Chapter 35: Meow
“What Grandpa?” Jing Zhi bent down and carefully examined the paper cutting in his hand.
It was a rather cute Scottish Fold kitten. From a child’s perspective, it was definitely precious. From an adult’s perspective, one could see the rawness of the paper-cutting skill. It should be handmade, and although slightly flawed, it was very meaningful.
He still remembered the “dummy grandpa” Mimi mentioned yesterday. Could it be him?
Jing Mimi turned his little head around, then his small body, to capture a clear and complete 360° view.
But that tightly covered figure was indeed gone.
Jing Mimi’s gaze returned to Jing Zhi, and he gestured with his small hands as he explained, “Just now… just now there was an old grandpa here, the dummy grandpa from yesterday. He was here just now, why did he suddenly disappear…”
Jing Zhi raised his eyebrows slightly, rubbed the top of his head, and coaxed, “Maybe Grandpa went to do something. Papa will ask around for you later.”
Jing Mimi nodded his little head and urged, “Papa, go find him for me now.”
He didn’t expect the little guy to be so anxious. It must be because of this Scottish Fold paper cutting. Jing Zhi smiled helplessly, straightened up, and said okay.
Jing Mimi was naturally anxious. His mission hadn’t been done yet! He couldn’t just watch Grandpa disappear again.
The volunteer beside him was a college student, estimated to be in his early twenties, a boy named Fang Xiaorui. Seeing Jing Zhi leave, he followed eagerly.
“Little Jing, why did that child call you Papa?” Fang Xiaorui asked.
Normally, a volunteer of this age should politely call Jing Zhi “Brother Jing,” or at least call him by his full name. This “Little Jing” was slightly weird.
But Fang Xiaorui was Jing Zhi’s fan. Jing Zhi’s streamer name was “Little Jing XJ,” and he was actually calling him by this name.
“The child I’m planning to adopt.” Jing Zhi didn’t explain too much to him.
Although Fang Xiaorui was not only his fan but also a junior from University A, he was always accustomed to keeping a distance from fans.
“Oh, oh,” Fang Xiaorui didn’t ask much, just showing some normal curiosity. “That child is so beautiful. Is his hair color natural? It looks so much like your cat’s color.”
There were too many children with physical problems in the welfare institute. Such a different hair color could easily make people associate it with some diseases. But he couldn’t directly ask if the child had any physical problems, so he could only euphemistically ask if the hair color was natural.
Jing Zhi: “…”
Jing Zhi: “Mmhmm.”
Jing Zhi really didn’t expect to meet his die-hard fan junior in the welfare institute. He rarely showed Mimi in his live streams, yet the other party still remembered the kitten’s appearance.
However, seeing the other party’s carefree personality like a husky, Jing Zhi didn’t feel disgusted.
Coincidentally meeting a welfare institute staff member, Jing Zhi immediately went up and asked her about the news of that old grandpa.
The person shook her head, saying she didn’t see any old grandpa.
Jing Zhi had to continue asking others to find the old grandpa’s whereabouts.
He was a volunteer at the welfare institute and didn’t have the authority to access the backend of the welfare institute to check some information. He could only ask one by one through the most primitive method.
After searching for a long time, no one gave an answer.
Fang Xiaorui suddenly said, “Could he have already left the welfare institute? Let’s go to the guard room to check. Everyone has to register when entering and leaving. I registered when I came in the morning.”
Reminded by this, Jing Zhi also reacted, glanced at him gratefully, turned around, and walked towards the guard room at the main gate of the welfare institute.
Having stayed in the welfare institute for so long, the guard was already familiar with Jing Zhi. The registration book for incoming and outgoing personnel was on the table. Jing Zhi picked it up and looked through it carefully.
Fang Xiaorui’s name was right there, showing he entered at 9:23 AM and hadn’t registered leaving yet.
Soon, Jing Zhi’s gaze fell abruptly on a three-character name with powerful strokes.
“Jiang Zhenxing.”
His breathing quickened slightly.
Surnamed Jiang…
He didn’t know Grandpa Jiang’s name, or rather, he didn’t even know his own grandfather’s name.
But this surname Jiang was hard not to make him overthink.
The time showed that Jiang Zhenxing had left the welfare institute just a short while ago.
