"Good, good, my grandson, so small, just a little child stayed in the collapsed corner of the wall. When other kids cried, he would comfort them, though he was just a little one himself and needed comforting. But he didn't have any, he just kept comforting others while secretly checking the expressions on the Welfare Institute aunties' faces, looking so pitiful.
In the deep of the night when I couldn't sleep, I thought of him. Later, I kept hinting to myself that when destiny lays a great responsibility on someone, it must first toughen their spirit. I guess he himself didn't know how carefully he hid his look — all adults understood it.
Later, when everyone else had left, he would try so hard to lift his feet and look outside. When he saw a young couple passing by, he would stare with wide eyes until they left and then lower his head. He just kept watching like this and secretly checked to make sure the Welfare Institute aunties wouldn't notice.
I secretly accompanied him for a whole hour, and my heart felt like it was stabbed with a knife. Which Zhang Family kid has ever lived so miserably? I knew the child missed his parents. It's the twist of fate; if his mother wasn't so stubborn, if she listened to a few words from his father and didn't act rashly, the three of them wouldn't be so scattered.
Initially, I also hated his mother. Those two years I was bedridden, I couldn't speak up, just kept thinking day after day, trying to figure out how there could be such a bad woman who abandoned her own flesh and blood, and so foolishly wouldn't listen to my son.
My son was praised by everyone; who didn't say I had a good son, that there was someone to carry on after me? It was this very son who lost his way for over half a year, and when he couldn't find her, he went into decline every day. Later, with no choice and reluctance, I agreed to their marriage; among so many sons, he was my favorite.
The search ran in the official newspapers for three whole days, but no trace was found. When there finally was news, my son was gone. It was the work of heaven and those with dark intentions. I swore when I went to the hospital that I would uncover those hidden dirty things; otherwise, I couldn't rest at ease to meet his grandmother and father.
But this child is stubborn like me and couldn't find a way to be supported. Later, with no choice, I approached the Welfare Institute director. Fortunately, the director was also a good person, and she liked my grandson a lot too. Still, the child suffered many grievances. Growing up like this is thanks to the blessings of the ancestors. You all must be well, and when you have children, bring them to my grave to let this old man have a look."
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao couldn't help shedding tears upon hearing this. It was rare to find a senior who truly cared for them, but in reality, the elderly person's health was already spent.
"Grandpa, please focus on recovering. You still have to see your great-grandson being born. We'll all be well; you must also take care of your health. I don't want to have just found out I have a grandpa, and then have no relatives left in this world," Zhang Guoqing choked.
"Yes, Grandpa, look at all those reports saying that good news can bring good luck, and miracles appear. You must watch over us, as we're still young and don't understand much, and we have to rely on you," added Zhou Jiao.
Zhou Jiao didn't know how to comfort the old man. Even though she knew the outcome was the same, she still hoped the old man could accompany them longer. No one knew better than she did how much Guoqing longed for kinship; otherwise, he wouldn't have continued to be filial to her parents even after countless difficulties.
For instance, she herself, didn't she resent her parents for giving birth but not raising her?
As a child, she wanted to ask countless times why she couldn't be treated like other families, but later, through silent resistance met with fists and harsh words, she understood that them giving her life was enough, and only she could find her own way.
"Hmm, well, hehe, Grandpa is happy. I've always felt guilty in my heart. If I hadn't opposed them being together back then, my favorite son wouldn't have died so early. I promised his mother but still didn't fulfill it. When I wanted to agree later, your mother dropped out of school and disappeared. There was no way; all her kin weren't around, no one in her hometown had seen her, and she didn't take the bank card your father gave her. Who knew she was carrying you?
If we had known earlier, we wouldn't have let her leave. Because of this, your father didn't come back for half a year, always searching outside. In the end, it was your father who secretly left a note to let me know you were in L City.
Sigh, no more about this. Now Grandpa will talk to you about your grandma's things. These two boxes, the bigger one your grandma collected herself; she liked these jade and jewels from a young age, but never wore them, just secretly admired them. The small box is what I bought for her after meeting her, seeing that she liked them, and she always collected them. She often said these would be left for her daughters-in-law in the future.
Now, I represent her in giving them to her granddaughter-in-law, Jiao Jiao. Keep them well. Oh yes, you see there's a hidden compartment on the side, take it out and see if it looks ordinary? This is an old antique, a family heirloom of the Zhang Family. This necklace signifies the eldest branch's direct-line eldest daughter-in-law, passed down for who knows how many generations. It's said that the Zhang Family's rise is attributed to the first wife of the Zhang Family, and after the old lady passed, she left word that this necklace can only be passed to the eldest branch's direct-line daughter-in-law as the head of the family.
In ancient times, it was like a clan wife; take good care of it. Your step-grandmother always wanted it; I told her then it was impossible, family rules. According to ancient etiquette, she is a secondary wife. Hehe, she got angry for a long time over this. Our Zhang Family, if nothing else, upholds rules.
Now you put it on and never take it off. The Zhang Family will know your identity upon seeing it, and no one will dare to underestimate you. If Guoqing ever wrongs you in the future, just take this necklace and find your clan uncles, and he'll be expelled from the family."
Zhou Jiao quickly put it on, saying to Mr. Zhang, "Then I'll put it on now, thank you, Grandpa." Whatever the case, the old man's intentions moved her deeply.
Zhang Guoqing laughed and coaxed, "Oh my, Grandpa, don't you care for your precious grandson? How come all the good stuff went to her? With this Imperial Sword around, won't your grandson be at her beck and call in the future?"
The old grandfather laughed heartily, and with such a diversion, the sadness momentarily dissipated.
Zhang Guoqing continued joking and sharing amusing and funny things he experienced as a child, trying to compensate for the regret of not having the old man around while growing up.
People outside could also hear the laughter inside. Zhang Guoqing, noticing that the grandfather was not in great spirits and had been talking for so long, guessed he was tired and suggested, "Grandpa, you rest first; we'll stay at the old residence. I'll call for medical staff to check on you; rest assured in recuperating, your grandson will handle those matters."