Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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Ji Yan was amused by Tang Tang’s expression.
“You’re still laughing!” Tang Tang stomped her foot, thinking this man was utterly wicked. He was usually so serious and cold, even children were afraid of him, and the soldiers were afraid of him too, but he was especially mean at times like this.
“Okay, okay, I won’t laugh anymore, let’s talk business, come sit down.” If he teased her any longer, she would really get angry, so Ji Yan quickly tried to appease her.
Tang Tang snorted, wrinkled her nose, and walked over to sit on a chair, determined not to sit on the bed, afraid he would do something else.
Ji Yan dared not tease her any further, and took her hand, asking, “Why did you come here? Where are the children?”
Tang Tang paused, then answered softly, “The children are taking a nap at home. I was worried about you, so I came to check on them.”
Ji Yan raised an eyebrow, immediately knowing that Tang Tang had something she hadn’t told him. Given Tang Tang’s caution and how much she cared for the children, she wouldn’t have come over so easily, leaving the two children sleeping alone at home. So, she must have found someone to take care of the children. But who was it that she wasn’t telling him directly?
“Tang Tang, is there anyone else at home?”
Tang Tang sighed inwardly, knowing that she couldn’t hide anything from him. Unconsciously, she twisted her fingers like Ji Xiaozhuo when she was nervous before guiltily saying, “I… when I went back just now, I saw Grandpa, and then…”
Ji Yan was stunned, not expecting this answer.
Tang Tang didn’t know what was going on between him and Grandpa Ji. He had never mentioned it to her. Seeing that he wasn’t speaking, she felt very uneasy. While observing his expression, she explained, “Grandpa came when you were in the emergency room and didn’t leave until you were out of danger. Then he came to watch over you every morning. He didn’t eat well, he didn’t sleep well, and he has lost a lot of weight. When I took Xiao Zhuo back, I saw Grandpa’s car. Grandpa was resting in the car. The guard said that the old man didn’t want to go home. I felt a little sorry for such an old man, so I took Grandpa back to eat something.”
“Let him take a rest while you’re at it.”
Ji Yan’s face was expressionless, and he didn’t speak, leaving Tang Tang unable to guess his thoughts. She suddenly felt a little uneasy, and squeezed his fingers, asking, “Honey, did I do something wrong? Don’t stay silent, tell me if I did something wrong.”
Ji Yan pursed his lips and slowly shook his head. “No, you didn’t do anything wrong. I just didn’t expect Grandpa to be here too.”
Seeing that he wasn’t angry, Tang Tang hesitated and said, “Actually, Grandpa has been here the whole time. No matter how much we tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t go back. Honey, I feel like Grandpa seems to care about you a lot.”
Ji Yan pursed his lips tightly and remained silent for a long time, his emotions unreadable.
Just when Tang Tang thought he wouldn’t speak again, he suddenly said, “Tang Tang, call Grandpa to the ward tonight.”
“Huh?” Tang Tang was startled. “Honey, you mean, have Grandpa come see you?”
“Yes.” Ji Yan responded calmly, stroking her hand as he slowly said, “Go ahead and call him. Let Xiao Zhuo call him. Grandpa loves Xiao Zhuo, he’ll definitely come.”
Tang Tang was even more surprised now. “Honey, how do you know Xiao Zhuo can call him? Xiao Zhuo said—” Didn’t Xiao Zhuo say his dad didn’t know about his relationship with his great-grandfather? He even told her to keep it a secret.
What’s going on?
Ji Yan chuckled softly. “Didn’t that little guy tell you to keep it a secret, not to let me know he’s in contact with Grandpa?”
Tang Tang blinked at him. How did he know?
Ji Yan chuckled, recalling how Ji Xiaozhuo had kept it a secret from him. “Actually, I knew he and Grandpa sometimes secretly met. That little guy thought he was hiding it so well. Several times, the smell of KFC was practically overflowing from his mouth, but he still insisted on keeping it from me. Even a fool could guess. I just pretended not to know.”
