Night Rose

"You little brat, you don't know how to speak properly," Grandpa scoffed, but didn't really scold Zhou Zheng.

He doted on this grandson, raising him from a young age. No matter how difficult things got, he never considered abandoning his grandson to someone else. They had a deep bond, and Zhou Zheng listened to him the most.

Besides, Zhou Zheng lost his mother at a young age, and his irresponsible father was also useless. If his maternal grandfather didn't love him, the child would be too pitiful.

"Grandpa, I need to discuss something with you." Zhou Zheng paused in his actions, his voice unusually hesitant.

Just from his tone, Grandpa knew he was in trouble.

Grandpa opened his eyes, his gaze filled with heartache. "Xiao Zheng, something happened? Don't be afraid, tell Grandpa, and Grandpa will take care of it for you."

It was still the same tone he used to coax a child, just like when Zhou Zheng was a child and caused trouble. As long as he didn't do anything bad, his grandfather would always stand in front of him and cover for him.

Zhou Zheng said, "It's nothing else, it's just that I have to work overtime recently, and I might not have time to come and keep you company in the evenings. I was thinking of finding a caregiver to take over from the nanny at night."

"Hiring a caregiver would cost money, and I'm fine on my own at night," Grandpa waved his hand.

When my grandfather was healthy, he did everything himself and didn't want to trouble others.

Now that he's sick, his youngest daughter is extremely busy taking care of him and the household during the day, and often complains.

His grandson had to go to work, but he still had to find time to come to the hospital to take care of him. He would sleep on that cot with him at night, and he never said a discouraging word.

But how could he withstand all that constant exertion? His grandfather was heartbroken.

If Zhou Zheng weren't so stubborn and impossible to persuade, his grandfather would have definitely scolded him and sent him home.

"Don't worry about the expenses; you have plenty of pension money. I'm just worried about not taking good enough care of you. If the caregiver mistreats you, just tell me, and I'll come right back..."

"How dare the caregiver bully me? They're scared just by looking at your 1.9-meter height!" Grandpa patted his head awkwardly, finding it somewhat amusing. "How did you grow so tall? Your mother isn't very tall, and your father is only 1.78 meters. And you, you're so tall."

"That's all thanks to my grandfather for taking good care of me," Zhou Zheng said with a smile, revealing a rare touch of youthful spirit in front of his closest relatives.

Looking at him like this, his grandfather felt both gratified and somewhat helpless. "Your mother left you too early..."

"Grandpa, let's not talk about that anymore. Get some rest. I'll get some water to help you wipe yourself down," Zhou Zheng said, his smile fading, his expression becoming indifferent, and his eyes showing signs of weariness.

Zhou Zheng's mother was a great beauty. Her son inherited her excellent genes and also had his father's strong temperament. He was good-looking and tall from a young age, and he stood out in a crowd.

When his grandfather saw Zhou Zheng, he was always reminded of his daughter who had died young, so he doted on him even more.

"You should get some rest. You've made yourself look like a panda." Grandpa turned over and stopped talking.

Zhou Zheng silently picked up the basin and went out to get hot water.

He closed the ward door, walked a short distance away, and took out his phone to call his aunt.

My aunt is my mother's younger sister. She got married earlier than my mother, and her child is three years older than Zhou Zheng. She already has a grandson.

The phone rang once, but the aunt didn't answer.

Zhou Zheng glanced at the time; it was 9:30, not yet time for his aunt to go to bed.

He dialed again.

"Hey, Xiao Zheng..."

The aunt's voice was noisy, with men and women, the clatter of dishes and chopsticks, and the crying of a baby.

"Mom! Didn't you hear Nuannuan crying?! Why are you still answering the phone? What's more important than your granddaughter?"

"Mom, why aren't the clothes out of the washing machine yet? Your granddaughter's hungry, hurry up and make some formula!"

"Can't you take me for a little while? I'm coming right away!" The auntie replied, her voice quickening as she spoke, "Xiao Zheng, what's wrong?"

