Difficult questions to answer

  Yè Māma was going to the nearby supermarket, and happened to pass by the gateball court in the community. When Yè Māma arrived there, she saw Yè Bàba playing with a few old men inside. Yè Māma hurriedly called out: "Old Yè, stop playing, come with me to buy groceries, Little Jìn is coming over at noon!"

  Ye Hong's dad was holding the golf club, aiming carefully, when Ye Hong's mom suddenly shouted out loud, causing the ball to veer off in a completely different direction. Ye Hong's dad knew that his playing partners were quite competitive and wouldn't let him retake the shot, so he couldn't help but feel annoyed, turning around and gruffly saying: "What are you yelling about? Look at this good shot I just messed up!"

  Yemama, with a happy face, rarely lost her temper and scolded her husband, saying: "Don't fight anymore, let's go buy vegetables together. Xiaojin just called and said he's coming over for lunch at noon."

  This news made Ye Hong's dad also delighted, and the little bit of resentment he had before suddenly disappeared. "Xiao Jin is coming, great! I must go with you, picking fish skin won't work for you, you know Xiao Jin loves to eat my handmade braised fish skin the most! Hmm, by the way, let's buy some good wine too, and later I'll drink a few cups with Xiao Jin."

  After finishing, Ye Hong's dad walked out of the stadium while waving to a few old friends: "Old Chen, you guys play by yourselves, my son-in-law is coming over for lunch today and I want to show off. Just leave the ball here, I'll bring it back when I buy groceries on the way back. See you later!"

  "You're talking about Red Riding Hood's husband, right? Go on, go on, you've been muttering for so long, now it's finally here." Old Chen, the old man, waved his hand at Ye Dad and smiled in response.

  To say that Zhang Jinhou is good at making people happy, it's really a skill. Not to mention Ye Hong's parents were so pleased with him that they wished he was their own son. You know, 'Crab Fried Rice Cake' and 'Braised Pomfret Fish' are the two signature dishes of Ye Hong's family, and Zhang Jinhou brought them all out as soon as he came to visit, showing how high his status is in Ye Hong's household.

  Apart from Ye Hong's parents, even if they were just acquaintances of Ye Hong's parents, as long as they had met, they would have a good impression of Zhang Jin. This was partly because Zhang Jin was eloquent, but also because these elderly people were getting older and often became regular hospital visitors. It turned out that when Zhang Jin worked at the hospital, he had helped them with many things such as running errands, queuing for registration, etc.

  If there wasn't an "inner response", it would be too difficult to see a doctor. Otherwise, why do modern people all hope to have a family member who is a doctor at home?

  Zhang Jin was willing to help and could talk, back and forth, of course leaving a very good impression among these elderly people.

  …………

  "Ding Dong..." Just before 12 o'clock, the doorbell of Ye Hong's house finally rang. Ye Hong's father quickly walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron and shouted to Ye Hong's mother in the kitchen: "It must be Xiao Jin who has arrived, I'll go open the door for him!"

  Press the unlock button on the electronic lock downstairs, and the door opened. Standing at the door waiting, until two minutes later, Zhang Jin came over from the elevator room. Ye Dad was very happy to smile: "Come in, come in quickly! It's hot outside, isn't it? The air conditioner is on, come in and sit for a while to cool down."

  Zhang Jin knew that when Ye Dad and Ye Mom were at home, they never turned on the air conditioner. It wasn't to save electricity or anything, but because the elderly were weak and couldn't stand the air conditioning blowing. So opening the air conditioner was definitely for themselves.

  Zhang Jin's heart was filled with the meticulous care of his parents, and he didn't bother with formalities. He put down the large backpack on his back and the two jars tied together with a rope in his hand at the entrance of the cloakroom, changed his shoes, and asked: "Dad, how have you and mom been lately? Has your body recovered well?"

  "Alright, alright!" At this time, Ye's mother also came out of the kitchen, with a smile all over her face, and picked up where Zhang Jin had left off.

  "The medicine you had Momo bring back last time, your dad has been taking it. The medicine he gave me, I've also been taking. And let me tell you, it really works! Not to mention my own legs and feet are more agile than before. Just look at your dad, originally after walking just a couple of steps he'd feel chest tightness, and spend all day cooped up at home. Now he's much better. His body is stronger than before, even those old men without any illnesses can't compare to him. The result is that now that your dad's health has improved, his heart has also become more carefree. Every day, except when eating or sleeping, he comes back only during meals and sleep times. The rest of the time is spent either playing chess, fishing, or playing gateball with those old men. He doesn't even come home anymore!" Ye mom said with a tone that was both complaining and joyful. What do old people want? Isn't it just for their children to be filial and for their bodies to be strong?

