Chapter 13: Where is Grandpa Going?

“Achoo! Achoo!”

While eating her porridge, Fang Mingxi suddenly sneezed several times in a row, drawing everyone’s attention at the table.

Fang Bo Song immediately crouched down in alarm, scooping her into his arms and wrapping her in a blanket.

“What’s wrong, Xixi? Did you catch a cold?”

Seeing the faint red mark on Fang Mingxi’s forehead, his heart tightened with worry.

When they returned from work that evening, they learned that Xixi had fallen off the bed during the day and ended up with a huge bump on her head.

Yaoyao cried while apologizing, saying she hadn’t watched Xixi closely enough, which led to the fall. Although the swelling went down quickly, Tong Lingxian and Fang Bo Song had been tense with worry ever since.

They didn’t blame Tang Yao. She was already doing them a huge favor by helping look after Fang Mingxi. Instead, they blamed themselves for not being good enough as Grandpa and Grandma otherwise, such a thing wouldn’t have happened.

First Xixi caught a cold and had a fever, then she fell off the bed and hit her head. Everything seemed to point back to their shortcomings as caretakers.

Even though Xixi was ultimately fine, the two of them remained dispirited all night. When they heard Tang Yao had found porcini mushrooms on the mountain, they barely had an appetite to enjoy them.

Now that Xixi suddenly started sneezing again, their hearts nearly leapt out of their chests. They were terrified something else had gone wrong.

Fortunately, Fang Mingxi only rubbed her nose and didn’t continue sneezing. She wrapped her arms around Fang Bo Song’s neck and softly called, “Grandpa.” Then she turned to Tong Lingxian and said, “Grandma.”

Grandpa… Grandma…

The two practically melted on the spot.

Just yesterday she had learned to say “Dad” and “Mom.” And today she could already say “Grandpa” and “Grandma.” Who knew, maybe in a few days she would even start walking.

Once Xixi could walk, they could take her along to the fields. That way, they wouldn’t have to trouble Yaoyao anymore, and it would also be easier to watch over her.

Seeing that Fang Mingxi was fine, everyone resumed eating.

Tonight’s porcini mushrooms were cooked by Old Yu. He added a few wild eggs, and paired with the corn porridge, the meal tasted especially fresh and fragrant.

Since porcini mushrooms were large and couldn’t be finished in one meal, Tang Yao gestured for Grandma to divide the extras to give away.

Although everyone ate together, there were times when someone wanted to cook something privately. Once divided, whether they kept the food or gifted it to others was up to them.

Old Yu and the other four were pleasantly surprised. Since they hadn’t contributed anything to the find, they felt embarrassed to take more than necessary. Each person took only one porcini and said it was enough.

As for the wild eggs, everyone silently agreed not to take any. They left them for the children, especially Fang Mingxi, who needed the nutrition the most.

There were sixteen wild eggs in total. Tang Yao had boiled two that afternoon, and four were used in the dinner stir-fry. That left ten eggs.

Tang Yao and Fang Mingxi split them evenly, five eggs each.

Tong Lingxian and Fang Bo Song thanked them repeatedly, insisting they didn’t need the porcini and only wanted the eggs.

Porcini mushrooms were nutritious, but nothing compared to the benefits of eggs. Missing one bite didn’t matter, but Xixi absolutely couldn’t be deprived.

However, Wu Meixia and Tang Yao refused to accept their refusal. Tang Yao even declared that if they didn’t take their share of the porcini, then she wouldn’t take the eggs either, and she would give all the eggs to Xixi as compensation.

These were ingredients she and Xixi had found together on the mountain. By right, the two families should split them evenly. There was no reason to decline.

The moment those words came out, Tong Lingxian and Fang Bo Song immediately fell silent. They accepted the porcini mushrooms without protest.

With Yaoyao saying that, how could they continue refusing? If they did, it would seem like they were blaming Tang Yao for Xixi’s fall.

Thus, the food was distributed smoothly. The three of them returned to their room. Under the dim kerosene lamp, Tong Lingxian looked at the two massive porcini mushrooms, each weighing at least two jin, and felt a headache coming on.

