Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 1172: Chapter 1172: Waiting

Zhao Tian took off his shoes and stepped onto the bed, sitting beside his wife, watching her lie there motionless with her eyes closed. Throughout the journey, he kept holding her hand, which was still warm.

Although she hadn’t woken up, she wasn’t dead either; her hand remained soft, not the stiffness of a corpse.

No matter how his two sons called him, he remained silent, engulfed in self-blame.

If he hadn’t made his wife so tired over the past year, this wouldn’t have happened. Now that they were finally enjoying life, his wife who suffered alongside him all her life couldn’t partake in the joy.

If he had stayed obediently at the eldest son’s house, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. It’s all his fault; otherwise, his wife could have enjoyed a few more years of happiness.

Zhao Qingxiang saw this situation and was at a loss too. "Dad, Mom is still alive. I was thinking maybe we could give her some hot water?"

Zhao Tian nodded at last, and Zhao Qingxiang felt relieved, immediately going out to fetch hot water.

The father and two sons couldn’t get An Lixia to open her mouth.

Zhao Tian was anxious, "Wife, open your mouth and drink some hot water; it’ll make you better."

But An Lixia’s mouth wouldn’t open. The hot water couldn’t be given to her.

This isn’t working at all. Zhao Qingxiang was worried too. "Dad, try feeding my mom mouth to mouth."

Zhao Tian realized. He took a sip of water and tried to feed her mouth to mouth, but it still didn’t work—it spilled out from the corner of her mouth.

Tears rolled down Zhao Tian’s face; there was truly no hope left.

Zhao Qingxiang watched from the side, not knowing what to do.

At this moment, Zhao Qingjie entered the room. He stood beside his elder brother.

Suddenly, Zhao Tian lay down beside An Lixia. "Wife, didn’t you say we’d go together? Why didn’t you wait for me? Why are you in such a hurry?

Do you have any last words? How will I know if you don’t tell me?"

Zhao Qingxiang stood there listening to his father’s words, feeling even more saddened.

Qi Xue Mei had already prepared the meal, just dough drop soup, and steamed buns from noontime.

She entered and saw the two brothers standing aside, watching their parents lying on the bed.

She approached Zhao Qingjie and whispered, "The meal is ready."

Zhao Qingjie nodded but dared not disturb his grieving father.

Qi Xue Mei didn’t want to stay, so she excused herself and left.

The mother-in-law was truly not doing well. To be honest, it will be inconvenient in the future; the mother-in-law was quite capable, and now everything has to be done by themselves.

Zhao Tian just lay there, murmuring about their past days.

The two brothers were also quite exhausted, but given the situation, none of them moved, they just waited.

Zhao Qingxiang was both tired and hungry, but neither brother wanted to be the first to act.

Qi Xue Mei also felt for her husband, so she brought in the dough drop soup. "Dad, you have to eat; Mom still needs your care."

Zhao Tian knew everything in his heart, but now he was deliberately making things difficult for his two sons.

He was angry, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it.

He didn’t get up. "Qingxiang, you go back. Tomorrow you take care of your mom."

"Dad, have something to eat; you mustn’t let anything happen to you now."

Zhao Tian waved his hand, "Go on."

Sun Yun saw her husband looking weary and unhealthy, she hurriedly prepared a meal for him.

The four women had porridge for dinner, and what’s left was mixed into dough for pancakes.

So she made egg pancakes for her husband, knowing he was tired, and added an extra egg.

"The hot water is ready; go wash up, and dinner will be ready soon."

After the hot water was taken out, Sun Yun made a big bowl of sauerkraut soup for her husband with the same pot.

Zhao Qingxiang ate egg pancakes and drank sauerkraut soup, feeling that life like this was still good. No matter how tired he was, there was always a hot meal waiting for him at home.

After eating, Sun Yun tidied everything up. "You lie down and sleep for a while."

"Xiao Yun, Dad said we should go take care of Mom tomorrow."

"Okay, you lie down and sleep; I’ll go early tomorrow morning."

Zhao Qingxiang fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Sun Yun had already checked the time; it’s almost six o’clock now. She wasn’t planning to sleep; she started making breakfast.

She had soaked shredded radishes the night before. She probably wouldn’t have time to come home to cook lunch, so she decided to make vegetable cakes in the morning.

Zhao Xiaoling heard the sounds and got up too.

Sun Yun saw her eldest daughter come out. "Go back to sleep. I’ll call you later, I already cooked the food here; you don’t need to."

"Mom, Dad’s back?"

"Yes, he’s asleep now, you go and sleep too."

"Mom, I’m already awake, I’ll boil water.

Mom, how’s Grandma?"

Sun Yun shook her head, "I don’t think she’ll make it. I’ll go take care of Grandma today; you all stay home quietly and let Dad sleep."

An hour later, breakfast was ready.

But Sun Yun didn’t wake her other two daughters; she ate with just herself and Xiao Ling.

"Xiao Ling, I’m going to Grandma’s."

"Mom, I’ll go with you; Xiao Le and Little Hong can cook."

Sun Yun shook her head, "You all need to do chores, but taking care of an elder is something I’ll handle, this is my responsibility."

Sun Yun changed her clothes and then wore a coat to her brother-in-law’s house.

Since the eldest son left, Zhao Tian hadn’t spoken to the second son.

Qi Xue Man placed the food on the bed, "Dad, eat quickly and take a nap, maybe Mom will get better. Staying up like this won’t work; your body can’t take it."

Zhao Qingjie turned and left too. He hadn’t eaten or slept for two days and nights; this was unbearable.

Qi Xue Mei saw her husband leave and followed him out.

Zhao Tian didn’t move, but he heard the noise, knowing his second son had left.

He sighed inwardly again, feeling foolish; he knew the second son wasn’t as good as the eldest, but he just wanted to help since the second son had two sons.

But now it seems, having more sons, what’s the use?

Sun Yun came and saw her father-in-law lying beside her mother-in-law. Now the house was still too dark, she couldn’t see her mother-in-law’s complexion, but guessed it wasn’t good.

She took off her coat and scarf, and then went out to fetch hot water. Her father-in-law wasn’t napping now, so she decided to tidy up her mother-in-law.

Sun Yun carried in hot water and a towel soaked in it, "Dad, move over, I’ll clean Mom’s body; you find some clean clothes for her."

Zhao Tian listened to his daughter-in-law’s words, finally sitting up, but still not saying anything. He blamed Sun Yun, thinking if it wasn’t for the daughter-in-law’s insistence, they wouldn’t have come to the second son’s place, and his wife would still be fine now.