Jing Zhi immediately asked the guard, “Do you remember what this Jiang Zhenxing looks like? He’s an old grandpa.”
The guard recalled for a moment, smiled awkwardly, and shook his head. A popular TV drama was playing on his phone, and there were some sunflower seed shells by his hand, obviously slacking off at work.
Jing Zhi didn’t force it. Even if he could describe it, he might not be able to identify if it was Grandpa Jiang.
Actually, asking him was worse than asking Mimi, but it probably wouldn’t be of much use either.
While turning to leave, Jing Zhi took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Jiang Suifeng: [What is your grandfather’s full name?]
…
When Jiang Suifeng received Jing Zhi’s WeChat message, he was already in the hospital.
Originally, he was at the company. It was a call from Jiang Yuanyuan that summoned him to the hospital.
On the phone, Jiang Yuanyuan sounded anxious: “Brother, come to the hospital quickly. Grandpa fell in the snow!”
He immediately asked for leave and drove straight to the hospital.
Arriving at the hospital, he found out it wasn’t anything serious. Just a sprained waist and twisted ankle, making movement a bit inconvenient. Jiang Yuanyuan was familiar with the hospital and had already taken him for a checkup.
Plus, his nominal reason for coming to City A this time was for a checkup, so Jiang Yuanyuan thought of giving him a few more physical examinations and arranged for his hospitalization.
Calling him over was just to create an opportunity for the grandfather and grandson to talk things out.
Grandpa Jiang lay on the hospital bed, listening to his granddaughter calling his grandson, silently permitting it without stopping her. His gaze fell out the window, staring blankly at the clear sky after the snow.
Time rewound to when he was still in the welfare institute.
He noticed Jing Zhi’s appearance even before Mimi did. Or rather, he had been vigilant about all movements around him like a secret agent. Knowing Jing Zhi was in the welfare institute yet still secretly coming to find Mimi showed the danger level of this operation. So as soon as Jing Zhi appeared from behind the building with someone, he slipped away immediately as if his feet were greased.
Fortunately, he was old but fit, his legs no less agile than young people…
Just as he was thinking, his foot slipped, his body felt light, and his mind went blank.
The whole person fell heavily onto the snow.
Fortunately, there were no sharp objects on the ground.
His first reaction wasn’t whether he had hurt himself, but—Must get up and leave here quickly!
An elderly person suddenly falling in the snow would likely attract onlookers and heated discussion. If it reached Jing Zhi and Mimi’s ears… or even was seen by them personally…
Thinking of this, Grandpa Jiang ignored everything else, bravely climbed up from the snow, ran all the way out of the welfare institute, and even signed the registration book at the gate.
Getting into a car hailed on the roadside, just as the driver asked where he was going, he heard groans of pain from the back seat.
The driver turned his head, worried: “Grandpa, are you okay?”
Grandpa Jiang’s voice trembled: “Send, send me to the nearest hospital…”
So, he appeared here.
Because he was old, unfamiliar with the city’s hospitals, and had difficulty moving due to the fall in the snow, needing another guardian to accompany him, he called his granddaughter Jiang Yuanyuan somewhat guiltily.
Later, she called her brother Jiang Suifeng.
This was the first meeting between the grandfather and grandson after coming to City A. The atmosphere in the ward suddenly became tense.
Jiang Suifeng saw the candy clutched in Grandpa Jiang’s hand at a glance. His brows furrowed instantly. He strode to his side and snatched the candy from his hand.
The candy wrapper was very familiar. It was often seen at New Year banquets, called “Little Dragon Man,” a candy with a strong milky flavor. Mimi liked eating it very much, but he said aggrievedly on the phone that Little Papa was afraid of cavities and only gave him two pieces a day.
Before Grandpa Jiang could react, his hand was empty.
“Your blood sugar is so high, the doctor said long ago to quit sugar, yet you still eat this.” Jiang Suifeng said while throwing the candy directly into the trash can in the ward.
Grandpa Jiang, who finally reacted, exploded directly.
Ignoring the pain in his body, he jumped out of bed directly.
Both Jiang Suifeng and Jiang Yuanyuan were shocked.
Before the two could react, Grandpa Jiang had hopped on one foot to the trash can and picked up the candy inside.
Fortunately, there was no garbage inside yet, clean, and the candy wrapper wasn’t contaminated.