Tang Tang then realized where the little guy had slipped up. It turned out the big fox had known all along but was just pretending not to, while the little fox thought he was doing a great job. It seemed the little fox was still a bit too naive.
However, Tang Tang still didn’t quite understand. “Honey, so you don’t actually object to Grandpa and Xiao Zhuo seeing each other, but how come you two are in this kind of relationship now? I really don’t understand.”
“It’s a long story,” Ji Yan sighed softly. “I’ll tell you everything when we get home, okay?”
“Okay, we’ll talk about it later.” Tang Tang knew this wasn’t a good place to discuss private matters, so she changed the subject to the more important issue at hand. “Honey, I’ll really call Grandpa over, but when he arrives, please greet him first. Grandpa seems quite concerned about his image, so please bear with it and let the old man have his way.”
Grandpa was unlikely to take the initiative to acknowledge him.
Ji Yan smiled and pinched her cheek. “Looks like you’ve already grasped Grandpa’s temperament.”
Tang Tang nodded knowingly and immediately imitated Grandpa Ji’s mannerisms, keeping a straight face, hands behind her back, and giving a curt “hmm.”
“You imitated him very well.” Ji Yan was amused by her imitation.
“That’s because Grandpa had that same expression the whole time, haha.”
“Grandpa might not like you right now, don’t take it to heart. He’ll change his mind once he sees how good you are. Grandpa isn’t blind to people.”
Tang Tang knew he was comforting her, and afraid she’d be unhappy because of Grandpa’s attitude, she rubbed his big hand against her face. “Of course I didn’t take it to heart. After all, Grandpa doesn’t know anything about me, so it’s understandable that he doesn’t like me. This just shows that Grandpa cares about you. If he didn’t care, why would he care what kind of wife you married?”
Ji Yan’s smile faded, and he gave a soft “hmm.”
Grandpa did indeed love him very much. From when he was a baby who didn’t understand anything, Grandpa had been taking care of him. He taught him to speak, walk, eat, study, and so on, all by hand. He remembered that when he was little, Grandpa would often carry him on his shoulders and take him to see tanks, shooting ranges, aircraft carriers, and everything he liked. Even though he didn’t have the love of parents, he was still very happy.
It was Grandpa who raised him step by step, leading him to experience the wonders of this world.
But then….
Ji Yan closed his eyes, his throat tightening as he recalled the past.
He had almost died this time, nearly thinking he wouldn’t make it. In that dying moment, besides thinking of Tang Tang and Xiao Zhuo, there was one other person he couldn’t let go of: his grandfather. As his life slipped away, he truly regretted not reconciling with his grandfather sooner, regretted his stubbornness in holding onto the resentment in his heart. Compared to the grandfather who raised him, what did those stubborn resentments matter?
People often only see things clearly when they almost lose them.
Fortunately, he still had a chance to make amends.
Ji Yan opened his eyes again, a relieved smile on his face. “Tang Tang, try to convince Grandpa to come over for dinner tonight. It’ll be a simple family meal, and after dinner, let him stay overnight so he can get a good rest and recharge.”
“Okay.” Tang Tang could see the relief in his eyes and was very happy for him. There was no reason for her to refuse. “Honey, tell me what Grandpa likes to eat, and I’ll cook it for him tonight. Let’s make a big meal for the whole family.”
Ji Yan naturally knew what Grandpa liked to eat; no one knew better than him. “Grandpa’s favorite foods are actually quite simple. He’s from the north and likes wheat-based foods, especially big white steamed buns. If you steam a couple of authentic steamed buns for him, he’ll definitely love them. He really dislikes the steamed buns sold outside, thinking they don’t taste authentic and are full of additives.”
“Just that simple?” Tang Tang thought the old man would have high standards, but it turned out he just liked steamed buns?
“It’s that simple. Make him some braised pig’s trotters too, he’ll be even happier.” Most people would assume that someone of the old man’s status would crave delicacies, but actually, his tastes were quite simple.
“Really? Nothing else?” Seeing Ji Yan stop talking, Tang Tang urged him to continue, feeling that this was all too simple.
