It seemed that by now, Su Mingqiang should have finished talking with the old man and was about to take the old lady home.
The old lady patted Li Jinhua's hand.
"Jinhua, this bathhouse is wonderful! The water is so warm, and someone even scrubs your back. I've never enjoyed myself like this in all my years."
"I'm glad you like it."
Li Jinhua agreed verbally, but her eyes kept glancing towards home.
"I'll bring you here often from now on."
Li Jinhua pulled the old lady along and hurried home.
"Oh dear, Jinhua, slow down, my old bones can't keep up."
The old lady called out from behind.
Li Jinhua then came to her senses and quickly slowed her pace.
"I'm so sorry, Grandma, I forgot you have trouble walking."
When I got home and opened the door, a strong smell of alcohol hit me.
Li Jinhua frowned, but her eyes searched around the room.
Li Jinhua quickly identified her target.
On the living room sofa, Su Mingqiang lay sprawled out, his face flushed, snoring loudly, his shirt stained with wine.
Li Jinhua was so angry that her fingernails dug into her palms. She took a deep breath and forced back the curses that were about to come out of her mouth.
"What... how did Mingqiang get so drunk?"
The old lady walked forward in surprise and waved her hand in front of her grandson.
"There was absolutely no reaction."
Li Jinhua forced a stiff smile.
"He probably drank too much with his grandfather."
She walked quickly to Su Mingqiang's side, and while helping him up, she pinched his inner thigh hard.
"Um..."
Su Mingqiang just grunted, turned over, and continued snoring.
Li Jinhua was so angry that she trembled all over, but then she heard the sound of a radio coming from behind her.
She turned her head and saw that Grandpa Su was walking out of the bedroom, holding an old-fashioned radio that was playing "The Empty City Stratagem".
"You're back? How was the bathhouse?"
The old man asked with a smile, his eyes clear, showing no sign of drunkenness.
The old lady immediately began to speak with great enthusiasm.
"Old man, you wouldn't believe it, the bathhouse floor is covered in white ceramic tiles, so shiny you can see your reflection! And the water in the pool is always steaming..."
As the old man listened to his wife's description, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and his eyes filled with a doting smile.
Standing to the side, Li Jinhua felt a chill in her heart as she looked at the old man's lucid state.
That's it, the plan has completely failed.
"...and a young girl even rubbed my back; her technique was so soothing!"
The old lady became more and more excited as she talked.
"When I get back to the village, I'll have to have a good talk with my old friends!"
The old man laughed heartily.
"Look how happy you are. City people live such ordinary lives, yet you're treated like this."
"Grandpa, would you like to give it a try too?"
Li Jinhua forced a smile and asked.
"If you want to go, Mingqiang will take you tomorrow."
The old man waved his hand.
"I'll pass. These old bones of mine can be easily cleaned up at home."
He looked out the window.
"It's getting late. I'll take your grandma to visit the eldest son's family. Mingfu just came over and said that Mingqiang's mother made dumplings today and wants us to come over for dinner."
Although Li Jinhua was filled with anger, she still forced herself to speak.
"Shall I go out and call a pedicab to take you two there?"
"Need not."
The old man was already helping the old woman walk outside.
"Taking a walk is good; it helps to stretch your muscles and bones."
Li Jinhua attentively escorted him to the courtyard gate.
"Then please take care, you two."
As she watched the two elderly people walk away, the smile on Li Jinhua's face vanished instantly.
She turned abruptly, rushed back to the living room, stood in front of the sofa, and glared down at the completely drunk Su Mingqiang.
"waste!"
She forced out those two words through gritted teeth, her chest heaving violently.
As he spoke, he slapped Su Mingqiang twice across the face.
Su Mingqiang showed no reaction whatsoever.
Li Jinhua became even angrier.
He immediately turned around and ran straight into the kitchen.
There happened to be a basin of cold water left over from washing vegetables. Li Jinhua rushed in, picked up the basin, and ran out without hesitation, splashing the water on Su Mingqiang's face on the sofa.
"Splash—"
"ah!"
Su Mingqiang sat up with a start, water droplets dripping down his hair.
"W-What's wrong? Is it raining?"
"Rain? I'll make you rain!"
Li Jinhua slammed the empty basin to the ground with a loud crash.
"Su Mingqiang! You still have the nerve to sleep here?"
Su Mingqiang then came to his senses and wiped the water off his face.
"Jinhua? No, wait, aren't I drinking with Grandpa right now? Where's Grandpa?"
"Grandpa? You still know to ask about Grandpa? I'm your grandpa!!"
Li Jinhua's voice suddenly rose.
"I asked you to talk to him about money, and what did you do? You got yourself drunk and looking like this! Tell me, did you get it done?"
Su Mingqiang panicked for a moment, and then his thoughts became clear.
Seeing his wife's fierce expression, Su Mingqiang shrank back.
"I...I was trying to get him drunk..."
"And the result?"
Li Jinhua grabbed his collar.
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