Chapter 008: Grandma Gu Dabao

Four bowls—Xiaomei carried two lighter ones with side dishes, and Granny Wang carried two heavier ones with rice.

As they walked through the village, they greeted familiar faces. A few stopped to chat with Granny Wang, and naturally, the topic turned to Xiaomei’s maternal grandmother, Gu Dabao.

Granny Gu was no ordinary woman—she had given birth to three daughters and was a well-known figure in Tianjing Village.

She was a native of the village, and back in her youth, half the village’s land belonged to her family.

As the eldest daughter, her parents—who had her only brother later in life—spoiled their son. They decided to bring in a son-in-law for Gu Dabao.

At first, she was grateful, thinking it showed how much her parents loved her, unwilling to marry her off to hardship. But she later realized that wasn’t the case at all. Her parents treated her and her husband like laborers.

After a major argument, she followed her husband back to his family’s home.

There, she faced even harder times—two younger brothers-in-law, poverty, and nothing to their names.

They borrowed money to build a thatched house and, together with their two older daughters, worked tirelessly. Any extra money was used to buy land. She vowed to prove that, without her parents’ help, they could still live a good life.

By the time of the Liberation, they had saved up over 20 mu (acres) of land.

But because of that land, they were labeled rich peasants and endured hardships for decades.

Their only source of comfort was that their children were all hardworking and earned respect in the village.

Her husband passed away during the Three Difficult Years (1959–1961). The four children grew up and got married—the two eldest daughters married outside the village, while the son and youngest daughter stayed.

Now, she spent her days doing chores and caring for grandkids. Life was peaceful—until cancer struck.

The children, all filial, pooled money to take her to the big hospital in Su City, but it was pancreatic cancer—the “king of cancers.” The doctors had no solution. Today, she came home, not cured, but to spend her remaining days.

When Xiaomei arrived at her uncle’s house, the courtyard and rooms were filled with people.

Even her two aunts and uncles had come.

When her parents saw Xiaomei and Granny Wang, they quickly came to help, taking the bundles they carried.

Each bowl was wrapped in a small bundle.

“We brought some food,” Granny Wang instructed her daughter-in-law to put it in the kitchen.

Once Xiaomei’s mother left, Granny Wang asked her son, “What happened? Didn’t you say she’d be home this morning? Why so late? Where’s Xiaohua?”

Wang Peigen frowned. “Xiaohua’s with the uncle’s kids. She was supposed to be discharged in the morning, but there wasn’t enough money. The hospital wouldn’t issue discharge papers, so… we left secretly in the afternoon.”

He leaned in, making sure no one was around, and whispered, “She was discharged without paying the bill.”

“What?” Granny Wang was shocked. “Won’t the hospital come after you?”

“Her older brother got desperate,” he said, referring to Xiaomei’s uncle. “His family is completely broke. We three sisters pitched in, thought it was enough, but we were still short. He just returned the money and said if the hospital comes, let them take him to jail.”

“Does your mother-in-law know?”

“How could we dare tell her? If she finds out, her temper will flare up and she might drop dead right away,” he sighed. “So be careful what you say later.”

“I know. But this isn’t a long-term solution. Sooner or later, debt to the government brings consequences.”

“We’ll think about that later. For now, let her rest at home.”

“Alright. I’ll go see her now.” Granny Wang walked into the house.

Xiaomei’s uncle had two sons and built four rooms. The central room was the living room; east was the couple’s room. The west had a kitchen and a shared room for the boys. Grandma Gu lived in the westernmost room.

The house was still a mud-brick structure from decades ago. Originally three rooms, a fourth was added when the second son was born.

Inside were many people. Xiaomei was already sitting by her grandmother’s bed, holding her hand and wiping tears.

Xiaomei and her grandmother had always been close. Granny Gu adored her bright, well-behaved granddaughter.

Her own two sons were mischievous, and though her second daughter also had a daughter and loved her dearly, they lived far away.

Xiaomei came over almost daily since she could walk—she was the favorite.

Granny Wang stepped in and, upon seeing Gu Dabao’s appearance, burst into tears. Once strong and proud, Gu was now skin and bones. Her cheeks were sunken, eyes hollow, and lips tight over exposed teeth.

It was the look of someone nearing death.

Granny Wang wiped her tears and whispered into Gu’s ear, “Sister, I’m here to see you. You’re home now—rest easy. Your children are doing their best to help you. A peaceful heart helps the body. Tell the kids what you want to eat, and you’ll get better.”

Granny Gu was conscious but too weak to speak—she blinked in response.

Granny Wang gave money to the aunt. “Buy something nice for her to eat—don’t mind that it’s not much.”

She then turned to Xiaomei. “Sweet girl, don’t cry like that. It’ll make Grandma sad. Come, let’s go make something for her to eat.”

Xiaomei reluctantly let go of her grandmother’s hand.

Her mother and aunts gently persuaded her. Xiaomei stroked her grandmother’s face and said, “Grandma, I brought lots of vegetables and white rice—not the rough kind. It’s really delicious. I’ll go get some for you, wait for me.”

She finally got off the bed.

In the kitchen, her mother cried as she told Granny Wang, “Mom hasn’t been able to eat for days. The doctor gave her nutrient injections. Today, she said she wanted water chestnuts and eel, but we searched all of Su City and couldn’t find them…”

Granny Wang patted her. “I brought various dishes—let’s make some thin porridge with finely chopped vegetables and meat. If it’s slightly salty, maybe she’ll be able to drink a few spoonfuls.”

They did their best, but Gu could only sip two spoonfuls of broth.

Afterward, her father injected her with morphine. She soon fell into deep sleep.

Dinner for everyone else was porridge made from the rice Xiaomei brought, with some sweet potato chunks. Pickled veggies served as sides—just enough to get by.

They arranged a schedule to take turns watching over Gu.

Young folks had to work, so during the day, she was accompanied by her sisters-in-law, Granny Wang, her daughter-in-law’s mother, and her own younger sister. Xiaomei’s father, a barefoot doctor, came often to check on her. The younger kids stayed home in case they were needed.

At night, sons, daughters, and in-laws took turns. The women stayed in her room. The boys moved to the parents’ room, leaving their beds for the men taking the night shift.

Tonight, the night shift was handled by a younger uncle and his wife.

Once everything was arranged, people began heading home. After days in the hospital, the children were exhausted and needed a good night’s rest before returning to work.

In this kind of household, aside from working, you’d only see a little money at year-end bonuses.

Xiaomei wanted to stay with her grandmother, but she had something important to discuss with her grandmother, so she obediently left with her family.