Chapter 223 - 120: Details

Chapter 223: Chapter 120: Details

As Li Xiu drove, he made sure to remind Sister Fang, "Once we get back, Sister Fang, don’t ask any questions and don’t get involved. Just focus on taking good care of Yanyan. These events are a huge deal in the countryside, and all sorts of questionable people will be there. You have to watch Yanyan closely."

Sister Fang’s heart clenched. Gazing at Yanyan, who was already asleep in her arms, she said softly, "I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t let Yanyan out of my sight for a second. As the eldest son and daughter-in-law, you’ll both be incredibly busy and won’t be able to mind anything else. I’ll watch over Yanyan carefully. Rest assured!"

Zhou Lian thought for a moment, then said, "Sister Fang, the situation back at our old home is a bit complicated. Don’t let anyone take Yanyan away by himself, other than me or Jin Chen. I mean anyone at all besides me and Jin Chen, do you understand?"

Sister Fang glanced up at Zhou Lian in the passenger seat and said resolutely, "Got it. I understand. I won’t let anyone be alone with Yanyan."

"Bao’er, once we’re back, stay out of the thick of it. Except for specific ceremonies, just stay with Grandma," Li Xiu said softly after a moment’s thought. As the eldest son, he had to shoulder everything, but he didn’t want his wife to have to go through the hardship. It would be best for her to just be with Grandma.

Glancing at Li Xiu, Zhou Lian said gently, "Don’t worry about me, Jin Chen. Don’t overthink things. Just treat this as repaying the gift of life and being raised. We’ll just quietly see him off on his final journey."

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Bao’er, it’s not that I’m unfilial, it’s just..." Li Xiu said softly.

She gently patted his arm. "I understand. I understand everything, Jin Chen," Zhou Lian said tenderly. "You’ve already done more than enough. Some things just can’t be forced. But once someone is gone, it’s all over. It settles all accounts."

Li Xiu nodded slightly and said no more. He was indifferent toward his father—he simply felt nothing. When he had first been "reborn," he’d had expectations for his father, but what had the man done? He had shattered that sliver of hope, bit by bit. It turned out he was just a boy with no one to dote on him, neither father nor mother. Fortunately, he was grown now and no longer craved such a trivial bond.

When Li Baolai had mentioned the telegram earlier today, his only reaction was that it was sudden. He truly felt no grief or anguish, just the feeling that an acquaintance had passed away. Eight years. He had extended his father’s life by eight years. The debt for his upbringing was now settled. They were even.

It was around two in the morning when they got back to the village. After a quick word with Li Bao, they headed home. Li Bao went straight to Third Brother Li’s place. Li Bao’s own house was uninhabitable; even though family helped tidy up, it had been empty for too long.

He knocked softly on the main gate. Grandma Li, a light sleeper in her old age, knew Li Xiu’s family would be arriving within a day or two. The moment she heard the knock, she got up to open it. Seeing them at the door, Grandma Li quickly ushered them inside.

Seeing Yanyan fast asleep in Sister Fang’s arms, Li Xiu said gently, "Grandma, why don’t you talk with Bao’er for a while? I’ll help Sister Fang get settled so she can put Yanyan to bed."

"Grandma, how is Yanyan’s grandfather? The telegram wasn’t very clear," Zhou Lian asked softly, taking Grandma Li’s hand.

The hand in hers tightened, and Zhou Lian knew Grandma Li was deeply troubled. It was the sorrow of an elder outliving the young.

"I’m afraid he’s not going to pull through."

"Why so sudden? He was fine the last time we were here. And he’s not that old!" Zhou Lian asked, puzzled.

After a long silence, Grandma Li waited until Li Xiu had returned to speak. "He brought this upon himself. There’s no one else to blame!"

Li Xiu sat down gently across from Grandma Li and took one of her hands. "Grandma, tell us what happened. I need to know how to handle this."

Seeing Li Xiu’s emotionless expression, Grandma Li sighed. "Fine. You’d have to find out sooner or later. Your father was driven to this by your mother and your younger siblings. Li Yi is of age to marry, and Li Xin and Li Yong are grown and nearing that time too. You know your mother—she has no idea how to run a household. The moment she gets a little money, she gets cocky and shows it off. They finally managed to get wives for Li Hua and Li Man, but that spent just about all the money. Now what are they supposed to do about the three youngest?"

Grandma Li glanced at Zhou Lian before continuing, "Last month, Li Yi found a girl he liked. When they were discussing the match, a fight broke out over money. I didn’t inquire about the specifics, but I know they found out you’re earning a lot now, and they all got greedy. They demanded your father ask you for money. Your father might be muddle-headed, but he knew you wouldn’t get involved in this mess, so he refused. In the end, they all ganged up on him. He got so angry he couldn’t catch his breath. By the time he got to the hospital, the doctor said there was no hope, that he was just waiting for the end. They brought him home the day before yesterday. Your uncle had Li Guo send the telegram!"

Zhou Lian and Li Xiu exchanged a look. ’It’s just as we thought,’ they both silently concluded. They had driven back last time, and a car like that was rare even in the Capital City, let alone their hometown. Those troublemaking siblings must have done some digging, found out Li Xiu was making a fortune, and orchestrated this whole affair. They just never imagined it would escalate to this point.

Seeing how weary Grandma Li looked, Li Xiu said gently, "Grandma, don’t be too upset. What’s done is done. Being angry or sad won’t help. You need to take care of yourself!"

Seeing how exhausted Li Xiu and Zhou Lian were, Grandma Li said, "I’m fine. Your grandma has seen her share of storms. I can handle it. You two are tired. Go and rest. You can go to the old house tomorrow. Your father hasn’t woken up, so it makes no difference whether you go now or later."

Li Xiu nodded and led Zhou Lian into their room. Lying on the bed, he gently pulled her into his arms. "Stop thinking, Bao’er," he said softly. "You’re exhausted. Let’s sleep. We can deal with everything tomorrow after we’ve been to the old house and seen the situation for ourselves."

"Are you sad?" Zhou Lian asked softly, her eyes closed.

"It’s not a matter of being sad. I just find it ironic," Li Xiu said nonchalantly. "Bao’er, don’t worry about me. I’m not feeling particularly emotional. In two lifetimes, you’re the only thing I can’t let go of." As for his father, he’d done everything he should have and even things he shouldn’t have. His conscience was clear. No one could have predicted the situation would turn out like this.

"Sleep, Bao’er. It’ll break my heart if you wear yourself out."

By the time they woke up, it was already late morning. Grandma Li and Sister Fang were in the courtyard under the grapevines, playing with Yanyan. Seeing Li Xiu and Zhou Lian emerge from the room, Grandma Li called out, "Food’s in the pot. Go on and eat!"

After a glance at the time, they ate quickly, reminded Sister Fang to keep a close eye on Yanyan, and said their goodbyes to Grandma Li. Then they set off for the old house. The weather was hot, so Li Xiu didn’t hesitate; he just had Zhou Lian get in the car and drove them over.

The moment they pulled up to the old house, a crowd of people came out to meet them. Li Xiu glanced at them but remained silent. He opened the passenger door, carefully helped Zhou Lian out, and ignored the crowd completely, taking her hand and walking straight toward the courtyard.