The first half of the night, Lu Mingzhe was highly alert. Coupled with the fact that Xiang Wan sent him photos of their daughter that were too cute, he had no sleepiness at all.
He kept his eyes open until past four in the morning before his body, overwhelmed by fatigue, gave in, and he fell asleep with his head on the edge of the bed.
He had only been asleep for a short while when his grandmother on the bed woke up.
She wanted to go to the toilet, but her body was uncontrollable; she couldn't move.
She wanted to call Xiang Wan to help, but as soon as she opened her mouth, her face and mouth felt numb, and she couldn't make a sound.
She was terrified.
She didn't know what was happening to her. Her vision was a blur of white. What had happened? Where was Nian Nian?
As she tensed up, her body trembled, and Grandma felt a wet warmth on the bed.
She, who was nearly 80 and had been clean for most of her life, had wet the bed.
"Mmm, mmm..."
Grandma, embarrassed and flustered, finally made a sound.
Lu Mingzhe woke up in an instant and looked up at her.
Seeing that her eyes were open, he quickly stood up and leaned his head over.
"Grandma. You're awake?"
Grandma's face was pale, her upper lip pulled to the left and her lower lip to the right.
It was unclear whether her mouth couldn't close due to pain or if it was a severe after-effect as the doctor had said.
In any case, she looked terrifying.
But he only felt heartache.
"Are you feeling unwell somewhere? I'll call the doctor."
He reached for the bedside bell, but Grandma quickly raised her voice, "Mmm! Mmm mmm!"
Lu Mingzhe paused and looked down at her.
"What's wrong? You don't want me to call the doctor? Okay, okay, I won't."
"Why are you in such a hurry? Look, you're sweating on your head."
"Tell me what you want to say. Don't get agitated first."
How could Grandma not be agitated?
She hadn't seen Lu Mingzhe for over a year. Xiang Wan said they had broken up.
During Xiang Wan's most difficult times, she had countless times hoped for his appearance, but he had never shown up. Why had he suddenly appeared today?
Was she dreaming or was this real? Why couldn't she move?
At her age, she was so clumsy that she wet the bed and he saw it. How could she not be agitated?
"Mmm, mmm mmm mmm..."
Grandma desperately tried to raise her arm to let Lu Mingzhe help her up, but she couldn't move it at all.
Lu Mingzhe understood. He reached behind her head and supported her.
"You're tired of lying down, aren't you? Do you want to sit up? I'll help you."
The hand Lu Mingzhe touched her with was warm, indicating it wasn't a dream.
So, something had really happened to her.
Recently, Nian Nian had been sick, and she hadn't slept well day or night.
She felt sorry for Xiang Wan and insisted on taking care of the child, having not slept well for several consecutive days.
Sometimes she felt dizzy, with chest tightness and shortness of breath. Could it be...
Lu Mingzhe realized Grandma's condition was very serious after trying to help her.
Not only was her mouth crooked, but her whole body was immobile.
When he supported her, she had no self-control whatsoever.
Afraid of scaring Grandma, he gently laid her back down.
"You'd better lie still for now. Tell me what you need, and I'll help you. The doctor said you need to rest well."
He sat back down and held one of her hands in his.
"You fainted yesterday, Grandma. You scared Xiang Wan."
Grandma seemed to recall something. Thinking that she had fallen and almost hit Nian Nian, her face showed great self-reproach.
Lu Mingzhe gently comforted her.
"Don't worry too much. The doctor said it's not a big problem. It's a common illness for your age. You'll be fine with more rest."
"Who doesn't get sick after eating grains? You didn't do it on purpose, and Xiang Wan doesn't blame you at all."
"You've done a great job, helping to look after the child every day. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Is the room temperature okay? Do you feel hot or cold? Do you want some water? I'll get it for you."
Grandma's eyeballs followed Lu Mingzhe's movements.
She found that this young man was no different from before; he was still quite likable.
Although she had resented him greatly before meeting him and silently felt Xiang Wan was wronged, she was surprised that after such a short time, a few words made her want to forgive him.
She had a stomach full of questions for Lu Mingzhe, but her body was not cooperating.
Never mind. Xiang Wan was no longer a child; she could handle her own affairs. She decided not to dwell on it for now.
She shook her head.
"Are you tired again? It's still early. Why don't you sleep a little longer? Xiang Wan will bring Nian Nian to see you when it's light."
Lu Mingzhe tucked her hand back under the covers and smoothed the blanket around her legs.
As soon as he touched her, Grandma cried out "Mmm mmm mmm" as if she had been pricked by a needle.
However, it was too late. Lu Mingzhe keenly sensed the wetness.
No wonder Grandma looked so uncomfortable as soon as she opened her eyes. It turned out...
If she never got better and had to be bedridden forever, needing someone to help her with her needs every day...
It was too difficult.
It was all his fault.
If he had found Xiang Wan earlier, Grandma wouldn't have had to work so hard, and perhaps she wouldn't have gotten this illness.
He pretended not to notice anything, smiled at Grandma, told her to rest well, and turned to leave the ward.
Soon, two nurses entered with a set of hospital gowns to help Grandma change.
"Madam, isn't that your grandson-in-law outside? He's so handsome and has such a good temper."
"When we were handling the paperwork today, I saw him holding the child and running around, looking so doting. He's truly charming."
"Your taste is so good! You picked such a fine son-in-law. Get well soon. There are many single girls in our department. Introduce them to us later."
Grandma drifted off to sleep in a daze, a mix of complex emotions swirling within her.
At seven in the morning, Xiang Wan arrived at the ward, carrying her daughter and a breakfast.
Ever since Grandma had wet the bed, Lu Mingzhe had completely lost his sleepiness. He had woken up a friend in the middle of the night and inquired about hospitals in Hangcheng.
They talked for a long time, and Lu Mingzhe then used some connections to handle procedures at a specialized hospital.
When Xiang Wan arrived, he was on the phone with his back to the door.
Although it was a shabby and ordinary ward, his tall stature and long legs, along with his elite demeanor, somehow gave it a business-like atmosphere.
Xiang Wan first checked on Grandma in bed. Her clothes had been changed, indicating she had woken up in the meantime.
She breathed a sigh of relief, put down the breakfast, and waited for Lu Mingzhe to turn around.
She didn't want to disturb him while he was on the phone, but Nian Nian couldn't help herself.
Seeing his back, she excitedly wriggled in Xiang Wan's arms.
Her two short legs kicked upwards powerfully, and she anxiously called out, "Daddy, Daddy!"
Lu Mingzhe heard his daughter's voice and turned around, seeing her and Xiang Wan, both clean, standing there looking at him.
In the early morning, the warm sunlight fell on their faces, making them look so pure and heartwarming.
It was the scene he had longed for in his dreams.
He couldn't help but smile.
"I'll leave it at that for now. Call me back when you're done. Thank you for your trouble."
He walked over.
Nian Nian became even more excited, waving her little hands and leaning forward with all her might, "Daddy, Daddy!"
Lu Mingzhe took her, planting a kiss on her face.