Chapter 199

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Sixth Grandpa is gone, you rest for a while."

Seeing him smile, Lin Xiyu was happy too, came to the bedside, and helped him lie down.

"These past two days..."

Before closing his eyes, Guben carefully reminded: "Pay attention, I reckon someone else will come."

"Who else is coming?"

Lin Xiyu's hand covering his cup paused.

"The news has spread; those who want to come will naturally come, and can't be stopped..."

Guben didn't say it outright, a complex and indiscernible expression flickered in his eyes.

"You sleep for a while first."

Seeing his exhaustion fully revealed, Lin Xiyu couldn't bear to ask further, hurriedly urging him to rest.

"Mm."

Guben smiled good-naturedly, closing his eyes to go along with her wishes.

—

Just as expected, on the third day after Sixth Grandpa's group returned to BJ, that is, the fourth day of the first lunar month, in the quiet ward, sure enough, an old acquaintance came to visit again.

On the fourth day at noon, Lin Xiyu, taking advantage of Guben's nap, returned to her home at Huashi University, comfortably took a hot bath, and brought him several changes of clothes.

When she returned to the hospital in the afternoon, in the corridor outside the ward, she was surprised to discover a figure peeking around, acting furtively.

"Who are you looking for?"

She felt the person looked somewhat familiar, but for a moment couldn't remember where she had seen them, feeling quite surprised.

"Ah?"

Hearing the voice, that person turned around with a terrified expression.

"Fourth Aunt?"

Seeing her face clearly, Lin Xiyu had a flash of inspiration in her mind and suddenly understood.

No wonder this person looked familiar; it turned out to be Guben's Fourth Uncle's wife, whom she had met at a family gathering five years ago.

"Xiyu, it really is you..."

Seeing it was her, Fourth Aunt's eye sockets turned red instantly, and excitedly she cried with snot and tears: "We heard you and Little Bin got back together, before we didn't dare believe it, so what they said was all true?"

"Uh..."

Lin Xiyu couldn't quite withstand her enthusiasm.

"Xiyu..."

Wiping her tears with a pleading look: "Fourth Aunt wants to ask you for a favor, don't blame Fourth Aunt for being presumptuous, Fourth Aunt was left with no choice, and had to thicken her skin to come beg you..."

"Fourth Aunt, don't say that..."

Lin Xiyu felt her scalp go numb, and a bad premonition surged: "We're all family, just say whatever you have to say."

"It would be great if you could treat us as family."

Fourth Aunt's Eldest Daughter comforted: "I came this time to tell you that Little Bin's grandfather is in poor health and probably won't last much longer; Little Bin has a knot in his heart and hasn't contacted his family, I really had no choice but to come beg you..."

"Fourth Aunt, no need to say more, I understand."

Lin Xiyu didn't need to hear more to guess what she would say next: "I will pass your words on to him; as for whether he goes back or not, it still depends on his own wishes."

"Xiyu..."

Seeing her cold attitude, Fourth Aunt was a bit anxious: "Can you help persuade him? This matter can only rely on you; we also understand that five years ago the old man was too heartless, Xiao Zheng suffered greatly over this, and his wife and children suffered along with him..."

"What happened to Zheng-ge?"

Lin Xiyu was shocked.

"Sigh."

A hint of pain flickered in Fourth Aunt's eyes, and she sighed deeply.

—

Five years ago, on the night Guben accompanied his mother abroad, Fu Zheng felt guilty and uneasy, and his spirit was somewhat on the verge of collapse.

On the way driving to the airport, he unfortunately had a car accident, and only recovered after recuperating for a long time.

His girlfriend took care of him attentively during his hospitalization, their feelings deepened day by day, his grandparents saw this and also took a liking to his girlfriend, and no longer obstructed their marriage.

The couple spent a sweet time after marriage, but unfortunately Heaven was blind, and not long after, another complication arose.

Fu Zheng's wife had congenital heart disease; after becoming pregnant her condition worsened, the doctor suggested aborting the fetus, but she insisted on not agreeing.

For the sake of the child, she persisted until her last moment; as the child wailed upon birth, she perished.

Fu Zheng lost his beloved wife and once again fell into pain; to forget the sorrow, he applied for a transfer and went to Nanjiang, far from his hometown.

Poor his son, having lost his parents' love since birth, had a solitary temperament since childhood and didn't like playing with children his own age.

—

"Ah? Zheng-ge's wife died?"

Learning the truth, Lin Xiyu's complex and indiscernible mood could no longer be described merely as shocked.

She had thought only Guben had suffered in that misfortune, but didn't expect Fu Zheng had also paid a heavy price for it.

"Xiyu, come with me, quietly, don't let Little Bin know."

