Chapter 108
The elder brother immediately said, "Ah, young comrade, you also helped to advance the medical expenses? You are such a kind person!"
Xia Qingtang waved his hands generously: "It's okay, it's okay. I just happened to know Teacher Xu and helped him when I met him. As long as you remember to tell his family for me, the money still needs to be returned to me."
"Hey, don't worry, I will definitely help you... How about this? You register your name and unit on a piece of paper, so that I won't make a mistake. We will then tell the school or tell Teacher Xu's family. Don't worry, someone will return the money to you."
As he spoke, the elder brother took out a very long registration book and said, "Just write it at the end of this."
Xia Qingtang thought for a moment and said, "My lover is a student at your school. Can I register his information? You can return it to my lover later."
The eldest brother said, "Of course, of course. It will be more convenient for your lover. But you should also write your own name, so that your lover will not know what happened."
Xia Qingtang wrote his own name on the last page of the registration book, as well as Xie Jinxuan's detailed information. He also wrote down the whole story of the incident and wrote the year, month and day.
The security guard saw her beautiful pen writing and said, "My dear young comrade, your handwriting is so beautiful. Are you also a college student?"
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "I'm not a college student. I'm working. Thank you, big brother. I'm sorry to bother you with this matter. I'll leave first."
"Okay, don't worry, your money will not be lost!" The eldest brother chased out and waved at her back.
Xia Qingtang rode her bike back home, much later than usual. Xie Jinxuan was getting a little anxious at the moment. Seeing her coming back, she quickly asked, "Did anything happen today? Why did you come back so late?"
"Hi, something really happened. When I was buying sugar-roasted chestnuts on the roadside, I happened to see Professor Xu Zhenhua from the Archaeology Department of your school fainted on the roadside. I knew him, so I followed other kind people to send him to the hospital. When we got to the hospital, I paid another ten yuan for his medical expenses. While he was being rescued there, I rode my bike to the provincial capital university to report the news. At this time, the leaders of your school or his family members should have rushed to the hospital." Xia Qingtang said as he hung his backpack on the hook at the entrance, then took off his gloves, scarf, and mask one by one and hung them on the hook, then took off his cotton-padded jacket, then he breathed a sigh of relief and ran to wash his hands.
Xie Jinxuan followed and said, "So that's how it is. Fortunately, nothing happened to you. I was just about to go out to look for you."
"Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me anymore. Why don't we agree on a time? If I'm not home by half past six, you can go out and look for me."
Xie Jinxuan said, "Okay, I'll take note. By the way, how is Teacher Xu? What's wrong with him that made him faint?"
"I don't know either. I just followed him to the emergency room, and someone stopped me to pay, so I went to pay. Then I went to your university to report the news. I hope Mr. Xu is okay. He looked really bad at the time. Someone pinched his Ren Zhong point but he didn't respond. I don't know what happened." Xia Qingtang washed her hands and went back to the living room with Xie Jinxuan. She said, "It's getting late. I saw you washed the cabbage. How about just stir-frying it and making some noodle soup?"
"Okay, Aunt Six brought over some dried radishes at noon today, which is just right for eating with this." Xie Jinxuan said, and went to help Xia Qingtang cook.
After a simple dinner, the two of them boiled some hot water and washed up. Xie Jinxuan continued reading and studying, while Xia Qingtang took out his English homework and started writing it.
Since there was a fireplace in the living room, they both stayed in the living room at night and only returned to the bedroom before going to bed.
There was a howling cold wind outside the window. Although it was not as warm as spring in the house, her hands and feet were not frozen at all. Xia Qingtang held a cup of hot malted milk and memorized the words carefully.
In this age of material scarcity, Xie Jinxuan provided her with such a wonderful life, making her life warm and stable. Xia Qingtang would occasionally look up at Xie Jinxuan across the dining table, and the corners of her mouth would always unconsciously rise.
Xie Jinxuan noticed her gaze several times, but he was very self-controllable and usually didn't look up and return her gaze easily.
