Chapter 18: Goodbye, Grandmother

"Second Aunt, it's me." She turned around, her eyes already wet.

Second Aunt gasped, her excitement making her cover her mouth in disbelief, while Shen Yubai beside her was already stunned.

"Big sister..." he trembled, his lips quivering.

"It's me." Her voice was gentle, she squatted down and grasped his terribly thin hand. Shen Yubai's tears immediately rolled down.

"Fourth brother?!"

"Second Aunt?!"

Over there, Shen Yuhuan had already seen them and limped over, with Shen Qingci following behind...

Shen Juancheng arrived supporting Ning Shi, and Lin, seeing that all five members of their family were present, became so excited her eyes turned red.

"Sister."

"Ning little sister, it's... it's wonderful... you're okay, still alive..."

The two sisters clasped each other's hands, their eyes blurred with tears.

When the Shen Family was still prosperous, the two had been extremely close. Adding the ties between the main and second branches, they remained very close, always exchanging handkerchiefs.

Lin, who was older than Ning, was few words and reticent, yet her temperament was very sincere. Ning's nature was delicate, gentle, and pure.

Their backgrounds were also similar, so they naturally had many common topics and naturally became close confidantes. Even on the exile road, they constantly supported each other, until later... they were scattered.

"Where's mother? Where's second brother? The children? Are they all okay?"

"We were swept apart by the flood; only I and Baier are with mother, the others' whereabouts are unknown. Mother—she, mother—she..." Lin choked, "After days of traveling and being injured, she fell ill."

Ning and Shen Juancheng were shocked, Shen Qingquan forced herself to stay calm, "Father, you go in first to see Grandmother; I'll handle this place."

Shen Juancheng hurried into the shed, and at that moment Huang Laotou and Huang Yuanchang also walked quickly over.

"Benefactor, what is this...?"

"These are our family members, who were previously scattered and missing due to the refugees."

"Doctor Xiao Huang, who are they?" At that moment the big man surnamed Ding also noticed the unfamiliar faces of Shen Qingquan's family.

"I think this must be a misunderstanding." With Doctor Xiao Huang, the reason was quickly clarified.

It was finally confirmed that the half piece of the black lump was Sanhu's younger brother, which Si Hu had stolen and eaten. Sanhu chased his brother and gave him a severe beating, making his brother howl.

The scene turned chaotic again.

【5】 "Enough, stop the commotion, go back quickly. Ding Tai, if you cause trouble again, be careful I'll tell your mother later!"

Uncle Ding can't stand it; now there are still guests, and he's too lazy to punish these lawless brats!

"Fine, stop making a scene and go back quickly. Ding Tai, you brat, if you cause me trouble again, watch out—I'll tell your mother when I get back!"

"Uncle, please don't! My mother's temper is like fireworks; if you really tell her, she'll blow my head to pieces!" The man, who had a fierce look, immediately became meek.

"Hmph! Quickly disperse your people; a kid of eleven or twelve is worth all this mobilization? Is it shameful?"

"Uncle, I was truly wrong." The man waved at the brothers, "All dispersed, disperse."

The young strong men quickly dispersed, and Uncle Ding sighed inwardly; recent events had been too many, the Corrupt Official kept sending people to harass them, and with yesterday's flood, everyone was on edge. The youths were also worried, with more bad guys showing up, so they took turns watching all day long, which was truly exhausting.

"Apologies for the inconvenience, this is my maternal aunt's son, named Ding Tai, twenty this year. He is responsible for the safety here. This kid has a short temper, ignites easily, and he gets along well with Sanhu's two older brothers, so when he heard Sanhu had trouble, he rushed over without asking for details..."

Ding Tai sheepishly scratched the back of his head, his dark face a bit embarrassed, "Sorry, this is my fault; I got angry at your brother without asking properly."

Shen Qingquan raised an eyebrow, then grabbed the still‑sniffling Sanhu, "You, quickly apologize!"

He twisted his face, looking rather frightening. Sanhu immediately cowered, hurriedly apologizing to Shen Yubai beside him, "Sorry! I wrongly blamed you!"

While speaking, he rummaged in his chest and pulled out a small piece of the black lump he had just reclaimed from Si Hu, gritting his teeth,

"How about... I share a bit with you? Then we can put this matter behind us?"

That little glance was as if cutting his flesh.

Shen Yubai, "..."

"No, must not."

With a swoosh, his hand recoiled as if afraid he might still want it, then tugging his neck, "This is what you said you didn't want!"

After saying that, he shoved the lump into his mouth and devoured it greedily.

"You brat!"

"Wuwu!"

Ding Tai lifted him into the air to strike, while Sanhu's filthy hand covered his mouth, as if fearing someone would snatch his lump. His two short legs flailed wildly in the air...

The final kick landed on his face, making him wince in pain, and like a nimble monkey he hit the ground and fled in a flash.

Leaving a black footprint on his face, Ding Tai was so angry he seemed to be smoking.

"Ahem, that's enough, as long as the matter is resolved. Everyone, Doctor Xiao Huang, we won't disturb you further. Ding Tai, come with me!"

Uncle Ding tugged him and left; the farce finally ended.

Shen Qingquan looked speechless, but she was impressed by Ding Tai.

From his appearance, he seemed to have some skill, his lower stance steady, muscles strong, even Uncle Ding was...

Compared with other refugees, there was still a difference.

Along the way, from the refugees' attitudes, one could see the status of their uncle‑nephew relationship here, likely quite prestigious.

"Big sister, that's wonderful; if Grandmother knew you were safe, she would be very happy."

Shen Yubai at this moment let go of his previous tension and guard, becoming a naive, shy little boy in front of his sister.

Her nose tingled, she rubbed his head, "Hmm, let's go in."

A few entered the shed; it was just a temporary structure, a wind‑leaky shelter on all sides.

Shen Qingquan at a glance saw Grandmother lying on a pile of grass, yellow‑skinned, emaciated, her face full of wrinkles as she slipped into a coma.

Shen's father was holding the water bladder she had just given him, giving water to Grandmother.

Just as they entered, the old lady slowly regained consciousness.

Then she immediately saw Shen Qingquan at the doorway.

"Little one…"

At the call, Shen Qingquan's tears instantly fell like rain!

She hurried over, knelt before her, and with a trembling voice said, "Grandmother…"

That utterance seemed to span both her past life and this life.

Through countless storms, the primeval wilds, and arduous hardships.

Heaven granted her rebirth, gave her the chance to save her family and see her beloved grandmother again; she has never been as grateful to the heavens as she is now.? This book debuted on 17K Novel Network; read the official content right away!