Fourth Aunt wiped her tears again, mysteriously pulling her in the opposite direction of the ward.

"Where are we going?"

Lin Xiyu was worried about Guben and hesitated without moving.

"You'll know once we get there."

Fourth Aunt looked somewhat anxious: "Don't worry, Fourth Aunt has no ill intentions and won't harm you."

"Guben's injury hasn't healed yet; I can't leave for too long."

"I'll be back very soon."

Lin Xiyu couldn't argue with Fourth Aunt and could only let her pull her away, leaving the ward.

—

First floor of the hospital.

"Grandma, you're here too."

Lin Xiyu saw an old man with a head full of white hair and a weathered face, surprised to the point of being almost speechless.

Compared to her memory of his appearance and voice, Fu Nainai now looked much older, her hair completely white, eyelids swollen, cheeks gaunt, looking extremely haggard.

"Xiyu, Grandma has finally seen you."

Fu Nainai's eyes suddenly lit up when she saw her, and she excitedly stood up from the chair, gripping her hand tightly.

The old lady's hand was also thin, and her bones hurt Lin Xiyu's hand.

Looking at the old person's haggard face, Lin Xiyu's eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

Fu Yeye and Fu Nainai had treated her very well, and to this day she could not forget the kindness of the Military Merit Medal.

It was just that Guben had a knot in his heart that couldn't be easily resolved.

She really wanted to throw herself into her old lady's arms right now and cry loudly while holding her.

—

"Great-grandmother..."

Behind Fu Nainai, a child's voice suddenly sounded, interrupting her thoughts.

"He is..."

Seeing that it was a little boy of only three or four years old, her heart contracted sharply again, shocked speechless.

"He is Fu Zheng's child..."

Fourth Aunt answered for Fu Nainai: "Fu Xiang, the Xiang of flying, his nickname is Ruirui. Ruirui has been raised by Grandma since childhood and is closest to Grandma, following her wherever she goes. This time Grandma couldn't rest easy leaving him alone at home, so she brought him along."

"Ruirui, call Aunt."

Fu Nainai wanted to pull the little boy out from behind her to make him greet someone, but the little boy refused, only showing half his head from behind her, timidly sizing up Lin Xiyu.

Lin Xiyu was also looking at him, and when she saw his features clearly, a flash of admiration crossed her eyes.

It was a very handsome little boy, with fair skin and a high, straight nose, looking somewhat like Fu Zheng, but more like his mother.

Although Lin Xiyu had never met the eldest sister-in-law, from the child before her she could tell how beautiful his mother had been back then. No wonder Fu Zheng was devoted to her, remaining faithful despite his disability.

"This child has a somewhat introverted personality..."

Fu Nainai couldn't bear to scold her great-grandson, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

"He's only so young."

Lin Xiyu was understanding: "A child this small will definitely be afraid when first seeing a stranger; there's no need to force him."

"Xiyu, Grandma knows you're a kind-hearted good girl..."

Thinking of the purpose of coming here, Fu Nainai's hand holding hers trembled slightly involuntarily.

"Grandma, actually I'm not as good as you imagine."

Lin Xiyu felt guilty: "These years, I only cared about my own feelings and failed to consider your and Grandpa's feelings, never visiting you..."

"Grandma doesn't blame you."

Fu Nainai, the eldest daughter, comforted her: "Little Bin left for five years without a word. Grandma knows you've suffered a lot these years. You've been able to wait for him, give him a chance, and reconcile with him. Grandma is truly grateful and happy for you from the bottom of my heart."

"Grandma..."

A flash of emotion crossed Lin Xiyu's eyes, and tears instantly filled her eye sockets.

"Xiyu."

Fu Nainai's eye sockets also turned red, her voice choked: "Grandma came this time to ask you for a favor..."

"Grandma, you don't need to say it."

Lin Xiyu hurriedly interrupted her: "Fourth Aunt already told me. I'll do my best to persuade Guben to go home and visit Grandpa..."

"With those words from you, Grandma is relieved."

Fu Nainai was moved to tears.

"Great-grandmother, don't cry..."

The little child saw Great-grandmother crying, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. He stretched out his small hand, wanting to wipe her tears.

"Ruirui is good, Great-grandmother won't cry anymore."

Fu Nainai smiled with relief, pulled him out from behind her, and hugged him in her arms.

"Ruirui is truly a sensible and thoughtful good child."

Lin Xiyu half-squatted down, looking at the little child's exquisite small face, smiling and praising him.

"Ruirui..."

Fu Nainai patted the little boy's head, her eyes full of kindness: "Aunt is praising you. Quickly thank Aunt."

