1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 271 The old man protects his son, and the application for intangible cultural heritage status is successful.
"You did this on purpose, didn't you? You only dared to say that because you know Sixth Grandfather is dying."

"That's right, if Sixth Grandfather were still lucid, would we need to ask you?"

"No need to ask, he did it on purpose. If the old man hadn't fallen into a coma, he wouldn't have dared to go against his conscience and monopolize that courtyard house."

"We don't even know if the will is real. The old man made the will when he was not in his right mind, so it is invalid."

-

Gu Bin and Grandma Gu have different statuses; he is a junior, and many people are particularly dissatisfied with him.

Grandma Gu could scold people because of her seniority, and apart from a few spoiled brats who didn't know how to respect the elderly and care for the young, no one else would say a word.

Gu Bin was different. When he opened his mouth, it was like detonating a bomb in a calm lake, instantly creating a huge splash.

Not only were the younger generation dissatisfied, but even some of the elders grumbled and showed their discontent.

"What right do you have to question me?"

Gu Bin's sharp words pierced the heart: "Ask yourselves honestly, what is your purpose in standing here? How many of you are truly acting in the best interests of Sixth Grandfather?"

"Grandpa Liu is still fighting against his illness, and you've already started eyeing his estate. Whom does he want to leave his courtyard house to? What right do you have to question that?"

“If you really think you’re filial sons and virtuous grandsons, go and kowtow to Guanyin in the South China Sea. That would be better than standing here spouting nonsense.”

-

"That makes sense."

Grandma Gu found it extremely pleasing to the ear and stood up for her grandson: "I was already annoyed. A bunch of people were standing around at the door, and not a single one of them genuinely wanted to save anyone. What's the point of them standing here? They might as well go in one by one, kowtow to Sixth Brother, and at least that will give him some psychological comfort."

"Who said we don't want to save people?"

Someone retorted defiantly, "We've all gone in to see Sixth Grandpa, but he hasn't woken up, so there's nothing we can do."

"The fact that you haven't woken up means your hearts aren't sincere enough."

Gu Bin sneered, "Do you think Sixth Grandfather doesn't understand? He knows who is truly good to him, without any selfish motives. He's more experienced than you are. Are you really stupid, or are you just being presumptuous and trying to outsmart him?"

"Don't pretend to be so high and mighty here. Don't you have any ulterior motives?"

"You went in with the child too? Is Sixth Grandpa awake?"

"You speak so righteously, but let us see how sincere you are. How many times did you kneel down and kowtow to Sixth Grandfather?"

Many people were unconvinced, and an even louder commotion erupted in the corridor.

"It's not important how many times I kowtow to my sixth grandfather, what's important is..."

Gu Bin's disdainful gaze swept across the faces of his filial sons and grandsons before he casually dropped a bombshell.

"Sixth Grandfather has woken up!"

-

Chaos erupted in the intensive care unit as doctors and nurses, alerted by the commotion, gathered around the old man's bedside to conduct a thorough examination.

Lele was a little frightened and huddled in her mother's arms like a little quail, not daring to make a sound.

Unlike other babies, Xixi crawled around on the hospital bed with her little bottom sticking out under the nurse's care, her babbling sounds constantly attracting the patients' attention.

The old man's eyes clearly followed the direction of the baby's voice; wherever Xixi crawled, his eyes followed.

To stimulate the old man, the doctor twisted Xixi's little bottom.

"Wow."

Xixi was unhappy and started crying loudly.

The old man clearly reacted; his right hand trembled violently a few times and then he actually lifted it up.

The doctor quickly took Xixi into his arms, and under the expectant gazes of everyone, the old man moved his right hand tremblingly, protecting her by his side in a protective gesture.

"She's awake, she's awake, this time she's really awake."

The doctors and nurses were overjoyed, and Lin Xiyu was also moved to tears, shedding tears of excitement.

-

Outside the intensive care unit.

As soon as Gu Bin finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the corridor.

The reactions of those present varied.

Some people looked delighted, while others were skeptical.

And then there are those who are out of their minds, stubbornly refusing to give up until they hit a brick wall.

"Please, don't make up such outrageous lies."

Gu Lan was about to make a sarcastic remark when she was interrupted by a sudden commotion.

"Let's let one let, let one let!"

A dozen or so doctors and nurses pushed various medical instruments and hospital beds out of there.

To everyone's astonishment, a chubby, adorable little baby was sitting on the hospital bed, seemingly enjoying the wheeled, moving bed, grinning and giggling happily.

A moment of silence fell over the corridor once again; everyone's minds went blank, and they stood there dumbfounded.

