But if this matter were hidden from the Old Madam, Cheng Ying knew what awaited her was not just the Old Madam's feather duster, but also the regret of two elderly women. You must understand, for the Old Madam, Third Madam was the only presence in her life akin to a lifelong best friend. Now that she was old, truly on the verge of drawing her last breath, could you possibly block this final wish? To do so would be letting down her own grandmother, and letting down Third Madam as well. Therefore, Cheng Ying had to speak up.

After agonizing for only a few minutes, Cheng Ying told the Old Madam, and naturally, told Aunt Rong to start preparing things right away.

No need to guess that the Old Madam would head back immediately. The Old Madam’s reaction was much calmer than Cheng Ying had anticipated. She merely let out a sigh, then watched as her own back seemed to curve even further. "You see how people age so quickly? How one moment they’re fine, and the next, they’re not? It seems like just the other day Third Madam and I were climbing the hills looking for wild greens. How can it happen so fast?"

Cheng Ying felt an indescribable ache watching the Old Madam's frame seem to shrink, "Indeed. But Third Madam’s health was never good; holding on this long was suffering. Perhaps it's happier for Third Madam to join Third Grandfather sooner."

Cheng Ying said this to comfort the Old Madam, subtly implying that her own health was never like Third Madam's, and she shouldn't equate the two.

The Old Madam sighed, "Ah, let’s get ready then. If we leave now, we should arrive home by morning. In our village, there aren't the same customs about visiting the sick in the late afternoon."

Cheng Ying knew the Old Madam intended to travel through the night. "Whatever you say, I've told Aunt Song to get everything ready. But Grandmother, you mustn't let this weigh too heavily on your mind; Mingzi and I worry about you."

The Old Madam replied, "What are you talking about? I’m just a little sad. Life has been comfortable, and I haven't carried worries for quite some time. I wonder how Third Madam is. I sent her quite a few photos recently."

Cheng Ying said, "I know you miss Third Madam. It’s nothing; it’s just old age, missing your old sisters."

The Old Madam didn't even lift the corner of her mouth. "We’re different generations now."

Cheng Ying felt that whatever comfort she offered at this moment wouldn't be very effective. She simply poured the Old Madam a cup of hot water and walked away, thinking it might be good for the Old Madam to have a moment of quiet solitude.

Watching the elderly woman walk away, it was impossible for anyone of advanced age not to feel moved. This emotion was indescribable.

Cheng Ying and Aunt Rong tidied things outside—a jumble of items the Old Madam was taking back for Third Madam, plus things Cheng Ying packed for her maternal grandfather. Cheng Ying had never forgotten that their family had more than just one elder; they had a maternal grandfather too. But the old man was open-minded and knew how to take care of himself; he just didn't require Cheng Ying's constant worry.

Her own Old Madam was different. She was simply the kind of person who only knew how to protect her family and her granddaughter. Ordinary, with all the sorrows of ordinary people. Cheng Ying had to think of everything for her.

With such meager family ties, Cheng Ying sometimes wondered if she was fated to be a solitary star. Her birth mother had married out and already had her own sons. Finally, she had the Old Madam, and yet she seemed to age more each year.

This made Cheng Ying feel more sorrowful than the Old Madam herself.

Cheng Ying also called Chi Wu, simply saying the Old Madam felt homesick and they were returning, adding that they would visit Third Madam, but she didn't elaborate further to Chi Wu.

When the driver arrived, the mother and children set off. Having Cheng Ming accompanying them eased Cheng Ying’s mind considerably. Even so, Cheng Ying kept emergency heart medication and blood pressure tablets ready in her bag for the Old Madam, genuinely fearing what might happen if the Old Madam became too agitated.

If she hadn't studied medicine herself, Cheng Ying would have hired a doctor to stay by the Old Madam’s side.

The Old Madam watched the bare trees lining the road, speaking little throughout the journey. Even Cheng Ming's silver tongue couldn't earn much response from her, and even Cheng Ying's expression didn't soften much.

Cheng Ming hadn't spent years with Cheng Ying for nothing; he understood the reason behind Cheng Ying's expression even with his eyes closed. He wouldn't believe it was about Third Madam. "It's alright, no need to be so tense. With two top graduates from medical school by the Old Madam's side, it’s hard for anything to go wrong. Relax a little. Look at your face, it’s quite ghastly."

Cheng Ying took a deep breath. "My face is stiff; it’s hard to even move my expression. Mingzi, I’m going to doze off for a bit; you watch over Grandma."

Cheng Ying genuinely needed a moment to unwind; her nerves were exhausted.

Cheng Ming looked at Cheng Ying, feeling a pang of sympathy. Who wouldn't cherish a girl like this? Besides, after all these years, it was rare to see Cheng Ying's vulnerable side.

He gently ruffled her hair with one hand. "Sleep, I’m here. As long as you’re not comparing me to Chi Wu, I’m quite reliable, don’t worry."

Cheng Ying tilted her head. When was this? He was still making sarcastic remarks. However, mentioning Chi Wu did indeed help Cheng Ying relax considerably. "Why are you comparing yourself to him?"

Cheng Ming chuckled. "Yes, why am I comparing myself to him? He's simply not human."

Cheng Ying immediately disliked that tone, after all, he was her man. Cheng Ming quickly corrected, "He’s a god."