Ji Yan squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, really nothing. You can leave the rest to Ji Xiaozhuo. With Ji Xiaozhuo around, Grandpa will definitely be happy.”
Tang Tang recalled how doting Grandpa was on Ji Xiaozhuo and realized she really didn’t need to worry. With that charming little one around, Grandpa wouldn’t be unhappy.
It seemed she only needed to focus on cooking.
Given how important tonight’s dinner was, Tang Tang immediately started thinking about what to prepare. After deciding, she hurriedly went to the market to buy ingredients.
However, before leaving, Tang Tang specifically told Sun Yi not to eat at the cafeteria that night, but to eat something delicious with them.
Sun Yi, who would normally be polite, immediately forgot all about politeness after tasting Tang Tang’s cooking and readily nodded, deeply moved.
Although he often got teased by this couple, he’d rather endure the public displays of affection than miss out on Ji Yan’s wife’s delicious cooking.
Next time he went on a blind date, he hoped to meet a girl who could cook.
When Tang Tang rushed back carrying bags of groceries, Grandpa Ji was indeed still there, sitting on the sofa playing with the two children, Ji Xiaozhuo and Wen Nuo. The two children were assembling models together, while Grandpa Ji watched with a smile, occasionally offering a few words of guidance.
The guard was nowhere to be seen; no one knew where he had gone.
Seeing Tang Tang return, Ji Xiaozhuo immediately climbed off the sofa and rushed towards her, giving her a big hug. “Mommy, you’re back!”
Wen Nuo also stopped playing with the models, climbed off the sofa, and ran to Tang Tang, hugging and nuzzling her like a sweet little rabbit.
Tang Tang gave each of them a kiss, holding up the bags in her hands to show them. “Mommy’s back to make dinner! Look, Mommy bought so much delicious food!”
“Wow— there’s beef, there’s a big pig’s trotter! Mommy, are you making so much delicious food tonight?” Ji Xiaozhuo, like his father, was a carnivore, his eyes lighting up at the sight of meat.
Tang Tang glanced at Grandpa Ji and noticed he was looking in her direction. A smile flickered in her eyes as she playfully pinched Ji Xiaozhuo’s nose and deliberately said loudly, “Dad just said he wanted us to go to the hospital with him tonight to have dinner with him. He gets bored eating alone, so Mom bought a lot of groceries.”
“Okay! We’ll go eat with Dad for every meal from now on, so he won’t be bored.” Except when he was arguing with his dad about Mom and found him annoying, the little guy was usually very filial.
However, as soon as Ji Xiaozhuo finished speaking, he turned his head and saw his great-grandfather still sitting on the sofa, staring straight ahead. He immediately exclaimed, “Ah!” If they went to the hospital with Dad, what about his great-grandfather? No one would be there to keep him company.
“Mom, what about Great-grandfather? Can we take him with us?” Ji Xiaozhuo’s eyes darted around, and he asked loudly, glancing at his great-grandfather out of the corner of his eye.
Tang Tang immediately saw through Ji Xiaozhuo’s little scheme and couldn’t help but praise him in her heart. Her baby was so smart; they had thought of the same thing before she even said anything.
So she immediately chimed in, “Of course we can bring Great-Grandpa! If Great-Grandpa is willing to come along, we can go see Dad with him and then have dinner together. Dad will definitely be happy.”
Ji Xiaozhuo’s eyes lit up, and he turned to look at Grandpa Ji, asking expectantly, “Great-Grandpa, are you coming with us to see Dad?”
Grandpa Ji’s face darkened, and he firmly refused in a stern voice, “I’m not going. I don’t need anyone to accompany me. I’ll leave in a bit.”
Ji Xiaozhuo frowned and immediately rushed over to hug him. The little boy pounced on the old man, making him stumble backward and almost fall. But the old man wasn’t angry at all; his first reaction was to hold the little boy tightly to prevent him from falling. He sternly scolded, “A man should be steady! What kind of behavior is this, so impulsive and reckless!”