  Zhang Jin may not be a filial son who can enter the "Filial Piety Records", but after he was possessed by the system, the first thing that came to his mind were his parents and Ye Hong's parents. Although he couldn't diagnose their illnesses in person, due to his medical background, he also knew about the physical conditions of the four elderly people.

  So very early on, Zhang Jin had prescribed medication according to each person's physical condition and personally prepared the medicine using his master-level medical skills. He either mailed it or had Ye Meng deliver it to the four elderly people.

  Also for this reason, they originally liked Zhang Jin's in-laws, Ye Dabai and Ye Mama, even more now, treating Zhang Jin like a treasure. In their words: "My son-in-law is much better than my two daughters! He is filial and knows how to care about us!"

  Every time someone they know compliments them on looking younger, saying that although they are over 50 years old now, they look like they're just in their early 40s. They always proudly say: "It's the medicine my son-in-law specially sent us... of course it's effective! I heard it's very expensive, but my son-in-law is really willing to spend money on us!" Although Zhang Jin didn't say anything, the old couple naturally thought that with such good therapeutic effect, the medicinal materials must be very precious.

  After Zhang Jin and Ye Hong got married, the two elders' way of addressing Zhang Jin never changed. Even after they divorced, Zhang Jin was still "son-in-law" in their mouths. I guess even if Ye Hong and Zhang Jin broke up completely and found another husband, the two elders would not acknowledge his "legitimate status".

  The elderly need filial piety and health the most, both of which Zhang Jin has provided. In the hearts of his parents-in-law, how could his position as their "son-in-law" not be secure?

  Ye's mother smiled and chatted with Zhang Jin for a while before noticing the sixty-liter mountaineering backpack under Zhang Jin's feet and two black ceramic vats over a foot high tied together with ropes, curiously asking: "Xiao Jin, why are you carrying such a big bag? Are you going on a trip?"

  Zhang Jin, who had changed into comfortable shoes, picked up his backpack and jar, walked towards the house with Er Lao, and said with a smile: "I don't have any travel plans for now, these are all brought for you two elders."

  The son-in-law sent things to the door, and although the old father and mother were happy, they couldn't see the gift-giver with a smile on their face, showing off their wealth. They still had to put on an attitude to show it, so Ye's mother pretended to be angry and said: "You child, why are you wasting money again? Your father and I are at home every day, we don't worry about food or clothes..."

  "Mom... there's nothing much in here, just some food and drinks that I made myself. Also, Ye Zi asked me to bring you a gift." Seeing Ye Dad about to speak up, Zhang Jin hastily interrupted him.

  This trick really works, and the two elders indeed stopped entangling themselves in this matter, instead collectively shifting their attention: "Yèzi's gift?" The two words 'Yèzi' were pronounced with a very heavy accent.

  Seeing the two old men's piercing gaze, Zhang Jin felt a chill run down his spine and secretly regretted his loose tongue. Zhang Jin understood the meaning behind the two old men's tone.

  However, Zhang Jin's relationship with Ye Hong is now somewhat unclear and ambiguous. Although it seems that everything is going well, especially during their days in J City when they were inseparable. But the romantic scene of this era is always changing, even flash marriages and divorces are not uncommon. Who can predict how their relationship will develop in the future?

  It's only been half a year since the two separated, and their passion and love are still there, so when they meet again, it's like dry firewood and sparks colliding with the earth. However, Ye Hong will have to stay in J City for at least three more years, or even longer. Who knows what will happen during this time? More than three years, over a thousand days, nearly 30,000 hours... who knows if Ye Hong will change?

  To be honest, Zhang Jin didn't even know if he would change after such a long time. Without a common social circle, without a common language, and without constant meetings and warmth to sustain it, who knows whether this relationship could last?

  Zhang Jin, who is no longer in his youth, knows that love is not a fantasy of eternal devotion, nor is it a lifelong vow. The world is realistic and complex, far from being as simple as a fairy tale. People like Wang Baoqian may exist in reality, but they are certainly rare. Will Ye Hong be the modern-day Wang Baoqian? Zhang Jin doesn't know. But what he does know is that he probably can't live up to someone like Wang Baoqian.

  Although Zhang Jin was vague in his heart, seeing the two elders had already focused their attention here and seemed to have no intention of diverting the conversation, he also had to force himself to explain: "That... is... me... A while ago I went to Malaysia, stayed in Kuala Lumpur for a few days. Two days ago when I came back, Ye Zi wanted me to bring some local specialties for you and Mengmeng, so..."

  The two elders completely ignored the gift and continued to stare at what they cared about, "You went to Malaysia to see Yezi? Then you and Yezi...made up?" Ye's father's voice was somewhat excited.

  To this point, Zhang Jin was thoroughly at a loss for how to respond, and could only continue to be evasive, "Uh...it's not bad, I guess!"