"Siyuan, you came alone? I haven't seen you in quite some time."
Grandmother held Shen Siyuan's hand, looking him over carefully, a light seeming to shine in her eyes.
Her hands were thin, almost skin and bones, with protruding blue veins clearly visible.
"I'm sorry, Grandmother.
In the future… In the future, I'll come back to see you often," Shen Siyuan said.
But once the words were out, he realized how familiar they sounded.
This wasn't the first time he had said such a thing.
"Why are you saying sorry to your grandmother?"
Grandmother feigned anger, pulling him towards the house.
"Grandmother will get you something nice to eat," she said.
She happily went Inside the House, then produced a bag of small bread rolls from somewhere.
Shen Siyuan took them, looked, and said, "Grandmother, these have already expired."
"They're expired?"
Grandmother looked at the large remaining bag in her hand and sighed deeply.
"I must have kept them for too long. I'm sorry."
She apologized to Shen Siyuan, full of guilt.
Shen Siyuan suddenly felt his eyes moisten. He held back his emotions and said, "Grandmother, what is there to apologize for? It's not your fault.
It's because I haven't been back in so long. I should be the one saying sorry."
"Our Siyuan has grown up and learned how to talk so nicely," Grandmother said with a cheerful laugh.
"Oh right, Grandmother, Parents brought you some things too," Shen Siyuan said hurriedly.
He then took all the things from the back seat of the Motorcycle.
"These are two Old Hens, already cleaned and cut into pieces. I'll help you put them in the Refrigerator.
Remember to take them out to make soup, don't just leave them in there for a long time…"
"And these Eggs too. You should boil and eat them, don't be reluctant.
The weather is hot now, they'll spoil if you keep them for too long…"
"And this pair of shoes, Mom bought them for you…"
"This box of Electric Mosquito Repellent, I'll teach you how to use it later…"
"And this Blood Pressure Medication. You have to remember to take it every day.
Don't secretly throw it away for me. You have to take care of your body.
If I find out, I'll get angry…"
…
"Good Grandson."
"What is it?"
"You're so naggy, just like your Parents," Grandmother said with a chuckle.
"You said I've grown up. When people grow up, they become naggy," Shen Siyuan said.
"Then you'd better not grow up. Grandmother likes you just the way you were," Grandmother said.
"No matter how old I get, I'll still be your grandson."
Shen Siyuan carried the items, about to help her put them in the Refrigerator, only to discover it wasn't plugged in at all.
She was using the Refrigerator as a storage cabinet.
"Electricity is very expensive.
I don't use it anyway, no need to waste that money," Grandmother said with conviction.
"How much money could it possibly waste? It's not like we're short on that little bit," Shen Siyuan said helplessly.
"You still can't just spend it recklessly. We have to save it.
You haven't even married yet. Right, your Mom has arranged so many for you, isn't there a single one you like?"
"Grandmother, can we please not talk about this?"
"Grandmother doesn't want to bring it up either, but Grandmother is anxious.
Don't be too picky. Tell Grandmother, what kind of girl are you looking for?"
Grandmother held onto Shen Siyuan and wouldn't let go, as if he would fly away the moment she did.
"Grandmother, I'm really not being picky. I just want to find someone I find pleasing to the eye," Shen Siyuan said.
"And that's not picky? That's the hardest kind to find."
"Hehe, Grandmother, you sure know a lot."
"Grandmother isn't rushing you, but I'm old now.
I don't know if I'll live to see the day you get married. When I think about it, I won't be able to rest in peace…"
You call this not rushing me? This is the most intense rushing possible.
"Grandmother, you're in great health. You'll definitely be able to see that day."
"I know my own body.
How could you know better than me?"
"I get it, I'll find a Girlfriend as soon as I can and bring her back for your approval," Shen Siyuan promised helplessly, patting his chest."Good Grandson, you mustn't lie to Grandmother."
"What are you talking about? When have I ever lied to you?"
"Mm, Grandmother trusts you."
…
"Good Grandson, how many days will you be home this time?"
"I'm going back tomorrow afternoon."
"In such a hurry?"
"Can't be helped, I have to go to work on Monday."
"Then stay here with me tonight and go back tomorrow afternoon."
"I can't.
My Mom set me up with someone, and she wants me to meet them tomorrow morning."
"Ah, right, right…" Speaking of a potential partner, Grandmother immediately perked up.
"Then I won't keep you for the night. It's the middle of summer in Great Xia, and my place isn't as convenient as yours.
You should go back and tidy yourself up, change into a different set of clothes…"
"What I'm wearing now is fine."
Shen Siyuan chatted with his grandmother for a long time and also taught her how to use her Mobile Phone.
His Dad had bought her a Senior Phone. It was loud, had a long battery life, and was simple to operate.
He had said Grandmother was unwilling to learn and couldn't figure it out, but that wasn't true at all.
When Shen Siyuan was teaching her, she was all smiles, overjoyed, fiddling with it over and over, asking questions again and again…
"Press this to answer calls.
I'll call you when I have time…"
"This battery-shaped icon up here, when it looks empty, you have to remember to charge it…"
"Have you memorized my number? If you miss me, just give me a call. I have plenty of time, anytime is fine…"
"Won't that bother you at work?"
"No, a phone call won't get in the way."
"That's good.
But how can I see you through the phone?"
"Huh? Grandmother, you even know about Video Calls," Shen Siyuan said, a little surprised.
"I heard it from Guizhi. She often calls her Tao Tao."
The Guizhi his grandmother mentioned was from a family in the same village.
Her son and daughter-in-law worked out of town with their grandson and often made video calls to her. However, her age was only slightly older than Shen Siyuan's Mom.
"This Mobile Phone of yours won't work for that. You need to buy one that can make video calls."
"Then why didn't your father buy me a phone like that?" Grandmother asked, a bit annoyed.
Uh~, Shen Siyuan didn't know how to explain. She was already fumbling with a Senior Phone, let alone a Smartphone.
"Is that kind of phone very expensive?" Grandmother asked again."It's alright."
"Look how stingy your Dad is.
He's just unwilling to buy it for me. I don't know what he earns all that money for.
You should spend what you need to spend," Grandmother said, dissatisfied.
That's not what you were saying just a moment ago.
"Grandmother, I'll buy one for you next time I'm back."
"Why waste that money? Just have your Dad buy it for me. You keep your money for yourself."
"Alright, when I get home tonight, I'll tell him."
Shen Siyuan stayed at his grandmother's house until evening before leaving on his Motorcycle.
It wasn't that Shen Siyuan wanted to leave, but his grandmother was urging him to go.
Although she was very reluctant to see him go, she was also afraid it wouldn't be safe for him to travel at night.
Before he left, she even forcefully stuffed a hundred yuan into Shen Siyuan's pocket, refusing to take no for an answer.
Shen Siyuan couldn't win against her, so he could only accept it for now and have his Dad return it to her next time.
"When you meet the girl tomorrow, take her to the Town to buy something nice to eat," she said.
"I know. I'm off."
Shen Siyuan stepped on the gas and drove back the way he came.
After riding for a distance, he stopped the Motorcycle and looked back, only to see his grandmother following far behind, having already walked past the Village Entrance.
Her eyesight was poor, and she could no longer see him clearly from that distance, but she still raised her arm and waved.