Chapter 31
"Good boy, don't cry." Grandma stretched out a hand with some difficulty, trying to reach the bedside to wipe Xia Qingtang's tears.
Xia Qingtang quickly moved forward and put his face close to his grandmother's hands.
There was a smell of disinfectant on grandma's body, which mixed with the original smell of her vanishing cream, which made people feel at ease.
Xie Jinxuan quickly took out her handkerchief and handed it to her grandmother, then helped her wipe away the tears from Xia Qingtang's face with her hands.
Grandma said softly, "Don't cry, I scared you. You came here with Jinxuan for fun, and I feel really bad for you encountering something like this."
"I'm fine. I wasn't scared. I just regret that I shouldn't have quarreled with my second aunt at that time. I was too impulsive at that time. When she talked to me, I got angry. She even pulled my sleeve to pieces. I got hot-headed and ran out to ask everyone to help me judge. I was too impulsive. Actually, I know what kind of person my second aunt is. Anyway, I will be going back in a few days, and I may not see her for two or three years. As long as I don't say anything or make a fuss, this matter will be over. If I didn't say it, grandma wouldn't have quarreled with my second uncle, and it wouldn't have turned out like this." Xia Qingtang said in a very soft voice, his face full of self-blame.
Grandma still smiled kindly, she said: "I was just telling Jinxuan that you are a kind-hearted child. You will definitely say it is your own responsibility. But my fainting has nothing to do with you. Instead, it is grandma and grandpa who want to say sorry to you. We raised our second son so badly that he and his wife treated you like this. Jinxuan is a good child, and you are even better. You two are so good, but as elders, instead of planning and thinking about you, they actually thought of using Jinxuan's marriage to exchange for their own future. Fortunately, you told the truth to everyone. If you didn't say it, no one would know and would still think that you and your wife are good people."
Xie Jinxuan said, "Yes, Qingtang, don't think about it. This matter has nothing to do with you. They are the ones who did the wrong thing, not you. Instead, you are the one who has been wronged. I didn't expect that my second uncle's family would plot against me in this way. Moreover, they didn't dare to come to me to talk about it, so they went to you. It's clearly bullying. You should have told everyone that grandma fainted because they were angry with them. You also heard what my second aunt said. Is that something a human can say? Grandpa and grandma were so good to my second uncle, but now it has become like this. I really feel sorry for grandma."
"I'm fine. The son I raised became like that. It's all my own fault. It's not worth it. It's just Qingtang who was wronged. I feel really sorry." Grandma said slowly.
It can be seen that her body is very weak now, but she has been smiling. It is obvious that after her anger subsided, her mood has calmed down long ago.
"How have I been wronged? I haven't been wronged at all. My second aunt bullied me, and I told her out immediately. I felt relieved, but my grandmother fainted. I really haven't been wronged, I just feel uncomfortable..." As Xia Qingtang spoke, tears fell again.
Everyone said that it was not her fault and had nothing to do with her, but after all, it was caused by her. How could she not take it to heart?
Grandma smiled weakly and said, "Jinxuan, wipe Qingtang's tears."
Xie Jinxuan held up her little face with a handkerchief, wiped the tears off her face, and then said, "Don't cry, don't cry, listen to grandma, you didn't do anything wrong, we didn't do anything wrong, there are three people who were wronged today, you, me, and grandma. The ones who did something wrong are my second uncle and my second aunt, don't take this kind of thing on yourself."
Mr. Tian said on the other end: "Yes, you are a kind-hearted child. You were clearly bullied, but you still think you are wrong. But the two people who really did the wrong thing definitely have no intention of reflecting on it now. They must think that it is us two old people who are wrong."
His face was livid and he looked very scary. He also seemed a little tired and there was sadness deep in his eyes. What happened today must have been a big blow to him.
Xia Qingtang then said, "What did the doctor say? How is grandma's health?"
Xie Jinxuan said: "The doctor said that this time it's not a problem. It was because of anger that I suddenly got emotional, so I pooped. I need to stay in the hospital quietly for a few days to observe. If there's nothing wrong, I can be discharged soon."
