Grandpa finally succumbed to my barrage of questions and confessed everything. It turned out that my "Third Aunt" had introduced him to a 98-year-old celestial beauty.
My God, my grandfather was only in his 70s back then! 98 years old! She's older than my grandfather, and she calls herself an angel? She really has the nerve to say that.
"Zhang Qian'er! You absolutely mustn't go!" Grandpa said earnestly, holding my hand. I felt the weight of my responsibility.
"Don't worry, I definitely won't go. I mean it."
Oh, I forgot to mention, that 98-year-old celestial being is none other than the mother of "Third Auntie".
Zhang Qian
I took two more days of personal leave. Xiao Dongdong's health isn't good, and his grandfather is getting old, so I wasn't comfortable leaving him at home. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the factory assembly line is incredibly busy, as many workers are rushing to return to their hometowns before the holiday. Because of my grandfather, I started working as an assistant to a senior craftsman as soon as I joined the factory. He taught me step-by-step, and now I'm just like the oldest craftsman in the factory, specializing in making sample garments. Sample garments are different from those produced on the assembly line. The biggest difference is that one is purely handmade, and the other is machine-made. In terms of workmanship, handmade garments are definitely more refined, but in terms of output, handmade production can't compare to assembly line production.
What is a sample garment? After a designer creates a garment design, a master craftsman makes a sample, prints it, and then produces a complete set. All subsequent production runs must follow this sample garment. Moreover, the sample garments sent to boutiques or department stores are usually made by us personally. If you look closely, there are differences between sample garments and mass-produced garments. Finally, if a brand's style of clothing sells exceptionally well, is out of stock for a while, and then restocks, it's almost certain that the materials and workmanship of this new batch are different from the previous batch. This is because, to save costs, owners often use inferior materials in secondary shipments to deceive the public; this is an open secret in the clothing industry.
Because I couldn't go to work for several days, the sample room was short-staffed. I called my colleague and asked her to bring some clothes over after get off work so I could make them at home. Of course, a tailor wouldn't be without a sewing machine at home, especially a Butterfly brand one.
My grandfather was an old tailor. Sometimes, when he got tired of watching TV, he would come over and give me some pointers. Interestingly, while my grandfather was a tailor, my maternal grandfather was a shoemaker. In my childhood memories, my maternal grandmother's house was always piled high with leather, and every year my maternal grandfather would make me a pair of the most beautiful little leather shoes.
My childhood was the happiest time of my life, carefree and without worries.
I'm very happy now because I have Dongdong and Grandpa, and I'm content living with them.
Anqi
I didn't expect to see Captain Tsubasa's mother again so soon, and coincidentally, we were in the same elevator again. I just didn't see Captain Tsubasa. I glanced down at the large coat I was wearing.
I arrived at the urology department on the fourth floor and stepped out of the elevator.
I walked into the office of Hu Lu, the "myna bird" of the urology department. Coincidentally, the mother of the soccer prodigy came in behind me. Had she gone to the wrong department again?
"The pediatrics department is on the fifth floor." This must be the third time I've reminded her.
She was startled for a moment, then immediately remembered that I was the unfortunate doctor who had been harmed by her son's snot.
"Thank you, I'm here to find someone."
It turns out she came looking for the "myna bird".
"Mynah" likes to wander around while on his way to work, and I wonder where he's gone again. I took a closer look at the soccer prodigy's mother; apart from her face, which looked quite young, everything else was covered by a thick coat. I couldn't tell what her figure was like at first glance. I wondered what kind of people the soccer prodigy's parents must be, given how mischievous he is. Does the soccer prodigy resemble his mother or his father?
"An'an".
The myna bird staggered in.
"Zhang Qian?"
So that's the name of Captain Tsubasa's mother.
"Come, come, sit down quickly." The myna bird was overly enthusiastic.
"Hu Lu, is the medicine ready?" asked the soccer prodigy's mother.
"Oh, okay, okay, here, I'll give it to you."
The myna bird took out a plastic bag and gave it to the soccer player's mother.
"Zhang Qian, how have you been these past few years?"
"fine."
"Come visit us sometime, my mom misses you all."
"By the way, Hu Lu, please don't call my house anymore if you call me 'Third Auntie'. The old man has a bad temper; he was arguing with me a few days ago."
"Okay, I'll definitely be careful. Do you have a phone? Could you copy it down for me? It'll be easier to contact you later."
"No."
"No? You must be joking. We've been friends for so many years, your grandpa and my grandma aren't..."
"Stop, stop it. Go back and ask your mother about this properly. Don't keep spreading unfounded rumors."
"I'll leave my office phone number: 60234567, transfer to the Garment Department."
"Okay, noted down."
"Thank you for the medicine. I'm leaving now. Goodbye."
The soccer prodigy's mother took the medicine and left. It turned out she was friends with the myna bird.
"Here's the lab report you requested." I tossed the brown paper bag to "Myna".
"How did it go?" the myna bird asked cautiously.
"See for yourself."
He was sweating profusely, a stark contrast to his previous cheerful and beaming self.
