Chapter 29: Grandmother

"Siyuan, did you come alone? It’s been quite a while since I last saw you."

Grandma held Siyuan’s hand, looking him over carefully. There seemed to be a glint in her eyes. Her hand was very thin, almost skin and bone, with prominent veins clearly visible.

"I'm sorry, Grandma. From now on... I'll come back to see you often," Siyuan said.

But as soon as the words left his lips, he realized how familiar they sounded. This was not the first time he had said such things.

"Why are you apologizing to your grandma?"

Grandma feigned annoyance and pulled him toward the house. "Grandma will get you something good to eat," she said.

She shuffled happily into the room and, from somewhere, produced a bag of small bread rolls.

Siyuan took them, looked at the packaging, and said, "Grandma, these have already expired."

"Expired, are they?"

Grandma looked at the large bag remaining in her hand and let out a deep sigh. "I’ve kept them for too long. I’m sorry," she apologized to Siyuan, looking truly guilty.

Siyuan suddenly felt a sting in his eyes. He fought back the emotion and said, "Grandma, what is there to apologize for? It’s not your fault. It’s my fault for not visiting for so long. I’m the one who should be saying sorry."

"Our Siyuan has grown up; he’s learned how to talk properly now," Grandma said with a smile.

"By the way, Grandma, Mom and Dad sent some things for you," Siyuan said quickly. He went to fetch the items he had placed on the back seat of his motorcycle.

"These are two old hens. They’ve already been cleaned and chopped into pieces. I’ll put them in the freezer for you. Remember to take them out to make soup; don't leave them in there for too long..."

"And these eggs, too. You must boil them and eat them. Don't be stingy. It’s hot now, and they spoil easily if left too long..."

"There's also this pair of shoes. Mom bought them for you..."

"This box of electric mosquito repellent—I’ll show you how to use it in a moment..."

"And this blood pressure medication. You must remember to take it every day. Don't you dare hide it or throw it away. You need to take care of your health. If I find out, I’ll be very angry..."

...

"My dear grandson."

"Yes?"

"You're so annoying. How come you’re just as long-winded as your parents?" Grandma said with a chuckle.

"You said I’ve grown up, right? When people grow up, they become talkative," Siyuan replied.

"Then you’d better not grow up. Grandma likes you the way you were when you were little," she said.

"No matter how old I get, I’m still your grandson."

Siyuan carried the items toward the refrigerator, intending to help her store them, only to discover that the fridge wasn't even plugged in. She was using it as a storage cabinet.

"Electricity is very expensive, and I don't really use it, so there's no need to waste that money," Grandma said, sounding quite justified.

"How much could it possibly cost? It’s not that much," Siyuan said, feeling quite helpless.

"Even so, you shouldn't spend money recklessly. You need to save it. You haven't even taken a wife yet. Speaking of which, your mother has arranged so many introductions for you—is there really not one you fancy?"

"Grandma, can we not talk about this?"

"I don't want to talk about it either, but I’m anxious! Don't be so picky. Tell me, what kind of girl are you looking for?"

Grandma held onto Siyuan’s hand, as if she were afraid he would fly away the moment she let go.

"Grandma, I’m really not being picky. I’m just looking for someone I find pleasing," Siyuan said.

"And you call that not picky? That’s the hardest kind to find."

"Heh, Grandma, you really know a lot."

"I’m not trying to pressure you, but I’m getting old. I don't know if I’ll live to see the day you take a wife. Just thinking about it makes it hard for me to rest in peace..."

*You call this not pressuring me? This is some heavy-duty pressure.*

"Grandma, you’re in good health. You’ll definitely live to see that day."

"I know my own body. Do you think you know it better than I do?"

"I understand. I’ll find a girlfriend as soon as possible and bring her back for you to see," Siyuan promised, patting his chest helplessly.

"My dear grandson, don't lie to your grandma."

"Come now, when have I ever lied to you?"

"Mm, Grandma believes you."

...

"My dear grandson, how many days are you staying home this time?"

"I’m heading back tomorrow afternoon."

"Is the time that tight?"

"I can't help it; I have to go to work on Monday."

"Then stay here with me tonight, and go back tomorrow afternoon."

"I can't. Mom set me up on a date, and she wants me to go meet her tomorrow morning."

"Ah, yes, right..." As soon as the subject of a date came up, Grandma was immediately energized.

"In that case, I won't keep you tonight. It’s the middle of summer, and it’s not as convenient here as it is at your place. Go back and freshen up, change into a nice set of clothes..."

"The clothes I have on now are fine."

Siyuan spent a long time chatting with his grandmother and took the opportunity to teach her how to use her phone.

His father had bought her a phone designed for seniors—it had a loud volume, a long battery life, and was simple to operate. His father had claimed that Grandma didn't want to learn and couldn't grasp it, but that wasn't true at all.

As Siyuan taught her, she was all smiles, clearly delighted. She tinkered with it over and over, asking questions repeatedly...

"Press this to answer the phone. I’ll call you when I have time..."

"When this battery shape at the top becomes empty, remember to charge it..."

"Did you memorize my number? If you miss me, just give me a call. I have plenty of time; anytime is fine..."

"Won't that disturb your work?"

"No, a single phone call won't get in the way."

"That’s good. But how can I see you through the phone?"

"Oh? Grandma, you even know about video calls?" Siyuan was a bit surprised.

"I heard Guizhi talking about it. She often video calls her son, Taotao."

Guizhi, whom Grandma mentioned, was a neighbor in the village whose son and daughter-in-law worked away, taking their child with them. They often video-called her, though she was only slightly older than Siyuan’s mother.

"This phone won't work for that. You need a phone that can handle video calls."

"Then why didn't your father buy me one of those?" Grandma said, sounding a bit angry.

*Uh...* Siyuan didn't know how to explain. She struggled enough with a basic senior phone, let alone a smartphone.

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

"It's alright, I suppose."

"Look at how stingy your father is. He just doesn't want to spend the money on me. I don't know why he earns so much money anyway. One should spend money where it's needed," Grandma complained.

*You weren't saying that just a moment ago.*

"Grandma, I’ll buy you one next time I come back."

"Why waste money on that? Just have your father buy it for me. Keep your own money for yourself."

"Alright. I’ll talk to him when I get home tonight."

Siyuan stayed at his grandmother’s house until dusk before leaving on his motorcycle.

It wasn't that Siyuan wanted to leave, but Grandma was urging him to go. Even though she couldn't bear to part with him, she was afraid it wouldn't be safe for him to travel at night.

Before he left, she forcibly shoved a hundred-yuan note into his pocket, refusing to take it back.

Siyuan couldn't win against her, so he accepted it, planning to have his father return it to her next time he visited.

"When you see that girl tomorrow, take her to town and buy something good to eat," she said.

"I know. I’m off now."

Siyuan revved the throttle and headed back the way he came.

After riding a short distance, he stopped the motorcycle and looked back. He saw his grandmother following him from a distance, having already walked out of the village entrance.

Her eyesight was poor, and at this distance, she couldn't see clearly, yet she still raised her arm and waved.