After finishing her work in the kitchen, Li Meihua came out and saw them chatting. She wasn't angry, so she joined in and said something.

"Business is good today. After they've mostly left, we'll have hot pot too."

There's a good piece of meat in the kitchen; I can cut it up and use it for hot pot.

"Mmm." Tao Chunfang responded, rubbing her belly. "I've been craving meat lately, probably because the little one is craving it. I'll have to eat more today."

Li Meihua looked back at her daughter-in-law's belly and said, "You might have a son this time, he eats so much meat."

"Yes, that's what I think too." Tao Chunfang had always wanted to give her husband a son. In the countryside, not having a son was tantamount to the family line ending.

Although the country now advocates that boys and girls are equal, she still thinks sons are better because daughters will eventually get married and sons can stay at home.

"Manli, you'll be starting elementary school next year. I feel like it's a bit too early," Li Meihua said, her hands still busy as she spoke.

“She asked to go to primary school herself and didn’t want to go to kindergarten anymore. This child must have seen that Chenqiu was having fun in primary school and thought that primary school was more interesting than kindergarten.” Tao Chunfang found a stool and sat down.

"She's carefree in kindergarten, but she'll have to learn to recognize and write characters in elementary school. She'll definitely cry then."

"I have to walk the path I chose myself. Who told her to keep tormenting me?" Tao Chunfang replied with a smile.

Qiao Haixing pushed open the door of the snack bar and the first thing he saw was a pot on the table, steaming hot. Various ingredients were arranged around it. Qiao Haisheng was placing a bottle of wine on the table.

Qiao Dashan pulled out a chair and sat down, holding chopsticks as he was about to put mutton into the pot.

My family was in the same situation last year.

When Qiao Haisheng saw his second brother arrive, the smile on his face vanished, and he guessed that they probably didn't have enough money for the hospital stay. He glanced towards the kitchen at Li Meihua.

Li Meihua sensed something was wrong and went outside to investigate. Upon seeing Qiao Haixing arrive...

"Second brother, you came through this heavy snow, is it because you don't have enough money for the hospital?"

"Yes. I'd like to borrow a little more so my son can stay for another seven days, and then I can take him home to care for him." Qiao Haixing felt very guilty and lowered his head after speaking.

Li Meihua took out 80 yuan from her pocket, walked over and stuffed it into his hand.

"Take this money first. Everything depends on Dongdong's condition. If it's not enough, come back to us to borrow more."

You can pay us back after you start working.

Qiao Haixing looked up: "Sister-in-law, thank you for being willing to help me like this."

Li Meihua sighed, unsure what to say next. That day, her son confessed to her that if he hadn't been so talkative, Qiao Dongdong wouldn't have gotten hurt.

She bears some responsibility, and besides, she's not the type to stand by and watch someone die.

Qiao Haisheng stepped forward and pulled Qiao Haixing, who was about to leave, saying, "Since you're already here, have some hot pot before you go back."

"Have your sister-in-law pack some more steamed buns later so they can take them back and try them."

"Hmm." Qiao Haixing actually wanted to stay and eat, but he was a little embarrassed.

And so, another person joined the table. Although no one was entirely happy about it, no one showed it on their faces. The other customers gradually left, the door closed, and everyone started cooking their own hot pot.

Qiao Haisheng always took good care of Qiao Haixing, always giving him some of the best food.

Qiao Haixing once again felt the love and care of an older brother, and memories of the past resurfaced in his mind. He remembered how, after becoming an adult and gaining power, he had looked down on his elder brother.

I realized at that moment that I was no human being at all.