Chapter 297 My Granddaughter-in-Law’s Birthday Must Be Celebrated Grandly

A little over a month later, the old master was finally discharged from the hospital.

The sun was shining brightly that day. Lu Er purposely cleared all his work and, early in the morning, went to the hospital with Song Jingmo.

After completing the discharge procedures and packing up, the three of them stood in the hospital room.

The old master looked spry and vigorous, giving no sign that he had just undergone major surgery.

“Grandpa, why don’t you just stay in the city?”

Lu Er tentatively suggested, “Living with us would be more convenient for everyone. The rooms at home are all ready; you can stay as long as you like.”

The old master shook his head with a smile. “Little Lu, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I’ve lived in the countryside all my life. The city is nice, but I can’t get used to it.”

He patted Lu Er’s hand. “Just come visit me often whenever you have time.”

Song Jingmo didn’t press the matter further and simply nodded. “Okay, we’ll visit you often.”

The old master smiled in satisfaction.

From then on, every weekend became a fixed time to visit him.

On Friday evenings, they’d prepare their things; early Saturday morning, they’d set off, stay one night in the countryside, and return on Sunday afternoon.

Every time, the old master would stand at the gate, waiting. As soon as he saw the car from afar, his face would light up with a big smile.

Lu Er would help him with the work in the vegetable garden, while Song Jingmo took care of repairing old, worn-out items at home. The three of them—grandfather, grandson, and grandson’s wife—were happy together.

In the blink of an eye, it was another Friday.

After work, Lu Er came home, finished dinner, and started packing his things, bustling about with excitement.

Song Jingmo leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching his busy back, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Stop packing.”

Without turning his head, Lu Er replied, “How can I not pack? We’re going to see Grandpa tomorrow; we need to bring all this stuff.”

Song Jingmo walked over, took the items from his hands, and set them on the table.

“We’re not going to see Grandpa this week.”

Lu Er froze and turned to him. “Why? Is Grandpa not feeling well?”

“No.”

A playful smile glimmered in Song Jingmo’s eyes. “This week, Grandpa said he’s coming to see us.”

Lu Er was even more stunned. “Huh? Grandpa suddenly wants to come here? Didn’t he say he doesn’t like the city?”

Seeing his bewildered expression, Song Jingmo couldn’t help but pinch his cheek gently, his tone both exasperated and indulgent:

“Dummy, did you forget your own birthday?”

Lu Er’s face was squished by his hand, and hearing that, he froze completely.

Birthday?

He blinked a few times, his mind racing.

Tomorrow really was his birthday.

Song Jingmo watched his silly expression and smiled even more.

Releasing him, he pulled him into his arms, resting his chin atop his head. “The restaurant’s already booked.”

“Tomorrow, Grandpa will come, along with Mom, Big Brother, and Sister-in-law—all of them will celebrate together.”

Lu Er rested in Song Jingmo’s embrace, fingers playing with the edge of his shirt. “We celebrate birthdays every year. Does it have to be such a big deal?”

Song Jingmo tightened his hold. “It only comes once a year. No matter how grand, it’s never too much.”

The next morning, Lu Er woke naturally at nine o’clock.

He opened his eyes to find that no one was beside him.

Dazed, he sat up and heard water running in the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Song Jingmo came out, drying his hair. Seeing him awake, he walked over and planted a kiss on his forehead.

“Take a shower first, then change into something nice before we leave.”

Lu Er rubbed his eyes. “Why not go straight to the restaurant?”

“We will.”

Song Jingmo grinned mysteriously. “Shower first; you’ll see once we get there.”

An hour later, the car drove into the outskirts.

Looking at the increasingly quiet scenery outside, Lu Er asked curiously, “Where are we?”

Song Jingmo smiled. “The restaurant is at a hot spring resort.”

The car wound up a mountain road. Around the bend, the view opened up dramatically.

On both sides of the road, neat rows of roses were planted.

Red, pink, white, yellow—colors intertwined, blooming brilliantly.

A gentle breeze made the petals sway, and the fragrance seemed to drift through the car window.

The car continued forward; the roses stretched on both sides endlessly, as if they would never end.

Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting sparkling spots on the petals—like a scene from a dream.

“How did they plant so many roses?”

Lu Er turned to Song Jingmo, amazed. He had never known A City had such a beautiful place.

Song Jingmo’s gaze remained on the road. “We had the resort decorate it specifically. They’ve been preparing this for months.”

“This isn’t—”

Lu Er couldn’t help but raise his voice, “Why make such a big deal? It’s just a birthday. How much money must this cost? Grandpa would say it’s a waste!”

Song Jingmo glanced at him with a playful smile. “These flowers were all prepared by Grandpa. They were air-shipped from abroad.”

Lu Er: “….”

The car stopped at the resort entrance.

Lu Er stepped out onto a stone path, flanked on both sides by roses.

Walking along the path, his heart beat faster and faster.

Pushing open the door, he heard familiar laughter and chatter.

Leng Qinghua wore a light purple qipao, her hair neatly pinned, chatting with Luo Bingbing.

Lu Chen sat nearby, holding a cup of tea, occasionally adding a comment.

“Mom, Brother, Sister-in-law…”

Leng Qinghua looked up and smiled. “You’re here? Was the trip tiring?”

Lu Er shook his head. Before he could say anything, his gaze fell on the other side.

Song Sinian and Qu Suiwan stood side by side by the window, looking out at the scenery.

Hearing the movement, they turned, their faces warm with smiles.

Beside them stood Song Nanzhi, dressed in a white dress, ethereal and graceful.

“Uncle, Aunt?”

Lu Er was completely stunned; his voice changed tone. “Nanzhi? How… how are you all back?”

Qu Suiwan came over, taking Lu Er’s hand with a smile. “It’s Lu Er’s birthday—we had to come back.”

Song Nanzhi also approached, smiling widely. “Sister-in-law, happy birthday!”

Lu Er’s face flushed at their greetings, feeling a little overwhelmed.

He tugged Song Jingmo’s sleeve, whispering, “Why didn’t you tell me in advance?”

“Uncle and Aunt specially came back for your birthday… this is too…”

Song Sinian and Qu Suiwan’s work made it impossible for them to leave at will. Even getting approval to return home was exhausting, let alone the thousands of words of paperwork required.

Song Jingmo looked down at him, his gaze gentle as spring water. “Just enjoy yourself. Don’t feel any burden at all.”

Leng Qinghua stepped in front of Lu Er, adjusting his collar.

Her tone was a bit teasing, but mostly gentle: “You’re not a kid anymore. Even with a crooked bow tie, you don’t know how to fix it.”

Luo Bingbing teased from the side: “Take a seat quickly. Grandpa’s here.”

Just as she spoke, laughter came from the doorway.

The old master walked in with a cane, vigorous and loud: “My granddaughter-in-law’s birthday must be celebrated grandly!”