After dinner...

The wooden gate in the yard creaked in the wind. Grandfather sat comfortably on the sofa with a cup of hawthorn wine, watching us bustling around in the kitchen, a smile on his face.

He took a gentle sip from the cup, the chill dancing in his entire mouth, flowing down his throat into his chest. The taste was sweet and slightly bitter, with the flavor of hawthorn lingering throughout his mind. Grandfather smiled contentedly, leaning back on the sofa under his blanket. He felt very peaceful all around him until a gust of wind blew past, bringing the creaking sound of the door from outside.

Grandfather took a deep, peaceful breath and whispered, "Xingyi, Yangyang, you don't have to rush. I'll take care of it myself tomorrow?"

"Okay, grandpa, the dishes are all washed now, it's done."

Grandpa smiled gently, "I told you not to do it, but you insisted on doing it. Am I too old to do it myself?"

I first stepped out of the kitchen, Leng Yang was still wiping his hands with a towel. I walked to grandpa's side and said, "Since we finally came once, of course we have to help you out! It must be hard for you alone!"

Grandpa seemed to make more sense, his voice rising: “That’s just it, you guys don’t come here often, you’re here to have fun, not to work.”

I turned my mouth away and didn't argue with grandpa anymore. I sat down in front of him, and seeing the wine glass on the table, I pretended to be angry at grandpa. When he looked at me, my face became even angrier, and with my eyes, I told him that I was upset about the wine on the table.

Grandpa mischievously glanced at me, then quickly turned his head to look at Leng Yang who was walking over. Then he happily asked, "Yangyang, why didn't you come sooner!"

Leng Yang said politely, "Oh, I was just wiping my hands!"

Grandfather let out an "Oh!" Then, he glanced at me with a subtle look, noticing my still-angry expression. He then deliberately spoke to Leng Yang, who also saw my strange expression and gently asked, “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head gently, still looking at grandpa.

Grandpa hurriedly shouted, "Yangyang! Did you hear any sound? Squeak, squeak." Afraid that Yang was too cold to hear, Grandpa pretended to remind him with his eyes to look outside the door.

Leng Yang looked out the door, there was no wind. He looked at his grandfather with a puzzled expression and honestly said: "Grandpa Tan, I didn't hear any sound!"

Grandpa's unwilling eyes stared at the yard, coldly and blindly staring at Grandpa. Grandpa's eyes strained to remind him, almost saying it out loud, but Leng Yang didn't hear it so he couldn't guess why.

"Alas!" I looked at my grandfather speechless, and then said, "It was the wooden door in the courtyard that wasn't closed properly."

Grandfather smiled, Leng Yang understood, and then said: "Grandfather Qin, I understand. I'll go now." Then he quickly walked out of the room.

Grandfather gave me a doting smile and said, "Xingyi, why don't you go help Yangyang? If he closes the door, what will happen if guests come? He probably doesn't know, just tell him to lean against the wall so he won't be blown over by the wind."

With a helpless expression, I wore, my grandfather gently said: "Go ahead! Help your grandfather out!" I had no choice but to turn and walk away.

Seeing me leave the house, grandpa was quick to drink a large gulp and then fill his cup again, a look of satisfaction on his face.

I walked into the yard and felt like I had stepped into a fairytale world of ice and snow at night. While it wasn't completely covered in silver, the moon draped a layer of white over the weeds and vegetables on either side of the yard, which were stubbornly growing and showing themselves off. Everyone was bustling about in the quiet night.

A cold wind blew, seeping into my neck. I shivered and walked on, then saw Leng Yang walking towards me as well.

"Are you done?"

Leng Yang nodded confidently, "Hmm."

I obviously didn't believe him. I grabbed his sleeve and walked towards the wooden door. He instinctively followed me. When I let go, he walked in front of me and confidently pointed at the crooked doorjamb and said, "See? It's quiet, isn't it?"

I nodded in agreement and then asked deliberately, "What if someone comes? Are you going to turn them away at the door?"

Leng Yang looked a little awkward. "An? Don't you knock?"

I excitedly raised my right hand, ready to hit him, "Everyone else thought you were asleep, you pig-headed fool, not even a bit resourceful."

Leng Yang dodged and then retorted, "Who's asleep so early?"

"I'm so angry I shake my head, “My grandfather, old man!!”

Leng Yang gave me an understanding look, blinked his eyes and said: "That's right, closing it is wrong, opening it is also wrong, what can we do?"

"Who told you opening it was impossible? Just open the door and lean it against the wall, wouldn't that work? You silly goose!"

Leng Yang seemed to be surprised by me, looking at me seriously. I felt a bit ungraceful and then smiled, squinting my eyes gently, preparing to speak.

Who knew the next second Leng Yang, who had been admiring me just a moment ago, would point his thumb up and say, "As expected of you! You're so smart when it comes to getting things done."

"Oh, I can't stand it when people praise me. I just want to keep things low-key." I couldn't help but smile at the corner of my mouth, then calmly said, "You're the stupid one. Alright, open the door."

