“Didn’t you normally cook what the children love to eat? Why are you so nice to me today?” Zong Qifeng looked up at Aunt Yu.
The latter did not know what to say all of a sudden.
Zhuang Zijin tried to explain for her, “Precisely because of that, so she’s trying to cater to our appetite now as well. H-hah.”
Zong Qifeng sighed. Looking at their expressions, it was obvious that they were aware of his condition. “I knew you’re gonna act this way, that’s why I didn’t say a word.”
Everyone lost their appetite by now, except for the two innocent children who knew nothing. Zong Yanxi served him some vegetables. “Grandpa, are you in a bad mood today?”
Zong Qifeng patted his granddaughter’s head, “No, I’m not. Even if I were, I’d be happy when I see you.” With that, he looked at everyone, “Come on, let’s eat!”
“Let’s eat.” Lin Xinyan had no appetite, but she still invited everyone to eat as she did not want the atmosphere to be too tensed. That wasn’t doing any good to Zong Qifeng’s condition.
A patient needed to always be in a good mood. That would make the treatment more effective.
After dinner, Lin Xinyan brought the baby upstairs. Zong Jinghao was in the room. Using work as an excuse, he skipped dinner. However, she knew he was worried about his father.
Pushing the bedroom door open, it was complete darkness inside. The curtains were not drawn and there was a silhouette sitting by the window. She walked in and switched on the bedside lamp. The dim yellow light brightened up the room a little. Then, she gently placed the baby on the bed before walking towards her husband and sit on his lap.
Zong Jinghao put his arms around her waist and buried his face into her arms. Lin Xinyan asked, “What did the doctor say?”
He did not say anything for the longest time.
Lin Xinyan could clearly feel that he was trembling slightly, and his lips and face against her were icy cold.
She planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. She knew how terrible he must have felt. “No matter what, the kids and I will stay by your side. I am thinking of giving Qin Ya the boutique at C City.”
Qin Ya had the ability to run a business.
This had been in her head for some time, but she couldn’t find the right time to propose it. Now, she believed Qin Ya would not reject her.
“We will stay by Dad. I won’t go anywhere and we will try our best to take care of him.” She cupped his face with her hands and made eye contact with him, “I feel terrible when you feel bad too.”
Zong Jinghao pushed her arms away and buried his face into her embrace again before speaking softly, “Give me some time to sort things out.”
Lin Xinyan did not say anything and merely hugged him.
After a long time.
“It’s lung cancer at the terminal stage. It has already spread, and there is a shadow in his brain.” Zong Jinghao mumbled from her embrace.
According to the doctor, it was very dangerous for the cancer cells to have spread to the brain. That left him with just one to three months to live. Otherwise, he could have more, perhaps up to 6 months.
This was a very cruel piece of news.
Lin Xinyan was prepared for this, but she still could not help it and her eyes reddened. She thought they could spend another one or two years together, but she did not expect it to be that serious.
“What else did the doctor say?” Lin Xinyan asked hoarsely.
“The doctor recommends surgery as the other treatments do not yield effective results. However, Dad does not want to go through surgery.” Zong Jinghao got out of Lin Xinyan’s arms and looked at her against the faint light. “He is very stubborn.”
Therefore, he had no choice as well.
Zong Qifeng told him, “I’m already at this age, how can I go through surgery, let alone on my brain?”
Lin Xinyan caressed his face, “So he can only go with conservative therapy?”
Zong Jinghao nodded.
“I’ve had someone cleaned up the house today. We can move in tomorrow.”
“Wahh…wah….”
The baby suddenly started crying. Just when Zong Jinghao was about to get on his feet, Lin Xinyan slipped out of his arms and stood up.
“I’ll go pick him up.” The man said. Perhaps he had been sitting for too long. In addition to Lin Xinyan sitting on his lap, his thighs went numb. Before he could bend down to massage them, the wife had already done so.
The numbness was very soon relieved. He picked up his son, who wasn’t hungry nor needed a diaper change, but just wanted a cuddle. The moment Zong Jinghao picked him up, he stopped crying.
Though it wasn’t the first time he had carried the baby, he still looked awkward.
Lin Xinyan said that she was going to take a look at the other two kids, and left the room.
Zhuang Zijin had just given them a bath and changed them into their pajamas. Lin Xinyan brought them to the side of the bed and said, “I have something to say to the both of you.”
“What?” Zong Yanxi burrowed into her arms. Seeing that, she brought the little one to her lap.
Zong Yanchen sat at the side, putting on his usual mature look. “Is something wrong? Everyone lost their appetite during dinner, and after that, Great-uncle went into Grandpa’s room. He still hasn’t come out yet.”
Lin Xinyan patted her son’s head and said, “We are moving into the old manor tomorrow, the one we lived in before.”
