Zhao Dazhuang tightly held the old lady’s hand, crying like a child, while Liu Xiue followed suit, tears streaming down.
Zhao Meimei also cried, not overly saddened, but her parents’ tears had infected her emotions, making her momentarily mournful.
Perhaps seeing her beloved second son suddenly, the old lady, who had been bedridden for a long time, suddenly regained some strength. Her spirits visibly improved, and by evening, she was able to lean against the bed with support and have heartfelt conversations with Zhao Dazhuang.
Zhao Meimei, sweet-tongued and attentive, stayed by the bedside after entering the hospital, occasionally peeling an orange or handing over a cup of warm water.
The whole family stayed at the hospital until midnight before the old lady forced them to leave to go get some rest.
Zhao Dazhuang’s eyes were swollen red. As he walked, his steps were unsteady. Zhao Meimei and her mother supported him as they walked out. It was quite an effort to get a cab home, and once they closed the door, Zhao Dazhuang could no longer hold back his emotions and burst into loud sobs.
The old man who came back with them also shed tears.
Zhao Meimei’s grandfather was an introverted man, usually quiet and gentle. In the family, it was Zhao Meimei’s grandmother who took care of everything, while the grandfather preferred to stay inside reading or listening to opera, occasionally taking walks.
Zhao Meimei’s grandmother was the spiritual pillar of the family, and now that pillar had suddenly crumbled, leaving everyone shocked and bewildered.
Liu Xiue wiped her eyes while comforting, "Come on, don’t be sad. Mom’s diagnosis isn’t finalized yet. Maybe, maybe it’s not as serious as we think..."
She couldn’t continue, as Shi Yang’s father had kindly informed them that the old lady’s condition had been announced as likely confirmed rectal cancer.
Both Zhao Meimei’s second aunt and third aunt’s family gradually entered the house, the whole family gathering with red eyes, shrouded in gloom.
For dinner, it was Zhao Meimei’s second aunt who organized to make the meal. The adults could barely eat; the children, however, ate quite a bit without concern. Zhao Meimei, weary from travel, had little appetite and left the table after eating just half a bowl of rice.
The adults needed to talk, so the children were sent back to their bedrooms, and Zhao Meimei was categorized among them, following along to rest.
Zhao Meimei wasn’t closely bonded with the siblings from her grandmother’s side, having only met a few times over many years, leading to a moment of awkward silence with everyone staring at each other. After a few polite exchanges, the conversation stalled.
She nestled against the bedhead, listening to her brothers and sisters talk about things she didn’t know. After a while, finding it dull, she pulled out her phone and began texting Brother Yangyang: "Brother, what are you doing?"
This time, the reply came almost instantly after the message was sent.
Shi Yang: "How are things?"
Zhao Meimei lowered her thin eyelids, glancing at the others quietly from the corners of her eyes, silently pursing her lips: "It’s really boring. I don’t know anyone here, no one talks to me, and I don’t want to talk to them either."
Shi Yang: "How’s your grandmother?"
Zhao Meimei: "It seems quite serious. My dad and mom are very upset. Brother, do you think I’m cold-blooded? I don’t feel particularly sad."
This time the text paused for quite a while before replying.
Shi Yang: "It’s not your fault. Last time you went back, you were just a kid, not even old enough to remember."
Zhao Meimei held her phone, as if she heard Brother Yangyang’s helpless sigh through the screen.
He’s always pampered her , no matter what she did, always unconditionally protecting and favoring her.
Zhao Meimei firmly pressed her lips together, not daring to let her smile show. She surreptitiously glanced at her sighing brothers and sisters and then buried her head in texting: "Brother, have you rested yet?"
Zhao Meimei: "Are you still at the company?"
Shi Yang: "No, I’m socializing outside."
Zhao Meimei immediately became alert: "Is Brother Chao there too? Please don’t call any girls!"
Shi Yang looked down at his phone and couldn’t hold back his laughter, snorting out loud.
Wang Tianyu, sitting next to him, turned to look at him and asked, "Mr. Shi?"
Shi Yang looked up, unable to hide the smile in his eyes: "Hm?"
Wang Tianyu quietly suggested: "Should we add another bottle of wine?" After speaking, he hinted with his eyes that the wine near Shi Yang was nearly empty.
Shi Yang glanced, nodded: "Hm."
Wang Tianyu promptly stood up and went out of the private room to call a waiter.
Shi Yang quickly replied to the message: "As you command."
Shi Yang put the phone away and didn’t continue texting, knowing Zhao Meimei had arrived safely. His mind was at ease, so he returned his focus to the dining table.
The meal with drinking lasted until nine-thirty in the evening when it finally wrapped up. This time, no big shots were present, so there was no need to arrange an after-party. Before parting, Shi Yang handed each person an envelope, they shook hands, and the matter was satisfactorily concluded.
After seeing everyone off, Shi Yang patted Wang Tianyu on the shoulder: "Thanks for your hard work today. Go home and have a good rest."
Wang Tianyu nodded with a smile and left by cab.
Shi Yang stood at the restaurant entrance, waiting for a while. Qu Chaozong walked over, studying the bill, and upon reaching him, his face fell as he cursed, "These bastards!" Then he slapped the bill into Shi Yang’s hands.
Shi Yang opened it, smirked sarcastically: "It doesn’t matter, just two bottles of wine. We’ll need them for many future dealings. If they didn’t like small perks, we wouldn’t have gotten close at all. I’m actually worried if they’re not greedy."
Qu Chaozong still felt indignant: "They ate, drank, and even took two bottles. These idiots! No wonder they’re stuck in the mud!"
Shi Yang patted his shoulder: "Alright, enough ranting! You drank too much earlier, is your stomach okay?"
Qu Chaozong rubbed his stomach: "It’s fine, sleep will fix it."
Shi Yang gestured: "Let’s go, I’ll drive you home."
Qu Chaozong yanked him: "Are you really drunk? Planning to drive drunk? Take a cab, alright?"
Shi Yang chuckled: "Okay."
In the cold weather, it was hard to hail a taxi, and the two huddled together, shivering and stamping their feet.
Qu Chaozong asked: "How about Meimei’s side? Her grandma alright?"
Shi Yang sighed: "She probably won’t be back for the New Year; the old lady is quite seriously ill."
Qu Chaozong sighed sympathetically: "I was thinking of taking her to Ice and Snow World after New Year."
Mention of Ice and Snow World suddenly reminded Shi Yang of something, and he turned to stare at Qu Chaozong.
Qu Chaozong tightened his down coat’s collar, noticing the stare, frowned: "Why are you looking at me?"
Shi Yang elbowed him: "How’s it going with Zhang Xin?"
As soon as Zhang Xin was mentioned, Qu Chaozong’s face immediately darkened, his tone slightly off: "Same as always."
Shi Yang didn’t pry further; knowing Qu Chaozong, he just offered one final piece of advice: "You’ve been single for so long, hasn’t your mom urged you to find a girlfriend?"