I'll give her to you. But you mustn't let her suffer," Flynn declared.
Upon hearing this, Ulric quickly refused, "That... that's not possible, Old Master, I can't do that."
"Why not? Weren't you just saying you like her? Why the sudden reluctance?"
Ulric felt bitter. "You've misunderstood. When I said I liked her, I meant her personality and character, not romantic feelings. Besides, I'm a country bumpkin; how could I ever catch Sis Wilma's eye?"
Ulric politely declined, and Flynn felt a bit disappointed. "I don't think it's that you can't catch her eye; it's that she can't catch yours, right? Kid, tell me the truth, do you have someone else in your heart?"
"Well..." Ulric was helpless and had to reveal the engagement with the Flores Family. Flynn chuckled, "I knew you were no ordinary guy. If you didn't have what it takes, would Old Master Flores agree to betroth his granddaughter to you?"
"Well, I don't mind if you marry both of them, but my granddaughter must be the main wife."
Ulric was speechless.
"Kid, I'm not joking. I only have this one precious granddaughter. I can see she quite likes you too. You mustn't hurt her."
Ulric looked troubled. "Old Master, you're putting me in a tough spot."
"In that case, I won't interfere. But if you hurt her, even if I'm dead, I won't let you off easy," Flynn sighed. "Kid, do me this favor, at least for the sake of my impending death?"
"Well..."
Ulric was extremely conflicted.
How could he make a rash decision about such a matter?
Wilma was very likable, but that didn't mean she reciprocated his feelings. Perhaps she only saw him as a friend; he couldn't be certain.
Moreover, if he agreed to this, it would surely cause complications with Mabel. When their respective masters, along with Old Master Flores, questioned them, how would he explain?
These were questions Ulric had to consider.
"Old Master, this kind of thing can't be forced. Please don't put me in this position."
Seeing his reaction, Flynn lay back in his rocking chair, feeling a mix of emotions. "Forget it, you young folks can handle your affairs. But let me remind you, don't hurt someone if you don't love them, understood?"
Ulric nodded. "I understand."
After chatting for half an hour, when Ulric left, Flynn said to Wilma, "Girl, tell me the truth, do you like him?"
"Grandpa, why are you bringing this up again?"
"Sigh, I don't want to either, but I only have a few days left, and I can't help but worry about you!"
"Grandpa, don't say such gloomy things. Since Ulric brewed medicine for you, why not drink some?"
Wilma's eyes were slightly red, and Flynn chuckled, "Okay, I'll drink, I'll drink now."
These days, Wilma had been keeping him company, wanting to fulfill her filial duty and create some memories. Finally coaxing him to sleep, her father Lennox hurried over.
"Wilma, is Grandpa asleep?"
"Yes, Dad. Still no progress?"
Lennox sighed. "Sigh, it's not that easy. If I'd known, I wouldn't have taken this risk."
Lennox was filled with remorse as he spoke. If they hadn't let Ulric suppress the hexworm, Flynn might have lived a little longer, even if bitten by the bug, it would only have taken about half an hour.
But now, the culprit hadn't been found, and the hexworm couldn't be eradicated. In another five days, five days from now, the old man would pass away. How could Lennox, as his son, feel good about this?
"Dad, at this point, you shouldn't blame yourself. Uncle Alistair doesn't know about this yet, should I call him back?"
Lennox glanced at the sleeping Flynn and then said, "Let me inform them. Since there's still some time, let Ulric think of a solution. Tell him that he can propose any conditions as long as he can save Grandpa's life."
"Dad, he's not someone who craves vanity. If he has a solution, he won't let Grandpa suffer."
"Let's ask again. Having hope is better than having none."
Lennox looked weary, but Wilma couldn't bear to refuse. "Alright, I'll meet with her tomorrow."
The next day, Wilma arranged to meet Ulric. Regarding Flynn's situation, he felt helpless.
"Sis Wilma, don't worry too much about this. Let Old Master finish the medicine I made for him first and see if it works."
"Is your medicine effective?"
Ulric met her gaze and then said, "I'm not sure if it's effective, but it at least affects the hexworm."
Hearing this, Wilma seemed to have some hope. "Alright, I'll take your word for it. Hopefully, Grandpa will be fine."
As they were talking, a van suddenly stopped in front of them, and then five or six youths jumped out, wielding clubs. It was obvious they meant trouble.
Seeing this, Wilma rebuked, "What are you guys doing?"
"Miss Dun, it's none of your business. It's best not to meddle. Otherwise, when we start, the clubs won't discriminate."
"Do you know me?" Wilma frowned slightly.
"Of course, you're Miss Dun from the Dun Family. Who doesn't know? Today, we're only looking for him; it has nothing to do with you." The leader pointed at Ulric with a club, and Wilma stepped in, "Why are you looking for him? Who sent you?"
"Sorry, we're not authorized to say." The youth looked at Ulric. "You're Ulric, right? Sorry about this, but we're just doing a job. If you're a man, don't hide behind a woman."
"Yeah, kid, if you've got guts, come out; what's the point of hiding behind a woman?"
"Boss, why bother talking to him? Let me teach him a lesson."
At this moment, one of them couldn't contain himself and approached Ulric, swinging his club.
Wilma shouted angrily, "Who dares? Aren't you afraid of the police coming in broad daylight?"
"Miss Dun, don't be unreasonable. If it weren't for instructions from the other side, do you think we would be afraid of you?" The henchman said and raised his club, aiming for Ulric's head. Wilma's face turned pale with fear.
Ulric, seeing him attack so viciously, quickly pulled Wilma aside and dodged his swing.
"Heh, not bad, you managed to dodge that. Kid, come again."
Wilma hadn't reacted yet when the club appeared again. This time, Ulric didn't dodge but instead grabbed his arm and flung him ten meters away.
Seeing this, the others rushed in, but Ulric quickly took them down.
The leader saw the situation was bad and hurriedly said to his companions, "Retreat, let's go."
Ulric didn't stop them. These people didn't need guessing; it was Griffin who sent them.