Wish

A new day began, and everyone busied themselves with their own affairs.

Grandmother sat in the courtyard as well, enjoying the rare sunshine.

Seeing that the weather was fine and the sun was bright, Guo Sufi wanted to take out the quilts, mattresses, and such to air them. She first hung the bedding from her own room and Zhang Xiaolong's room on the lines, then went into Grandmother's little room to gather Grandmother's and Zhang Xiaohua's bedding. But shortly after she entered, the family outside heard her cry out, "Ah!" Grandmother's ears were sharp, and she asked, "What is it, Sufi?" Then Guo Sufi's voice came from inside. "Nothing, Mother. There's a mouse."

As Zhang Cai fiddled with the farm tools, he laughed. "You're such a grown woman, yet you're still afraid of that little thing? That's rather ridiculous."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly skipped over and said, "Mother, where's the mouse? I'll help you. I'm the best at catching mice."

But when he ran into the room, he found his mother sitting by Grandmother's kang bed, holding Grandmother's quilt and quietly sobbing. Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua carefully walked over and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong, Mother?"

Guo Sufi sobbed helplessly without saying anything.

Looking at the quilt in his mother's hands, Zhang Xiaohua finally noticed that one end was blackened in a large patch. Not understanding what had happened, he asked again, "Mother, why are you holding the quilt? Isn't it just dirty? I'll wash it for you, all right?"

Hearing her son speak so sweetly, Guo Sufi grew even sadder. She forcibly held back her sobs and said hoarsely, "Xiaohua, this quilt isn't dirty. It's blood your grandmother coughed up."

Zhang Xiaohua felt his head buzz, and he went blank on the spot. He hurriedly asked, "Then... is Grandmother going to die?"

Hearing her son's innocent words, Guo Sufi felt as though she had swallowed bitter coptis. "Good boy, Mother doesn't know either."

With a miserable face, Zhang Xiaohua said, "I don't want Grandmother to die."

Guo Sufi wrapped one arm around her son and stroked his hair with the other. "Mother doesn't want that either. But look, Xiaohua—you've nearly grown as tall as Mother. Mother is getting old too, and your grandmother... sooner or later, she has to leave us."

Zhang Xiaohua was on the verge of tears. "I don't want to grow taller, Mother. I don't want Grandmother to leave me."

By then, Guo Sufi had managed to stop sobbing. Holding her son, she let out a quiet sigh.

At that moment, Zhang Xiaohua remembered what Sister Liu had said. He asked, "Mother, Sister Liu told me immortals can live forever. If we find them, will Grandmother not have to leave us?"

Guo Sufi said, "Perhaps, Xiaohua. That's what the stories say, but no one has ever seen an immortal."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Then I'll go find immortals right now and have them save Grandmother."

Guo Sufi said lovingly, "Good child."

Then she looked at her son—at his incomparably clear eyes, at the anxious expression on his face—and said, "No one knows where immortals are. Where would you look? And even if you started now, it would be too late. You might as well stay with your grandmother properly and let her hear your voice more often."

After hearing that, Zhang Xiaohua nodded with all his strength, as though he truly understood.

At that moment, Zhang Cai called from outside, "Xiaohua, did you get that mouse?"

Guo Sufi called back as well, "It's already run off. Where are we supposed to catch it?"

Then she said to Zhang Xiaohua, "Let's go out. But don't cry anymore once we're outside. Don't let your grandmother know."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded in agreement.

Guo Sufi carried the bedding out of the little room, while Zhang Xiaohua followed behind with his head lowered.

Guo Sufi went to hang the bedding, while Zhang Xiaohua walked over to Grandmother and asked, "Grandmother, are you thirsty? Shall I pour you some water?"

Grandmother smiled warmly. "Mm, I am a little thirsty. Xiaohua, go pour Grandmother some water. What a good boy. Be careful not to burn your hands."

It seemed that in Grandmother's heart, Zhang Xiaohua was still a child of four or five. Zhang Xiaohua went into the house to pour her water.

Guo Sufi had originally wanted to hang Grandmother's bedding somewhere more hidden, but after thinking it over, she took a basin and filled it with water, intending to wash the blood from the quilt first. When Liu Qian saw Guo Sufi washing the quilt, she hurried over to help. But once she saw the stain clearly, she froze as well. Seeing that Liu Qian had noticed it, Guo Sufi thought for a moment and said softly, "Go call Xiaolong and the others over. Quietly."

Liu Qian nodded, went over, and gestured for the others to come. Once everyone had gathered and saw the stain on the quilt in the basin, no one spoke. The gentle sunlight from moments ago could not warm their hearts in the slightest.

Zhang Xiaohua carried the water over to Grandmother. He first tested its temperature with his lips before placing it in her hands. Grandmother accepted the water and took a satisfied sip, a smile appearing on her face as though she had drunk sweet honey water. She let out a long breath, and even her coughing eased somewhat.

