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When Chen Guoqiang returned home from work, he overheard his wife murmuring about Grandpa Chen arranging a job for their son. “Husband, do you think dad is being a bit…”
Zhang Jiuhong wanted to use the phrase “returning to the light,” but thought better of it and refrained from saying it.
Shaking his head, Chen Guoqiang replied, “Don’t speak nonsense. Dad will be fine. If you don’t want anything to happen to our son, you better pray. Xu’er has a deep bond with my parents. I’m worried that if anything happens to Grandpa, our son will be devastated.”
Upon hearing her husband’s words, Zhang Jiuhong couldn’t help but shudder. Their eldest son, who had such a bright future ahead of him, must not face any troubles. Perhaps they had neglected him in those years, failing to foster a warm relationship. Although they called him, it was always formal, lacking the natural warmth between parents and son. It felt more like encountering a stranger on the street.
Zhang Jiuhong had long desired to repair this relationship, but her efforts had been in vain. Chen Xu was their own flesh and blood, yet he always seemed to defy them, running off to his grandfather’s place without consideration for the trouble it might cause. How could they handle this situation? With two other children to consider, they had to prioritize their future. Thus, the couple made the tough decision to cut off contact with their son. Despite her heartache for the child, choices had to be made.
Seeing his wife lost in thought, Chen Guoqiang knew she was thinking about their son. This matter remained a scar in their hearts, reopening to pain whenever touched, yet there seemed no way to heal it.
“Jiuhong, let’s not interfere with them in the future. My father’s days are numbered. In a way, Dad hasn’t wronged us. He helped raise our children, and our son is close to him. Let’s not worsen the situation any further. I used to be angry too. Our son endured a lot with dad. Even if he gave up the house, it was for our son. Looking back, we neglected their feelings.
We really didn’t treat our parents well back then. Today, I’ve been thinking about it all day at work. While the circumstances were challenging, we were indeed too harsh. We couldn’t do much overtly, but can’t we make things right behind the scenes? Perhaps we lacked empathy. Last night before bed, I remembered our childhood. My parents raised us, which wasn’t easy. We seemed to have forgotten our roots…”
Before Grandpa Chen could intervene, Chen Guoqiang had already begun reflecting on their actions. The way their son treated them was indeed painful. Their only child to attend a prestigious university seemed like a stranger. When did their child drift so far from them? He reflected on past events, realizing that since they distanced themselves from his dad, their son had grown increasingly distant from them. Communication had dwindled, and their once close relationship had been lost.
Chen Guoqiang felt this was a form of retribution, a consequence of his own lack of filial piety towards his parents, with his son now seemingly retaliating against them.
Trembling slightly, Zhang Jiuhong asked, “Dear, what should we do? Xu’er must not face any trouble. He’s like flesh and blood to me. No matter what issues lie between us, we cannot let anything happen to our child.”
Sighing, Chen Guoqiang replied, “Jiuhong, tonight take the kids to see their grandfather. Encourage them to bond with their older brother. Xu’er is a determined person; they can learn a lot from him. Thinking about my father’s situation, I truly hope our three children won’t end up like us, constantly bickering for their own interests. If our family ends up like that in our old age, I’d rather pass away sooner. Now I understand what my father must have felt.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiuhong couldn’t argue. Her colleagues often boasted about their proud children, but she couldn’t do the same. She didn’t know what her children were up to daily, what they needed. Even calling her “mom” lacked affection. Her heart was heavy with sorrow.
“I’ll prepare some delicious food for Dad tonight. You can take it over and bring some extra for our son. He must be very worried about his grandfather’s illness,” Chen Guoqiang suggested.
That evening, when Chen Guoqiang visited during his shift change, he witnessed his son bonding closely with his grandfather. The children from the Wang family were also there.
Chen Guoqiang’s demeanor was notably more positive than before, a stark contrast to their previous interactions.
“Hey, Xuan, all of you are here. Grandpa Chen hasn’t been feeling well lately. Whenever you have time, come and keep him company. He cares for all of you, so it would be nice to prevent boredom during his hospital stay,” Chen Guoqiang suggested warmly.
For the first time, Wang Xuan found Chen Guoqiang endearing, speaking so gently and amiably. She replied with a smile, “Second Uncle, don’t worry. Once we finish our tasks, we’ll come to keep Grandpa company.”