Xia Qingtang also liked his personality more. She would always secretly make a face at his serious and handsome face, and then continue to memorize words.
"Jinxuan, I've finished here. How long will it take you?" Xia Qingtang asked softly.
Xie Jinxuan raised her head, looked at the clock, and said, "It's still early. Go brush your teeth and go to bed first. I'll go to bed at half past ten."
"Okay." Xia Qingtang stood up, walked to him, bent down and kissed him. Just as she was about to continue talking, she heard a hurried shout from outside the yard: "Brother! It's bad! Mom suddenly had a stomachache and rolled off the bed! Dad is calling you to come over quickly!"
Xie Jinxuan was startled and immediately replied: "I'll be there now!"
Xia Qingtang also quickly put on his cotton coat and hurried to the small western-style building with Xie Jinxuan.
Xie's mother was lying on the sofa on the first floor. Her face was pale and she was pressing her right abdomen tightly with both hands. Her head and face were covered in sweat and she was in so much pain that she almost didn't have the strength to scream.
Xie Chengye was squatting beside her, whispering something to her.
"Dad, what's wrong with Mom?" Xie Jinxuan ran over immediately.
Seeing his eldest son coming over, Xie Chengye said quickly: "Your mother's stomach pain is abnormal. Xiaoliu just went to the motorcade to call for help. The car should be here soon, but your grandparents are old and Xiaoyun is still young. I am afraid that I cannot go to the hospital alone. So I asked Xiaoyun to call you over, and you and I will take your mother to the hospital together. I don't think the situation is good, and I am afraid it will take all night."
Grandma said: "I am not too old, I can definitely go with you."
Xie Jinxuan immediately said, "Grandma, it's enough to have dad and I here. You and grandpa should rest at home. We still have Xiaoyun to take care of. By the way, dad, you should bring some money. Also, do you want to pack some things for mom? This looks like appendicitis..."
Grandma said, "Yes, I'll go upstairs and pack some luggage for her. It looks like she's going to be hospitalized, so she should bring some towels, cups, and toilet paper. If it's not enough, I'll come back later to pack."
After saying that, grandma went upstairs.
Xia Qingtang said: "I will go with you too. I am a woman. If anything happens, it will be more convenient for me to take care of it."
"Thank you for your hard work." Xie Chengye nodded at Xia Qingtang, then continued to lower his head to comfort Xie's mother.
Soon, the car drove over, and Xie Chengye immediately wanted to pick up Xie's mother horizontally, but he didn't have enough strength.
Xie Jinxuan hurried over: "Dad, let me do it, you just go open the door."
"Okay." Xie Chengye quickly ran over to open the door. Grandpa Xie followed him and whispered, "Don't panic. Go find Old Yu if you have anything to say."
"I know, don't worry, Dad."
Xie Jinxuan picked up the trembling mother Xie horizontally, and then carefully placed her on the back seat of the jeep. Although it was only a short distance, Xie's mother broke out in cold sweat, which showed that she was in real pain.
When grandma heard the noise, she quickly ran down with a suitcase in her hand: "I packed a few things here, they should all be useful. Qingtang, please pay more attention to your mother."
"Okay, I will, don't worry, grandma." Xia Qingtang took the bag and saw that grandma's fingers were shaking slightly, so she hugged her grandma tightly and whispered, "Don't worry, grandma, mom is a blessed person, and she will be fine."
Grandma's eyes were sore and she couldn't help crying: "Okay, I'll listen to you. I'm relieved. Go quickly and tell me if you have any problem."
"I will." Xia Qingtang also got on the jeep and went with them to send Xie's mother to the hospital.
Xie Jinxuan's judgment was correct. Xie's mother indeed had acute appendicitis and needed immediate surgery. However, there were many patients in the emergency room that night, and the doctor could only give Xie's mother an anti-inflammatory injection and then wait in line.