Porcini mushrooms were best when stir-fried in oil, but tonight’s portion still tasted lacking. Fang Bo Song’s gaze flickered. He looked up at Tong Lingxian.

Years of marital understanding made it unnecessary for him to speak. One glance, and Tong Lingxian understood what he intended. Holding Fang Mingxi in her arms, she nodded and said, “Go ahead. Be careful.”

What is he going to do?

Fang Mingxi spat out her pacifier, stretched out her chubby arms, and urgently wrapped them around Fang Bo Song’s neck.

“Grandpa.”

Where are you going? Take me with you. Don’t leave me behind.

The ominous premonition from the jade pendant had traumatized her. At moments like this, she didn’t want anything bad happening to her family.

Fang Bo Song chuckled and gently pried her little hands off his neck.

“Xixi, Grandpa has something to do outside. Be good and stay home with Grandma.”

No!

Fang Mingxi clung to him again, even wriggling her way onto his back, holding on tightly and refusing to let go.

“Xixi, be good. We have to behave,” Tong Lingxian coaxed, trying to pull the little girl off him.

But the more she pulled, the tighter Fang Mingxi held on. She even buried her head in Fang Bo Song’s neck, refusing to lift it.

Not going. Not leaving. Grandma, don’t take me away!

The two adults were helpless. Since Fang Mingxi wouldn’t let go, Fang Bo Song had no choice but to carry her. Supporting her with one hand, he used his other hand to pick up a bamboo basket. He placed the leftover chicken mushrooms from yesterday and the two porcini mushrooms inside.

Then he covered everything with a layer of straw. Once ready, he wrapped Fang Mingxi warmly in a small quilt and slipped out under the cover of night.

Tong Lingxian saw them off.

“Xixi, Grandma knows you’re good, but you mustn’t make a sound, understand?”

“Ya!”

Got it. Fang Mingxi grinned brightly.

Tong Lingxian then warned Fang Bo Song,

“Bo Song, be careful. And keep an eye on Xixi. She usually doesn’t make much noise, but you still can’t let your guard down.”

“I know. I’ll be back soon.”

Fang Bo Song stepped into the night and closed the door behind him.

Inside, Tong Lingxian immediately extinguished the kerosene lamp. She stood by the window for a while. Seeing no one following, she stuffed straw into the gaps of the window and door.

…

The night air was still hot. Wrapped so thickly, Fang Mingxi soon became drenched in sweat.

She panted heavily, sticking out her tongue as she looked around.

But Fang Bo Song didn’t notice. He simply carried her on his back, walking steadily forward.

It was too dark. Fang Mingxi couldn’t tell where they were headed. But judging from the route, this was definitely not the way up the mountain.

Strange…

Grandpa and Grandma didn’t work in this direction either. So where exactly was Grandpa going?

Confusion welled up inside her. She kept watch on the surroundings while staying alert for danger.

Fang Bo Song stayed strictly on the small paths, walking, stopping, changing direction, never heading straight. After weaving through several narrow trails and turning past a few bends, they finally arrived at the gate of a small courtyard with a brick-tiled house.

Fang Mingxi glanced at the time displayed by her system: 10 p.m. By now, most villagers should already be asleep.

Who lived here?

Why would Grandpa risk traveling at night just to deliver food?

Fang Bo Song didn’t knock immediately. He first stayed hidden behind an obstruction, pressing his ear to the wall. Only after confirming there was no movement inside did he cautiously knock.

Thump, thump.

The soft, then louder knocking was especially noticeable in the quiet night. Fang Bo Song knocked twice, then retreated to his hiding spot.

He glanced nervously at Fang Mingxi. Under the moonlight, he saw her large, round eyes blinking obediently. She wasn’t making a sound.

Relieved, Fang Bo Song continued waiting.

Fang Mingxi was still wondering if anyone would open the door when suddenly, her ears twitched.

Footsteps sounded from inside the courtyard.