Chapter 44 Zhou Lanying Arrives
That afternoon, a dilapidated bicycle was parked in front of the Zhao family's courtyard house.
A bulging cloth bag hung on the handlebars, and an elderly woman with gray hair and a thin but agile figure got off the back seat—Zhao Yidi's maternal grandmother, Zhou Lanying.
She really missed her granddaughter and also cared about the home left behind by her daughter Li Rui. She took some time to steam a pot of jujube buns and traveled more than ten miles to come and visit.
"Grandma!" Zhao Yidi was playing shuttlecock in the yard when she saw it and rushed over with a joyful shout.
"Oh! My sweet daughter!" Zhou Lanying hugged her granddaughter, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and patted her head. "You've grown taller again. Where's your dad?"
Hearing the commotion, Zhao Fei came out of the main room, somewhat surprised: "Mom, what brings you here? Come inside quickly, it's cold outside."
Zhou Lanying pushed her bicycle into the yard and carried the cloth bag into the main room.
The fire in the stove was burning brightly, making the room warm and cozy. She looked around and, not seeing Li Yugu, casually asked, "Where's Yugu? Did he go visiting someone?"
Zhao Fei paused as he poured the water, a complex expression flashing across his face.
He paused for a moment, then, feeling it wasn't good to keep this from the old man, he briefly and as objectively as possible recounted Zhao Qingda's affair, Wang Juan's childbirth, and Li Yugu's past care for his grandson.
Of course, the unspeakable entanglements between him and Wen Xiaoxiao were omitted.
As Zhou Lanying listened, she forgot to put down the steamed bun she was holding, her smile gradually disappeared, and her brows furrowed into a knot.
She was a traditional woman who valued family ethics and lived a very proper life.
After listening to Zhao Fei's words, he sighed deeply after a long while, his voice filled with disapproval and a hint of anger:
"What...what kind of mess is this! Qingda, how could he be so reckless! Yugu is also...confused! That's his grandson over there, but aren't his two granddaughters also part of the Zhao family? They're all his flesh and blood, how can you be so biased? Leaving Xiaoxiao and the two children here, that's not fair!"
Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, carrying the unique judgment of the elderly regarding the state of the world and people's hearts.
She felt a tightness in her chest. Looking at the deserted courtyard and then at her granddaughter and Zhao Fei bustling around, she suddenly changed her mind.
“I originally came here to see Yidi and then go back. But now…” Zhou Lanying took out the jujube buns from her cloth bag and placed them on the table. Her tone was firm. “I’m not leaving. I’ll stay here for a while and take care of Yidi. How can we let Xiaoxiao take care of Yidi all by herself? The west wing is empty, isn’t it? I’ll tidy it up.”
Zhao Fei was taken aback: "Mom, the west wing is cold, and no one has lived there for a long time. Why don't you..."
"If it's cold, light the stove to warm up!" Zhou Lanying waved her hand, leaving no room for argument. "You men are careless, Yidi is still young, and Xiaoxiao is busy taking care of two children all by herself. I'm here, at least I can lend a hand, cook, and look after the children. It's settled then."
Hearing the commotion in the east wing, Wen Xiaoxiao came out carrying her child. Upon seeing Zhou Lanying, she politely greeted her, "Aunt Zhou, you're here."
Zhou Lanying turned her head and looked at Wen Xiaoxiao.
After many years, the girl was even thinner than the last time I saw her. Although her complexion was better, the weariness in her eyes was still evident.
She was holding one in her arms, and another was lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), both of them tiny little bundles.
Thinking back on what I had heard, my sympathy and indignation grew even stronger.
"Xiaoxiao, you've suffered." Zhou Lanying walked over, took the baby from her arms, and gently rocked it. "The baby looks quite healthy, just a little small. You also need to take care of yourself."
"I'm fine, Auntie." Wen Xiaoxiao forced a smile.
Zhou Lanying is a woman of action; she does what she says she will do.
She asked Zhao Fei to help her turn on the stove in the west wing, which had been unused for a long time, and start a fire.
They fetched water and swept the floor, giving the dusty room a quick tidy-up.
Although it won't get warm for a while, at least there's some life around.
That night, Zhou Lanying insisted on sleeping in the still slightly chilly west wing.
Zhao Yidi tugged at her clothes, refusing to let go: "Grandma, don't sleep over there alone, it's cold. Sleep with me, my second aunt, and my sisters, the kang (heated brick bed) is so warm!"