Xie Chengye seldom did anything in the name of his father, but he couldn't care less at this moment. He asked Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang to accompany Xie's mother, and he went out for a while. He came back with a doctor in less than an hour.
Xie's mother underwent the operation smoothly. Three people were waiting outside, and worry was written on each of their faces.
Xia Qingtang opened the luggage bag and checked it. Seeing a thermos cup inside, he took it out and found a place to wash it. Then he found the old man in the guard room and asked him for a cup of hot water.
She returned to the operating room with the hot water and gently handed the cup to Xie Chengye: "Dad, the weather is cold, drink some hot water."
It was indeed very cold in the hospital corridor, and Xia Qingtang's feet were actually a little numb from the cold.
Xie Chengye glanced at her, and seeing her face full of concern, he whispered, "Good girl, I'm not thirsty. You and Jinxuan can drink a little."
Xia Qingtang tried to persuade him for a while, but seeing that he was determined not to drink, she could only hold the cup and walk to Xie Jinxuan's side.
Xie Jinxuan put her arm around her shoulders and whispered, "Dad is too worried about Mom. They have always had a good relationship. Let him be alone for a while. Unless Mom comes out safely, he probably won't be able to drink anything."
Xie Chengye and his mother are indeed a well-known model couple. Although they have been married for many years, they always do everything together. In the entire compound, there is no couple more harmonious than them.
What's even more rare is that the two of them have almost never quarreled in all these years, and even their neighbors would be amazed.
Because they have a better relationship, Xie's mother does not pay too much attention to her children. Even though they are middle-aged now, their attention to each other is always the first priority.
Xia Qingtang admired and envied such a relationship between husband and wife. It is right to put children behind spouse, and such a family will actually be happier.
"I know, although it's a minor operation, there are risks. How can Dad not be worried? I think everyone in the family won't be able to sleep tonight." Xia Qingtang sighed and said, "I hope Mom's operation will be successful."
Xie Jinxuan hugged her, rubbed her hands, and whispered, "It will succeed, it will definitely succeed."
Xie's mother's operation was indeed successful. When she was pushed out of the operating room, Xie Chengye's legs even went weak and he squatted on the ground.
Xia Qingtang walked over and helped him up, and could clearly feel the trembling in his arms.
"That's good, that's good." Xie Chengye said, smiling with red eyes, "Qingtang, your mother's operation was successful."
"Well, that's great. The operation was successful. Mom will be well again soon." Xia Qingtang said, "Dad, let's go home and tell her the news soon."
Xie Chengye asked someone to get a single room for Xie's mother, and by the time Xie's mother was settled in the ward, it was already morning.
Because he was nervous before, he didn't feel sleepy. Now that he was completely relaxed and his body was too cold, Xia Qingtang started to yawn continuously.
Xie Chengye looked at Xia Qingtang's slightly tired face, then at his watch, and said, "Jinxuan, you and Qingtang go home first and tell your family about the surgery. After that, you both need to take a day off today. You should have taken a day off after something like this happened at home. You both need to have a good rest at home during the day, and I will continue to stay here. Let Jinxuan come over to replace me at night. Is that okay?"
Xie Jinxuan said, "Dad, why don't you go back and rest? I'm young and I can endure it. Not sleeping tonight is nothing to me. This way, I'll stay here during the day and come over at night after Dad has rested."
Xie Chengye said, "I won't go back. I can't sleep if I go back now. I'll stay here and watch over your mother, and I'll feel more at ease. You don't have to worry about me. I can sleep here lying on my stomach, or on the sofa over there. There's room here. As long as your mother doesn't wake up for the time being, I'll sleep here for a while. Okay, you guys should go home quickly. They are all worried at home. You should go back quickly and tell your family a message. Your grandma can't sit still. She will come to see your mother during the day. You go back now, so I can take a nap."
In fact, everyone knew that Xie Chengye couldn't sleep at this time. He said this just because he hoped that the two young people would go home and rest quickly.
Xie Jinxuan nodded: "Okay, we'll go back now."
