Chapter 381 Progress

Jiang Zhizhi listens to the radio every day, but lately the broadcasts have only been reminding border residents not to go out unless necessary. There are fewer and fewer reports about the war, and when there are, they are mostly positive news about small-scale victories.

Jiang Zhizhi was worried, and Fang Hua was even more worried. He would often talk about it at home: "I don't know if Xiye and his men went this time, but Xiye hasn't contacted the family for a while. If it was Xiye's troops who went, they should be able to come back victorious."

He then asked Shang Shiying, "Have Yuanchao and Xingzhou contacted their families recently?"

Shang Shiying was also worried, but she was afraid that if she said it, Fang Hua and the others would worry even more. She smiled and said, "My son rarely contacts me. A grown son is no longer under his mother's control! But you don't need to worry. Xiye and his men are combat troops, but their overall quality is excellent. Even if they are sent to fight, they will definitely be fine."

Fang Hua sighed, "That's true, but bullets don't discriminate. We just hope they can come back safe and sound."

Zhou Chengyu comforted her from the side, "Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry too much. And you must not mention this to Yi Zhizhi. I've noticed she's lost a lot of weight recently. Even if she doesn't say it, she's definitely worried."

Fang Hua nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, I know that. I won't tell anyone. I've also noticed that Zhizhi has been working a bit hard lately. When Zhizhi has some time to rest, we'll take the kids and go to the Beidaihe Sanatorium for a few days."

Zhou Chengyu shook his head: "I'm afraid that won't work. I see that Zhizhi is very busy lately and simply can't find the time."

While they were chatting, little Zhouji walked back and forth holding onto the coffee table, occasionally patting it, and even banging on the tabletop with a rattle drum, giggling as she tried to get the adults' attention.

Shangshang can also stand up while holding onto the small table, but the little girl is rather lazy. If she can sit, she will never stand; if she can crawl, she will not stand up to walk back.

Sitting on the floor now, I see Little Zhou clapping and laughing while tapping the table.

Laughing and shouting, she turned her head to see her grandmother and great-aunt talking incessantly, completely ignoring her and her brother. She made two "ah ah" sounds, first calling for her mother, then for her mother, but her grandmother still ignored her. After a moment of silence, her eyes widened, and she shouted forcefully, "Grandma... Grandma... look..."

Fang Hua and Zhou Chengyu didn't notice at first that although Shang Shang could call for her mother, say "wa wa," and say she was hungry, she couldn't call for her grandmother or anything else.

So I didn't pay attention and thought the little girl was just shouting because she was happy.

On the second try, Fang Hua finally heard it clearly. He looked at Shang Shang in shock, picked up the little girl, and said, "Mommy, was our Shang Shang calling for Grandma just now? Come on, call her again." Shang Shang giggled, put her little hand in her mouth and took a couple of bites, then pointed at Xiao Zhouji and said, "Grandma, look, Grandma, look."

This time, Grandma spoke very clearly in her soft voice.

Zhou Chengyu quickly came over: "Oh my goodness, we can call Grandma now? And we can even show Grandma what we're doing?"

Shang Shang was even happier after being praised, swaying her little body and saying, "Grandma, look, little brother, Grandma..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Shiying exclaimed in delight, "Look, our Shang Shang can not only call her grandma, but also say 'little brother' now. How did she suddenly become so amazing?"

As they spoke, they touched Shangshang's little face and praised her enthusiastically. The little girl became even more excited, calling out "Grandma," "Brother," "Mom," "Dad," and everyone else she could think of while laughing. The adults also laughed non-stop and coaxed Shangshang to talk about other things.

It seems like the little girl suddenly had a language talent switch turned on, and she learned a lot. Some of it wasn't clear, but her tender little voice was very cute.

When Jiang Zhizhi came home from get off work, Fang Hua couldn't wait to hug Shangshang and show her off: "Shangshang, let's say thank you to Mom and have dinner, okay?"

Shang Shang shook her little head, calling for "Mommy, hug me! Mommy, hug me!" and wouldn't listen to Fang Hua's commands at all. Fang Hua smiled and said, "Mommy won't hug you yet. Mommy needs to change her clothes and wash her hands before I can hug you."

After saying that, she said to Jiang Zhizhi, "You have no idea how amazing our Shangshang is today. She can call me 'Grandma' now, and she can also call me 'Little Brother'. She even knows to let me see her."

Jiang Zhizhi exclaimed in surprise, "Our Shangshang is so amazing!"

She quickly changed her clothes and washed her hands, then picked up Shangshang and asked, "Come on, tell Mommy, what can Shangshang do?"

Shang Shang was overjoyed. She hugged Jiang Zhizhi's neck and giggled, "Grandma, Grandpa, little brother."

When she called out to Grandma and Xiao Zhouji, she pointed with her little finger, her expression becoming quite serious. Finally, she patted her little tummy and said, "Shangshang's tummy is hungry..."

This was the longest sentence she had ever spoken, yet it was so clear that it made Fang Hua and the others laugh again.

Because Shangshang the parrot was mimicking speech, the atmosphere at dinner was much less lively. Bian Suxi came over in the evening, and upon hearing that Shangshang could talk, she started playing with it again.

Every time Shang Shang called out "Dad," Jiang Zhizhi felt a pang of sadness. She knew very well that Zhou Xiye hadn't contacted her for so long because he must have gone to the front lines.

However, I also have some good news to share with Fang Hua and the others: "Initiated by Teacher Jin, we have applied for a research group on children's medication, which will focus on the study of children's medication."

Fang Hua exclaimed, "That's a good thing! Children's bodies are delicate, so it's really not suitable for them to take the same medicine as adults."

Zhou Chengyu was a little confused: "Does this need research? For children's medicine, just reduce the dosage by half, right? For children like Shangshang and Xiao Zhouji, a quarter of the dose each time is enough."

Fang Hua shook his head: "Well, it's not that simple."

Mei Zhizhi nodded: "Yes, many of the ingredients in the medicines we adults use are actually harmful to our bodies. We just think they are good because they are effective in treating diseases. These medicines are even worse for children and can damage their brain nerves."

Zhou Chengyu smiled and said, "I don't know anything about this. I was just talking casually. These are things that professionals do. You can do it, and we'll support you."

Fang Hua agreed with this: "Yes, you can go ahead and do your work. We'll take care of the kids at home, so don't worry."

Bian Suxi, who had been silent until now, hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Zhizhi, research requires a lot of funding. Do you have enough?"

Jiang Zhizhi was still not quite sure: "I don't know yet. Professor Jin just informed me today that I need to coordinate with the hospital before I go to the research group."

Bian Suxi paused for a moment: "If you need money, just tell Mom, and I'll support your research group."

Shang Shiying quickly patted Bian Suxi on the shoulder: "You can't be impulsive. You need to keep a low profile so you don't attract too much attention. Don't worry, as long as Zhizhi joins this research group, funding won't be a problem."

Bian Suxi was a little confused: "Why? Zhizhi doesn't have much money, does she?"