"No need. Thank you, Third Granny, I'll be leaving now."
Shi Nian held back tears of humiliation, clenched the bird's nest, and stormed out.
Guo Zhengmei still felt unsatisfied and called Xiang Yuan on the phone.
"A Yuan, come and see the person you brought home! If you don't come, she'll drive me crazy!..."
Shi Nian didn't want to hear anything more and rushed out the door.
Bird's nest, and that damned Tang Yanqing, what on earth did she collide with "Yan" today?
.
She stomped on the accelerator and sped all the way to "Deep Valley".
Though it's a psychiatric hospital, it has such a spacious and tranquil name; the facilities live up to its name, nestled in a quiet little valley with picturesque scenery.
Nevertheless, the Xiang Family indeed found Mom a remarkable nursing home, and they pay a large sum annually for it—thinking of this, Shi Nian gradually calmed down.
She wiped her tears dry in the car mirror, tried to put on a smiling face, and walked into the ward, softly saying, "Ms. Xu Xinzhen, see what delicious food I brought for you?"
The ward had a large window with good lighting. The walls were painted a soft pink, and Mom sat there in the sunlight, a gentle smile on her face. Hearing her speak, she slowly turned her head and calmly smiled at her.
Shi Nian sniffed, quickly went over, and spread her arms wide, embracing Mom tightly.
Xu Xinzhen quietly smiled, like a little girl: "Why did it take you so long to visit me? I've waited through spring and then through summer..."
Shi Nian pressed her eyes shut. Mom had returned to her own little world again, forgetting that she had visited her just five days ago.
Mrs. Liu, the nurse nearby, gave Shi Nian a sympathetic look, but Shi Nian shook her head, indicating she was alright.
She lifted the box in her hand, presenting it to Mom: "Mom, I bought Zeng'er Cake. Want to try it? I really didn't expect that Chinese here would become so resourceful that even Zeng'er Cake could be sold here."
Mom was born in Tianjin, and her memories always lingered on the sizzling and fragrant Zeng'er Cake. She often mentioned to Shi Nian, saying "There's someone selling it right at the entrance of the main road, Grandpa Zhang's, so close, why don't you ever buy it for me?"
Mom had forgotten; they were no longer in China, nor in her hometown, but had crossed the ocean to this unfamiliar Kingdom.
Shi Nian carefully held the tray, watching Mom cautiously pick up the tiny Zeng'er Cake and put it into her mouth, looking completely satisfied. Shi Nian then smiled, "If you find it tasty, have some more. It's best if you eat them all. Why did you stop?"
Xu Xinzhen turned her head, looking seriously at her: "Nian Nian, I want to save some for your Dad. When will he come back?"
Dad...
Shi Nian's hand started to tremble uncontrollably. Mom forgot that Dad could never—come back again.
Shi Nian swallowed her sorrow and gently coaxed, "He'll be back soon. You should eat all the Zeng'er Cake first. When Dad returns, I'll buy more for him. The rice flour will become hard when it cools, and it won't taste good."
Yet Xu Xinzhen insisted on shaking her head: "Your Dad, leaving us mother and daughter behind again for his case, working overtime for so long without even a call."
Shi Nian could only grip her fingertips tightly, not wanting Mom to notice.
Xu Xinzhen stayed silent for a long time, then suddenly turned to Shi Nian and screamed, "Nian Nian, my Nian Nian! Let go of my Nian Nian, let go of my daughter!"
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[Zeng'er Cake is now called "Fried Pear Cake" in Tianjin, similar to Southern "Steamed Cake"~]
Thank you to riyy for the 10 flowers~