Sū Yōuyōu, who had been busy for so long, was a little unaccustomed to suddenly having free time.
Thinking about how her focus had been on work for so many years and she hadn't spent enough time with her family, Sū Yōuyōu decided to have an apocalypse family trip!
Action is better than thought. Sū Yōuyōu decided to try and persuade Old Mrs. Su.
Although they lived in the same neighborhood, Old Mrs. Su insisted on living alone. Despite being almost 90, apart from slight blurring of vision, she was otherwise superior to today's young people in all aspects, with a stable blood pressure of 120/80mmHg.
When Sū Yōuyōu arrived, Old Mrs. Su was tending to her flowers on the balcony. As heating had already begun, the temperature indoors was as comfortable as spring, and the flowers blooming on the balcony were vying for beauty.
Old Mrs. Su opened her mouth with reluctance, "You're finally willing to come see this old woman? Are you done with all your business?"
Sū Yōuyōu heard the old lady's words and realized her father had already finished his work!
"Grandma, aren't you scared?" Sū Yōuyōu looked at Old Mrs. Su with surprise. Anyone else would probably have been scared into the hospital by now.
"Scared of what? At my age, I'm already hovering on the edge of death. When you let go, you're not afraid of anything anymore."
"Besides, as you little ones helped solve them for grandma," the old lady chuckled, tapping Sū Yōuyōu's little nose.
"Then Grandma, let's have a family trip!"
"We'll take you south to play, see where I worked, and along the way, we'll visit my eldest aunt and youngest paternal uncle. When we get back, we'll move into the new house. Don't you like the small courtyard? I've made it look beautiful!" Sū Yōuyōu said, leaning her head on Old Mrs. Su's shoulder and acting spoiled with her big, dewy eyes.
Old Mrs. Su pondered for a long time: "Fine, fine. While these old bones can still move, let's go!"
"Buy Grandma a rolling suitcase, the kind you young people push around on the ground now. A pink one," Old Mrs. Su whispered, holding Sū Yōuyōu's hand.
Sū Yōuyōu's eyes curved with joy.
Indeed, women, no matter their age, have a girlish heart!
Father Su and Mother Su were also fully supportive when they learned of Sū Yōuyōu and Old Mrs. Su's decision.
They decided to go on the spur of the moment. Mother Su gave her house keys to an old friend, asking her to help look after the chicks at home.
The next morning, the family boarded a plane to Yun Province.
This month, one didn't have to fight through crowds to travel, and the family had a wonderful time. Old Mrs. Su, in particular, wore sunglasses in broad daylight and a red beret on her white hair. She was quite the attention-grabber.
Sū Yōuyōu and Father Su became the exclusive photographers and caregivers for Old Mrs. Su and Mother Su.
But both of them enjoyed it.
While visiting various scenic spots, Sū Yōuyōu noticed many jade ornaments and rough stones, which tempted her.
Sū Yōuyōu remembered a former colleague who had married into Yun Province and inquired about local rough stone bases with good reputations. The colleague also introduced her to a reliable intermediary, and Sū Yōuyōu then took the group to the rough stone base.
However, Sū Yōuyōu's way of choosing rough stones was truly hard to watch. She accepted all the rough stones the intermediary helped her select, while she herself relied on intuition, picking any stone she fancied, most of which were stones without a "window."
The boss was speechless looking at her, and the intermediary following her just shrugged without comment.
But customers were customers, and he couldn't stop someone who was willingly spending money. He just assumed Sū Yōuyōu was a foolish girl with too much money.
Finally, Sū Yōuyōu emerged from the rough stone base. The logistics company shipped a total of 7 tons of jade rough and various gemstone rough back home, amounting to four to five hundred pieces of various sizes.
Old Mrs. Su, Father Su, and Mother Su looked at the jade Buddhas on their necks and the jade thumb rings on their hands. They stopped talking, thinking, "Just buy it, buy it, buy it. As long as they're happy!"
After savoring the local specialty dishes again, the family returned to the hotel to rest early. Their next stop was E Province, where their eldest aunt's son lived.
Among her three children, Old Mrs. Su spent the most time with her daughter, Sū Líhuá. After Sū Líhuá's husband passed away in middle age, she moved in with Old Mrs. Su.
Sū Líhuá was a strong woman in her youth. Having achieved great success and with her son already established, she had no thought of remarrying. The old lady knew she had her own plans and didn't pressure her.
Early this year, her daughter-in-law, Jiāng Shān, gave birth to their second child. Sū Líhuá came over to help with the baby. Since the first child was helped by the in-laws, it would be improper for her, the mother-in-law, not to be involved. So she volunteered. Jiāng Shān was very grateful, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship was harmonious.
Sū Líhuá was truly excited to see Old Mrs. Su and her group. Which daughter wouldn't miss her mother?
To allow Sū Líhuá to spend ample time with Old Mrs. Su, the in-laws voluntarily took over the responsibility of looking after the children for these few days, letting Sū Líhuá spend quality time with her mother.
The large family had a reunion dinner at the hotel. Their cousin, Qín Kǎi, took his family to visit a few scenic spots over the weekend. However, the family's main focus was sitting together, enjoying delicious food, and catching up. The days in E Province were treated as a break.
As the family said goodbye at the airport, their eyes were filled with tears. Cousin Qín Kǎi squeezed Sū Yōuyōu's shoulder and looked at her deeply. Gazing at the departing family, he sighed, "We've all settled things here. Please take good care of Grandma for me. This farewell..."
Qín Kǎi hugged Sū Yōuyōu. "You, who loved to act spoiled in my arms since you were little, have grown up. It's a pity I didn't get to see you get married!"
"Brother!" Sū Yōuyōu angrily slapped Qín Kǎi's hands. He really knew how to touch a sore spot.
After passing through security, Sū Yōuyōu waved back at her eldest aunt's family.
At least, we said a proper goodbye...
At Haishi Airport, Dīng Lín looked excitedly towards the arrival hall.
As soon as Sū Yōuyōu appeared, she was hugged by the young girl who ran towards her like the wind.
After greeting the elders, Dīng Lín rushed to take their luggage. "Sister Yōuyōu, I've tidied everything up at home. We'll have a simple noodle dinner when we get back, and everyone can take a shower and rest well."
Old Mrs. Su chuckled, holding Sū Yōuyōu and Dīng Lín as they walked. "This girl is so beautiful, as beautiful as our Yōuyōu!"
"I wanted to stay in a hotel, but Yōuyōu insisted on staying at your place. Grandma will trouble you these few days."
"Grandma, I'd be delighted if you stayed at my place. Treat it like your own home, and use me as your granddaughter to boss around," Dīng Lín said boastfully, patting her chest.
Before sleeping that evening, Old Mrs. Su beckoned Dīng Lín over, smiling as she handed her a silver hairpin inlaid with jadeite magnolia. "Grandma didn't know what you liked, but I thought this would suit you well."
"Don't hesitate to accept it. I bought it for you, and Yōuyōu paid for it."
Hearing the old lady's words, Dīng Lín covered her mouth and giggled. She took the hairpin, immediately styled her hair, and put it in. She even made Old Mrs. Su and the other evaluate it.
"Let's get some rest. I see Grandma looks tired too. Tomorrow, I have a big discovery to share with you! Goodnight!" Dīng Lín said, winking slyly.