Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  Grandma held Ji Buwang with one hand and Mu Jingzhe with the other. After nagging them for a long time, she mentioned Ji Buwang’s maternal grandfather.

  “I can’t be the only one to see her. Your Grandpa has to see her too. He’ll like her as well. Oh right, where’s your Grandpa? Why is he never around…” She shouted for her eldest son and asked him to look for his father. She said that Buwang had returned with his wife-to-be, but as she spoke, her mind gained clarity.

  “That’s not right. Buwang, how can you get married? When I heard them say that you wanted to get married, I thought that it was fake news. Aren’t you still a small child? Your parents…”

  Grandma paused as she spoke. “Your parents… are dead. I remember now. Your parents are dead… and I will die soon too.”

  Perhaps because she had suddenly remembered all this, Grandma fainted after saying that. Ji Buwang felt very upset when he saw her like this.

  However, his uncle skillfully covered her with a blanket. “It’s fine. The doctor said that falling asleep is good for her health and that she doesn’t get too agitated that way. This happens when she occasionally thinks of your mother or your maternal grandfather.

  “By the time she wakes up, she’s forgotten again. She’s been like this for the past six months. She rarely has a clear mind. Let her bask in the sun and get some fresh air. The doctor said that this is good for her health.”

  Although basking in the sun was good for her health, they didn’t let her do this in the end because the weather was too stuffy and hot.

  His Eldest Uncle felt very helpless. “In the past, it wasn’t so hot here. It wasn’t this bad. I don’t know why it started getting hot two days ago. It’s stuffy as well. This heat is abnormal. We’re just looking forward to it raining soon.”

  The New Year had just passed, but it was already very stuffy and hot, making one feel vexed.

  “It will.”

  Ji Buwang and Mu Jingzhe kept Grandma company. Seeing his white-haired maternal grandmother like this made them feel quite upset.

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  He was even a little worried. He was a few years older than Jingzhe. Perhaps he would be the one to leave Jingzhe first in the future.

  But if he left, would Jingzhe feel as terrible as his maternal grandmother felt now? The person left behind was actually in great agony, so if possible, Ji Buwang hoped that he would be the person to leave second.

  But wouldn’t this mean that Jingzhe’s lifespan would have to be much shorter?

  Ji Buwang was conflicted. While no one was paying attention, he secretly held Mu Jingzhe’s hand and made up his mind. He hoped they would die on the same day, month, and year.

  “It’s rare for you to take the initiative to hold my hand. What are you thinking?” Mu Jingzhe was curious.

  “I’m thinking about the future. I don’t want you to be a lonely old lady, so I’ll have to die on the same day, month, and year as you. Are you willing to do that?”

  “Die on the same day, month, and year as you? Do you think I’m your sworn brother?” Mu Jingzhe laughed. “Even if you die early, I won’t be like your maternal grandmother. I will find handsome old men, dance with them, and have lots of fun.”

  Modern plaza dancing even included the romantic duet dance.

  Ji Buwang hadn’t expected Mu Jingzhe to answer like this. This one sentence managed to make him explode. “Handsome old men? Can anyone be more handsome than me? Even when I’m old, I’ll still be the most handsome man. After having a taste of a handsome old man like me, how could you possibly fall for other men?”

  When Mu Jingzhe heard him call himself a handsome old man, she started to laugh uncontrollably. Ji Buwang laughed as well.

  Because it was so stuffy and hot, her hands started sweating after a while. However, Ji Buwang didn’t let go. Upon seeing Mu Jingzhe fan herself again, he also fanned her with his hand. “I’ll make a fan for you when we get back.”

  “You know how to make one?”

  “I do. It’s just a fan, right? Isn’t that simple? I’ll make one for you to fan yourself later,” Ji Buwang promised.

  The two of them sat beside Grandma and chatted with her as they waited for the sun to set.

  They all knew that, given Grandma’s age and health, this might be their last time with her.

  The sun soon set and there was no longer any light, but it was still stuffy and hot. Grandma didn’t wake up either. Eldest Uncle pushed her back to let her sleep some more and asked Ji Buwang and Mu Jingzhe to go eat.

  After the meal, they were covered in sweat. Grandma had woken up by then as well. Eldest Aunt skillfully fed her mother-in-law while Ji Buwang and Mu Jingzhe watched from the side.

  Grandma actually finished an entire bowl of rice. Eldest Aunt clicked her tongue in wonder. “Looks like Grandma is really happy. She doesn’t usually eat so much.”

  “Grandma, you have to eat just as much in the future,” Ji Buwang said.

  Grandma woke up again after hearing Ji Buwang’s words. “I won’t be able to eat again. This is my last meal. That’s why I ate so much.”

  Upon hearing these inauspicious words, Ji Buwang was just about to retort when Grandma reached out and held his hand tightly. “What a coincidence that you’re here too, Buwang. I can rest assured now. I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Ji Buwang was glad that he had come. “I’ll come see you again when I have time.”

  However, Grandma didn’t seem to hear him. She only looked at the empty roof and said, “They kept urging me to leave, but I didn’t listen. I had to wait for you. It’s good that you’re here. Let’s go together. If Grandma brings you along, you won’t be afraid.”

  “Mom, where are you taking Buwang? Can we come?” Eldest Aunt, who was listening from the side, couldn’t help but tease her.

  “It’s not time for you guys yet. It will just be me and Buwang. Buwang, hold my hand and don’t let go. Don’t be afraid…” Grandma held Ji Buwang’s hand and didn’t let go. When she saw Mu Jingzhe, she suddenly said, “Poor child… What are you going to do in the future… Don’t marry Buwang. You’ll cry… You’ll cry…”

  Grandma’s words were baffling and strange. For some reason, Mu Jingzhe felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze.

  Eldest Aunt knew that Mu Jingzhe and Ji Buwang were getting married, so these words weren’t auspicious. She quickly stood up and said, “She’s just saying that brides cry when they get married. She didn’t mean anything else by it. She’s so muddle-headed that she didn’t finish her sentence. Let her rest. Her mind isn’t completely clear.”

  Actually, Grandma’s mind was clear. It even felt like her mind was the clearest at that moment. Otherwise, her eyes wouldn’t be so bright.

  Grandma grabbed Ji Buwang’s hand very tightly. It took a lot of effort for Eldest Aunt to pull Ji Buwang’s hand out of Grandma’s grasp. Ignoring her struggle, she pushed Ji Buwang and Mu Jingzhe out. “Let’s go. Let’s go out.”

  When Grandma saw that Ji Buwang was about to leave, she got anxious. She even shouted that she wanted to leave with him, but her attention was quickly diverted and Ji Buwang and Mu Jingzhe were pulled outside.

  “Don’t mind your grandmother’s words. She’s like this all the time. She is not very clear-headed.”

  His Eldest Uncle explained, “After you go with me to offer incense to Grandpa tomorrow morning, you should go back. Grandma has seen you two, so it’s fine. Preparing for your wedding is more important.”

  After saying that, Eldest Uncle realized that he didn’t sound very nice and quickly explained, “I’m not chasing you guys away. It’s… It’s because the wedding is more important.”

  “I know.” Ji Buwang smiled…… “We originally planned to go back tomorrow anyway.”