Chen Guoqiang’s unexpected reaction even surprised Wang Qian. Before Grandpa Chen could intervene, his son’s attitude seemed to have shifted. Was it a change of heart or was there a hidden agenda?
Glancing at Chen Xu, he too was perplexed. His father’s behavior seemed unusual today. While Chen Guoqiang had always maintained a respectful front towards his father, today’s kindness was unprecedented, especially towards Wang Xuan and the others. In the eyes of the chen siblings, the two children from the Wang family were seen as freeloaders, taking advantage of Grandpa Chen’s generosity. Despite Grandpa Chen’s explanations, they remained skeptical.
“Xu’er, have your meal first. Your mom made your favorite braised pork. Dad, considering your stomach, she prepared something light for you along with a soup. Let me feed you first,” Chen Guoqiang suggested.
He inquired if the Wang siblings had eaten yet. Mingcheng smiled and replied, “Second Uncle, we’ve already eaten. You go ahead and enjoy your meal first. We’ll head back soon.”
Although not fully understanding why his son had shown such a significant change in attitude, Grandpa Chen appreciated the scene before him.
Not one to refuse his son’s filial care, he enjoyed Chen Guoqiang feeding him while Chen Xu enjoyed the braised pork his mother had prepared. Reflecting on how wonderful it would be if his mother continued being this supportive.
The atmosphere in the hospital room became warmer, but tension rose among the eldest son’s house. Upon hearing her husband offer money for Grandpa Chen’s treatment, Shi Wenting grew uneasy. Her husband’s sudden change in attitude puzzled her. His absence for one evening seemed to have caused this shift, leaving her perplexed.
“Husband, what’s this about? Weren’t the second and third sons to planning to handle it? Can’t we wait and see? Besides, dad hasn’t decided who gets the house yet. He has money for treatment. Why rush? Our son’s wedding doesn’t come free. If you take all the money, how will we manage the wedding?”
Chen Guochao felt uncomfortable with the recurrence of the old topic. “Listen, let’s not bring up these matters again. That’s my biological father. The decision about his’s house is his to make. Let’s stop arguing about this. My parents have suffered their whole lives. Can’t we let them enjoy some peace in their later years? Don’t bring this up again.”
His abrupt change in tone surprised Shi Wenting. Her husband usually didn’t involve himself in household matters, so why now?
“Husband, what’s gotten into you? Weren’t we on the same page before? You agreed to give the house for our son’s wedding. Why the sudden change?” she questioned.
Chen Guochao sighed, “Wife, I also had a change of heart. What are we really striving for in life? We should set an example for our children. Do you want our children to fight over our inheritance when we’re older?”
Shi Wenting coldly chuckled at her husband’s words. “Our children won’t turn out like that. Rest assured, with us around, they won’t become like that. They are filial children. Besides, what’s wrong with asking your father for the house? He hasn’t done much for our children. If he gives the house, it’s a contribution to his grandchildren, isn’t it?”
Chen Guofu’s eyes narrowed as he confronted his wife’s erroneous statements. “Shi Wenting, have some conscience. Don’t talk nonsense. My father hasn’t done anything for our children? Let me remind you, how did our eldest son secure his job? Don’t think I don’t know about that. You claim your elder brother helped, absurd! Given his track record, even his own son couldn’t find a good job. It was only through my encounter with their factory manager, who turned out to be my father’s student, that our son got that opportunity. They even mentioned it was a favor based on my father’s reputation. You think I’m unaware? What goes around comes around. I want to accumulate some virtue for our descendants. So, spare me this topic in the future.”
While Chen Guofu typically kept family matters to himself, certain issues he held close. Once he spoke, not even Shi Wenting’s temper could sway him. Despite her usual antics, she knew Chen Guofu was resolute and unyielding, a quality she had come to understand over their years together.
Shi Wenting adopted a more subdued tone this time, “Husband, if you’re really going to use the money, consider our financial situation. What about our son’s wedding plans? We can’t delay that.”
Chen Guofu glared at her, “Stop meddling with the family’s house. My own father is ill. Am I supposed to turn a blind eye? You’re not afraid our son might learn that behavior from you? Spare me the chatter. Tomorrow, you will withdraw the money for his treatment. Illness waits for no one.”