It’s not clear if Qin Xiangyang’s reassurances had an effect, but Dongsheng was no longer resistant to hospitalization. Granny Lu and Qin Xiangyang took turns staying at the hospital. During this period, they even had an X-ray taken for Dongsheng’s leg to see if it could be saved, but unfortunately, it had already healed incorrectly. It wasn’t possible to break the bone again and then reattach the leg, so Dongsheng would have to live with a limp for the rest of his life.
Granny Lu was very distressed about her grandson, blaming herself for her stubbornness back then for not visiting and thinking that perhaps Dongsheng’s leg would not have ended up this way. She had quietly wiped away tears several times, but insisted on smiling in front of the child.
Dongsheng, still quite young, recovered well despite his frail health due to his youth, which was an advantage. He had also gained weight from eating well lately and looked much healthier than before, unlike a skeleton.
He stayed in the hospital for roughly a week, with continuous treatments. His wound had almost healed, and he was ready to be discharged.
Meanwhile, Dongsheng never mentioned the Du Family, nor did he ask Granny Lu anything. As long as he knew Granny Lu was doing well, that was enough.
Qin Xiangyang drove Dongsheng straight to Shenjia Village for some good rest.
"Granny, are you really going?"
Qin Xiangnuan asked Granny Lu.
There seemed to be no point in visiting those two uncles. Whether inherently good or bad, Du Jinbao and Du Tongbao had grown crooked. They were greedy, power-hungry, and inhumane.
If you had money, they would try to squeeze you dry, but if not, they would kick you to the curb immediately. Qin Xiangnuan never held any hope for her eldest uncle or youngest uncle because she had seen their true nature in her previous life. Only this little cousin from Granny’s side showed a trace of humanity; she didn’t want to talk about the rest, just like with the Qin Family. No matter how much money they had, it would never be enough for them. Moreover, Qin Xiangnuan never intended to let Granny Lu give her hard-earned money to such people. If giving, it should be to Dongsheng, her grandson, who was kind-hearted and would respect and care for his grandmother.
Granny Lu thought for a moment and ultimately sighed, gently stroking Qin Xiangnuan’s hair, "Regardless, Granny has to see for herself; otherwise, I won’t be at peace. Perhaps they are not as bad as we think. A mother will never speak ill of her own children."
Even if they had gone bad, they were still flesh and blood from her own body.
"I understand," Qin Xiangnuan got Granny Lu’s point. It was not giving up until the coffin was closed, never turning back until hitting the wall. She knew Granny Lu would not give up unless pushed to the limit.
Sometimes, people still harbor too much hope for certain things.
But hope often only leads to disappointment in the end.
As much hope as you start with, that’s how much heartbreak you’ll have later.
Qin Xiangnuan got up and borrowed some clothes from Granny Hua, bringing them back to alter them creatively. Adding a patch here, making a hole there—it wasn’t easy to make old clothes look new, but to make them appear old was not difficult.
The next day, the whole family changed into the clothes especially modified by Qin Xiangnuan.
However, Qin Xiangnuan sorted out Jian Zhiqing amidst the pile and said, "You don’t need to go."
"Hm?" Jian Zhiqing straightened his clothes, confused, "Why?" He raised an eyebrow, not understanding why he shouldn’t go. Was he supposed to stay home and watch the house?
"You don’t look poor enough," Qin Xiangnuan was speechless about Jian Zhiqing’s refashioned clothes. They were old clothes indeed, but why did they look like an artist’s outfit when worn by him, rather than a beggar’s rag? With his fair complexion, handsome smile, and naturally straight, hanger-like physique, he didn’t seem like he was going back to visit his family but rather like he was modeling. Both she and Qin Xiangyang grew up in the countryside. They could pass off by darkening their faces and slouching, but not Jian Zhiqing. With his face, figure, and certain demeanor, he could not blend in. Now, Qin Xiangnuan regretted dressing Jian Zhiqing too well, which seemed to amplify his natural model-like aura.
Maybe when they got back, they should have him model for their products and not bother looking for anyone else.
In the end, Jian Zhiqing was left behind at home, unable to join in the fun. And he couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly to himself; apparently, even looking too handsome was his fault.
Hobbling on one leg with a wound on the other, Dongsheng walked oddly, though his relatively new clothes, clearly too long, gave the impression of being found somewhere. These clothes were actually old ones Hua Shuai was planning to throw away, yet even as garments meant for the trash, they were much better than Dongsheng’s previous ones.
Not long after, the family heads and Thirds from the Du Family arrived. Upon seeing the wretched appearance of Granny Lu and her group, their mouths almost curled to their ears in disdain. What a bunch of paupers.
Before Granny Lu could speak, Du Eldest Brother spat in her direction.
"You old bag, still not dead? Came back for money, didn’t you? Let me tell you, not a ten cents to spare. The Second Brother has gone under early to serve the old man. Let Third take care of you."
Du Third’s family was not pleased.
"Eldest Brother, how can you say that?" The wife from Du Third’s family, a formidable woman chimed in, "This old lady is not ours alone, and she doesn’t have one child! You’re the Eldest Brother, who’s going to take care of her if not you?" Now the faces of Eldest Brother’s family soured. What Du Third’s wife said was also true; usually, in the countryside, parents would live with the eldest child, or they had to live with whichever child they had if they only had one.
Du Eldest Brother’s wife was instantly infuriated. Pointing at her nose, she shouted, "Du Jinbao, let me tell you, don’t you dare bring this old hag home, or you can forget living peacefully. I’m already waiting on several, why should I take care of one more? Just because she gave birth to you? What makes you think you’re the only one of her sons?"
"That’s right, Dad. I don’t want this granny," protested the eldest son of Eldest Brother’s household. "If she comes back, where will I live?" The house wasn’t big enough to accommodate more rooms, and if the old lady returned, he’d have nowhere to stay. When Granny was around before, she occupied a sizable room. If she came back, were they expected to set up a bed in the yard for her?