CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16: FRIENDSHIP ACROSS AGES

Zhao Meimei was trembling, and Shi Yang’s mother, holding back her laughter, helped the little girl change into dry clothes and personally took her home with Shi Yang.

When Liu Xiue saw Zhao Meimei wearing a thick cotton hat and having changed her clothes from head to toe, she was startled. She quickly pulled Meimei over for a careful inspection, and only after confirming that everything was intact did she breathe a sigh of relief and greeted Shi Yang’s mother with a smile, "Oh, what happened here? Did Meimei get into trouble again?"

Shi Yang hurried forward and recounted the events.

Liu Xiue was momentarily caught between tears and laughter but wasn’t angry. Seeing that Shi Yang’s mother had brought Zhao Meimei back all wrapped up tightly, any slight displeasure she might have felt vanished into thin air.

Liu Xiue laughed and said, "Meimei went to call Shi Yang for dinner. We didn’t know you were back; we thought no one was home."

Shi Yang’s mother was touched inside, knowing Meimei’s mother cared about her son, and remembered that kindness. She courteously said, "Shi Yang already told me. On New Year’s Eve, you brought dumplings and pig trotters. He also had breakfast at your place today and even took some when he left. You’re really doing us a favor."

Liu Xiue waved her hand, "It’s nothing, just another pair of chopsticks. I quite like Yangyang, he’s smart and sensible. My Meimei also likes him."

Shi Yang’s mother heard her son praised and felt delighted inside, feeling even closer to Liu Xiue. She asked, "How is Mrs. Zhao Senior’s health?"

Liu Xiue sighed and didn’t want to say much in front of Zhao Meimei, so she simply replied, "Planning to bring her back in a couple of days and let her stay with us."

Shi Yang’s mother saw her expression and guessed that Mrs. Zhao Senior was probably not recovering well, feeling a bit sentimental too. She comforted, "You’ve really done your best."

Liu Xiue nodded, looking at Shi Yang and his mother, "You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Why not join us? I intentionally cooked extra rice, and the dishes are ready, just need to stir-fry them. Meimei’s father is at the hospital taking care of the elderly and won’t be back tonight. It’s just no fun with just the two of us eating."

Shi Yang’s mother politely declined, "No need, we’ve prepared a meal at home."

Zhao Meimei, wearing Shi Yang’s oversized cotton jacket, wriggled her hand out from the sleeve and grabbed Shi Yang tightly, "Stay here, please. I specifically came over to find you. My mom’s cooking is really delicious."

Liu Xiue also invited, "Stay and eat, try my cooking."

Shi Yang’s mother refused twice but couldn’t withstand Liu Xiue’s enthusiastic hospitality and stayed.

After the meal, Shi Yang accompanied Zhao Meimei back to the bedroom to play, while Shi Yang’s mother squeezed into the kitchen with Liu Xiue to wash dishes and chat.

Liu Xiue was also from the south, and quickly found common ground with Shi Yang’s mother. Upon inquiry, they discovered that they were actually from the same hometown, which immediately deepened their bond.

In their subsequent conversations, they stopped speaking in northeastern dialect, switching to their hometown dialect, speaking softly about familiar local anecdotes, feeling endless nostalgia, formally becoming close friends.

A week later, Mrs. Zhao Senior was discharged and Liu Xiue directly brought her home from the hospital.

The news spread among the residents, everyone felt both grateful for Mrs. Zhao Senior’s fortunate old age and moved by Zhao Dazhuang and his wife’s altruistic spirit.

Neighborhood friends often visited to check in, and idle older people would help out, allowing Liu Xiue to continue running her grocery store.

People from the factory would occasionally go out of their way to buy items from Liu Xiue’s grocery store, indirectly supporting her.

The factory leaders took special care of their family by waiving the land fee and directly purchasing snacks, mineral water, and cold drinks from Liu Xiue’s small shop for factory events.

As a result, business at Liu Xiue’s shop surged, and by spring of the following year, she had a larger iron shed welded to renovate the store.

Life at home got better, but Mrs. Zhao Senior’s health continued deteriorating, and by mid-May of the following year, the elderly lady passed away.

Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang helped with the final rites and burial, with the factory providing vehicles and personnel for assistance.

Zhao Meimei was seven that year, witnessing what separation by death truly meant for the first time.

Liu Xiue thought Zhao Meimei too young to attend the funeral and sent her to Shi Yang’s house instead.

Shi Yang stayed home with Zhao Meimei while Shi Yang’s mother wore black clothes to attend the funeral.

Zhao Meimei leaned back on Shi Yang’s comfortable leather sofa, staring at the coffee table. After a long while, she shifted her gaze, bit her lip, turned to look at Shi Yang, and asked the question that’s been in her heart all along, "Brother Yangyang, Mom said Grandma went to Heaven. Heaven is up in the sky, Grandma will watch over me from there and bless me. But I don’t want her to go to Heaven, I want her to stay on earth with me. Can’t she just stay?"

"Grandma was so good to me. Whenever Mom scolded me, she would protect me and secretly give me snacks."

"I can’t bear to let her go. Can’t she just stay with me? When she goes so far away, what do I do when I miss her?"

Zhao Meimei poured out all her thoughts. Her parents had been busy these days, leaving her to ponder on her own.

Shi Yang extended his arm, pulled Zhao Meimei into a hug, and leaned his head against hers, speaking softly. Shi Yang didn’t treat Zhao Meimei as a little kid; he found her particularly sharp and perceptive, smarter than other children with runny noses. When communicating with Zhao Meimei, he often forgot the age gap between them and talked with her like peers.

Shi Yang ate, slept, and cared for Zhao Meimei, waking up to her wetting the bed, covering her with a blanket, washing her pants and underwear, taking care of her, and felt a particular closeness to her, as if they’d known each other for a long time and shared a deep bond.

Shi Yang seriously explained to Zhao Meimei, "Everyone dies at a certain age, and Heaven is the best place for the deceased. It’s really good for Grandma Zhao to go to Heaven."

Zhao Meimei was too young to understand, so she asked, "Why does everyone have to die?"

Shi Yang looked deeply at Zhao Meimei, explaining word by word, "Life must end since it has a beginning, like a tree that sprouts, grows leaves, and eventually withers."

"But you don’t need to worry about these things because you’re still young. You’re not like Grandma Zhao; you’re still growing up slowly. See, we’re both sitting here well now. You won’t disappear, and neither will I. Because we have souls, you can feel me, and I can feel you."

"Even though Grandma Zhao has passed away, she’ll always watch over you from Heaven, bless you, and remember you. So you shouldn’t forget her either. Just keep her alive in your heart."

Zhao Meimei seemed to understand but also not completely. She looked at Shi Yang with wide eyes.

Shi Yang spoke with a steady voice, yet his eyes carried a hint of a smile, an inexplicable persuasive power that let Zhao Meimei gradually accept his words.

Zhao Meimei cupped Shi Yang’s face and pressed her forehead against his, whispering, "Brother Yangyang, will you stay with me when I die? Otherwise, I’ll be scared alone."

Mischievous Zhao Meimei showed her most vulnerable side to Brother Yangyang without reservation.

Shi Yang squeezed her face, seriously saying, "Sure, I promise you."