CHAPTER 455: CHAPTER 455: DRIVING BACK TO MY PARENTS’ HOUSE

But because Father Song had just bumped into something, the originally relatively relaxed atmosphere between Xiuxiu and Wei Dafang became serious and anxious too. After all, getting injured near the New Year was something everyone felt uneasy about. Father Song was not young anymore, and the elderly tend to recover slowly. Furthermore, it was unclear how severe the injury was. Xiuxiu and other daughters-in-law would naturally be worried. On the other side, Mrs. Song, who was making tofu, seemed completely distraught. Although she continued to grind soybeans by the millstone, her mind had already followed Father Song to the county hospital.

"Alas, I don’t know how serious Dad’s injury is. It’s almost New Year’s, how could he suddenly get hurt like this!" After returning to the kitchen, Wei Dafang spoke somewhat vexedly, clearly very worried.

"Indeed! I hope he’ll be alright." Xiuxiu also felt a bit sentimental, hoping Father Song’s injury wasn’t too severe.

The two sisters-in-law looked at each other and could feel an understanding in each other’s gaze.

It took a long time for the Song family men to return from the county hospital. They even missed lunch and didn’t come back until after two in the afternoon, when a car sound was heard outside. At that moment, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law hurriedly turned and rushed to the courtyard gate.

"Yuantao, how is your dad’s arm? Is it badly hurt?" Mrs. Song, running ahead, then stared intensely at Father Song’s now-medicated arm, her worry evident in her expression.

"It’s nothing serious." Father Song seemed unconcerned as he replied.

However, Mrs. Song clearly didn’t believe what Father Song had said and turned to look at Song Yuantao, who was supporting Father Song.

"Mom, dad’s injury isn’t serious, and it didn’t affect the bones or tendons. The doctor said that with a little rest, avoiding heavy work for a couple of months, he’ll be fine." Song Yuantao reassured everyone. As for what the doctor specifically said about the injury, he didn’t quite understand, but he knew that all Father Song needed was to rest properly for a couple of months.

"That’s good, there isn’t much work at home anyway; just take a good rest!" Hearing this, Mrs. Song finally believed it and let out a big sigh of relief, then casually continued the conversation. She had actually hoped for a long time that Father Song would take a break, but she couldn’t persuade him on usual days. Now, having him stay calm and rest for two months was somewhat a good outcome in Mrs. Song’s view.

Father Song, hearing this, looked slightly uncomfortable, presumably because he was used to being busy and now had to suddenly rest for two months, which probably gave him a headache.

Seeing this, Xiuxiu couldn’t help but find it amusing.

"Have you all had lunch?" Xiuxiu asked.

"Not yet! We were afraid you’d worry, so after getting the medicine at the hospital, we drove straight home." The response came from Song Yuanhuan, who had just locked the car and walked into the courtyard.

"I’ll go make some food for you." Xu Xiuxiu immediately turned around and went to the kitchen with Wei Dafang to rustle up some food.

The men had a bit of noodles to fill their stomachs, and since Father Song had injured his arm, the task of repairing the shed fell again to the three Song brothers. Although Father Song had injured his arm and couldn’t do physical work, he still stood by, occasionally offering reminders, but a faint sense of sadness floated in his gaze from a distance.

Seeing this, Mrs. Song couldn’t help but scold Father Song, saying he was a workaholic who couldn’t sit still, making him rest was like asking him to jump into a frying pan, as he couldn’t even sit still on a chair.

Despite verbally complaining about Father Song, Mrs. Song was actually very worried about him. She even had Wei Dafang kill a chicken and added some ginseng slices to stew soup, a firm belief in the countryside that chicken soup with ginseng was a lifesaving tonic. Although once the chicken was stewed, there wasn’t much meat left for each family member to have a bite, but drinking more chicken soup was still good.

Father Song had no interest in these tonics, and had been deprived of his right to drink the little wine he usually had at dinner each night by Mrs. Song, which left him somewhat listless. But after all, it was for Father Song’s own good, so others took his grievances lightly.

The day before New Year’s Eve, Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanhuan talked about taking the family’s three children for a trip back to her mother’s home. Song Yuanhuan naturally had no objections and even asked if he should come along. Because the shed had slightly collapsed, the Song men were busy fixing it these days. It wasn’t the formal visit on the second day of the New Year, so having their three children there to make some noise was enough, and he shook his head, telling Song Yuanhuan to stay at the Song Family.

Originally, Xu Xiuxiu planned to wait until after the New Year to visit her parents’ home, but Mrs. Xu had passed away years ago, leaving Mr. Xu alone at home. Especially in recent years, Mr. Xu’s health seemed to have deteriorated, and he was getting older with no woman to care for him, leading a very bleak life!

As a daughter, Xu Xiuxiu couldn’t always be by his side, but she hoped to show her filial respect by visiting during the holidays. Furthermore, she had spoken on the phone with Xu Jingjing, who mentioned that this year, like every other, would bring Wei Jiaqiang with her to spend the New Year with Mr. Xu. Thinking of this, Xu Xiuxiu wanted to make a trip there first to help out Xu Jingjing and also to check on Mr. Xu’s health since it had been a year since she last saw him.

However, just before leaving for Xu Village, Mrs. Song began to worry again, "Xiuxiu! Make sure the kids are dressed warmly! It gets cold in our old home, especially by evening. The cold wind could freeze someone to death. Don’t mind the hassle, pack some extra clothes in the car, and put them on if it gets cold." Xu Xiuxiu was planning to drive the kids back to her parents’ house, but regardless, Mrs. Song kept giving instructions, rarely seeing her grandchildren, aside from thinking of Father Song, her mind was almost entirely occupied with the kids.

"Mom, I’ve dressed them warmly! Don’t worry, plus, they won’t catch the wind sitting in the car. Everything’s fine." Xu Xiuxiu explained.

"Alright, then be careful driving on the country roads, they’re not easy to navigate. Don’t rush, just take it slow!" After instructing about the clothes, Mrs. Song started advising Xu Xiuxiu to drive carefully, knowing Xu Xiuxiu was very capable and this wasn’t her first time driving. But she was still worried! Generally, women don’t drive cars like this!

"Okay, go inside, Mom! It’s cold outside. I’ll take the kids to my parents’ house for lunch, it’s close by! We’ll be back by evening." Seeing Mrs. Song’s reluctant expression, Xu Xiuxiu reassured her a couple of times and then urged Mrs. Song to go back inside quickly. Despite the sunny weather outside, the cold wind was still bitterly blowing.