The next morning, Jiang Qiao and Hou Diankui went out to collect recyclables.

Hou Diankui rode a donkey backwards, with Jiang Qiao sitting on the cart. The two of them were dressed quite appropriately.

However, their scrap metal collection business hadn't been going on for long when they were stopped by a few teenagers. Jiang Qiao couldn't tell anything from their clothes; they looked quite clean. But the things they said were rather filthy.

You tell me, if someone calls himself "Laozi" in front of Jiang Qiao and Hou Diankui, which of those two would give way to him?

Jiang Qiao didn't even need to lift a finger; the old man got out of the car and said, "Come on, let's see if I'm your father or you're mine, you brat, you need a lesson—"

The group of petty thugs initially didn't take Jiang Qiao and Hou Diankui seriously. They thought the old, weak, and women couldn't possibly have any skills; they just wanted some money. But to their surprise, the old man had become quite assertive.

"Alright, old man, have some backbone. Don't think I'm bluffing you. Hand over the money now, or don't blame us for being impolite."

The old man had no time to waste words with them. Just for their behavior, he had to teach them a lesson. They were still young and had already started to cause trouble.

Hou Diankui immediately kicked the leader to the ground, and the others swarmed in. Dealing with these people was no problem for Hou Diankui at all.

Jiang Qiao sat in the car watching with amusement, munching on sunflower seeds while making sarcastic remarks to the other person.

"With this level of skill, you dare to hang out on the streets? I'm ashamed for you. Master, beat them up. We won't let this matter end until they're completely disowned by their own parents."

When they encountered a tough opponent, these guys immediately chickened out, especially the young man in the lead, who immediately knelt down before the old man.

"Grandpa, can I call you Grandpa? Please forgive us. We promise we won't do it again. Please don't hit them. They did it all for me. Please hit me instead."

Jiang Qiao clicked his tongue twice. "You're a bit of a coward, but not bad. You know how to protect your brothers. Come on, state your names so I can find out who you are."

The boys' faces immediately fell. "Grandpa, please don't come looking for us, I beg you! We were wrong, we were blind, please forgive us, you're my grandpa, okay?"

Seeing the other person's demeanor, Jiang Qiao had a question in her mind. This person didn't seem like a street thug. It wasn't that the other person was cowardly, but rather that she felt that this person might have some kind of hardship that forced him to come out and rob.

Especially considering that the other party still had some sense of propriety, Jiang Qiao clapped her hands and got down.

"Get up. Tell me the truth. If your reasons are valid, we can forgive you."

The child glanced at Jiang Qiao with a troubled expression, while the others beside him looked on anxiously.

"Dongzi, just tell them. Oh dear, I'm so anxious. Let me tell them."

Comrade, we are at our wits' end. Dongzi's younger brother, sister and grandmother are all sick, and there is no income at home. There is only so much we can do to help. All three of them are bedridden, especially his grandmother. The old lady's condition is not good, and the family is about to run out of food. What do you suggest we do?

We don't have jobs either, and we have families to support, so this is the only way we can help him.

Upon hearing this, Dongzi lowered his head even further. "Grandpa, please don't be angry. Please don't come looking for us. My grandma is sick, and I don't want her to be upset."

Hou Diankui sighed and patted Dongzi on the shoulder. "I'll let it go because of your filial piety. You're quite the man, but your behavior is not something to be encouraged."

Do you even realize how lucky you are to have run into us today? If it had been someone else, you'd probably be spending your next life in jail. Have you thought about the consequences? What would happen to your grandma and your younger siblings then?

Hou Diankui spoke these words while weeping bitterly, "Grandpa, I was wrong. I didn't think that much. I just wanted to get some money for my grandma's medical treatment and to buy medicine and food for my younger siblings."

Jiang Qiao sighed, "Since we've run into each other, why don't you take us there to see? If it's really as you say, then help us as much as you can. Remember, don't ever think about going astray again; that's not the path someone like you should take."

"A real man walks the straight and narrow, doing upright and honorable things. It's okay if you make a mistake, but those are your friends. Do you really want to see your friends get arrested because of you? Alright, I'm not going to argue with you anymore. Lead the way—"

As soon as Jiang Qiao spoke, the group of teenagers looked at each other, and seeing their friend turn around and lead the way, they followed closely behind.

As Jiang Qiao walked, she asked the group, "Where are Dongzi's parents? Is there no one else in his family?"

When the topic turned to their good friend's family, the group of teenagers took turns telling Jiang Qiao about Dongzi's family situation.

To be honest, Dongzi is a pitiful child. His parents are locked up and it's not easy for them to see each other. So the family has fallen on the shoulders of the old lady. Dongzi does have an aunt, but unfortunately, because of her family's affairs, she has already severed ties with her family.

Jiang Qiao couldn't comment on this matter either; it seems to be a common phenomenon now, with everyone acting in self-preservation.

However, this girl is really something, leaving her mother and nephew unattended. If she can't come openly, she can come secretly. Who's going to keep an eye on her every day to see if she's been back to her parents' home or helped her nephew?

Jiang Qiao thought Dongzi's house was pretty good. It was a detached house with two courtyards. You really couldn't afford such a house without some wealth. Of course, it might have been passed down from his ancestors.

"Hey, what exactly did Dongzi's dad do wrong?"

The group of teenagers looked at each other, then blinked at one another.

"You'd better ask Dongzi about this. We don't know the specifics either, but we do know that your uncle and aunt are good people."

When we used to visit Dongzi's family, his aunt and uncle always treated us very warmly, and they would always share any good food they had with us.

Jiang Qiao wasn't oblivious to the subtle tension between the children. It seemed there was some hidden story behind it, but they were too embarrassed to say anything for the sake of their friends.

However, I'm actually happy for Dongzi. At least he has such a good friend by his side during his most difficult time.

Dongzi reminded her of Ning Hao from back then, and she sighed inwardly.

Dongzi at least enjoyed the love and care of his parents, but what about Haozi? Sigh, I can't even think about it. Just thinking about it makes me feel sorry for my husband.

Hou Diankui followed Dongzi into the house. When he saw the three people lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), the old man frowned.

Touching the foreheads of the two little ones, the old man quickly called out to Jiang Qiao, who had followed behind.

"Girl, come quick and take a look. Something's not right with these two children."