Mother Qi angrily returned to her own room, sat on the bed, and listened to the conversation outside. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, and she couldnât help but start to cry.
Qi Taiguo walked in and saw his elderly mother wiping her tears, her temples somewhat gray, and he couldnât help but feel a pang in his heart. However, he put on a smiling face.
"Mom."
Mother Qi glanced at him and said, "Why are you coming in here? Go outside and flatter your in-laws and wife!"
"Mom, what are you talking about? What flattery? Your son, am I that kind of person?" Qi Taiguo went over, put his arms around her shoulders, sat beside her, and smiled.
Mother Qi sneered, "I see youâre almost like your mother-in-lawâs son now, saying nice things one after another, isnât that flattery?"
"Mom, I donât agree with what you said. You know the saying âA son-in-law is like half a son.â Iâm her son-in-law; if I donât say nice things to my mother-in-law, am I supposed to say unpleasant things? How would that look to others? Wouldnât that imply you didnât teach me well? I canât bear to let others talk badly about my mom."
Qi Taiguoâs words hit the mark, making Mother Qi feel a bit better, and she said, "Naturally, my son is well-taught."
Qi Taiguo echoed her words and continued, "Besides, last year when you injured your leg and Cheng Su was having a baby, Mother-in-law left Father-in-law alone and stayed for half a year to help take care of Cheng Su and Xiao Qi instead of you. I am grateful for that, and those nice words are genuine. We must not forget kindness, donât you think?"
Mother Qi felt bittersweet again, looking at her leg, and said, "If it werenât for that accident, my leg would be fine, and I wouldnât need your mother-in-law to replace me. I would be more than willing to help take care of Xiao Qi."
"I know, I know, thatâs what Cheng Su and I always say," Qi Taiguo said. "They say the toughest time for a woman is right after sheâs had a baby when sheâs in confinement. If the mother-in-law doesnât come to help, the daughter-in-law will inevitably feel some resentment..."
Mother Qi hurriedly said, "You know itâs not that I didnât want to come, but..."
"Mom, donât rush, donât rush, we understand," Qi Taiguo soothed her. "Cheng Su said she doesnât blame you; it was all an accident. We know your intentions; no one blames you!"
Only then did Mother Qi settle down.
"Actually, after that accident, we all felt terrible, but fortunately you were okay. Mom, leg injuries are a serious matter, you shouldnât take it lightly. It may still be limping now, but if youâre not careful and overstrain it, it might turn into rheumatism later, what a trouble that would be. Imagine when it rains or snows, it would hurt. What would you do in the decades to come?" Qi Taiguo lifted her leg and gently massaged it.
Mother Qiâs face changed: "This, it wonât be, will it?"
"Anyway, itâs important to be careful. Mom, whether or not you take care of your grandson, heâs not going anywhere. If you canât manage, my mother-in-law can help, which actually makes things easier for you. When you have time, you can stay for a few days with Dad, and visiting him is just as good. Most importantly, you need to take care of your leg; once itâs fully healed, you can come and help later!" Qi Taiguo gently urged.
Mother Qiâs expression darkened: "Iâm getting old; who knows if my leg will fully recover? Itâs been so long, and Iâm still walking with a limp. If I become permanently lame, I canât help take care of the child!"
"Itâs okay. Like I said, if you canât take care of him, just visit when you have time. Your grandson will always call you Grandma, right?" Qi Taiguo said with a smile.
Mother Qi wanted to say that the child would be closer to whoever spends more time with him, but seeing her son sweetly coaxing her, she swallowed her words and felt bitterness in her heart.