Xia Qingtang said: "Dad, I'll pour you another cup of hot water. Anyway, drink some hot water first to warm your body."
Xie Chengye's hands were even colder than Xia Qingtang's. He had not had a very good night. After all, he was a middle-aged man, and Xia Qingtang was a little worried about his health.
After saying that, Xia Qingtang ran out, washed the thermos again, filled it with a cup of hot water and placed it on the coffee table in the ward, then went out with Xie Jinxuan.
The jeep went back home after delivering the patient last night. Now the two of them had to walk home. Having not slept all night and the hospital being very cold, Xia Qingtang felt that his hands and feet were stiff and he was a little uncomfortable walking.
"Ah, it's so cold and sleepy." Xia Qingtang said as he yawned uncontrollably.
Xie Jinxuan gently held her hand and whispered, "Thank you for your hard work. You seem to have lost some weight from all the hard work you've done all night."
"You're talking nonsense again. How can this be considered hard work? I didn't do anything. I just stayed in the corridor all night. It didn't really do anything. But what dad said makes sense. I couldn't sleep at home. It's better to stay with her in the hospital. Now that I know mom is fine, I feel relieved and suddenly feel very sleepy."
Xie Jinxuan looked at her with eyes full of heartache and said, "How about I carry you back? You can sleep on my back."
"I can't sleep on your back. It's okay. We can just walk back like this. It'll be warm." Xia Qingtang continued, "Come to think of it, I don't know what happened yesterday. Look at my fate. I first sent Teacher Xu to the hospital, and then I sent Mom to the hospital. Mom is fine now. I hope Teacher Xu is okay too."
The hospital was not too far from the provincial party committee compound, so it didn't take long for them to reach the small Western-style building.
After walking for such a long time, Xia Qingtang finally warmed up and his limbs could move around. He just felt a slight pain in his head and eyes, which should be caused by not sleeping all night. He just needed to catch up on some sleep afterwards.
After returning to the small Western-style building, the whole family did not sleep well. Grandpa did not go for early morning exercise and just sat at home waiting for news.
Seeing them coming in, Grandpa Xie immediately said, "You are finally back. If you hadn't come back, I would have gone to the hospital with your grandma to see what happened."
Xie Jinxuan said quickly, "Mom has acute appendicitis. There were so many people in the emergency room last night that Dad had to go out and find a doctor to perform surgery on Mom. Because of the delay, it was already morning when everything was done and sent to the ward. In short, Mom's surgery was successful, but when we left, Mom hadn't woken up yet. Dad asked us to come back and report the news first, and said that he would be there during the day, so Qingtang and I should come back to sleep. I think I can sleep for a morning, and I will go over to replace Dad after lunch. After eight o'clock, I will call and ask for leave for Qingtang and me."
Grandma immediately chanted "Amitabha Buddha" and said, "It's good that everything is fine. It's good that it's just appendicitis. I was so scared last night and thought about the worst possible outcomes. Fortunately, it's just appendicitis."
Grandpa Xie also breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's good that the operation was successful. This is a minor operation and the hospitalization will only take a few days. There are many people in our family, so we can take turns to take care of it. It's still very easy."
Grandma said, "Yes, fortunately there are many people at home. Jinxuan, Qingtang, you worked hard last night. Xiaoliu made breakfast, you should come and eat quickly. Go back to sleep after eating. Jinxuan sleeps for half a day, and you can go to the hospital to replace your father in the afternoon. Your father is not young anymore. He didn't sleep all night and stayed there for another day. He must not be able to bear it. You should replace him in the afternoon and come back to rest, otherwise he will fall ill. Also, leave the leave to me, I will help you two to handle it. You should eat breakfast quickly and go back to sleep after eating."
Aunt Liu was already serving breakfast outside. She said loudly, "Qingtang, go wash your hands and come over quickly to eat something hot."
Xia Qingtang hurried to wash his hands, but Xie Jinyun grabbed his brother's sleeve and burst into tears.
