The Ding Family’s house might be old, but it was kept very clean and tidy. It was evident that Ding’s mother and her family all loved to tidy up.
To avoid burdening Ding’s mother, Xu Nianhua and the others all pitched in to help. They even took the initiative to buy three meat dishes from a vegetable market they passed by on their way. Their original intention was to check on Uncle Ding, but they would have felt really embarrassed if they allowed Ding’s mother to prepare lunch especially for them.
After lunch was ready, Ding Guo came back. Ding’s mother then took the meal to the hospital to eat with Ding’s father.
At the Ding’s, it was just the Ding siblings entertaining them.
"My mom’s cooking is really delicious, you should try it. This Meicai Kourou, the dried vegetables were homemade by my mom," Ding Guo warmly entertained them, moved that they came to visit her.
The lunch was lively and warm. After eating, everyone helped clean up the dishes, which were soon tidied away.
The weather today was nice—an overcast day without the scorching sun, and a gentle breeze was blowing—the perfect opportunity to have a look around.
Ding Guo led them on a walk around the neighborhood.
"The sanatorium that Jiayi mentioned is nearby. The sanatorium is really beautiful, and the environment is particularly nice," Ding Guo introduced. Aside from the sanatorium, she also showed them her former school.
"I definitely have to tell my dad to build a house here when I go back!"
Liao Jinling took a deep breath, particularly liking the environment. She thought it would be joyful to stay here occasionally.
"Liao Jinling, you just have to show off how rich your family is, don’t you?" Fei Jiayi could not help but roll her eyes.
"I’m not showing off. Can’t I just tell the truth?" Liao Jinling said innocently, not having any intention to show off, but truly agreeing with what her dad said about admiring the environment here.
"Let’s go have a look over there," Fei Jiayi said as she pulled Xu Nianhua toward the side.
Ding Guo quickly asked, "Aren’t you going to look at the Ancient School?"
"We’re just going to have a look around here," answered Fei Jiayi. Looking at Xu Nianhua, she said, "Nianhua, how about we first take a stroll nearby?"
"Hmm," replied Xu Nianhua, not minding the suggestion. The Ancient School was not bad either, but the nearby environment was also quite nice.
So, the group split into two. Ding Guo took Liao Jinling, Zhou Wanwan, and Chang Hui to see the Ancient School, while Fei Jiayi and Xu Nianhua walked around the school.
"Oh, what is that little boy doing under the tree?" Fei Jiayi suddenly noticed a small boy beneath a large tree not far away. The boy was squatting there, looking down intently.
"Maybe he’s counting ants?" said Xu Nianhua casually.
Fei Jiayi laughed lightly, clearly not believing it, but as they approached, they realized the little boy was indeed counting ants. Right where his gaze fell, there were lots of ants on the move.
"Ants on the move mean rain is coming," Fei Jiayi said with a giggle, then looking up at the sky, she noted, "The weather doesn’t look like it’s going to rain, though."
The little boy acted as though he didn’t hear her, his head still bowed as he watched the ants scurry by.
"Little friend, where are your parents? Why are you by yourself here counting ants?" Fei Jiayi squatted down, eyeing the boy, and unexpectedly found that the little boy was quite handsome!
The little boy remained silent, his head lowered to watch the ants, as if oblivious to Fei Jiayi’s words.
"Little friend, can you hear me talking?" Fei Jiayi even waved her hand in front of the little boy to get his attention.