90 Retarded or Paralyzed?
Lady Tian pinched the Fourth Born’s nose, “You greedy little boy, you have lots of good food to eat now.”
The Fourth Born grinned, “I want to share the good food with daddy, mommy, and granny.”
Lu Gui came out of the room, “I don’t get any?”
The Fourth Born said regretfully, “I forgot about uncle.”
Lu Jiao laughed. She turned to go back to the kitchen and the fourth born followed her. Lady Tian asked, “Will the surgery tomorrow be okay?”
Lu Jiao shook her head, “Mom, do not worry. Everything will be fine. Dr. Qi said Yunjin will heal as long as surgery is done.”
Lady Tian happily nodded, “That’s great. I thought my son-in-law would end up paralyzed in bed for life. It’s great that he is going to heal. Look at you, you’ve been through so much that you lost weight.”
Lady Tian’s heart hurt as she patted Lu Jiao’s head. Lu Jiao was around 165cm tall while Lady Tian was around 170cm. Patting her head was like a natural reaction to her.
Lu Jiao was originally over 170 pounds. In the past little while, she kept herself busy and controlled her mouth, which allowed her to lose almost 15 pounds. The slim down was obvious to everyone else.
“Mom, slimmer is better looking.”
The Second Born quickly shouted out, “Mommy is beautiful even without losing weight. Your skin is pale and your eyes are round. When you smile, they turn into cute crescents.”
The Third Born added, “Mommy is also so capable. You took out the fishbone for Brother Xiaobao and cured Lin Erdan’s sickness.”
The Fourth Born glanced at the Second Born, then the Third Born. They stole all the words he wanted to say so what could he say now?
The Fourth Born pondered hard on what he could say to compliment his mom.
“Mommy, you’re the best!”
Lu Jiao and Lady Tian smiled at the three children, then turned to the First Born.
The First Born pressed his lips into a line and said in a serious manner, “Not bad.”
Lady Tian laughed, “This kid.”
Lu Jiao took out the peaches and grapes to wash and placed them into a bowl.
She pulled off a few grapes and fed them to the four little ones.
“How are they? Yummy?”
The four little ones’ eyes closed in satisfaction and they nodded, “Delicious.”
Lu Jiao then fed a grape to Lady Tian.
Lady Tian couldn’t decline. After she chewed it, her eyes widened, “This grape is so sweet.”
The First Born yelled, “Give some to daddy.”
Lady Tian stared at the First Born. This kid sure was filial. She should have a conversation with her daughter later on about how to educate these children so they grow up to be great.
Lu Jiao wasn’t thinking as much. She took the bowl and headed to the east bedroom. Before entering, she divided out some for Lu Gui and Lady Tian.
“Eat some peaches and grapes. They’re sweet.”
The four little ones ran to Xie Yunjin, “Daddy, the peaches are yummy. So are the grapes. They’re all very sweet.”
The First Born took a grape out of Lu Jiao’s hand. Trying to mimic Lu Jiao, he peeled at the grapes roughly. In the end, only a small piece of grape was left and he shoved it into Xie Yunjin’s mouth.
“Daddy, eat this. It’s sweet.”
Xie Yunjin didn’t mind the ugliness and ate it.
It was obvious that this grape was no ordinary grape. It must be the good kind from a major city.
Why would Dr. Qi give something so precious to Lu Jiao? Why did he continuously give Lu Jiao gifts?
Suspicion clouded Xie Yunjin’s eyes. He asked Lu Jiao, “Why does Dr. Qi give you so many things?”
Lu Jiao thought about it and decided to tell him about Baohe Tang’s offer.
“I told Dr. Qi that I have a family to take care of so I cannot go work there every day. But if they encounter a mysterious case and they need help, I am willing to stop by.”
Xie Yunjin’s first instinct was to reject the idea. There were four little ones plus him. If Lu Jiao spent all her time tending to patients, what would happen to their home?
Quickly though, he remembered that she was not who she used to be. She’s done so much for the family lately and he had no right to take away her own time.
Despite those thoughts, he still showed signs of unhappiness. In a light tone, he said, “If you decide to go, be careful.”
Lu Jiao noticed his obviously unhappy expression. She ignored him. Once his legs heal, they will be separating. She had to plan for her own future.
Lu Jiao asked Xie Yunjin in a caring manner, “How are you feeling today? Any discomfort?”
Xie Yunjin stretched his body.
“See, I’m not dizzy or nauseous. Tomorrow’s surgery won’t be a problem.”
“Okay, that’s good. I’ll cook something light for dinner.”
Lu Jiao put the peaches and grapes on the shelf next to him, “Eat some fruit with the kids.”
Lu Jiao turned around. Outside, Lady Ruan’s shrill voice penetrated the walls.
“My third son, I heard that you are getting surgery tomorrow. Is that true?”
Xie Yunjin’s face turned taunting. He didn’t try to hide the coldness he felt towards that voice.
Lu Jiao also wasn’t happy about Lady Ruan’s arrival. She didn’t say anything however because at the end of the day, she was Xie Yunjin’s mother and she couldn’t just kick her out.
Kicking her out as Xie Yunjin’s wife would tarnish her own reputation. It wasn’t worth it.
Lady Ruan and Xie Laogen walked inside. Lu Jiao pulled out two chairs for them to sit on.
The moment Lady Ruan sat down, she noticed the grapes the four little ones were eating. Her eyes brightened, ��First Born, give me some. Grapes are a good fruit and your fourth uncle hasn’t eaten grapes that size.”
The four little ones protected their food. This was something mommy bought for them and their daddy. Why should they share with the fourth uncle?
Seeing how the children reacted, Lady Ruan wanted to curse at them.
Xie Laogen pushed her to remind her why they were here. They were visiting today to repair their relationship with their third son. They weren’t here to fight. It was just grapes – everyone’s eaten those.
Lady Ruan forced herself to smile, “Alright, alright, you guys eat yourselves.”
Then, unable to stop herself, she educated, “First Born, you are so unfilial at such a young age. What will you be like once you’re older?”
Lady Ruan’s words made Lu Jiao’s face drop. Her words will hurt the children’s reputation.
“Mother, your words sure are funny. Unfilial? They’re my children and they just have to be filial to their mother and father. I’ve never heard of the need for the children to be filial towards their uncle. Is their uncle retarded or paralyzed? Why does he need his nephews to support him?”