” Yes .”
The old man closed his eyes upon hearing this, and when he opened them again, his cloudy eyes were full of heartache. He himself had this problem, and he had suffered for so many years. He didn’t expect that this son, whom he had never raised for a day, would also have heart disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was inherited from him.
“I heard that they are studying it, and the current surgery results are very good.”
“So, that means there is no cure yet, right?”
“right.”
During this period, science and technology in all aspects developed rapidly. Li Xia was not discouraged after hearing this. She took a deep breath to cheer herself up, and she picked up a bun for the old man with chopsticks.
“You have experience. If it can be treated, would the cost be very high?”
“Don’t worry about the cost. As long as it can be cured, I have accumulated experience over the years, and it is not a problem to cure a disease.” The old man sighed helplessly: “Child, please take care of him. This disease needs to be treated well; otherwise, if it worsens, the consequences will be disastrous.”
“I know.” After saying this, Li Xia took out a bag from her back and opened it to reveal several stacks of cash. “This is the remaining money from the house renovation. I exchanged it for foreign exchange certificates. This is a kind of money equivalent to currency, and it is more popular than currency. Only this can be used to shop in the foreign trade mall; ordinary currency cannot be used.”
The old man looked down at the paper, then smiled and said he could understand this way of shopping. He had been doing business for half his life, so he knew why it was so without any explanation.
He raised his hand and pushed the cash back to her. “Thank you for taking the trouble to help me find a house, renovate it, and prepare all this. I’m not short of money, so you don’t have to calculate it so clearly with me.”
“Brothers should settle accounts clearly. Besides, this is not a small amount. This amount of money is equivalent to several decades of salary for an ordinary worker in the mainland. It is enough to buy another house like this.”
“Then keep it as the cost of you taking care of me. I will need your help when I am old. Thank you in advance.”
Daughter-in-law and father-in-law, the relationship is supposed to be very close. But Li Xia spoke politely but with a hint of unfamiliarity. There was even an account book on the cash, clearly recording every expense of the house renovation. The old man had a gentle look and a kind attitude, repeatedly emphasizing the need to get closer, and Li Xia naturally felt it.
He had previously gifted Shen Haiyang and his mother a sum of US$50,000, which she had invested, so she naturally appreciated the old man’s kindness. She had originally planned to take care of him in his later years, but she didn’t dare get too familiar with him for the time being. The old man said so, and she smiled and zipped up her bag.
“Dad, I’ll keep the money for now. If you need it, you can always ask me for it.”
The old man nodded and said nothing more to her. Yaozong always felt that the couple prepared a house for him because they wanted his property, so he could understand why Li Xia did this.
“I heard that you are in the clothing business now?”
“Yes. I used the US dollars you sent Haiyang to buy the courtyard house and the shop…”
Even though she knew he was Shen Haiyang’s biological father, it was only natural for a biological father to give money to his biological son. If she gave money to the three children in the family, she would think it was normal. The elderly had money to support the children, and as a younger generation, it was all right for them to take care of and respect them.
But she always felt strange in front of the old man and felt short of breath unconsciously. This was just a test. If he had any regrets, she would find a way to raise money to pay him back as soon as possible.
“Alas,” the old man sighed softly. The affection he had felt since childhood was not something he could buy with money. “What did you call me just now?”
Li Xia was stunned for a moment and replied, “Dad.”
“I know money can’t make up for anything, but I’m old, and I don’t have anything else except money.”
Li Xia bit her lip and said nothing. She couldn’t respond. The old man took a sip from the cup and looked at her with a smile. “Thank you for accompanying her on her last journey. I feel sorry for her in this life. If she didn’t feel at ease before she passed away and there was no one to see her off, I…”
Are you feeling guilty? When Li Xia saw him, she thought of Fang Zhongcheng. The same irresponsibility ruined his wife’s life.
Fang Zhongcheng felt guilty when he saw her weather-beaten appearance again many years later, but what could a belated apology make up for?
Of course, the old man had historical reasons. He could not care about other things when his life was in danger, and he did not know his wife was pregnant. Fang Zhongchengg was a complete scumbag. He kicked her away after using her. He knew that she was a woman with two children in the countryside, but he did not care about her for more than ten years. He only remembered her when his own child died.
