Ling Leyou frowned slightly, let out a soft hum, and nestled in Gong Zhijing's arms, then fell asleep again.
The couple exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with deep warmth.
After coaxing their child to sleep and handing him over to the nanny, they went to the front courtyard for lunch together.
Madam Ling, who had been forgetting everything moments ago, suddenly remembered a great deal, but her memories seemed jumbled.
As soon as she saw Gong Zhijing, she exclaimed excitedly, "My dear! Why are you out without a hat, and wearing so few clothes? You shouldn't be running around during your confinement."
Saying that, she glared at Ling Yucheng and reprimanded him coldly, "How did you take care of Zhijing? How could you let her come out like this? What if she develops postpartum complications?"
Ling Yucheng let her scold him, his expression full of helplessness.
Gong Zhijing quickly explained, "Grandma, I'm already out of confinement."
Madam Ling was stunned for a moment. She furrowed her brows, trying to recall, but couldn't remember anything.
Her condition wasn't severe yet, so she was aware that she was ill.
With a face full of apologetic self-blame, she said, "I'm so sorry, Zhijing. Grandma forgot."
She gently patted her head, feeling like her mind was a tangled mess that she couldn't sort out.
Gong Zhijing quickly held her hand and comforted her, "It's okay, Grandma. Don't blame yourself. You're like this because you're sick."
Madam Ling smiled and patted her hand, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Seeing this, Grandpa Ling quickly changed the subject, "Come, let's eat first. The food is getting cold."
Madam Ling's attention was immediately diverted, and she forgot about the previous matter.
While eating, she suddenly asked again, "Why aren't Jun Ye and Yun Fei coming to eat?"
Grandpa Ling served her her favorite dish and patiently explained,
"Jun Ye has company matters to attend to, and Yun Fei is with him!"
Since Gong Zhijing gave birth, Zhu Yunfei had been staying at the old house.
Ling Jun Ye would return frequently, under the pretense of seeing his granddaughter.
Grandpa Ling couldn't stand it anymore and told him to take his wife back with him. After his wife left, he didn't come back as often.
Madam Ling nodded, but she had no recollection of this.
A moment later, she asked again, puzzled, "How is the preparation for Leyou's full moon banquet coming along?"
"The full moon banquet has already been held," Grandpa Ling served her more food and said coaxingly, "Eat quickly, it's getting cold."
"Oh."
Madam Ling casually replied and then obediently began to eat.
Gong Zhijing ate without tasting the food, completely lacking appetite. Her grandmother's condition made her very sad.
The person who had been so normal just a month ago had become like this.
The most tormenting aspect of this illness was that you could only watch her condition worsen, powerless to do anything.
After lunch.
Gong Zhijing accompanied Madam Ling for a walk in the backyard, patiently telling her about the things she had forgotten.
Madam Ling listened attentively, as if trying to remember everything she said.
But her mind seemed to have an eraser, gradually wiping away her memories.
Even if she remembered it now, she would forget it again the moment she turned around or woke up from a nap.
She knew she was causing a lot of trouble for her family, so she felt very guilty.
She had also learned about her illness, Alzheimer's disease, also known as dementia.
She would not only suffer from memory loss but also cognitive impairment, speech difficulties, and behavioral degradation.
In other words, she would become a fool, incontinent, and unable to even know what she was doing.
She was almost eighty years old and had lived a lifetime. It was better to leave with dignity.
Her mind was filled with countless thoughts, but her face showed none of it.
Madam Ling said, "My dear, it's getting late. Go back for your nap! Grandma needs to sleep too."
Gong Zhijing smiled and nodded, helped her back to her room, and then returned to the East Courtyard with Ling Yucheng.
On the way back, Gong Zhijing sighed, "With Grandma's condition, it would be better if we didn't have to leave."
Ling Yucheng pursed his lips tightly, his expression complicated. He didn't want to leave either, nor did he want his grandmother to grow old alone.
But he couldn't neglect the company, nor could he let his daughter miss her father's company, and he certainly couldn't let Gong Zhijing live with regrets.
She had already sacrificed enough. If it weren't for him, she would have graduated from university in less than a month.
They returned to the East Courtyard in silence. The nanny had already taken the child to sleep.
The East Courtyard was large, with separate left and right wings. The nanny and the housekeeper lived in the right wing.
Ling Yucheng stood by the window, smoking. After puffing on the cigarette, he said, "We're going back to Ling Lu Mountain the day after tomorrow."
"Mm."
Gong Zhijing sat on the sofa, her mood not high. Although she hadn't slept well last night, she felt no sleepiness now.
She felt upset, and feared Ling Yucheng would be even more distressed.
She looked up and could only see his profile, his facial features well-defined. A gentle breeze stirred his hair, and smoke curled up, dissipating outside the window.
His hands rested casually on the windowsill, his long fingers with distinct joints, holding a cigarette between his fingertips.
Actually, she rarely saw Ling Yucheng smoke.
Gong Zhijing felt a pang of affection for some reason. She got up and walked towards him, embracing his waist from behind and resting her face on his back.
Ling Yucheng immediately extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray and clasped the small hand around his waist, turning slowly.
Gong Zhijing tilted her head up and smiled at him, saying softly, "If you're unhappy, I want to cheer you up."
Ling Yucheng's interest was piqued, and he curled his lips, "How will you cheer me up?"
He was indeed a bit troubled, but it had nothing to do with Gong Zhijing, so he wouldn't let his bad mood affect her.
Gong Zhijing bit her lip, her face turning slightly red, but she still stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips.
Her kissing skills were still immature, a bit like nibbling.
Due to her pregnancy, they had barely kissed throughout her entire gestation period.
This action undoubtedly pleased Ling Yucheng.
Ling Yucheng directly cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
Their breaths intertwined, and a suggestive atmosphere filled the air.
Ling Yucheng picked her up in his arms, his eyes red.
"Is this how you cheer people up, huh?"
Gong Zhijing's voice was incredibly bold. Her face flushed red, "Then are you happy now?"
"Of course!"
Ling Yucheng found it very satisfying. He lifted Gong Zhijing's chin and said in a hoarse voice, "Keep cheering me up like this from now on!!"
Gong Zhijing curled her lips and raised an eyebrow, saying lightly, "It depends on my mood!"
"Looking for a lesson?" Ling Yucheng pinched her cheek, his eyes revealing danger. "I've noted down every debt. Today is the day for repayment!"
...
The Ling family's backyard was enchanting.
A bird flew from a tree, shaking off falling leaves that drifted towards the water's surface, creating ripples that surged towards the shore.
Sunlight dappled the winding cobblestone path, a quiet lane stretching into the depths until it disappeared into the lush greenery.
...