I reached out to help, but Leng Yang immediately grabbed my hand and stopped me, saying: "That's enough, Military Advisor. Just provide the manpower, I'll do the work."

I looked at him in astonishment, my face full of confusion. He continued, "The strategist is injured, so rest! I'll take over."

I instinctively stepped back, and Leng Yang finished adjusting his side after which he inquired: "Military Advisor, is that so?"

I nodded...

Upon entering the room, Grandpa had obviously drunk most of that full glass. I thought that just that one glass wouldn't have made him too angry, "Grandpa, I told you to drink less, why didn't you listen!"

"Grandpa happily said, 'I'm so happy you came today, and I also saw Yangyang. I'm so happy, let's have some wine to celebrate.'"

"Damn it, you're clearly drunk on watered-down booze. You get tipsy after just a little bit every time."

"Only you see that I only had a little," Grandfather said happily, looking at me.

My furrowed brows immediately turned into confusion. I looked at Leng Yang, who was beside me with a slight smile, clearly trying to suppress laughter. Then, I glanced at my grandfather's evasive gaze. The more I thought about it, the more something felt off. Suddenly, I understood and looked at my grandfather and said, "Grandpa, how could you do this? No wonder you always find excuses to avoid me, hmph!"

Grandfather raised his cup again, and I immediately snatched it up, angrily gulping down the last mouthful. Suddenly, that icy coldness and bitterness pierced through my brain, giving me a jolt of chill. My eyebrows furrowed, a subtle expression appearing on my face. Then, I felt nothing, only a prickling sourness lingering on my tongue. Actually, it was quite tasty.

Leng Yang and Grandpa were shocked as I snatched the wine glass and gulped it down, completely unresponsive. All I could hear was a string of "Eh eh eh... Eh!" echoing in my ears.

The surroundings quieted down, and I exclaimed: "That's delicious!" Grandfather and Leng Yang let out a sigh of relief. Grandfather looked at me proudly and said, "How is it? Delicious, right? This is the reason why Grandpa likes to drink it."

Leng Yang said from the side: "Too impulsive!"

It's nothing. I confidently told Grandpa, "Even if it tastes good, you can't drink it often! Next time you drink so much fake wine again, I'll drink it all myself."

Grandpa said gently, "No! If you want to drink, there's beer in the fridge. Kids shouldn't drink that."

I angrily said, "I wouldn't drink horse urine!"

My words made Leng Yang burst into laughter and then asked, "What do you mean by 'horse urine'?"

"My dear grandson, you called prickly pear liquor fake and beer horse urine! Who taught you that?"

I argued: "That's right, the color and taste of beer are just like horse urine."

Leng Yang's smile was so wide it could barely contain itself.

"Grandpa laughed and said, "So you mean to say that you've drunk horse urine?"

"An?!" I stared at my grandfather.

"Hahaha..." Leng Yang couldn't stop laughing beside him.

I got so angry I twisted his arm hard and glared at him, "Is that funny?"

Leng Yang couldn't stop himself, "Haha... well! So funny... Hahahahaha..."

I got even angrier and snapped, "Laugh it up! Laugh yourself to death! Don't stop!"

Leng Yang saw my serious expression and was forced to stop laughing. He then said in a placating tone, "I'm not laughing anymore, it's not funny."

I was so angry that I ignored him.

"Seeing this, the grandfather quickly soothed and said: "It's funny, but don't laugh anymore?"

"I'm mad at grandpa too," I said, "Grandpa, he made me so embarrassed when he laughed!"

Lèng Yáng immediately apologized: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

"Grandpa gently guided, 'This isn't ridicule, everyone laughs together when it's funny! It's nothing, boys should have a big heart!' "

I suddenly lost my temper: "I'm not angry anymore. I just think it's not funny."

"Grandpa pretended to be angry and looked at Leng Yang, his voice serious: 'Also, Yangyang, what's so funny? You see we don't laugh but you do.'"

I was amused by Grandpa's joke instantly, oS: "Grandpa still treats us like children. It's nice."

"I'm sorry, I'm not laughing."

I smiled at my grandfather, and we all felt happy.

The night’s darkness rose by a degree, perhaps even the moon was tired, and a black fatigue enveloped the whole village. Neighbors one after another switched off their lights, and it was night...

I walked out of the bathroom and saw Leng Yang chatting with grandpa on the sofa. The happiness on their faces filled the whole house. I think they must be talking about their childhood.

I walked up to them, and the grandfather greeted me gently, saying: "Xingyi, come here quickly. I know a secret about you."

I was confused and walked closer to my grandfather, who sat beside me. My intuition told me something wasn't right. I stared at Leng Yang, but he intentionally avoided eye contact, looking around nervously.

I seriously said: "Grandpa, no matter what Lengyang tells you, it's not true. You have to believe me!" Then I gave Lengyang a menacing look.

