"It's nothing, I just wanted to ask if you had some time. I was thinking of going shopping with you to buy some art supplies. Are you busy right now?"
"Yes, I'm shopping with my grandpa right now, so I'm afraid I can't come with you. I'm sorry."
"Oh, is that so? No problem, we'll meet up another time. You guys go ahead and shop, I won't bother you any longer."
"Okay." Xia Ran hung up the phone and noticed that her grandfather looked nervous beside her.
"Grandpa, what's wrong?"
"Xiao Ran, who was that person who called you just now? Why did they call you 'baby'?"
“He Hao called me to ask me to go buy paint, but his mother thought I was Feng Ming, so she called me ‘Zaizai’. Do you remember He Hao? He’s the family we had dinner with yesterday.”
Xia Ran was afraid that Grandpa Xia might not remember Feng Ming and the others, so she added another sentence.
However, what he didn't know was that Grandpa Xia had a very strong impression of Feng Ming's family, and it wasn't a very good impression.
Grandpa Xia was already very concerned about the Feng family's inexplicable kindness towards Xia Ran, as well as the "Feng" character on the longevity lock. Now that he suddenly learned that Feng Ming's mother called Xia Ran "zaizai," how could he not overthink it?
Grandpa Xia didn't want to suspect the Feng family at all, but he was also too concerned. What should he do if the Feng family really came looking for him?
Grandpa Xia's expression grew increasingly grim, which frightened Xia Ran.
"Grandpa, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Don't scare me, let's go to the hospital right now."
"It's alright, don't worry, Grandpa's fine. He's just a little thirsty. Weren't we going to the supermarket? Let's get something to drink first, and then we'll go shopping."
"Are you really alright?" Xia Ran was still worried.
To avoid Xia Ran discovering anything, Grandpa Xia tried to keep his expression calm and said,
"Actually, there's another thing. We've been away for so long, and we haven't checked the rent or utilities at home. Plus, we'll be spending Chinese New Year here this year. Don't you think that'll be a hassle?"
Xia Ran felt somewhat helpless upon hearing this, but at the same time, she felt much relieved.
"Grandpa, don't worry. They've already transferred the rent to me. As for the water and electricity bills, I told you I don't have time to collect them right now. We'll collect them when we get back, so don't worry."
"Okay, okay, I'm not worried. Let's go to the supermarket then."
"Grandpa, are you really alright? Don't lie to me." Xia Ran asked again.
Grandpa Xia: "It's really nothing. Would I not tell you if something happened to Grandpa? Don't worry, Grandpa values his life much more than you do. I still want to spend a few more years with you. I'll definitely tell you if anything happens."
Seeing Grandpa Xia's resolute expression, Xia Ran gradually believed that Grandpa Xia was alright, and took his hand to walk forward.
"Okay, okay, I believe you. Let's go to the supermarket."
"Yes, I'll go to the supermarket and buy some snacks and milk for the kids. I used to be so envious when I saw other kids begging their grandparents to buy them snacks. Now it seems like I can buy snacks for my great-grandson too. My little Chen is just too obedient and sensible. He's so obedient and sensible that he doesn't even eat snacks, which breaks my heart."
Xia Ran felt a lump in her throat when she heard this.
"Grandpa, tell me the truth, do you blame me for treating Gu Chen like my own child, but not being able to give you a biological great-grandson?"
"What kind of talk is this, child? If you treat Gu Chen as your own child, then he is my great-grandson. Let me tell you, don't overthink it. Grandpa has come to terms with it now. If you want to remarry Gu Zheng, Grandpa will agree."
Xia Ran paused, "Grandpa, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for? I'm your grandfather." Grandpa Xia said with a smile. In reality, he sighed inwardly. He knew that Xia Ran couldn't let go of Gu Zheng. He had seen the changes in Xia Ran every day after she came back from seeing Gu Zheng.
Xia Ran smiled and didn't bring up the topic again. The two bought a lot of things at the supermarket: snacks for Gu Chen, vegetables for their usual meals, and even two hoodies for Xia Ran and Lin Ziming bought by Grandpa Xia.
Grandpa Xia already considers Lin Ziming as family, so he will think of buying things for Lin Ziming that Xia Ran has.
Xia Ran noticed this detail and couldn't help but think of Lin Ziming and the others' purpose in approaching her grandfather. After hesitating for a long time, she still didn't say anything.
Forget it, let's ask Ziming first.
