Chapter 15 – The Departure

Neither of them mentioned the incident, but things were different. Xiang Ning often blushed, and it was clear why.

Zhou Yi sometimes sent messages to discuss music. Xiang Ning hadn’t written many songs lately and had some free time. They chatted back and forth and became good friends.

Today, Zhou Yi was coming to see the kittens. Xiang Ning woke up early and hurried to give the kittens a bath. Fortunately, they were quite cooperative, and he finished without much trouble. He was drying the last kitten when the doorbell rang.

He wrapped the kitten in a towel and rushed to open the door. Zhou Yi stood there, holding a bunch of things, and smiled awkwardly, “Teacher Xiang.”

Xiang Ning quickly took the things and welcomed him in.

The house’s layout clearly showed it was a two-person home. Zhou Yi looked around but didn’t say anything. He followed Xiang Ning to see the kittens. The last kitten was still struggling under the towel, occasionally poking out a tiny paw.

Xiang Ning pointed to the corner, where the other two kittens were playing together. Zhou Yi went over to play with them, poking their bellies and scratching their heads, but soon annoyed them into running away.

“Hehe,” he said, embarrassed, “They’re so cute.”

Xiang Ning smiled in response. With his hands full, Zhou Yi helped him hold the wriggling kitten, and they soon finished drying it. Xiang Ning put everything away and led Zhou Yi to the living room.

He hadn’t noticed his phone, and now he saw over twenty missed calls. He quickly called back, and the nursing home answered, “Xiang Ning, is President He with you? Grandma He is not doing well!”

“Buzz,” Xiang Ning held the phone, dazed. He opened his mouth, realizing he couldn’t speak, and urgently handed the phone to Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi relayed the information. Xiang Ning sat on the sofa for a while, then came to his senses and rushed upstairs to change. By the time he came down, Zhou Yi had hung up, found the keys, and looked at him worriedly.

“They can’t reach President He. Grandma He is stable for now, but I’ll go with you.”

Xiang Ning nodded and called Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye answered quickly, “Madam? President He is in a meeting with a company from overseas. What do you need?”

Xiang Ning handed a note to Zhou Yi, asking him to relay the message.

“The nursing home can’t reach you. Tell He Rong quietly that Grandma He is in trouble and to end the meeting and come over.”

“Bring the driver, don’t drive yourself in a hurry.”

Xiao Ye was surprised but quickly agreed. Xiang Ning breathed a sigh of relief but still patted the driver’s seat for reassurance.

The driver sped toward the nursing home.

The old osmanthus tree in the courtyard released its fragrance, and the fallen flowers mixed with the ginkgo leaves, creating a golden carpet. Xiang Ning hurried out of the car and met Dr. Chen.

“Xiang Ning, where is President He?” Xiang Ning shook his head and pointed to the door.

“President He will be here soon,” Zhou Yi answered for him. Dr. Chen, impatient, led them straight to the third floor. Grandma He had just come out of the emergency room and lay in bed, looking small and frail.

“Everything was fine when you visited a few days ago. Yesterday, during a routine check-up, some indicators were off. We were considering whether to inform you when she suddenly took a turn for the worse.” Xiang Ning leaned against the door, staring through the small glass window at Grandma He, fighting back tears.

There were hurried footsteps behind him. He turned and met He Rong’s eyes.

They were filled with worry, guilt, and mostly confusion.

A confusion about how to react to the situation.

He watched He Rong approach Dr. Chen to get an update, then wait for him to come over and gently hold his hand. Xiang Ning, finding his release, burst into tears.

He Rong half-embraced him from behind, his voice trembling, “It’s okay, Grandma will be fine.”

The nursing home had the best medical equipment and experienced doctors. Xiang Ning calmed down and noticed Zhou Yi standing beside him, offering a sympathetic smile.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about me,” Zhou Yi said quickly. Seeing Xiang Ning’s lost expression, he asked, “It’s getting late. Can I go home and feed the cats for you?”

Before Xiang Ning could respond, He Rong said, “Thank you.”

Zhou Yi nodded and left with Xiang Ning’s driver.

The sky outside was overcast, and a tendril of ivy swayed on the window frame, a red leaf trembling with it. Xiang Ning stared at it, lost in thought. After a while, a breeze blew, and the leaf drifted down.

“Click.” They both came to their senses as the doctor came out, removed his mask, and shook his head regretfully.

“All her vital functions are failing. There’s no point in further resuscitation.”

Their hands clenched together, and it was unclear who was holding on tighter. He Rong closed his eyes and wiped away Xiang Ning’s tears, unsure if he was comforting himself or Xiang Ning, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Xiang Ning opened his mouth, hating himself for his inability to speak.

Grandma He lay in bed, looking as if she had just had a beautiful dream, slowly opening her eyes. She held a pale purple beautyberry, the edges of the petals curled and drooping.

“It’s Rong Rong, isn’t it?” She looked up and smiled, “Rong Rong is 29 this year…”

“Grandma.” He Rong knelt down and held her hand.

Grandma He, who had been forgetting things for years, now remembered everything, looking at him with increasing affection.

Grandma He struggled to keep her eyes open and beckoned Xiang Ning, “Xiao Ning, come here.”

Xiang Ning went over, trying hard to hold back his tears and smiled.

“Good boy,” Grandma He patted his hand, “You and Rong Rong should be happy together.”

Xiang Ning nodded vigorously.

“I’m going to find Ling Ling…” she mumbled, her eyes slightly unfocused, “Ling Ling has been gone for a long time and hasn’t come to see me…”

The windows were tightly shut, but a gentle breeze seemed to circulate in the room, gently lifting Grandma He’s hair and closing her eyes. After a while, the heart monitor’s line went flat, and Grandma He passed away.

He Rong squeezed the old woman’s dry fingers and closed his eyes.