“It doesn’t matter where we live,” Zong Yanxi said, “As long as you all are there as well.”
“Of course, we are all going together.” Lin Xinyan hugged her daughter and said, “You have to show more concern to Grandpa from now on, alright?”
“I’ve always loved Grandpa.” Zong Yanxi grew up a lot, but the mother’s words were too reserved that she didn’t catch the meaning behind them.
However, the brother seemed to sense something and asked, “Is Grandpa ill?”
How should I explain?
Lin Xinyan drew her son into her arms and did not deny nor acknowledge what he said. She merely said earnestly, “Grandpa is getting old, and he likes having you and Yanxi with him. Two of you should keep him company and talk to him more.”
“Don’t worry Mommy, we will.” Zong Yanchen said obediently.
“Mommy, where is Aunt Qin?” Since Qin Ya changed her appearance and name, the two kids had been calling her that instead of Aunt Qin Ya.
Qin Ya didn’t eat much during dinner and had left right after that. It seemed like Su Zhan called.
Lin Xinyan was not really sure what had happened, but she could somewhat guess that it should be related to Grandma Su.
Now that they were all occupied with Zong Qifeng’s matter, she had no time to think about other things.
Indeed, Qin Ya received a call from Su Zhan after dinner. He claimed that his phone was out of battery and had seen her messages only after rebooting his phone.
So he immediately returned her call.
Grandma Su hit her head when she fell. Even though she was not in any critical danger, she was unconscious for a very long time and still had not woken up.
Qin Ya could hear that he didn’t sound too good. Even though Su Zhan said that he was fine, she could tell from his voice that he wasn’t.
She was a little worried for him, so she headed to the hospital.
When she arrived, Su Zhan was sitting at the long bench in the corridor with his head in his hands, looking rather helpless.
“Su Zhan.” Qin Ya called out to him.
Hearing the familiar voice, Su Zhan looked up. When he saw Qin Ya, his originally dark eyes lit up and he stood up, “What brings you here?”
Qin Ya walked up to him. She was actually worried about him, but what came out of her mouth was otherwise, “I am here to visit Grandma Su.”
Su Zhan was a little disappointed as he thought she was here for himself. “She is in the ward.”
“Have you had dinner?” Qin Ya could hear that his voice sounded a little hoarse.
Su Zhan replied, “I didn’t manage to.”
“I’ll go get some for you.” Finished speaking, she turned around but Su Zhan caught up with her. “I’ll come with you.”
Qin Ya didn’t respond to that, but her silence meant consent.
The two of them walked side by side. At this hour, there were very few people in the corridor.
They walked out of the hospital to the food shops across the road. A noodle shop caught their eyes, and they walked into that.
Su Zhan ordered himself a bowl of beef noodles and asked Qin Ya, “What would you like to have?”
Qin Ya sat down and said, “I had my dinner.”
Nodding, Su Zhan asked again, “Are you thirsty?” and that was replied by a “No.”
Su Zhan wanted to talk to her but he did not know where to begin with, so he suddenly spilled out, “Since we couldn’t make it today, let’s go settle our divorce tomorrow.”
Though her face remained calm, Qin Ya clenched her fists under the table, “Are you in that big of a hurry to divorce me?”
Su Zhan stared at her, “I thought you want to have it settled as soon as possible? I don’t want to be a drag on you any further.”
“So are you trying to make it up to me?” Qin Ya was slowly losing control over her face.
She was angered!
“What do you want?” Su Zhan was not a stingy man. Whatever she wanted, he would give it to her.
“What else do you have?” He had already given her his money. The man had basically nothing left.
Qin Ya took a deep breath for fear that she would lose her rationality if the conversation were to continue. Then, she stood up and walked out.
“Qin Ya.” Su Zhan got on his feet as well.
However, she said, “You have your dinner. I’m heading out for some fresh air.”
Su Zhan chased after her worriedly, “What’s going on with you?”
“I’m fine!” Qin Ya felt very frustrated. “Stop following me around.”
“I’m worried about you.” Su Zhan pursed his lips. “Are you angry?”
Qin Ya turned to him and sneered, “Didn’t you ask what I want? Are you going to give me whatever I want?”
Su Zhan replied without hesitation, “Anything as long as it is within my capacity.”
“Fine, since you feel that you owe me, then give me your life!” Qin Ya said huffily.
Su Zhan looked at her angry face. “You are angry.”
This time, it was not a question but statement instead.
“Why are you evading my words? Are you trying to play dumb now?” Qin Ya asked.
Su Zhan stared at her lovingly and said, “No, I said I will give you everything, and I will make good on that promise. I’ve given up my most precious possession. What else would I be reluctant to give?”
