1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 199 The Past Five Years Ago: The Eldest Brother's Injury
"Sixth Grandpa has passed away, you should rest for a while too."

Lin Xiyu was happy to see him smile, so she went to the bedside and helped him lie down.

"These past two days"

Before closing his eyes, Gu Bin carefully instructed, "Keep an eye out, someone else will probably come."

"Who else is coming?"

Lin Xiyu paused in her hand as she put the cup on his cup.

"The word has already spread; those who want to come will come, and there's no stopping them."

Gu Bin didn't say it explicitly, but a complex and unreadable expression flashed in his eyes.

"You should get some sleep first."

Seeing that he looked exhausted, Lin Xiyu couldn't bear to ask any more questions and urged him to rest.

"Ah."

Gu Bin smiled good-naturedly and closed his eyes in accordance with her wishes.

-

As expected, on the third day after Sixth Grandfather and his party returned to Beijing, which was the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the quiet ward was unexpectedly visited by an old friend.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, while Gu Bin was taking a nap, Lin Xiyu went back to her home at East China Normal University, took a nice hot shower, and brought him a few changes of clothes.

When I returned to the hospital in the afternoon, I was surprised to find a furtive figure peeking around in the corridor in front of the ward.

"Who are you looking for?"

She looked at the person and found him somewhat familiar, but couldn't quite place where she had seen him before, which surprised her.

"what?"

Upon hearing the sound, the man turned around in terror.

"Fourth aunt?"

Lin Xiyu saw her face clearly, and a flash of inspiration struck her; she suddenly understood.

No wonder she looked familiar; she's Gu Bin's fourth uncle's wife. I met her at a family gathering five years ago.

"Xi Yu, it really is you."

When Auntie recognized her, her eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she cried with excitement, "We heard that you and Xiaobin got back together. We couldn't believe it before, but it turns out what they said was true?"

"Uh"

Lin Xiyu was a little overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.

"Xi Yu"

Aunt Si wiped away her tears, her eyes pleading: "Aunt Si wants to ask you for a favor. Please don't blame me for being presumptuous, but I have no choice but to swallow my pride and ask you this."

"Fourth Aunt, please don't say that."

Lin Xiyu felt a chill run down her spine and a bad premonition rose within her: "We're all family, so please feel free to tell me what's wrong."

"It's so great that you treat us like family."

The eldest aunt comforted him, saying, "I came here to tell you that Xiaobin's grandfather is in poor health and probably won't last much longer. Xiaobin has some unresolved issues and hasn't been in contact with his family. I really had no other choice but to come and ask you for help."

"Fourth Aunt, you don't need to say anything more, I understand."

Lin Xiyu didn't need to listen anymore to guess what she was going to say next: "I will pass on your words to him. As for whether he will go back, it depends on his own decision."

"Xi Yu"

Seeing her cold attitude, Fourth Aunt became a little anxious: "Could you help persuade him? This matter can only be handled by you. We understand that the old man was too heartless five years ago. Xiao Zheng has been suffering a lot because of this, and his wife and children have also suffered along with him."

"What's wrong with Brother Zheng?"

Lin Xiyu was shocked.

"Ugh."

A hint of pain flashed in Aunt Si's eyes, and she sighed deeply.

-

Five years ago, on the night Gu Bin accompanied his mother abroad, Fu Zheng felt guilty and uneasy, and his mental state was on the verge of collapse.

He was in a car accident on his way to the airport and it took him a long time to recover.

His girlfriend took good care of him during his hospitalization, and their relationship deepened day by day. His grandparents saw this and also developed feelings for his girlfriend, so they no longer interfered with their marriage.

The couple enjoyed a sweet period after their marriage, but fate was unkind, and soon complications arose.

Fu Zheng's wife has congenital heart disease, and her condition worsened after she became pregnant. Doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy, but she insisted on refusing.

She persevered until the very last moment of her life for her child, passing away just as the baby was born.

Fu Zheng lost his beloved wife and was plunged into grief once again. In order to forget his pain, he applied for a transfer and went to southern Xinjiang, far away from his hometown.

His poor son lost his parents' love at birth and became withdrawn and didn't like playing with other children his age.

-

"Huh? Brother Zheng's wife is dead?"

When Lin Xiyu learned the truth, her complex and indescribable feelings could not be described simply as shock.

She had thought that only Gu Bin had suffered in that incident, but she never expected that Fu Zheng would also pay a heavy price for it.

"Xi Yu, come with me quietly, don't let Xiao Bin know."

Auntie Si wiped away her tears again, and mysteriously pulled her in the opposite direction from the ward.

