Chapter 147

The next day.

Qi Mo and Sheng Mumu together explained her condition to the old lady.

The old lady seemed to be at that age and had long anticipated that there would be such a day.

The surprised expression stayed on her face for only a moment before disappearing.

Knowing that the tumor was benign and could be cured, she was even more relaxed, with a completely calm appearance.

However, when she heard that her grandson and granddaughter-in-law said they would accompany her to Germany for treatment, she frowned and slammed the table to stand up.

"No, if you go, I won't go."

Sheng Mumu looked at Qi Mo, at a loss for what to do...

Qi Mo seemed to have long anticipated that the old lady would react this way. He gave Sheng Mumu a "don't worry" look.

"Grandma, I—"

"Don't say anything, I know what you want to say." The old lady suddenly raised her voice, interrupting her grandson before he could finish speaking, "I said no, so no."

Having lived to this age, how could she not see the subtle expressions of the younger generation.

She was touched by her thoughtful grandson and granddaughter-in-law, but didn't want to affect the normal lives of the younger generation by having them fuss over an old lady like her.

She had always felt that people have their own ways of living.

Just like before, she had always lived alone in Yue City, with maids and caregivers around, and went to a university for the elderly to take classes when she was free, and was quite content.

Now it was just a temporary stay in Jing City. If she had to have her grandson and granddaughter-in-law waiting on her every day, she would feel uncomfortable instead.

"It's fine if little Jiang accompanies me. If you all follow me, it would be as if I had a terminal illness."

Qi Mo didn't say anything more, knowing that once the old lady's stubborn temper came up, no one could persuade her otherwise.

The old lady sat down and suddenly seemed to recall something very important. Her expression became serious as she exhorted:

"No matter what, don't tell Xiaobudian about my illness. He's in his critical third year of high school."

Qi Mo spoke in a coaxing tone, "Okay, we won't tell him."

"Hmm." Satisfied with the reply, the old lady nodded at ease.

Qi Mo and Sheng Mumu were still worried, trying to persuade the old lady from different angles.

Pleading, reasoning, cajoling.

Qi Mo patiently reasoned with her.

Sheng Mumu hugged her arm and acted cute.

But neither soft words nor hard ones worked.

The old lady had only one firm response:

"As long as you dare to follow me, I will not cooperate with any treatment."

In the end, they still couldn't overcome the stubborn old lady and had to compromise.

The day of the old lady's departure for Germany was set for a week later.

During that week, Qi Mo personally arranged all the living and treatment related matters during the old lady’s stay in Germany in minute detail.

Sheng Mumu was responsible for explaining the situation to her mother-in-law Feng Yaoqin, who was on vacation.

According to the old lady's thinking, she repeatedly emphasized to be especially careful not to let Qi Shaobai know the truth.

As for Qi Shaobai, it was the old lady who went to speak to him personally.

The reason she gave was: At such an old age, she had never seen the world before, so she wanted to go out and take a look while she still had the strength.

Qi Shaobai was reluctant to part, "Grandma, don't go. Wait until I finish the college entrance exam and I'll go with you."

The old ginger was still spicy. The old lady lied without revealing any flaws. On the contrary, she turned it around and said, "When you were little, you clamored for me to take you to the Children's Palace to play on the slides. Now that you've grown into a big boy, you still want grandma to take you out to play? Aren't you ashamed?"

Qi Shaobai was rendered speechless for a moment: "..."

A week later.

Under the accompaniment of Dr. Jiang and a team of maids and caregivers, the old lady boarded the plane bound for Germany.

As soon as Qi Mo, Sheng Mumu and Qi Shaobai sent her off and got into the car to go home, all three of their cell phones rang at the same time.

Qi Mo was driving and did not immediately look at his phone, but he could understand what happened from the conversation between Sheng Mumu and Qi Shaobai.

Qi Shaobai said in surprise, "Grandma started a family group chat."

Sheng Mumu hadn't opened WeChat yet. She laughed and asked, "What's the group name, 'Loving Family'?"

"No." Qi Shaobai paused, "It's called 'Outstanding Gathering, Radish Conference', what does that mean?"

Sheng Mumu chuckled. It was a classic line from the skit that she had watched with the old lady.

She didn't explain much to Qi Shaobai, only sighed leisurely,

"Ah, this is the generation gap."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Qi Mo and lamented,

"Kids these days don't understand anything."

Qi Mo was focused on driving, glanced at Qi Shaobai from the rearview mirror and coldly added,

"Hmm, don't understand at all."

Qi Shaobai was used to his father and stepmother ganging up on him as a target. He didn't take much offense and continued looking at his phone.