"Try to think positively, sigh!" I went up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and turned to leave this place of trouble.
I'm in a very good mood.
Anqi
The Lunar New Year is approaching, and this winter is particularly cold. My mother is unusually concerned about my relationship with Zhang Sijia; she doesn't believe it was all Zhang Sijia's idea. I remain silent in response to her questions. There's nothing to say.
I've been staying with my parents for the past few days, and I understand their intentions perfectly. They simply believe that my heart, which has been wandering, should now settle down. I don't care; wherever I stay is just a place to sleep.
The patient in bed 58 ultimately didn't make it to the New Year, finally leaving this world he both loved and clung to one night. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, without a trace of pain. Birth, aging, sickness, and death—everyone goes through them, including me.
Every day, I open my eyes to a group of people teetering on the edge of life and death. Those who can leave this door are all healed; those who cannot are all people with a time limit.
Light a cigarette, clear your head, relax, and savor the taste of nicotine.
Zhang Qian
Chinese New Year is almost here, and we haven't prepared anything at home. There's only a month left until the holiday, and little Dongdong is already in holiday spirit, constantly asking me for red envelopes. He doesn't really understand what a red envelope is; he's just heard his grandfather say that children must receive red envelopes during the New Year, which is why he keeps asking. He'll run over and ask me seriously, "Mommy, Mommy, what is a red envelope? What's it used for?"
"Red envelope? A red envelope is a red bag. It means that everyone carries a red bag when they go out during the Chinese New Year." I am grateful to my grandfather. His teachings have inspired me and made it easier for me to answer Dongdong's questions.
It's almost Chinese New Year, and my father called to ask if I wanted to spend it with him this year. I declined; the three of us are very happy spending time together now.
Little Dongdong really wants to visit my father, and my father loves him very much, but he's currently unable to do so. He's started a new family and is no longer just my father.
My mother called to ask if I wanted to spend the New Year with her. I refused again. Every time I take Dongdong to my mother's, I feel like I'm a free zoo for everyone to visit. It's not a big deal for me; I'm used to it. But Dongdong is still young, and there are many things he doesn't understand. The unintentional words of adults might hurt him.
Nick Cheung, it would be so great if you could grow up overnight.
Zhang Qian
Just a few days before the holiday, I was surprised to find that my son had a tooth that was half blackened by decay. I had been making sure he brushed his teeth twice a day, morning and night, and I had even bought him children's mouthwash to prevent cavities.
Toothache isn't a disease, but it can be excruciating. I know this all too well, as I was a frequent visitor to the dentist as a child. My front teeth were lost to the dentist during my preschool years, and I don't want my son to suffer the same fate.
What surprised me even more was that the little guy wasn't bothered by toothache. I examined the decayed tooth carefully under the lamp; it was a right molar. If this tooth were decayed, eating would be incredibly difficult, and it would hurt every time I bit down.
"Does it hurt?" I picked up my son and let him lie on me.
"It doesn't hurt."
"Don't you bite your food?"
"I'll switch to the left one."
"Mom will take you to the dentist tomorrow."
"No!" he said, pouting.
"Why?" Children are afraid of pain.
The child stopped talking and started playing with my hair, fiddling with it.
"Why? Getting a filling won't hurt much. Let's go tomorrow, or it'll be New Year's."
He still didn't say anything.
"Nick Cheung, I'm asking you a question."
"You're going to have to take another day off."
I never expected my son to say that to me.
"Did Grandpa say something to you?" I was worried that Grandpa might have said too much to Dongdong, causing the child psychological burden.
"Can I not go tomorrow?" Kids will be kids; when they can't win an argument with me, they start to act spoiled.
"It will be too late if you wait until your teeth are rotten."
"I want my grandpa to go with me," he insisted.
"Don't you want your mom to come with you?"
"You have to go to work."
I'm sorry, I didn't consider your feelings before complaining to you. I thought I handled everything perfectly. I'm sorry, you're just a child.
Dongdong kept repeating that she didn't want me to come with her and that I should go to work.
My son is a real man. A truly upright and honorable son.
I wanted to make it up to him, but he only asked me if I could still eat candy in the future.
The period before the holiday is the busiest time at the factory. My supervisor only granted me leave because of his consideration; if I really asked for leave tomorrow, I probably wouldn't be able to get it. I'm prepared to act first and ask for permission later—I'll take Dongdong to the dentist first, and then go back to the factory. Now Dongdong is being sensible and doesn't want me to accompany him, and he won't let me ask for leave again. I know my son's temper; if I don't go along with him, he gets angry and won't speak to me for days.
After much deliberation, I could only secretly call Hu Lu and ask him to take my son to the dentist. Hu Lu is my "third aunt's" son and is currently an attending physician in the urology department of the Eighth Municipal Hospital. This is also why I chose to go to the Eighth Municipal Hospital for treatment; having acquaintances there is always more convenient. Hu Lu also helps me prepare all the medications my grandfather is taking now. However, I dare not tell my grandfather, lest he recall those troublesome matters from the past.
Anqi