"So that's how it is. Then Jinxuan and I can just stay with grandma in the hospital. Just tell me what you want to eat and I'll go back and make it for you. I don't have any special skills, but I'm a good cook. I can make any soup." Xia Qingtang said, "Grandma, let us take good care of you for a few days."
When she was a nanny, she would make all kinds of nourishing soups and meals, which can be used now.
Grandma readily agreed: "Okay, then you two stay here with me. I was just worried that being in the hospital would be too boring. Now that you are here, I am not afraid of being bored anymore."
As he was talking, a middle-aged doctor who looked very professional knocked on the door and came in with a nurse: "I'll check again. If it's ok, I'll put you on an IV."
Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang quickly made way for the bedside and let the doctor take grandma's temperature and do some basic tests.
Xia Qingtang now had time to look around the ward. This was a single room she had never seen before. There was only one bed. Opposite the bed was a sofa and a long coffee table, as well as a row of low cabinets, which should be used to store things.
There were white gauze curtains and blackout drapes hanging on the windows. At first glance, it looked like a guesthouse with a nice environment, but the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant.
Xie Jinxuan held one of her hands and squeezed it hard: "Are you still feeling bad?"
"I'm not feeling bad anymore. I'm just worried about grandma."
"You cried so hard just now, it really hurt me."
"I cried because I was emotional. I really thought it was my fault... Now that I've calmed down, I really don't blame myself. I was just thinking the wrong thing at that time." Xia Qingtang said, "Don't worry about me. I'm fine now. I just hope that grandma won't get into trouble this time."
Xie Jinxuan said: "Don't worry, grandma will be fine this time. With us here, grandma will be able to be discharged from the hospital in a few days."
After the doctor finished examining my grandmother, the nurse gave her an IV and said she would need three bottles of medicine in total. The first bottle would take a longer time, so she could take this time to get some sleep and rest, and to recuperate.
"Just leave one or two people in the ward to watch the medicine bottles. Try to keep it quiet and let the patient get enough rest," said the doctor.
"Can we eat at night?" Xia Qingtang asked.
"As long as the patient has an appetite, he can eat. You can make something light and send it to him, such as dumpling soup, porridge, etc., or boiled and cut noodles are also fine. As long as the patient is willing to eat, he can eat whatever he wants. Be careful not to eat too much." After the doctor said this, he went out.
Mr. Tian said, "Since the doctor said that only one or two people need to stay here, I will stay here. You go out and tell everyone to go back if they need to. Pack some things for me to stay in the hospital, and bring me a towel. I will stay here tonight."
Xie Jinxuan said, "Grandpa, Qingtang and I will stay with you overnight. You will go back with them to rest later. Don't you have to go to the military area tomorrow? Business matters are more important. Leave this to us. We are on vacation now."
"You two are newlyweds, you should go out and have fun." Old Master Tian sighed and said, "Forget it, you can't have fun at this time...Okay, you two stay with me, I'll go out and talk to them."
Xia Qingtang said, "Grandma, what do you want to eat tonight? Can I cook you some fish porridge? There are live fish in the pond."
"Fish porridge? I haven't tried it before, but it sounds delicious. Okay, let's have fish porridge tonight." Grandma smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard. I'll go back and cook some porridge. I'll also bring Xie Jinxuan and me's clothes. We'll stay here with grandma."
Xie Jinxuan said: "Well, bring another quilt over. I still need to sleep for a while at night."
"Got it." Xia Qingtang smiled at him and went out.
After knowing that her grandmother was not seriously injured this time, she calmed down and now only thought about taking good care of her grandmother.
In the corridor, Mr. Tian was talking to everyone: "You all know what the doctor said, you can go back. You have worked hard. You have to go to work and school tomorrow. Go back, ok."
"Then who is here to take care of grandma?" Tian Feiyang asked.
"Of course I'll take care of it." My aunt said immediately.
