Cheng Shengxia thought, this is my niece’s home, it’s practically our own, you’re the outsider, why are you being so polite? She looked at Chi Yong with irritation simmering beneath the surface, yet she couldn't let it show. With the Old Madam needing attention, having this 'brother' who wasn't a blood relation standing by made Cheng Shengxia feel unable to stand up straight. “I won’t be polite then, Yingzi, let’s eat,” her mood was definitely sour.
Chi Yong could only rub his nose. This was an aunt-in-law to deal with, someone even harder to get along with than a brother-in-law. Chi Yong felt strangely like he was married to the elder sister-in-law, a very bizarre sensation.
In the evening, Old Aunt’s husband walked over ten li to their township to make a call. He told Old Aunt that the baby refused anyone else’s milk and had suffered terribly after only being fed a little rice slurry that night.
Old Aunt was so heartbroken she nearly cried.
Cheng Ying said, “Old Aunt, let Wuzi send you back right now.”
Old Aunt replied, “I came to see my mother; I’m just here to cause trouble for you all. Why make such a fuss over such a small matter? I’ll take the car back tomorrow. If you dare to make a scene, I’ll have it out with you. It’s fine to go hungry for a day or half a day.”
Cheng Ying didn't dare make another sound. But that was fine; she wouldn’t have to lobby her Old Aunt tomorrow since she would be leaving on her own.
Cheng Ying told Old Aunt that the hospital didn’t allow visitors in the evenings, so she should rest well. Old Aunt’s brow furrowed with regret; she hadn't stopped frowning. “If I had known, I wouldn't have come back. Traveling all this way just to sit with your grandmother for half a day.”
Cheng Ying felt a pang in her heart hearing that. “It’s all my fault. If Grandma hadn't come here with me, you wouldn’t have to be so far from her.”
Old Aunt retorted, “Even if I’m far from my mother, I’m happy for her to come out and enjoy herself. What’s so great about staying in that remote mountain ditch?”
Cheng Ying felt much better after hearing those words from Old Aunt.
The two women chatted late into the night. The next morning, Cheng Shengxia went to the kitchen to cook corn porridge for the Old Madam, and early on, the two of them headed to the hospital.
Although the Old Madam urged her daughter to go home, when she saw her daughter was truly leaving, her eyes turned red.
She tightly held Cheng Shengxia’s hand, repeatedly saying, “Take good care of the child at home, live your life well.”
Cheng Ying turned her face away, not wanting to watch anymore. Who said the Old Madam didn’t miss her daughter? It was just that the Old Madam never said it in front of her.
Chi Wu quietly took Cheng Ying’s hand. “People at this time are quite sentimental; they cherish seeing their relatives.”
Cheng Ying felt this form of comfort, which wasn't exactly comfort, was tolerable enough. Her mood lifted slightly.
Old Aunt instructed her mother to recuperate well and to visit when there was time.
The Old Madam immediately got annoyed. “It’s such a long journey; aren't you afraid of getting lost? I’ll go back to the village for the New Year. Don't bother with the back-and-forth travel; save the fare money to buy food for the child.” That one sentence perfectly encapsulated the Old Madam’s thrifty philosophy of life. Cheng Shengxia had been taught by her mother, hand-in-hand, and truly understood this. Her mother certainly wasn't unwilling to see her.
It wasn't until the time to catch the bus was almost upon them that Old Aunt finally left the hospital.
Cheng Ying and Chi Wu went out to see Old Aunt off. Along the way, Cheng Shengxia hadn't stopped reminding Cheng Ying to look after the Old Madam.
It looked like a place one could trust, but for a daughter, there were a hundred reasons not to feel at ease. Her own mother.
When Cheng Ming saw everyone else was gone, he called out dryly to the Old Madam, “Grandma?”
The Old Madam held Mingzi’s hand and never let go. “Your Old Aunt has children; thinking about this whole trip, my heart aches for her.”
Cheng Ming was speechless for a moment.
Chi Wu and the others drove Old Aunt to the station. Chi Wu hauled two large mesh bags of things out of the trunk. The bags were packed so full it was obvious the person who prepared them did so with complete sincerity.
Cheng Ying looked inside and saw malted milk extract and milk powder—all good, long-lasting items. Some were gifts others had given the Old Madam, and some Chi Wu had bought himself from outside. These had been prepared for Old Aunt since yesterday.
When Old Aunt got on the bus, Chi Wu placed the bags inside. “Aunt, don’t forget these things when you get off.”
Old Aunt’s face flushed red. “What are you doing? Hurry up and take these back to your grandmother.”
Cheng Ying said, “Aunt, our family doesn't lack these things. Take them. Wuzi prepared all this for his little brother. You traveled all this way, so you must properly replenish what you lack.”
Chi Wu added, “Aunt, next time you come, I’ll pick you up. Bring Grandma along, and we’ll stay in the provincial city for a few happy days to cheer Grandma up too. We aren’t being distant; these things are just what you need.”
Old Aunt’s eyes were red when she left. “You two are the only ones looking after your grandmother. Old Aunt is relieved.”
Chi Wu waved at the big bus that was already pulling away.
The two of them saw Old Aunt off. As they walked out of the station, Cheng Ying took Chi Wu’s hand. She hadn't thought much of it usually, but ever since Grandma fell, Cheng Ying realized how terrible it would be if Wuzi wasn't by her side.
This man wasn't old, but how could he be so reliable?
Chi Wu found it unbelievable. His heart was soaring, and his reaction was a little slow. Except for that time they dealt with the wolf cub, Yingzi had never proactively taken his hand. Especially recently, after getting engaged, Cheng Ying mostly looked at him with scrutiny. If he didn't actively pursue her, he wouldn't even get a pleasant look from his future wife.
