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After enjoying a delicious meal, everyone was more than willing to be witnesses. The young man’s filial piety in buying the house for the elderly family members earned Cong Tao high praise from everyone. They admired him for his dedication, considering him much stronger than the eldest of the Zhang family.
During the meal, discussions turned to Zhang Wanyou’s future living arrangements and the house. Wang Qian brought up a piece of land she valued, intending to build a house for her grandfather there.
The former captain and the others examined the location and found it suitable. “Alright, you can build the house there. It’s a good distance from Zhou Ping and the others, ensuring the elderly couple won’t have to endure too much hardship. How many rooms do you plan to build? I’ll arrange for the foundation with the village committee,” the former captain suggested.
As Zhang Hua was about to mention three rooms, Wang Qian preempted her, saying, “Captain, we need at least six rooms. Three for my grandparents, and three for my younger uncle when he gets married. We should have six rooms, not counting the ones needed when my uncle has children.”
The former captain chuckled as he watched the young girl count on her fingers, finding her understanding of the situation quite amusing. Wang Qian had a sharp mind and a deep sense of consideration.
“Alright, I’ll handle the arrangements for you. When you need help, just let everyone know. Your grandfather and grandmother are well-respected in our community, known for their kindness. They’ll be more than happy to assist, especially with meals,” the former captain assured.
Amidst laughter, someone joked, “Captain, we may not be able to cook, but we can surely supervise the work. You’ll be the foreman when the construction starts.”
After enjoying a good meal and drinks with their neighbors, Mingcheng and the others bid farewell as everyone dispersed. Qu Cungen returned from the hospital with food, finding the place empty as everyone had left.
“Uncle, how is Grandpa? Can he eat now?” Wang Qian inquired.
Qu Cungen, swallowing a mouthful of food, replied, “Your grandfather is much better now. Knowing that the family matters are settling down, he’s relieved. He’s even able to use the restroom on his own now. He said not to visit, as he plans to leave the hospital tomorrow morning. Darling, stay here tonight with the children. They are still young, and you can keep an eye on them. Don’t let anyone bully them. I’ll be with our children.”
As Qu Cungen left, Wang Qian instructed her elder sister to pack some food to take back home. With their cousin and the elderly still outside, she wanted to ensure they had a good meal after a long day. Zhang Hua beamed as she watched her nieces work diligently, appreciating their thoughtfulness and consideration.
After the meal, the children were asked to rest on the kang (heated brick bed) for a while. Despite their exhaustion from the day’s activities, they eagerly anticipated the crabbing trip Wang Qian had promised. “Don’t forget to call us, Wang Qian. I’ll just take a short nap,” one of the children requested before resting.
Wang Qian glanced at the clock and found it still early. “Auntie, keep an eye on them. We’ll go crabbing when the tide is high later. I’ll rest for a bit. I’m really tired today,” she expressed.
Understanding the children had been on the move all day, Zhang Hua knew their endurance was remarkable. “Alright, I promise to wake you all up. You can rest for a while,” she assured them.
Mingcheng locked the courtyard gate before returning. Zhang Hua couldn’t help but appreciate her nephew’s responsible nature, noting his maturity in handling tasks efficiently.
Around 11:30 PM, Zhang Hua woke the sleeping children one by one. “Wake up, everyone. We’re going crabbing soon. Stay alert,” she announced.
The groggy children slowly rose, with the mention of crabbing finally jogging their memories about the pending crab-catching adventure.
Zhang Hua provided them with warm clothing before heading out. Their appearance was secondary to staying warm; the nighttime sea breeze was brisk and chilly, and she didn’t want the children to catch a cold.
Once they began crabbing, the children’s spirits lifted instantly. They eagerly scurried around, trying to catch crabs. Wang Qian took the opportunity to collect some, utilizing the available space as baskets wouldn’t be sufficient.
The next day, everyone slept in until late morning. By then, Zhang Wanyou had completed his discharge procedures and returned home. Seeing the row of little heads resting on the heated brick bed, he felt an indescribable sense of gratitude. Those seemingly unremarkable children had accomplished something extraordinary.
“Dad, how are you feeling? Are you tired? Let me cook for you.” Seeing her father looking much better, Zhang Hua felt relieved.
