Chapter 50  Zimo, I Feel So Tired

Grandma Ma had always been very close with their generation. So when she spoke with a tone of entrustment, everyone felt the tension.

“Si Yi, has Grandma Ma had any unusual health problems recently?”

Ma Siying wiped away her tears and stood up.

“I’ll head back first and try to persuade Grandma to go to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry, Siying. If she won’t listen to you, get my grandma to help talk her into it.”

It was common with the elderly. They were reluctant to spend money. Even when they feel unwell, they tend to tough it out rather than go to the hospital.

By the time they can’t bear it anymore, the illness is already serious. Bai Zimo’s grandma is a bit better—she has a different mindset.

Getting one elder to persuade another might just work.

“Old age is like the canal,”

Xie Wanghe looked into the distance and sighed.

“Sigh, there’s no future for the canal anymore. Boat workers can’t make money. I think Huajie Street is done for too, eventually.”

Xia Fenghua stayed optimistic.

“When trees move, they die. But when people move, they thrive. In the future, wherever there’s opportunity, we’ll go. As long as we work hard, we won’t starve, right?”

“Where do you want to go the most?”

“Haven’t decided. You?”

“North. Zhongguancun. I’ll go there when I grow up.”

“And when’s ‘grown up’? How old counts?”

“At least after graduating high school. Anyway, I won’t just sit here waiting to die.”

After speaking, Xie Wanghe got up.

“I’m heading back. My dad’s still drunk.”

This generation of kids had it tough. Everyone’s got some adult they’re worrying about.

_____

Xia Fenghua leaned her head against Bai Zimo’s shoulder.

“Hey boy, do your words from before still count?”

“What words?”

“Come on, don’t play dumb.”

“Which ones? The one where you promised yourself to me? Or the one where you said you’d do my laundry?”

“Get lost. I meant helping my dad figure out a backup plan—you said something about a tour boat?”

“Oh, that. I remember now.”

“My family is in chaos right now. My dad really needs a stable income.”

Boss Xie’s money couldn’t be recovered, and as his follower, Xia’s father is even more strapped. Xia Fenghua had always been optimistic and strong. She rarely showed weakness in front of others.

Just like when a girl in her class said, “You can just save up your allowance to go to concerts.”

She didn’t say she barely had any allowance.

She just said, “I’m saving for a front-row interactive super VIP seat.”

But in front of Bai Zimo—She would show her vulnerable side. That’s what trust looks like.

“It’s too late today, and no one’s in the mood to talk business. Go home and talk to your dad, see how he feels. Then let’s find a time to sit down together.”

“Thank you!”

“No need for thanks.”

Hua Zi complained, “So annoying! I know every family has its own problems, but why is ours so complicated? Outsiders always seem to have the answers—so what’s your outsider opinion?”

“You want me to become a monk?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

“I’ll bring it up, but even an honest official struggles to settle family disputes!”

“I used to think dreams were big and far away. But when dreams hit reality, what I need isn’t something unreachable—but the blooming flowers in front of me.”

“Still, it’s good to have dreams. What if they come true?”

“Lend me your shoulder, Zimo. I feel so tired.”

“When you say you’ll cross the sky—Will someone be waiting for me there?

Dreams are clouds that bloom.

When the sunlight hits the window, It’s like your little dimples—In the depths of time, warming me.”

_____

Woo woo woo…

When the horn at Huajie Wharf sounded again,

It was the boats of those departing or returning. At the Canal Inn, Hua Zi brought her parents there to talk about the tour boat plan.

“Uncle Xia, Aunt Yan!”

“Zimo!”

“Please sit, please sit. You two rarely come to the Canal Inn, right?”

Xia’s father gave a sheepish grin.

“Never had time. Your grandma runs it pretty well.”

Hua Zi cut straight to the point.

“Come on, don’t be polite. Let’s get to business.”

“Zimo, you talk. My dad’s the type who can’t squeeze out a full sentence.”

Xia’s father’s face turned dark.

This girl is a leaky little coat, huh?

“The issue isn’t just your dad’s income. Your grandma and aunt’s side keeps causing problems.”

“Exactly! Can’t do anything right. Opened a restaurant and it failed. Now they want to borrow money to open an internet café.”

“The key is—why should we shoulder the cost of their mistakes? We can’t afford another loss.”

Xia’s dad couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Hua Zi, this is adult business. Kids shouldn’t butt in.”

Bai Zimo waved his hand.

“Uncle Xia, don’t be mad. Though she really did hit a sore spot.”

Xia’s dad thought, You call that polite!

“I’m planning to start a travel agency with a tour boat under it, and run it alongside the Canal Inn. Would you be interested in managing it?”

Hua Zi slapped the table.

“Zimo’s done talking. Who’s in favor? Who’s against?”