noffsinger Chapter 162: Always a Child in Front of Parents
Chapter 162: Always a Child in Front of Parents
Ever since Kuang Xi came into the house, Grandpa Kuang and Grandma Huang have never taken their eyes off Kuang Xi. The two elderly people are eager to know how their son Kuang Xi and his family have been living after more than 20 years of absence.
After dinner, Kuang Xi took a hot bath and came to the room where he and his wife had lived more than 20 years ago. Lying on the bed and looking at the familiar environment indoors, he understood his parents' intentions.
Grandma Huang gently opened the door, sat beside the bed and stroked Kuang Xi's head: "Xi'er, mom is here, don't be afraid, mom will protect you, go to sleep, go to sleep."
"Xi'er, you have to be tolerant of your mother. She is now suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Sometimes she is lucid, and sometimes she is confused. She is taking medicine to control her condition." Grandpa Kuang said lovingly.
Kuang Xi nodded, and like when he was a child, he put his head on his mother's lap, closed his eyes, and listened to his mother humming a lullaby. Unconsciously, he slept until dawn. This was the most peaceful night of sleep Kuang Xi had had since he had been away from his parents for more than 20 years.
Early in the morning, Kuang Xi got up refreshed, washed, and came to the yard. He saw his father holding his mother's hand, talking and walking together. Seeing his parents' staggering steps and hunched backs, he secretly blamed himself in his heart that he should have come back to visit his parents a few years earlier.
"Xier, where is your wife? Why didn't I see her? How did I offend her? Why doesn't she go home with you?" Grandma Huang said angrily.
"Mom, your second daughter-in-law, in the autumn of the second year after we went to Hong Kong, a typhoon overturned the house we rented. At that time, she was protecting the two children, Kuang Donglai and Kuang Ziyi, under her body, and was crushed to death by the collapsed beams." Kuang Xi said sadly.
"Xier, you've suffered a lot these years. Now that you're back, your mother and I can finally help you," Grandpa Kuang comforted.
Kuang Xi opened up and said, "Dad, since then, I have been raising two children alone, living from hunger to fullness. I met a kind fisherman who taught me a lot of knowledge and skills to survive in Hong Kong. My two children and I started by selling fish, and after working hard day by day, our lives finally stabilized.
Later, I rented a 20-square-meter street shop and made a living by selling daily groceries. The two children grew up and could support themselves. Your grandson Kuang Donglai married the daughter of an authentic Hong Kong fisherman, got married and had children, and their family of four lived by running two fish shops.
Your granddaughter Kuang Ziyi is a good student and became a tour guide after graduating from high school. Your son-in-law is a bus driver and they have a son who is ten years old this year and has been living in a rented house.
At present, Kuang Donglai and Kuang Ziyi have both started their own families and careers, so I don’t have to worry about them anymore. I usually rely on selling daily necessities to support my old age.”
"Xi'er, how did your legs become disabled? I still can't help but want to ask."
"Mom and Dad, my leg was cut when your grandson Kuang Dong came to junior high school. Three hooligans blocked his way and bullied him. When I rushed to protect my son, my leg was cut. After calling the police, I went to the clinic for a simple bandage. I didn't take it seriously at the time, but it got infected. In order to save his life, I had my leg amputated at the knee."
"Xier, why didn't you tell your parents about such a big thing? Why do you always carry it alone? Have you ever thought about returning to your hometown to live? Since the reform and opening up, the domestic people have been focusing on developing the economy, and the people's lives are getting better day by day. This is obvious to everyone." Grandpa Kuang said.
"Mom and Dad, let me think about it. After more than 20 years, I have become accustomed to life in Hong Kong. Moreover, I have a disabled leg. If I stay here, it will be a burden to you two. I will feel guilty."
"Xi'er, you don't have to think too much. You are our son. Parents have no regrets in helping their son. I will ask Qian Yizhen to help us find a solution."
"Dad, Qian Yizhen is the cousin of Han Shiyan who picked us up at the airport yesterday? I heard from Han Shiyan that she is a powerful person who opened a company and made a lot of money."
"Yes, in recent years, Qian Yizhen has helped your mother and me a lot, including hiring a housekeeper, renting out the house with two courtyards, purchasing a state-owned winery, and hiring me as a technical consultant at the winery with a high salary. I only work four or five shifts a month now, but they pay me on time every month. When your mother fell ill, it was Qian Yizhen and his wife who ran around to help her go to the hospital for treatment. They are more caring than their own children."
After hearing this, Kuang Xi lowered his head in shame. Grandpa Kuang was a little overwhelmed and blamed himself for letting the cat out of the bag: "Xi'er, that's not what I meant. A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. I just met a good neighbor.
Xier, everyone has difficulties. Your mother and I know your difficulties. We will do our best to help you. Don't worry. What your mother and I lack most now is the happiness of family. "Grandpa Kuang explained hurriedly.
Speak of the devil, and he will appear. Qian Yizhen and Han Shiyan came to Grandpa Kuang, Grandma Huang, and Kuang Xi, talking and laughing.
"Grandpa Kuang, Grandma Huang, Uncle Kuang Xi, we are here on the orders of our three elders, Chen Haoyu, Lu Kaipu, and Chen Yalu, to invite you three to visit the Chen Mansion. You must go. If we fail to complete the task, we will be punished, hehe." Han Shiyan said playfully.
"Hello, Xiao Qian, I really thank you. You have taken care of my parents despite your busy schedule over the years. As their son, I am really ashamed of myself. Thank you." Kuang Xi said guiltily.
"Uncle Kuang, don't say that. Grandpa Kuang has helped me a lot over the years, especially the social experience, winemaking techniques, winery management and operation methods he taught me, etc. We all help each other. If I have to thank someone, I should thank Grandpa Kuang." Qian Yizheng said modestly.
As they were talking, Qian Yizhen supported Grandma Huang and walked in the front. Han Shiyan carried the Kuang family's collection of old wine prepared by Grandpa Kuang. Grandpa Kuang followed behind Kuang Xi, silently watching his son walking forward on the ancient street step by step on crutches, with an indescribable feeling in his heart.
In front of the Chen residence, three veterans, my uncle Chen Haoyu, my grandfather Lu Kaipu, and my grandmother Chen Yalu, were standing there chatting and laughing, waiting for the arrival of guests.
The three veterans respectfully welcomed Grandpa Kuang, Grandma Huang, and Uncle Kuang Xi into the living room. After a round of greetings, they sat down and drank tea.
Uncle Chen Haoyu exchanged a few words with Kuang Xi in Cantonese: "Kuang Xi, your time in Hong Kong has not been in vain. You have learned to speak fluent Cantonese. Not bad. Let's find some time to have a good chat. Tell me about your situation in Hong Kong and see if I can help you."
Kuang Xi quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Uncle Qian, when we first met, you mentioned that you wanted to help me. This is the first time I have ever encountered this in my sixty-plus years of life. Thank you, I am so happy. It is our Kuang family's good fortune to meet someone from the Chen Mansion."
"Kuang Xi, don't be polite or restrained. I believe that the ancestors of our two families were good neighbors who were friendly and helpful to each other. Come on, have some tea and some fruit." Grandma Chen Yalu said with a smile.