Suddenly his expression changed.

"This is not good, the group name is in danger of being changed."

Sheng Mumu heard this and opened the group chat.

【Outstanding Gathering, Radish Conference (6)】

——【Feng Yaoqin: Mom, why did you name the group like this? It should be called "Loving Family" to reflect the warmth and harmony of our family. [Flower][Coffee cup][Sun]】

——【Qiao Li: Auntie, if you randomly grab ten people on the street, at least half of their family group chats are called "Loving Family". It's not original enough.】

——【Feng Yaoqin: Oh, then Qiao Li, suggest a more original name. You even dared to dye your hair green, so the name you come up with surely won't be old-fashioned. [Smile]】

Sheng Mumu grinned from ear to ear, eyes curving into crescents.

Her mother-in-law was probably still shocked by seeing Qiao Li's grayish-green hair at the bar last time, and it left a lasting impression.

Now catching the opportunity, she was being sarcastic to Qiao Li.

The smile emoji at the end, she knew her mother-in-law just used it out of habit.

But now it looked especially sarcastic, full of humor.

She laughed heartily.

Qi Mo was infected by her laughter and glanced at her from the corner of his eye, involuntarily raising the corners of his lips slightly.

——【Qiao Li: Um... My bandmates are urging me to go practice, talk later.】

——【Qi Shaobai: Qiao Li you're such a coward.】

——【Qiao Li: Qi Shaobai, don't think that just because you're a spirited young man I won't beat you up.】

——【Feng Yaoqin: Shaobai, watch how you speak to Qiao Li. You should at least call her cousin.】

——【Qi Shaobai: ...】

Sheng Mumu turned to look at Qi Shaobai with a teasing face.

"Young Qi, how about we don't go home first and I'll take you to shake a bottle at the mall entrance to practice calling 'my father’s niece'."

Qi Shaobai: "..."

He was speechless at this moment.

On the plane.

The old lady squinted and held her phone farther away to see the younger generations joking in the group. A benevolent smile appeared on her face. Then she slowly modified her own nickname in the group using the handwriting function.

She sent out the first message in the group.

——【Xiaobudian’s Grandma: You guys can change the group name to whatever you want yourselves.】

As soon as she sent it, a series of replies popped up below:

——【Qi Shaobai: What grandma came up with is the best.】

——【Sheng Mumu: +10086 [Jumping puppy.jpg]】

——【Qiao Li: Very special name.】

——【Feng Yaoqin: Mom, this name is good, let's not change it.】

——【Xiaobudian’s Grandma: A bunch of radishes [Smile][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]】

*

The second week after Grandma went abroad.

Jing City No. 1 Middle School adjusted the schedule for third year high school students.

The self-study session that previously ended at 8:30pm was changed to 10pm.

That day.

Qi Shaobai dragged his weary body back home. As soon as he reached the front door, his body suddenly stiffened.

He lifted his chin and sniffed.

A familiar smell lingered in the air, going straight up his nostrils.

His eyes widened abruptly as he quickened his pace in the direction of the aroma.

It was the smell of meatballs fried by Grandma.

Could Grandma have come back early?

Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel greatly cheered up.

Before he even reached the kitchen, a voice rang out.

"Grandma?"

"Young Qi is back?" A clear voice responded from the kitchen.

Qi Shaobai froze on the spot.

This was obviously not Grandma's voice.

The only one who liked to call him Young Qi was his stepmother.

Sure enough, Sheng Mumu pushed open the kitchen door and walked out from inside.

She was holding a plate of freshly fried meatballs and placed them on the table, waving her hand at him.

"Come try them and see if they taste different from Grandma's meatballs."

Qi Shaobai stared blankly for a few seconds, then pulled out a chair and sat down. Without washing his hands, he grabbed one and took a bite.

After just a few chews, a clean smile appeared on his cold, aloof face.

His tone was full of affirmation.

"Delicious, exactly the same as Grandma's."

Sheng Mumu's eyebrows quirked up, the ending of her words curling up proudly,

"Of course, hand-taught by Granny herself."

Seeing Qi Shaobai wolfing them down, Sheng Mumu's smile grew increasingly smug.

Her thoughts went back two weeks ago.

The day before the old lady was leaving...

She had mysteriously pulled her into the kitchen.

"Mu Mu, I'm going to teach you how to make fried meatballs. If...if anything happens to me..."

The old lady hesitated, a fleeting look of sadness passing over her face, quickly replaced by a benevolent smile as she finished what she had to say:

"My little one will still be able to taste this flavor."