Xie Jinxuan touched her brother's head and said, "Mom is fine now, don't cry."
"I know mom is fine, I'm just very worried. I didn't sleep all night. I wanted to go to the hospital but I didn't dare. Brother, why don't I not go to school today and go to the hospital to accompany mom? I want to go and accompany mom." Xie Jinyun said cautiously.
He is a high school student and is facing the pressure of the college entrance examination. He is also nervous when he says such words at this moment, fearing that his family will object.
As a result, Grandpa Xie was the first to say, "Okay, you've grown up so big, and this is your mother's first surgery. You won't be able to study at school, so why don't you go to the hospital to accompany your mother. I'm going to work later, you follow my car, I'll take you to the hospital, and then I'll go to work."
Xie Jinyun stopped crying immediately: "Thank you, Grandpa. Grandma, remember to ask for leave for me. I'll go upstairs to pack some things. Although I don't have school today, I will still study hard. I'll be there with Mom while she reads."
Seeing him running up the stairs, grandma said, "Okay, I'll ask for leave for the three of you in a bit. At noon, Xiaoliu will cook, and then Xiaoliu and I will go to the hospital to deliver food to Chengye, and then we'll take Xiaoyun home."
After the whole family had arranged everything, they went their separate ways.
Grandpa Xie took Xie Jinyun with him when he went to work. Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang had a hot breakfast in the small western-style building, and then they returned to the small courtyard and fell asleep.
Xie Jinxuan was a person who did not need much sleep, so he woke up at noon. Seeing that Xia Qingtang was still sleeping soundly, he put on his clothes quietly and walked out, then went to the small western-style building again.
Aunt Six had already prepared lunch, and grandma was packing two meals in clean lunch boxes.
"Jinxuan, you're up now. You've only slept for a few hours. Is that okay?" Grandma was a little surprised. "Although you're young, you still have to take care of your health."
Xie Jinxuan said: "I can do it. I sleep sometimes, so a few hours of sleep is enough. I am still worried about Dad's health, but Xiaoyun is there, and Mom has someone to watch over her, and Dad can also sleep on the sofa."
Grandma said, "Your dad cares so much about your mom, he must stay there at night. I discussed it with Xiaoliu. You all have to go to work and school, so from now on, we will take care of the hospital trips. Today is an exception. After we go to the hospital, we will let your dad come back to sleep. If he wants to stay with you at night, it's up to him. Starting tomorrow, you will go to work and school as usual during the day, and I will stay there. Xiaoliu can come back to cook and deliver meals, and your dad will go over to keep watch after work. This is just right."
Xie Jinxuan said: "Then my son doesn't have to do anything?"
"You have so many courses at university. If you choose to go and accompany her at noon or in the evening after class, that will be fine. I asked someone and they said appendicitis is a minor surgery and she will be able to go home in about a week. You don't have to worry too much. Just visit her every day and your mother will be very happy." Grandma said, "The same goes for Qingtang. You can just visit her after work in the afternoon. You don't have to take care of her. Our family is not that kind of family. It is not necessary for the daughter-in-law to take care of the mother-in-law. So remember to tell Qingtang and let her feel at ease."
"I will. I think so too. Qingtang can just go and talk to her mother after work every day. I can't bear to let her stay by the bed and take care of her. Besides, I have a son like you, so why should it be the turn of my daughter-in-law to take care of her?" Xie Jinxuan laughed.
Grandma reached out and patted the back of his hand: "You are just like your father, you love your wife so much."
"Isn't that the same with Grandpa?"
"That old man is far inferior to you. When I was young, he didn't care about me so much. Now that he is old, he is willing to take care of me because he is worried that I am in poor health." Grandma said unhappily.
Xie Jinxuan said: "The main thing is that grandma is in very good health. Being healthy is more important than having someone to take care of her, right?"
Grandma laughed: "You are the only one who can talk!"
"Jinxuan is right. I hope to be healthy all my life and die naturally when I am old. Why do I need someone to take care of me? That is not a blessing." Aunt Liu said, "Okay, come and eat quickly. After eating, you can go to the hospital quickly."
