Chapter 34 Being Watched
Grandma Sheng was injured by a few thugs.
Yesterday at dinner, Sheng An casually mentioned wanting to eat fried river shrimp, and Grandma Sheng remembered it.
After returning from her stall today, Grandma Sheng took some copper coins and went to the home of a person who made a living selling river fish and shrimp. She bought all two jin of river shrimp that the person had just caught.
On the way back, Grandma Sheng was still happy about buying such fresh river shrimp when suddenly a few thugs jumped out, gagged her, dragged her to a secluded corner, and made her hand over all her money.
After buying two catties of river shrimp, Grandma Sheng didn't have much money left, only a dozen or so coins.
Although she was reluctant to spend the money, Grandma Sheng knew what was important and immediately handed it over.
As a result, the thugs complained that it wasn't enough, thinking that Grandma Sheng was just giving money to beggars. So they roughly tore at Grandma Sheng's clothes, trying to find the money she had hidden.
In the summer, when clothes are thin, Grandma Sheng, feeling ashamed and indignant, instinctively struggled and resisted, only to be shoved hard by one of the thugs, causing her to fall several steps down.
If it were a child or a young person, it would at most be a scratch.
However, Grandma Sheng was quite old, and the fall broke her leg bone and slightly fractured two ribs in her chest, causing her to scream in pain on the spot.
Seeing that things had escalated, the thugs abandoned their search and fled faster than rabbits, disappearing without a trace.
Fortunately, Miao Ya'er was carrying tofu through the streets and alleys when she happened to hear Grandma Sheng's cries for help.
She followed the sound and found Grandma Sheng. Seeing Grandma Sheng's miserable state, she immediately put down her tofu carrying pole and ran back to find the neighbors to help. Together, they took Grandma Sheng to Rongchuntang, the nearest hospital.
After hearing the whole story, Sheng An was not only angry but also terrified.
Miao Ya helped take Grandma Sheng to the clinic, and then continued to sell tofu from door to door, only two neighboring men were there at the moment.
Sheng An walked up to the two men, bowed deeply, and solemnly thanked them: "Thank you both for bringing my grandmother to the clinic. I will never forget your kindness!"
The two neighbors waved their hands repeatedly, saying, "It was nothing, just a small favor. It's hardly a great kindness."
Grandma Sheng was a kind and gentle person. She always greeted everyone with a smile. She was never stingy in helping anyone in need, and she was well-liked in the neighborhood.
They only did a little work; it was nothing.
Seeing that the two refused to accept the gift, Sheng An kept this kindness in his heart.
After paying for this consultation, Sheng An asked the old doctor to come to her home to change Grandma Sheng's dressing. She would pay for the home visit, and the old doctor agreed.
Without Sheng An saying a word, the two neighbors carefully lifted the unconscious Grandma Sheng onto the door panel and walked steadily toward the Xu family's house.
Sheng An helped Xu Chenglin, who had difficulty walking, fall behind, and they met Xu Jinnian who was rushing over halfway.
Seeing that Grandma Sheng was so badly injured, Xu Jinnian's eyes darkened, and he exuded an invisible chill.
When he learned the reason for Grandma Sheng's injury, the coldness in his eyes intensified. He took the door handle from one of the neighbors and carried Grandma Sheng into his home without saying a word.
After seeing off the two neighbors, Xu Chenglin said sternly, "Jin Nian, this matter cannot be left like this. We must find those thugs and break all their leg bones and sternums!"
Xu Jinnian's voice was icy: "My son will have someone investigate."
Anyone who dares to lay a hand on his family will be taught a lesson they'll never forget!
Seeing that the father and son had settled the matter in just a few words, Sheng An did not suggest reporting it to the authorities.
If reporting to the authorities would be helpful, she believed the father and son wouldn't bother to solve the problem themselves.
It was inappropriate to keep such a big thing happening to Grandma Sheng from Grandpa Sheng, who lived in the village, so Xu Jinnian rushed to Huai Shu Village and brought Grandpa Sheng home.
Seeing his wife's miserable state, Grandpa Sheng couldn't help but tear up and squatted down by Grandma Sheng's bedside, weeping.
Sheng An felt even more distressed and walked up to Grandpa Sheng, saying guiltily, "Grandpa, it's my fault for making Grandma suffer so much."
Grandpa Sheng wiped away his tears and patted his granddaughter's shoulder: "Those scoundrels deserve to die, how can you be blamed?"
Sheng An's eyes were red, filled with self-reproach: "If I hadn't been so greedy, Grandma wouldn't have gone to buy shrimp and run into those beasts who robbed us on the road."
Grandpa Sheng shook his head: "It's not wrong to be greedy, and your grandma won't blame you."
Sheng An's tears flowed even more fiercely.
Grandpa Sheng sighed: "Good child, don't cry. If you wake your grandma up, she'll be heartbroken."
Sheng An doesn't like to cry, but she just can't control it.
Not wanting her grandfather to be sad too, she turned away and wiped her tears before continuing, "Grandpa, Grandma needs someone to take care of her. Can you stay in the city for a while?"
Grandpa Sheng nodded. He had decided to come to the city without leaving his seriously injured wife behind.
He entrusted the crops in the fields and the chickens at home to the villagers before he came, and he would go back every few days to check on them to make sure there were no problems.
Sheng An came out of the room with red eyes. Xu Jinnian was already cooking in the kitchen.
She was just about to go inside to cook some of her grandmother's favorite dishes when there was a knock on the courtyard gate.
Sheng An went over and opened the door, only to find that it was Master Ding's trusted confidant, Chang Fu.
Changfu bowed respectfully to Sheng'an and explained his purpose:
"When Master learned that the Old Madam was injured, he specially ordered me to send over some medicinal herbs to help her recover. I have already sent people to investigate those thugs who injured the Old Madam, and I will report to you immediately as soon as I have any news."
Sheng An was surprised that Master Ding had received the news so quickly and even knew the reason for her grandmother's injury. She was deeply moved and asked Chang Fu to convey her gratitude to Master Ding.
"Thank you for your concern, Master Ding. I will personally thank you tomorrow."
Grandma was injured, and she didn't have the energy or the inclination to continue running her stall, but the Ding family still went there every day.
She had built connections with the Ding family through her own abilities, and she would need their help in the future, so she couldn't afford to cause any dissatisfaction among the Ding family.
Not long after, Grandma Sheng woke up, but she was very listless.
Seeing her granddaughter and grandson gathered around the bed, along with her grandson-in-law and father-in-law, she felt guilty: "I'm fine, don't worry."
How could they not be worried? But they didn't want to upset Grandma Sheng, so they forced a smile.
"Others may not know your physical condition, but I certainly do. This injury is really no problem for you. After a few months of rest, you'll be back to normal."
Grandpa Sheng comforted his wife, gently patting the back of Grandma Sheng's hand with his bark-like hand: "Don't worry, I'll stay with you during your recovery period so you won't get bored and cause trouble for An'an."
Grandma Sheng was furious and was about to retort when she suddenly remembered something very important. She looked at Sheng An with an urgent expression:
"An'an, those thugs have been watching us for a while now, so please don't go out alone!"
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