"Don't even mention you, even I might not have noticed if I hadn't been in the high-intensity training environment of the military for so long."

"If even you couldn't detect it, then it can only mean that the other side is indeed well-trained."

"That's right."

"Madam, is there a phone for you in the front hall?"

"Phone call? Who is it? Why is it calling at this hour?"

"The other party claimed to be a member of the Jing family, saying they were looking for you on behalf of their children or younger relatives?"

"The Jing family, could it be the patriarch of the Jing family?"

"It should be right."

"Why is he calling our home at this time? Is he testing us? Or something else?"

"Whatever it is, let's answer the phone first. Once we know why he called, we'll know everything."

"That's right, let's go. Since they've already called, let's not keep them waiting."

"That's right."

What exactly is the Jing family up to? Since they chose to call at this time, they can't believe they know nothing about what's happened in the last two days.

Whatever your purpose is, all we can do now is counter your moves. Don't think that just because you're a woman you're easy to bully.

"Sister-in-law, why aren't you sitting inside? Why did you come out?"

"I was just waiting for you!"

"Wait for me? What are you waiting for me for? This is my own home, there's no need for such formalities."

“I know, I’m not just being polite, but Dad asked me to come out and remind you not to go in yet. Let him find out what the Jing family’s purpose is first.”

"Sister-in-law, you mean, Dad is on the phone with the old man of the Jing family right now?"

"That's right, listen."

"Hey Lao Jing, that's not very fair of you! When we went out to play before, I clearly invited you, but you just wouldn't go. Now you're having this idea?"

Who would have the time to go with you? Even if I did have the time, I couldn't go with you.

"What's going on? I don't know about others, but I do know a thing or two about you and me. You've just been staying home playing with your great-grandson, haven't you? How could you not have time?"

"Hey! To be honest, I'd like to be like young people and go out for walks whenever I have free time, but my health doesn't allow it right now."

So I can't accept your invitation.

"Well, if that's the case, then let's just forget about it! Actually, I didn't expect that after missing the last opportunity, there wouldn't be such a good opportunity again."

You know, your third son's wife is the same. She organized such a great event only once, and then never again.

If I had known it would only happen once, I should have gone no matter what.

"Sigh! Who told you not to seize the opportunity?"

Besides, aren't we all getting old and unable to withstand such hardship?

While it may seem like going out for a walk is indeed nice, it allows us to revisit the places where we once struggled and worked hard.

But after all that, my body just couldn't take it anymore.

To be honest, it took me a week to recover after just one trip out.

If I had known, I would have been better off staying at home like you.

"I think you're just talking without understanding the situation."

"My back doesn't hurt when I'm standing. At my age, my back would hurt if I stood for a long time."

My back can't take it if I sit for too long.

You know what, you really can't deny getting old.

If we were ten years younger, let alone going out for walks, even a bunch of us old guys could run around with guns like we used to.

But can't I go out for a walk because I'm not feeling well? You and I are about the same age, does the neighbor really have to go out for a walk?

"That's true. If I hadn't had a bit of a cold at the time and my kids hadn't let me go, I wouldn't have kept thinking about it until now."

"That's true. Why don't you have your children take you around? Even if you can't go far, you can still go to nearby places!"

"Let's forget about it! Like you said, we're both this age, let's not trouble our children anymore."

“How can this be considered causing trouble? We raised them, so they have to take care of us in our old age.”

That's what they say, but their children might not think the same way.

"Wait a minute, Lao Jing, what you're saying sounds like your children are being disrespectful to you."

"That shouldn't be! I remember your children are all good people; they shouldn't do such a thing."

"Old Shen, what are you talking about? What I mean is, our children are all busy these days, where would they find the time?"

"That's true, but no matter how busy you are, you still have to spend time with us old folks, right?"

If I remember correctly, your eldest son is a year older than our Shen Dong.

Logically speaking, he's been retired for several years now, doesn't he have time to take you out for a stroll?

"It's true that he's reached retirement age, but he didn't choose to go into business in the 1990s. Don't let his current age of over sixty fool you; he's busier than when he was working for the government."

Getting him to go for a walk with me is harder than climbing Mount Everest.

"It can't be that bad, can it?"

"How could it not be? Let's not even talk about how big the business is."

This person is someone you rarely see, and it's been almost a month since I last saw him.

"Oh no, really?"

"Of course she is. If I remember correctly, your third son's wife is also in business, isn't she? Doesn't she get busy?"

After standing there listening for most of the day, I finally heard the other person get to the point.

The suggestion to go out and have fun was probably just the other party testing the waters.

The other party mentioning themselves is probably their ultimate goal.

"Busy, of course she's busy, but she's focusing on her family now, so she's not as busy as before?"

"Yeah?"

"That's right!"

"How come I heard that she hasn't had any time lately, not even time to see our grandson?"

"Really? I really don't know! To be honest, Lao Jing, your sister-in-law and I just got back from our eldest brother's house a few days ago, so we really don't know anything about what's going on at home."

"I knew it! If you were at home, how could you not see our son?"

But my grandson told me that she wasn't home when he visited your house.

"Hey, I thought it was something serious. Well, we're all home right now, so just have him come over and try it out."

"Alright, you said it."

"I will definitely keep my word. It's just a meal at my house, right? No problem, no problem."

"Old Shen! Actually, what I meant was, could you see if your third son's wife could help this child?"

"No, Lao Jing, what do you mean by that?"

"Hey, it's nothing. My grandson wants to develop his career in Beijing and has his eye on an office space. But after asking around, he found out it belongs to your third son's wife, so he's wondering if he can rent it."

When he told me that, I thought, "Since it's your family's business, old friend, isn't it perfect that we haven't seen each other for many years?"