Chapter 169 Don’t be afraid, I’m here

The old man knew what was going on, but Sang Zhixia didn't.

After she told him that day, the old man forbade her to investigate further. Although she could not guess his intentions at the moment, she could not find anyone to discuss with since Xu Yu was not around. She could only pretend that she hadn't noticed anything after the old man reminded her repeatedly, and come to help the old man quietly pour out the medicine every day as if nothing had happened.

Seeing the old man vomiting blood more and more often, Sang Zhixia was extremely upset, her heart and hands were shaking.

She was scared.

He was afraid that he had guessed wrong and delayed the diagnosis and treatment of the old man's illness, but he was also worried that he had guessed right and discovered some shameful trick.

This was the first time that Sang Zhixia encountered such a confusing and dangerous situation where the truth was unknown, and she felt numb all over.

Sensing the hesitation in her hands that trembled from the bottom of her heart, the old man forced a smile.

"Don't be afraid, you won't die."

"When Yu'er and the others come back, it will probably be fine."

Since it is not an incurable disease, there is no need to worry about the follow-up.

A dark look silently passed through the old man's eyes. He patted the back of Sang Zhixia's hand soothingly and whispered, "You have your grandfather's support. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"Just be at peace and do what I tell you. You're doing great right now."

Sang Zhixia felt as if she was soaked in water. Everything she heard seemed hazy and her head was buzzing.

She bit her lower lip and nodded helplessly. She picked up a clean handkerchief beside her and helped the old man to clean his collar and face which were all vomited. She forced him to drink a cup of warm water. She really didn't dare to leave, so she watched helplessly as the old man closed his eyes and fell asleep.

When the old lady threw away the medicine residue and came back to push the door, Sang Zhixia was squatting beside the bed. She held the old man's pulse with one hand, imitating the doctor's behavior, and felt the old man's pulse beating, not daring to move.

The old man on the bed seemed to be asleep, his face was unsettlingly pale and his breathing was barely audible.

The old lady was so irritated by the strong smell of medicine that she pursed her lips silently. The first thing she saw was a wooden basin filled with several blood-stained handkerchiefs.

She frowned gravely: "Vomiting blood again?"

Sang Zhixia hummed with red eyes, nervously watching the old man's chest rise and fall with his breathing, and said in a hoarse voice: "He vomited twice after taking the medicine. I don't know how much he drank. Grandfather spilled a lot when he drank the medicine. Will it be ineffective if it continues like this? Should we..."

"You're already this sick, even if you keep boiling it and drink more, you'll end up throwing it up."

The old lady spoke incoherently, like a sangzhixia who was too lazy to keep an eye on things. Suddenly, she said, "Speaking of which, I haven't asked you yet. Where is Xu Yu? Why haven't I seen him for several days?"

Sang Zhixia blinked blankly and stammered, "I don't know. He... maybe he went somewhere else to find a doctor for Grandfather?"

"Oh."

The old lady looked at her unhappily and said coldly, "At this time, instead of staying at the sickbed to show filial piety, you're out fooling around under the pretext of looking for a doctor. This is the good grandson that the old man raised with his own hands!"

Sang Zhixia seemed dissatisfied, but the old lady was too lazy to argue with her.

The old lady didn't even want to enter the house. She walked over to the three daughters-in-law of the Xu family and said, "Come here. I have something to tell you."

Ever since the old man's illness became more and more serious, the old lady's previously invisible status has gradually risen.

If something happens to the old man, then the Xu family will only have this one ancestor who has the final say.

The ancestor put on airs first, and Xu Wenxiu and others dared not disobey.

But after listening to the old lady's instructions, Aunt Xu couldn't help but say, "Why is it so?"

"The doctor said that the old man's illness is only temporary and will heal as long as he takes good care of himself. Making such a big fuss about getting some Ximu right now is just adding fuel to the fire, isn't it?"

If there are elderly people in the family, just in case, most families will prepare some Ximu at home when the elderly are still healthy. This can barely be considered an established rule.

But the Xu family’s current situation is different.

