roccoschili Chapter 432 She's Not a Burden
Chapter 432 She's Not a Burden
The Jiang family in Beijing was just a small household, and their birthday banquet was not grand, with only some relatives, friends, and business partners invited.
The venue was a standard five-star hotel. Jiang Tao, holding his wife Chen Ya's hand, greeted the arriving guests.
The old lady was in high spirits today, wearing the large gold bracelet that Jiang Zhouzhou had given her on her thin wrist. All the relatives were from the Chen family, and she didn't recognize any of them. When others wished her a happy birthday, she smiled and responded to each one.
A few minutes later, the old lady felt tired and asked Jiang Zhouzhou to help her to the rest room to rest.
"Those people greeted me with smiles on their faces, but their eyes showed disdain for me."
Having lived to this age, the old lady has a keen eye for people.
She was an old woman from the countryside, uneducated, with a lot of uncouth habits, and she also had an incurable disease.
When people toasted her, they kept a great distance, afraid that her illness might be contagious.
Some people even covered their noses in disgust after offering a toast, as if she had some unpleasant smell.
It was supposed to be her birthday celebration, but she didn't feel happy.
Jiang Zhouzhou helped her sit down and said softly, "That's because they are impolite and don't know how to respect people. My grandma is very magnanimous and won't argue with people like them."
The old lady was amused by her words, "Your mouth is just like it was when you were a child, so sweet and good at coaxing people."
She was wearing a festive burgundy fur coat, but her body underneath was already emaciated.
The birthday banquet was hastily arranged, and the clothes the daughter-in-law bought were not suitable, but she had never worn such expensive clothes before.
If the old women in the village saw this, they would definitely look on with envy.
Her dry, bark-like hands stroked the fur on her coat, then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled white plastic bag.
Jiang Zhouzhou looked at the plastic bag tightly clutched in her hand, and her eyes trembled.
"I noticed you hadn't eaten much today, so I secretly slipped a few snacks into my pocket."
As the old lady untied the plastic bag, she said with a smile, "These rich people eat such exquisite food. Each of those pastries is so beautiful that I don't even want to eat them."
The bag was opened, revealing cookies, cheesecake, macarons...
"I don't recognize these pastries. I just took a few because they looked nice. I don't know how they taste."
Because they were in my pocket, some of the snacks had already broken.
Jiang Zhouzhou's gaze fell on these no longer exquisite snacks, and her eyes gradually became sore.
"Just like before, when we eat out, you always secretly put some in your bag for me to take home."
The old lady picked out the best-preserved cookie and handed it to Jiang Zhouzhou. "Try it and see how it tastes. You're getting thinner and thinner than when you first left home. Now that I'm not around, you have to eat more and gain weight. Don't be as skinny as those girls on TV, otherwise it will be difficult for you to have children."
In the old woman's mind, a woman's life revolves around her family, husband, and children. Jiang Zhouzhou ignored the old woman's last words and took a small bite of the biscuit.
Very sweet and delicious.
The old lady looked at her obedient appearance, a complex and unreadable emotion flashing in her eyes.
“My Zhouzhou! She’s all grown up now…”
That little dumpling has now grown into a graceful young woman.
She wasn't good to her. Her husband died in a car accident, and she had finally managed to raise her two sons. She thought she could finally enjoy life, but then she had to take on this little burden.
When she was in a bad mood, she would hit and scold the little burden. The child would cower in fear, tears streaming down his face, but he dared not utter a sound.
She was only slightly taller than the wood-fired stove, standing on a small stool, her arms as thin as corn stalks, yet she clumsily held the spatula, cooking for her.
Although the taste was terrible, the old lady, who had come from a life of hardship, didn't complain.
Once, a spark burned a small hole in her pants. She didn't dare to make a sound and hid in the dark, mending it herself with needle and thread.
The old lady was both annoyed and amused when she saw this.
She turned on the light, and under the warm orange glow, she took a needle and thread and sewed up the small hole in her pants.
The little one sat obediently, and when he saw that his pants had been mended, his eyes shone brighter than the stars in the night sky.
"Grandma, you're so kind."
She actually praised her.
She was so mean to her.
But even the slightest bit of good seems to outweigh all the bad.
Remember this well, but don't hold grudges.
"Alright, since this is my birthday banquet, I'll head out now."
The old lady stood up: "I know you don't want to face those people outside, so just hide here for now! Come out after we cut the cake. I remember you love cake the most, and you always wanted me to buy you one for your birthday, but unfortunately I've never fulfilled your wish."
When the cake was mentioned, a look of guilt flashed in the old lady's eyes.
She did buy a cake once, but on her way back she ran into her second son's youngest son.
He kept asking for cake, so the old lady gave the cake to her second daughter-in-law.
The little one is very obedient and always behaves well without making a fuss, but the light in his eyes has dimmed considerably.
She remembered that Zhouzhou's birthday was coming soon.
It seems to be around the end of this month...
The old lady said, "When it's your birthday this month, Grandma will definitely buy you a big cake."
Jiang Zhouzhou smiled and said, "Okay, this time you must keep your word."
The old lady walked to the door, turned around, and gave Zhouzhou a deep look.
Close the door.
Jiang Zhouzhou looked at the broken pastry in her hand, completely losing her appetite.
Without the loving filter of grandma, these are just ordinary cookies that are sickeningly sweet.
She stood up, intending to leave the room and go for a walk.
But the next second, a wave of dizziness swept over him, and his limbs suddenly lost all strength.
She stared wide-eyed in disbelief, unwilling and unable to bear the thought, but her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pain making it hard for her to breathe.
Heavy footsteps approached from outside the door, growing louder as they drew nearer, finally stopping at the entrance.
Then came the sound of the doorknob being turned.
"Squeak-"
The door opens.
Upon seeing the person walk in, Jiang Zhouzhou's pupils contracted.