She won't clear her name; she'll throw away all the scum.

Chapter 564

After the funeral, Grandma Xia remained silent for a long time, often sitting alone in the house, hugging her sister's pillow.

Thinking of the happiness of the past year, tears welled up in her eyes.

Factory Director Song was considerate of her and gave her several days off so she could vent her emotions.

Grandma Xia didn't go anywhere, and sometimes she couldn't even eat.

The children were very worried about her and agreed to take turns taking leave from work to look after her, fearing that she might have a mental breakdown or collapse from excessive grief at home.

"Mom, I bought you some red date cake, would you like some?" Today it was Chen Xianghong's turn to come over.

Grandma Xia's cheeks were somewhat sunken, and she didn't seem to be in much spirits today.

She took the jujube cake blankly, took a bite, and then tears welled up in her eyes. "Your auntie loves this the most."

Chen Xianghong immediately hugged her, "Mom, cheer up. Your aunt loves you the most. If you keep going like this, she'll be heartbroken. Mom, you're so thin, you're almost skin and bones. How can your body take this?"

Grandma Xia wiped her face. "I can't help but think of her. Seeing her room reminds me of her, seeing her clothes that weren't left behind reminds me of her, and seeing the towel she used reminds me of her."

"Xiang Hong, I used to think this was the best house, the warmest house, but after your aunt left, why does it feel so cold here?"

Grandma Xia hugged Chen Xianghong tightly, as if trying to draw some warmth from her. "She clearly said that I should learn to ride a bicycle during my time abroad, and she would take me there, anywhere is fine. The two of us sisters are together, and it's good to do anything."

She's completely untrustworthy; she left me as soon as I got back. I'm most grateful that I took her to have her photos taken before the New Year. I even said that when I got back from my assignment abroad, we'd take a family photo together.

She also said I was wasting money. Every time I made her clothes, shoes, and socks, she said it was a waste of money. She must have known her days were numbered, which is why she didn't want new clothes, but why didn't I realize that? I even thought she was being too frugal...”

Grandma Xia wept uncontrollably. After her sister passed away, she recalled all the little things they had shared and realized that she hadn't been good enough to her. She always felt that she and her sister had plenty of time to spend together, and that many things could be taken slowly.

But death doesn't wait for everyone to be ready; it can suddenly take away loved ones in an instant, and even grief and regret can't change anything.

Grandma Xia rested her head on Xiang Hong's shoulder. From now on, no one would be waiting for her at home anytime, anywhere, no one would rush over to hug her and say that she was there, and no one would unconditionally love her and be willing to give everything for her.

Grandma Xia felt a deep loneliness, a loneliness she felt even more profound than when she hadn't found her sister.

Chen Xianghong was also sad. She was saddened by the passing of her aunt, but she was even sadder to see her mother like this.

"Mom, your aunt definitely doesn't want you to be so upset because of her. Seeing you like this would break her heart." Chen Xianghong patted her back, not knowing how to comfort her anymore.

For her mother, her aunt was a source of comfort, the closest person to her, and someone she could always trust. Losing her aunt felt like her mother had lost half her life.

Chen Xiangbei has lost a lot of weight in the past few days. Seeing his mother like this, he thought about how his aunt used to always be around in the house, making him feel at ease even without her saying a word. But now, that person has disappeared.

Every time he came over to persuade his mother to think more positively, he would end up crying even more bitterly than Grandma Xia herself, and in the end, the mother and son would hug each other and weep bitterly.

Finally, Chen Xiangnan forbade him from coming to his mother's place recently.

"Xiang Hong, you go back and rest. I'll stay with Mom." Chen Xiangnan placed a cup of hot water on Grandma Xia's bedside table.

Chen Xianghong sighed, "Second brother, are you sure it's okay that you've taken so long off?"

Chen Xiangnan: "Try to delay as much as possible. At worst, they'll deduct my salary. I can't just leave now, can I?"

Chen Xianghong left in silence.

"Mom, what did your aunt say to you before she passed away? Did she tell you to live a good life? Look at you now, my aunt couldn't even rest in peace." Chen Xiangnan patted Grandma Xia's back.

Grandma Xia wiped away another tear, "Your aunt has never had a good day in her entire life."

During this time, Chen Xiangnan's children have heard these words countless times. Although they still feel sad every time they hear them, they really can't let their mother wallow in grief any longer.

He interrupted Grandma Xia's reminiscence, "Mom, you know that Auntie hasn't had many good days, so you should cheer up and experience this wonderful life for her, eat more food for her, and wear more beautiful clothes for her."

You wouldn't want your aunt to be so worried about you that she can't have a peaceful journey, would you? When you were crying, she was probably right beside you, crying along with you. You're the person she loves most in her life, and she's the one who most wants you to be well. Don't let her worry, and don't let us worry either.

Grandma Xia sniffed. "Second son, go buy me a pound of liquor."

Chen Xiangnan: "...Huh?"

Grandma Xia: "I'll only drink this once. After I sober up, I'll start a new life."

Chen Xiangnan is a rather suspicious person. "Mom, you wouldn't do something irrational while I'm out buying you something, would you?"

Grandma Xia casually tossed a pillow at him, "If I were to commit suicide now and go find your aunt, she would definitely beat me to death down there. Go now!"

When Chen Xiangnan returned with the wine, Grandma Xia even put the red date cake that Chen Xianghong had bought on a plate, looking like it was a snack to go with the wine.

However, most normal people wouldn't use jujube cake as a snack with alcohol, so his mother must have been too grief-stricken and confused.

Grandma Xia snatched the wine from Chen Xiangnan, poured it directly into her bowl, and downed it in a silent gulp without saying a word.

Chen Xiangnan couldn't help but applaud the bold and unrestrained gesture.

Although such a cheer seems inappropriate here.

Chen Xiangnan coughed to cover his embarrassment, "Mom, I'll drink with you."

He went to the kitchen to get a bowl, and reached for the wine, but before he could touch it, Old Mrs. Xia slapped his hand, "Go away! What kind of child drinks wine?"

Chen Xiangnan was stunned. Just this small bowl, and his mother's mind was already unclear. He, Chen Xiangnan, was already the father of two children, and she was still being called a child?

But Grandma Xia didn't care. She slurred, "Even if you're seventy or eighty, you still came from my belly. How can you not be a child? Don't try to steal my wine. Go away!"

She would drink alone, with just a bowl and a few pieces of red date cake, crying as she did so. Sometimes she would even spill the wine on the ground and make her sister drink it with her.

I didn't fall asleep until midnight.

Chen Xiangnan grabbed Chen Xiangbei to help, and together they helped the alcoholic mother into the house.

He was also complained about by Chen Xiangbei, who said that he shouldn't let his mother drink alcohol, and let her get so drunk, that he was spoiling his mother too much.

You unlucky kid, you've been following the factory manager for so long and you still can't speak properly. Is this how you show pampering?

Chen Xiangnan was indignant.