Read Novel Full Chapter 1171: Rushing Back
Chapter 1171: Chapter 1171: Rushing Back
The three of them came out of the hospital, and Zhao Tian took the whip from Zhao Qingxiang’s hand.
"Qingxiang, go call your two sisters."
Zhao Qingxiang ran to the post office. Along the way, he thought about whom to call and finally decided to call the transport team. The younger sister wasn’t working; he had heard that the ceramics factory was far from home, and the transport team was closer.
Today, the captain Yang Hongming was on duty at the transport team, and he answered the phone.
"Hello, I’m looking for Zhang Fusheng or Zhou Yongbing."
"Who is this?"
"I’m their brother-in-law. Are they not there?"
"They’re not here. Is there something important?" He knew their brother-in-law, who would send food and meat every year.
"Could you please go tell them to come back? My mom has passed away."
"Alright, I’ll go notify them right away."
"Thank you. I’m heading home now. Just tell them we’re on our way back from the city hospital."
"Okay."
Yang Hongming rode his bike to Zhang Fusheng’s house, thinking how bad this year was: not long after his own mother passed, now his mother-in-law was gone too.
"Brother, why did you come over?"
"Fusheng, where’s your wife? I just got a call from your brother-in-law. Your mother-in-law has passed, and they’re on their way back from the city hospital."
Zhao Yanping heard the commotion outside and rushed out, just in time to hear the news.
Tears immediately started falling. "Brother Yang, did my brother say anything else?"
Yang Hongming shook his head, "No, just said you should go back."
Zhao Yanping ran inside.
"Bro, sorry to trouble you. We’re going to Xiao Bing’s place."
"Sure," Yang Hongming thought, even now, it would take at least half a month to get there.
Zhao Yanping had already put on a coat, carrying her husband’s coat out as well.
"Xiao Ping, don’t worry, even if you’re anxious, there’s not much that can be done."
"Fusheng, let’s go find Xiao Li."
The couple went to the Zhou Family’s house, and at that time, the whole family was selling tofu.
"Xiao Li!"
Zhao Yanli was startled by her elder sister’s crying voice.
"Elder sister, what’s wrong?"
"Xiao Li, brother just called the transport team. Mom’s gone. They’re on their way back from the city hospital now."
Zhao Yanli was stunned, and the people buying tofu didn’t say a word.
"Brother wants us to hurry back."
"But how do we get back? We won’t make it even taking the train," Zhao Yanli panicked, her voice had a sobbing tone.
Zhang Fusheng remained relatively calm. "We can hire a vehicle from the transport team."
Hearing this solution, the sisters nodded immediately.
"I’ll go to the transport team to handle the paperwork, you guys start packing up."
"Leave the kids behind. Elders will understand."
The sisters nodded. They were only packing some clothes since they hadn’t been back for long.
Zhao Yanping hurried back home to pack. She didn’t expect not to see her mom one last time. When she was young, she felt her mom didn’t like them, but as she got older, she began to understand.
This year, due to her mother-in-law’s health, she hadn’t dared to go back, and now she couldn’t even see her one last time.
Zhao Yanli also hurriedly packed her things.
Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Zhou quickly finished their tasks.
The people buying tofu tried to comfort Zhao Yanli, but none of it reached her heart.
During the last visit, there was no sign that her mom was unwell. She certainly didn’t look as good as before, but there was nothing to indicate a sudden passing.
She blamed herself for not spending enough quality time with her mom.
The buyers in the yard bought more tofu than usual, and those who didn’t have enough money said they’d bring it over the next day.
Everyone was eager to clear out the Zhou family’s tofu, figuring it could be stored and eaten later, given the circumstances.
Mrs. Zhou went inside and came out with 200 yuan for her daughter-in-law. "Xiao Li, take it, you might need it."
"Mom, I have money." Both of their salaries were managed by her.
"Just take it. When you’re away, you never know where you might need to spend. Just have it with you."
The kids wanted to follow them. They weren’t incredibly saddened by the passing, being too young and having seen the deceased only a few times.
Zhao Yanli wouldn’t take them along, since there wasn’t enough space in the car, and they were too young to handle the journey.
"You two, remember to help your grandparents at home."
The two nodded. Although mischievous, they were quite sensible.
Zhao Yanping returned home; the little ones weren’t there. There was no time to find them now.
"Hai Yan, your aunty and we four need to go back. Take care of Jianhua and the others at home."
"Mom, don’t worry. I’ll manage. The family is in good hands."
The family’s grandma just recently passed, and now the maternal grandmother was gone as well.
Zhao Yanping also packed some clothes. There wasn’t much else to prepare, just needed cash, as the family had food, and meat. Nothing else was necessary.
"Tell your brother, he has a day off tomorrow, to cook for them and keep an eye on them."
Hai Yan nodded. "Mom, I understand. I’ll go get them now."
Zhao Yanping, carrying her bag, went to her sister’s place, having already arranged it with her husband to meet directly at her sister’s.
When she got to the Zhou Family residence, her husband hadn’t arrived yet.
Mrs. Zhou was preparing a meal for them, frying pork fat with green onions and cooking sauerkraut noodle soup.
Zhang Fusheng drove over, and the four ate their fill. They didn’t take any food along, deciding to eat at restaurants on the journey instead.
On the way, with Zhou Yongbing and another driver sharing vehicles, it was naturally faster than driving separately.
Fortunately, it hadn’t snowed this year; otherwise, they wouldn’t make it in time and would be spending New Year’s Eve on the road.
Zhao Qingxiang caught up to the mule cart and saw his father sitting dazedly, though his hand was in the quilt, likely holding his mom’s hand.
His eyes reddened. "Dad, I’ve already called Xiao Ping and them."
Zhao Tian sat in a daze, not responding. His heart was empty now.
Both brothers felt the same, taking breaks to sit down, but for most of the time, they hurried along.
They reached home around half-past three in the morning.
Qi Xue Mei heard the noise and quickly went to open the door, bringing the mule cart into the yard.
"Dad, we’re home. Get down, and I’ll carry Mom inside." Zhao Qingxiang helped his father off the cart.
Zhao Tian watched as his eldest son carried his partner inside, wrapped in bedding.
Qi Xue Mei hadn’t expected them back so early, so the room wasn’t heated, and hurriedly lit a fire seeing her mother-in-law carried in like that.
She also had to prepare a meal for them. Regardless of her mother-in-law’s state, the three men needed to eat.
Zhao Qingxiang laid his mom down, knowing she wasn’t quite gone, as her body was still warm. Yet, she hadn’t awakened, perhaps waiting for her two sisters?