Chapter 10: Brainwashed Too Thoroughly

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Yun Zhi accompanied Zhang Shuying to the hospital and sent the samples from Zhang Shuying and Qin Nannan’s heads for a parentage test, requesting expedited processing with results expected in as fast as three hours. It was already four-thirty in the afternoon when the doctor told them to come back at seven-thirty in the evening for the results.

The waiting was agonizing. To lift Zhang Shuying’s spirits, Yun Zhi took her to the mall for some retail therapy. Zhang Shuying’s earlier excuse for coming to the city to shop was partly true—when her son Qin Tianhai was alive, Gong Xiurong would accompany her to the mall two or three times a year to appear as a devoted wife.

Since Qin Tianhai passed away, Zhang Shuying hadn’t been to the city mall for years. She wasn’t familiar with the city and had a poor sense of direction. Without anyone to accompany her, she feared getting lost or being deceived, so she dared not come alone. Qin Fugui, who managed the pig farm’s affairs and took time to accompany Xiao Hu to doctor’s appointments, was always busy and had no time to go shopping with her.

Besides, both Zhang Shuying and Qin Fugui were elderly; their old clothes and shoes still served well. The clothes for Xiao Hu were bought nearby at little town shops, often out of style and disliked by the child. Zhang Shuying, not skilled with online shopping, could only make do with what Xiao Hu had.

Gong Xiurong, the mother, had scarcely visited Xiao Hu in two years and had never bought him anything. But recently, thinking the boy useful again, she began treating him well, buying clothes, shoes, and various daily and school supplies of better quality and style than those from the small town, which Xiao Hu preferred over the ones Zhang Shuying had bought. Yet she never considered that Gong Xiurong’s expenditures came from money taken from the elderly couple.

Zhang Shuying feared that, if Qin Xiao Hu finally matched a heart donor but their family didn’t offer the highest bid, they might lose the chance to secure the transplant. So, she spared no expense on the child while instinctively scrimping and saving for herself and her husband, not buying new clothes for years.

In return, Qin Xiao Hu called them “bad grandpa and grandma,” pretending not to see her and moving away just moments ago. Even Yun Zhi, a young woman not related by blood but whose father had helped Zhang Shuying’s son some years ago within his capacity, patiently accompanied her shopping and encouraged her to choose several comfortable and beautiful clothes to try on.

Thinking of all this, Zhang Shuying, prone to tears, felt her eyes well up again.

Yun Zhi said firmly, “What does it matter if you’re older? No matter the age, every woman has the right to wear beautiful clothes. Who doesn’t want to be beautiful from youth to old age?”

She picked out a short-sleeved, stone-green embroidered chiffon blouse perfectly suited to Zhang Shuying’s temperament and handed it over. “Auntie, try this on. Don’t worry about the cost—I promised I’d pay for this shopping trip!”

Zhang Shuying turned her back and quietly wiped away her tears. Then she turned back to accept the blouse. “Okay, okay, I’ll try it on. But you don’t have to pay. Auntie can afford a few new clothes.”

Yun Zhi didn’t argue further. Zhang Shuying surely had money for clothes, but whether she bought them herself or received them from the younger generation made a difference. When the elderly grow old, they seek only filial respect from the younger ones.

Yun Zhi’s attentive care for Zhang Shuying was not without purpose. She carried a voice recorder in her bag and had been recording since she first met Zhang Shuying. She had also taken many photos and videos with her phone, sending them to Zhang Shuying’s WeChat but not yet to Qin Tianhai.

That was because Qin Tianhai was deep in the perilous Misty Forest, searching for the vital Life Grass.

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To avoid being distracted by sudden notifications during combat, Qin Tianhai had preemptively activated a “complete block” mode. Only when he found a safe resting place or had someone keeping watch would he occasionally check and reply to messages.

This explained why Yun Zhi, after learning about Gong Xiurong and Qin Nannan, did not immediately ask Qin Tianhai but first verified the facts herself. Even if she asked, she would get no answer yet. Moreover, Qin Tianhai refused even to mention Gong Xiurong, indicating that name was a painful scar he wished to avoid.

Regardless of the parentage test’s outcome, Yun Zhi planned to wait until Qin Tianhai returned safely from the Misty Forest before telling him about Gong Xiurong and Qin Nannan. She did not want him to be distracted and accidentally suffer another heart attack—it would be a grave mistake and all her efforts wasted.

Qin Tianhai was from a distinguished martial family in a high-martial world. Even if he failed to find the Life Grass this time, he would have other chances later.

He had promised to reward Yun Zhi with at least one bottle of a tonic potion that could cure illness and greatly enhance physical fitness—making one immune to diseases and speeding up healing from injuries. This reward was priceless, beyond any amount of money on Earth.

Yet Yun Zhi was greedy; she wanted at least three bottles—one each for her father, mother, and herself. If there were extras, Tang Panpan and Cen Junfei, who wanted to clear debts and save some money, would each have a bottle in their trade.

Given the rarity of Life Grass, even obtaining three bottles would be difficult.

If Yun Zhi’s usefulness to Qin Tianhai ever waned, he would naturally stop risking himself to find or spending heavily to buy Life Grass and make the tonic.

