The morning mist of late autumn enveloped the Hongqi Production Brigade like a light veil. The white walls of the commune's health center were faintly visible through the mist, and the air was filled with a faint scent of herbs and disinfectant. Compared to the usual somber atmosphere, there was a touch of lightness at this moment. Fine frost flowers clung to the window frames of the ward. Sunlight pierced through the mist, casting dappled light and shadow on the windowsill, falling on Old Lady Shen's hospital bed, and giving her pale face a soft glow.
Lin Wanqiu had just carried a bowl of warm millet porridge into the ward when she saw Old Mrs. Shen trying to prop herself up with her left hand, her cloudy eyes filled with a hint of stubbornness and expectation. Overjoyed, she quickly went over, put down the bowl, and immediately reached out to support Old Mrs. Shen's back, carefully placing a soft pillow under her arm. "Mother, how did you get up by yourself? Lie down properly, be careful not to fall."
Grandma Shen leaned back on the soft pillows, took a breath, and said with a slight upturn of her lips, "I want to... sit for a while... and watch... the sun." Although her voice was still hoarse, it was much stronger than usual, and her eyes were much brighter, no longer as cloudy and dull as before.
A feeling of indescribable relief welled up in Lin Wanqiu's heart. She picked up a towel from the side and gently wiped Grandma Shen's cheeks, saying softly, "Okay, then sit for a while. Sunbathing is good for your health. Once you've recovered a bit more, we can be discharged from the hospital and go home to enjoy the sun comfortably in the yard."
Grandma Shen nodded vigorously, her gaze fixed on the view outside the window. The sycamore leaves in the courtyard had all fallen, leaving only bare branches swaying gently in the wind. But in her eyes, this desolate autumn scene was full of vitality and hope. She knew that her improvement today was entirely due to Lin Wanqiu's tireless and meticulous care. Thinking back to her past harshness and刁难 (diāonán, making things difficult) towards Lin Wanqiu, her heart was filled with guilt, and her eyes held a complex mix of emotions.
“Wanqiu…” Old Mrs. Shen turned to look at Lin Wanqiu, her lips moved, and she slowly said, “These days… you’ve had a hard time…”
Lin Wanqiu paused as she was tidying up the quilt for Old Madam Shen. She looked up at her with a gentle smile and said, "Mother, what are you saying? Taking care of you is what I should do. Your recovery is more important than anything else."
Just then, the ward door opened, and Shen Tingzhou walked in carrying a thermos. He was wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit, his posture upright, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but unable to hide the joy in his eyes. "Mother, Wanqiu, I'm here." He walked to the bedside, put down the thermos, and reached out to touch Old Madam Shen's forehead. "Mother, how are you feeling today? Is your temperature normal?"
"It's normal... much better..." Old Mrs. Shen looked at Shen Tingzhou with loving eyes. These days, Shen Tingzhou had to deal with work matters while also finding time to visit her, often working non-stop. She felt both heartache and relief.
Shen Tingzhou took a bowl of steaming chicken soup from the thermos, and the rich aroma instantly filled the ward. "This is chicken soup I specially stewed this morning. I added some red dates and goji berries to replenish your qi and blood. Mother, you are recovering now, so you should drink more nutritious food." He said, handing the chicken soup to Lin Wanqiu.
Lin Wanqiu took the chicken soup, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it gently, and held it to Grandma Shen's lips: "Mother, try it. Tingzhou specially stewed it for you. It's very fragrant."
Grandma Shen opened her mouth and drank it down. The savory aroma of the chicken soup spread in her mouth, and the warm broth slid down her throat, soothing her internal organs. She nodded and mumbled, "Delicious...so good..."
Lin Wanqiu fed Old Mrs. Shen spoonful by spoonful, while Shen Tingzhou sat beside her, watching the harmonious scene between mother and daughter, his heart filled with happiness and gratitude. He knew that it was Lin Wanqiu's kindness and resilience that had resolved the years-long conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, making the family more harmonious. Previously, he had always worried that Lin Wanqiu would harbor resentment because of Old Mrs. Shen's harshness, but now it seemed he had worried unnecessarily. Lin Wanqiu's heart was far broader than he had imagined.
After feeding her the chicken soup, Lin Wanqiu, following the nutritional diet plan devised by Shen Nian'an, fed Grandma Shen some millet porridge and light vegetables. Grandma Shen had an exceptionally good appetite today, actually eating half a bowl of porridge and quite a few vegetables, which made Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou very gratified.
"Mother, you have a really good appetite today. If this continues, you'll recover soon," Shen Tingzhou said with a smile.
Grandma Shen nodded, a long-lost smile appearing on her face. She looked at Lin Wanqiu, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Wanqiu...it's all thanks to you...if it weren't for you...mother might..."
“Mother, please don’t say that,” Lin Wanqiu interrupted Old Madam Shen. “We are family, it’s only right that we take care of each other. Besides, you yourself have worked very hard and actively cooperated with the treatment and rehabilitation training, which is why you have recovered so quickly.”
Just then, the old hospital director walked in with a nurse. The old director was wearing a white coat and reading glasses, with a gentle smile on his face. "Grandma Shen, how are you feeling today?" He walked to the bedside, took Grandma Shen's left hand, and carefully took her pulse.
"Much better... I can sit up now... I can even say a few words..." said Grandma Shen.
The old director nodded, then examined Grandma Shen's right side, gently pressing it a few times, and asked, "Does it hurt here? Can you feel anything?"
Grandma Shen frowned and said, "I...I feel a little bit...a bit numb..."
"Good! Good!" A hint of surprise flashed in the old director's eyes. "This shows that the nerves are slowly recovering, which is a very good sign! Grandma Shen, your recovery is much better than we expected. If this continues, after a while, you will not only be able to speak normally, but your right limbs may also recover some function, and you may even be able to stand up and walk again."
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