Chi Wu’s usually serious face almost broke into a wide grin. He said slyly, “Wife, what good deed did I do to deserve this?”
Cheng Ying glared at him. “Go on with you.” She naturally let go of Chi Wu’s hand and started walking ahead.
Chi Wu regretted it instantly. Why did I have to be so glib? Why did I have to say it out loud? It would have been better to just be foolishly happy than to anger my wife like this. Chi Wu slapped his own cheek, cursing himself. He got so happy over his wife holding his hand that he forgot his own name. He followed his wife's heels obediently.
The Old Madam’s illness wasn't something that would resolve in a day or two. Wuzi and Cheng Ying both felt they couldn't have the whole extended family running around. During the day, Cheng Ying stayed with the Old Madam; at night, Chi Wu took over. They essentially shouldered the responsibility. Usually, Chi Yong, Yang Zhi, and Cheng Ming would come over to help, so it didn't seem excessively tiring.
When Old Man Chi spoke to Old Madam Chi, he made sure to praise their grandson’s sense of responsibility as much as possible, fearing Old Madam Chi would get annoyed seeing such a grandson. The effort worked well; at least the Old Madam was satisfied with her grandson. Afterward, they didn't hear Old Madam Chi saying anything negative about Cheng Ying or Chi Wu. Old Man Chi breathed a sigh of relief.
When the Old Madam was discharged, others might have felt indifferent, but the Old Madam herself was the first to sigh in relief. “This was no different from being imprisoned. They’ve finally released us! I never want to step foot in this place again.”
Cheng Ying was tidying up the Old Madam’s things. “Have you ever seen such a beautiful prison guard? Besides, the nurses were so good to you; they even helped you carry things when they came and went from work. If people heard you say that, it would be heartbreaking.”
The Old Madam insisted, “No matter how good they were to me, I’m not happy coming to this place.” She immediately turned and pouted at her granddaughter.
Cheng Ying thought that she really had become like a small child, getting upset over a single sentence.
Chi Wu came over to carry things. “Grandma, don’t take offense at Yingzi’s words. Her mouth has no door. Since we don’t need this place, we definitely won’t be coming back.”
The Old Madam afforded Chi Wu some face. “Seeing you is an omen of bad luck.”
Chi Wu replied, “I think so too. I’ll change all our white bedsheets and things when we get home.”
The Old Madam countered, “That’s not necessary; it’s a waste of money.”
Cheng Ying looked at the two of them with disdain. “What kind of people are you? Do you have any integrity?”
Chi Wu answered arrogantly, “If Grandma says there is, then there is. What you say doesn’t count.”
Cheng Ming chimed in from the side, sourly, “With people like you around, there’s no way for me to make it big. I always wondered why Grandma treated me less well than you; turns out my character is just too upright, not as sycophantic as yours.”
That statement was practically asking for a kick. “You call that character?” That was Chi Wu speaking.
The Old Madam huffed, “How have I not treated you well? How dare you speak so sarcastically to me?”
Cheng Ying muttered, “Birds of a feather flock together.”
Cheng Ming cried out, “Do you all have to bully me so much? Is there anyone else like you?”
This was a child feeling abandoned; one sentence set everyone off, and no one paid him any mind.
Chi Yong and Yang Zhi walked in just as Cheng Ming was still being teased.
The Old Madam asked, “Are the procedures all done?”
Yang Zhi confirmed, “All done. We can go home now, but you still need to recuperate well once you’re home; you can’t be careless. You’ll need follow-up appointments at the hospital every half a month.”
The Old Madam was unhappy. “Why is it still so troublesome? They’ve really got people hooked on this place.”
Cheng Ying burst out laughing. Just how displeased was the Old Madam with the hospital?
Chi Wu reassured her, “Grandma, we aren’t far from here anyway; it’s fine if we have to come over.”
The Old Madam was extremely displeased. Fine to come over? Didn't every visit cost money? She immediately started complaining to Yang Zhi, “I’ve seen it clearly now, this place is the darkest. They won’t even bargain with us. Otherwise, why would they say there’s nothing else to worry about besides being sick?”
Cheng Ying burst out laughing completely. “Grandma, can you be a little reasonable? Can you really compare those two things?”
The Old Madam declared stubbornly, “That’s just how I say it.” Yang Zhi felt wronged; she was just a nurse, and the Old Madam was complaining to her about the hospital—wasn’t she complaining to the wrong person?
Chi Wu squatted down. “Okay, okay, Grandma, let’s not argue with Yingzi. Let’s hurry home, right, Grandma? Not one minute more here.”
This time, the Old Madam wasn’t being difficult; she genuinely didn't want to stay another minute. She wrapped both arms around Chi Wu’s neck. “Hurry up and go!”
Cheng Ming muttered to Yingzi, “He stole my job again.”
Cheng Ying patted Cheng Ming’s shoulder. “We are both the latecomers, didn’t you see? They find both of us an eyesore. Just bear with it and let them have it.”
Chi Yong looked at the two unlucky kids fussing and said, “Why aren't you hurrying up and opening the car doors?”
Cheng Ming said spitefully, “I thought Chi Wu was handling everything himself!” This was pure jealousy, undermining Chi Wu from behind. He then stomped downstairs, his movements certainly not slow.
Chi Yong looked at Cheng Ying and teased, “You can’t say that with the others. That’s treason! You and Wuzi are on the same side, you know?”
This was pure teasing aimed at Cheng Ying.
Cheng Ying looked at her stepfather and thought this man couldn't be kicked away, or she surely would have already done so. “We’re going home. Uncle, you and Mom should stay home for a couple of days. With so many people visiting Grandma these next two days, it’ll be busy.”
For more novels, visit storyread.net.