Chapter 41

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Chapter 41: Wish

     

A new day began, and everyone was busy with their own tasks.

     

Grandmother also sat in the courtyard, enjoying the rare sunshine.

     

Seeing the weather was great and the sun was shining brightly, Guo Sufei decided to take the quilts and mattresses out to air. She first hung the bedding from her room and Zhang Xiaolong’s room on the clothesline. Then she went to Grandmother’s small room to gather Grandmother’s and Zhang Xiaohua’s bedding. However, after she entered the small room, the family outside heard her exclaim: “Ah!”

     

With her sharp ears, Grandmother asked: “What’s the matter, Sufei?”

     

Guo Sufei’s voice came from inside the room: “It’s nothing, Mother. Just a mouse.”

     

Handling the farm tools, Zhang Cai laughed and said: “You’re a grown woman now, how can you still be afraid of that little thing? It’s quite amusing.”

     

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua quickly hopped over and said: “Mother, where’s the mouse? Let me help you. I’m the best at catching mice.”

     

However, when he ran into the room, he saw his mother sitting by Grandmother’s kang, holding Grandmother’s quilt and quietly sobbing. Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua cautiously walked over and softly asked: “What’s wrong, Mother?”

     

Guo Sufei continued to sob weakly and didn’t respond.

     

Zhang Xiaohua looked at the quilt in his mother’s hands and noticed a dark stain on the top. Not understanding what it was, he asked again: “Mother, why are you holding the quilt? Isn’t it just dirty? I can help you wash it, okay?”

     

Hearing her son’s sweet words, Guo Sufei felt even more heartbroken. She tried to suppress her sobs and, with a hoarse voice, said: “Xiaohua, this quilt isn’t just dirty. It’s stained with the blood your grandmother coughed up.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua felt a buzzing in his head and was momentarily stunned. He quickly asked: “Does this mean Grandma is going to die?”

     

Hearing her son’s blunt words, Guo Sufei felt a bitter pain in her heart, as if she had swallowed a mouthful of gall. She said: “Dear son, Mother doesn’t know either.”

     

With a sorrowful expression, Zhang Xiaohua said: “I don’t want Grandma to die.”

     

Guo Sufei stretched out her arms and hugged her son close, gently stroking his hair with her other hand. She said: “Mother doesn’t want that either. But look, Xiaohua, you’re growing so fast, almost as tall as Mother now. Mother is getting older too. Grandmother, she’ll have to leave us sooner or later.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua was on the verge of tears as he said: “I don’t want to grow taller, Mother. I don’t want Grandma to leave me.”

     

By now, Guo Sufei had managed to hold back her sobs. She hugged her son tightly and let out a soft sigh.

     

Zhang Xiaohua then remembered what Liu Qian had said. He asked: “Mother, Big Sister Liu told me there are immortals who can live forever. If we find them, will Grandma stay with us?”

     

Guo Sufei replied: “Maybe, Xiaohua. That’s how it goes in the stories, but no one has ever seen an immortal.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua said: “Then I’ll go find the immortals right now and ask them to save Grandma.”

     

Guo Sufei lovingly said: “Sweet child.”

     

Then, looking at her son, into his clear and earnest eyes, and seeing his anxious expression, Guo Sufei said: “No one knows where the immortals are. Where would you even begin to look? And even if you started searching now, it would be too late. Instead, you might as well stay with Grandma and let her hear your voice more often.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua listened and nodded vigorously as if he truly understood.

     

At that moment, Zhang Cai called from outside: “Xiaohua, did you catch the mouse?”

     

Guo Sufei also called out: “They all ran away, where would he catch them?”

     

Then, she turned to Zhang Xiaohua and said: “Let’s go outside, but don’t cry anymore. Don’t let your grandma know.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua nodded in agreement.

     

Guo Sufei, carrying the bedding, left the small room, with Zhang Xiaohua following behind, head down.

     

Guo Sufei went to hang the quilt, while Zhang Xiaohua walked over to his grandmother and said: “Grandma, are you thirsty? I’ll get you some water.”

     

Grandmother smiled warmly and said: “Yes, I’m a bit thirsty. Xiaohua, go get Grandma some water. You’re such a good boy. Be careful not to burn yourself.”

     

To Grandmother, it seemed Zhang Xiaohua was still a four or five-year-old child. Zhang Xiaohua went into the house to get water for her.

     

Guo Sufei initially intended to hang Grandmother’s bedding in a slightly more secluded area, but then she decided to fetch a basin of water and try to wash the blood stains out first. Seeing this, Liu Qian hurried over to help. However, when she saw the stains on the q clearly, she froze in place. Guo Sufei noticed Liu Qian’s reaction and, after a moment’s thought, whispered: “Go and call Xiaolong and the others over, quietly.”

     

Liu Qian nodded and gestured for the others to come over quietly. Once everyone had gathered, they all fell silent upon seeing the stains on the bedding that Guo Sufei had placed in the basin. The warm sunlight, which had just been comforting, now failed to warm their hearts.

     

Zhang Xiaohua brought the water over to Grandmother, first testing the temperature with his mouth. Then he handed it to Grandmother, who took it with a smile and drank from it gracefully as if she were sipping sweet nectar. Grandmother let out a long sigh, and her coughing subsided a little.

     

Seeing this heartwarming scene under the sunlight, everyone’s hearts were filled with warmth, and the previous chill had long been dispelled. They all seemed to understand what they needed to do. They gathered around Grandmother, sitting with her, attending to their tasks while cherishing the presence of their beloved family member, wanting to etch her image and smile deeply into their hearts.