"You guys take turns. Jinxuan and Qingtang will be on guard here tonight. You guys come and take their place tomorrow morning. We can't keep so many people here. Everyone else, come back with me. I still have to bring clothes and towels to this old lady."
Peng Wei said: "I have brought all the clothes and things I need for the hospital stay. I will put them in now and tell grandma, and then we will go back."
Having said that, she went in with Tian Feiyang.
The others waited for the two of them to come out, then took turns going in to say goodbye to grandma. After making sure that she was in good spirits, they all went home.
Xia Qingtang went back with Grandpa Tian and the others in the car. On the way, Tian Guohao said, "Dad, we can't just let this go. The second son did this because he was afraid that mom would live too long. I will never forgive the second son. I will find a chance to beat him up later. Dad, do you want to join us?"
"Let's wait until your mother is discharged from the hospital. The doctor said that she won't have to stay too long this time. It has nothing to do with her old illness." Old Master Tian said in a deep voice: "When your mother is in better spirits, I will teach the second son a lesson."
"So what did the doctor say about that old illness?" Tian Guohao asked again.
"I haven't said it yet. We'll know after a few major examinations tomorrow. Since you're already admitted, you'll definitely have to do some examinations. But you know in your heart that it won't be much better."
Tian Guohao's eyes turned red: "I know."
Xia Qingtang sat in the car in silence all the way. She took this opportunity to memorize the way from the hospital to the Tian family so that she could go to the hospital alone to deliver food.
After all, driving is much faster, so we arrived at Tian's house soon. Several people got out of the car, and my aunt said that we should quickly prepare some food and send them to the hospital in the evening.
Xia Qingtang said, "Aunt, grandma said she wanted to eat fish porridge tonight. I'll make it. When it's done, I'll send it over. I'll also bring mine and Jinxuan's toothbrushes and towels. We'll stay there tonight."
"Fish fillet porridge? I've never heard of it. Wouldn't fish fillet porridge taste fishy?" My aunt was a little curious.
"When it's done, it won't have a fishy smell and is delicious. It also contains protein, which is good for the body's recovery."
This was also taught to Xia Qingtang by a university teacher in the community. Because she had helped the other party several times, the other party also liked to talk to her and learned a lot of little knowledge from her.
My aunt asked, "Protein?"
"Things like fish, meat, tofu and eggs contain protein, which is good for the body." Xia Qingtang didn't know how to explain the technical terms, so he could only give a brief explanation based on his own understanding.
"Oh, it's meat dishes, right? Then let me learn from you. It's easy to get some fish here. I only know how to stew and fry fish. If I learn how to make fish porridge, I will make it for anyone who feels sick in the future."
"Okay, then I'll go kill the fish." Xia Qingtang said and walked towards the pond.
My aunt followed and said, "I'll do it, I'll do it. You're just a little girl, you can't do this kind of thing. Leave it to me, I'm good at it."
In fact, Xia Qingtang could do everything, but when her aunt called her a little girl, she suddenly felt very warmed. In two lifetimes, no one had stopped her from working just because she was a little girl. She liked her aunt more in her heart.
So she stood by and watched her aunt scoop up the fish, then kill and cut it skillfully. She did it very smoothly indeed.
After that, they went to the kitchen to prepare the fish, first cutting it into fillets and removing all the bones.
Xia Qingtang was very skilled at this. When her aunt saw her slicing the fish quickly with a knife, she immediately said, "Qingtang, you are amazing! You can tell from the looks of it that you cook often, and you cook very well! Our Jinxuan is so lucky! She actually married you!"
"Mom, why are you and my sister-in-law in the kitchen? Are you cooking dinner so early?" Tian Feiyang and Peng Wei finally came back and went straight to the kitchen.
My aunt said, "Your grandma said she wanted to eat fish porridge tonight, and Qingtang is making it for her now. Porridge takes time to cook, so make it now and send it to the hospital in time."
Tian Feiyang said: "My sister-in-law is so amazing that she can make fish porridge? It seems that she cooks often?"