“What my mother is most worried about is Haiyang. He is sick again.”
Whether you feel guilty or something else, the old lady has let it go in the end. As long as it is good for the child, she doesn’t care. In this case, you should find a way to help Shen Haiyang get treated. You must have connections abroad and US dollars in your hands over the years. If you want to make up for it, please take care of it. Thank you very much.
“I wrote to my friend in the United States, asking him to pay attention to the development in this area. Once the technology breaks through and can be used for treatment, I will arrange for you to go abroad.”
Li Xia stood up and bowed to him solemnly. “Thank you.”
Carrying the bag of cash out of the backyard, she smiled silently and felt that her move was very scheming, taking advantage of the old man’s guilt to achieve her own goal.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are a philistine or not. It’s childish for an adult to give up opportunities for unnecessary things.”
She is also seeking benefits and avoiding harm. When she saw Yiyi at night, her eyes were full of smiles. The little guy grew up in a single-parent family in his previous life and suffered a lot of ridicule all the way to a key university. When he recognized Fang Zhongcheng, he was thinking about benefits, right?
“Mom, why are you looking at me? I was very good today. I didn’t fight with other kids. If you don’t believe me, ask Dad to see if the teacher said anything.”
The brat was quite sensitive, so Li Xia gave him a glare and told him to eat quickly. After she sat down, she said to Shen Haiyang, “I just delivered food to the backyard, and Shen Yaozong went out this morning and hasn’t come back yet.”
“What’s going on? Is he having a quarrel with the old man?”
“I don’t know. Go to the backyard to accompany the old man at night. You can’t leave him alone.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
This man looks gentle, but why is he so awkward with his biological father? They are respectful to each other on weekdays, but it is difficult to get closer. When she asked him to accompany his father at night, he immediately looked resistant.
Reason is one thing; he knew that he was his biological father. Emotion is another; he wanted to get close to him but couldn’t, and even subconsciously felt awkward.
Li Xia knew that it takes time to cultivate feelings, but now that Shen Yaozong has gone away, the old man can’t just be left alone. After dinner, a middle-aged woman came and wanted to apply for the job of the old man’s nanny. The couple looked at Han Jun’s wife, Qin Mu, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They asked her to sit down first, and Li Xia stood up and poured her a glass of water.
“Huihua, go to Grandpa’s place and collect the dishes. Mom is here to talk to Auntie about something.”
“Okay.”
The child obediently went to the backyard, and Shen Haiyang also got up and left. She sat down to talk to the woman. “Sister, what happened?”
As soon as she said this, the woman couldn’t hold back her tears.
” Han Jun said that he was the only one who earned money in the family for so many years. I have been taking care of his paralyzed mother since I entered his house. I am busy every day after having a child. I have to take care of the old and the young, and I have to serve him. How can I… am I worthless?”
The woman wiped her tears and continued, “Since what I do at home is worthless, if I come out to do this and make money, then will I have value?”
“Han Jun deserves to be beaten for saying that. Just looking at his family’s mess, how much money would it cost to have a nanny take care of them for so many years? You did it all silently; is he blind and can’t see it?”
“That’s why I came to you. I know you’re looking for a nanny for your father-in-law. Don’t worry, I can do this job. I’ve been doing laundry, cooking, and taking care of people for so many years. I’m also a pretty good cook, and I promise to take good care of the old man for you.”
“So, what about your family?”
Though I feel sorry for her, if I really take her in, wouldn’t that be like venting Lao Han’s anger? Lao Han did something wrong, and it’s OK to help mediate the conflict between husband and wife instead of cutting off the fire and leaving people in the cold.
“He has already said that to me. I don’t care this time. I am an adult now, and I don’t need him to support me.”
As the two were talking, Han Jun came running in from outside in a hurry. The couple had an argument. Why are you coming here to tell my sister-in-law ? Come on, come home with me.”