Straightening up, meeting the gazes of his grandson and granddaughter, Grandpa Jiang, who was still somewhat angry, suddenly felt guilty. His lips moved, defending himself: “I won’t eat it. I’m just quenching my thirst by looking at plums (finding comfort in something one cannot have).”
After saying that, he added: “Really.”
Grandpa Jiang used to like sweets very much. Later, cavities and blood sugar forced him to quit sugar, and the family supervised him. After all, health was no small matter.
His sentence obviously wasn’t very convincing.
What quenching thirst by looking at plums? Quenching thirst to the point of falling like this in the snow yet still clutching this candy?
Jiang Yuanyuan suddenly took out a badge ziplock bag from the bag slung over her shoulder, stuffed the candy in Grandpa’s hand into it, and went to the nurse’s station to borrow a stapler, sealing the ziplock bag completely.
Taking the candy sealed in the small bag from his granddaughter, Grandpa Jiang silently accepted reality.
Forget it, forget it, better than being thrown away by the unfilial grandson.
Anyway, he wasn’t planning to eat it originally.
But because it was given to him by Mimi, he wanted to keep it.
It looked even better in this small bag.
After doing all this, Jiang Yuanyuan glanced at Jiang Suifeng and said abruptly, “I still have things to do at the hospital where I intern. I have to go first. Let Brother handle the rest.”
Jiang Suifeng nodded to her, knowing she was making space for him and Grandpa.
Grandpa Jiang didn’t say anything either, just telling her to be careful on the way back.
Just at this moment, Jiang Suifeng received Jing Zhi’s WeChat message.
Jiang Suifeng looked down. He didn’t know why Jing Zhi suddenly asked for his grandfather’s name, but he still typed quickly to give the answer: [Jiang Zhenxing.]
Most names of the older generation had similar grand meanings, and so did Grandpa Jiang’s name.
Receiving his message, the other side instantly showed “typing…”
Jiang Suifeng waited in confusion. Jiang Yuanyuan was packing her bag, ready to leave.
When Jiang Yuanyuan left the ward, Jing Zhi’s message was finally sent.
It was a long paragraph.
Jing Zhi: [Remember the dummy grandpa Mimi told you about yesterday? Mimi saw him again today. He gave Mimi a Scottish Fold paper cutting, but when I arrived, he suddenly disappeared. Mimi asked me to find him. I searched for a long time and saw the name “Jiang Zhenxing” in the guard room’s registration book, so I came to ask you.]
The answer was already clear.
Grandpa secretly went to the welfare institute to see Mimi but fled in panic fearing Jing Zhi would recognize him.
This fall should also have happened at the welfare institute.
Just didn’t know why he went to the welfare institute and why he contacted Mimi.
Could it be that the candy was given to him by Mimi? The answer was probably very close.
Thinking of the scene just now where the old man treasured that candy so much that he got out of bed directly to pick it up from the trash can, Jiang Suifeng suddenly didn’t know what to say.
But… let’s consider it a good omen for now.
Jiang Suifeng immediately told Jing Zhi the news that Grandpa fell and was hospitalized here.
Jing Zhi: […]
Jing Zhi: [Don’t tell him we’ve found out yet.]
Jiang Suifeng naturally understood. Old people care about face. Falling like this just to avoid Jing Zhi, if he knew he was discovered, it would be like rubbing salt in his wound. Both sides would feel extremely awkward.
Moreover, it involved sexual orientation and their relationship, so they had to be extra cautious.
Hastily replying to Jing Zhi’s message, Jiang Suifeng put away his phone. Looking up, he met the cautious eyes on the hospital bed.
As soon as their eyes met, as if burned, the other party quickly lowered his eyelashes, fingers pinching the bag containing the candy like a child, very deliberately.
Jiang Suifeng spoke first, giving the old man an out: “Work is a bit busy.”
No matter what, the other party came to City A specially, went to see Mimi, and gave Mimi a Scottish Fold paper cutting.
Although the matter of that text message hadn’t passed completely, one thing was one thing; there was no need to dwell on it in such a situation.
Saying this was also to cover up his action of checking his phone just now, making Grandpa think he was dealing with work.
