Chapter 109: True Feelings

“Zhenhe, Grandma has fainted. Come and take a look,” Teng Yongfa supported Hao Lianchun and called out to Wang Zhenhe.

“Comrade, I’ll take Grandma away first. If something happens, you’ll have to handle it yourself,” Teng Yongfa said.

Wang Zhenhe glared at him and then carried Grandma off the stage, gradually disappearing from the sight of the onlookers.

Wang Zhenhe had visited Grandma’s house once when he first arrived in the city, so he knew the exact location. Following Teng Yongfa, they hurried back to Grandma’s house, where she regained consciousness on the way. Seeing that it was Wang Zhenhe carrying her back, she felt particularly reassured.

After laying Grandma on the kang, Wang Zhenhe wiped her face. “Auntie, how are you feeling now? If you’re uncomfortable anywhere, let me know, and we’ll go to the hospital.”

Hao Lianchun shook her head wearily. “Zhenhe, how did you get involved in this today?”

Wang Zhenhe explained the situation of the five of them returning home. “Auntie, what do you think? If you’re able to move, I’ll carry you back. At least there will be someone to take care of you at home. I’m worried about leaving you here alone. Those people won’t dare to harm you. I’ve told them that I’ll take you back to recuperate. We can come back here once you’re better.”

At the most helpless times, people often long for the presence of a loved one. Although Grandma was elderly, she knew that it was not the time to be strong, so she readily agreed to Wang Zhenhe’s suggestion.

“Lao Teng, take them out to buy some things. You’ll come back here for lunch, and while you’re at it, get some things for me. I’ll take care of Grandma at home. We’ll go back home after lunch,” Wang Zhenhe said to Lao Teng.

After discussing with Lao Teng, Wang Zhenhe stayed behind to cook and take care of the elderly at home. After lunch, he packed a bag for Grandma and carried her to the station to catch a train back home.

Hao Lianchun had endured a beating in the morning and rushed to the countryside in the afternoon. However, due to her age, she fainted upon getting off the car. Wang Zhenhe quickly took her to the medical center. Ye Zhiqiu, upon seeing Grandma’s condition, sighed deeply. “Zhenhe, what happened? Elderly people can’t endure such turmoil.”

As someone familiar with the family, Wang Zhenhe explained.

“It’s really crazy. Grandma has bruises on her body. When you get home, you should tend to her. I’ll bring some anti-inflammatory medicine. I’ll give Grandma an injection first, and then let her rest. If she doesn’t feel well, you can contact me.”

Ye Zhiqiu could only offer his heartfelt sympathy and medical care to Grandma. There was little else he could do to help.

Meanwhile, Wang Qian was alone at home, and she was surprised to see Wang Zhenhe returning at this time, especially with someone on his back.

“Grandma? Dad? What exactly happened?”

Helping Wang Zhenhe settle Grandma on the kang, Hao Lianchun’s face was pale and her lips were dry and cracked.

Wang Zhenhe held his youngest daughter for a while before recounting the events. “Dad, will those people come looking for us again?” Wang Qian asked, feeling concerned.

Wang Zhenhe shook his head. “They probably won’t. They won’t have the time to come looking for us. You didn’t see all those people on stage. Besides, your Grandma was injured by them. I even managed to get a little leverage on them today, so I doubt they’ll come looking for us.”

Wang Qian was genuinely curious about the excuse Wang Zhenhe had used to leave the other party speechless.

“Sweetheart, that person didn’t have any official credentials. How do you think my excuse was?” Wang Zhenhe said, even admiring his own resourcefulness. “By the way, these are some snacks I bought for you. Have some now, and save the rest for when your siblings come back.”

Wang Zhenhe took out a packet of biscuits and candies from the bag on the kang. Wang Qian only took a piece of candy and put it in her mouth, leaving the biscuits for when everyone else returned.

“Dad, is Grandma okay? Why isn’t she speaking?”

Hao Lianchun on the kang had already fallen into a deep sleep, her once pale face now looking even more gaunt.

“Wang Qian, your Grandma has probably been through a lot these past few days, and her mental state is a bit unstable. Uncle Ye gave her a calming injection, so it’s probably nothing serious. She just has some injuries. Remember to give her the medicine tonight, and also apply some alcohol to the bruises,” Wang Zhenhe said, fearing that he might forget in the midst of his busyness, so he asked his youngest daughter to help him remember.

In the afternoon, when Zuo He returned from school and saw Grandma lying on the kang, tears welled up in his eyes. “Grandma, what happened to you? Who hurt you? I’ll make Grandpa avenge you,” he said.

The bond between the grandmother and grandson was deep, and seeing Hao Lianchun in this state made the young boy feel extremely distressed, causing tears to stream down his face.

