Chiang Caijiao had recently become noticeably thinner, her cheeks hollowed, and she seemed to float as she walked, as if she might collapse at any moment.
Running from the village to town to deliver meals was actually a break for her. After all, to save time and keep the food from getting cold, she could take a ride on a bullock cart; however, for the return trip, she had to walk.
Once at the hospital, Chiang Caijiao absolutely refused to deliver food to the neighboring Chiang Baohe, and Song Xiyun was also reluctant to go, so they brought all the meals to Ho Laidi’s ward and shoved Chiang Baohe’s portion onto Yang Dazhi.
"Uncle, this is Baohe’s food. You deliver it."
Chiang Qingshui gave her a glance and couldn’t help saying, "Sister-in-law, you sure don’t hold back in bossing my husband around. Weren’t you the one who was supposed to deliver the meals? Can’t you do it?"
Song Xiyun, aware that Chiang Qingshui and her group had come to help and might even contribute some money, felt irritated but dared not argue back and snatched the meal to angrily go to Chiang Baohe’s ward.
"Just look at my sister-in-law, getting lazier by the day!" Chiang Qingshui pursed her lips, stood up, and said, "Alright, Mom, you eat. Da Zhi and I will just go buy a corn bun to eat. Once we’re done, I’ll go find Uncle."
"Auntie, can I come with you?" Chiang Caijiao suddenly asked.
She had heard that Chiang Xiao and the others had rented a big house in town and that Chiang Xiao’s room was very nicely decorated. She really had always been curious and wanted to see it for herself.
But Chiang Qingshui rejected her.
"Why would you follow? Stay here and look after your grandma. After she finishes eating, you’ll need to hurry back home!" Chiang Qingshui looked at her dismissively.
After all, she never really liked this niece of hers, and now, to take her out would mean covering her meal expenses as well.
A child nearing ten eats a lot, and she was not about to treat her.
Chiang Qingshui dragged Yang Dazhi away with her.
In Osmanthus Alley, after Chiang Xiao and the others had eaten, the pregnant Ge Xiaotong, not feeling well, went for a nap. Ge Dejun and Liu Pei went back to the Ge Family home. Chiang Xiao had not inquired about their situation with Grandma Ge.
Ge Liutao hadn’t once mentioned wanting to go back and visit, and she and Chiang Songhai seemed to be somewhat avoiding the subject.
Chiang Xiao boiled another pot of Ganoderma water to fill the thermos, then poured herself a cup in an enamel mug and took it into the room to continue working on the painting she planned to enter into a competition.
The things Yang Dazhi had said during his visit hadn’t affected her; after all, she had already made up her mind. If Chiang Qingshui really dared to cause trouble at her door, then Chiang Xiao was truly prepared to grab a weapon and beat her.
Meanwhile, in Xinying District of the provincial city, Meng Xinian had just returned from intensive training, covered in mud and sweat, his face so dirty that his features were indiscernible.
Just as he was about to head to the dormitory to wash up, a loud and sonorous song suddenly echoed from the cafeteria.
Meng Xinian’s brows lifted as he asked Zhao Xin, walking beside him, "Have those guys transformed?"
After Xinying District was established, they were of course not the first to enter. On the contrary, their arrival was quite late. An administrative unit had been initially stationed there, handling the logistics and inspection of supplies and information.
The group Meng Xinian brought, however, was special. As soon as they arrived, they were burdened with heavy training tasks.
His team was vigorous, and usually, when encountering people from the administrative unit, they tended to walk around them, having little to no interaction.
However, in Meng Xinian’s view, the people from the administrative unit were too weak. Many were doing clerical jobs, appearing genteel and frail; he had no interest in socializing with them.