Chapter 20: Grandma, You Won't Wait for Me Anymore

Grandma seemed oblivious to the sounds around her, clutching the talisman and greeting card in her hands as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

“My Yunzhou…”

Beside her, Qiao Yanxin wore a contemplative expression.

“Nanny Zhang, you said this talisman requires kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times to obtain, right?”

“Of course!” Nanny Zhang explained carefully. “This isn’t an ordinary talisman. It’s been blessed at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, and it’s only given to those who are sincere and destined to receive it.”

“You must start from the foot of the mountain and kowtow all the way up. From the base to the summit, there are thirty-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine steps. Many people faint halfway due to exhaustion.”

Qiao Yanxin lowered her head, lost in thought.

I knew what she was thinking. She must have recalled the talisman I gave her before she left for her business trip to the mountain city.

Everyone knew that earthquakes were frequent in that mountainous region.

Worried something might happen to her, I had gone to Hangzhou to obtain this talisman before her departure.

Thankfully, I managed to hand it to her just in time.

Qiao Yanxin never believed in such superstitions, but she accepted the talisman because it came from me.

Back then, our relationship wasn’t as complicated as it is now.

She slipped the talisman into the inner pocket of her coat.

Noticing the wound on my forehead, she asked with concern, “How did you get hurt?”

I didn’t tell her the truth—that it was from kowtowing to get the talisman—and instead urged her to hurry to the airport so she wouldn’t miss her flight.

Later, the mountain city suffered a devastating earthquake, a rare magnitude ten event in a hundred years.

Many lives were lost. When the news came on TV, the entire Qiao family was terrified that something had happened to Qiao Yanxin.

In the end, whether it was her fate or the talisman’s protection, Qiao Yanxin escaped unharmed, with only a minor scrape.

The only loss was the talisman in her pocket—it mysteriously vanished.

Qiao Yanxin was equally amazed. She had carefully placed it inside her pocket, so how could it just disappear?

Only now did she realize how precious that talisman truly was.

Grandma, noticing Qiao Yanxin’s unwavering gaze on the talisman in her hand, quickly tucked it into her own pocket, wary.

“What are you trying to do? I’m telling you, this was given to me by Yunzhou himself. If you want one, ask him yourself. Don’t think you can snatch mine.”

Qiao Yanxin laughed through her tears. “Grandma, you’re overthinking. I’m not after your talisman. Besides, I had one before. I came back this time to bring you a gift.”

With that, she clapped her hands, and a human-shaped amber figure was wheeled in.

“Grandma, this is the gift I found for you. Do you like it?”

Worried Grandma might not approve, Qiao Yanxin added, “It’s been blessed by the temple’s abbot and crafted by high monks. I thought you’d like it.”

Grandma stared blankly at the nearly life-sized amber sculpture.

For some reason, her heart felt uneasy upon seeing it.

“What is this thing?”

Qiao Yanxin hesitated, not wanting to frighten Grandma by telling her it was a human-shaped amber.

Thinking quickly, she smiled, “It’s a piece of art.”

Grandma glanced at it, her expression faltering.

From the side, I shouted desperately, “Grandma, please don’t accept it!”

The amber was made from my own body. I couldn’t bear to imagine how heartbroken Grandma would be if she ever learned the truth.

Damn Gu Tingchu. If he hadn’t persuaded Qiao Yanxin to buy this amber, she never would have!

Qiao Yanxin smiled and ordered the amber moved to the nearby Buddhist hall.

“Grandma, I spent quite a bit of money on this. Please accept it.”

Hearing this, Grandma finally relented and took the piece.

Yet, perhaps because the amber was made from me, I found that I could remain by Grandma’s side.

In a way, this was a blessing in disguise—Qiao Yanxin’s actions turned out well.

As night deepened, Grandma gazed into the thick darkness outside, lost in thought.

Soon, she called Nanny Zhang over. “Nanny Zhang, bring out my treasured Tang dynasty outfit. Yunzhou’s child will be arriving soon. I must dress beautifully to welcome him.”

A smile curled at the corners of her mouth, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“Also, do my hair again. I can’t let Yunzhou see me looking so disheveled.”

“Don’t worry, madam. I’ll make sure you look stunning.”

Seeing Grandma’s improved spirit, Nanny Zhang was genuinely pleased.

With trembling effort, Grandma sat up on the bed and pulled on a crimson Tang jacket.

The weather had grown cold, so she paused, then draped a moon-white vest over it, made from fine fox fur.

Standing before the mirror, she admired her reflection.

Though well into her seventies, she looked elegant and dignified.

Grandma was renowned in her generation as a great beauty.

I often complimented her, but she always said I looked like her—and just as beautiful.

I knew she said this to comfort me. After all, I wasn’t even a member of the Qiao family. How could I resemble her?

Still, every time I heard it, I felt a warmth inside.

Not being part of the Qiao family was a thorn in my heart.

Only Grandma cared enough to cheer me up.

Her health was fragile now; she couldn’t stand for long.

Nanny Zhang brought over a wheelchair for her to sit in.

She also covered Grandma’s legs with a thick blanket.

Then she carefully combed Grandma’s hair back and twisted it into a bun.

Grandma smiled approvingly at her reflection, then frowned slightly at her bare neck.

“Bring me the pearl necklace Yunzhou gave me.”

“All right.”

Happily, Grandma put on the necklace, murmuring to herself, “Yanxin, that child, though she’s caused so much trouble, I believe she truly regrets it now. I ask for nothing but Yunzhou’s happiness.”

Outside, snow began to fall—large, soft flakes drifting down.

My heart was as cold as the winter night.

“Grandma, I’m sorry. You won’t be able to wait for me.”