"Where are you going?"

Lin Xiyu was worried about Gu Bin and hesitated to move.

"You will know when you go."

Aunt Si looked a little anxious: "Don't worry, Aunt Si has no bad intentions and won't harm you."

"Gu Bin's injuries haven't healed yet, so I can't leave for too long."

"I'll be back soon."

Lin Xiyu couldn't argue with her fourth aunt, so she could only let her be pulled away from the ward.

-

The first floor of the hospital.

"Grandma, you're here too."

When Lin Xiyu saw the old man with a full head of white hair and a weathered face, she was so surprised that she could hardly speak.

Compared to the image and smile in her memory, Grandma Fu looked much older now. Her hair was all white, her eyelids were swollen, her cheeks were so thin that she looked unrecognizable, and she looked haggard.

"Xi Yu, Grandma is so glad to finally see you."

When Grandma Fu saw her, her eyes lit up, and she excitedly stood up from her chair and grasped her hand tightly.

The old lady's hands were also very thin, and the bones were digging into them, causing her pain.

Looking at the old man's haggard face, Lin Xiyu couldn't help but feel tears welling up in her eyes.

Grandpa Fu and Grandma Fu treated her very well, and she still remembers the kindness shown to her by her military medal.

If it weren't for Gu Bin's inner conflict, it wouldn't be so easy to resolve.

She really wanted to rush into her arms right now and cry her heart out.

-

Great-grandmother

A child's voice suddenly rang out behind Grandma Fu, interrupting her thoughts.

"he is."

When she saw that it was a little boy who was only three or four years old, her heart clenched again, and she was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

"He is Fu Zheng's child."

Fourth Aunt answered for Grandma Fu: "Fu Xiang, Xiang as in flying, his nickname is Rui Rui. Rui Rui was raised by Grandma since he was a baby. He is closest to Grandma and follows her everywhere. This time, Grandma was worried about leaving him alone at home, so she brought him along."

"Rui Rui, call her Auntie."

Grandma Fu tried to pull the little boy out from behind her and make him call for help, but the little boy refused, only peeking out half of his head from behind her, timidly looking at Lin Xiyu.

Lin Xiyu was also looking at him, and when she saw his face clearly, a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes.

He was a very handsome little boy with fair skin and a high nose bridge. He looked somewhat like Fu Zheng, but more like his mother.

Although Lin Xiyu had never met her sister-in-law, she could tell from the child before her how stunningly beautiful his mother must have been. No wonder Fu Zheng was so devoted to her, remaining faithful even despite his disability. "This child is a bit introverted."

Grandma Fu couldn't bear to scold her great-grandson, and a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes.

"How old is he?"

Lin Xiyu was understanding: "A child this young will definitely be scared when he first sees a stranger. There's no need to force him."

"Xiyu, Grandma knows you're a kind-hearted girl."

Grandma Fu thought about the purpose of coming here, and her hand trembled slightly as she held hers.

"Grandma, I'm not as good as you all think."

Lin Xiyu felt guilty: "Over the years, I've only thought about my own feelings and haven't considered your and Grandpa's feelings. I haven't visited you at all."

"Grandma doesn't blame you."

Grandma Fu comforted her, saying, "Xiao Bin has been gone for five years without a word. I know you've suffered a lot these years. I'm so grateful to you for waiting for him, giving him a chance, and getting back together with him. I'm truly happy for you both."

"grandmother."

A look of emotion flashed across Lin Xiyu's eyes, and tears instantly filled her eyes.

"Xi Yu."

Grandma Fu's eyes also reddened, and her voice choked with emotion: "Grandma came this time to ask you for a favor."

"Grandma, you don't need to say anything."

Lin Xiyu quickly interrupted her, "Fourth Aunt already told me that I will do my best to persuade Gu Bin to go home and see his grandfather."

"With your words, Grandma can rest assured."

Grandma Fu was so moved that tears streamed down her face.

"Great-Grandma, don't cry."

When the little boy saw his great-grandmother crying, a hint of panic flashed in his eyes. He reached out his little hand, wanting to wipe away her tears.

"Rui Rui, be good, Great-Grandma, don't cry."

Grandma Fu smiled with satisfaction, pulled him out from behind, and hugged him.

"Rui Rui is such a sensible and considerate child."

Lin Xiyu squatted down, looked at the little child's delicate face, and praised him with a smile.

“Rui Rui.”

Grandma Fu patted the little boy's head, her eyes filled with affection: "Auntie is praising you, quickly thank Auntie."

She should have said it, because the little child became more reserved, turned around, and buried his face in her arms.