"I do cook often. There are not many people in our family, so whoever gets off work first cooks. Usually it's either me or my mom." Xia Qingtang continued to slice fish while talking.
Seeing her cooking food she didn't recognize, Peng Wei stood in the kitchen and watched with great interest.
Tian Feiyang also wanted to stay here, but his grandfather and father called him to the study, saying that they wanted to discuss something.
"What are you talking about? You must be talking about the matter between the second son and his wife." The eldest aunt said coldly, "They were bad before, and now they are even more evil-hearted. There is no cure for them."
Peng Wei said, "Our Feiyang is a junior, what is there to talk to him about? Dad and Grandpa can teach Second Uncle a lesson, but Feiyang can't."
"She called him in, maybe it's about dividing things..." The aunt didn't avoid Xia Qingtang, she whispered: "Your grandmother said before that she had some valuable things, and she would divide them among her three children before she passed away. Your father and I took care of the elderly the most, so we should get the most, and the rest will go to the second child and sister. Now that this has happened, maybe it won't be given to the second child, and the things will have to be divided again. I'm not greedy for the things in your grandmother's hands. To be honest, although my mother's family is not rich, I have lived a good life with your father. But I just can't accept it. The second child's family is so bad, it would be better not to give them anything."
Peng Wei nodded and said, "Indeed, if it were me, I would not give my second uncle's family any distribution. They said such vicious words, and they are not afraid of being struck by lightning. They also said all day long that Tian Feilong would have a bright future. What kind of future can he have when he is raised by such parents? The future of doing bad things? In my opinion, we should have less contact with my second uncle's family in the future. Feiyang really doesn't like them."
"Do you think I like those two beasts? You and Qingtang were the last to go to the hospital, so you didn't see the state of the second brother and his wife. When we rode out, we happened to see the second brother and his wife waiting for the bus at the station. I said, 'Mom fainted and was sent to the hospital. She was in the car just now. Did you see it? Second brother, hurry up and come with us to the hospital to see mom. What if something happens to her?' Do you know what they said?"
Peng Wei said: "What else can I say? They definitely won't go. If they had gone, we would have seen them in the hospital."
"Yes, they really didn't go. Tian Feilong's mother even said that your grandma had it all to herself, because she was not nice to her son, so it was retribution and she deserved it. I was so angry that I really wanted to fight with them, but I was in a hurry to go to the hospital, so I let it go. After this is over, I will find an opportunity to slap her in the face! After your grandma fell ill, I took such good care of her, but now she is so angry with the second son. If she really can't make it this time, I will never let them go!" As my aunt spoke, her eyes became red.
Peng Wei quickly took out a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to her: "Mom, don't be sad, they will get what they deserve."
"Oh, I dare not say that, or I'll say it's superstition again." The aunt wiped her tears, "But I do believe it. With their vicious looks, how could they possibly live a good life? I want to see how long this family of evil can be proud of themselves."
Xia Qingtang didn't say anything, but she gave her aunt a thumbs up in her heart.
My aunt is really a nice person. She cooks, does housework and takes care of the elderly at home. She is in charge of everything inside and outside the house. Except for occasionally getting angry with her daughter-in-law, she has no shortcomings at all.
Although my grandmother has a very bad second son, she also has a very good eldest son and daughter-in-law by her side, which is a blessing.
After stewing the fish fillet porridge in a casserole, Xia Qingtang used the leftover vegetables in the kitchen to make a refreshing side dish for her grandmother, which she would eat with the porridge.
When she was done and walked out, she found that Mr. Tian and the other two still hadn't come out of the study, which showed that they were really discussing something very important.
It takes time to cook porridge. While waiting, the aunt saw that Xia Qingtang's sleeve was torn, so she took out the sewing basket, asked Xia Qingtang to take off her coat, and sewed it for her herself.
"You are dressed so plainly, kid. You are newlyweds, why don't you wear something brighter?" The aunt asked in a low voice: "I don't mean anything else, I just want to chat with you. You know, many people look at what others wear. If you dress too plainly, many people will look down on you, just like Tian Feilong's mother. Of course, we are not such people. You are simple and generous, and we all like you very much."