Ji Xiaozhuo wasn’t afraid of his grandfather’s cold face at all. He lifted his chubby leg and straddled his lap, hugging his neck and complaining, “Great-Grandpa, you’ve only just arrived and you’re already leaving? You haven’t even had a meal with me!”
Grandpa Ji frowned and remained silent.
Ji Xiaozhuo shook his neck and persisted, “Great-Grandpa, please come with us to see Dad! If you don’t come, I definitely won’t be able to eat. If I can’t eat, I’ll get thin, and if I get thin, I won’t be handsome anymore. I’ve worked so hard to grow up to be this handsome!”
To make his words more convincing, Ji Xiaozhuo blinked his big eyes and asked the two women in the family, “Mom, Nuo Nuo, do you think I’m right?”
“…” Tang Tang forced a smile and nodded.
Nuo Nuo nodded without hesitation, her eyes full of conviction. Tang Tang thought that this girl had probably been brainwashed by the clever Ji Xiaozhuo.
A hint of a smile flickered in Grandpa Ji’s eyes as he patted the back of his head. “Alright, alright, you’re too talkative. If you’re not handsome, blame it on your great-grandfather. I can’t take that responsibility. So, I’ll have dinner with you tonight, but I’m here to keep you company, not to see your dad. What’s so great about seeing your dad?”
Ji Xiaozhu blinked and nodded, agreeing, “Of course! My dad isn’t as handsome as me. Great-grandfather definitely likes me more than my dad, right?”
Grandpa Ji paused, his expression a little stiff, then nodded.
Tang Tang suppressed a laugh and quickly went into the kitchen. It wouldn’t be good to laugh in front of the grandfather and grandson. She realized that the old man was just a stubborn old man with a soft heart. He complained a lot, but he didn’t really mean it. It was kind of cute.
Tang Tang worked quickly, steaming buns and cooking dishes while simultaneously simmering soup in a pot. In just over an hour, she had prepared a sumptuous dinner.
On the way to the hospital, Ji Xiaozhuo held his grandfather’s hand the whole way. Tang Tang noticed that the closer the old man got to Ji Yan’s ward, the straighter his back became, and the tighter his face tensed. It didn’t look like he was going to see someone, but rather like he was about to hit someone. At first glance, it was quite frightening; even a timid child could cry. However, Tang Tang guessed that the old man was probably quite uncomfortable at the moment. To save face for the old man, she deliberately stepped into the ward ahead of him and said loudly, “Honey, Grandpa is here! Xiao Zhuo really wanted to eat with Grandpa, so I dragged him along. Xiao Zhuo is really so inconsiderate.”
Ji Xiaozhuo sighed silently in his heart. It wasn’t easy for him to make his father and great-grandfather reconcile. Ji Yan looked at his grandfather, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. His posture was still straight, and his face was still serious, but he had really lost a lot of weight, and his face looked older than he remembered. In the past, his grandfather was a big tree that supported him, but now, his grandfather really looked like an old man in his twilight years.
Grandpa’s gotten old.
When did he get old?
Ji Yan’s eyes suddenly stung, and his voice trembled slightly. For the first time in many years, he called out to him, “Grandpa~”
Grandpa Ji froze, almost thinking that the call had been a hallucination.
Only when Ji Yan called him again did he finally believe that the word “Grandpa” was real.
He hadn’t heard those two words in so many years; the last time he heard them was when Ji Yan was fifteen. He thought he’d never hear the brat call him “Grandpa” again.
Grandpa Ji’s hand trembled, and he quickly turned his head away, hiding his expression. Tang Tang, however, noticed the old man’s slightly red eyes and knew he didn’t want anyone to see this side of him. So she immediately placed the food she had brought on the table and called out to everyone, “Come on, come on, I made a lot of dishes today, everyone eat more! Xiao Zhuo and Nuo Nuo, go wash your hands in the bathroom and eat.”
By the time Tang Tang handed the bowls and chopsticks to Grandpa Ji, the old man had returned to his usual expression, still stern-faced, only showing kindness to the two children, seemingly no different from before.
But Tang Tang believed that wasn’t the case; Grandpa just needed time.
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