27 A Big Fortune

Wang An taught his grandfather a few moves he had specially selected from the Five Animal Forms.

These moves were relatively simple, and the range of motion involved was not too large. Regular practice could help improve blood circulation and was particularly beneficial for the lower back.

There were some movements in the Five Animal Forms that were not suitable for elderly people.

Wang An carefully explained the practice techniques of the Five Animal Forms to his grandfather, and he even demonstrated them in slow motion several times.

Then, he guided his grandfather in practicing them, but the old man could not keep it up for long.

"My back hurts. I cannot continue." He waved his hand, massaged his lower back, and headed back into the house.

"Alright, you go back to your room and lie down. We'll continue practicing tomorrow. What would you like for dinner tonight? I'll do the cooking."

"You? Can you do it?" His grandfather stopped in his tracks, turned around, and smiled.

"No problem. I'll let you and Grandma taste my cooking tonight," Wang An said with a smile.

Over the past few months, he had been cooking for himself every day, and his cooking skills had improved significantly.

When evening came, Wang An snatched the spatula from his grandmother's hands and prepared two plates of vegetables, a pot of beef stew, a fish, and a small plate of pastries.

His grandfather loved fish, and his grandmother loved sweets. While sweet treats should be eaten in moderation, having more fish was not a problem.

"Grandma, Grandpa, try my cooking. I bought these pastries for you too."

"Hmm… it smells good!" the old man said with a smile.

"Not bad, not bad," said the old man after taking a bite of the fish.

After dinner, Wang An spent some time chatting with his grandparents before beginning his exercise routine in the house.

His physical strength had greatly improved in recent months. He had increased the number of push-ups and squats to three hundred each.

Whether it was three hundred push-ups or three hundred squats, he usually did them all in one go. This was a sign of his overall improved physical fitness.

He slept through the night, and the next morning, he prepared to take his grandparents to the county hospital for a comprehensive physical examination.

Originally, Wang An intended to take both of them to the county hospital for a check-up. However, his grandmother refused vehemently. She insisted that her health was fine and that there was no need to waste money.

No matter how much Wang An tried to persuade her, she refused to go. In the end, Wang An compromised and promised to take her for a check-up next year. After reaching an agreement with the old lady, he took his grandfather alone to the hospital.

After a comprehensive examination, several health issues were found in his grandfather. After all, he was getting older, and various bodily functions were declining.

The cause of his back pain was also identified as degeneration of the lumbar spine.

It was a common problem among elderly people in the village due to years of strenuous labor.

There was not a very effective treatment for it. Methods like acupuncture, applying medicinal patches, hot compresses, and massages could only provide temporary relief.

Surgery was an option, but the doctor said it was not necessary for his grandfather, who was nearly eighty years old. Conservative treatment should suffice.

Watching his grandfather's hunched body and furrowed brows as he walked with the pain, Wang An felt upset.

If possible, he would have offered his own health to his grandfather.

After picking up some medications from the hospital, they left. When they came out of the hospital, it was already noon. Wang An wanted to treat his grandfather to a meal outside, but his grandfather insisted on returning to the village to eat.

They did not take the bus back but instead, hailed a taxi directly to the village.

"We could have taken the bus. The taxi fare is too expensive!" After getting out of the taxi, the old man was still regretting the taxi fare.

"You'll have many more places to spend money in the future. Don't worry about such a small sum," Wang An said.

When they arrived in the village, a car drove past them and suddenly slowed down. The window was rolled down and a young man in his twenties poked his head out. He was a little fat and dressed fashionably.

"Wang An, when did you come back?" The man smiled and greeted Wang An.

"It's you! I just got back," Wang An said with a smile after recognizing the person in the car.

This person was Wang An's junior high school classmate, Zhang Yun, who also lived in this village.

"I heard that you're doing well in Hu An City?"

"I'm just doing so-so." Wang An smiled.

It was always better to say one was getting by when asked how life was going. If a person acted too showy, others might compliment them on the surface but would talk behind their back in jealousy.

Even if the person was not doing well, they could say that you were doing just fine. If they showed signs of being down, others might comfort them on the surface, but ridicule them behind their backs.

That was human nature. After all, there were only a few people in the world who truly cared and hoped for the best for the person dear to them.

They exchanged phone numbers.

"Let's keep in touch." After saying that, Zhang Yun drove away.

"He's working in the city department now. He has a house and a car." The old man watched the car drive away.

Wang An saw a hint of envy in the old man's eyes.

'Maybe I should buy a car soon.'

Although his grandfather did not say it, Wang An hoped he could do it for his grandfather. Wang An did not care what other people thought about him, but he cared about the feelings of his grandparents.

Back at home, Grandma had already prepared lunch.

During the meal, the old couple talked about daily matters. They talked mostly about who had gotten married and who had bought a house in the city.

As Wang An ate and listened to the conversations of his grandparents, he felt increasingly uneasy.

He decided that after New Year's Day, he would go to Hu An and buy a car. That way, he could take the two old people around for sightseeing.

"Grandma, Grandpa, actually, I've made a fortune in Hu An recently!" Wang An hesitated for a moment.

He decided to tell a white lie to make the two old people happy.

"I was planning to buy a better car, but I was a bit busy. What kind of car do you like?"

"You should choose what you like. Have you bought a house in Hu An?" his grandmother asked.

"Yeah, but I'm still looking around. I'm thinking of buying a bigger one."

His grandparents were much happier after hearing Wang An's words. They smiled.

"After you buy it, let us know, and we'll come visit," his grandfather said.

His biggest wish was to see Wang An buy a house in the city, get married, and have children. Then, he could peacefully pass away.

"We're troubling you too much. We don't have to go visit," said his grandmother.

"Of course, you have to visit! Not just visit either… you have to stay with me!" Wang An smiled.

After hearing that, his grandparents laughed, and their faces were full of joy.

Seeing the happiness on their faces, Wang An felt even happier.