Tian Xiang did not expect Mr. ng to be such a funny person.
The sound of "Eh," that naive smile, made goosebumps appear on her arm.
But, it did dispel the earlier awkwardness.
After greeting Tian Xiang, Mr. ng looked at his grandson on the hospital bed, and his smile faded. His lips quivered, and he started to cry.
"AnAn, my poor child, how did you end up like this while grandpa was away? You’ve beco so skinny; grandpa can hardly recognize you.
AnAn, have you not been eating, or are you going without als? Damn it, how could anyone treat my grandson this way? And your face, who hit you? Quickly tell grandpa, and grandpa will stand up for you, drag them to jail."
Tian Xiang, standing by the side: "..." Feeling a bit worried about her second brother.
ng Cheng’an pulled his hands away from the old man’s grasp with so helplessness.
"Grandpa, can you be a bit more normal?"
The old man glared at his grandson, "How am I not normal? I’m concerned about you. What kind of attitude is this?"
Mr. ng looked at Tian Xiang, "Xiangxiang, help scold him. I haven’t closed my eyes for two days and nights to rush back to see this brat. My old bones are close to problems. Aye, coming back only to be disregarded by this brat, why is my fate so bitter, raising such a hot-tempered kid."
Tian Xiang: "..." Kind of agreeing with ng Cheng’an now.
But hearing that the old man hadn’t slept for two days and nights, her heart ached.
"Grandpa ng, sit down first. I’ll pour you so hot water."
Mr. ng was all smiles, "See, girls are indeed thoughtful."
ng Cheng’an: "..."
Mr. ng held the water brought over by Tian Xiang and asked the guards at the door to call the doctor over to inquire about ng Cheng’an’s condition.
Doctors, nurses, and the hospital director were all extrely respectful.
ng Cheng’an’s physical condition wasn’t particularly alarming, he was just too hungry and didn’t get good rest.
He was sent here the night before last; the hospital had given him a nutrient drip. After resting these two days, he could eat normally again as long as he avoided greasy or hard-to-digest foods.
If there were things to deal with, he could be discharged.
Mr. ng looked at his grandchild, "Ready to be discharged now?"
"Yes."
ng Cheng’an reached out to Tian Xiang, and when their hands clasped together, he looked at the old man very seriously, "Grandpa, please help propose to the Tian Family."
Mr. ng was so delighted he slapped the bed, "Brat, now you’re on the right track."
...
Sanli Lane Courtyard.
It was quite lively here today. During working hours, the main road outside was closed for half an hour, leaving bicycles and buses blocked from passing through.
People said so big shot arrived, causing a temporary road closure.
Many even braved the cold to check it out.
Indeed, there was a long convoy of cars and guard vehicles leading the way.
What kind of big shot is this? They must be here for an inspection!
The crowd was clueless, and they kept discussing it after coming back.
Hu Honglian didn’t go out to see the morning excitent, as she’s lost interest in such things lately.
Pan Yuzhen ca back from buying groceries outside, chatted a bit with a few won in the courtyard, and then ca over to the Tian Family.
"Xiangxiang’s mother, I’ve brought back the baby bok choy you wanted."
These days, besides going out with her daughter in the afternoon for groceries, the midday vegetables are either bought in advance or brought by Pan Yuzhen.
Hu Honglian: "Thank you."
As she spoke, she handed a handful of roasted peanuts to her.
Recently, because of her daughter’s relationship with ng Cheng’an, Hu Honglian generally didn’t let people stay at the house, afraid that others might target their family.
Yet, Pan Yuzhen directly sat by the stove.
Hu Honglian looked at her with so worry. Pan Yuzhen laughed and said, "You missed this morning’s commotion, right? Let tell you, really big shots were involved, with road closure levels. No idea where they’re from, whether on a visit or inspection."
Hu Honglian sighed, "Who cares where they’re from; none of our business."
In the past, she could chat for half a day about this kind of gossip, but now, aside from Pan Yuzhen, no one dared talk to her about this, afraid their family might get involved.
Seeing her looking spiritless, Pan Yuzhen sighed and softly advised, "It doesn’t help to sulk like this every day. You still need to go out and get so air. If people want to talk, let them. Just assu you didn’t hear it. People have mouths, we can’t control them."
That’s all well and good, but Hu Honglian couldn’t bear those disdainful looks.
She used to be the most glamorous and dignified old woman in Sanli Lane, always admired wherever she went.
No one who’s never experienced such a fall can understand it.
Hu Honglian: "Forget it, let’s not talk about it."
Hu Honglian didn’t want to ntion any of it at all; taking each day as it cos.
A few days ago, when she saw her daughter crying miserably over ng Cheng’an, she thought it might be better if they broke up, allowing their family to return to a normal life.
But over the past couple of nights, she also hadn’t been able to sleep, knowing that matters of emotion are hard to approach with reason. Even if her daughter breaks up with him, she’ll regret it for a lifeti. Thinking like this makes her heart heavy again.
So, right now, she doesn’t want to say anything; whether they break up or face it together, it’s up to the young people.
In fact, thinking about it, the ng Family is quite pitiful too.
The young man did nothing, yet he has to bear this pressure. Over the years, it’s unknown how he’s endured.
She herself couldn’t take it for just this little more than half a month, but he’s endured it for over a decade.
Aye, it’s really pitiable.
Seeing Hu Honglian sinking into silence again, Pan Yuzhen didn’t want to dwell on it further, so she started talking about the morning excitent.
"Your sister-in-law He Cuifen went out early to pick up her eldest son and daughter-in-law from the train station and hasn’t returned yet. She’s probably stuck on the road too."
"By the way, when are you having Haiyun and his family co back too?"
Hu Honglian: "The day after tomorrow. The tickets are already booked."
She hadn’t said anything about what’s going on at ho to her eldest son. Who knows how it’ll turn out when they get back.
Whenever Hu Honglian thought about it, she frowned and sighed.
Pan Yuzhen understood, intending to say sothing comforting, but was interrupted by a chatter about passing out candy from the courtyard.
Sticking her head out, Pan Yuzhen remarked, "Your sister-in-law brought Tian Shuyang and the whole family back. Xiangxiang’s mother, do you want to go out and take a look?"
Tian Shuyang is the eldest son of the oldest sibling. He went to the countryside early, got married at the place where he was sent, and even had two kids.
Tian Shuyang’s wife is from the town, a nurse at the health center. After marriage, thanks to his wife’s family connections, he also got a job in town. Among the local educated youngsters, he’s considered to be doing quite well.
Every year, when Tian Shuyang brings the whole family back to celebrate the New Year, He Cuifen always takes ti off to pick them up, showing quite a lot of importance to her elder son’s family.
Hu Honglian: "Forget it, better not go out and be an eyesore."
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