Xia Qingtang said, "Jinxuan and I actually just got married and haven't moved in together yet. Besides, we both work normally, so we haven't been to a department store. After we go back this time, we still have one day of wedding leave, and he wants to take me to the department store to buy things."
"That's good. I was wondering why Jinxuan's family is so well off and she wouldn't buy you clothes." My aunt laughed.
"He gave me his passbook, and the money is in my hands. But I don't really care what I wear. I just go to work and come home every day, and it's more comfortable to wear the same clothes as everyone else."
Peng Wei said, "It's fine to wear the same clothes on weekdays, but you should wear nice clothes to go out on Sundays. But you are so pretty, you can still be a beauty even if you wear a torn sack. Those people in our group usually boast that they are pretty, but they are not as pretty as you. I really want to ask them to come over and see you, so that they can be shocked."
Several people laughed, and the aunt said, "Indeed, Qingtang, you are so beautiful, it doesn't matter whether you dress up or not."
Soon, the sleeves of the clothes were sewn. Xia Qingtang put on his coat and went back to the kitchen to check the fish porridge. He found that the porridge was already cooked.
Grandpa Tian and a few others also walked out of the study. There were still traces of tears on Tian Feiyang's face. No one knew what he said in there, and his aunt didn't ask directly.
Xia Qingtang was afraid that they would not be able to talk because she was at home, and seeing that it was almost time, she said, "I'll go to the hospital to deliver food. I've cooked a lot of fish porridge. You can have this tonight. Pair it with a few steamed buns or something, and you'll definitely be full."
"You should also bring some steamed buns to the hospital and eat with Jinxuan." Tian Feiyang said, "The cafeteria is already open for dinner. I'm going to get some steamed buns now. Wait for me."
"Okay, thank you, cousin."
Xia Qingtang packed three servings of fish porridge in the lunch box that her aunt found, and wrapped it tightly in an old cotton-padded jacket. She then used another lunch box to pack the side dishes she made, as well as some pickles that her aunt had made herself, and packed all the spoons and chopsticks. Tian Feiyang had also returned.
He bought back a big pot of steamed buns and flower rolls, all of which were hot and looked very delicious.
The aunt wrapped two steamed buns and two flower rolls in clean paper and put them in a cloth bag for Xia Qingtang.
In addition to bringing these foods, she also packed her own and Xie Jinxuan's toothbrushes and towels so that they could wash up and spend the night there.
"Thank you and Jinxuan for your hard work tonight. I will bring breakfast to replace you tomorrow morning. Xiaowei doesn't have to train tomorrow. She will go with me, so we can take turns." The aunt sent Xia Qingtang out the door.
Tian Feiyang rode his bicycle to take her to the hospital. She got off the bike with a big bag, and was about to go in when Tian Feiyang stopped her again.
"Sister-in-law, Grandpa plans to write a letter to tell Aunt and Uncle about what happened today between Second Uncle and Second Aunt. This matter concerns Jinxuan and you, so the Xie family must know about it. I'm telling you now so that you and Jinxuan can understand what's going on. When you go back, you can tell your family first. Grandpa will write a letter to apologize to Aunt."
"Okay, I got it. I'll tell Jinxuan." Xia Qingtang thanked him and walked into the ward carrying a large bag.
The room was quiet. Grandma had fallen asleep. Xie Jinxuan was sitting on the sofa, quietly reading a newspaper.
Xia Qingtang walked over quietly and placed the big bag on the coffee table.
Xie Jinxuan said in a very small voice: "The medicine is almost finished. This is the last bottle. When the nurse comes to remove the needle later, grandma should wake up."
"Okay." Xia Qingtang sat down next to Xie Jinxuan and read the newspaper with him.
This is the local daily newspaper. Xia Qingtang looked at the content with great interest and was suddenly inspired.