Hearing this, Grandpa Jiang raised his eyes again, gave a muffled “Mmhmm,” and said, “It’s the end of the year, it will be busier… When is the holiday this year? What date are you going back for the New Year?”
Jiang Suifeng answered: “The holiday time isn’t certain yet. Should be the same as previous years, going back the night before New Year’s Eve.”
Grandpa Jiang pinched the small bag in his hand again, his lips moving, wanting to say something related to going home for the New Year, but couldn’t say it. Finally, he only spat out a sentence: “I’m fine now. If work is busy, deal with work first. Call you if needed.”
Not chasing people away, but today was indeed a working day. That girl Yuanyuan was dragged from her internship by his phone call, and Suifeng must be the same. The grandchildren have grown up and have their own work to do; he shouldn’t trouble them too much.
He had already checked. Just lying in the hospital bed to recuperate was fine; he didn’t need someone with him all the time.
Hearing this, Jiang Suifeng didn’t refuse, just said: “I’ll come to the hospital to accompany you after work tonight, and leave for work tomorrow morning.”
Equivalent to coming over for night care. Anyway, he was alone at home, might as well come to the hospital and have a heart-to-heart talk with Grandpa.
Besides, he had another plan.
Grandpa Jiang gave a “Mmhmm,” “Go get busy.”
Before leaving, Jiang Suifeng pretended to suddenly think of something and asked, “By the way, where did you fall? Does Grandpa Chen know?”
Grandpa Jiang, who thought he had muddled through: “…”
Grandpa Jiang pinched the bag faster, vaguely saying: “Just accidentally fell while walking. Haven’t told Old Chen yet. I’ll call him later to let him know.”
Jiang Suifeng nodded, a faint smile on his lips, and left the ward.
The big stone hanging in Grandpa Jiang’s heart finally fell.
Just like that, he lay in the ward until the afternoon.
At noon, Jiang Suifeng ordered takeout delivered to the ward for him, all dishes he loved.
In the evening, Jiang Suifeng brought double portions of dinner to the ward and had a meal with him after a long time.
Actually, when Jiang Suifeng went home from his business trip last time, he originally planned to have a meal together, but they parted on bad terms.
Grandpa Jiang lay on the hospital bed for this meal. His body still hurt from the fall, but he ate very deliciously.
Jiang Suifeng didn’t mention Jing Zhi and Jing Mimi to him, only talking about work matters.
Actually, Grandpa Jiang had been waiting for him to proactively mention his boyfriend and the child they planned to adopt, but this time Jiang Suifeng delayed fulfilling his wish.
In the past, Grandpa Jiang was most afraid of him mentioning these things in front of him. Now he wasn’t afraid, but he didn’t say it.
Grandpa Jiang was tormented by the feeling of scratching his heart and liver, but he didn’t dare to speak first because of guilt.
After eating, Jiang Suifeng got up to pack up their lunch boxes.
Watching him tidy up, Grandpa Jiang murmured, “Your birthday is in two days. I originally wanted to make a bowl of longevity noodles for you personally.”
Jiang Suifeng smiled and looked at him. “I asked the doctors and nurses. The earliest you can be discharged is New Year’s Day.”
Grandpa Jiang was a bit dejected.
Jiang Suifeng’s birthday was on December 30th. There was no kitchen in the hospital for him to make longevity noodles.
Actually, he came to City A this time thinking of using Suifeng’s birthday to make him a bowl of longevity noodles to ease the relationship between grandfather and grandson. The physical examination was just an excuse.
Unexpectedly, he really ended up hospitalized.
Longevity noodles couldn’t be made either.
Just as Grandpa Jiang hung his head dejectedly, Jiang Suifeng had thrown the lunch box into the trash can, sat on the stool by the bed, and took out his phone from his pocket.
He skillfully unlocked the phone with his fingerprint, clicked on the only pinned chat box on WeChat, and sent a message to the other side.
After sending, he turned his eyes to Grandpa on the bed and said to him, “It’s time to video call them.”
Grandpa Jiang was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized something.
“Them” should refer to Jing Zhi and Jing Mimi.
Grandpa Jiang’s heart beat faster suddenly.
Jiang Suifeng suddenly saying this sentence was obviously informing him in advance, letting him prepare in advance, and also waiting for his attitude.
He, what should his attitude be?
