Chapter 54 Popcorn Human-Shaped Tree Hole

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Ning Fang stopped using the IV drip and fell asleep, feeling sleepy. Ning Jia tucked her in, picked up her phone, and quietly went out again.

A moment later.

Bai Su cupped her peach-shaped face and calmly recounted the events to the camera, "That's about it."

Ning Jia breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "It's good that you're alright."

It's not a big deal, really.

It was just that Tuantuan and another little one were greedy and secretly opened the jar while the adults were taking their afternoon nap, tasting a few kernels of popcorn. However, Hemeng discovered this and mistakenly identified Hemeng as a "thief," which made things complicated.

Fortunately, with the persuasion of Canglan and Baisu, the two little ones obediently admitted their mistakes and apologized, and Hemeng generously forgave them, so no trouble was caused.

"Tuantuan said that you persuaded him to admit his mistake, and that it's okay for people to make mistakes, as long as they correct them in time."

Ning Jia hummed in agreement. "We should always give those who make mistakes a chance to correct them, so they won't make more mistakes."

"What if... you make a really, really big mistake?" Bai Su said softly.

What? Ning Jia didn't hear her clearly.

Bai Su suddenly turned her back, leaving only her back view in the camera's view, and said, "Ning Jia, I have something to tell you."

What? Another one?

Ning Jia couldn't help but chuckle. Had she become a human confessional today? One after another, they all came to whisper secrets to her.

But she was also very curious about what kind of feelings Bai Su, who was always smart and calm, would confide in her, her "confessional."

Is this another case of teenage angst?

Ning Jia was secretly guessing what was going on, and while she was still secretly chuckling to herself, Bai Su's next words made her smile freeze on her lips:

"Do you know? I... I killed Xuecao and Gancao's mother, and other members of our clan..."

...

“So,” Ning Jia carefully chose her words, “you mean that because you met a giant with a kind face but a wicked heart, and accidentally led him to the tribe’s hiding place, many tribesmen were captured?”

"Mmm." Under the camera, Bai Su's small figure trembled slightly, and a faint sob could be heard.

Ning Jia was stunned. It was the first time she had ever seen the child cry, and she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.

She couldn't help but place her finger on the phone, gently touching the lonely, helpless little figure through the screen:

"This isn't your fault, it's the fault of the bad guys. Besides, those people might not have been hurt. Maybe they managed to escape and met good people like me, and are living happy lives now."

"Hmm." Bai Su lowered her head and said after a while, "If only... it could be like that."

"It definitely will," Ning Jia comforted her.

Bai Su paused for a moment, then suddenly turned around, her red eyes wide, and looked at the camera, saying:

"Ning Jia, I'm sorry."

"The matter of signing the soul contract was actually intentional. I've always been worried that you might end up like that person..."

Ning Jia laughed:

"I think you didn't do anything wrong. On the contrary, I'm quite grateful to you. Just between you and me, I really like our current relationship. It feels like we've gone from acquaintances to friends, or even family."

Bai Su blinked. "Really?"

“Really,” Ning Jia assured him, “I think the giant who signed the contract with you a hundred years ago probably thought the same thing.”

"If only they could meet you."

Bai Su said this out of the blue.

Ning Jia understood, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile. "It definitely will, don't worry."

She assured Bai Su, "Once I'm done with this busy period and go back, I'll help you find your lost clansmen."

"...Yes, thank you."

Bai Su rubbed her eyes, her peach-shaped face looking less sorrowful. Suddenly remembering something, she asked:

"Ning Jia, haven't you resolved things on your end yet?"

"Well, you could say it's resolved, or you could say it's not completely resolved yet."

"The good news is that things can be solved with money; the bad news is... there simply isn't enough money."

When this was mentioned, Ning Jia's cheerful face couldn't help but show a hint of worry. "To sum it up, it's just a lack of money."

"Sigh, money is something that takes a long time to accumulate, but once you start spending it, it's like water flowing away, gone in a flash..."

Bai Su listened thoughtfully, "Do you need our help? We still have some herbs at home, would you like to make some sachets first?"

Ning Jia thought for a moment, "It's okay, there's no rush. I'll do it when I get back. You guys rest for a few days first."

"Okay, then we'll wait for you to come home."

Bai Su rubbed her eyes and gave the camera a sweet smile.

"Hey, Bai Su, did you get sand in your eyes?"

He Meng, her mouth bulging, munched on fragrant, crispy popcorn as she skipped over, interrupting their conversation.

Bai Su/Ning Jia: ...

Seeing Bai Su facing the camera, she suddenly realized, "Oh, you're chatting with Ning Jia too."

She quickly stuck her little head in and squeezed in front of the camera:

"Ningjia, Ningjia, I got to eat popcorn! Hehe, it's so delicious! When you come back, please make me lots more, thank you so much!"

Ning Jia couldn't help but laugh.

He Meng has become quite clever; she actually came up with the idea of ​​using the "thank you first" tactic to morally blackmail herself into making popcorn. It seems that in her heart, this popcorn really is delicious.

...

When Ning Jia returned to the ward with a smile, Ning Fang had also woken up.

