"Mom, what’s wrong with Auntie? Don’t worry, take your time to tell me." The good son-in-law was the first to rush downstairs, smiling reassuringly at his mother-in-law at the hallway entrance.
"Where’s Jiao Jiao?"
Zhang Guoqing’s eyes flashed, and he spoke while walking, "I told her to take it slow. She went to get some gifts for Auntie. Is the old lady okay?"
"She’s still in the hospital now. She got a severe cold a few days ago and wouldn’t let us send you a telegram. She wanted to tell you right away when she saw you, but it was Aunt Chen who reminded me to mention it."
Zhang Guoqing sighed inwardly. He had just told his wife that his mother-in-law couldn’t be relied upon, but why didn’t she believe it?
Look, something happened over a cold? If it were serious, his father-in-law wouldn’t have sent a telegram urging them home, would he? Sigh, why didn’t Aunt Chen bring it up an hour later?
"Do we eat before we go, or should we leave right now? If I had known, I wouldn’t have listened to your dad. We should have gone straight there from the station."
Zhang Guoqing was so amused he couldn’t help but smile. His mother, with such a cheerful mother-in-law, he figured only he, Zhang Guoqing, had such luck in the whole world.
"Silly child, stop laughing, it’s not good if people hear, they might think we don’t care about the old lady." Miao Lishan peered around nervously.
"Okay, okay, Mom, we’ll go whenever you say."
"Should we bring the three children along?"
Ping’an quickly replied: "Grandma, we definitely have to go."
"Hmm, Great Grandma must be missing us."
"Grandma, is Great Grandma still getting injections?"
"I went this morning and the doctor said she doesn’t need IV drips anymore, but I’m not sure if she’s better this afternoon."
When Zhang Guoqing heard Zhou Jiao’s footsteps upstairs, he quickly went to the kitchen to instruct Aunt Chen to prepare a simple dinner so they could leave right after eating.
After dinner, it took them two hours to reach the hospital, even with a special car ride. In the VIP ward, Cheng Ruzhu was with the old couple.
"Why come so late at night? I’m fine, getting discharged tomorrow. Didn’t I tell you guys not to come over?"
"Great Grandma, are you feeling unwell? Let me give you a rub." May 1st jumped in first, holding the old lady’s left hand, frowning and pouting.
Liu Yi followed closely, holding the old lady’s right hand, "Great Grandma, I won’t go back tonight and will tell you stories."
Ping’an leaned in first to look closely at the old lady’s face, then sidled up to Mr. Cheng and whispered, "Can Great Grandma have some rice porridge?"
The three brothers each had their own tactics, making the old couple unable to close their mouths in laughter. Older folks just wanted younger generations around, especially obedient ones.
Mr. Cheng chuckled and nodded, "Happy after visiting the hometown?"
Ping’an smiled and replied, "It was okay. My grandparents asked me to greet you on their behalf and invite you over to the Northeast when you have the time."
"Just got back today, why not rest a bit before coming over?"
Ping’an glanced at his younger brothers and smiled, "My grandma is worried about Great Grandma, and we missed you too."
"Yeah, Great Grandma, you’re being naughty, you should eat more like me. My brothers and I brought lots of meat and wild fruits for you."
Liu Yi eyed his brother, "Dad even got tiger bone wine for Great Grandpa."
Old Mrs. Cheng laughed gleefully, "Did you go to visit elders in your hometown or to loot them? Don’t do that next time."
May 1st patted his chest with the other hand, "My grandparents are great. They told us to be filial, so go ahead and eat, Great Grandma, it’ll make you fit and healthy."


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