Chapter 24

“Why did you bring so many things? Your mother already brought a lot last time, and we couldn’t even finish them.” Grandma was happy to see the two sisters but couldn’t help but comment when she saw them carrying bags of items.

“That was from my mom. These are from us, as a token of respect for you.” Lin Nanxuan walked over, gently holding Grandma Lin’s hand and acting playfully, making her laugh with joy.

“Oh, Grandma, this is a wheelchair for you. Try it out.” Lin Nanzhi opened the large box that their cousin had carried over and took out a wheelchair.

Grandma Lin had never seen a wheelchair before, but Grandpa Lin had.

He had thought about buying one for his wife, but when he went to the city to check, they were too expensive—completely unaffordable. Seeing that Lin Nanzhi and Lin Nanxuan had brought one over, he wasn’t particularly happy; instead, he disapproved. “Why waste money on a wheelchair? Those are really expensive.”

“It’s fine. It wasn’t expensive.”

Lin Nanzhi pushed the wheelchair forward, and with the help of their uncle and grandfather, they carefully placed Grandma Lin onto it. The wheelchair was automatic and easy to control, making it much more convenient. Grandma Lin was delighted.

She had always felt guilty for relying on Grandpa Lin to take care of her every day. With a wheelchair, at least she could move around the house and get things by herself without troubling others.

“Grandpa, my mom asked us to bring you and Grandma to our place for a few days.”

“Go where? Your grandma can’t sit in a car.”

“It’s okay. I brought motion sickness medicine. She won’t feel sick after taking it. Just come for a few days.”

Hearing Lin Nanzhi say this, Grandpa Lin hesitated. Their eldest uncle also helped persuade them, and finally, the elderly couple agreed. The family started packing their things for the trip.

Lin Nanzhi and Lin Nanxuan, carrying their bags, decided to visit some relatives.

Since they were already there, they had to at least visit their eldest and second aunts’ families.

They brought two boxes of milk, a pack of tea leaves, some pastries, and fruit—quite a lot. The two of them took a shortcut to their relatives’ homes.

Coincidentally, both sisters had married into the same village, both marrying members of the Si family. Their homes were right across from each other. They first went to their second aunt’s house, dropped off the gifts, exchanged a few polite words, and then headed to their eldest aunt’s house.

The eldest aunt wasn’t home, only their cousin was there. They left the gifts and quickly left, ensuring they didn’t waste time.

When they returned to their grandmother’s house, they found that the packing was done. They quickly took the gifts meant for their eldest uncle’s family and then prepared to leave. If they didn’t leave soon, it would be dark.

Their eldest uncle carried Grandma Lin on his back, while their eldest cousin carried the wheelchair. Lin Nanxuan and Lin Nanzhi followed behind. After saying goodbye to their aunt and other family members, they all walked to the roadside to wait for their uncle, who was driving them.

Soon, the car arrived. Their eldest uncle placed Grandma Lin in the car, stored the wheelchair in the trunk, and helped Grandpa Lin sit in the middle. Lin Nanxuan sat in the back to take care of them, while Lin Nanzhi sat in the front seat.

As for the rest of the family, since Lin’s mother didn’t host a housewarming party and had already divorced Lin’s father, there was no need for everyone to go. The two elders could just visit for a while.

Grandma Lin hadn’t been out since she injured her leg. She drank the water Lin Nanzhi gave her and looked out the window, excitedly pointing out what had changed and what remained the same along the way.

Seeing that Grandma Lin wasn’t feeling carsick, Grandpa Lin was relieved and kept chatting with her.

Lin Nanzhi sat in the front seat, contacting another driver. When they reached the town, their eldest uncle helped them transfer to another car.

Lin Nanxuan paid the fare and left. Their eldest uncle didn’t say much, but after he got home, he noticed a pack of cigarettes and a red envelope with 200 yuan inside in the middle seat. This warmed his heart.

Lin Nanzhi sat in the front the entire time, listening to the three elders chat while she focused on the road.

The sun had already set. When they reached the highway entrance, Lin Nanzhi told the driver, “Sir, please keep going.”

She had already told him it was a private hire and had paid 100 yuan to take them to the village. The driver didn’t refuse and continued driving. After a few more minutes, Lin Nanzhi instructed, “Turn right here.”

“Miss, are there houses in this direction?”

“Yes, a new road has been built here, leading directly to the village. It’s much easier to travel now.”

Since she was a local, she must know better than him. The driver didn’t ask any further and turned in. The road was paved with asphalt and was quite wide, lined with pine trees on both sides. There was only one road, so the driver didn’t need further directions.

The route was slightly winding, but the turns weren’t too sharp, making the drive relatively easy. However, there was a long downhill section where he had to use the brakes more frequently.

“Sir, after crossing the bridge, stop at the first house.”

“Got it.”

Since it was getting dark, every household had turned on their lights. The Lin family’s house was particularly bright and easy to spot. The driver quickly reached the entrance, parked the car, and even helped carry Grandma Lin down and place her in the wheelchair.

Lin Nanzhi paid him and gave an extra 50 yuan as a thank-you. The driver, seeing how grand the house was, assumed they were well-off and accepted the tip without hesitation before driving away.

“We’re already here?”

“My goodness, is this your home?”

Grandpa Lin was confused.

Ever since Grandma Lin’s injury, he hadn’t traveled far. The furthest he had been was the town to buy essentials. It had been years since he visited his younger daughter’s house. But he clearly remembered that her home used to be an old mud house. Now…

How much money would a house like this cost?!

Grandma Lin was also shocked but quickly accepted it.

After all, she hadn’t left home in years and didn’t know how much things had changed. During the ride, she had seen many places transformed. Seeing the Lin family’s house just surprised her for a moment, but she thought it looked beautiful and didn’t dwell on it.

She assumed most houses in the village were similar now.

“Yes, our family earned some money and built a new house. Let’s go inside. Mom should be back soon.”

Lin Nanzhi pushed the wheelchair forward.

Lin Nanxuan went ahead to open the gate and lowered the footrest.

Although the housewarming party was scheduled for tomorrow, the Lin family had already moved some things into the new house today. Lin’s mother felt that, since she never truly had a home, there was no need for a big celebration. Just moving in was enough.

Besides, the old house wasn’t suitable for the elderly, so they arranged for the grandparents to stay in the new house.

The new house had a surrounding wall. Since a road was built near the entrance, the main gate was installed on the side under the sunroom. Lin Nanzhi had also considered the house’s elevation—it was built on a raised foundation to prevent moisture. The entrance was higher than the ground, so stairs were necessary.

When designing the house, Lin Nanzhi anticipated this issue and had a metal ramp installed at the entrance, making it easier for wheelchairs and electric scooters to enter.

All they had to do was press a switch to lower the ramp.

Lin Nanxuan lowered it, and Lin Nanzhi pushed Grandma Lin inside. The two elders looked at the house, feeling genuinely happy for Lin’s mother.

Having a home of her own, she no longer had to worry about anything.