I Got Back Late, and I'm Rushing to Write Now
This morning, my mom called to say that my grandparents missed me. The year before last, my grandfather had a stroke and collapsed, and was rushed to the emergency room. He almost didn't make it back to life.
After receiving the news, I sat in front of the computer for a while, unable to calm down, and decided to spend a day with my grandparents... After all, they're almost ninety years old, and their days are numbered; each day could be their last... I wanted to cherish this day.
So I took two boxes of milk with me, treated them to a meal, bought them some things, chatted with them, and just got back now...
Sorry, I broke my promise on the very first day. I'll kneel down obediently and let everyone scold and beat me; I won't retaliate.
Furthermore, tomorrow, the 30th, I'm taking my grandma to the hospital for a heart and lung checkup...
She's farmed her whole life, and now at 82, she still carries a 30-pound pesticide sprayer, never enjoying a single day of comfort... A while ago, the town offered free health checkups for people over 70, and she was diagnosed with emphysema and some degree of fibrosis in her left lung. Yesterday morning, while she was picking vegetables in the kitchen, she told me, head drooping, that her heart wasn't feeling well... We call it "heart palpitations" here...
I suggested taking her to the hospital for X-rays and a checkup, but she was afraid of the cost and refused to go, telling me... she envied my aunt who could sleep soundly and peacefully without any illness, how comfortable that must be.
She said she'd had enough of living and wanted to die like that. I felt terrible when I heard that, especially after spending the whole day with my grandparents... I know for sure that one day they will leave me, and that day will be very, very close... so close that I'll have to force her... call my uncle and force her to go.
Reaching middle age is really... hard... really hard...
When I was young, I was carefree... I never thought about these issues at all. It wasn't until my father died in a car accident and my mother suffered a mental breakdown and stayed at home for almost half a year before recovering that I realized there are so many people... and so many things... that we really need to cherish.
Every one I see is one less... Every day I see one is one less... So, I don't want to reach the point where I can only stand there speechless in front of a coffin, without even seeing the old person one last time before they passed away.
I'm sorry everyone, I will break my promise for today and tomorrow, and will owe you two updates, which is 8,000 words.
I can't guarantee when I'll be able to finish these two chapters. I'll wait until after tomorrow's checkup to see the results. If Grandma is alright and doesn't need to be hospitalized or need my care, I'll finish these 8,000 words.
Returning to this book, it is the most significant book in my life, and it has taught me a great deal.
The book started off well, but as some readers have pointed out, the addition of the "Faith" element changed the overall style of the book, or rather, it lost its Hunter flavor. This is indeed a major mistake for a book whose main storyline revolves around Hunter.
Unfortunately, I was too naive back then and didn't realize this problem. Now I've learned and understand... Once you've set the tone for a book, don't easily deviate from that tone. It's best to maintain that tone until the end.
So, after my grades plummeted because of this problem, I was depressed and listless for almost a month. I didn't read any book reviews or novels until last week, when I picked up my teacher's "On Contradiction" again and read it carefully for a week. Gradually, I understood... Having problems isn't necessarily a bad thing; it also has a good side. At least it helped me grow. I will remember this pitfall and won't fall into it again... Thank you, great Chairman Mao, for leaving behind valuable spiritual wealth that guides me forward.
I've rambled on for so long not to elicit sympathy, but simply to offer my sincerest apologies to everyone waiting behind the screen and to explain the situation.
2025.12.29
Flying Flower Pig>