"Zhou Zheng? Why are you calling again? I don't have any money to give you." The young man sneered.

The aunt quickly covered the phone and went to the balcony, where she hung up clothes while talking to Zhou Zheng on the phone.

"Xiao Zheng, didn't you say I didn't need to worry about your grandfather's medical expenses? Why are you calling in the middle of the night? You're asking me for money, but I don't have any. Your grandfather has raised you for so many years; you can't be so heartless!"

Zhou Zheng was furious when he heard these words, but he didn't lash out.

He knew that although the pension was supposedly in his aunt's hands, it was actually being used by her son and daughter-in-law to raise their children. When news of his grandfather's illness broke, they were unwilling to provide either financial assistance or help.

It was only after Zhou Zheng made a scene at their door that they agreed to let the aunt come and take care of Grandpa during the day.

They say they take care of the elderly, but it really just means delivering two meals a day, watching the elderly eat, and then rushing home to take care of their grandchildren.

Zhou Zheng understood how hard his aunt worked, so he didn't argue with her.

"Auntie, you and my cousin don't need to be so wary of me. I haven't taken a single penny of my pension; it's all in your hands. I haven't asked for money for medical expenses either."

The aunt was silent for a while, then sighed deeply.

"Xiao Zheng, blame your mother, not your aunt. If your mother hadn't been so distraught back then, saying she had some kind of depression and leaving you behind, your father wouldn't have had to remarry!"

"Besides, your dad's got so much money! I heard he came back looking for you, didn't he? Don't be stubborn, make up with him, and you won't have to worry about your grandfather's surgery fees. Your dad has plenty of money! He'll even get my son a good job..."

"Auntie!" Zhou Zheng suddenly raised his voice, interrupting his aunt. His chest heaved violently, and he spoke in a hoarse voice. In a moment of impulse, he said, "You don't need to come during the day tomorrow. Taking good care of your grandson is the most important thing."

The auntie desperately wanted to avoid going to the hospital, but her daughter-in-law was afraid she would get infected with the virus if she went to the hospital and wouldn't let her touch her grandson.

If she doesn't take care of her grandson, her son will dislike her.

"Fine! You've grown up, you're capable now! You can do it without your dad's stinking money..."

"Snapped!"

Zhou Zheng hung up the phone, stared at the incandescent light above his head, and rubbed his nose hard.

Forget it, let the caregiver take care of it.

At worst, I'll just give them a little more money.

Tu Ying quickly sent over the caregiver's contact information. The caregiver was a 40-year-old woman who used to be very good at farm work in the countryside. She often worked as a caregiver in the hospital and was hardworking and kind-hearted.

She also has a son who occasionally comes to help after get off work. The two take turns working shifts and only charge one person.

Zhou Zheng made a phone call and explained his grandfather's situation. His older sister readily agreed, as she happened to be free of work and could start work the next day.

The two agreed on a time, and Zhou Zheng also wanted to see if his older sister was really capable.

Before dawn, the nurses came to check on the patients, pushing a creaky little cart.

After they finished checking on his grandfather's ward, Zhou Zheng couldn't fall asleep anymore.

He got up, washed his face, and prepared hot water to wash his grandfather's face. A woman with her back to him was talking to his grandfather. Her back looked strong and powerful, and her voice was cheerful, sounding like she was from the north.

"Big sister, why are you here so early?" Zhou Zheng glanced at his watch; he was an hour earlier than the agreed time.

The older sister turned around, her mouth wide with a smile, "I usually get up early, so I made some breakfast at home and brought it over for you and Grandpa to try."

Two steamed buns were stuffed into Zhou Zheng's hands, and the basin in his other hand was taken away. His older sister deftly rolled up her sleeves, "You sit and eat, I'll do it!"

My older sister's abilities are no joke; she looks energetic and works efficiently.

With a quick wringing of the towel, I wiped my grandfather's face clean in just a few movements. I also dried his hair and washed his hands.

While busy with her work, the older woman didn't forget to ask, "Grandpa, your grandson is really handsome. Does he have a girlfriend?"