Xie Jinxuan nodded, and after lunch, she rode her bike and took her grandmother to the hospital.
Xie's mother had already woken up and was still receiving an IV drip. Xie Jinyun was sitting next to the ward, reading quietly. Xie Chengye was curled up on the sofa over there, sleeping soundly.
The noise of the door opening did not wake Xie Chengye up. Grandma walked to the bedside quietly and asked softly, "How is it? Does the wound hurt?"
Xie's mother said in a low voice: "It didn't hurt that much, probably because of the painkillers. I'm fine now, luckily I was sent to the hospital in time. Mom, don't worry, the doctor said that I can be discharged and go home in five or six days."
Xie Jinxuan whispered, "Even if you are discharged from the hospital and go home, you are not completely healed. You should still recuperate at home for a while, right?"
Xie's mother said: "It should be possible, but I don't know if it is easy to ask for leave from the company."
Grandma said seriously, "Then let Chengye take the hospital's order to ask for leave for you. You're in this state, and you're still thinking about going to work? I know you're a hard worker and you only think about work, but you should rest well when you need to. You're usually so busy with work, and now you have health problems, how can you not take good care of yourself? You're just too tired, that's why your body is in trouble. Don't think about anything now, just be at ease in the hospital, and lie down at ease when you go home. I've discussed it with Xiaoliu, and these few days, I'll take care of you during the day, Xiaoliu will buy groceries, cook and deliver meals, and the rest of them will go to work or school as needed, and they won't be delayed at all."
"Mom comes to take care of me? How can I feel comfortable doing that?" Xie's mother whispered.
As he was talking, Xie Chengye woke up. He immediately turned over and sat up, saying, "That's right, how can I let my mother take care of me? I have to take care of my own wife myself."
Grandma said, "I'm not asking you not to take care of me. You can go to work as usual during the day, and come to the hospital to accompany me after work at night. The whole night is yours, and no one will stop you. Besides, what's the point of you staying here alone during the day? Xiaoliu can cook, can you? You stay here alone and can only go to the cafeteria to get food. How nutritious can it be? Even though this is a minor operation, you still need to nourish your body well. Listen to me, I will accompany you here during the day, Xiaoliu will run around to take care of the logistics, Jinxuan and the others can come to see you after work, and at night, I will leave it to you alone."
Xie Chengye had no choice but to scratch his head and said, "Mom is right. Okay, I won't care about you during the day, and I'll be alone at night."
Xie Jinyun sat there holding a book, looking at this adult, then at that adult, as if wanting to say something but not daring to.
Xie Jinxuan saw her brother's expression and asked, "Xiao Yun, what's wrong with you? Do you want to say something?"
Xie Jinyun nodded and said, "Can I stay here with my mother at night?"
Xie's mother said, "Xiao Yun, there is not enough space for so many people to sleep here. Besides, you are a child. You will not be able to sleep well here. It will affect your studies."
"But I'm worried about my mother..."
The room was quiet for a while, and Xie Jinxuan said, "How about this, Xiaoyun, you go home with dad now, dad goes back to sleep, Xiaoyun goes back to study, and after dinner, Xiaoyun comes with dad and stays here with mom. But starting tomorrow, Xiaoyun will return to normal, and just come over to see me after school."
Before Xie Jinyun could say anything, Xie Chengye said, "No, no, I won't go back. I want to stay here with your mother."
Xie Jinxuan said, "Dad, grandma and I will be here this afternoon, you should go back and have some sleep now. Look at your eyes, they are all red from staying up all night. If you continue like this, your body will not be able to bear it. You are also a middle-aged man. Even if you want to take care of mom, you have to consider your own health. Otherwise, if mom gets better and you fall down, whose body will be affected then?"
Xie Chengye smiled bitterly: "Really, I was taught a lesson by my son..."
