Back at the Xu Family’s place, Xu Mumu took the two kids to see the elderly couple first.
"Mumu, you’re here." Madam Chen’s voice no longer held the energy it once did, now sounding somewhat weak.
"Yes, grandma, I brought Ruirui and Congcong to see you. Are you feeling any better today?" Xu Mumu supported Madam Chen to sit up; lying in bed for too long is uncomfortable too.
"We’re doing well, don’t worry about us." Old Xu said with a smile, still holding a pipe in his hand.
"Grandpa, I’ve told you to quit smoking, but you just don’t listen." The room was faintly filled with the scent of smoke, yet the old man simply couldn’t quit.
"I’ve enjoyed this my whole life, can’t change it now." Old Xu laughed nonchalantly.
"Grandpa, you can’t smoke if you want to live to be a hundred." Congcong sat beside Old Xu, her little white face full of sincerity.
"Living that long just sounds tiring, never mind, we’re already satisfied with our lives." Old Xu chuckled. Indeed, they felt fulfilled with their lives, having raised successful children and grandchildren and enjoyed good years. Now, even in death, they could rest in peace.
Listening to their words made Xu Mumu feel a bit sad; she couldn’t bear to part with her grandparents.
Xu Mumu stayed with the elderly couple, chatting, mostly indulging Madam Chen’s interest in the children’s stories. Xu Mumu shared many anecdotes, bringing laughter to the old couple.
Not staying for dinner at the Xu Family’s, Xu Mumu took the children home, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted. With the Reincarnation Jade, she had a sense of the elderly couple’s health, and living this long was already quite remarkable; both were over eighty, outliving most people.
The two kids weren’t smiling either; they felt quite saddened inside.
Upon returning home, Professor Jian had also been feeling unwell these days, hit with a cold, compounded by old age, remaining bedridden for days, with Madam Chun taking care of him.
Meanwhile, Professor Song, wearing his reading glasses, was absorbed in his cherished books, both professors particularly attentive to educating the children.
"Grandpa, we’re back!" Congcong rushed over to see what Professor Song was writing.
"You’re back? Mumu, how are your grandparents?" Professor Song put down his things, smiling at Xu Mumu.
"Just the same; it doesn’t look good." Xu Mumu pressed her lips together.
"Ah, when you’re old, that day comes for everyone. Mumu, you should also pay more attention to your health." Professor Song advised, aware that Xu Mumu’s health had been declining over the past two years, despite frequent hospital visits yielding no improvement.
"Grandpa, I’m fine." Xu Mumu smiled and shook her head; her body was fine, but her soul could hardly withstand it any longer.
Yin Yang had returned early, his expression weary but with a hint of excitement.
"Why so happy?" Xu Mumu asked, looking at Yin Yang.
"Of course, it’s good news; our invested medical research center has developed something useful." Yin Yang shared the results of the research with Xu Mumu.
Xu Mumu felt her jade pendant suddenly heat up and quickly took a look, eyes widening as it deepened in color.
"The color deepened so much." Yin Yang’s eyes shone brighter.
Xu Mumu was equally delighted, that beautiful shade of violet, though not yet deep purple, was certainly close.
"I’ll invest more money into it this afternoon, medicines like this need to be researched more." Yin Yang felt he had found a direction; it was easier than running around for disaster relief.
"Alright, put my money in too." Xu Mumu said earnestly; her heart raced, her goal was within reach.
The matter of the jade pendant, none of the family’s kids knew, and Xu Mumu wasn’t planning to tell them just yet.
Given the elderly at home weren’t in good health, she couldn’t afford to be careless.
Though the elderly Xu couple took various medications and supplements daily, their health continued to decline. Xu Mumu spent nearly every day at the Xu Family’s side.
By the end of the year, the elderly couple passed away, leaving together, with Madam Chen passing first, Old Xu following suit, heartbroken.
Xu Mumu knelt before their altar, consumed by grief. If not for the jade’s power holding her back, her emotions would have overwhelmed her, almost scattering her soul.
Xu Mumu fainted, her soul still struggling to bear it.
Sleep was the best remedy; Xu Mumu slept for days, alarming the family, the children keeping vigil by her bedside.
When Xu Mumu opened her eyes, she was greeted by several pairs of worried eyes. She took a deep breath, remembering all that had transpired before she fainted.
"How are grandpa and grandma?" Xu Mumu asked softly.
"The funeral will be in two days; we’ll head back tomorrow." Yin Yang replied gently.
The elderly couple’s final wish was to return to their roots, so Xu Hai arranged for their burial at the mountain behind the brigade.
"Alright." Xu Mumu nodded, feeling utterly exhausted. She thought she couldn’t hold on much longer and felt even more urgent inside.
"Mom, are you okay?" Congcong asked anxiously, feeling panicked, sensing his mother’s life was like a candle in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment.
"I’m fine." Xu Mumu shook her head.
Early the next morning, Xu Mumu, supported by Yin Yang, took the three children on a ride back to the village.
The village had developed rapidly in recent years, its school now known locally for its excellent advancement rate.
With Yin Yang’s support, Xu Mumu walked into the family home she hadn’t visited in a long time. She felt weak, lacking the strength to even control her own body.
"Mumu, are you alright? I’ve told you not to push yourself so hard, yet you don’t listen. Now your health is deteriorating." Li Caixia, upon seeing her daughter, felt even more tender-hearted.
"Mom, I’m really fine; my body is healthy." Xu Mumu said helplessly, her body indeed fine, only her soul struggling to control it.
"And you, how come you’re not taking good care of Mumu? If something happens to her, you’ll regret it." Li Caixia scolded, glaring at Yin Yang. Once, she was satisfied with this son-in-law, but now she was angry; since marrying him, her daughter’s health had declined, and he was always away, dragging her daughter around, leaving her health to deteriorate.
"Mom, it’s not his fault, I’m really fine." Xu Mumu didn’t know how to explain this to Li Caixia and the others.