Lin Ziming had been listening the whole way and had become more curious about what Grandpa Xia was holding.
Of course, he didn't ask either, as it was his grandfather's private matter.
Grandpa Xia was very satisfied after taking a look at the rented place.
"Not bad, not bad at all. This place is perfect for recuperation. Look at this big group of older brothers and sisters. They'll definitely have plenty of company. Plus, the neighborhood is quiet."
"I'm glad you like it. Dazhuang went to a lot of trouble to find this neighborhood for you. It's mostly for retirees, the environment is nice, and most people have the same schedule as you, so the neighbors upstairs and downstairs won't disturb your rest."
Xia Ran helped Grandpa Xia into the house, and Lin Ziming followed last.
The house's decor and environment are indeed quite nice.
"Grandpa, you need to take good care of yourself during this time. This hospitalization is a warning your body is giving you."
Lin Ziming put the things down and said to Grandpa Xia.
Grandpa Xia replied nonchalantly, "This hospitalization was just an accident. Actually, I'm usually in pretty good health."
If he hadn't gone to get something from the top of the cabinet that day, he wouldn't have fallen. If he hadn't fallen, he wouldn't have needed to be hospitalized, and he would be perfectly healthy.
"What do you mean, 'can'?" Xia Ran said seriously. "You have to take good care of yourself this time. Look at you, you've been to the hospital several times recently because of this. If you don't rest properly, I don't think you'll ever have any health left."
Xia Ran originally wanted to warn Grandpa Xia to take good care of his health, but as she spoke, her eyes reddened.
This stems from self-blame and guilt.
Grandpa used to be in pretty good health. Apart from the annual full-body check-up, he never had to go to the hospital all year round, and he never even had a minor illness like a cold or fever.
But what about during this time? I've been to the hospital so many times in a row.
It all started when his affair with Gu Zheng was discovered, and his grandfather was so angry that he was hospitalized. Although his grandfather said it was an accident, Xia Ran still felt that it was all because of that.
"Why are your eyes getting red all of a sudden, my child?" Grandpa Xia looked at Xia Ran with a mixture of heartache and helplessness.
"I've already said it was an accident, it was an accident. You guys are just worrying unnecessarily. Okay, okay, Grandpa promises you, I'll take good care of myself after this and there won't be another hospitalization accident like this, okay?"
Lin Ziming: "Alright, Xia Ran, Grandpa is fine now, so don't worry about it and make him worry about you."
Xia Ran composed herself before replying.
"I'm fine, I'm just a little worried. Okay, let me pack my things and then I'll go see if there's a market or supermarket nearby so I can buy some groceries and cook. Ziming, you'll have to try my cooking later."
"It's an honor," Lin Ziming replied. "However, I'm afraid you'll have to cook for one more person, as I'm going to pick someone up later."
"Oh?" Xia Ran asked curiously, "Who is Brother Ziming?"
"Is she your girlfriend?" Grandpa Xia asked, also being nosy.
“It’s not my girlfriend, Grandpa, don’t make wild guesses.” Lin Ziming said helplessly. “It’s my dad. He’s back from abroad and will be here soon, so I need to pick him up. But Grandpa, would you mind if my dad came over? If you would, I’ll take him to the hotel.”
That's right, Lin Ziming's father has returned. Thinking about the phone call he received today, his eyes were filled with helplessness.
He knew his father was coming back, but they said they needed to make arrangements first and find a time to return. After all, given his father's status, it would be somewhat dangerous for him to return if he were discovered.
His dad initially agreed readily, but unexpectedly changed his mind and came back on his own. He only had someone call him after he boarded the plane.
"What are you saying, child?" Grandpa Xia was a little surprised, but he didn't mind. "Now that you're going to acknowledge me as your grandfather, it's only right that your father and I meet. But I'm not prepared at all, just afraid that I might be impolite."
"That's right, Brother Ziming. We definitely don't mind Uncle coming. On the contrary, we are very happy. It's just that we were caught off guard and we're afraid we might mistreat Uncle."
Xia Ran was also afraid that Lin Ziming would misunderstand them, so she quickly explained.
Hearing what the two said, Lin Ziming was finally less worried.
"I'm glad you don't mind. You don't need to prepare anything. My dad is very easygoing, and I guarantee he'll be very happy to see you. Your welcoming him is the best preparation you can give him."
Lin Ziming: "Okay, I'll pick him up later."
“Okay, then I’ll prepare more dishes as a welcome feast for Uncle,” Xia Ran said.
While Xia Ran and the others were discussing what dishes to eat, He Xiu arrived at the hospital only to find that Xia Ran and the others had already been discharged.
He rubbed his temples, which were throbbing a little. He hadn't paid much attention to this area these past few days because of his mood, and he even took leave from work because he was afraid that being in the hospital would affect his mood.
If it weren't for Lin Yi's phone call just now, he would still be resting at home.
He and Lin Yi were clearly not familiar with each other, but he was still persuaded by Lin Yi. He himself couldn't even tell whether he agreed not to help his childhood rival Gu Zheng, or because of the conditions Lin Yi offered.
But he didn't expect that it was too late when he arrived; Xia Ran and the others had already left the hospital.
He Xiu subconsciously took out his phone to send a message to Da Zhuang. In his mind, Da Zhuang knew everything about Xia Ran.
However, when he couldn't find the person's contact information in his address book, he suddenly remembered that he had blocked the person that day.
He Xiu sighed and sent a message to Lin Yi.
The person has been discharged from the hospital and cannot be found.
In fact, He Xiu felt that it was pointless for him to come to Xia Ran, because he had already said everything he needed to say, and Xia Ran's attitude towards Gu Zheng was still the same.
