Chapter 41: Wishes

A new day had begun, and everyone was busy with their own affairs.

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

Seeing the fine weather and the bright sun, Guo Sufei decided to take out the quilts and bedding to air them. She first hung the quilts and bedding from her room and Zhang Xiaolong's room on the line, then went to Grandma's small room to tidy up Grandma's and Zhang Xiaohua's bedding. However, after she entered the small room for a while, the family outside heard her exclaim, "Ah!" Grandma, with her sharp hearing, asked, "What's wrong? Sufei?" Then, a voice came from inside the room, "Nothing, Mother, it's just a mouse."

Zhang Cai, who was handling farm tools, laughed and said, "You're so big, how can you still be afraid of such a little thing? It's really a bit funny."

Zhang Xiaohua, upon hearing this, quickly bounced over and said, "Mother, where is the mouse? I'll help you, I'm the best at catching mice."

But when he ran into the room, he saw his mother sitting by Grandma's bed, holding Grandma's quilt, sobbing softly. Zhang Xiaohua, seeing this, cautiously approached and softly asked, "What's wrong, Mother?"

Guo Sufei sobbed weakly without saying a word.

Zhang Xiaohua looked at the quilt in his mother's hands and noticed a black patch at the top. Not understanding what it was, he asked, "Mother, what are you doing with the quilt? It's just dirty, I'll help you wash it, okay?"

Hearing her son's obedient words, Guo Sufei felt even more heartbroken. She tried to suppress her sobs and said in a hoarse voice, "Xiaohua, the quilt isn't dirty, it's the blood your grandmother coughed up."

Zhang Xiaohua felt his head "buzz" and was immediately stunned. He quickly asked, "Then, is Grandma going to die?"

Hearing his son's innocent words, Guo Sufei felt as if she had swallowed a bitter herb and said, "Dear son, Mother doesn't know."

Zhang Xiaohua, with a sad face, said, "I don't want Grandma to die."

Guo Sufei reached out and hugged her son, stroking his hair with her other hand, and said, "Mother doesn't want that either, but Xiaohua, you're growing so tall, almost as tall as Mother. Mother is getting old too, and Grandma will eventually leave us."

Zhang Xiaohua was almost in tears and said, "I don't want to grow tall, Mother, I don't want Grandma to leave me."

Guo Sufei had already stopped sobbing and held her son, sighing softly.

Zhang Xiaohua then remembered what Liu Qian had said and asked, "Mother, Liu Sister told me there are immortals who can live forever. If we find them, will Grandma not leave us?"

Guo Sufei said, "Maybe, Xiaohua. That's what stories say, but no one has ever seen an immortal."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Then I'll go find the immortals and ask them to save Grandma."

Guo Sufei, with affection, said, "Good child."

Then, looking at her son, at his clear eyes and anxious expression, she said, "No one knows where the immortals are, where will you find them? And it's too late now. Why don't you stay with Grandma and let her hear your voice more often?"

Zhang Xiaohua nodded vigorously, as if he really understood.

At this moment, Zhang Cai called from outside, "Xiaohua, did you catch the mouse?"

Guo Sufei also called, "They all ran away, where can I catch them?"

Then, she said to Zhang Xiaohua, "Let's go out, but don't cry anymore, don't let Grandma know."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded in agreement.

Guo Sufei carried the bedding out of the small room, and Zhang Xiaohua followed behind, head down.

Guo Sufei went to hang the bedding, and Zhang Xiaohua walked to Grandma's side and said, "Grandma, are you thirsty? I'll get you some water?"

Grandma smiled and said, "Yes, I'm a bit thirsty. Xiaohua, get Grandma some water, you're such a good boy, be careful not to burn your hands."

It seemed that in Grandma's heart, Zhang Xiaohua was still a four or five-year-old child. Zhang Xiaohua went into the room to get water for Grandma.

Guo Sufei originally wanted to hang Grandma's bedding in a slightly more hidden place, but then she thought about it and took a basin of water to wash the blood off the quilt first. When Liu Qian saw Guo Sufei washing the quilt, she quickly came over to help. When she saw the stains on the quilt, she was also stunned. Guo Sufei, seeing that Liu Qian had noticed, thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "Go call Xiaolong and the others over, quietly."

Liu Qian nodded and went to gesture to the others to come over. When everyone gathered, they saw the stains on the quilt in the basin and no one spoke. The warm sunlight that had been shining just a moment ago now seemed unable to warm their hearts.

Zhang Xiaohua brought the water to Grandma, first tasting the temperature with his mouth before placing it in Grandma's hands. Grandma took the water and drank it happily, a smile appearing on her face, as if she was drinking sweet honey. She took a deep breath, and her coughing eased a bit.