Xie's mother said, "Listen to Jinxuan. There are people here. You and Xiaoyun should go home first. You two can come together in the evening. Bring a military coat, or you will be cold at night."
Xie Jinyun was happy then: "That's great, I can accompany my mother at night!"
He is the youngest son in the family and has a reliable older brother. Therefore, Xie Jinyun matures much later than his brother and still acts like a child. However, because of this, he appears to be very sincere.
So, grandma and Xie Jinyun stayed there to accompany Xie's mother, while Xie Chengye took his youngest son back home.
Xia Qingtang was still sleeping at home. She slept for a very long time. When she woke up, the sun was already slightly west.
She looked at the small alarm clock in a daze, and found that the time pointed to four o'clock. She was startled and sat up quickly.
The room was quiet, Xie Jinxuan should not be at home.
Xia Qingtang got up from the bed, washed up, put on her thick cotton coat, wrapped herself in a scarf, and went to the small western-style building again.
The house was also quiet. Aunt Six was picking vegetables at the kitchen door to prepare dinner. When she saw Xia Qingtang coming over, she quickly whispered, "Jinxuan and the old lady were in the hospital taking care of your mother this afternoon. Your father is back and sleeping. He is upstairs. Xiaoyun is back too. She is doing her homework. She said she will go to the hospital with her father to accompany him in the evening."
Xia Qingtang nodded: "Then I'll go to the hospital later."
"We'll go together later. I'll make dinner and take it to them. You come with me, and then I'll bring the old lady back." Aunt Liu said, "Your father came back and said that your mother's condition is not bad. The doctor said that she will be discharged from the hospital in five or six days. Don't worry."
Xia Qingtang let out a long sigh and smiled: "That's good. I slept too long just now and was startled when I woke up. I was afraid that I might have missed something."
"There are so many people at home, what can be delayed? Don't worry about it." Aunt Liu said, and washed the picked vegetables. "By the way, what did the doctor say? What should people who have just had surgery eat? Can I make her some steamed eggs?"
Xia Qingtang said quickly: "No, I remember the doctor said that you can only start eating the next day. Today you can only have an IV drip."
"I can't eat today? Then...what can I eat tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure yet. I'll go to the hospital and ask the doctor."
"Okay, I'll take a pencil and write it down. I'll cook for her in the next few days according to what the doctor said." Aunt Liu said, "Then we can get eggs cheaper today."
She and Xia Qingtang tried to move as quietly as possible. They cooked a simple dinner together, put it in a lunch box, wrapped it in cotton clothes and put it in a cloth bag. Aunt Six said, "I left the food on the table. Chengye will eat it when he wakes up. Let's go to the hospital first."
"Okay." Xia Qingtang carried the heavy cloth bag and walked out quietly.
She rode her bicycle and took her sixth aunt to the hospital. Mother Xie happened to have fallen asleep again at that moment. Grandma and Xie Jinxuan were sitting on the sofa, one taking a nap and the other reading the newspaper seriously.
Seeing them passing by, Xie Jinxuan immediately laughed. He took the heavy cloth bag and whispered, "Where's Dad?"
"She was still sleeping when we left." Xia Qingtang asked, "Is mom feeling better?"
"It's hard to say. Later, the wound started to hurt, and he looked quite weak." Xie Jinxuan said, "Did you sleep well?"
"I slept until four o'clock and woke up with a startle."
Aunt Six said, "This is dinner for you and the old lady. Let's go back after Chengye and Xiaoyun come over."
Grandma happened to wake up and asked, "Have you eaten?"
"She hasn't eaten yet. Qingtang said she's not hungry yet and will eat after we get home." Aunt Six said.
Grandma said, "How about Qingtang and Jinxuan stay here and eat the food, and I will go home with you."
"Okay, let's go back now. Chengye should be awake by now. Let's go and ask the doctor what we can eat after the operation." With that, Aunt Six accompanied Grandma home first.
Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan stayed in the ward. Xie's mother was sleeping very soundly, and they ate and talked without waking her up.