Qin Xiao Hu was young, immature, and somewhat ungrateful. Beyond delivering medicine and making sure he took it, Yun Zhi preferred to keep her distance.

But occasionally visiting Zhang Shuying and Qin Fugui, accompanying the elderly shopping or sharing a meal, was a way of showing filial respect on Qin Tianhai’s behalf—something she felt capable of.

What Yun Zhi did was also invaluable to Qin Tianhai. Even without her asking, he would strive to provide what she desired.

Soon, Zhang Shuying emerged from the fitting room wearing the blouse Yun Zhi had chosen. She had composed herself and now wore a happy yet slightly shy smile.

“Yun girl, this color suits me, and the blouse has several embroidered flowers. But do you think it’s appropriate? It feels like something for women in their forties or fifties. I’m already sixty.”

Yun Zhi replied, “It looks great, Auntie. It makes your skin look fair and your complexion radiant. Here—let me record a short video for you to watch later. This blouse really is nice! You look like you’re in your early fifties wearing it.”

Encouraged by Yun Zhi’s praise, Zhang Shuying brightened further. From gloomy and downcast, she now looked vigorous and full of life. With newer, less outdated clothes, she naturally appeared younger.

Yun Zhi helped Zhang Shuying select several new outfits and two pairs of shoes. She also picked two outfits and two pairs of shoes for Qin Fugui.

Zhang Shuying allowed Yun Zhi to pay for one set for her and one for Qin Fugui, insisting on paying for the rest herself.

After storing the shopping bags in a locker, Yun Zhi took Zhang Shuying to a self-serve hotpot restaurant. Each had their own pot with a broth of their choice and freely selected ingredients.

Yun Zhi chose a divided pot with two flavors, while Zhang Shuying opted for a light pork bone broth.

The restaurant’s patrons were mostly young people, with a few families present.

In that environment, Zhang Shuying felt her mindset growing younger.

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No one had asked her what she liked to eat for a long time. In recent years, she cooked only what her grandson liked, often being criticized for not cooking well enough.

Zhang Shuying realized this was life. Even at sixty, a woman need not revolve solely around her husband, son, and grandson, managing their meals and clothes.

She could have her own preferences and live as a refined, joyful, and contented elderly lady.

As the clock neared seven, the two left the mall, placed their bags in the car trunk, and headed to the hospital.

By now, Zhang Shuying’s face showed no sign of anxiety.

Just as Yun Zhi had comforted her, it didn’t matter if Qin Nannan was her biological granddaughter—if the little girl had a capable mother who wanted to lavish her with wealth, Gong Xiurong could earn her own money instead of forcing the grandparents to pay while calling Zhang Shuying a “stranger.”

Money already given did not need to be returned, but endless future demands were out of the question.

If Qin Nannan was not truly from the Qin family, they would pursue legal action to reclaim all the money gifted to Gong Xiurong over the past three years.

The city apartment was purchased by Qin Tianhai before marriage and was considered premarital property; Gong Xiurong had no right to half of it. According to inheritance law, parents, children, and spouses all have inheritance rights, so Gong Xiurong could claim at most a quarter.

Of the two cars bought after marriage, she could only claim one.

Listening to Yun Zhi’s thorough analysis, Zhang Shuying secretly hoped Qin Nannan was not her granddaughter—that would justify cutting ties with Gong Xiurong.

Zhang Shuying wasn’t after money; she couldn’t swallow being treated as a cash machine for over three years and having Gong Xiurong use her grandson’s health to extort a monthly 20,000 yuan support fee.

They suspected that Qin Tianhai’s heart attack was caused by stress from Gong Xiurong, but it was mere speculation. With time passed, evidence was scarce, and Gong Xiurong wouldn’t confess.

As for Qin Xiao Hu, once the special medicine arrived, his health would recover quickly. Then he could choose whom to live with.

If he chose his mother, the elderly couple would not insist on keeping him.

When they needed care in old age, hiring a few nurses would be far easier than depending on their grandson.

As long as they had money, their grandson and granddaughter-in-law would not dare be unfilial.

Moreover, many would be willing to become their godchildren.

At the hospital, anxiety crept back onto Zhang Shuying’s face.

Yun Zhi sighed, “Auntie Zhang, I told you, it doesn’t matter whether you have a grandson or granddaughter. What matters is whether you have enough retirement money.”

Zhang Shuying replied sheepishly, “I’m just afraid—if Qin Nannan is really Ah Hai’s biological daughter, then I have no reason to fall out with Gong Xiurong.”

She sighed, “Ah, if only that troublesome Xiao Hu wasn’t Ah Hai’s son! Then I could rightfully ignore him! But unfortunately, he looks so much like Ah Hai.”

Zhang Shuying added, “I really hope Xiao Hu spends weekdays with his mother. One week, no, one month, coming back to see me and his grandpa once would be enough. He could stop coming altogether. Then I could adopt a godson or goddaughter who is well-behaved, studious, and good-looking!”

Yun Zhi remained silent: …

Uh, had she brainwashed Auntie Zhang too thoroughly?