Chapter Seventy-Five: New Year's Eve Gathering
"Chu Zhen, I want to go to Grandma's house tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll go with you." Chu Zhen didn't say a word while eating, whereas he would usually chat with me.
"Chu Zhen, have you offended anyone in the news?" I asked cautiously.
"Which journalist doesn't offend people? If you want to reveal the truth, you're bound to offend some people."
"I drove your car that day, do you think it's possible?"
"Don't think about it anymore, I won't let you get hurt again."
"No, that's not what I meant. Compared to you, I'd rather I get hurt. I'm just worried that if it really was someone else, the person they want to retaliate against is you." I expressed my inner concerns.
"I won't let myself get hurt."
The next morning, Chu Zhen and I bought some New Year's goods to visit Grandma. Perhaps having learned about Grandma's theft, the grandson, who had originally planned to save on travel expenses by not going home, also returned.
"Grandma, I'm Lin Dang, a reporter from the newspaper who came to interview you yesterday." Perhaps because her grandson had returned, Grandma's emotions had calmed down today.
"Yes, I remember you. Did you put my name in the newspaper?"
"It's in the newspaper. Take a look. This is today's newspaper. I brought it here especially for you to see. These are some New Year's goods I bought." I put the things on the table and looked up at the photo frame on the wall. Sure enough, the man in the photo was the same person as the driver who caused the accident.
"Who is this?" Grandma didn't recognize Chu Zhen.
"This is my boyfriend. He works at a TV station. He heard about your situation and wanted to see if there was anything he could do to help."
"Oh, what a perfect match you two are!" Grandma smiled as she looked at Chu Zhen and me. "Sigh, marriage is all about matching social status, otherwise you'll suffer your whole life." Then Grandma sighed again.
"Not necessarily. As long as the feelings are good, social status and other factors can be overcome." I sensed that my grandmother's words had a hidden meaning, but I didn't ask her directly.
"Quickly, sit down. Look at me, I've only been talking to you and haven't even offered you a seat. Hurry up and sit down!" Chu Zhen and I sat down next to Grandma. The boy poured us some water and then went outside to wash clothes.
"Look at my grandson, what a good child he is! It's just that he doesn't have good parents to guide him!" Grandma sighed again. "This child has a hard life. My son is a good-for-nothing. He indulges in drinking, gambling, and whoring, and he's now drowning in debt. His wife only knows how to eat and drink all day long. If it weren't for the welfare benefits and government subsidies I received, how would my child have been able to go to school?"
"Grandma, I heard from the neighbors yesterday that your son died in a car accident?"
"He was just a troublemaker, it's no loss that he's dead." Grandma said this with anger, but you could also hear the heartache in her voice. "Let him die, he even hurt that mother and child. I told him that alcohol is no good, he used to beat the child when he drank too much, and now he's finally caused trouble. I just don't have the face to see that mother and child's family, they're so young!"
"Grandma, Mom has recovered and been discharged from the hospital after the accident, but the child has passed away," Chu Zhen said, afraid that her grandmother would feel too guilty, since it had nothing to do with her.
"God help me, I hope this woman can have another child!"
I sincerely admire the simple old man who was able to clearly distinguish his stance on matters of principle. No wonder his grandson is so successful in such an environment.
"When my daughter-in-law married into the family, her family was in business and had some money. She was spoiled from a young age, which is understandable, since we married her as a wife, not a maid. I managed everything at home. But then her business went bankrupt, and the whole family was counting on her to help them out. I can't believe she had the nerve to take all of my son's compensation money. It would be one thing if I were all alone, but I still have a son here. She really has the heart to do that!"
Grandma poured her heart out to me, telling me a lot of things, much like what the neighbors had said. What intrigued me, however, was the compensation. Grandma didn't know either, and she kept muttering about how someone could get compensation for causing harm while drunk.
Before leaving, Chu Zhen gave the boy a business card, saying he could contact him if he needed anything. We also left some money for Grandma, because life goes on. Grandma is a kind-hearted person, and it was only her son who made a mistake.
I started paying attention to the reports about my car accident, not because I was worried about myself, but because I was worried about Chu Zhen. After graduating, I taught in a mountainous area and didn't do much reporting. Chu Zhen, on the other hand, exposed a lot of dark and illegal activities. But I was also very fortunate that it was me who was hit by the car. If it had been Chu Zhen, I really don't know how I would have faced those days.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, everyone decided to spend it at the suburban villa this year. A few days before New Year's Eve, Chu Zhen went to City B to pick up my parents. The newspaper needs to publish every day, and since Ling Yiyi's family lives in another province, I told her to go home for the New Year while I stayed on duty. Chu Zhen, on the other hand, pre-recorded the programs for the Spring Festival. My parents and Professor Huang prepared New Year's goods together, which made us quite happy to have some free time. We didn't return to the suburban villa until New Year's Eve.
"Dang'er seems to have gained some weight recently." Grandma always holds my hand and looks at me carefully whenever she sees me.
"I've been eating more lately, and I'm not as picky as I used to be," Chu Zhen said with a smile. "I've gained weight, and it's very satisfying."
"Grandma, you look great lately. I bought some multigrain powder, it's good for your health, you can mix it with water and drink it at home."
"Lin Dang really knows how to care for people. Look at Zhen'er, when will she ever come back and start showing me filial piety?"
"Grandma, isn't it because someone else is taking care of you for me?"
The whole family chatted and laughed together. Mom and Professor Huang helped Dad in the kitchen. When it was time to eat, there was a big table of delicious food.
"Grandma, I wish you good health and a long life!" After the banquet started, Chu Zhen and I toasted Grandma together.
"Okay, okay, I'll definitely take care of myself. I still want to hold my great-grandchild!"
"Grandma!" I lowered my head shyly.
"Try your best this year, this is a red envelope from Grandma." Grandma took out a red envelope and gave it to me. This was my first time celebrating the New Year at Chu Zhen's house, and I didn't know any of the family's customs, so I declined.
"Take it, it's Grandma's thoughtfulness." Chu Zhen saw my pleading look and hinted that I should just accept it.
Professor Huang and my parents also gave red envelopes to Chu Zhen and me. It was truly a joyous occasion for the whole family to celebrate the New Year together.
After dinner, everyone got ready to play mahjong. The four elders planned to play all night in the game room. Since I had to work the next day, I watched the Spring Festival Gala with Chu Zhen in the living room and also served as an errand boy, bringing tea and water.
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