Wen Xiaoxiao also advised, "Auntie, the stove has just been lit and it's very damp. Why don't you squeeze in with us first, and go over to the west wing after it's dried out?"
Looking into the child's earnest eyes and then at Wen Xiaoxiao's sincere face, Zhou Lanying's heart softened, and she nodded: "Okay, then let's squeeze in for now."
At night, Zhou Lanying and Wen Xiaoxiao slept on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east wing with their three children.
The two children would wake up once or twice in the middle of the night as usual. Zhou Lanying was old and had a light sleep, so she took the initiative to help take care of them.
She skillfully changed the baby's diapers, made formula, and hummed old nursery rhymes to lull him to sleep. Her movements were gentle and efficient, greatly reducing Wen Xiaoxiao's burden.
Wen Xiaoxiao felt grateful and whispered her thanks, "Auntie, thank you for your hard work."
“It’s nothing. I went through the same thing when I was young.” Zhou Lanying looked at Wen Xiaoxiao’s gentle profile in the dim light and felt more and more that this girl had a tough time. “But you, raising two people by yourself, that must have been really difficult.”
Wen Xiaoxiao didn't say anything, she just smiled.
At this moment, Zhao Yidi, who was sleeping in the middle, woke up groggily, snuggled closer to Wen Xiaoxiao, grabbed her arm with her little hand, and mumbled, "Second Aunt...is my little sister not crying anymore?"
"Don't cry, go to sleep." Wen Xiaoxiao patted her gently.
Zhao Yidi didn't fall asleep immediately. Instead, she blinked in the darkness and whispered to Zhou Lanying, "Grandma, my second aunt is so good to me. She made me a new cotton-padded jacket, which is even prettier than the ones my classmates' mothers made. When I was sick, she stayed up all night with me and made me pear soup. When Dad is busy, my second aunt combs my hair and braids it..." The child's voice was tender and earnest as she counted Wen Xiaoxiao's good deeds on her fingers.
Zhou Lanying listened quietly, her heart rippling as pebbles were thrown into the still water.
Her granddaughter isn't a child who lies; the dependence and closeness in her words couldn't be faked.
After Yidi fell asleep again while talking, Zhou Lanying sighed softly, "Yidi, you two are destined to be together."
Wen Xiaoxiao tucked the blanket around Zhao Yidi and said softly, "Yidi is sensible and lovable."
That night, Zhou Lanying thought a lot.
Looking at Wen Xiaoxiao's tired yet resilient figure, listening to her granddaughter's dependent words, and thinking about the foolish things Li Yugu and Zhao Qingda had done, a thought that had seemed absurd before, but was now becoming clearer and clearer, lingered in her mind.
Wen Xiaoxiao is a good woman. She is genuinely good to Yidi, and she is also hardworking and honest.
Zhao Fei is steady and reliable; he's someone who can support the family.
Now that the two of them are living under the same roof in such an ambiguous way, won't outsiders gossip?
What if... what if one day, Wen Xiaoxiao really can't stay with that bastard Zhao Qingda anymore...
Zhou Lanying dared not think any further, but her heart felt like it was being scratched by something.
She turned over, looked at the cold moonlight outside the window, and sighed silently.
In this world, rules are rigid, but people's hearts are flexible.
But what can an old woman like her do?
All we can do for now is watch and keep an eye on things, and help this unfortunate woman and her poor children when we can.
The next day, Zhou Lanying officially settled into the courtyard house. She was quick and efficient, cooking, washing clothes, helping to take care of the children, and thoroughly tidying up and warming up the west wing.
With her around, the courtyard felt more lively and welcoming, and Wen Xiaoxiao's burden was immediately lightened, with more smiles appearing on her face.
Zhou Lanying observed silently.
She noticed that Zhao Fei left early and returned late every day, but he always brought something back with him, sometimes meat, sometimes little toys for the children.
Seeing Wen Xiaoxiao quietly tidying up the house, preparing clothes and food for the three children, and taking meticulous care of Yidi, I was deeply moved.
Seeing the genuine closeness and trust that Yidi has for Wen Xiaoxiao.
All of this, like silent confirmation, made the vague thought in Zhou Lanying's mind become more concrete and heavier day by day.
She knew she couldn't change anything, but she could do her best to add a touch of warmth and care to this turbulent little courtyard during this eventful time.
At the same time, it is like a silent guardian, quietly waiting for fate to make its next move.
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