The toilet light turned on, and the door closed.
“Grandma, please stand still.”
“Okay, you’re such a good girl. My grandson is excellent, tall, handsome, and rich. He’s just a bit cold. You young people talk about those aloof, domineering CEOs, right? My grandson is just like that…”
“Grandma, I know. Can you please stand still?”
Then, the sound of running water came from the toilet.
“Grandma, how’s the water temperature?”
“It’s fine. You’re so kind. You must become my granddaughter-in-law! I’ll give you my ancestral jade bracelet. Oh, where is my jade bracelet!”
“I’m wearing it, Grandma. You gave it to me long ago!”
“Oh, really? It looks beautiful on you!”
The few people outside the room quietly listened to the commotion inside.
Elder Master Ling wiped away tears and said, “Yunfei, buy your mother adult diapers!”
Zhu Yunfei frowned and remained silent.
Her mother-in-law was sometimes lucid and sometimes confused. How could she bear to let her wear such a thing? When she regained her senses, how distressed she would be.
In fact, most of the time she soiled herself, she wouldn’t even remember.
But if she wore diapers…
“It’s okay, I’ll talk to her. She’ll understand.”
Elder Master Ling knew what she was thinking. His daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law were both filial, and he was very pleased.
“It’s alright, Dad. Mom isn’t confused yet!”
Zhu Yunfei didn’t overthink it. She just knew that with their parents getting so old, during their remaining years, at least when they were still conscious, she wanted to let them spend their twilight years in peace.
Elder Master Ling continued to wipe away tears, his aged voice choked with emotion, “It is our Ling family’s fortune to have such a good daughter-in-law like you!”
He hadn’t had the fortune to have a daughter in this life, but his daughter-in-law was as caring as his own daughter, and he also had a sensible and filial granddaughter-in-law.
Zhu Yunfei’s eyes quietly reddened, and she said nothing.
She had married far from home, yet her father-in-law and mother-in-law treated her like their own daughter. Her husband doted on her immensely.
Her life had been smooth sailing, filled with affection and protection. Now was the time for her to repay them.
In the toilet, Gong Zhijing cleaned the old lady and changed her into clean clothes before taking her out.
Although the process was a bit difficult, the old lady was cooperative.
“Alright, Grandma, are you full? Do you want to eat more?”
Madam Ling shook her head, “No more. I want to play mahjong!!”
This put Gong Zhijing in a difficult position. She didn’t know how to play mahjong!
“Let’s go, Mom. Junye, Yuchen, and I will play with you.” After what had just happened, no one was in the mood to continue eating.
Elder Master Ling said, “No, no. Let Yuchen take Zhijing and Leyou to rest. I’ll do it.”
Zhu Yunfei naturally refused. She advised, “Dad, your health isn’t good either. Yuchen is back, you should rest!”
“It’s fine, your grandmother loves playing mahjong with me!” Elder Master Ling insisted on going, and no one could do anything about it.
“Let’s play mahjong!”
Madam Ling was as happy as a child.
“Let’s go, Mom.” Zhu Yunfei supported her as she walked towards the mahjong table.
The four of them took their seats.
Then came the sound of shuffling mahjong tiles.
Ling Yuchen stood still, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness.
He couldn’t understand why his grandparents had encountered misfortune one after another, and why his grandmother had developed such an incurable illness.
Everything had been progressing in a good direction.
Gong Zhijing silently comforted him, holding his hand and intertwining their fingers.
Ling Yuchen turned his head to look at her, his eyes overflowing with sadness.
Gong Zhijing gave him a gentle smile, gesturing for him to look at the mahjong table.
“Look, Grandpa is so happy, and Grandma is carefree. It’s good enough that we can all gather together as a family.”
Following her gaze, he saw that his grandfather was indeed smiling happily, his eyes full of affection for his grandmother.
His grandmother was intently staring at her tiles, completely focused and serious. His father and mother sat by her side, watching her with smiles in their eyes.
Ling Yuchen instantly let go of his worries.
At least his family was happy now. Why should he dwell on it so much?
“Granddaughter-in-law, you said you don’t know how to play mahjong? Come quickly, Grandma will teach you.”
Madam Ling was delighted with her excellent hand.
“Okay, Grandma.”
Gong Zhijing quickly walked over and sat beside Madam Ling.
Ling Yuchen’s tense expression gradually relaxed as he saw the smiles on his family’s faces.
“Granddaughter-in-law, look, Grandma’s hand is amazing. A flush…”
As she spoke, Madam Ling deliberately lowered her voice, leaning closer to Gong Zhijing and chattering into her ear.
Gong Zhijing maintained a smile throughout, listening patiently, appearing to be a humble student.
This made Madam Ling incredibly happy, her laughter blooming like a flower.
Gong Zhijing genuinely didn’t know how to play mahjong, but under Madam Ling’s guidance, she gradually learned, though she still struggled with scoring.
The family gathered around the mahjong table, and the room echoed with laughter and merriment, continuing until past ten o’clock at night. Only when the two elders were tired did they go to rest.
Returning to the East Courtyard, Gong Zhijing was so tired she just wanted to sleep. She couldn’t understand how the elderly could have more energy than the young.
She was exhausted, and Ling Yuchen looked equally weary.
He had been taking care of the baby, with almost no rest, and had to handle official duties whenever he had free time.
Fortunately, Ling Leyou was well-behaved and had fallen asleep early.
Gong Zhijing slumped onto the sofa, weakly saying, “You go take a shower first. I just want to lie down now.”
Ling Yuchen had just placed the baby in the stroller. He pushed the stroller out and said, “Let the nanny take care of the baby tonight!”
Gong Zhijing had no objections. She also wanted a good night’s rest. As for Ling Leyou’s night feeding, there was still breast milk stored in the refrigerator.
She lay on the sofa with her eyes closed, dozing off, almost falling asleep.
Just as she was in a semi-conscious state, she suddenly felt her body lighten and immediately woke up.
Ling Yuchen carried her towards the bathroom. He looked down at the person in his arms and said, “Take a shower, then sleep.”
“Put me down, I can wash myself.” Gong Zhijing struggled a few times but was held even tighter.
Ling Yuchen said in a deep voice, “Let’s shower together.”
How could they possibly have a proper shower?
Gong Zhijing resisted, but there was no room for defiance.
Didn’t this guy feel tired?
Once in the bathroom, all the words she wanted to say were drowned out by Ling Yuchen’s passionate kiss.
He turned on the shower, and warm water cascaded down on both of them, soaking their clothes.
The entire bathroom was filled with an intimate atmosphere, the temperature gradually rising.
Outside the bathroom window, the night was as dark as ink, tree shadows swaying, and faint specks of stars dotting the sky.
The clamor of the night market had faded, leaving only the whistling night wind and the chirping of insects.
…