An idea suddenly came to her mind and she wanted to say it out loud immediately, but she immediately realized that she couldn't speak, so she quickly held it back.
They didn't start talking until the nurse came in to remove the needle and grandma woke up.
"Grandma, do you feel more comfortable after a good sleep?" Xie Jinxuan asked softly.
Grandma smiled and said, "I feel much better, I just want to go to the bathroom."
Xie Jinxuan immediately took out a spittoon with a lid from under the bed and said, "Qingtang, help grandma go to the toilet. I'll go out for a while."
"Okay." Xia Qingtang helped her grandmother go to the bathroom, and then helped her lie back on the bed.
Xie Jinxuan waited until everything was over before taking a basin with clean water and letting her grandmother sit at the head of the bed to wash her hands.
"Grandma, it's already past five o'clock. Are you hungry? I brought some fish porridge. Tell me when you want to eat." Xia Qingtang said softly.
"I am a little hungry. Maybe the medicine has taken effect and my digestion has improved." Grandma said, "Come, let me drink some water and try the fish porridge you made."
Xie Jinxuan had already prepared half a cup of cold water. When he heard that his grandmother wanted to drink water, he picked up the thermos on the coffee table, poured some hot water into it, and handed it over with a cup of warm water.
Grandma drank a few sips of water and looked much better than before.
Xia Qingtang felt slightly relieved and quickly took out a bowl of fish porridge.
I don’t know if grandma deliberately ate more or if she really thought the fish porridge was delicious, but she actually ate all of her half of the porridge, and also ate half of a steamed bun with the side dish. After eating, Xie Jinxuan said, "It seems that hanging water is good for the body. Grandma's appetite has improved."
"Yes, I feel much more energetic too." Grandma smiled and said, "I am full too, I want to rest for a while, you two go eat."
"Okay." Xie Jinxuan then went back to the coffee table with Xia Qingtang, and they opened the other two boxes of fish porridge.
These two boxes are full and the portion is quite large. The fish fillet porridge is stewed with shredded ginger. It smells fragrant and when you take a bite, the fish meat is smooth, tender and very refreshing.
Xie Jinxuan was very amazed: "Qingtang, your cooking skills are so good, I think you can be comparable to several great chefs in the state-owned hotel."
"Yes, I also think Qingtang's cooking skills are very good. Although I have never eaten fish porridge made by others, with this taste, it can be sold at a good price in the restaurant where we ate when we were children. What's more, if good utensils are used, it can be turned into a high-end restaurant." After eating, grandma's spirits were indeed much better, and her voice was not as weak as before.
Xia Qingtang said: "How can it be as good as you say? My cooking skills are just at the home cooking level."
"I don't believe it. I want to try other dishes you cook later." Xie Jinxuan said, "Then I will believe your home cooking level."
Xia Qingtang said: "At home, my grandmother and Aunt Six won't let me cook. You just wait. After we move to our new home, I may have the chance to cook for you."
Grandma was very happy: "Really? Grandma Jinxuan is so kind to you?"
"Yes, Jinxuan's whole family is very nice to me."
"Then I'll feel more at ease."
After dinner, Xie Jinxuan took the lunch box and washed it in the sink in the corner of the ward, then went out and got a bottle of boiled water.
This type of single room is already very good in this era, but it still does not have its own toilet. Patients have to use spittoons or urinals, and their families have to go to the large washroom at the end of the corridor to solve the problem.
However, there is a washbasin in the corner of the room, which is much more convenient than the large ward.
Xie Jinxuan poured warm water for her grandmother to wash her hands and face, and let her soak her feet. After everything was done, she asked her to rest early.
Grandma smiled and said, "It's too early. I can't sleep so early normally. Besides, I slept for so long in the afternoon. How can I be sleepy now?"
"So what does grandma want to do?"
"Go check that bag. They should have brought my radio. Let's listen to the radio for a while."
Xie Jinxuan found the radio, and grandma sat there leaning back and listening to the news slowly. He and Xia Qingtang also listened with her, and none of the three spoke.
