Truth be told, the old lady had indeed been quite stifled these past few years.
When nothing was amiss at home, the old lady would often stroll downstairs, maintaining her health. However, these past few days, ever since she fell ill and was bedridden, even rising from her bed was a challenge, let alone venturing downstairs. After an extended period of illness, being confined to that small space felt akin to being imprisoned, much like a prisoner in confinement.
This time, with her sudden recovery, her heart yearned more passionately to go outside and breathe the fresh air. Swiftly and agilely, the old lady hurried downstairs, her emotions eager beyond measure. Startled, Lin Yu hastened to lock the door before dashing downstairs, fearing her sudden illness might cause her to stumble inadvertently.
However, his worry was evidently unnecessary. His grandmother had already completely recovered and was moving swiftly; just as he locked the door, she had already reached downstairs. He couldn't help but silently chuckle at her sense of urgency.
Gazing skyward, stretching her body, inhaling the fresh air, feeling the vastness of the world and the grandeur of the blue sky and white clouds, the old lady experienced an immense sense of relief that words could hardly convey.
Observing his grandmother so joyous, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel immeasurable joy himself.
"Come, let's head to the entrance of the community. There's a breakfast stall there, selling the most delicious pancakes and pastries. Your grandfather often buys breakfast there," the old lady commanded assertively, leading the way.
It was already past six in the morning, and some elderly residents were already up in the community. Witnessing Lin's grandmother accompanied by a tall young man, they all greeted her warmly. They were former employees of the gear factory, familiar faces and neighbors over many years.
Lin's grandmother smiled and nodded in return, proudly linking her grandson's arm and striding forward.
"It's been so long since we've seen this old lady; today, she's unexpectedly out for a stroll," an elderly man in his sixties, leaning against a tree, remarked to an elderly man practicing swordsmanship nearby.
"Yes, the eldest lady of the Lin family has been bedridden for so many years. Today, she's suddenly in the mood to come out... Ah? She's actually up and about for a walk? Am I mistaken? Goodness, she, she, she..." The elderly swordsman quivered, staring incredulously at Lin's grandmother's figure, his eyes wide.
In this community, everyone knew about Lin's grandmother being bedridden for an extended period. Many had visited her, knowing that her condition was deteriorating, and her passing was a matter of time. But now, she was unexpectedly lively and active? Was that even possible?
Furthermore, who was the young man behind her? Why didn't they recognize him? Nevertheless, judging from his facial features, there was a faint sense of familiarity.
The two elderly men were astounded, fixating their gaze on Lin's grandmother until she disappeared along the community's pathway, still in disbelief.
"Xiaoyu, what have you been doing all these years? Talk to Grandma, she feels like you're somehow different from before, but she can't quite put her finger on it," Lin's grandmother asked as she breathed in the fresh air, turning her head.
In this semi-mountainous city in the north, breathing should indeed be an enjoyable experience.
This was merely a third-tier city, free from heavy industrial pollution, excessive vehicle emissions, or PM2.5 pollutants. One could breathe freely without needing a mask - sometimes, backwardness had its benefits. At least, in Huaxia, that was the case.
"Well, I've just been wandering around..." Lin Yu rotated his eyes, nonsensically elaborating on this and that, leaving his grandmother momentarily stunned and pursing her lips. Just as he was getting into it, the two of them had already exited the community and saw a crowd ahead, consisting of neighbors and passersby gathered around someone.
Lin Yu furrowed his brow, sensing that something was amiss.
"Oh, isn't this Sister Lin? How come you're suddenly better?" Some middle-aged folks in the crowd, curious about the commotion, looked at Lin's grandmother, astonished.
"All better now, all thanks to my grandson's blessing. His return has miraculously cured my illness. It's also a blessing from the household gods," Lin's grandmother said, smiling contentedly. Suddenly, she lifted her head, momentarily stunned, "What's happening over there? Why are so many people gathered?"
"Auntie, your recovery is indeed wonderful. Please go and take a look. Just now, your husband got hit by a car while buying breakfast at the entrance. The car wanted to flee but was caught by a few of us neighbors. They're discussing it there," a middle-aged woman approached Lin's grandmother, supporting her while whispering.
"What? My old man got hit by a car? Xiaoyu, come with Grandma and take a look..." Lin's grandmother shouted after hearing this, but Lin Yu had already squeezed into the crowd.
"Excuse me, please make way." Lin Yu, with a dark expression, gently maneuvered, and the people in front involuntarily parted, creating a path for him.
Lin Yu strode forward, spotting his grandfather seated on the roadside curb. His walking stick lay nearby, and scattered around were soy milk and pancakes. Lin's grandfather was supporting one leg in obvious pain, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Not far away, a black Q7 was parked with traces of soy milk on the hood and a mark from the walking stick. At a glance, Lin Yu could tell that the car had braked suddenly, hitting his grandfather, evident from the mark of the stick on the vehicle.
At present, several elderly neighbors were arguing with a stout man wearing a gold chain around his neck. This man appeared to be around forty-six or forty-seven, with a face full of flesh, giving off an air of unsavoriness. Especially the gold chain around his neck, it was distasteful to say the least. The stout man was arrogantly pointing fingers at the group, hurling curses, "Mind your own business, are you all bored? Get lost, or I'll get someone to teach you a lesson!"
Initially ignoring him, Lin Yu approached his grandfather, carefully supporting his right leg. "Grandpa, how are you?" As he spoke, a strand of elemental power flowed gently into his grandfather's body. A quick check relieved his worries; it was a minor twist in the leg and some superficial wounds. After channeling elemental power, the damaged joints and soft tissues were immediately repaired, and Lin's grandfather felt the pain lessen.
"I was walking by the roadside just fine. When I reached the entrance of the community, his car suddenly turned and hit me. It's not my fault at all. This young man, driving too fast," Lin's grandfather's agony gradually subsided. He took a deep breath, pointing at the stout man with anger in his eyes.
Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, approached the stout man with a dark expression, and looked at him, "The elderly person you hit is my grandfather, did you do this?"
"I hit him, what about it? Whose fault is it that he doesn't look where he's
walking? Damn old man, he scratched my car's paint! Do you know how much it costs to repaint it? At least ten thousand! Are you his grandson? Alright, you come and compensate me for my car." The stout man, holding a thick cigar between his lips, sneered at Lin Yu, spraying saliva as he spoke.