Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Visitors, Putting on a Brave Face

Xu Huai’an ate a persimmon, feeling a bit of strength return to his body. Gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, cold sweat beading on his forehead, he forced himself to take control of his legs again and managed to stand up on the kang bed.

Even though he could only stand for less than a minute before his strength gave out, it was still a huge step forward for him.

He couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corners of his lips, betraying his good mood.

After lying in bed for over a year, he could finally stand up again. It felt wonderful.

Gu Qinghuan had no idea Xu Huai’an was pushing himself so hard just to stand up and greet her elders with dignity. She was busy in the kitchen, working up a sweat.

By the time night finally fell, Gu Qinghuan grabbed a flashlight and headed out to the neighboring village’s cowshed to pick up her grandparents.

It wasn’t far—just a ten-minute walk.

Inside the cowshed, the two elderly folks were just about to eat bowls of cornmeal porridge with wild greens when someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Zhong Weiqian called out.

“Grandpa, it’s me!”

“Huanhuan, is that you?” Cheng Shuying hurried over to open the door.

“Huanhuan, what brings you here so late? Is something wrong at home?” Cheng Shuying asked worriedly.

“It’s nothing. We bought some meat today and wanted to invite you over for a meal. I’ve already finished cooking, so let’s go!”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Weiqian cheerfully put down his bowl. “Alright, just give us a moment to tidy up so we don’t look disrespectful.”

With that, the couple went into the small room partitioned off with boards.

Gu Qinghuan noticed the cornmeal porridge in Zhong Weiqian’s hand—mostly wild greens, with barely any cornmeal. She felt a pang in her heart.

She knew the two elders were reluctant to eat anything good themselves.

Looks like she’d have to find a way to bring them more food before they’d treat themselves better.

The two didn’t have much to tidy up—just changed into presentable clothes so as not to seem disrespectful.

At their age, they didn’t insist on new clothes to look decent. They wore their usual old clothes, faded from washing but clean and neat. To them, that was dignity.

When visiting others, as long as your clothes are clean and tidy, that’s enough.

The three of them soon arrived at the small courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

Zhong Zijun was already waiting at the door. When she saw them coming, she quickly opened the gate. “Mom, Dad, you’re here!”

Cheng Shuying saw that her daughter seemed to be doing well these days—she’d visibly put on some weight since her illness, and the worry in her heart eased a little.

The day the accident happened, she’d felt like the sky was falling. But now, things were finally looking up—though it had been tough on Huanhuan...

Dabao and Beibei peeked out from behind Zhong Zijun, calling out softly, “Great-grandpa, great-grandma.”

Only then did Cheng Shuying notice the two little ones behind her, and her heart softened.

She smiled and pulled out two small red envelopes from her pocket, handing one to each child.

There wasn’t much money inside—just twenty cents each—but it was all they could spare right now.

It was a tradition deeply ingrained in the old couple: when meeting younger generations for the first time, you always give a gift.

Dabao and Beibei knew what this meant. Every New Year, their grandparents would give red envelopes to Dacheng, and they could only watch from afar.

They never expected someone would give them red envelopes too. For a moment, they didn’t know how to react and looked to Gu Qinghuan for help.

Gu Qinghuan nodded, signaling they could accept it. Gifts from elders shouldn’t be refused. She hadn’t expected her grandmother to give the kids red envelopes, especially when they were struggling themselves.

But it was fine. She’d repay them a hundredfold in the future. Let them give what they wanted.

“It’s a gift from your great-grandma. You can take it,” Cheng Shuying said, crouching down and pressing the envelopes into their hands.

“Thank you, great-grandma, and great-grandpa,” the two children said, their faces flushed with excitement. They hadn’t expected their mother’s family to treat them with such kindness.

From their grandmother to their great-grandparents, everyone was so good to them—it felt so warm, like real family.

Zhong Zijun felt a bit awkward. The first time she came, she’d forgotten to bring gifts for the kids—she’d been too upset at the time.

Now, she was strapped for cash and relying on her daughter for support, so she really couldn’t afford a proper gift. She’d make it up to them later.

“Alright, let’s not stand at the door chatting. Let’s go inside,” Gu Qinghuan said.

The group was about to go in when a tall, slender figure appeared at the doorway.

He walked very slowly, as if every step took all his strength, but he was determined to come greet them.

Gu Qinghuan, Zhong Zijun, and the two kids, who knew the situation, were all stunned.

They froze in place.

When did he become able to stand?

This man really was stubborn—he must have been secretly practicing so he could greet the elders with dignity. It couldn’t have been easy.

She hadn’t been wrong about him—he really was unusually tall, probably over 1.85 meters. Because he was so thin, his clothes hung off him like a coat rack—long and lanky.

Honestly, his looks were exactly her type. Just looking at him made her want to eat two extra bowls of rice. And now, with that sickly beauty, he was even more appealing.

She had to stop staring—she was practically drooling.

Gu Qinghuan, get a grip! You two are bound to go your separate ways. Don’t let yourself be tempted!

Zhong Weiqian and Cheng Shuying were just as shocked when they saw Xu Huai’an.

Weren’t they told their grandson-in-law was an invalid who couldn’t take care of himself?

But this young man looked perfectly normal—just a bit thin. He had a smile on his face and seemed mentally sound. He even came out to greet them.

They were hit with a wave of pleasant surprise.

Then they wondered if they’d misunderstood—maybe he was just a guest the family had invited?

If only their granddaughter had married a young man like this!

Zhong Zijun was secretly amused. After spending the past few days together, she could tell Xu Huai’an was clearly smitten with Gu Qinghuan, but Gu Qinghuan was as dense as a log and hadn’t noticed at all.

Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes—let them work it out themselves!

After all, love that doesn’t weather storms can’t blossom into something beautiful.

“Daddy, you’re up! That’s great!” The kids’ reactions were the most honest. Beibei ran over excitedly.

Gu Qinghuan hurried to stop her—she knew all too well that he was just barely holding on, and Beibei’s enthusiastic hug might knock him right over.

Might as well help him keep his dignity!

Zhong Weiqian and Cheng Shuying hadn’t expected their wish to come true—the young man really was their grandson-in-law. Genuine smiles broke out on their faces.

Xu Huai’an met the old couple’s eyes. Though he was nervous, he greeted them earnestly, “Grandpa, Grandma, for various reasons, I haven’t had the chance to meet you before. I hope you can forgive me.”

“You’re Huai’an, right? It’s fine. If your legs aren’t well, you don’t have to come out to greet us,” Cheng Shuying said, having already noticed his difficulty walking.

“My legs are fine. I just haven’t walked in a long time, so I’m a bit out of practice. Please, come inside and have a seat,” Xu Huai’an said, gesturing toward the main room.

Usually, they ate on the kang in the east room, but with so many people and elders visiting, it wouldn’t be proper to eat there. They needed to host everyone in the main room to be respectful.

Zhong Weiqian and Cheng Shuying didn’t stand on ceremony and went in first.

Zhong Zijun led the two kids to greet everyone.

Only Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huai’an were left behind.

Once everyone else had gone inside, Gu Qinghuan nudged Xu Huai’an’s arm with her elbow. “You really know how to put on a brave face. How about taking another step for me to see?”"