Grandma, who had already woken up, lovingly caressed her grandson, using her dry hands to wipe away his tears.

“Zuo He, my dear grandson, don’t cry. Grandma is feeling much better now. I was really afraid I wouldn’t see you all today,” Grandma said.

Mingcheng and the others gathered around Grandma, showing their concern. They hadn’t expected Grandma’s condition to change so drastically in just a few days.

“Grandma, you can stay and recuperate at our home. No one will dare to bully you. My older brother, Zuo He, and I will protect you.” Mingyuan said.

Mingyuan shook the slingshot in his hand, showing Grandma his determination not to be afraid.

At that moment, Hao Lianchun felt truly fortunate to have met such a family. They didn’t look down on her because of her background; instead, they went out of their way to protect her. Meeting these people was truly a stroke of luck in her misfortune, and she was grateful to have them to rely on.

“Mingyuan, Grandma wants to thank you. From now on, Grandma will rely on you to protect her,” Grandma said, affectionately patting Mingyuan’s thick, short hair. It had been some time since she had seen them, and all the children had grown, especially Zuo He, who had become stronger despite darkening a bit. His once thin face was now plump.

“How are you, old lady?” Zuo Zhanshan, who had been called back by Wang Zhenhe, called out from the kitchen before entering the house.

He had been both anxious and worried on his way back, unsure of his wife’s condition. Although Wang Zhenhe had briefed him, he couldn’t help but worry, fearing that his nephew was just trying to comfort him.

Upon hearing her husband’s voice, Hao Lianchun tried to get up, but Zuo Zhanshan held her back.

The old man, with red eyes, looked at his wife’s haggard and emaciated face. Despite always considering himself a tough guy, he couldn’t help but shed tears.

“My dear, you’ve suffered so much!” The long-suffering couple held each other’s hands tightly, gazing at each other. Wang Qian quietly led the children beside her, and the sensible siblings slipped off the kang and went to the next room to talk.

When the elderly couple were alone, tears flowed uncontrollably. After all they had been through, they were grateful to still be together.

“My dear, you have no idea how weak my legs felt when I came back. I was afraid you would leave me. We’ve suffered so much over the years, and after finally finding happiness in our liberated life, you can’t leave me. We’re still waiting for our grandson to find a wife. We both need to take care of ourselves,” the old man said, his voice choked with emotion, as he held his wife’s hand. He felt a pang in his heart as he touched his wife, who had become so thin.

“Old man, I’m fine. But today, I’m really grateful to have Zhenhe. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know what would have happened. But it’s so good to see you,” the couple, who had endured so much, nestled together, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

Old Wu, who had followed them, took a glance through the window but didn’t enter. It was rare for the elderly couple to be together, so he didn’t want to disturb them. He decided to wait until after dinner to talk to them.

“Zhenhe, come here. I need to talk to you,” Old Wu called Wang Zhenhe, who was busy in the yard, into the house.

He recounted how they had arrived there, what had happened that night, and how they had gone to confront Zhu Jianshe. “Zhenhe, I’m telling you this not to cause trouble, but you need to be clear about your family. We didn’t expect things to turn out this way. We can’t confirm whether your mother said it intentionally or unintentionally. You know better. Fortunately, Zhang Lan is okay. If something had happened, your family would have been in chaos. I don’t know what kind of people your family is dealing with. They’re really not trustworthy.”

Old Wu, as an outsider, felt it was best not to say much more. He chose to tell Wang Zhenhe about the incident to prevent any unfavorable rumors from spreading. Since he was present at the scene, he felt it was necessary to clarify things for Zhang Lan.

The news left Wang Zhenhe feeling bewildered. He never imagined that such an incident would occur just a few days after leaving home, especially with his mother involved. He didn’t know whether to consider it unlucky or fortunate. Once a rural woman’s reputation is tarnished, it becomes very difficult to establish oneself there, and he was well aware of the severity of the situation.

After steadying his emotions, he looked at Wu Changyong and said, “Uncle, thank you. I’m grateful that you were there. Otherwise, I don’t know how my wife and children would have been affected. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Wang Zhenhe didn’t say much more, and the old man didn’t ask. After all, he was the head of the household, and there were certain matters he had to handle himself. It wouldn’t be appropriate for others to intervene, and it might even cause more trouble. As long as his nephew had a clear understanding of the situation, that was enough.

When Zhang Lan returned from work and saw the condition of Grandma in the house, she also shed tears. She genuinely liked the unassuming old lady and was shocked to see her in such a state.

Wiping away her tears, Zhang Lan said, “Auntie, just stay here and rest. I’ll go cook for you. Uncle, please keep her company.”

Zhang Lan then went to the neighbor’s house to buy twenty eggs. Hao Lianchun’s health was not good, and the household’s resources were insufficient to properly care for her.