"Nonsense," Su Hai scolded with a stern face. "Who says you havenāt been filial? Youāve made so many delicious things for the old man and often come to see him."
"I havenāt come often enough; I should have moved into the courtyard already." Not being able to properly fulfill her duties as a granddaughter has become a thorn in her side.
"Youāre married; how could you possibly move back? And ever since he recognized you, the old man has been happy every day, even when he hits me he does it with more vigor than usual. Youāre his pride."
"Really?"
"Of course!" Su Hai nodded seriously, "He scolds me every day for being unpromising, saying youāre his most cherished child, and the future of the Su Family depends on you."
Sheng Ning didnāt believe it at all, "Youāre going to be the President in the future; how could you lack promise?" That would be like a Governor in ancient times. The union is all under his control; heās more formidable than anyone else, isnāt he!
Su Hai intentionally widened his eyes, "Then when I become President, Iāll treat you to a meal to thank you for your kind words now."
"Okay!" Sheng Ning nodded. "You must treat me to that meal at the General Union Courtyard."
"Alright!"
The two of them chatted casually, and the atmosphere improved a little. In the afternoon, the old man briefly woke up. As soon as he woke up, he asked for Ningning, which made Sheng Ning want to cry but afraid of upsetting the old man.
"Ningning!"
"Whereās my Ningning!"
"I... whereās my granddaughter? Is... is someone trying to take her from me?" The old manās mouth was already crooked on one side, and his speech was unclear; as soon as he started to say long sentences, he became unintelligible.
"Iām here, grandpa, Iām here!" Sheng Ning held the old manās hand, wanting to squeeze but afraid of hurting him.
"Are you crying?" The old man lay on the bed, his eyes already cloudy and unable to see clearly, the world in front of him blurred, but he knew this was his granddaughter.
"How can you cry?"
"I... Iām not crying," Sheng Ning forced a smile. "Grandpa, as long as I see you, Iām very happy."
"What am I going to do if I die soon?"
"You wonāt die, grandpa, donāt talk nonsense."
"Ningning... since when did you become such a crybaby? You used to... never shed a tear."
Sheng Ning wiped her eyes, denying it, "No, I didnāt."
"Right, how could my granddaughter be a crybaby!" The old man was so exhausted. He had opened his eyes to talk to Sheng Ning. Later, realizing he couldnāt see anything even with his eyes open, he simply closed them.
"Ningning, after grandpa is gone, you must take care of yourself, donāt be sad, donāt be upset."
"Mm! I will," Sheng Ning tried to make her voice sound a bit happier, but tears silently rolled down her cheeks.
"Iām going to meet your grandma; sheāll surely be very happy." The old man let out a long sigh, as if it took all his strength, making him appear lifeless.
"Grandpa, I canāt bear to let you go."
"I canāt bear to leave you either. Once Iām gone, whoāll support you?" The old man paused, hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Your big uncle is the pillar of our family. He can do it."
Sheng Ning held the old manās hand, unable to stop crying. The old manās demeanor made her for the first time feel the fragility and helplessness of life. It also made her understand that not all lives are at peace.
"Whereās your big uncle?"
"Grandpa... big uncle hasnāt come back yet, he... he is on an important mission, weāve already notified him, heāll be back soon."