"That old man also said that the neighbor’s wife is pregnant again, and this time they did a gender test; it’s a boy. He told us not to apologize anymore, as it would be considered unlucky. He also mentioned that on that mountain, there are small graves of baby girls everywhere."

Xingguang’s mind conjured images of the bamboo forest filled with small mounds of earth, and his heart sank with sadness.

"Grandpa, in the village where you grew up, there were only about thirty households. But there are at least a hundred small mounds in that bamboo forest."

Xingguang looked icily at Xu Qingnian and suddenly asked, "Are your sisters and aunts also buried there?"

Xu Qingnian’s eyes flickered, and he didn’t have the courage to meet Xingguang’s gaze.

He weakly explained, "When my sisters were born, Xia Country had just been rebuilt. At that time, life wasn’t easy for everyone, and if a child in the family got sick, there was no money for treatment. Besides, having a daughter, you’d naturally hope for a son and daughter both."

"You shouldn’t generalize."

Upon hearing this, Xingguang just smiled, as if believing Xu Qingnian’s explanation.

"When my mother realized that my grandfather grew up in such a terrifying place, she didn’t dare to have another child. She worried that if she gave birth, the family would favor the little boy. She was even more afraid that if I encountered any difficulties in the future, the family would directly abandon me."

"But she never expected that even without having a second child, the Xu Family would still abandon me." Yet the one who abandoned her was not her grandfather, but her father.

"Grandpa, I have known since I was young that you are an old conservative who practices male supremacy, believing that men are the pillars of support. I have no expectations of you, so naturally, I don’t harbor any hate."

Xu Qingnian felt a wave of awkwardness upon hearing this.

Xingguang picked up the bowl again and patiently fed Xu Qingnian.

She spoke calmly, "You are my grandfather, and you have never done anything to betray me, so I can’t just watch you die. Don’t worry, even if Xu Zeqing doesn’t take care of you in the future, I will hire a caregiver for you."

But she could no longer honor and care for him as she did before.

Because a relative who chose to let her suffer in everything was not worth her wholehearted devotion.

After breakfast, with Sister Linlin accompanying her, Xingguang sent Xu Qingnian back to the Xu Family.

When they arrived at the Xu Family, an agent and Xu Zeqing were with a male buyer, showing him around the villa.

Xu Zeqing had a bandage on his right wrist and looked very pale. It seemed he had come straight from the hospital.

Indeed, the City Lord Mansion had announced the South City subway plan on its website this morning. Seeing the plan, he naturally didn’t feel like staying in the hospital.

Xu Zeqing’s expression changed suddenly when he saw Xu Qingnian being brought back with large and small bags by Xingguang. "Xingguang, why did you bring your grandfather back?"

Xingguang smiled and explained, "You divorced You Jingqiu, so no one in this house bothers grandpa anymore. He wants to move back to his own home, is that not okay?"

With a stern face, Xu Zeqing said, "This is nonsense. There isn’t even anyone at home now. You bring your grandfather back, who’s going to take care of him? Besides, I’m planning to sell this house. If he comes back, we won’t have anywhere to live."

Hearing his son’s disdain, Xu Qingnian’s breathing became irregular.

Leaning on the wheelchair, he shakily raised his hand and pointed at Xu Zeqing, cursing, "Xu Zeqing, I am your father. Don’t you want to take care of me? You really are an ungrateful wretch!"

The agent and buyer watching from afar frowned at this scene.

Xu Zeqing noticed the buyer watching him, and he had to suppress his anger to coax Xu Qingnian, "Dad, we’ve got a lot going on at home recently. You suddenly coming back, where am I supposed to find someone to take care of you?"

Xu Qingnian sneered, "Aren’t you a person? I’ve been sick for so many years and don’t have long to live. You’re my son. They say you raise sons to protect you in old age. I’m old and sick, so isn’t it your duty to take care of me?"

Xu Zeqing noticed that Xu Qingnian’s complexion was much healthier than before, and he no longer had that unpleasant smell. He muttered, "You look very healthy to me."

The implication was clear; he almost said outright that Xu Qingnian wasn’t going to die anytime soon.

Xingguang suddenly turned to the buyer, who was standing beside the agent deep in thought, and said, "This house, perhaps, has bad feng shui. Too many things have happened in just a few short years."

This buyer happened to see the house on a rental site and felt that the appearance, interior decoration, and location were all quite to his liking, which is why he commissioned the agent to bring him for a look.