Cheng Ying was satisfied. She closed her eyes and tuned out the conversation. Cheng Ming just thought about how incredibly lucky Chi Wu was to have a sister-in-law like his, someone who had everything she could ever want. It made him fiercely jealous.

The Old Madam turned her head. "Yingzi must be tired. I told you I could go back by myself; you two didn't need to accompany me."

Cheng Ming said, "What are you saying, Grandma? Aren't grandsons and granddaughters for exactly this purpose? We wouldn't be at ease if we didn't accompany you. Besides, it’s Third Madam; we should have gone back to see her anyway."

The Old Madam draped a jacket over Cheng Ying. "Ai," she sighed, then continued to stare out the window without another word.

Cheng Ming prompted, "Grandma, why don't you try to rest a bit too?"

The Old Madam replied, "If I close my eyes, all I see is your Third Madam. I can't sleep. I want to look a bit longer; everything is changing so much, I barely recognize the places anymore. There are hardly any familiar stretches of road along the way."

Cheng Ming said, "Has it changed that much in the last couple of years? It’s fine for you to look carefully then."

He couldn't imagine how much the Old Madam could see outside the dark windowpane. Cheng Ming dared not tell her that it was completely black outside.

Throughout the journey, Cheng Ming periodically touched the Old Madam's hands and feet, constantly worried something might be amiss.

Cheng Ying slept for a good half the night. When Cheng Ming shook her awake, it was already the latter half of the night.

Cheng Ying felt much better after the sleep; at least her heart wasn't in her throat anymore. Seeing her beloved grandmother resting peacefully beside her, she asked, "Are we there yet?"

Cheng Ming said, "No. Get up and eat something." Then he whispered, "Grandma has been sitting all night; let her have a bite to eat."

Then Cheng Ming moved to the front to switch places with the driver.

Cheng Ying prepared a bag of milk for the Old Madam, and the two of them managed to sustain themselves.

Cheng Ying didn't have much to say to the Old Madam; she felt that anything she said when she couldn't fully grasp the situation would be pointless. "Grandma, you should sleep now."

The Old Madam responded, "Sleeping all the time—I’m not sleepy. You sleep."

Knowing she couldn't persuade the Old Madam, Cheng Ying rested her head against the Old Madam's shoulder, hoping to at least divert some of the Old Madam's attention.

They stayed in quiet companionship until the roosters crowed and dawn approached. The car entered the village.

The Old Madam looked out, seeing the sun about to rise. They didn't go home first but drove directly to Third Madam's house.

As she got out of the car, the Old Madam murmured, "When a person makes it through this time of night, it’s a new day. It counts as living one more day."

Cheng Ying watched the sun ascend from the mountain hollow in the distance, feeling it was a good omen. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before cries of mourning erupted from the Village Head's house. The hand the Old Madam placed on the door seemed utterly weak. Despite rushing, they hadn't made it in time. Third Madam hadn't seen the sun rise on a new day.

Cheng Ying and Cheng Ming supported the Old Madam on either side. The Old Madam’s face trembled for a long moment before tears finally fell. "Why couldn't I see Auntie one last time?" Her cry was melodious, wrenching the hearts of Cheng Ying and Cheng Ming alike.

Cheng Ying said, "Grandma, let's go in and see Third Madam."

Third Madam’s arrangements had been made long ago; she had merely been hanging on by a thread these past few days. So, when Third Madam finally passed, the family had already prepared nearly everything.

The Old Madam entered and leaned against the edge of the kang, weeping torrentially. Cheng Ying feared the Old Madam wouldn't hold up, but thankfully, her sisters, all of whom were the same age, were there beside her, weeping along with her.

Cheng Ying found this style of crying—weeping while reprimanding—hard to accept, yet the scene of several elderly women scolding was chaotic enough.

Cheng Ying and Cheng Ming went out and each bought a roll of yellow paper, handing them to the grieving sons and grandsons greeting guests outside. Then they accompanied the Old Madam back home.

The Old Madam hadn't rested all night, and Cheng Ying feared she wouldn't endure it.

After settling the Old Madam at home, Cheng Ming left to help with the preparations. Cheng Ying didn't step outside, staying close to the Old Madam. For a village elder of such advanced years, who had been bedridden for such a long time, her passing was considered a 'joyful death' (xi sang).

The elderly person suffered while living, and it was agonizing for the children to watch.

In the eyes of the villagers, Third Madam’s death was inevitable; it was remarkable she had lasted over two years.

Although the mourning was lively, the atmosphere wasn't overly sorrowful. However, according to village custom, the elder had to lie in state for three days, otherwise the Old Madam wouldn't get any rest. Cheng Ying pulled the heavy curtains completely shut, fearing the commotion would disturb the Old Madam.

When Second Aunt arrived, Cheng Ying quietly closed the room door and spoke to her in the courtyard. "Second Aunt, you didn't go over to help?"

Second Aunt understood that the elderly were the most affected by such news. "Yingzi, your Grandma must be exhausted from the night trip. Second Aunt just came to check in. I still need to go over and help."

Cheng Ying explained, "Grandma rushed back as soon as she got the call but still didn’t get to see Third Madam. Grandma is old; she shouldn't witness this. I was afraid she’d wear herself out, so I let her sleep first."

Second Aunt nodded. "Let her sleep. It’s fine. I don't have any other urgent matters; I just wanted to check on your Grandma and tell her not to be too heartbroken. To tell the truth, back in those years when your Grandpa passed, only Third Madam was as good to your Grandma as..."