Following that, the entire shopping mall knew that a 'rich lady' had arrived, purchasing all sorts of items with an extravagance that left people speechless.
"Does our area have someone this wealthy?"
"This is my first time seeing someone like this."
"I really want to know how much money is in that bank card."
"... ..."
Many of the shop assistants looked at Chu Ma with envy on their faces.
Qian Liyan and Ye Shan exchanged glances, unsure of what to do for a moment.
"What's wrong with Aunt?" Ye Shan asked, bewildered.
She had never seen Chu Ma shopping so frantically, buying anything that caught her eye – clothes, bracelets, vases, shoes, computers, refrigerators, cabinets... ...
Not only for Chu Fang's child, but also for Chu Fang, Chu Ba, Chu Fang's maternal grandmother, Chu Fang's paternal grandparents, and even Zhong Tingyue received gifts.
This was not in line with Chu Ma's personality.
Qian Liyan, who had known Chu Ma for decades, was also puzzled.
"Um... should we stop Aunt?" Ye Shan asked.
In just a short while, Chu Ma had spent nearly a million, and if she continued shopping, who knew how much more she would spend.
"Don't," Qian Liyan stopped her daughter-in-law, "Let her be."
Qian Liyan knew Chu Ma's position in the Chu family; as long as it made her happy, everyone was willing to accommodate her.
Chu Fang has money, so what does spending this little bit count for?
Ye Shan nodded.
Subsequently, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law accompanied Chu Ma throughout the mall, shopping and spending, until they walked out of the last store, with many of the mall's shop assistants casting respectful glances at Chu Ma.
"Big spender, thank you for your hard work shopping."
Because there were so many things bought, enough to fill a truck, the mall staff dispatched a truck to deliver the items home.
Walking out of the mall, Chu Ma thought, "I'm about to leave, and the family needs a lot of things. I need to start buying them now, they'll be useful in the future."
Chu Ma knew her days were numbered and stocked up on all sorts of things.
"Is it not enough?" Chu Ma asked, looking at the truck.
Qian Liyan and Ye Shan's mouths twitched.
You've almost bought out the entire mall, and it's still not enough?
Chu Ma waved her hand, "Forget it, I'll come back to buy more in a few days."
Afterward, the three returned to the small town, with the truck following behind.
Seeing the truck entering the yard, Chu Ba was stunned, "How much stuff did you buy?"
"Not much," Chu Ma replied.
"Then are you happy?"
Chu Ma wore a sullen face, "Do I look happy?"
She was about to die, how could she be happy?
Did I have to smile?
Chu Ba directed the mall staff to move the things into the house. He didn't care how much money Chu Ma had spent, as long as his wife was happy.
In the end, the things completely filled two rooms.
... ...
As night fell, Chu Ma sat at the dressing table writing, and Chu Ba asked, "What are you writing?"
Chu Ma quickly covered what she was writing, "You're not allowed to look."
"Okay," Chu Ba didn't force it, "By the way, your birthday is in a few days, what do you want to do for your birthday?"
Hearing this, Chu Ma's pupils turned red, and tears welled up in her eyes.
That's my birthday?
No, that's my death anniversary.
I have to leave this world in a few days.
I don't want to die.
Chu Ma suppressed her pain, sniffed, "Have one! Have Guai Guai and Zhong Tingyue come back to celebrate my birthday."
"They're in Shanghai, it's too far, and they're very busy with work," Chu Ba explained to his wife.
"I'm Guai Guai's mother, if I want him to come back, he has to come back," Chu Ma said firmly.
Guai Guai, if you don't come back, you won't see your mother anymore.
Chu Ba thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay."
... ...
Shanghai, night fell, the lights came on, a scene of prosperity.
Chu Fang hooked his arm around Zhong Tingyue's, his whole body leaning on Zhong Tingyue, like a boneless octopus.
Chu Fang seemed to be getting lazier and lazier, even too lazy to go for a walk. If Zhong Tingyue hadn't pulled him, he wouldn't even bother to move.