Seeing this scene beneath the sunlight, everyone's hearts warmed as well. The chill in their hearts had long since been driven away. They seemed to understand what they should do, and all returned to Grandmother's side, sitting around her. As they went about their tasks, they watched their beloved family member, wanting to etch her every smile and expression deeply into their hearts. Grandmother knew nothing of the others' movements. She simply sat peacefully in her chair, basking in the warm sunshine, a contented smile resting on her face. She looked tranquil and happy.

Guo Sufi busied herself washing and hanging the bedding, then sat beside Grandmother and said gently, "Mother, what would you like to eat for lunch? I'll make it for you."

Grandmother thought for a moment. "Make pork belly."

Guo Sufi asked strangely, "Mother, you usually don't eat such greasy food."

Grandmother said, "I'm craving it today. I want a little."

Guo Sufi said, "All right. I'll go to the village entrance and buy some meat in a while."

Zhang Xiaolong immediately said, "Mother, I'll go. I should get out and move around more too."

Guo Sufi agreed, and Liu Qian added, "I'll go with you. Don't keep carrying heavy things with that arm of yours. Be careful not to hurt it again."

Zhang Xiaolong smiled. "Two jin of meat will be enough. How could I possibly be unable to carry that?"

Liu Qian merely smiled without speaking, and the two of them went out together.

Grandmother narrowed her eyes and waited until she figured Zhang Xiaolong and the others had left. Only then did she say to Guo Sufi, "Sufi, I have something to tell you."

Guo Sufi said, "All right, Mother. Wait a moment—I'll pour you another cup of water to moisten your throat."

Guo Sufi poured another cup of water for Grandmother, then moved a stool over and sat facing her. "Mother, what did you want to say?"

Grandmother said, "Sufi, did I cough something up onto my quilt?"

Guo Sufi's face changed in alarm, and she immediately said, "No, Mother, no. It was just a little dirty. I'll wash it, and it'll be fine."

Grandmother sighed. "Ah, Sufi, you don't need to hide it from me. I coughed it up myself—how could I not know? I just wasn't certain. But I could hear you telling Xiaocai and the others to come look. I understand in my heart."

Guo Sufi said, "Mother, don't think too much about it. Your cough will definitely get better."

Grandmother smiled. "You silly child, why are you just like Xiaohua? You're already in your forties or fifties, yet you're still comforting your mother like this."

Guo Sufi began wiping away tears again and cried, "Mother..."

Grandmother continued, "Sufi, you need to take things more openly. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are unavoidable. When your father passed away, I was heartbroken for a long time before I came to understand. Back then, I only knew how to grieve by myself and failed to look after you. This time, it's my turn, and I have to make you sad once more. Ah, there's nothing to be done about it. Your father and I toiled all our lives and never gave you much of a good life. But now that Xiaocai is taking care of you, I can rest easy. Xiaolong, Xiaohu, and Xiaohua are all good children. After I'm gone, don't let them miss me too much. Keep busy with the farmwork. Down below, I'll ask the immortals to bless all of you."

Zhang Xiaohua's heart felt sour as he listened. Hugging Grandmother, he said, "Grandmother, don't worry. I'll protect Mother."

Grandmother stroked Zhang Xiaohua's hair and said kindly, "I know Xiaohua will grow into a real man and protect the family well. I'm very much at ease."

Then Grandmother said, "Sufi, I have no wishes left in this life. Seeing you and Xiaocai living comfortably without quarrelling has filled my heart with contentment. I only regret that, before I go, I haven't seen Xiaolong marry a wife and hold a great-grandson. I think Liu Qian is a very good child. You must find a way to marry her into the family. That would be our Xiaolong's good fortune."

Everyone surrounded Grandmother and listened to her speak. In their grief, they failed to notice that two people had arrived at the courtyard's fence gate. Upon hearing the name "Liu Qian," both stopped in their tracks and listened carefully to what Grandmother was saying inside the courtyard.

Guo Sufi continued, "Mother, you're right. Liu Qian is a good girl. There's nothing to fault in the way she speaks or handles matters, and both her looks and figure are one in a hundred. If she married into our family, it would be because Xiaolong had accumulated virtue in a past life. But..."

Guo Sufi trailed off. She did not want to shatter her mother's beautiful dream, but there was such a great gap between their family and the Liu family. If she rashly agreed to her mother now but could not fulfill it later, would her mother not be unable to rest in peace below?

Grandmother seemed to know what she wanted to say. She patted Guo Sufi's hand and said, "Sufi, Liu Qian is not a child who despises the poor and loves the rich. If she likes our Xiaolong, she will be willing to marry into our family. Mr. Liu is learned and reasonable, so I think he would agree as well. Find a chance to test Liu Qian's feelings first. If she has no interest in our Xiaolong, then let it be. Don't force her. Xiaohua said Xiaolong's injury will soon be healed, so hurry and let her go home. Staying in our house for so long is bad for Liu Qian's reputation. Although we saved her, she has looked after our family for such a long time too. The debt of gratitude can be considered repaid, so that Mr. Liu's family will not need others to look after them."

Guo Sufi said, "All right, Mother. Tomorrow I'll speak to Liu Qian and have her hurry home."

When Grandmother heard that, a trace of disappointment appeared on her face.

At that moment, someone ran in from outside and said, "Qianqian isn't going home."