1490 I’m At Your Doorstep (1/2)

The elderly man didn't have many of his teeth left, so whatever he ate couldn't be too firm. Ye Zhenhua prepared a savory bowl of porridge. After getting Ye Youyou to feed him, he left the house to run some errands.

Ye Youyou sat on a stool as she fed Gramps his meal. He ate obediently. As he opened and closed his toothless mouth, he smiled at Ye Youyou so widely that his eyes became two narrow crescents.

Ye Youyou's heart ached and warmed up at the same time. When she was young, this old man had held her hand everywhere. He had held her bowl in his hands as he fed her. The love for her had been evident in his eyes.

She picked up the spoon and waited for her grandfather to finish his mouthful, but he stopped moving. He looked at Ye Youyou. His cloudy eyes suddenly because indescribably bright.

Ye Youyou didn't move. She looked at him and said, ”Gramps, eat more.”

The old man acted as if he hadn't heard her. He gazed at her intently. He suddenly said, ”Youyou, you're back.”

Those few words made Ye Youyou's eyes ache. Tears pooled in her eyes as she nodded her head and said, ”I'm back. Your Youyou is back.”

The old man opened his mouth for another spoonful of porridge without a change in his expression. It was as if he hadn't said anything at all.

Ye Youyou felt a lump lodged in her throat. Tears glistened in her eyes.

She had brought a clean change of clothes. She spent two days taking care of her grandfather. Gramps was seemingly beginning to recognize Ye Youyou. Every time he saw her, his eyes would crinkle in a smile.

Ye Youyou was extremely happy. The three individuals were seated at the table having their meal when the old man suddenly looked up and asked, ”Did Youyou get married?”

It was said in dialect, and the words were slurred.

Ye Youyou didn't catch it immediately, but Ye Zhenhua understood it. Belated realization dawned in his eyes as he asked, ”Youyou, aren't you married?”

No one had brought this topic up in the last few days she had been staying with them. It was unexpected that Gramps would be able to remember such a thing.