Han Jun said he was going to catch his wife, but the woman turned away. “I won’t go back. If someone else pays me for the work I do at home, I can still make money.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t make money; I always…”
Han Jun looked annoyed, probably regretting his decision. He was under great financial pressure, and perhaps he spoke without thinking in a hurry. Li Xia quietly withdrew and gave the two of them space.
Through the window, she saw the man bending over with an apologetic look on his face, probably trying to make amends with his wife. Li Xia was watching with great interest when Shen Haiyang came out of the house and stood behind her.
“What are you looking at? You look so excited.”
“Hush, look at how Han Jun apologizes to his wife.”
She pulled her husband to hide in a corner to watch the show and whispered to him about the matter. The couple agreed that Han Jun was wrong, and when he coaxed his wife out to say goodbye, he was squeezed by Li Xia.
“She has been taking care of the old and the young for so many years. It’s not that she has no job. She just has no salary.”
“I was wrong. Don’t worry, sister-in-law, I won’t say this again.”
“Remember what you said? If you do that again, I will find a job for your sister-in-law and see what your family will do then.”
Han Jun nodded and bowed. “Sister-in-law, please forgive me. Without her at home, the world will fall apart and everything will be in chaos.”
“That’s good to know.”
After seeing the couple off, Li Xia at the gate shook her head and said, “It would be great if Qin Mu could free up her hands. Even if she can help us for a while, we can slowly find a suitable person. When the shop opens, let her sell goods, which can also increase her family’s income.”
“Let’s look for it later; don’t worry now.”
“Shen Yaozong hasn’t come back yet.”
Shen Haiyang sighed: “I’ll go to the backyard to accompany him at night.”
“What do you think happened between the father and son? Why don’t you ask the old man tonight?”
“Do not ask.”
Shen Haiyang seemed gentle, but he was actually quite stubborn. He kept his distance from his biological father. At night, he and the old man lived in the backyard, one on each side. The father and son treated each other with respect.
Li Xia was eager to sell her goods, but she couldn’t find a suitable nanny. An applicant came in the morning. She was good at cleaning, but the food she cooked was really rough. She couldn’t like the food, let alone the old man.
At noon, she made noodles with soybean paste and served them to the old man with some cold dishes. She asked, “Dad, where is your second brother?”
The old man shook his head and said he didn’t know. “I can handle it here by myself. There’s no need for Haiyang to come over to accompany me at night. The front and back yards are so close. If there’s anything, I can just call you.”
The couple separated on purpose. Was the old man upset? She thought for a moment and said, “How about letting Shen Hui and Yiyi come to accompany you? Children are lively, but I’m afraid they will disturb your peace.”
The old man waved his hand. “I wish my children were happy. It would be my blessing to have grandchildren around me in my old age.”
“Then I’ll clean up the west side and let them live there. If anything happens, just call them.”
The old man likes to have his grandsons around, and the two boys like to have a color TV at their grandfather’s place. This solves the problem of companionship to everyone’s satisfaction.
While worrying about finding a nanny, Han Jun’s mother suddenly suffered a stroke and was sent to the hospital but could not be saved. The old lady passed away quickly, and the funeral was also done quickly in the hot weather. When the old lady died, Qin Mu told Li Xia that she wanted to work for her.
“Do you mind if I wear mourning clothes?”
“That’s okay. I welcome you to come. But does Han Jun agree?”
He and Shen Haiyang were classmates; would he be unhappy about his wife coming to help out at his classmate’s house? But in fact, Li Xia hoped that Qin Mu could go out and earn money. A woman’s financial independence and not being independent are two completely different concepts.
Let’s not talk about anything else. Just say that if you want to buy something you like, you can earn your own money. But the family is not well-off, and they dare not even buy a bottle of good vanishing cream. The economy is a very realistic problem. Men who can say nice things are nothing more than making big promises, saying that they are wronged now, and they will do this and that when they have money in the future. Like Han Jun, he can’t even make big promises. He just starts with the reality that he earns money alone and owes a lot of debt. His straightforward words can make you angry to death.
“Why would he be unhappy? When I graduated from junior high school, I didn’t have a stable job, and now I have even less. It’s great to have a job and earn money.”