She prepared egg-drop soup and biscuits for her father to eat. With the children still asleep on the heated brick bed, she wasn’t in a rush to prepare a meal. There were plenty of crabs left in the bucket, enough for them to enjoy. After her father had eaten, she made a bowl of honey water for him to slowly sip. The honey water had worked wonders for her mother’s recovery, and it seemed to be doing the same for her father.
“Daughter, come over and have a bowl too. Don’t be too frugal with yourself. You can’t save that much from your mouth, find ways to earn instead. Drink the honey water your niece made for you. Your mother recovered with this. It’s better than medicine, right? I used to be reserved, but now I’ve changed my mind. Learn from your sister. Even though we’re not well-off, she never holds back when it comes to the children. She enjoys whatever good food is available. Don’t just focus on the children and your man; take care of yourself too. I don’t want to lose you,” her father advised, surprisingly opening up.
These words struck a chord with Zhang Hua. She had always put the family first, never considering herself. Now, even her father’s words made her realize the need to reflect on her own well-being. His rare advice made her pause and consider her own life and choices.
“Dad, I understand. I’ll make changes slowly. I used to think about saving every bit I could, especially with the children being young and our financial situation. Now, I see that I haven’t been living as well as my sister,” Zhang Hua responded, acknowledging the need for a shift in her mindset.
Zhang Wanyou sipped his honey water slowly and advised, “Daughter, it’s good not to waste, but it depends on the situation. Don’t neglect your health. Being healthy is important, but you also need to take care of yourself. Eat well, dress well. In a few years, you won’t be able to dress as you wish. You’ll soon be grandparents, and I’ve realized this now. Think about your mother and me. We toiled our whole lives to raise you. Let those two disobedient ones be. It’s better to have peace. Your mother and I still want to spend more time with you. Share your grievances with us.”
Hearing her grandfather’s words, Wang Qian, who had woken up on the heated brick bed, couldn’t help but sigh. Zhang Wanyou had truly had an epiphany.
“Grandpa, when did you come back? You didn’t wait for us to pick you up,” Wang Qian asked as she noticed her grandfather standing before her.
Seeing his lively granddaughter in front of him, Zhang Wanyou smiled contentedly. “Qianqian, I’m almost back to normal. You all did great yesterday. I feel relieved,” he expressed happily.
Observing the satisfaction on her grandfather’s face, Wang Qian felt a pang in her heart. Her grandparents had never asked for much, and they didn’t demand excessive filial piety. They simply wanted peace and respect, a wish that even Zhang Wei’s family couldn’t fulfill. It was no wonder her grandfather was so relieved when Zhou Ping was taken away.
“Grandpa, let me take you to see our new house site. You’ll live there in the future, away from those people. You and Grandma can live comfortably. I’ll have my mother fund it, and the house will be in her name. That way, my eldest uncle won’t have any excuses to cause trouble. You can relax and live there. You’ll still have to oversee the construction in the future,” Wang Qian reassured her grandfather, leading him outside to inspect the chosen house site.
The grandfather was pleased with the location. Positioned slightly higher, with a clear view and room for a vegetable garden and fruit trees, it was convenient and secure. The proximity to the sea and the ability to oversee everything in the village made it an ideal spot for him.
“Wang Qian, it’s indeed a good location. Once everything is approved, we’ll start construction. Have you discussed this with your parents?” Zhang Wanyou expressed concern, unsure if his son-in-law was aware of these plans. He worried that his granddaughter had made decisions without consulting her parents, potentially causing conflict between the couple.
Wang Qian smiled, “Grandpa, don’t worry. My parents agreed to build the house last time I mentioned it to them. This time, we’ll build a few more rooms. If Grandpa Wu and the others return, they can stay here. Look at this place – nestled between the mountains and facing the sea, it’s an excellent retreat. Let’s build a grand courtyard. You’ll understand why I’m doing this. We won’t cut corners this time; we’ll spend where necessary.”
By the seaside, it would become a sought-after tourist destination. Constructing a large courtyard was a wise investment for their future. Wang Qian saw this as an opportunity to plan their family’s future home strategically.
Zhang Wanyou, unaware of her hidden intentions, supported the idea of property investment. It would also serve as a sanctuary for his daughter in the future. He hoped that building this house would spare her from any future hardships.