If she hadn't said it, it would have been fine, but once she said those words, the little child instead became reserved, turned his body, and buried his small face in her arms.

"No need to thank."

Lin Xiyu looked at the young child before her, thinking of the fetus she had miscarried, and a sharp pain seized her heart once more.

"Ruirui is fine in every way, just a bit shy of strangers..."

Fu Nainai explained with an embarrassed smile, afraid she would have a bad impression of her little nephew.

"If only Ruirui could have parents to dote on him."

Fourth Aunt knew exactly what was going on, and sighed helplessly: "The child is older now and more sensible; seeing that everyone else has a mother while he doesn't, over time he will surely develop psychological issues, feel inferior, and be unwilling to interact with other children."

"Sigh."

Lin Xiyu felt very uncomfortable hearing this, and deep pity welled up for the little child.

—

Ward.

Lin Xiyu was thinking of the people waiting for news downstairs, somewhat distracted, and when pouring hot water she accidentally slipped, the cup clattered to the floor, nearly scalding her foot.

"What's wrong?"

Guben saw she had something on her mind, and forced himself to sit up from the bed.

"Nothing......"

Lin Xiyu hadn't yet decided how to persuade him, and guiltily averted her gaze.

"Who came to see you?"

Guben was meticulous, and immediately saw through the flaw.

"No, yes......"

Lin Xiyu wanted to explain further, but he cut her off with a single sentence.

"Your eyes betrayed you."

Guben joked with a smile: "You're still the same as before, you can't lie at all; when you have something on your mind your gaze wanders, and you dare not look at me."

"I'm not guilty at all......"

Lin Xiyu's ear root turned red, a bit annoyed with herself; before him she had no secrets at all, and he could see through her at a glance.

"Speak, what exactly is going on?"

Guben had already guessed the general idea, and struck a posture of attentive listening: "While I'm in a good mood right now, hurry up and say it; once the moment passes, it's too late."

"Do you know that Cengge's wife died?"

Lin Xiyu thought it over and decided to play the family affection card first: "Leaving behind a little nephew, who has never received parental love since childhood; when he sees strangers he's like a frightened little rabbit, timid and shy, looking at him makes one's heart ache."

"I heard Qu Peng say so."

Guben's gaze dimmed, showing a few traces of grief.

"His wife......"

Lin Xiyu asked tentatively: "Is it the one you told me about, the ballet dancer?"

"Sigh."

Guben sighed dejectedly, taking it as a reply.

"That child is truly pitiful......"

Lin Xiyu, in order to repay the Fu Family's kindness in bestowing the Military Merit Medal, went all out, unwilling to tear open her own scar, using the miscarriage as an excuse: "Seeing him, I think of our baby, alone in the netherworld, without parental love; wouldn't he also be as lonely and helpless as him?"

"Don't say it......"

Guben was indeed heartbroken to the extreme, and reached out to pull her into his arms.

"Eldest Sister-in-law also deeply loved Eldest Brother."

Lin Xiyu continued to play on emotions: "I truly admire her; to give birth to the crystallization of their love, she was willing to sacrifice her own life."

"So Eldest Brother is in such pain......"

Guben empathized: "If it were me, I couldn't accept being separated from life and death with the one I love."

"Your Eldest Brother can't let go; he left alone, and that child is too pitiful."

Lin Xiyu lifted her eyelids, stole a glance at his expression, felt the timing was ripe, and pinched her thigh hard. The extreme pain shot straight to her brain, and tears instantly filled her eye sockets.

She sobbed with a choked voice, whispering her heartache and grievance: "My heart aches so much; as soon as I see that child, I think of our baby; I can't think about it, but once I think that our baby will be like his brother, with no one to dote or love, lonely and helpless, I just want to cry......"

"Since you feel for that child, why not just raise him by your side......"

Guben was indeed moved by her words, and made a decision in an instant.

"You, want me to raise him?!"

Lin Xiyu didn't expect this result, and was so shocked she even forgot to cry.

"You need a child by your side now to make up for your pain."

Guben turned around to persuade her: "That child, since he can touch your heart, shows you have a predestined connection; Eldest Brother has no time to care for him, we can do it in his place."

"Grandma may not be willing."

Lin Xiyu laughed and cried at the same time: "The little nephew was raised by her since childhood, and can't be separated from her."

"It depends on human effort......"

Guben, having already made up his mind, was full of action: "Go to the supermarket downstairs and buy a Rubik's Cube back."

"What do you want a Rubik's Cube for?"

Lin Xiyu was completely baffled.

"You'll know in a moment......"

Guben deliberately sold a secret: "When you come back, also call Grandma and them upstairs; the matter of coaxing the child, leave it to me."