She felt that it was best to keep Grandma’s leg issue a secret for now, and only talk about it once her health improved.
The eldest aunt was worried that her brother-in-law might complain about her, feeling anxious and uneasy in the hospital room. She was afraid Shen Haitao would lose his temper at her again.
However, when they returned and saw Haitao acting normal, Zhang Huilan finally felt at ease.
She quickly smiled and said to the second aunt, "Sister-in-law, tonight my eldest brother and I will stay at the hospital, you all should go ho and get a good night’s sleep. Especially Ai Yi, who stayed up all night last night and didn’t rest during the day today. He surely can’t hold on."
The speed at which the eldest aunt changed her attitude was as fast as lightning, but no one pointed it out.
Grandma chatted with them for a while but soon lost energy and fell asleep quickly.
Seeing that Grandma was resting well, they didn’t stay in the room to disturb her. So, mother-in-law took Han Yi and back ho, followed by the second uncle and aunt.
Hu Bin probably knew Han Yi was coming back today and had prepared so dishes at ho, waiting for them.
"Uncle Hu"
"It’s cold outside, co in quickly. Where’s your mother?"
"Mom’s cycling, she’ll be here soon," Han Yi said, having stopped at a supply store earlier to buy so supplents and snacks. He also bought so braised at from a shop along the way.
While talking, Han Yi handed the braised at to Uncle Hu, who exchanged pleasantries before returning to the kitchen to handle the food. In the kitchen, Hu Bin worriedly asked,
"Xiao Yi, how is your Grandma doing?"
"She just woke up this afternoon, but there might be so issues with her leg."
Hu Bin paused what he was doing, sighed, having anticipated this outco early on.
Once mother-in-law returned ho, the family sat together and discussed Grandma’s leg. She sighed softly and said, "Your Grandma has always been strong-willed all her life; if she knew, she definitely couldn’t bear it."
"Old age brings challenges, but it’s precisely during such tis that they need us," Hu Bin comforted Shen Qing with a pat.
"The doctor said there’s a chance for her to regain sensation with proper care," Han Yi added.
"Hope is what matters, as long as we don’t give up," Hu Bin nodded.
"I certainly won’t quit if there’s a chance for recovery. You wouldn’t believe what the eldest sister-in-law said today; she’s already counting costs and ntioned Xiao Yi as a priority, which really upset ."
"That’s typical behavior for her; why argue with her? The second brother certainly won’t deny treatnt for our mother." Hu Bin understood.
Shen Qing knew this too but couldn’t help feeling angry.
Han Yi and Lin Wan gave each other a knowing look and smiled, "Mom, the eldest aunt is right. Grandma raised since childhood. Now she’s sick, and I have a responsibility to take care of her."
"I know, Mom is just angry that the eldest sister-in-law is already being so calculative."
Lin Wan quickly chid in, "Mom, if she wasn’t nitpicking, she wouldn’t be our eldest aunt. After all these years, you and Uncle Hu, our elders, know her well. Why get upset over her now? In the end, the eldest uncle wouldn’t follow her whims either."
"Exactly, your eldest uncle wouldn’t simply let her make random decisions."
After dinner, Lin Wan helped mother-in-law clean the kitchen. Uncle Hu and Han Yi sat in the living room, having tea and discussing Grandma’s situation and how she should be cared for in the future.
Knowing Han Yi hadn’t slept yesterday, Hu Bin refrained from prolonging the conversation, noticing the late hour, and urged them to rest.
In the middle of the night, Lin Wan got up to use the bathroom, noticing the light on in mother-in-law’s room and overheard her talking vaguely about money.
Lin Wan thought she must be raising funds for Grandma.
Having a serious illness in the family could really deplete everyone’s savings.
The next morning, the family had breakfast and went straight to the hospital. Uncle Hu was off work and accompanied them too.
The eldest uncle and aunt had spent a sleepless night at the hospital, feeling exhausted. This couldn’t go on; everyone still had work to do.
Before leaving, the eldest uncle discussed hiring a caregiver with mother-in-law.
"Eldest uncle, eldest aunt, you should go ho and rest. Indeed, a caregiver should be hired. I’ll look into hiring one today, along with Mom."
The eldest uncle nodded but said nothing, while the eldest aunt smiled and held Lin Wan’s hand, "It’s good to hire a caregiver. Everyone needs to work, and staying up all night isn’t sustainable. Xiao Wan, make sure to hire soone long-term, and pay them several months in advance, okay?"
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