"You're welcome."

Looking at the little child in front of her, Lin Xiyu felt another pang of pain in her heart as she thought of the fetus she had miscarried.

"Rui Rui is great in every way, except she's a little shy."

Grandma Fu offered an embarrassed explanation, fearing that she might not have a good impression of her nephew.

"If only Rui Rui could have parents who love her."

Aunt Si knew perfectly well what was going on, and sighed helplessly: "When children grow up and become sensible, they will see that other children have mothers but they don't. Over time, they will definitely develop psychological barriers, feel inferior, and be unwilling to interact with other children."

"Ugh."

Lin Xiyu felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this, and a deep sense of pity welled up within her for the young child.

-

Ward.

Lin Xiyu was preoccupied with the person waiting for news on the first floor, and was somewhat absent-minded. When she was pouring hot water, she accidentally slipped and the cup fell to the ground with a clatter, almost scalding her foot.

"what happened?"

Gu Bin could tell she was preoccupied, so he forced himself to sit up in bed.

"nothing."

Lin Xiyu hadn't figured out how to persuade him yet, and glanced away guiltily.

"Who has come looking for you?"

Gu Bin, being meticulous, immediately spotted the flaw.

"No."

Lin Xiyu wanted to argue, but he shut her down with one sentence.

"Your eyes have betrayed you."

Gu Bin chuckled teasingly: "You're still the same as before, you can't lie at all, and your eyes will wander if you have even the slightest worry on your mind, and you won't dare to look me in the eye."

"I have nothing to be ashamed of."

Lin Xiyu's ears turned red, a little annoyed with herself. She had no secrets from him and he could see right through her.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

Gu Bin had already guessed what was going on, and adopted an attentive listening posture: "Take advantage of my good mood right now and speak quickly, or you'll miss your chance."

"Do you know that Brother Zheng's wife is dead?"

After thinking it over, Lin Xiyu decided to play the family card first: "I left behind a little nephew who has never had any parents to love him. He's like a frightened little rabbit when he sees strangers, so timid and pitiful."

"I've heard Qu Peng mention it."

Gu Bin's eyes darkened, revealing a hint of grief.

"His wife."

Lin Xiyu asked tentatively, "Is it the one you told me about, the one who dances ballet?"

"Ugh."

Gu Bin sighed sadly, taking it as an answer.

"That child is quite pitiful."

Lin Xiyu was going to great lengths to repay the kindness of the Fu family in giving her the military medal back then. She didn't hesitate to reopen her wounds and use her miscarriage as an excuse: "When I see him, I think of our baby. He's all alone in the underworld, without the love of his parents. Will he be just as lonely and helpless as him?"

"do not talk"

Gu Bin was indeed heartbroken and reached out to pull her into his arms.

"My sister-in-law must also deeply love my brother."

Lin Xiyu continued emotionally, "I admire her so much. She was willing to give up her own life to give birth to the fruit of their love."

"That's why my brother was in so much pain."

Gu Bin empathized: "If it were me, I wouldn't be able to accept being separated from my loved one by death either."

“Your older brother couldn’t get over it and left alone. That child is so pitiful.”

Lin Xiyu lifted her eyelids, stole a glance at his expression, and felt the time was right. She pinched her thigh hard. The extreme pain shot straight to her brain, and tears instantly filled her eyes.

She choked back tears and sobbed softly, recounting her heartache and grievances: "My heart aches so much. Every time I see that child, I think of our baby. I can't bear to think about it. Just imagining our baby ending up like his brother, with no one to love or care for him, all alone and helpless, makes me want to cry."

"If you feel sorry for that child, why don't you raise him/her yourself?"

Gu Bin was indeed moved by her words, and made a decision in an instant.

"You want me to raise him?!"

Lin Xiyu was so shocked by the outcome that she forgot to cry.

"You need a child now to heal your wounds."

Gu Bin then tried to persuade her, saying, "Since that child has touched your heart, it means you are destined to be with him. Since your elder brother is too busy to take care of him, we can do it for him."

"Grandma might not be willing."

Lin Xiyu was both amused and exasperated: "She raised my nephew from a young age, and he can't live without her."

"It's all up to human effort."

Having already made up his mind, Gu Bin acted with remarkable efficiency: "Go downstairs to the supermarket and buy a Rubik's Cube."

"What do you need a Rubik's Cube for?"

Lin Xiyu was completely confused.

You'll find out soon enough.

Gu Bin deliberately kept everyone in suspense: "On the way back, please call Grandma and the others up. Leave the task of taking care of the children to me."