Xie Chengye and Xie Jinyun hadn't come over yet. It was getting dark, and the nurse came in to check on her. Only then did Xie's mother open her eyes and ask, "What time is it?"
"It's half past six." Xie Jinxuan walked over, "Mom, does it still hurt?"
"Whether it hurts or not, I can bear it at least." Xie's mother said, "You don't have to worry about me too much. This little problem is nothing to worry about."
Mother Xie is indeed a very strong person. She always works hard when she is at work, and always listens to the doctor when she is hospitalized.
Following the doctor's instructions, Aunt Six specially arranged healthy hospital meals for Mother Xie and delivered meals to her on time every day.
Grandma went to the hospital in the morning to keep watch, just like she was going to work, and in the afternoon, she would go home to rest after Xie Chengye got off work.
Whenever they were free, other people would go over and talk to Xie's mother, so even though she was in the hospital, she was in a good mood.
Four days passed in a flash. Xie's mother's condition has improved a lot. The doctor said that she can be discharged from the hospital in two days.
After work, Xia Qingtang rode his bike to the hospital, and sure enough, he saw Xie Jinxuan in the ward.
"Qingtang, are you here?" Xie's mother greeted her with a smile, "Xiaoliu brought dinner over, and your grandma went back with her. Chengye has to work overtime today, so you two have to stay here for a while."
Xia Qingtang put down her messenger bag on the sofa and said, "It's great that I can stay with my mother for a while longer."
Mother Xie said, "You are a good talker, otherwise people would always say that it is better to raise a daughter."
Xia Qingtang saw a new vase with some roses on the windowsill, so he said, "These flowers are so beautiful, who sent them?"
"Yes, a relative came to see me today." Xie's mother said, "You have seen him before. He came to our house during the Chinese New Year..."
Xia Qingtang tried to recall but couldn't remember. The main reason was that there were so many relatives in the Xie family and she had met many of them during the Chinese New Year, so she got them all mixed up.
Xie's mother said: "I was like this at first, it took me several years to remember their relatives."
They chatted for a while, and Xie's mother suddenly said, "Jinxuan, Qingtang, please go out for a while. I want to go to the bathroom."
There are bedpans and spittoons in the ward. Now that Xie's mother can move on her own, she refuses to use the bedpan in bed and insists on using the spittoon herself.
When Xie Chengye was around, she would ask Xie Chengye for help, but when Xie Chengye was not around, she would always solve the problem by herself, even if it was difficult, she would never ask her mother-in-law or son to help.
Xia Qingtang knew that it would be inconvenient for her to go to the toilet alone at this time, so she said, "Mom, let me help you."
Mother Xie said stubbornly: "I don't need you, I can do it myself."
"Mom, be careful with the wound. I'll help you. It's not a big deal." Xia Qingtang walked over, took out the spittoon from under the bed and placed it beside the bed. After Xie Jinxuan went out, she helped Xie's mother get out of bed.
With the help of her, Xie's mother went to the toilet. Xia Qingtang covered the spittoon and put it back under the bed. Then he quickly helped Xie's mother lie down on the bed. He brought a basin of water for Xie's mother to wash her hands on the bed, and then used a dry towel to dry her hands.
For her, doing these things was just a matter of convenience and it was just a small favor.
After finishing it, Xie's mother whispered, "Qingtang, thank you."
"Mom, why should I say thank you? We are a family." Xia Qingtang smiled at her.
Xie Jinxuan was so good to her and gave her such a good life. She did some small things for Xie Jinxuan's mother, but it was really not a thank you. What's more, Xie's mother herself was also very good to her. At least, she gave her a lot of freedom and never controlled her.
Mother Xie also laughed. She smacked her lips and repeated the word "family" several times. She said, "You are a good child, much better than me. We are both daughters-in-law, but I have never taken care of my mother-in-law. To be honest, when you first married Jinxuan, I actually didn't approve of it. But I knew Jinxuan's character best, and I couldn't object."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