"Mr. Chu, look at the way you are now, so effeminate."
"Mom."
Zhong Tingyue: "... ..."
She felt the strange gazes around her, and her mouth twitched.
An old couple smiled as they looked at them, and Zhong Tingyue explained, "We're just joking."
"We know, no need to explain."
"You young people are so wild."
Zhong Tingyue was speechless, then pulled Chu Fang to sit on a chair by the river, enjoying the sea breeze in silence, quite content.
Ding-a-ling... ...
Suddenly, the ringing disrupted their peace. It was Chu Ba calling.
"Hello, Dad."
"Your mom is having a birthday in a few days, you and Zhong Tingyue come home," Chu Ba said.
Chu Fang sat up and frowned slightly, "What's wrong?"
Chu Ba's voice was very distinctive, always giving a light and breezy feeling, but at this moment, he heard anxiety, worry, and concern from his father, a multitude of complex emotions.
"I don't know either," Chu Ba sighed, "Something seems to be wrong with your mom, but she won't tell me, she just keeps wanting to see you."
Chu Fang nodded, "Okay."
Seeing the worry on Chu Fang's face, Zhong Tingyue quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
"My mom wants to see us for her birthday."
"Okay."
Chu Fang leaned on Zhong Tingyue's shoulder, extremely worried.
As a son, his feeling told him that his mother must have encountered some huge trouble and wanted him to go home quickly.
Back at their place, Zhong Tingyue said, "I've booked tickets for tomorrow, we'll go home right away."
"Okay."
Chu Fang didn't sleep all night, wanting to call Chu Ma, but afraid of startling her, caught in endless entanglement and worry.
Waking up in the morning, Chu Fang packed a few clothes, then pulled Zhong Tingyue toward the airport.
On the plane, Zhong Tingyue held her fiancé's hand, "It'll be alright."
"I hope so."
After getting off the plane, they rented a car and headed straight for the small town.
It was already three in the afternoon when they returned to their hometown.
Chu Ba wasn't surprised to see him. Chu Fang asked, "Where's my mom? Gone to play mahjong?"
"Lying in bed, she's been lying down all day today, hasn't eaten much, and doesn't drink water. Your maternal grandmother is taking care of her."
Chu Fang rushed to the bedroom, only to see his maternal grandmother patting Chu Ma's chest, humming a song.
Seeing Chu Fang, Chu Ma pouted, her eyes red, and tears streamed down her face, "Guai Guai... ..."
Chu Fang hugged Chu Ma, gently patting her back, not saying anything, but letting his mother cry.
"Let the mother and son be alone for a while," Chu Fang's maternal grandmother said.
Zhong Tingyue nodded, closed the door, and helped Chu Fang's maternal grandmother downstairs.
Chu Ma's crying filled the entire bedroom, until her voice was hoarse, sobbing, "I, I, I'm afraid, I won't see you again."
"I'm back," Chu Fang said softly, "What exactly happened?"
Chu Ma was silent for a long time, "I want to wait until my birthday to tell you."
"Okay," Chu Fang nodded, "But you have to eat first, don't starve yourself."
"Oh."
Then Chu Ba brought a bowl of soup and rice, and Chu Fang fed Chu Ma. After eating, Chu Ma became sleepy. From the moment she knew she had lung cancer, she hadn't slept much, feeling dazed.
Chu Fang adjusted the air conditioner to a comfortable temperature, covered her with the quilt, and then went downstairs.
Zhong Tingyue asked, "What's wrong with Mom?"
Chu Fang changed his way of addressing her, and Zhong Tingyue naturally changed her way of addressing Chu Ma as well, saying it quite smoothly.
He shook his head, "I don't know."
But what he did know was that he had to hold a good birthday party for Chu Ma, because this banquet was very important to her.
The others looked at each other, all sighing.
They didn't know any news, but they couldn't ask Chu Ma what was wrong too many times, otherwise, her emotions would probably collapse.
This was really frustrating.
... ...