     

Grandmother, unaware of the commotion around her, sat peacefully in her chair, basking in the warm sunlight, her contented smile lingering on her face, radiating a sense of tranquility and happiness.

     

Guo Sufei busied herself washing and hanging the bedding before sitting beside Grandmother, gently asking: “Mom, what would you like for lunch? I’ll make it for you.”

     

Grandmother thought for a moment before replying: “Make some pork belly.”

     

Guo Sufei was puzzled and asked: “Mom, you don’t usually eat such greasy food, do you?”

     

Grandmother explained: “I’m craving it today, and want to eat just a little.”

     

Guo Sufei agreed, saying: “Alright, I’ll go buy some meat at the village entrance in a while.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong immediately offered: “Mom, I’ll go. I should get out and move around more.”

     

Guo Sufei agreed, and Liu Qian chimed in: “I’ll go with you too. Your arm shouldn’t always be carrying heavy things, be careful not to have any issues again.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong chuckled and said: “Buying two pounds of meat is enough. How could I not handle it?”

     

Liu Qian smiled without saying anything, and the two of them went out together.

     

Grandmother squinted her eyes, estimating that Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian had left, then turned to Guo Sufei and said: “Sufei, I have something to tell you.”

     

Guo Sufei replied: “Sure, Mom. Just give me a moment, and I’ll get you another cup of water to moisten your throat.”

     

Guo Sufei poured another glass of water for Grandmother and brought a chair to sit opposite her. She asked: “Mom, what do you want to talk about?”

     

Grandmother said: “Sufei, did I spit something out on my blanket?”

     

Guo Sufei’s face showed surprise, and she quickly said: “No, Mom, you didn’t. It’s just a bit dirty. I’ll wash it, and it’ll be fine.”

     

Grandmother sighed and said: “Ah, Sufei, you don’t need to hide it from me. I coughed it out myself. How could I not know? It’s just that I can’t be certain. You asked Zhang Cai and the others to come over and have a look. I can hear them, you know. I understand in my heart.”

     

Guo Sufei said: “Mother, don’t worry too much. Your cough will definitely get better.”

     

Grandmother smiled and said: “You silly child, how can you be the same as Xiaohua? You are in your forties or fifties, yet you console your mother like this.”

     

Guo Sufei started wiping her tears again, crying: “Mother~”

     

Grandmother continued: “Sufei, you need to be more open-minded. Aging, illness, and death are unavoidable things. When your father passed away, I was also deeply saddened for a long time before I came to terms with it. At that time, I was so caught up in my own grief that I didn’t pay much attention to you. Now it’s my turn, and I’m going to make you sad again. Ah, it’s just unavoidable. Your father and I toiled our whole lives, barely allowing you to live a good life. With Little Cai taking care of you, I feel relieved. Xiaolong, Xiaohu, and Xiaohua are all good children. After I’m gone, don’t let them miss me too much. Let them be busy with farm work. I’ll pray to the gods to bless you all in the underworld.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua felt a pang in his heart as he listened and hugged his grandmother and said: “Grandmother, rest assured, I will protect Mother well.”

     

Grandmother stroked Zhang Xiaohua’s hair and kindly said: “I know Xiaohua will grow up to be a real man and will protect our family. I’m very reassured.”

     

Then, Grandmother said again: “Sufei, I don’t have many wishes left in this lifetime. Seeing you and Little Cai living peacefully without quarrels, I am already content. It’s just that before I leave, I haven’t seen Xiaolong marry a wife or hold a great-grandchild. It’s a bit regretful. I think Liu Qian is a good girl. You must find a way to bring her into our family. That would be a blessing for our Xiaolong.”

     

Everyone surrounded Grandmother, listening to her words with sadness, but they didn’t notice two people approaching the gate of the courtyard. These two individuals halted their steps upon hearing the name ‘Liu Qian’, and paused to eavesdrop on what Grandmother was saying in the courtyard.

     

Guo Sufei continued: “Mother, you’re right. Liu Qian is indeed a good girl. She’s well-spoken and well-behaved, and her appearance and figure are exceptional. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack. Marrying her into our family would be Xiaolong’s good fortune. However~”

     

Guo Sufei hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself. She didn’t want to disturb her mother’s good dreams. However, there were many differences between their family and the Liu family. If she hastily agreed now and couldn’t fulfill it later, wouldn’t her mother be unable to rest peacefully underground?

     

Grandmother seemed to know what she was about to say. She patted Guo Sufei’s hand and said: “Sufei, Liu Qian is not someone who seeks wealth and despises poverty. If she likes our Xiaolong, she will marry into our family. Mr. Liu is reasonable and knowledgeable. I think he would agree too. You should find a chance to sound out Liu Qian first. If she isn’t interested in our Xiaolong, let it be. Don’t force her. I heard from Xiaohua that Xiaolong’s injury is almost healed. You should send her back soon. Lingering in our house for too long won’t do well for Liu Qian’s reputation. Although we’ve helped her, she has also taken care of our family for so long. The debt of gratitude should be considered repaid. It’s better not to burden Mr. Liu’s family with further obligations.”

     

Guo Sufei said: “Alright, Mother. I’ll talk to Liu Qian tomorrow and ask her to go home quickly.”

     

Upon hearing this, Grandmother’s face showed a hint of disappointment.

     

At that moment, someone rushed in from outside and said: “Qianqian is not going home.”