However, he could do the task of finding out about the relationship between Xia Ran and Lin Ziming.
Based on his observation, Lin Ziming and Xia Ran's relationship was probably not the kind they thought it was.
Around noon, Lin Ziming went to pick up his father, saying that he would buy groceries and other groceries on his way back, so that Xia Ran didn't need to go out and could just stay home with her grandfather.
They said that Grandpa Xia had just been discharged from the hospital and needed someone by his side.
Xia Ran couldn't refuse Lin Ziming's reason at all, so she could only stay at home to chat with her grandfather and tidy up her things.
"Xiao Ran, do you think Xiao Chen will cry if he can't find us at the hospital today?"
When Xia Ran, who was mopping the floor, heard this, he paused for a moment, but only for a moment. He quickly resumed mopping as if nothing had happened and then answered Grandpa Xia's question.
“If he cries, someone will comfort him. It’s good to let him get used to it. We can’t watch over him every day in the future.”
Grandpa Xia had already thought about the issue he mentioned, but after thinking about it for a long time, he still didn't tell the child about his impending discharge from the hospital.
Although it was cruel, he had no other choice.
How could Grandpa Xia not see Xia Ran's feelings at this moment? Xia Ran's love for Gu Chen was no less than his love for Xia Ran.
"Xiao Ran, if you really can't bear to part with the child, just tell him. Don't suppress your feelings. Grandpa doesn't want to see you unhappy."
These days he watches TV in the hospital every day and sees many children with depression. Every time he sees them, he feels extremely sad.
He was afraid that Xia Ran would also become...
"Grandpa, don't worry, I'm really fine. I'm an adult now, I know what I should and shouldn't do, so please don't worry, okay?"
Xia Ran looked up at Grandpa Xia.
Grandpa Xia: "Xiao Ran, Grandpa is getting old and can't accompany you for long. Don't worry about what Grandpa thinks. Your own thoughts are the most important."
Xia Ran: "Grandpa, let me tell you this too. Your thoughts are my thoughts. You've raised me with so much care and effort. If I don't even care about your feelings, then can I still be considered your grandson?"
After saying that, Xia Ran took the mop and went into the kitchen, which was also a way of avoiding the topic of her grandfather.
Grandpa Xia sighed heavily. How could he not know that his grandson, whom he had raised himself, had not been happy for a single day since Xia Ran and Gu Zheng divorced?
Xia Ran's mood only improves slightly when her child occasionally spends time with her.
While this old man was certainly important to Xia Ran, there were some feelings and joys that he couldn't provide.
Xia Ran, sitting in the kitchen, just stared blankly at the floor, his mind filled with what his grandfather had just said to him.
Wasn't he happy enough? Otherwise, why would Grandpa have said those things?
But he's always smiling, so how could he make people unhappy? How could that be?
Xia Ran touched the corner of her mouth with her hand. There was clearly an upward curve here, wasn't there?
Chapter 361 Dazed
Xia Ran suddenly felt a little dazed. He suddenly remembered that he hadn't been able to smile lately.
But isn't a raised corner of the mouth a smile? Why can Grandpa always tell that he's unhappy?
"Xiao Ran? What are you thinking about? Why are you spacing out?"
Grandpa Xia's voice rang out from the kitchen doorway, and Xia Ran instantly snapped back to reality.
He pursed his lips, a slight smile playing on his lips, and turned to look at Grandpa Xia, saying...
"Huh? Grandpa, you were calling me just now. I wasn't thinking about anything. I was just wondering when Ming-ge would be back."
"And his father is here too. I don't know what dishes to make, or what Grandpa, what is Ziming's father here for? I heard Ziming say before that his father lives abroad all year round."
After Xia Ran finished speaking, he lowered his head and continued mopping the floor, not letting his grandfather see what he was thinking.
Actually, he wasn't thinking anything of it; he was just afraid that Grandpa Xia would notice something.
Grandpa Xia watched Xia Ran's retreating figure and sighed silently in his heart.
He could tell perfectly well that Xia Ran's blank stare wasn't because of Lin Ziming and his son, but Xia Ran simply didn't want to talk about it, so he could only pretend he didn't know.
"This time, he probably came back to retire. Ziming said before that his father had wanted to come back to retire for a long time, but he hadn't come back because he didn't know anyone here. Now, he's probably back to help Ziming and us recognize our relatives."
"For this dish, just make some of your signature dishes. Didn't Ziming say his dad isn't a picky eater? As long as we put our heart into it, that's enough."
"Okay, okay, I understand. Grandpa, you should go sit down and not stand for so long. You need to take care of your health," Xia Ran replied.
"Okay." Grandpa Xia replied and turned to walk towards the living room.
When Xia Ran had almost finished tidying up the house, Lin Ziming returned with his father.
Xia Ran opened the door.
Looking at the tall man in front of her who looked to be only in his early thirties, Xia Ran was somewhat surprised and subconsciously said,
"Brother Ziming, how come your dad looks so young?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Lin immediately burst into laughter, saying with a cheerful smile,
"You must be Xiaoran? I'm Ziming's father. You can just call me Uncle. I hope my sudden visit hasn't caused you any disturbance?"
"No, no." Xia Ran quickly shook her head. "We welcome you very much, Uncle. Please come in quickly. My grandfather has been waiting for you for a long time."
"Yes, yes, let's go see the old man first." Upon hearing about the old man, Mr. Lin immediately entered the living room, looking rather anxious.
Xia Ran simply thought that Lin's father was just being hospitable and enthusiastic, and didn't think much of it.
On the contrary, Lin Ziming couldn't help but feel a headache when he saw his father like this.
Won't his father's actions give him away? At that point, let alone secretly taking care of him, we won't even be able to see his face.