It was already afternoon when they got home. Although they took a taxi, their legs were still a little sore.
Grandpa Xia looked about the same age as Xia Ran, and even seemed more tired due to his advanced age.
Xia Ran went to the bathroom and filled a basin with hot water for Grandpa Xia to soak his feet. While massaging his legs, she said...
"I told you not to shop for so long, but you wouldn't listen. You insisted on shopping there forever. Now you know you're tired, right?"
Grandpa Xia said with a smile,
"I was thinking that Xiao Chen's holiday is coming up soon, so I wanted to buy him a lot of snacks to keep on hand. And there are so many kinds of snacks for kids, I'll definitely have to take my time choosing. There are only two weeks left until Chinese New Year. Do you think Xiao Chen can spend the New Year here this year?"
Xia Ran paused in her work. "I don't know either. It probably can't be done. He's surnamed Gu after all. He has to go back to the Gu family."
"I think so too." Grandpa Xia sighed. "But it's alright, they can still come back after the New Year."
Xia Ran smiled but did not answer his grandfather's question. In fact, he could still sense that his grandfather was somewhat disappointed. His grandfather must have wanted his child to spend the New Year here.
"It's alright, Grandpa. The child will be on holiday next week, and can stay home with you every day then."
Gu Chen's kindergarten is a prestigious one, so its holiday starts later; other kindergartens had already started their holidays a couple of days earlier.
Grandpa Xia smiled and said, "Yes, then you can keep this old man company every day."
"Oh, right, Grandpa, when I picked up Gu Chen the other day, I told Uncle Wang and the others that they could come and see the child if they missed him, so you'll have to..."
Xia Ran suddenly remembered this matter and was afraid that her grandfather might not know about it and cause some embarrassing situations.
Grandpa Xia was initially surprised when he heard Xia Ran's words, but then he understood.
"Don't worry, does Grandpa seem like such a stubborn person? But Xiaoran, now it's just the two of us at home. Can you tell Grandpa the truth, is there still a possibility between you and Gu Zheng?"
Xia Ran froze. "Grandpa, why...why did you suddenly ask that?"
"I'm just asking. It's just the two of us here, grandfather and grandson. Are you not afraid to tell Grandpa anything? Grandpa won't laugh at you, right? Grandpa said that as long as you still like it, Grandpa will definitely agree. Besides, Grandpa is quite satisfied with Gu Zheng's recent performance."
Hearing this, Xia Ran knew he had to tell his grandfather the truth today. After thinking about it, he decided not to hide it from his grandfather.
"Grandpa, to be honest, I really didn't want to be with him anymore, or even see him again forever. But after the divorce, he showed me a different side of himself. I know it's pathetic, but he really showed me a different side of him."
“Especially these past two days, some things have happened that make me feel like I’ve never really understood him. Grandpa, it’s impossible to just stop liking someone you’ve liked for so long. But it would be a lie to say I don’t mind or that I’ve let it go. Grandpa, don’t you think I’m being pathetic? We’re already divorced, yet I’m saying I’ve only just discovered a different side of him.”
After Xia Ran finished speaking, he didn't dare to look at his grandfather, because he was afraid of seeing his grandfather's angry or disappointed expression.
But instead of the condemning words I had imagined, a warm hand landed on my head.
He couldn't remember the last time his grandfather had comforted him like this. Although his grandfather hadn't said anything yet, Xia Ran couldn't help but tear up as he felt the warmth on his head.
"Xiao Ran, that's not being pathetic, that's just human nature. If you forget your ex so soon after the divorce, then you must have never loved them. How could someone who has loved someone forget and let go so easily?"
"You don't need to doubt yourself, and you don't need to worry that I'll be angry. On the contrary, I'm very proud. I'm proud that the grandson I raised is such a loyal and affectionate person. Grandpa used to not let you be with men because of some things that I couldn't figure out, but Grandpa won't do that anymore. As long as you like him, Grandpa will accept it, as long as he's good to you. But there's one condition: you must never belittle yourself. If you do, you'll be tearing Grandpa's heart apart, understand?"
"And Xiaoran, do you know how amazing you are? You're only in your early twenties, but you've really done what a father should do. You're a really good father now, and Grandpa is so proud of you."
Xia Ran kept his head down. His eyes were just a little red, but now he was crying. His tears dripped into Grandpa Xia's foot bath, one drop at a time. He dared not cry out loud.