She casually placed a bag of snacks by the bedside. Ning Fang, seeing this, asked curiously, "Why did you buy popcorn?"

"Hmm, I haven't had this in a long time, and I suddenly want to eat it."

Ning Jia, in a good mood, took a bowl and prepared nutritional powder for Ning Fang. As she was stirring, Ning Fang suddenly said:

"The doctor just came by."

"What's wrong?" Ning Jia paused, asking nervously.

Ning Fang smiled slightly, "The doctor said that the dosage of the medication for the first treatment is not high, and if there are no problems, I can be discharged in a couple of days."

"That's good." Ning Jia breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "I knew it would be fine."

As she spoke, she began to calculate in her mind:

The hospital stay was shorter than expected, so the related expenses were at least 10,000 to 20,000 yuan less, saving several months' worth of food. That's fantastic.

Seeing Ning Jia chuckling to herself, Ning Fang knew exactly what she was thinking and couldn't help but feel guilty.

"Jiajia, after I'm discharged from the hospital, can you stay one day longer before leaving?"

"Of course you can, even if it's a few days later."

Ning Jia thought Ning Fang had finally come to her senses and wanted him to stay home with her more, so he happily agreed.

At this moment, the patient in the next bed went out for a check-up, leaving only the mother and daughter in the ward. Ning Fang's voice rang out softly but firmly:

"At that time, we'll go through the transfer procedures and put the house in your name."

Ning Jia slammed the bowl down on the bedside table. "Don't bring this up again, or I'll get angry."

"Don't think about those things. Just focus on getting better and take care of this family for me. Don't let me become an orphan."

"You child..."

Ning Fang slapped her on the shoulder speechlessly, "You're always so outspoken."

Ning Jia handed her the nutritional powder, saying, "Don't overthink it. You should use that energy to eat more."

As he spoke, he casually picked up a bag from the cabinet and began to eat it with gusto.

I haven't had popcorn in ages, and I must say, it's actually pretty good.

...

On the day Ning Fang was discharged from the hospital, Ning Jia learned from He Meng that the family's food supplies were running low. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to go back the next day.

When they arrived home, Aunt Lin had already prepared a meal: "You must all be tired, come and eat."

"Thank you for your help again," Ning Jia said apologetically.

Wang Lin laughed and said, "We're family, no need for formalities. Sister Fang helped me so much back then, why are you saying all this?"

Ning Fang smiled and said, "That's right. If the house is sold, I'm planning to move in with your Aunt Lin."

Ning Jia wasn't surprised to hear this. From childhood to adulthood, Aunt Lin had been closer than her own aunt. Plus, she was single now, so it would be more convenient for the two sisters to live together and take care of each other.

After dinner, Ning Fang and Wang Lin chatted in the bedroom, while Ning Jia tidied up the kitchen and went upstairs to the bedroom.

As soon as she opened the door, she exclaimed "Eh!"

The room was clean and tidy, without a speck of dust. Only the desk was a little messy, remaining exactly as it was when she left.

He said the dust in the room was a meter thick, but it turns out he was lying to her!

Ning Jia felt like crying and laughing at the same time. Her gaze lingered nostalgically as she looked around at everything, finally settling on the huge walnut bookcase.

Classic Chinese history, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dragon Ball...

She looked at the sets of picture books, comic books, and various hardcover world classics on the bookshelf, and gradually drifted into memories:

These were all bought for her by Ningfang when she was little. She cherished them greatly, never lending a single one to anyone, and kept them all in sealed bags, preserving them in excellent condition. Even now, they wouldn't be cheap…

Hey—her eyes suddenly lit up, she took a picture of the bookshelf, and sent it to an old classmate she was still in contact with:

Mr. Wang, do you accept these books?

Half an hour later.

Wang Yong stood in Ning Jia's room, looking around and sighing:

"When I was in elementary school, I came to your house to play and I thought your room was so big and beautiful. Now, it still looks pretty big and beautiful."

Ning Jia laughed heartily, "President Wang, you live in a villa now, why are you envious of my little shabby house?"

Wang Yong looked at Ning Jia's large bookcase and laughed, "Really, I've always been particularly envious of your bookcase and all these books."

He said earnestly:

"Ning Jia, if you're really short of money, I'll lend you some, I'm not kidding."

Wang Yong now runs a secondhand recycling company, a far cry from what he used to be. Seeing his former idol reduced to selling books, he couldn't help but sigh.

"It feels like such a waste to just sell these books like this."

"What's the pity?" Ning Jia said while helping to move the books. "I'm not home often, and these books are just sitting there anyway. We might as well sell them for money."

She was excitedly carrying the books when she suddenly said, "By the way, you also buy gold and jewelry, right? Considering how I used to share snacks with you, how about a friendly price?"

Wang Yong: ? ? ?

A familiar feeling called jealousy welled up in his heart. Damn, how come this guy seems to be quite happy whether he's rich or poor?

"Hey, Ning Jia, if I had to pick the person I admire most in this life, you would definitely be one of them."

Ning Jia laughed heartily, "You flatter me, you flatter me."

"By the way, Mr. Wang, I think I have some old iPhones here. Do you buy them?"

Wang Yong: ...