CHAPTER 567: CHAPTER 567 GRANDMA TAOZI

"No need to bring water, Taozi wouldn’t deny me a drink, she’d take good care of me."

"She can’t even take care of herself, how could she take care of you?"

Big Aunt was quite dissatisfied with Grandma going out with Taozi and not letting her come along.

And Grandma felt similarly annoyed by Big Aunt packing a ton of things for her to take.

Cane, clothes, tumbler, even tissues—does she need any of these? Such a hassle.

"Don’t eat anything cold, and nothing too greasy either..."

"Got it, stop talking, I’m not a child anymore." Grandma waved her hand, showing clear impatience.

Big Aunt sighed helplessly; the older people get, the more stubborn they become.

"Haven’t visited you all these days, and suddenly saying she’s taking you out to play; who knows what she wants?"

Big Aunt was very critical of Taozi not visiting for so many days.

"Taozi must have her own matters to deal with."

"That lazy girl, what matters could she have? Eat and then sleep."

"I won’t allow you to talk about her that way, she’s doing well."

"You’re spoiling her." Big Aunt was quite irritated.

"Taozi is fortunate, no need to work hard like you and your siblings, born to enjoy life." Grandma Taozi said calmly.

But Big Aunt had to admit it’s true; their generations had struggled to provide better lives for younger ones.

"It’s because she’s a girl, sigh..."

Big Aunt sighed; if Taozi were a boy, she wouldn’t be allowed to be so unambitious.

Big Aunt stopped dwelling on it, checked the time, and said, "Did she say what time she’d arrive? How come she’s not here yet? Didn’t she sleep in again? Shall I call and see?"

As she spoke, she moved to grab her phone.

But Grandma stopped her.

"No need, let’s wait a bit longer; I’m not in a hurry, I have plenty of time."

"What’s the harm in making a call?"

"What if she’s still sleeping and you wake her?" Grandma replied.

Big Aunt: ...

"Among all the younger family, you dote on Taozi the most." Big Aunt remarked somewhat sourly.

Big Aunt had two daughters herself, yet never saw Grandma shower them with so much affection.

"Familiarity breeds contempt, when they’re not often seen, they become cherished, hehe..." Grandma laughed.

But Big Aunt hardly believed it.

As they were talking, Grandma suddenly said, "I think I hear them coming, is it them?"

Saying this, she moved towards the door.

"Where do you hear anything? I didn’t hear a thing; are your ears sharper than mine? You’re imagining it." Big Aunt slightly discontentedly remarked.

But she didn’t stop Grandma from walking to the door to open it.

"Hold on, you mentioned ’them’, who else is coming?" Big Aunt suddenly realized.

"And Taozi’s beau." Grandma replied.

"That young lad from last time?" Big Aunt frowned.

She wasn’t impressed by Shen Siyuan—average family background, average job, looks... Aside from his looks, nothing noteworthy; she thought he wasn’t good enough for their Taozi.

"He’s not some young lad, his surname is Shen, you may call him Xiao Shen."

"Mom, although times have changed, Taozi’s marriage still needs her parents’ consent; don’t interfere."

"Xiao Shen is a good person; what would her parents disagree with? I agree." Grandma stated directly.

"Is your agreement enough?"

"What? My word doesn’t matter now?"

Grandma, who was initially hunched over, immediately straightened up, showing surprising authority that startled Big Aunt into appeasing her quickly, "Whether your word counts, I’m not the one to say, ask Third Brother."

Third Brother is Taozi’s father, but actually, he ranks fourth in the family; Big Aunt is the eldest, followed by three brothers. Taozi’s father ranks third among the boys; hence the name Third Brother. Besides them, there’s a younger sister, Taozi’s Aunt.

The last time Taozi went to Coconut City was to attend her cousin’s wedding.

"I said it counts, would he dare object? Tell him to come and say it to my face."

Despite being kind-hearted, Grandma was quite formidable in her youth and indeed had authority at home.

"Grandma, what are you doing at the door?"

At this moment, Taozi’s voice sounded from the stairway, and with it, she was seen coming upstairs.

Upon hearing, Grandma’s previously straightened back immediately softened, and her angry expression transformed into a smile.

"Nothing, just talking with your Big Aunt?"

Grandma spoke while looking behind Taozi and upon seeing Shen Siyuan, she immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Hello Xiao Shen, welcome..." Her smile was wide.

"Hello Grandma, Hello Big Aunt." Shen Siyuan greeted warmly.

"Good, good. Come in quickly, no need to bring anything." Grandma walked out the door and led Shen Siyuan inside by his wrist with much enthusiasm.

Big Aunt’s reaction was completely different; she only glanced at Shen Siyuan coolly.

"It’s customary not to come empty-handed, just some small presents." Shen Siyuan said.

Actually, these things were prepared by Ruan Hongzhuang; Taozi hadn’t thought of this at all.

"Thanks for the gifts." Grandma held onto Shen Siyuan’s hand firmly.

Then she turned to Big Aunt, "Make some tea."

Big Aunt: ...

"No need for the trouble." Shen Siyuan quickly replied.

"Indeed, Big Aunt, no need. Grandma, we should leave now, so we don’t waste time." Taozi chimed in.

"True, we can chat while we’re out." Grandma said and glanced at the empty doorway.

She had told Taozi to bring Dou Dou today and wondered if she was here.

"Take good care of Grandma."

Upon hearing this, Big Aunt quickly handed Taozi a bag from the side.

Taozi reached for it, "Got it Big Aunt, don’t worry, Grandma will definitely be returned safe and sound."

"I still feel a bit uneasy; why not let me come along? I promise I won’t disturb you." Big Aunt seized the opportunity.

For a moment, Taozi didn’t know how to respond, but fortunately, Grandma said promptly, "Better not, you’ve been taking care of me every day; it’s exhausting. Today take it as a holiday, have a good rest."

"You mean I’m bothersome?"

"Don’t say it so unpleasantly, hehe..."

"Whatever you say, whatever you say..." Big Aunt, exasperated, didn’t insist.

Thus, Shen Siyuan and Taozi supported Grandma on either side as they went downstairs.

The place Grandma lived in was the house provided by Taozi’s grandfather’s workplace; though old, the facilities were very well-equipped. The only downside was the lack of an elevator.

Grandma married here, gave birth to several kids, and raised them here. The house was full of memories, so whenever she was in Bin Hai, she lived in this old place.

Halfway down the stairs, Grandma turned and checked behind, and then asked softly, "Your Big Aunt isn’t following, right?"

"No."

"Good, your Big Aunt has quite a stubborn temper." Grandma breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she asked, "Where’s Dou Dou, I haven’t seen her? I’ve missed Great Grandmother’s Dou Dou terribly."

"Dou Dou’s waiting downstairs." Shen Siyuan said.

"Then let’s hurry." Grandma Taozi gripped Shen Siyuan’s wrist and was about to continue moving down.

"Take it slow."

Her reckless pace startled Taozi.

"Don’t worry, I’m in great health, especially after Xiao Shen checked on me last time."

As Grandma spoke, she turned to Shen Siyuan with a slightly meaningful smile.