One day…
Five days…
Seven days…
This day, again, was a Sat.u.r.day.
Today, the weather was clear, and the morning sun was abundant.
Dong Xuebing's dormitory had good natural light. He lay on the bed, basking in the sun, and drowsily got up at eleven o'clock, feeling exhausted.
Tired.
It was almost killing him.
This week had nearly worn him out.
Finally, it was time to rest for two days. Dong Xuebing stretched lazily, put on his shoes, and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Jiang Fangfang had taken a leave, and since last week, almost all the tasks of the county government had fallen on Dong Xuebing. It would be fine if it were significant matters, but they were all petty bureaucratic matters. Dong Xuebing didn't dare to make decisions directly; each time, he had to weigh the pros and cons for a long time before deciding. Mayor Jiang trusted him and handed over this pile of work. Dong Xuebing certainly couldn't take it lightly. In addition to the acc.u.mulated work from Mayor Jiang, there were also family quarters projects and other responsibilities Dong Xuebing managed. It was like he was handling the work of two people alone, almost day and night. Well, let's not even mention it. Fortunately, Mayor Jiang’s family didn't hold any funeral ceremonies. After the cremation, they scattered his ashes at sea in Tianjin. Otherwise, Dong Xuebing wouldn't have a moment to catch his breath.
Ah, I wonder how Sister Jiang is doing.
The seventh day is almost over, and there's still no news.
Worrying about Jiang Fangfang's condition and preparing some food for himself, Dong Xuebing suddenly heard the ringing of his phone.
It was Jiang Fangfang's number.
"h.e.l.lo, Xuebing. It's me," Jiang Fangfang's voice was still calm.
Dong Xuebing's spirits lifted, hearing her call him Xuebing. Even the way Mayor Jiang addressed him changed, "Sister Jiang, where are you?"
"I'm at my mom's place."
"How is Auntie's health?"
"It's still the same, always confused." After a pause, Jiang Fangfang said, "Oh, by the way, I didn't tell you. My mother has Alzheimer's for many years now."
"You're okay, right?"
"I'm fine. My mom's mood has improved a bit. Life, old age, sickness, and death, no one can stop it. What can we do if we don't accept it?"
Dong Xuebing sighed in relief, feeling rea.s.sured.
Jiang Fangfang was indeed the same old Jiang Fangfang, so resilient.
In a couple of days, I'll be back to work on Monday. I've also informed the county and heard from Xiaona that you've been busy these days. You've worked hard, Mayor Dong."
"Not hard at all. I've just been constantly concerned about your side. I wanted to call and ask but didn't know how to express it. I'm not good with words and don't know how to comfort people." This was a sincere statement. Dong Xuebing had flipped through his phone book many times in the past few days, looking at Jiang Fangfang's name, but he never dialed.
"You're considerate, and everything is fine now."
"Well, are you going back to the family quarters today?"
"Let's talk about it on Sunday or Monday. I need to spend more time with my mother."
"Alright. Hearing your voice makes me feel relieved. You take care."
After hesitation on the other end, Jiang Fangfang didn't hang up. Instead, she seemed to be searching for words and said, "Did you have lunch?"
"I just had lunch. I made some noodles for myself."
"Oh. What kind of noodles?"
"I originally wanted soy sauce noodles, but it's too troublesome with soaking mushrooms. I didn't feel like bothering, so I made some zhajiangmian, which is easier."
"Zhajiangmian, people in Beijing love that, right?"
"Yes, zhajiangmian is fragrant and less ha.s.sle. The traditional Beijing-style zhajiangmian is not that simple; it involves many ingredients. I just make it casually for myself. As long as I'm full, it's good." After saying these things, Dong Xuebing suddenly realized, "Hey, Sister Jiang, why are we discussing these everyday matters? I've never heard you talk about these things on the phone."
Jiang Fangfang hesitated momentarily on the other end, "What are you doing this afternoon?"
"I'll be home in the afternoon, not going to the office. Most of the work there is done." Dong Xuebing blinked his eyes, feeling that Sister Jiang was hinting at something with this casual conversation. "Sister Jiang, do you have something on your mind?"
Jiang Fangfang calmly said, "It's nothing."
Dong Xuebing sweated a bit, thinking that she must have something. "If there's anything, you don't have to be polite with me."
Jiang Fangfang said, "Actually, I didn't want to trouble you, but…"
Dong Xuebing readily agreed, "Just tell me. As long as I can do it, there's no need for further discussion."
After contemplating, Jiang Fangfang continued, "As I just mentioned, my mother has been confused for many years, behaving like a child. She often argues with me and my dad, and her memory is frequently lost."
Dong Xuebing sighed, "That's difficult. Have you taken her to the hospital for a check-up?"
"Yes, she's been receiving treatment for several years, but with little effect."
"I know some people in hospitals in Beijing. Let me contact them for you," Dong Xuebing thought Jiang Fangfang wanted him to arrange a good hospital for her mother.
However, it turned out to be something else.
"I've taken her to hospitals in Beijing, and it's the same. Her condition has not improved. What I want to trouble you with is another matter. In my mother's eyes, my husband has never pa.s.sed away. My dad and I have told her repeatedly, but she refuses to believe it. Finally, she became angry and even threatened to jump from upstairs once. We were scared, and we dared not mention it again. We just let her believe that my husband is still alive. So, for the past few years, I've been living alone, not staying with my parents, afraid my mom might ask why my husband hasn't come over."
Dong Xuebing couldn't help but say, "Uh…"
"My dad pa.s.sed away, which had a great impact on my mom. Her illness worsened a bit, and these past two days, she has repeatedly asked about my husband, wondering why he hasn't come to see her since her father-in-law pa.s.sed away. She's quite angry. Since last night, she hasn't eaten anything, insisting she must see my husband. If he doesn't come, she won't eat." Jiang Fangfang said, "You also know that I'm not someone who likes to ask for help, but this time, I have no choice. My mother's health is already not good, and she hasn't eaten anything for a whole day. How can she bear it? Even if we give her intravenous nutrition, she doesn't cooperate, swinging her hands everywhere. I can't manage it alone."
Dong Xuebing wiped his sweat, "So, what do you mean?"
"My mother's cognition is still stuck in many years ago, and you look almost identical to my husband. So, I want you to come over and help me. Confuse my mother and deal with it for now."
"Uh, is that okay?"
"There's no other way."
"Oh, but what if I'm exposed?"
"It won't happen. My mom is confused."
"Alright, I'll give it a try."