"You're already getting on in age. It's so cold with the rain and snow, why do you still go out?"

Jiang Yu didn't even look at what was in the plastic bag. He dragged it to the yard and tossed it aside, then hurried into the house, filled a basin with hot water, and grabbed a clean towel to wash his grandmother's hands and face.

As he was busy, he kept on talking,

"It's dark and gloomy outside. I'm not at home. If you accidentally fall, no one will know!

I've already told you, I can earn money now. You don't have to work so hard. You working all day isn't even as much as I earn in a day!"

"Alright, alright! I'll listen to you, from now on I won't be busy. I'll just rest at home."

Listening to Jiang Yu's constant nagging, Grandma wasn't angry. Every wrinkle on her face was filled with joy,

"My Xiaoyu has grown to be successful, I won't have to work so hard in the future."

The grandson and grandmother talked, as Jiang Yu took out a small iron pot, scooped the fragrant and tenderly stewed dishes from the big pot, then brought over a charcoal stove, added some charcoal, and placed the small iron pot on it.

Soon after, he took two sets of clean bowls and chopsticks, served two bowls of steaming hot rice, brought them to the table, and said to his grandmother:

"Grandma, let's eat first. We can talk about anything later."

"Alright."

Grandma took the bowl and chopsticks, but didn't rush to eat. She picked up some tender stewed pork belly from the pot and put it into Jiang Yu's bowl with a kindly smile,

"Xiaoyu, you're still growing. Remember to eat more!"

"You eat too, no need to give me any. I eat meat every day at school."

Jiang Yu knew his grandmother's stubborn nature. Persuading wouldn't work, so he didn't refuse, eating the delicious pork belly in big mouthfuls.

This Northeastern stew seemed to suit grandma's taste. Her usual poor appetite went away, and she ate an extra half bowl of rice.

After the meal, Jiang Yu wanted to wash the dishes, but grandma wouldn't let her precious grandson work. She forced him to stay seated and cleared the table herself, taking everything to the kitchen to wash.

Seeing he couldn't stop her, Jiang Yu let her do it, taking a rag from the kitchen to wipe the table carefully.

Once everything was done, the two finally sat down to chat.

"Grandma, I've made some money this year. We should be able to pay off all the family's debts."

Jiang Yu brought a chair for them to sit by the fire in the living room, smiling as he said,

"There are only a few days until the New Year. We'll go repay the money tomorrow and have a light and happy New Year."

"Yes, with the family debts paid off, I can have peace in this life."

Grandma seemed to remember Jiang Yu's parents. Her eyes dampened slightly as she pursed her lips and spoke in a hoarse voice,

"If your parents could see how well you've turned out, they would be so happy."

"Once the debts are cleared, I was thinking of inviting those uncles and aunts who helped us to a meal before the New Year."

Jiang Yu thought for a moment and added, "When our family was in trouble, they lent us money to get through. This kindness can't be repaid. A meal is a thank you. What do you think, Grandma?"

"That's how it should be."

Grandma listened to Jiang Yu's words, nodding firmly with emotion,

"Xiaoyu, we can't forget those who helped us. The fact that you're grateful makes me very happy. Now even if you go out into the world, I won't worry you'll suffer."

She continued, "You arrange it. Grandma will lend a hand."

"Okay, let's do it in the next few days. We'll repay the money tomorrow and invite them over for a simple meal."

Seeing Grandma didn't object, Jiang Yu quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After discussing important matters, the pair chatted about the past six months. Grandma didn't say much; mostly, Jiang Yu talked while she listened.

As they talked, Jiang Yu suddenly remembered something he wanted to share,

"Grandma, I've been offered a place in the graduate program at my school. I'll need to study for another three years starting the day after tomorrow."

"Offered a spot in the graduate program?"

Grandma was even happier than when Jiang Yu said he could pay off the debt. Her whole being radiated joy, her eyes seemed to sparkle, and she asked in a trembling voice,

"Is our family finally blessed with a scholar?"

In Jiang Yu's hometown, those with good academic performance were praised as "scholars descending from heaven." With Jiang Yu accepted into the graduate program, Grandma wasn't exaggerating in calling him a "scholar."

Hearing others praised as such used to make Jiang Yu a little envious, but now that it was his turn, he felt somewhat embarrassed.

"What scholar nonsense, I just wanted to let you know I'll be studying for another three years before I graduate."

Jiang Yu waved his hand and told Grandma, "But don't worry, my cafeteria business is doing well. Even while I'm studying, you don't need to go out and make money."

