Cheng You had originally intended to send the Feng elders to the countryside for a period of time. They had agreed, but at the last moment before buying tickets, the old lady changed her mind.
"Your Brother Xu is dating someone lately. Grandma wants to keep an eye on her, and they might be getting married soon."
Cheng You thought it made sense and didn't insist they go to the countryside.
Before, it was just to shield them from these unpleasant affairs.
Now that Feng Xue was divorced and her child was gone, things had settled down.
The old man felt a pang of guilt watching Cheng You run around and end up with nothing.
After she left, he finally spoke, "Even if you told her the truth, the child would have understood. Why lie to her?"
The old lady's expression was conflicted. "Cheng You is too straightforward. If she knew I stayed because of the eldest branch of the family, she would definitely be unhappy. But no matter how bad the eldest and second are, they are still my children. The lessons they've already learned are enough. I don't want to outlive my children."
Jiang Qing was already gone. The moment she abandoned her child, she never got to see her daughter again.
As people age, their hearts soften. Is it wrong to simply long for family joy?
"You get ready. We'll go to the hospital to see Yao Jun later."
Just as the old man stood up, he saw Cheng You, who had returned, and froze.
Cheng You pretended nothing was wrong and walked in, asking, "What's wrong with my uncle?"
The old lady answered awkwardly, "He's sick and hospitalized."
Cheng You stepped forward and held her arm. "Are you worried I'll be angry if I knew you were going to see him? Grandma, do I seem like such an unfeeling person?"
"Of course not!" The old lady squeezed her hand. "Grandma just feels that your two uncles are terrible people who have done many wrong things. How could we have the face to ask you to visit with us."
The old lady sighed. "No matter what others say about us, these children are ours, and we raised them. Whatever they've become, I bear some responsibility. It's just too hard for Grandma to completely let go."
Although Cheng You felt helpless, she agreed with her words.
"It's only natural. Then let's go see him. I'll go with you. Does Brother Xu know?"
"He knows. He's also gone to the hospital."
Cheng You helped them pack some things to take. "I'll go with you."
The elders exchanged glances. Cheng You's reaction was unexpected; she wasn't angry.
"Perhaps it's better not to trouble you. Your grandfather and I can go to the hospital."
Cheng You smiled. "Visiting my uncle at the hospital, how could that be trouble?"
She also wanted to see just how ill Feng Yaojun had become.
The old lady couldn't refuse her and let her go along.
On the way, Cheng You learned that Feng Yaojun had stomach cancer.
It wasn't discovered too late; he needed surgery to remove part of his stomach.
As people age, their greatest fear is separation by life and death.
Facing their son lying in bed, frail and weak, no one could bear to be harsh.
Cheng You understood this, but it didn't change her opinion of Feng Yaojun's family.
It was merely a visit out of humanitarian concern.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Feng Xue was already waiting at the entrance.
The moment she saw Cheng You, her smile visibly faltered.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Mom told me you were back, so I've been waiting for you at the entrance since this morning."
The old lady gave a lukewarm "Mm" and said, "Take us to the ward."
Feng Xue followed behind them like a dutiful young wife, head bowed, silent.
As they approached the ward, they could hear Zhu Yan's voice before even opening the door.
She seemed to be scolding Feng Xianxu.
"Those things you did before, I didn't care. You're my son, and I accepted it even if you were heartless to me. But when it comes to marriage, you have to listen to your mother! That Qiu Tingting is not good. A dancer, always posing on stage. You can tell at a glance she's not a settled person."
Feng Xue felt awkward. She had just reminded Zhu Yan to watch her words.
"Grandma, Mom is just looking out for Brother Xu."
The old lady cast a cold glance at her and reprimanded, "If what your mother said were true, could she have raised a child like you?"
Feng Xue lowered her head in silence, the veins on the back of her hand bulging, revealing her suppressed emotions.
The old lady saw this but didn't point it out.
Feng Xue had sought her out many times recently to apologize, but she had never believed her.
Coming to the hospital to see her son wasn't forgiveness or a belief in his reform, but merely a thread of blood kinship.
Upon entering the ward, Zhu Yan's nagging quieted.
A fawning smile spread across her face. "Dad, Mom, you're here?"
The old lady ignored her and turned to Feng Xianxu.
"Ah Xu, aren't you supposed to be at work?"
Zhu Yan quickly said, "His father is sick. It's fine if he takes a day or two off."
"You don't understand the nature of your son's work, so don't interfere," the old lady chided lightly, then added, "Your grandfather and I are here. You should go back."
Feng Xianxu nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble you and Grandpa."
Cheng You smiled. "What trouble is there? Isn't Auntie here to take care of him? Brother Xu, you can rest assured."
Zhu Yan sat down with visible displeasure. "When would I have time to take care of him? Of course, it would be more convenient to hire a caregiver."
"Then hire one. A caregiver is indeed more professional," Cheng You chimed in.
Zhu Yan had suggested hiring a caregiver several times, but no one had agreed.
Cheng You's affirmation made her feel like she had found an ally.
"Cheng You is right! That's what I mean! Dad, Mom, let's hire a caregiver!"
The old lady neither agreed nor disagreed with her statement.
"If you want to hire one, then do so. There's no need to ask me."
She walked to Feng Yaojun's side and looked at her son, who was under sixty but already had a head full of white hair.
At first glance, he looked older than Feng老爷子.
Otherwise, why would they say illness strikes like a mountain?
Feng Yaojun's eyes were teary, his emaciated hand slightly raised.
"Dad, Mom, I didn't expect you to still come to see me."
Facing him like this, all anger dissipated.
The old lady patted his hand. "Cheng You came to see you too."
Cheng You stepped forward at the right moment, her eyebrows curved, appearing obedient.
Medical records could be faked, but a person's spirit could not deceive. Feng Yaojun was indeed ill.
"Uncle."
Feng Yaojun had a poor impression of her. Later, when he heard she was his sister's daughter, his impression hadn't changed.
However, with the elders present, he couldn't show his displeasure and could only nod with a smile, indifferent.
Cheng You didn't mind and turned to look at Zhu Yan. "Didn't Auntie say she was going to hire a caregiver? Why haven't you gone yet?"
Zhu Yan rubbed her hands, smiling awkwardly.
"Your uncle has been in the hospital for a few days. The hospitalization fees and miscellaneous medical expenses are not cheap. My savings are all used up, so..."
Cheng You suddenly understood. "So you want Grandpa and Grandma to pay?"