Seeing this scene in the sunlight, everyone felt warm in their hearts, and the chill that had been in their hearts was long gone. Everyone seemed to understand what they should do and returned to Grandma's side, sitting around her. They busied themselves with their own tasks while looking at their beloved family members, wanting to deeply imprint their appearance and smiles in their hearts. Grandma, unaware of the others' movements, sat contentedly in her chair, basking in the warm sunlight, a peaceful and happy smile on her face.

Guo Sufei, busy washing and hanging the bedding, also sat by Grandma's side and said gently, "Mother, what do you want for lunch? I'll make it for you."

Grandma thought for a moment and said, "Let's have braised pork belly."

Guo Sufei, surprised, said, "Mother, you usually don't eat such greasy things?"

Grandma said, "I'm just craving it today."

Guo Sufei said, "Okay, I'll go to the village entrance to buy some meat."

Zhang Xiaolong immediately said, "Mother, I'll go, I should go out and move more."

Guo Sufei agreed, and Liu Qian added, "I'll go with you, don't carry heavy things with your arm, be careful."

Zhang Xiaolong laughed and said, "Two pounds of meat is enough, how could I not carry it?"

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

Grandma, squinting her eyes, estimated that Zhang Xiaolong had gone out and then said to Guo Sufei, "Sufei, I have something to tell you."

Guo Sufei said, "Okay, Mother, wait a moment, I'll get you some more water to moisten your throat."

Guo Sufei poured another cup of water for Grandma and moved a stool to sit opposite her, asking, "Mother, what do you want to say?"

Grandma said, "Sufei, did I spit something on my quilt?"

Guo Sufei was startled and immediately said, "No, Mother, no, it's just a bit dirty, I'll wash it."

Grandma sighed and said, "Sufei, you don't have to hide it from me. I know what I spat out. I just wasn't sure. I heard you ask Xiaocai and the others to check, and I know in my heart."

Guo Sufei said, "Mother, don't think too much, your cough will get better."

Grandma smiled and said, "You silly child, how can you be like Xiaohua? You're already forty or fifty years old, yet you still comfort your mother like this."

Guo Sufei started to wipe her tears and cried, "Mother~"

Grandma continued, "Sufei, you should be more open-minded. Birth, aging, illness, and death are inevitable. When your father passed away, I was very sad for a long time before I came to my senses. At that time, I was only sad for myself and didn't take care of you. Now it's my turn, and I'll make you sad again. But there's nothing we can do about it. Your father and I worked hard all our lives and didn't let you live a good life. Now that Xiaocai is taking care of you, I'm at ease. Xiaolong, Xiaohu, and Xiaohua are all good children. After I'm gone, don't let them miss me too much. They should focus on their farm work. I'll pray for you from the afterlife."

Zhang Xiaohua, hearing this, felt a lump in his throat. He hugged Grandma and said, "Grandma, don't worry, I'll protect Mother."

Grandma stroked Zhang Xiaohua's hair and said kindly, "I know Xiaohua will grow up to be a man and protect the family. I'm very at ease."

Then, Grandma added, "Sufei, I don't have many wishes in this life. Seeing you and Xiaocai live happily and without quarrels makes me content. The only regret is that I didn't see Xiaolong get married and have a grandchild before I go. I think Liu Qian is a good girl. You should try to bring her into our family; it would be a blessing for Xiaolong."

Everyone surrounded Grandma, listening to her speak. In their sadness, they didn't notice two people approaching the gate of the small courtyard. When these two people heard "Liu Qian," they stopped and listened carefully to what Grandma was saying.

Guo Sufei continued, "Mother, you're right. Liu Qian is a good girl, with no faults in her words or actions, and her appearance and figure are top-notch. Marrying her would be a blessing for Xiaolong. But~"

Guo Sufei hesitated, not wanting to ruin her mother's good dream. However, there were many differences between their family and the Liu family. If she promised her mother now and couldn't fulfill it later, wouldn't her mother be unable to rest in peace?

Grandma seemed to know what she was going to say, patted Guo Sufei's hand, and said, "Sufei, Liu Qian isn't a girl who loves wealth. If she likes our Xiaolong, she would have already married him. Mr. Liu is well-educated and I think he would agree. You should find a time to talk to Liu Qian. If she's not interested in our Xiaolong, don't force her. According to Xiaohua, Xiaolong's injury will heal soon. You should let her go home. Staying in our home for too long isn't good for Liu Qian's reputation. We saved her, but she has also taken care of us for a long time. The favor is repaid, and we shouldn't burden the Liu family."

Guo Sufei said, "Okay, Mother, I'll talk to Liu Qian tomorrow and ask her to go home."

Grandma, hearing this, showed a hint of disappointment on her face.

At this moment, someone ran in from outside and said, "Qianqian isn't going home."