Han Jun happened to come in and heard it, and he had no objection to his wife going to help out at her friend’s house. What kind of nanny is not good? Didn’t he see that Li Xia was afraid that people would mind, and she kept saying it was help? The family has been financially tight for so many years, and they owe money for their mother’s medical treatment and funeral. He tried to pay off the debt, and he took the children to eat in the cafeteria. At least his wife can buy what she likes with her own money. Buy some good clothes, creams, etc., and buy more.
Oh, he is still incompetent. If the family had money, there would be no need to argue about money. This guy is still like this. He doesn’t know at all that his wife still cares about what he said about him being the only one earning money in the family. He thinks his wife is angry that he doesn’t have money to buy her dress. But it was that she kept his words of earning alone in her mind and hence wanted to earn money herself so that she could keep him shut about the money.
In less than a week, the problem of finding a nanny for the old man was solved. Qin Mu was very careful in her work, and her cooking skills were also to the old man’s taste. Let’s do this first. When her shop opens, if Qin Mu wants to go to the shop, she will be arranged to sell things. During this time, the family can slowly look for a suitable person.
Li Xia went to the stall without any worries. After a busy day, she returned home and found that there was a piano in her house. The big white piano was placed in the west wing of the backyard. The three children stood there and played with it.
“Where did you get this? Don’t play with it like this. What if you break it? This thing is not cheap.”
The old man was sitting in a rocking chair in the yard, drinking tea. Hearing this, he said, “It’s okay; let the children play.”
It seems that this thing was brought by the old man, and Li Xia stopped caring about it after he said so. It seems that her daughter is quite interested in it. If the child likes it, it is a good idea to find a teacher to teach it seriously.
“Dad, did you decide this a long time ago?”
“Yes. Music can cultivate one’s sentiments, and learning the piano can cultivate one’s temperament. Find a teacher for each of the three of them, and I’ll pay for it.”
“Okay, I’ll do it for them.
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
Is this because he has a bad relationship with his son and wants to train his grandchildren in his later years? Recently, the three children have gone to the backyard to watch color TV every night, and their relationship with their grandfather has improved by leaps and bounds.
Just as she was complaining about the old man, a visitor came to the courtyard. The leader of the Provincial Investment Promotion Office came to visit the old man in person. The old man stood up and invited the guest into the house, and Qin Mu hurried to make tea.
After some polite conversation, the people in the room got down to business, and Li Xia realized that her father-in-law was an entrepreneur overseas. The investment promotion office invited the old man to attend the investment promotion conference next week and persuaded him to invest on the mainland.
“We are in need of returned overseas Chinese like Mr. Shen. I have wanted to visit you for a long time, but I was afraid of disturbing your family reunion, so I have delayed it until now. Our country is now in a state of disrepair, and it is time for people with lofty ideals to show their talents.”
“Thank you for the invitation. I will definitely go then.”
Shen Xiao nodded with a smile, and Li Xia realized that the old man’s return to China might not just be a return to his hometown to retire. This period was the golden period of domestic development, and many people made their fortunes with this favorable wind. Especially for those who have a certain foundation and use money to invest to make money, as long as the project is chosen correctly, there is no loss.
She sent the people from the investment promotion office away on behalf of her father-in-law, and when they went, the old man asked her if she was willing to go with him. “You want to develop, and it would be good to go out and see the world.”
Li Xia nodded obediently. She really had not seen much of the world. On such occasions, getting to know more people might be useful in the future. Personal connections are very important in China, a society where relationships are important.
A few days later, the telecom people came to install the phone. Li Xia then knew that the old man had applied for international long-distance calls, and she couldn’t help but sigh that it was good to have money.
“When we apply for a phone within the same province, we have to wait in line for a long time. But the international long-distance number that the old man applied for was approved so quickly.”
Shen Haiyang nodded and sighed: “If we are bolder and move faster, the result of deepening reform will be like blowing up a balloon. Perhaps the changes in the next few years will exceed those in the previous decades.”
Li Xia had seen this result in her previous life, so naturally she had no doubts. “I was planning to apply for domestic long-distance calls, but now that the old man has international long-distance calls, do you think I should still apply?”
“…Don’t apply.”
“Okay, I’ll find time to undo it.”
