"I came with Awei to pick up Grandma to spend the New Year at our home, so we didn't bring the children," Qing Muye explained.
Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhong slapped his thigh, "Then you've come late! Uncle Qi just visited and was playing chess with the old lady, saying he would accompany her for the New Year tonight."
"Got it."
Qing Muye was not surprised by Qing Sihua's appearance.
He responded, then took Meng Jingwei's hand and headed towards the old lady's courtyard.
They walked past a winding corridor, crossed a small bridge in the garden, and went through a cobblestone path, finally arriving at the old lady's yard.
As they reached the courtyard entrance, they heard a familiar voice from inside, "Mother, this dress fits perfectly. Do you like it?"
"You are so thoughtful..." replied Old Mrs. Qing.
Meng Jingwei walked to the main entrance of the courtyard and saw Old Mrs. Qing sitting in a wheelchair, a scarf draped over her knees. She was staring blankly at the blooming red plum blossoms in the yard, and her reply to Qing Sihua seemed perfunctory.
Seeing this, her heart ached, and she couldn't help but frown and call out, "Grandma?"
Since returning from the hidden clan, Meng Jingwei would visit and accompany Old Mrs. Qing whenever she had time. Unfortunately, her Alzheimer's disease was getting worse, and the periods of lucidity were becoming shorter.
Many times when she visited, the old lady was in a dazed state, not recognizing her at all, and sometimes even telling her to leave.
"Jingwei girl?"
Hearing someone call her, Old Mrs. Qing looked towards the entrance and saw Qing Muye and Meng Jingwei standing there.
An amiable smile bloomed on Old Mrs. Qing's face.
She removed the thin blanket from her lap, placed it on the wheelchair, and slowly stood up, walking towards them. "I thought you wouldn't be back today, on New Year's Day."
As she grew older, Old Mrs. Qing's legs and feet were not as good, and her health was not as robust as in previous years.
"It's New Year's. The family should reunite. How could we not come back?"
Meng Jingwei walked forward, took Old Mrs. Qing's hand, and said with a cheerful smile, "How are you feeling today, Grandma?"
"My mind is clear today. I recognize both you and Muye, hahaha." Her eyes were full of smiles.
However, her words brought an inexplicable pang of heartache.
Qing Muye stood beside her, his deep gaze fixed on Old Mrs. Qing, his complex expression filled with more heartache and helplessness. "Grandma, are you cold? Why aren't you wearing more layers?"
From childhood to adulthood, the only person who had shown Qing Muye the most care was Old Mrs. Qing.
Old Mrs. Qing had raised him, like a father and mother. Qing Muye naturally respected and was filial to her.
"I'm not cold, not cold. Seeing you and Jingwei girl come, I feel warm inside." Old Mrs. Qing, with her silver hair, was so happy she couldn't close her eyes. She held Meng Jingwei's hand in one hand and Qing Muye's in the other. "You two are here, why don't I see the children? I haven't seen the children in a long time, I miss them."
"Muye, Jingwei, you've arrived."
Beside them, Qing Sihua put his hands in his pants pockets, walked forward, adjusted the glasses on his nose, appearing refined... and scoundrelly.
Saying this, he cast his gaze upon Lan Shu, a flicker of light in his eyes, "Yaoyao, you're here?"
"Yaoyao?"
Old Mrs. Qing furrowed her brows and looked at the woman standing at the door. After thinking carefully, she exclaimed, "Oh my, are you Shuyao girl? Why... why have you changed your appearance?"
Qing Muye glanced at Meng Jingwei.
Meng Jingwei's cold gaze swept over Qing Sihua before she said to Old Mrs. Qing, "Shuyao had an injury before and underwent facial reconstruction."