Chapter 297 - 297: Going Home to See Li Jin
Song Yan earnestly said, “Your grandmother is sick and keeps mentioning your dad’s name. She’s missing him.
“Even if the family has separated, it doesn’t mean your dad and your grandmother’s relationship is cut off. Now that the old lady is ill, how can your dad not go see her? That’s being unfilial.”
Xia Wan understood what was happening. Song Yan was using filial piety to pressure their family.
In this era, if someone was labeled as unfilial, people would avoid them.
As elders, no matter how extreme their actions might be, children still had to show filial piety.
So, Song Yan’s use of Li Jin’s illness as an excuse was indeed difficult to refuse.
With a deliberate look of concern, Xia Wan said, “Really? Grandmother is sick?
Well, it wouldn’t make a difference if Dad went, right? I should go check on her. After all, I’m studying medicine.”
As she spoke, Xia Wan took Song Yan’s hand and said, “Come, Aunt, let’s go see
Grandmother.”
Song Yan stopped and looked helplessly at Xia Wan’s front door.
She wasn’t here to take Xia Wan back; she was here for Xia Hai.
Everyone knew Xia Wan wasn’t easily fooled, and the key was that she had medical skills. Whether Li Jin was really ill or not, Xia Wan could figure it out just by checking her pulse.
Thinking this, Song Yan quickly found an excuse, “Wanwan, I know you’re worried about your grandmother, but what she really wants to see now is your dad. Her illness isn’t physical; it’s emotional!”
Xia Wan chuckled. She hadn’t expected Song Yan to become clever and bring up emotional distress.
She smiled, “It’s alright, Aunt. Even if it’s emotional distress, I can cure it.” Song Yan:
No matter what Song Yan said, Xia Wan found various reasons to decline. She mentioned Xia Hai being busy and how his recovery would slow down if he saw Li Jin sick and became sad.
Song Yan felt Xia Wan was making excuses, but Xia Wan was dead serious.
Finally, only Song Yan and Xia Wan were left when they returned to the village.
Li Jin was already prepared, lying in bed acting, and when he heard the door open, he immediately started moaning, “My heart hurts so much, my Xia Hai.
How long has it been since I last saw you?”
Following Song Yan, Xia Wan entered the room and saw Li Jin under the covers, with Chen Lian tending to him.
Upon seeing Xia Wan, both Chen Lian and Li Jin turned their gazes towards her, while Song Yan appeared conflicted.
Xia Wan spoke, “Grandma, Aunt, don’t bother looking. My dad didn’t come.”
Sitting down by the bed, she continued, “Grandma, I heard you’re not feeling well. My dad is busy right now. As his daughter and your granddaughter, it’s my duty to take care of you on his behalf.
“Grandma, extend your arm. I’ll take your pulse,” Xia Wan said, assuming a pulse-taking posture.
However, Li Jin refused to extend her hand no matter what.
Stubbornly, she said, “I want to see my son. Not seeing you is better for my mood. I want Xia Hai to come home.”
With patience, Xia Wan spoke, “Grandmother, if you’re really sick, having my dad come won’t help. Besides, you’ve never been one to make things difficult for yourself. Your character says you wouldn’t be upset just because you haven’t seen my dad for a long time.”
“Unless… you want my dad’s salary.”
At this point, she smiled, “However, my dad doesn’t work anymore. He doesn’t have an income. Grandmother, I’m in charge now. If you have something to say, just tell me.”
Li Jin felt a wave of unease at Xia Wan’s words. What did she mean by having something to say? Was she cursing her to die early?
Thinking about Xia Wan’s shop’s income, Li Jin continued, ‘Wanwan, I know I made you suffer in the past. If you hold any grudges against me, I understand.”
“Now, Xia Ru is missing, and Xia Yu was taken by the police before and nearly implicated by Liu Shi. Our good children in the family are only you and Xia Ye now. Grandma truly feels for you.”
Li Jin affectionately held Xia Wan’s hand and continued, “I used to be a bit biased, thinking boys were the ones with potential. Now it seems girls can also succeed, just like you, Wanwan.
“All the people in our village know that you’re capable, and Grandma is proud of you. Wanwan, remember the talk of splitting the family before? Should we reconsider it?
“Your family’s rented house is so big, with many empty rooms. How about our family moving in together? That way, Grandma won’t be taking advantage of you. We can pay you ten yuan in rent each month.. What do you think?”