Xia Qingtang went out to use the toilet and when she came back she found someone sneaking around the door of the ward. She hurried over and found that the person was Tian Guoqiang.
The two men met each other and frowned at each other.
Tian Guoqiang was probably afraid that the people in the ward would hear it, so he pulled Xia Qingtang's sleeve and hid aside.
"What are you doing? Let go!" Xia Qingtang pulled his arm back rudely.
Tian Guoqiang was startled and quickly lowered his voice and said, "Keep your voice down!"
"Why should you speak more quietly? Why don't you go in when you come? Grandma is listening to the radio in there." Xia Qingtang felt that there was something really wrong with Tian Guoqiang.
Tian Guoqiang whispered, "How is my mother's health? What did the doctor say?"
"You want to know?"
"Yeah, don't you want to know why I asked you that?"
"If you want to know, just go in and ask grandma yourself. She is awake and can talk." Xia Qingtang said.
"How can you be like this, young man? Your elders asked you a question and you didn't even answer it!"
"My last name is Xia and your last name is Tian. You and I have nothing to do with each other. Besides, you have done that kind of thing, and you still want me to treat you as an elder?"
Tian Guoqiang was so embarrassed that he could only say, "Even if it doesn't matter, I'm not your elder. Let me ask you, what happened to my mother? Can you tell me?"
"No, I don't want to talk to you. If you want to know, just go in and ask. Now that you're here, if you don't go in and apologize, how can you sleep well at night?" After saying that, Xia Qingtang turned around and went back to the ward.
After entering, the radio was still playing the news, but grandma was already beginning to feel drowsy.
Xia Qingtang thought about it, walked to Xie Jinxuan and whispered in his ear: "Your second uncle is outside the door."
Xie Jinxuan nodded: "Don't tell grandma yet, I'll go out and take a look."
Xie Jinxuan also pretended to go to the bathroom and went out. Xia Qingtang poured a glass of water and continued listening to the news.
A few minutes later, Xie Jinxuan came in, with no one following her.
Xia Qingtang asked him with her eyes, he shook his head and said silently: "Let's go."
Xia Qingtang could only sigh helplessly. Seeing that her grandmother had fallen asleep, she hurried over to cover her with the quilt and turned off the radio.
After checking the rooms after dark, she and Xie Jinxuan took some water and washed up briefly, then prepared to go to bed.
The single room provided a camp bed for family members to stay overnight, and also a quilt. Xia Qingtang slept on the camp bed, and Xie Jinxuan wrapped in the quilt lay on the sofa.
That night, Xia Qingtang kept listening to her grandmother's movements, afraid that she would get up to go to the bathroom.
But maybe it was because of the medicine, grandma slept very soundly and didn’t even wake up in the middle of the night. She didn’t wake up until dawn the next morning.
Grandma was in good spirits. She had some examinations during the day and had a good appetite. Xia Qingtang went back to make egg drop porridge and stir-fried vegetables and brought them over, and grandma ate them all.
The doctor told the family that the grandmother's condition had not worsened, but certainly had not improved either. This fainting had little impact, and she would be able to be discharged from the hospital after two more days of rest.
After knowing the exact news, both of them felt much more relieved. When Xia Qingtang returned to the Tian family to cook dinner in the afternoon, he quickly told his aunt the news.
My aunt said, "I said that mom is a blessed person. She will be like old lady Qi over there, dragging it on year after year and living a long life."
"Yes, for sure." Xia Qingtang packed dinner and returned to the hospital.
That night, it was still the two of them who stayed in the ward to keep the patient company.
After the ward rounds, the three of them lay down. Grandma said, "You spent a good holiday with me in the hospital. We had planned to go to the park, but we didn't go. It was Qingtang's first time in our city, and he didn't even take a good look at it."
"We came here to accompany grandma. Now I can spend time with her alone. I'm so happy." Xia Qingtang said, "As for going out to play, there will be plenty of time in the future. If we are free during the Chinese New Year, Jinxuan and I will come to see you and we can go out to play then."
