"Alright, don’t keep Nian’an waiting," Xu Nianji stopped talking and went to the doctor’s office with Xu Nianhua, while at the same time bidding farewell to Pei Yicheng.
As Xu Nianhua supported Xu Nianji, who limped along to the doctor’s office, Xu Nianhua whispered, "Big brother, next time, can you not share my grades with others?"
"Why can’t I talk about it when your grades are so good?"
The sound of Xu Nianji’s disagreement grew fainter and fainter.
Pei Yicheng was silent, watching their retreating figures, and said nothing.
"Yicheng, should we go get the results now?" Ling Dong said quietly, not sure why, but he felt like Yicheng’s mood had suddenly dropped.
Pei Yicheng remained silent for a while before finally saying, "Mhm."
Ling Dong happily pushed Pei Yicheng to go get the examination results.
After making sure Xu Nianji’s wound hadn’t become infected and rebandaging it, the three siblings headed for Granny Cai’s house.
"Big brother, let me carry you," Xu Nian’an said, seeing Xu Nianji struggling to walk.
Xu Nianji shook his head and said, "I can walk, just a bit slower."
Though Nian’an was strong enough to carry him, it would be too taxing.
On the way there, Xu Nian’an had been dripping with sweat; the weather was hot, and his shirt had dried by now. If he carried him again, it might get soaked once more.
"Did you take good care of the injury? How is it, no issues with the wound?"
Granny Cai, with her kind face, looked at them, asking with concern.
"Granny Cai, the doctor said my brother’s wound is healing very well. In a few days, once the gauze is removed, he’ll be fine," Xu Nianhua said cheerfully.
Granny Cai smiled and nodded, but hesitated to speak further.
Xu Nianhua asked, "Granny Cai, is there something you want to say?"
"I’m really sorry, I... I’m taking my grandson to South City, to my son’s place," Granny Cai said somewhat apologetically to Xu Nianhua.
She had grown fond of Xu Nianhua during their time together. Although she only stored Mung Bean Jelly at her place, Xu Nianhua would always leave some for her, and last time, he even gave her a bowl of bean sprouts. He didn’t have to give her anything for just storing his items.
And the time before last, when Granny Cai felt unwell, it was Xu Nianhua and his siblings who took her to the hospital.
"That’s great news, congratulations, Granny Cai, your family will be reunited." Xu Nianhua said sincerely. Granny Cai, with her grandson in the county, though they had food and clothing, was getting older, and her grandson was too young and ignorant. Occasional county stays were fine, but if she was alone long term and something happened to Granny Cai, would the little grandson be able to help?
"About this house..." Granny Cai looked remorsefully at Xu Nianhua, "I’m afraid I’ll have to rent it out."
She would be living in South City permanently, so the house would be empty. Being in the county town, it would definitely find tenants. Renting it out would bring in some money.
However, renting it out meant it would be less convenient for the siblings to store their things.
A thought occurred to Xu Nianhua, who asked, "Granny Cai, how much are you planning to rent out this house for?"
Granny Cai looked at Xu Nianhua in surprise, then at Xu Nianji and Xu Nian’an, noting that though they seemed surprised, they didn’t voice any objections. She said, "This house is street-facing; it’s a bungalow, but it has three rooms, a kitchen, and a living room. I’m not taking anything with me, so the price is a bit high."
"However, if you want to rent it, I can give you a discount—fifty yuan a year." Granny Cai’s price was ten yuan cheaper than others’, a consideration she had for the good nature of Xu Nianhua and his siblings.