When Wang Wei came to my house, Grandfather was basking in the sun in the yard.
He rushed in excitedly, panting as he said, “Uncle, my dad is better! We don’t need that thing anymore.”
Grandfather paused for a moment, “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
Wang Wei wiped the sweat from his face, “I mean my dad has regained consciousness; he moved his fingers several times. He should be able to speak in a couple of days.”
“We won’t need that coffin anymore.”
“Uncle, don’t worry, you won’t lose any money.”
Grandfather shook his head, “I don’t want the money; that coffin is a gift for your family.”
Wang Wei scratched his head awkwardly, “Uncle, come on, we can afford it. We definitely want to pay you for it; it’s not something we can just take for free.”
“Besides, that coffin was bought by someone else and sent here for my dad.”
Grandfather thought for a moment and nodded, “Alright then, you go on with your business. I’ll come by to see your dad when I have time.”
Wang Wei agreed and turned to leave.
As soon as he left, Grandmother came out of the house and spat at the ground while watching his retreating figure. “Pah!”
“Old man, do you believe his nonsense?”
Grandfather sighed, “Why wouldn’t I believe him?”
Grandmother snorted coldly, “I saw that woman from Fifth Son of the Wang Family go up the back mountain last night. She was heavily pregnant and couldn’t even walk properly.”
“Do you think that man of hers can take care of someone else?”
Grandfather fell silent.
After a long while, he finally said, “What if it’s true?”
Grandmother rolled her eyes, “What if it’s just nonsense?”
"I think we should just send the coffin over."
"Don't let it come back to haunt us later."
Grandfather shook his head. "He said he doesn't need it."
Grandmother interrupted him, "What if he's lying?"
"That kid named Wang has always been a bit slow; his father was quite clever back in the day."
Grandfather remained silent.
Grandmother walked into the yard and picked up a shoulder pole. "Come on, let's take the coffin over."
Grandfather quickly stopped her. "Hey, we can't do that."
"We said we were giving it to them; there's no reason to take it back."
Grandmother glared at him. "Then you can just wait to collect the body!"
"They've already said they don't want it. If you insist on sending it over, aren't you cursing them?"
Grandfather's expression darkened with displeasure.
Grandmother raised her voice even higher. "What's wrong?"
"Am I wrong?"
Grandfather sighed. "Do as you wish."
Grandmother angrily sat down on the ground. "If it weren't for your grandson, I wouldn't bother with this nonsense!"
After saying that, she got up and went inside to grab something.
Before long, she came out with a few pieces of cured meat.
Grandfather winced at the sight. "What are you taking that for?"
Grandmother shot him a glare. "Of course, I'm going to see Old Wang's family and their sick person!"
Grandfather waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it."
"Didn't Wang Wei just say that his father is recovering?"
Grandma snorted coldly, "If he recovers, I'll write my name backward!"
Grandfather shook his head.
Carrying a basket and shouldering a pole, Grandma headed towards the Wang family's house.
Grandfather called out to her twice, but she didn't look back.
That evening, I had just finished dinner when I heard a hurried knocking at the door.
"Open up quickly!"
It was Grandma's voice.
I opened the door to find her pale-faced and sweating profusely.
Grandfather hurried to help her inside and sit down.
After drinking a few sips of water, she finally calmed down. "Someone was following me."
Grandfather frowned. "Who?"
Grandma took a few deep breaths before replying, "I don't know."
Just then, someone knocked on our yard gate.
The next day, Grandfather took me to visit Wang Wei's house.
Wang Wei was already waiting at the gate.
"Uncle, are you here to see my dad?"
Grandfather nodded. "Yes, how is your dad doing?"
Wang Wei scratched his head. "Still the same. His fingers can move, and he can open his eyes, but he can't speak."
Grandfather frowned. "What about your mom?"
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