She hoped very much that her grandmother could live a few more years and that some miracle would happen.
Grandma laughed and said, "Okay, it's a deal. If you have time during the New Year, you must come to see me."
"Well, it's agreed that as long as we are free, Jinxuan and I will come over to play with grandma, and then grandma will take us out to the park."
"Okay, okay, grandma will buy you a coat when the time comes. By the way, you will be taking the train back tomorrow night, so you can go home during the day, take a shower, and clean up. You don't have to stay here with me."
Xie Jinxuan said, "My aunt will come to deliver food tomorrow morning. Qingtang and I will go back to take a shower and clean up. When we are done, we will bring lunch over and go directly to the train station from here in the afternoon."
Their train was at 5:30 p.m., and considering the delay, it would arrive at the station at at least 4 a.m.
"Is everything arranged?" Grandma's voice still sounded very happy, and it was obvious that she really liked having Xie Jinxuan and the others here to accompany her.
"Yes, it's arranged. No delay at all."
After chatting for a while, grandma slowly fell asleep under the effect of the medicine. Xia Qingtang did not sleep well the night before, so he turned over and fell asleep.
Xie Jinxuan did not sleep well the night before. Now that she saw that both of them were asleep, she curled up on the sofa and planned to have a good sleep.
I don’t know how long I slept, but Xia Qingtang heard some noise in the ward in a daze.
The lights in the large ward will be turned off at night, but this is not necessary in the single ward. However, my grandmother is not used to sleeping with the lights on, so they also turn off the lights when they sleep.
"Grandma, do you want to go to the bathroom?" Xia Qingtang asked in a daze.
Grandma didn't say anything, but Xia Qingtang still sat up and prepared to turn on the light.
Regardless of whether grandma needs to go to the toilet or not, you should go and check on her.
Her eyes were still half open at this moment. With the help of the moonlight coming in from the window, she stood up on her shoes, rubbed her eyes and glanced at the hospital bed. Her grandmother was sleeping soundly, without any movement.
Was it Xie Jinxuan who made the noise just now? Xia Qingtang turned his head and glanced at the sofa. He immediately shuddered and broke into a cold sweat.
In the moonlight, she saw a dark figure squatting beside the sofa, holding something in his hand and placing it around Xie Jinxuan's neck.
Xie Jinxuan lay there face down, curled up, not moving a muscle. He must have sensed someone was pressing against his neck, but because of the awkward position, he did not dare to resist.
If he couldn't subdue the enemy in one move, it wouldn't matter if he got injured, but he was worried that this person would rush towards his grandmother and Xia Qingtang on the other side with a weapon, so he could only stay still.
Xia Qingtang's soul almost flew away and a scream was about to burst out of her mouth. Fortunately, she thought of her grandmother first and quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
The squatting figure should know that she has stood up, and should also know that she has discovered his existence, so what should he do now... How can he avoid hurting Xie Jinxuan...
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, and her body was faster than her brain. She suddenly strode to the wall and pressed the light switch.
When the light came on, her eyes dazzled and she quickly closed them. As expected, the figure squatting beside the sofa also closed his eyes physiologically because of the sudden light. Xie Jinxuan, who was experienced in training, took advantage of this opportunity and immediately pushed the man down.
"Jinxuan, are you okay? Are you hurt? Don't scare me!" Xia Qingtang's eyes adjusted to the light and he quickly looked over there.
Her eyes turned red uncontrollably and her voice trembled slightly.
Grandma was also awakened by the noise. She was older and her reaction was slower. She half-opened her eyes and asked vaguely, "What's wrong? What happened to Jinxuan?"
"I'm fine, grandma, don't worry, I'm fine." Xie Jinxuan said loudly immediately.
He half-knelt beside the sofa, one of his long legs resting on the man's back, and in his hand he held the thing that had just been placed on his neck.
"Isn't this a knife?" Xie Jinxuan looked at the half-new silver fountain pen in her hand and frowned, saying, "Who are you? What do you want to do?"
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