Once, when Lin Wanqiu came to the hospital, she happened to see Zhang Lan reading the newspaper to Grandma Shen. Although she didn't recognize many of the words and read it haltingly, Grandma Shen listened with great interest, a smile on her lips. Seeing this, Lin Wanqiu felt gratified. She knew that this family, which had once been full of conflicts, had finally found long-lost harmony at the bedside.
That evening, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou packed their things and prepared to go home. Suddenly, Old Mrs. Shen grabbed Lin Wanqiu's hand, took out a cloth bag from under her pillow, and stuffed it into her hand: "Wanqiu, this is some money I've saved up. Take it and buy some food for Nian'an and Xixi. Don't always spend money on me."
Lin Wanqiu opened the cloth bag, inside were a few crumpled banknotes and some coins, totaling no more than ten yuan, yet it felt heavy—this was the old woman's retirement money, saved through frugality. Her nose tingled, and she stuffed the bag back into Old Lady Shen's hands: "Mom, keep your money. Tingzhou and I will take care of the children; they won't lack food. When you're discharged from the hospital, our whole family will go back to the village together, and I'll make you your favorite braised pork."
Looking into Lin Wanqiu's sincere eyes, Grandma Shen could no longer hold back her tears: "Wanqiu, I'm so sorry for what you've suffered... I was confused before, but I will definitely treat you, Nian'an, and Xixi well from now on."
Lin Wanqiu wiped away Grandma Shen's tears and said with a smile, "Mom, we're family, so let's not complain. When you get better, we'll go to the shops in the city together and let you try our sesame brittle and purple sweet potato cakes. They're delicious."
As they left the hospital, the setting sun was slowly sinking, painting the sky a warm orange-red. Shen Tingzhou grasped Lin Wanqiu's hand, feeling the warmth of her touch: "Wanqiu, thank you. Without you, Mom wouldn't have been able to let go of her worries so quickly."
Lin Wanqiu leaned on Shen Tingzhou's shoulder, looking at the sunset on the horizon, feeling a sense of peace: "We are family, and we should be tolerant of each other. The conflicts of the past are like dust on the window; once it's wiped clean, the sunlight can shine in."
Back at their home in the city, Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi were sitting at the door waiting for them. Shen Nian'an saw Lin Wanqiu and immediately ran over, holding up her little ledger: "Mom, the store sold so many things today! Uncle Wang said we made three yuan more than yesterday! I even drew a picture for my sister, look!"
Chen Nianxi stretched out her little hand and sweetly called out, "Mommy! Daddy!"
Lin Wanqiu picked up her daughter, kissed her on the cheek, and looked at the drawing in her son's hand—on the drawing paper, a family of five stood hand in hand at the entrance of "Wanqiu Food Store," with Grandma Shen sitting in the middle, smiling, and next to her was written "Grandma, get well soon."
“Nian’an’s painting is really good. When Grandma is discharged from the hospital, we’ll show her this painting. She’ll be very happy,” Lin Wanqiu said with a smile.
Shen Nian'an nodded vigorously: "Okay! I also want to teach Grandma to draw and teach her to sing nursery rhymes!"
Looking at the heartwarming scene before him, Shen Tingzhou felt a surge of happiness. He knew that this family, once filled with conflict, had finally become harmonious thanks to Lin Wanqiu's tolerance and dedication. And this harmony was more precious than any wealth.
In the days that followed, Grandma Shen's health gradually improved. She was able to sit up and talk to people, and even walk slowly with Lin Wanqiu's help. Shen's eldest son and Zhang Lan also came to the hospital to help every day. The ward was no longer filled with the quarrels of the past, but with the joyful laughter of the family.
The sun shone brightly on the day of their discharge. Shen Tingzhou carried Old Mrs. Shen on his back, Lin Wanqiu carried the luggage, and Shen's eldest son and Zhang Lan followed behind. The family chatted and laughed as they walked out of the hospital. Old Mrs. Shen leaned against Shen Tingzhou's back, looking at her daughter-in-law and son beside her, her heart filled with contentment—she finally understood that family happiness was not achieved through arguing and scheming, but through mutual tolerance, mutual support, and everyone giving their true heart.
"Late Autumn, when we get home I'll make dumplings for you, your favorite cabbage and pork filling," Grandma Shen said softly, her voice full of affection.
Lin Wanqiu smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll have to learn from you so I can make it for Nian'an and Xixi in the future." The sunlight shone on the family, warm and bright.
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