"Grandpa smiled and said, 'I believe you, so I'm asking to make sure it's true. Don't scare Yangyang, okay!' "

I hurriedly replied, "It's not true!"

Grandpa looked at me with disbelief and said, "I think Leng Yang is telling the truth!" Then he smiled at Leng Yang, and I felt like there was a conspiracy going on.

I wore an expression of righteousness.

Grandpa deliberately said, "I heard that when you were little, you helped us weed the corn and accidentally uprooted several corn seedlings. Were you afraid of me criticizing you, so you secretly dug holes and replanted them?"

I argued, "Grandpa, do you believe me?"

"Now the problem is passed to Grandpa. The importance of the problem isn't whether I did it or not, but whether Grandpa believes me. I'm so smart!"

But Grandpa said, "I believe you too, but after you weeded the area, a lot of the seedlings died."

I awkwardly said, "Grandpa, how did you know which ones I subtracted? Wouldn't they be the ones Cold Young subtracted?"

Leng Yang quickly said, "You can't say that!"

"Of course I know, you were the laziest when you were young. You only wanted to do the middle two rows and said the edges were unclear. You said the roadside was too hard because people walked on it. And then you said that you dug just a few holes and so many died. Isn't that obvious?"

I have nothing to say, a wronged expression: "This is not when we were children!"

"Grandpa continued, "When I was a kid, I thought you weeded too well. The pests couldn't find weeds to eat, so they went after the corn seedlings instead! Haha!"

……

I see that it's getting late, "Grandpa, are you going to soak your feet tonight?"

"Grandpa smiled and said, “Oh, I forgot! We need to make it a hot spring!” Then Grandpa stood up and said, "Wait a minute, you guys keep playing. I'm going to prepare the water.”

I pulled my grandfather down and said, "Grandpa, let's go."

Grandpa nodded.

Leng Yang didn't know much about it and volunteered, "I'll go prepare some hot water."

"Well, it's a little hot, I'll get the medicine kit."

Grandfather was enjoying himself comfortably, then Grandfather joked: "Would you two like to join?"

We shook our heads.

Grandfather said, "But you guys looking at me like this makes me a little embarrassed."

I smiled and turned my head to speak to Leng Yang, who no longer looked at Grandpa.

"But Grandpa said, 'Why don't the two of you come to the bar with me? I'm lonely.'"

"I'm speechless, grandpa! 'We have to soak our feet together?' What are you doing?!"

Grandfather said, "I feel like both of your feet aren't clean enough, so wash them again with me."

"An?!"

"Huh?!"

Our two little heads, full of big questions, stared at Grandpa. I was eager to prove myself, so I rolled up my pants legs, took off my slippers, and held out my feet in front of him. “Grandpa,” I said, “Do you think we’re still babies? Our feet are clean! Look how white and clean they are!”

Grandpa smiled widely, sneaking a peek before saying, "Just kidding!" He then realized something was wrong, took another closer look, and his expression turned serious. He reached out and grabbed my foot to examine it carefully.

Both Leng Yang and I were stunned. Then, I swayed and almost fell over. Leng Yang immediately stepped forward and grabbed my shoulders with both hands, steadying me.

I said, puzzled, "Grandpa, what are you doing? You scared me!"

Just then, I saw my grandpa dragging my heel with his left hand, and his right index finger gently pressing against my ankle. Cold Yang and I suddenly realized something - my ankle was now swollen all around, probably full of water.

Grandpa let go of my foot. Leng Yang helped me sit on the sofa. Grandpa didn't speak, just wiped his foot dry. I stepped forward to pour him water, but Grandpa stopped me and said, "Your feet are like this, and you're still walking around as if nothing happened."

Grandpa insisted on carrying the water, so Leng Yang immediately stepped forward and snatched it away from him.

Across from the sofa, Grandpa sat down on the sofa out of self-blame and heartache. I acted cute and said, "Grandpa, I'm fine! The patches have already been applied."

"Grandpa angrily said, "Applying medicine patches in this situation won't be very effective, it might even cause stagnant blood to accumulate inside."

Leng Yang walked over and overheard it, his face darkening.

Grandfather said, "Why don't you go to the hospital?"

"Oh! This... there isn't..." I stammered, because at the time I hadn't thought about going to the hospital, I was just feeling cold and upset.

Langer walked over and said, "Grandpa Leng, I'm sorry. I didn't take him to the hospital."

"How could you not take care of your brother properly?" the grandfather said angrily.

Leng Yang's expression was heartbroken, silently enduring his grandfather's anger.

"What's going on? What about Guan Lengyang? I didn't go to the hospital, right?" "Grandpa, it was me who insisted on not going to the hospital. It was too late at that time, and we were in a hurry to get home."

Grandpa sighed and asked, "It's been a while, wasn't it made today?"

I sheepishly said, "No, it's been almost a day and a night already."

Leng Yang added, "One and a half nights a day."

"Grandpa looked serious and said, "Silly child! We can't use needles during this time!"

"What?" We both looked at Grandpa in surprise.