After thinking for a moment, he said, "How about this, after the New Year, Grandma, you come with me to Jiangzhou. I can take care of you."

"I won't go to Jiangzhou."

What Jiang Yu didn't expect was that his grandmother was quite stubborn about this. She said lightly,

"You still need to go to graduate school. Wouldn't my going to Jiangzhou just interfere with you?

Besides, someone needs to stay at home. If everyone leaves, this house will collapse in a few years. I need to stay and watch over it for you.

Otherwise, when you want to come back to visit later, you won't even have a place to stay."

"..."

Jiang Yu also knew that it wasn't something that could be resolved with a few words with this stubborn old lady. Hearing this, he didn't try to persuade her further.

This matter needs to be planned out carefully.

Seeing the time was already quite late, and his grandmother, having been busy all day, looked a bit tired, Jiang Yu let her go back to rest early, and he also went to his room to sleep.

The night passed without a word.

The next morning, after Jiang Yu got up, he cooked some lean pork congee with preserved eggs and made some fresh meat dumplings.

After having breakfast with his grandmother, the two of them took the money to pay back their debts, visiting a total of eight households, all of which were somewhat related to Jiang Yu's family.

Grandmother seemed very happy today. Every time she visited a household, she was all smiles, holding their hands and expressing her gratitude, while not forgetting to praise her eldest grandson:

"This old woman here doesn't have the ability. All this money was earned by my eldest grandson. Oh, by the way, he was also recommended for graduate school by his university. In our Lao Jiang family, after many generations, we've finally produced a studious one!"

When Grandmother said this, others naturally had to flatter as well:

"Oh, is that so? That's really wonderful news! Xiaoyu is really promising. Even when he was little, I thought he was smart, and it turned out I wasn't mistaken! Old sister, your hard days are finally over, and in the future, you can just enjoy life!"

Grandmother's face beamed like a flower in bloom, waving her hand and saying:

"Oh, what enjoyment? I don't ask for anything now, just for our Xiaoyu to be safe and sound, healthy and well, that's better than anything!

Oh, by the way, uncle, all these years, we've relied a lot on your family's help. Our Lao Jiang family couldn't have made it without that. Although we've repaid the money, we can't forget this kindness.

Xiaoyu said that tomorrow at noon, he plans to prepare a meal at home and take the opportunity to invite you elders over for a meal and a toast!

You all must come by then!"

"Uh... how could I trouble you? Especially during the New Year."

"We're all family, why be embarrassed? It's settled then!"

"Oh! Well, alright, old sister, I'll definitely be there tomorrow!"

"..."

The eight households were not far apart, most of them in one area.

Though Grandmother was old, she was perhaps in exceptionally good spirits today, walking briskly and energetically, leading Jiang Yu from one house to the next, and before noon, they had visited all eight households.

All the debts were cleared, and the guests for tomorrow were all invited. Only then did Grandmother and Jiang Yu return home, where they casually cooked some noodles to fill their stomachs.

After lunch, Grandmother cleaned up the dishes, looked around, then picked up a woven bag from the yard, preparing to go out.

When Jiang Yu saw her, he quickly stopped her, "Grandma, where are you going?"

Grandmother was momentarily puzzled, then realized her eldest grandson had come back, and she certainly couldn't go out collecting scrap like before. She smiled sheepishly and said:

"A few days ago, I picked up some empty bottles, still stored in an unfinished building in the outskirts. I need to go bring them back, they can fetch a few bucks."

"Forget it, just leave them there, whoever wants them can take them. We don't need those few bucks."

Jiang Yu reached out and took the woven bag from Grandmother's hands, throwing it back into the corner of the yard, and said after thinking for a moment,

"If you're really bored with nothing to do, come with me to the market later. We're going to have a banquet tomorrow, aren't we? We should buy the ingredients this afternoon so we won't be in a rush by then."

"Xiaoyu, are you going to cook for all those people tomorrow?"

"Of course, I'll do it myself. Your eldest grandson is really good at cooking now."

Jiang Yu glanced at Grandmother and grinned, "Grandma, you haven't even noticed that my cooking is especially tasty?"

"I just think it's better than mine."

Grandmother recalled for a moment, shook her head, and said, "Whether it's especially tasty or not, I wouldn't know. I've never eaten anyone else's cooking."

Hearing this, Jiang Yu suddenly felt his nose tingle, almost shedding tears.

All these years, Grandmother probably never ate out, did she?

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