"Let's let one let, let one let!"

The nurse at the front snapped impatiently, "What are you all doing blocking the door? Can't you see the patient is coming out?"

The Gu family members were awakened by the shouts and then belatedly turned their attention to the patient.

"Sixth Grandfather?!"

Gu Feng had the best eyesight and was the first to recognize the old man.

The corridor erupted in chaos at the exclamation.

"Sixth Uncle?"

"Sixth Grandfather".

"Grandpa."

The Gu family rushed forward, surrounding the hospital bed and offering words of comfort and concern.

"Wow."

Xixi was frightened and started crying loudly again.

The old man exhaled two heavy breaths from his nose, clearly showing his impatience.

"The patient has just woken up and needs to rest."

"Step back, step back, don't disturb the patient."

The doctors and nurses worked together, dismissing all irrelevant people, and continued pushing the bed forward.

The wheeled bed started moving again, and it was quite comfortable to sit on, swaying gently. Xixi stopped crying and started chuckling and giggling again.

The old man breathed a sigh of relief, put his arm around her, and let her sit beside him and frolic.

Is this little girl Gu Bin's daughter?!
When the Gu family's filial sons and grandsons saw this scene, they all gasped in shock.

Previously, they didn't believe that the old man would leave the courtyard house to Gu Bin's child, but after this incident, no one dared to question it anymore.

The old man's protective attitude towards his son shouldn't be too obvious.

Anyone who dares to mention it again is courting disaster, angering the old man and risking their own demise.

The old man's words could seriously damage him.

-

As people get older, they like to reminisce about the past.

The same was true for my sixth grandfather.

Perhaps it's because he thinks about her during the day, but lately he keeps dreaming about his first love who passed away many years ago.

Before he fell into a coma, he had been talking to the nanny, saying that he had reached a certain age and it was time for him to go down and keep her company.

This heart attack came on suddenly and violently, and even though the doctors provided emergency treatment, the results were not satisfactory.

The main reason was that he had lost the will to live and was determined to die so he could reunite with his beloved. The doctors, unaware of his inner turmoil, had repeatedly advised him to undergo heart bypass surgery, but he had consistently refused.

This time, I was pulled back from the brink of death by the two babies, which gave me the motivation to keep living.

Nianxin and Nianrou are still young and need his protection.

Especially Nianrou, such a young child with a heart condition, it's heartbreaking to think about.

He can't die; he has to live well.

For the sake of the babies, if we delay for a few more years, I think Xinrou won't blame him.

He would go down to be with her once the babies had grown up safely and healthily, and this matter had been resolved.

By then, no one will be able to separate them.

-

The doctor was unaware of the old man's inner turmoil. When he heard the old man agree to have heart surgery, the doctor mistakenly believed that it was the doctor's perseverance and compassionate heart, which moved the old man, that touched him so much that he almost shed tears.

Sanya 301 Hospital is the best hospital in the area, with the highest level of cardiac surgeons in the entire HAN province.

The head of cardiac surgery personally performed the coronary artery bypass surgery on him.

The surgery was a success, and with someone to care about, the old man woke up smoothly on the day of the surgery.

Gu Bin stayed at the hospital to take care of her, and Lin Xiyu also visited the hospital with the children every single day, rain or shine.

With the company of his loved ones, the old man's health gradually recovered, and the four little babies grew up healthy and happy. Time passed by unnoticed, and the Spring Festival arrived in the blink of an eye.

During the Spring Festival of 06, the family spent the holiday with the old man in Sanya.

After the holiday, exciting good news came from my hometown far away.

The application for intangible cultural heritage status for spring water paper-cutting was successful. Together with other folk cultural elements unique to Jinan, such as dough figurines, clay sculptures, Shandong storytelling, Banggu Yangge dance, stilt walking, and shadow puppetry, they became the first batch of intangible cultural heritage projects in Jinan City.

At the same time, Grandma Hu also became one of the first batch of veteran craftspeople to be awarded the title of municipal-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor.

-

Upon hearing the news, Lin Xiyu couldn't sit still for a moment and wanted to go home to congratulate her with her fellow students.

Gu Bin was worried about his sixth grandfather being alone in Sanya, so he had another idea: to persuade him to return to Jinan with them.

“You’ve stayed with Grandpa for three months, and Grandpa is already satisfied.”

Grandpa Liu didn't want to trouble them and insisted, "Grandpa can take care of himself. There are many old colleagues at the sanatorium. We usually get together, play chess, and chat, and the day passes quickly without feeling bored. You don't need to worry about me."