The old man's illness is already worrying. If we try to get some Ximu now, aren't we just waiting for him to close his eyes and die?

Xu Wenxiu also disagreed, but the old lady slammed the table and sneered, "I don't know when it will be your turn to make the decisions in the Xu family?!"

"Old lady, that's not what we meant. I just..."

"No matter what you say, it doesn't count!"

The old lady was furious and said, "Preparing the Ximu at this time is firstly for emergency use, and secondly, it can be used to cleanse the old man. What's wrong with that?"

"Now that I've said it, you just have to do as I say. If the old man blames you, I'll be the one to explain!"

Xu Wenxiu stammered for a long time, unable to utter anything else. The old lady said coldly, "Also, bring me all the account books, money, and land deeds in your home."

"The old man has been letting you do whatever you want these days. I think you've become increasingly unable to distinguish between the important and the unimportant. Now you've even developed a rebellious streak. If you keep going like this, this family will be torn apart by you sooner or later!"

If the old man were here, he would naturally be able to keep the account books and land deeds that the old lady asked for.

But the old man fell ill.

The old lady is their legitimate mother-in-law, but now she is accusing them of being disobedient and unfilial. Who can bear this high hat?

Aunt Xu was so bold as to try to stop her, but the old lady raised her hand and threw a tea bowl at her: "You bastard!"

"I can't order you around anymore?!"

"Hurry up and bring these things here. I'll need them to help the old man with the follow-up matters. Go quickly!"

The housekeeping power that had been out of the old lady's hands for a year finally returned to her hands. The old lady looked at the remaining silver on the account but was not satisfied.

To be precise, over the past year or so, nothing the old man did had ever made her feel satisfied.

but……

Holding the several land deeds in her hand, the old lady gritted her teeth in an ambiguous manner.

No matter how unhappy things are, they are in the past.

Once you're sent out with all the fanfare, everything will go smoothly.

Because the old man was sick and made more noise at night, and had become more difficult to serve in recent days, the old lady lost her initial patience in asking about his well-being and serving him tea and water. She used the excuse that she was too old to bear the hard work and simply moved into Xu Yanran's house to seek some peace and quiet.

Uncle Xu has been guarding for several nights in a row, but now his hands are swollen and he can't take care of himself.

Sang Zhixia simply said, "Uncle San, you go and rest tonight, I'll keep watch."

Uncle Xu was not very reassured: "You are a little girl, I am afraid..."

"If there's anything I can't predict with Grandfather, I'll go back and call you. Just rest assured, Third Uncle."

Uncle Xu hesitated for a long time, feeling very uncomfortable with his hands tied, and finally nodded while rubbing his bloodshot eyes.

"Okay, then remember to call me and take a nap on the floor nearby. Don't stay up all the time."

Sang Zhixia agreed seriously, and persuaded Xu Wenxiu and others to go back and rest one by one. He moved a small stool and sat beside the bed, holding the old man's wrist and not daring to let go.

This is not for show.

She was really worried about the old man.

The old man might have been dissatisfied with her at first, but as time went by, his heart warmed and he treated her no differently than he treated Xu Yu.

The old man spent a lot of time and effort teaching her, guiding her to learn things step by step, and also took good care of her, fearing that she would suffer too much grievance due to her young age.

In her previous life, Sang Zhixia was an orphan with no one to care for her. She had never before been so unselfishly tolerated and cared for by an elder...

Sang Zhixia looked at the old man with a weak breath and sniffed hard. He raised his hand and wiped his eyes randomly. Before he could come to his senses, a helpless sigh sounded behind him.

"Zhizhi."

Sang Zhixia suddenly turned around and could only vaguely see a dark figure in the darkness.

The person who spoke came forward softly, knelt on one knee on the ground, and gently wiped away the tears that flickered in the corners of her eyes with his rough fingertips: "Why are you crying?"

"I'm here. Grandpa will be fine."

Xu Yu reached out and cupped the back of Sang Zhixia's head, resting his forehead against hers, and said hoarsely, "I won't let anything happen to any of you."

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."