Chapter 29: Grandma

"Siyuan, did you come alone? I haven't seen you in quite some time."

Grandma held Shen Siyuan's hand, examining him closely. There seemed to be light in her eyes. Her hands were very thin, almost skin and bone, with prominent blue veins clearly visible.

"I'm sorry, Grandma. In the future... in the future, I will come back to see you often," Shen Siyuan said.

But the moment those words left his mouth, he realized how familiar they sounded. This was not the first time he had said such a thing.

"Why say sorry to Grandma?"

Grandma pretended to be angry and pulled him into the house.

"Grandma will get you something delicious," she said.

She skipped happily into the room, then pulled out a bag of small bread rolls from somewhere.

Shen Siyuan took it, looked at it, and said, "Grandma, it's already expired."

"Expired, huh?"

Grandma looked at the large remaining bag in her hand and sighed deeply.

"I kept it for too long. I'm sorry."

She apologized to Shen Siyuan, full of guilt.

Suddenly, Shen Siyuan felt his eyes moisten. He forced himself to say, "Grandma, what is there to apologize for? It's not your fault. I'm the one who hasn't come back for so long. I should be the one saying sorry."

"Our Siyuan has grown up and learned how to speak," Grandma said with a chuckle.

"By the way, Grandma, Mom and Dad also brought you some things," Shen Siyuan hurriedly said.

He then took down everything from the back seat of the motorcycle.

"These are two old hens, already cleaned and cut into pieces. I'll help you put them in the fridge. Remember to take them out to make soup. Don't leave them for too long..."

"And these eggs too. Boil them and eat them. Don't be reluctant. The weather is hot now; they spoil easily if left too long..."

"And these shoes. Mom bought them for you..."

"This box of electric mosquito coils. I'll teach you how to use them later..."

"And these blood pressure pills. Remember to take them every day. Don't secretly throw them away. You must take care of your own body. If I find out, I will get angry..."

"Good grandson."

"What is it?"

"You are so annoying. Why are you as nagging as your parents?" Grandma said with a chuckle.

"You said I've grown up. When people grow up, they become naggy," Shen Siyuan said.

"Then it would be better if you didn't grow up. Grandma likes you the way you are when you're small," Grandma said.

"No matter how big I grow, I am still your grandson."

Shen Siyuan carried the items, about to help her put them in the fridge, only to find the fridge wasn't even plugged in. She used it as a storage cabinet.

"Electricity bills are expensive. I don't use it anyway. No need to waste that money," Grandma said with a convincing argument.

"How much money can be wasted? It's not like we can't spare this little bit," Shen Siyuan said helplessly.

"But you still can't spend recklessly. You must save it. You haven't married a wife yet. By the way, your mom arranged so many matches for you. Didn't you find any suitable one?"

"Grandma, can we not talk about this?"

"Grandma doesn't want to talk about it either, but Grandma is anxious. Don't be too picky. Tell Grandma, what kind of person do you want to find?"

Grandma held Shen Siyuan's hand, refusing to let go, as if letting go would make him fly away.

"Grandma, I really am not picky. I just want to find someone who looks right to me," Shen Siyuan said.

"Isn't that picky? That is the hardest thing to find."

"Hehe, Grandma, you really know so much."

"Grandma won't rush you. But I am old now. I don't know if I will still be alive to see the day you marry. Thinking about it, I wouldn't rest in peace even in death..."

You call that not rushing? You are rushing way too hard.

"Grandma, your health is good. You will definitely wait until that day."

"I know my own body. Can you know it better than me?"

"I understand. I will find a girlfriend as soon as possible. I will bring her back then for you to see," Shen Siyuan said helplessly, patting his chest to promise.

"Good grandson, don't lie to Grandma."

"What kind of talk is that? When have I ever lied to you?"

"Hmm, Grandma believes you."

"Good grandson, since you came back this time, how many days will you stay at home?"

"I'm going back tomorrow afternoon."

"Time is so tight?"

"No choice. I have to work on Monday."

"Then tonight, you stay here. You can go back tomorrow afternoon."

"That won't work. My mom introduced me to someone. She wants me to meet her tomorrow morning."

"Ah, yes, yes..." Mentioning the match, Grandma immediately perked up.

"Then I won't keep you tonight. In the middle of summer, my place isn't as convenient as your home. Go back and fix yourself up properly. Change your clothes..."

"What I'm wearing now is fine too."

Shen Siyuan chatted with Grandma for a long time and also taught her how to use her mobile phone.

Her father bought her an elderly person's phone. It had a loud volume, long standby time, and simple operation. He said Grandma was unwilling to learn and couldn't learn it, but that was simply not true.

When Shen Siyuan taught her, she was cheerful, happier than anyone could imagine. She fiddled with it over and over, asking questions again and again...

"Press this to answer the call; I'll call you when I have time..."

"When this battery shape on top goes empty, remember to charge it..."

"Did you remember my number? If you miss me, call me. I have plenty of time; any time works..."

"Would that disturb your work?"

"No, one call won't take up time."

"That's good, but how can I see you through the phone?"

"Eh, Grandma, you even know about video calls?" Shen Siyuan was somewhat surprised.

"Guizhi told me; she often video calls her grandson Taotao."

The Guizhi Grandma mentioned was from a household in the same village; her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson worked in a distant place, often sending her video calls, though her age was only slightly older than Shen Siyuan's mother.

"This phone of yours won't work; you need to buy one that can do video calls."

"Then why didn't your father buy me one of those phones?" Grandma said angrily.

Uh~ Shen Siyuan didn't know how to explain; she couldn't even handle a basic phone properly, let alone a smartphone.

"Is that phone very expensive?" Grandma asked again.

"It's okay."

"Look how stingy your father is; he just can't bear to buy it for me. I don't know what he earns so much money for? Spend what needs spending," Grandma said dissatisfied.

You didn't say that just now.

"Grandma, when I come back next time, buy it for me."

"Why spend that wasted money? Just have your father buy it for me; keep your own money to spend."

"Alright, when I get home tonight, I'll tell him."

Shen Siyuan stayed at Grandma's house until dusk before leaving on his motorcycle.

It wasn't that Shen Siyuan wanted to leave, but Grandma urged him to go.

Although she was also reluctant, she feared the night road would be unsafe for him.

As he was leaving, she forcibly stuffed a hundred yuan into Shen Siyuan's pants pocket; refusing it was not an option.

Shen Siyuan couldn't argue with her, so he could only accept it for now, planning to have his father return it to her next time he came.

"When you meet that Miss tomorrow, take her to the town to buy some good food," she said.

"I know. I'm going."

Shen Siyuan twisted the throttle and rode back the way he came.

After riding a stretch, he stopped the motorcycle and looked back, only to see Grandma far behind, walking forward, already past the village entrance.

Her eyesight was poor; at that distance she could no longer see clearly, yet she still raised her arm and waved.