"If you don't go, the babies will miss you."

Gu Bin then used the children's names as an excuse: "Especially Lele, she misses her grandpa and cries, which is bad for her health."

"Lele's body is too weak."

Upon hearing this, Sixth Grandfather couldn't help but frown.

Despite careful care during Lele's stay in Sanya, she still caught a cold and got sick.

The fever started in the middle of the night, and when they were taken to the hospital, they were diagnosed with pneumonia, which terrified the whole family.

Fortunately, the doctors at 301 Hospital were highly skilled, and the patient stayed in the pediatric ward for a week before being completely cured, without any other complications.

That's exactly what I meant.

Gu Bin seized the opportunity to persuade her: "Lele can't take any more stress. A few cries can easily cause inflammation. Sixth Grandpa, please don't hesitate, come back with us."

Grandpa Liu still had reservations: "Your family has your second sister-in-law. It's okay for an old man like me to stay there for a few days occasionally, but it's inconvenient to stay there all the time."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Gu Bin was prepared: "I bought another house on Banshan Street. It's a ground floor house with a small courtyard, very close to Black Tiger Spring. It's just down the steps. If you want to use the spring water to make tea, you can just take a kettle and go get some water anytime."

"Black Tiger Spring."

Grandpa Liu was deeply impressed by Black Tiger Spring. The spring water was exceptionally clear, and many residents living nearby would go there to fetch water every day.

When Lin Xiyu was newly pregnant, Gu Bin accompanied her to the spring a few times. The tea brewed with spring water was sweet and delicious, with an unforgettable aftertaste, which she still remembers vividly.

"Black Tiger Spring is not far from the Prince's Palace Pool."

Gu Bin continued to persuade, "It's only a ten-minute walk. If Lele misses you, she can go to see Grandpa anytime. You can also come to our house often to visit the children. It's a good way to take a walk and get some exercise."

"That's it"

Sixth Grandpa was a little tempted.

"It's settled then, we'll go back together, I'll go buy the plane tickets now."

Gu Bin was secretly delighted. Not giving the old man a chance to back out, he immediately stood up from his chair.

"Hey, you little rascal."

Grandpa Liu was both amused and exasperated to see him leave so suddenly.

Gu Bin pretended not to hear and strode out of the room in a few steps.

-

In the warm spring of March, flowers bloom, and it is once again the best season of the year.

The pomegranate trees in the old house courtyard are in bloom, with clusters of delicate flowers hanging from the branches.

Petals danced lightly, adding a touch of spring's gentleness.

"It's better to go home."

Grandma Gu looked at the lush pomegranate tree and grapevines and couldn't stop smiling.

"I didn't have time last year."

Gu Bin smiled and agreed, deliberately trying to please his grandmother: "We must plant another persimmon tree this year, so that everything will go smoothly and we can have good luck."

"Plant it, we must plant it."

Grandma Gu was delighted to hear this, and her face lit up with a smile.

"What kind of tree does Sixth Grandpa want to plant in his yard?"

Without taking sides, Gu Bin turned to his sixth grandfather and said, "I'll buy them for you too."

"I live alone, so it doesn't matter whether I plant trees or not."

Grandpa Liu didn't want to trouble him, so he smiled and waved his hand.

"Let's plant it anyway."

Grandma Gu smiled and advised, "It would be such a waste not to plant a tree or grow some flowers and plants in your small courtyard."

"In my opinion, just planting trees and flowers is too monotonous."

Lin Xiyu came out of the house carrying a straw mat and continued the conversation with a smile: "We should also plant some loofahs and pumpkins in the yard so that the babies can learn more."

"Plant it, we must plant it."

When Grandma Gu heard that it was for the babies' own good, she readily agreed.

"What are you doing?"

Seeing his wife busy with her work, Gu Bin quickly went over to help.

"Spread it under the pomegranate tree"

Lin Xiyu unfolded the bamboo mat: "There's shade from the flowers, so let the babies play in the yard and get some sunshine."

"I'll do it, you take a break."

Gu Bin understood what she meant, and then brought out a soft quilt from the house and spread it on the mat.

The babies are almost 6 months old now, and they've visibly grown a lot.

Pingping and Xixi, in particular, with their chubby little arms and short legs, moved around and crawled with exceptional agility.

Lele was a little weaker than her older siblings. She would collapse after a short while, crawling forward like a little mudfish, arching her body with her little feet. It was a delightful sight to see her like that.

An'an prefers quiet to movement. She can sit quietly in a corner of a bamboo mat for half a day without moving.

The kind that doesn't utter a sound