But similarly, this wasn't a sad cry; it was a cry of affirmation and support from the person he loved most. He always felt he was being a bit pathetic because he had begged and pleaded to marry Gu Zheng before, and now that they were divorced, he still couldn't forget her.
No one knew how much he was suppressing his feelings, but he didn't dare to say it. However, he didn't expect that his grandfather would comfort him. His grandfather was not angry at all, but said that he was proud of him.
Grandpa Xia didn't disturb Xia Ran's crying. Instead, he kept stroking Xia Ran's head and silently stayed with her.
Xia Ran cried silently for a while before realizing that he had lost his composure, but he didn't feel ashamed at all, because he didn't need to pretend in front of his grandfather.
"But Grandpa, what should I do next? I'm a little lost."
Grandpa Xia withdrew his hand from Xia Ran's head, looked at Xia Ran with a smile, and said...
"If you still mind some of the things Gu Zheng has done in the past, then leave everything to time. Time will give you the best and most truthful answer. Moreover, time will be a good method and test for both of you. Then you will know what to do."
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran's mind immediately cleared.
He sniffed. "I understand, Grandpa. I know what to do."
Chapter 402: Do you remember? Don't you remember?
"It's good that you know, Grandpa. I'll always be your strongest support. With Grandpa here, there's nothing to be afraid of. We have a way out, you know?"
"Okay, Grandpa. It's still early, you should go and get some sleep. I need to put some ice water on my eyes too, otherwise the kids will worry when I go to pick them up later."
Xia Ran was in a very good mood. After letting Grandpa Xia go back to his room to sleep, he also took a nap and slept until it was time to pick up the children in the afternoon.
When he arrived at the kindergarten gate, he didn't expect to run into Feng's mother and father, so He Hao stayed with them.
Xia Ran was somewhat surprised that all three of them had come to pick up the child.
Despite his surprise, he still politely greeted them. However, he immediately sensed something was amiss when he called them "uncle" and "auntie," because their eyes welled up with tears.
"Um... Uncle and Aunt, what's wrong? Why are your eyes so red?" he asked instinctively.
He Hao then looked at his parents beside him, and seeing them like this, he felt both heartache and helplessness.
He was afraid that the two of them would lose control of their emotions if they saw Xia Ran, so he didn't want them to come. But the two of them insisted on coming, repeatedly saying that they wouldn't give anything away. But now? Anyone with eyes can see that something is wrong.
"Mom and Dad," he called out, "the baby's coming out. Why don't you go ahead and take a look?"
Mr. and Mrs. Feng blinked quickly, each shifting their gaze before looking at Xia Ran.
"I'm so sorry, Xiaoran, we just got some wind in our eyes, so they might be a little red," Feng's mother explained.
Xia Ran smiled, pulled her sweater collar up a bit, and said,
"Indeed, it's quite windy and cold today, so you all need to dress warmly."
"Okay, sure." Mrs. Feng replied emphatically, her eyes welling up with tears again. Finally, fearing she wouldn't be able to hold back her emotions, she pulled Mr. Feng to wait for the children in the front.
He Hao breathed a sigh of relief and said to Xia Ran,
"By the way, Xia Ran, the kids will be on holiday in three days. Are you free then? My little chubby son has been nagging me to come to your house to play. He probably won't be satisfied if I don't take him there."
Xia Ran: "Sure, you can come over then. But Grandpa and I don't live at the Gu family's house right now, so you can come anytime you want."
He was taken aback for a moment when he heard that Xia Ran was no longer living at the Gu family's house, but he quickly realized what was going on.
"It's okay, anything is fine, as long as we can go. We just want to have fun with you, anywhere is fine!"
"Okay, then you're welcome to come over then."
Xia Ran had a rather favorable impression of the Feng family.
The child came out quickly. When they parted, Xia Ran felt that Feng's mother looked somewhat reluctant to leave, but he soon realized that he was mistaken.
They weren't even related to him, so why would they have a reluctant expression?
"Alright, Mom and Dad, let's go back too. I just talked to Xia Ran, and we'll go to his house to play after the kids have their holidays. Then we'll find an opportunity to ask Xia Ran's grandpa privately what he has to say."
"Really? You've already asked?" Feng's mother grabbed He Hao's hand.
“It’s true.” He Hao nodded. “So you should wait patiently for two days, otherwise it won’t be good if Xia Ran finds out beforehand.”