Chapter 226: Resting Doesn’t Mean Being Confined

Chapter 226: Convalescence Isn't Confinement

Wen Dalun had no appetite and initially didn't want to eat, but since his buddy brought it over, he figured he'd at least take a couple of bites.

A maid brought over half a bowl of porridge and a pair of chopsticks, placing them on the table in front of Wen Dalun.

Wen Dalun picked up the chopsticks, picked up the tiniest piece of meat crisp, and put it into his mouth.

Huh? Not bad. Way better than those gross meds.

Then he took several more bites. Before long, the half bowl of porridge and a serving of Jade Meat Crisp were all gone, and his face looked a bit more flushed than when Wen Kaihou had first entered.

Seeing his buddy eat, Wen Kaihou was happy. He slid the dessert—Nine Heavens Exquisite Yao Fruit—over to Wen Dalun and said, "Try it."

After downing one spirit fruit, Wen Dalun looked up with a smile and asked, "Old Wen, where'd you get this stuff?"

Wen Kaihou said, "J City. Good, huh?" He'd bought the Spirit Food just for his buddy.

Wen Dalun nodded and said, "Yeah, it's good. Would be even better with some booze."

"I've got wine, but Brother Lundal, you can't have any. Wait till you're better, then you can drink. This wine's from Xuehe too—tastes like heaven, man, you don't get that often!"

"Xuehe? What brand is that?"

"It's just Xuehe. Don't knock it just 'cause it's a small brand from some backwater city; the quality's legit. The owner's not ambitious, doesn't wanna grow it. If she had the drive, it'd be in Y City or all over the country by now," Wen Kaihou said, thinking of the upcoming opening of the Xuehe Mall. "This owner's quite a character. She opened a mall out in the sticks, and it's opening in a few days. Wanna check it out?"

Wen Dalun asked, "You heading to J City?"

"Yeah. My granddaughter's already packed. If I don't go, she'll throw a fit." Wen Yuke was in school, and she wasn't supposed to come on this trip. But she came home crying to her grandpa, saying she'd sneak off alone, so they caved and added her.

Wen Kaihou added, "Brother Lundal, you wanna come? J City's a great place."

Wen Dalun thought for a moment and said, "I'll go!" He'd been stuck at home too long and needed to get out for some fresh air.

As soon as he spoke, Wen Yu cut in nervously, "Grandpa, you need to rest at home to recover..."

Wen Dalun held up a hand to stop Wen Yu and said, "I know my own body. Your little brother's in J City too. It's been ages since I saw him as his grandpa."

"..." Wen Yu's mouth twitched. That excuse was weak, but as a kid, he couldn't call him out in front of a guest.

Wen Zhi was in J City. They'd last met two weeks ago, which wasn't that long.

After Wen Kaihou left, only Wen Yu and Wen Dalun remained in the living room.

Wen Yu was dead set against his grandpa going to J City with Grandpa Wen. He pleaded, "Grandpa, you can't go. The doctor said you need to rest at home. You can't just ignore that. J City's like two thousand kilometers from Y City. That trip'll wreck you. If you want something to eat, just have it shipped. Why go yourself?"

"I'm resting, not locked up. That's final. I'm going to J City. If you're worried, come along."

"Grandpa, even if I agree, my parents won't."

Wen Dalun snapped, "My legs are mine. I'll go where I want!"

"Grandpa, let's talk calmly. Don't get upset." Seeing his grandpa get worked up, Wen Yu dropped it and called his dad to talk some sense into him.

Wen Dalun had two sons: the oldest, Wen Yiling, and the youngest, Wen Yize. The oldest son and his wife, Kong Shurong, had three boys: Wen Yu, Wen Zhou, and Wen Zhi. The youngest son remained unmarried.

After hanging up, Wen Yiling rubbed his temples. His old man always got his way, stubborn as a mule.

"Uncle Wen really picked a bad time to bring up going out of town," Wen Yiling sighed. He knew it wasn't Wen Kaihou's fault; his father was impulsive. With his current state—barely eating, needing support or a wheelchair to move—could he really go out of town?

When he got home, Wen Yiling expressed his opposition to his father.

Wen Dalun pointed at the red fruits in the box and said with closed eyes, "Try one."

Wen Yiling didn't understand why his father wanted him to eat an unknown fruit, but he did.

Wen Dalun opened his eyes, satisfied to see his son's surprised and delighted expression. He stood up straight.

Wen Yiling rushed forward, saying, "Your cane, your cane."

Wen Dalun waved his hand and said, "No cane needed." He walked to the table, ate the last remaining spirit fruit, and then sat back down. Whether it was because of the decent meal at noon, he felt full of energy and could walk without a cane for a few minutes.

He said, "This fruit was specially brought by your Uncle Wen from J City."

"Dad, if you want to eat it, I can have it shipped. There's no need to go in person." Wen Yiling admitted the fruit tasted good, but there was no need to buy it personally; hiring someone for air freight would ensure freshness.

"What do you know?" Wen Dalun glanced at his son and said, "I'm informing you, not asking for your opinion." After Wen Kaihou left, they had talked on the phone for over an hour. During the call, Wen Kaihou mentioned Wen Yuke's encounter with a snake at North Dan Mountain.

Wen Dalun had heard about the snake incident at North Dan Mountain. It involved children from several major families, and the Xi and Zhao families had lost children because of it.

Wen Kaihou focused on how the Lightning-Struck Wood Bracelet had repelled the giant snake.

"Brother Lundal, that bracelet that sent the giant snake flying is from Xuehe. Many people don't believe it, but it's true. My granddaughter witnessed it... With our decades of friendship, seeing you on a cane pains me. I've heard you've lost your appetite lately. I sincerely recommend you try the Xuehe Gourmet."

"Kaihou, I believe you. After eating the food you brought at noon, I feel much more energetic..."

That call solidified Wen Dalun's resolve to go to J City. In the end, he went, accompanied by his grandson Wen Yu.

During his first two days at Xuehe Mall, Wen Dalun needed a wheelchair. But after two days, though he couldn't walk briskly, he could push a shopping cart around for a whole morning and, in the afternoon, carry snacks and fishing gear to join Old Wen by the fish pond on the west side of the front yard for fishing. Life was quite pleasant.