Chapter 1393: Chapter 1394: Back Home (1)
Following the sound, an elderly lady about eighty years old, with white hair, walked out of the kitchen. She was wearing a simple, plain blue top for older women, with black pants. Her clothes looked somewhat faded, suggesting they had been worn for many years. Nan Tian’s first impression of this lady was that she was neat and efficient.
"Grandma Zhang, how’s business today? Any customers?" An Yiqing smiled sweetly at the elderly lady, striking up a conversation.
"Oh, what customers could there be? It’s just a few neighbors feeling sorry for this old woman, coming over for a bowl when they have nothing else to do. As long as I have enough to eat and sleep, I’m content!" Despite having lost some of her teeth, Grandma Zhang’s smile was kindly and endearing, "Little girl, did you bring a friend today? Both of you are so good-looking, truly beautiful. Sit down, what would you like to eat? Grandma will cook it for you."
An Yiqing pulled the somewhat uneasy Nan Tian onto a chair, skillfully ordering two bowls of noodles and a side dish, then watched as the elderly lady shuffled back into the kitchen.
"Do you know how old this grandma is?" An Yiqing asked Nan Tian, drawing her gaze back.
Nan Tian scratched her head, "She must be over seventy, right? How can she run a noodle shop at such an old age? Where are her children?"
An Yiqing chuckled lightly, shaking her head, "She’s only sixty-two this year, ten years younger than your grandpa."
"That’s impossible!" Nan Tian immediately denied An Yiqing’s words; this elderly lady clearly looked at least seventy, whether by appearance or stature, she definitely seemed older than that old rascal Nan Feng!
"She really is sixty-two, just prematurely aged."
Nan Tian stared blankly at An Yiqing, struggling to comprehend. If a person doesn’t have any illness, what kind of tragic event could cause someone to age prematurely?
Seeing the confusion in Nan Tian’s eyes, An Yiqing sighed deeply, "Grandma Zhang lost her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson when she was fifty-five. It was all her own doing."
Clatter—
The cup slipped from Nan Tian’s hand and gently hit the table with a clear sound. She stared at An Yiqing, her mouth open but not knowing what to say.
"What? You find it unbelievable, don’t you? You wonder how someone as benevolent-looking as Grandma Zhang could have caused the death of her entire son’s family?" An Yiqing asked.
Nan Tian nodded, her emotions a mix of confusion.
"She once had a very harmonious family. When she was young, she was the most beautiful woman in the area, and many men wanted to marry her. In the end, Grandma Zhang married a man who treated her exceptionally well and adored her, and they had a lively and adorable son. Such a blissful family should have been a happy story, but Grandma Zhang’s husband suddenly fell seriously ill and died!"
Nan Tian’s heart was abruptly caught by Grandma Zhang’s story; she looked at An Yiqing nervously, anticipating the continuation of the story.
"Before her husband passed, he held her hand tightly, urging her repeatedly to raise their son well, no matter how tough life got. Grandma Zhang tearfully promised, and at that time, her son was only ten years old. Even in her sorrow, she couldn’t falter. So, after locking herself in a room and crying for a whole night, she emerged as a different person," An Yiqing sighed deeply. "In those days, living as a widow was extremely challenging. Especially since Grandma Zhang was so beautiful in her youth; many people had designs on her after her husband’s death. She had to support the family and take care of her son, transforming from a gentle woman into a strong-willed, independent one. Those years were the hardest for Grandma Zhang, working from dawn to dusk just to earn extra meal tickets so her son could eat a bit more meat. However, her loving efforts were not appreciated by her child."