He didn’t know either; he only knew…
“Don’t film me.” Grandpa Jiang spoke quickly, his tone urgent, a commanding tone.
He only knew he absolutely couldn’t be filmed; otherwise, he would definitely be recognized by Mimi.
Jiang Suifeng gave a “Mmhmm” and cooperated very well by turning in a direction. The phone faced him, and the front camera couldn’t possibly frame Grandpa in.
Grandpa Jiang was still a bit worried, quickly turned over on the hospital bed, turning his back to Jiang Suifeng.
Anyway, in Jiang Suifeng’s mind, he had always been opposed to them being together. This reaction now didn’t seem strange.
Turning around and unable to see the screen, his hearing became unusually acute.
Not long after, the sound of dialing came from behind.
The other side picked up very quickly. As soon as it connected, the little cub’s familiar voice sounded: “Big Papa!”
Jiang Suifeng deliberately turned up the phone’s speaker volume. Anyway, the other bed in the double ward was empty. Only the two of them were here, so it wouldn’t disturb others.
Grandpa was old and inevitably hard of hearing. He was afraid he couldn’t hear clearly.
He specially finished all his work during the day and came to the hospital to accompany Grandpa at night for this call.
Hearing Jing Mimi’s voice, Grandpa Jiang’s heart softened involuntarily, recalling the not-so-many contacts with the little guy in the past two days.
Recalling the crooked names “Mimi, Jing Zhi, Jiang Suifeng” he wrote on the snow, and framing these three names with a big heart.
Recalling the Scottish Fold kitten he drew.
Recalling him calling him “dummy grandpa.”
Recalling his small figure leaving angrily.
Recalling his bright eyes when receiving the Scottish Fold paper cutting.
Recalling his soft voice saying “Thank you, Grandpa.”
Recalling him putting the candy into his palm…
The white, tender, and soft little hand touching his dark and dry palm felt like a clean, soft cotton ball bouncing lightly in his palm.
He really wanted to hold this small hand.
Just like holding Jiang Suifeng’s small hand when he was little.
He also wanted to draw another kitten for him on the snow, a Scottish Fold kitten.
Even, he could pick up a brush and ink, and draw one for him on paper.
Compared to drawing on snow, he was better at drawing on paper with a brush dipped in ink.
If he was willing, he could also teach him to draw kittens, all kinds of kittens.
He liked that child. He had developed a good impression from listening to Chen Ankang’s narration.
After learning about the bond between them, he thought about it even more.
Mysteriously going to the welfare institute and contacting him personally, he knew this child was destined for him.
Since the child called them Papa and was so close to them, he certainly couldn’t be irresponsibly abandoned again.
Then… the two of them could only live well with the child.
Grandpa Jiang was brainstorming here.
Behind him, the little cub’s voice continued: “Look! The Scottish Fold paper cutting the dummy grandpa gave me! Isn’t it beautiful?”
It was a tone of showing off and joy.
Grandpa Jiang’s heart beat faster, his thumb pad lightly rubbing the band-aid on his index finger.
He wasn’t good at paper cutting. He only cut a few simple symmetrical patterns with neighbors when he had nothing to do during the New Year a long time ago.
He learned it on the spot following Chen Ankang. This Scottish Fold paper cutting also looked decent thanks to Chen Ankang’s help.
Making the little guy like it so much, everything was worth it.
Although the title “dummy grandpa” didn’t sound very complimentary, he inexplicably liked it very much, thinking it was the little cub’s term of endearment for him.
Jiang Suifeng examined the paper cutting on the other side of the screen carefully. Glancing at the back on the bed out of the corner of his eye, he deliberately smiled and said, “Not bad. But not as well cut as Papa. Big Papa will cut a better one for you another day.”
Grandpa Jiang: “…?”
Jing Mimi on the other end of the phone said “Wow” and “Okay!”
The back on the hospital bed couldn’t hold back anymore and turned around angrily.
…This unfilial grandson!
***
Author’s Note:
Mimi: [Starry Eyes] Wow.
Jiang · Unfilial Grandson · Suifeng: [Dog head] A little goading method.
Grandpa Jiang: [Angry] [Angry] [Angry]
Clever Little Jing: [Eating melon]
[Milk Tea] Today is another day Little Cat Mi didn’t complete the mission.
