Song Lianfeng was truly grateful. Although Old Master Gu had given them food, it was still Jiang Qiao and the others' food supply. She had to make it clear to the children that they shouldn't blame Old Master Gu for his kindness and that they shouldn't end up being resented.

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "Third Aunt, that's my Grandpa Gu. He's no different from my own grandfather. I told him before that I've remembered all the kindness you've shown me. You don't need to worry about it. I was originally planning to bring some things over to you when I came back."

"Please have a seat. I brought you some things this time, so please wait here."

Jiang Qiao brought gifts. She went inside and tidied up. She had bought quite a few things in Huaiguo Old Town. She packed a bag of gifts and also brought out five catties of cornmeal and a bag of brown sugar.

"Auntie, these are for you. Put them in the basket and you can look at them when you get home."

Even without opening the package, Song Lianfeng knew how precious the gift was just from the grain Jiang Qiao had taken out.

"Good heavens, girl, this is too precious, I can't accept it. You've only just returned and don't know what's going on here—"

Jiang Qiao grabbed her hand and said reproachfully, "Third Aunt, what's wrong? You think it's not enough? What kind of relationship do we have? You've watched me grow up since I was a child. How much food have I eaten at your house? Don't argue with me, or I'll send you more food. Then the whole courtyard will know and ask me for it. I don't have that much to give them. Don't make things difficult for me. If I give it to you, just accept it."

By the way, what's the situation with my grandma? Did the Jiang family all leave?

Song Lianfeng scoffed, "They're still leaving? Not a single one left. They all stayed. There's no food left in the countryside, so they're all counting on the city."

Sigh, you know, your grandma's gotten so old and still causing trouble. Even though she hasn't disowned her own son, you really need to think about the future. You've brought all this over, but what will she eat and drink? I saw your grandma secretly scavenging for food in the trash cans outside, sigh—"

A long sigh escaped her lips, unable to express the frustration in her heart. After so many years as neighbors, the old lady had only herself to blame for ending up like this. Was there really such a big difference between a relative and someone she had adopted?

If Jiang Qiao were still living with the old lady, Wang Dahua's fate wouldn't be like this now. She has children and grandchildren around her, but what good would that do? It would be better to live a quiet life with Jiang Qiao.

With Jiang Qiao around, the old lady doesn't have to worry about anything in her old age. Otherwise, why would the neighbors secretly gossip that Wang Dahua is getting senile?

"By the way, it seems your grandma's grandsons are getting quite close to Li Meilan's son. You should be careful in the future."

Jiang Qiao nodded. "They deserve to be taught a lesson. Don't let them get into my hands again, or I'll beat them up without hesitation."

After chatting with Jiang Qiao for a while, Song Lianfeng hurriedly took her things home to cook.

Jiang Qiao was also busy cooking in the kitchen. The two of them used to share a small pot, but now that the small pot was lost, she could only use a large pot. She did have a pot in her spatial storage, but it wasn't practical to take it out now.

As soon as the cooking fumes started rising from Jiang Qiao's side, Li Meilan, wearing slippers, came out from across the street.

"Hey, Jiang Qiao, what are you making that smells so good?"

Jiang Qiao glanced at Li Meilan outside the door. She looked sleepy and her eyes were not as bright as before. She used to have smooth, shiny skin, but she didn't know if it was because her living conditions had deteriorated or because she was hungry. Her complexion was not good, and wrinkles had appeared at the corners of her eyes.

"Oh, Auntie, what can I do? Stir-fry some vegetables, I bought them when I got off the bus. It's lunchtime, aren't you planning to cook?"

Li Meilan said lazily, "What are you doing? We're almost out of food at home. I might as well sleep. If I'm asleep, I won't feel hungry. Jiang Qiao, where did you go? Why did you take so long?"

"By the way, what did your third aunt take with her just now?"

While cooking, Jiang Qiao said, "What else could it be? It's already autumn, and I've only just come back. My grandson and I are out of shoes, so I begged Auntie to make us two pairs."

Li Meilan's mouth watered at the aroma wafting from the kitchen; the more she smelled it, the hungrier she felt.

Seeing Jiang Qiao scoop out the bran, he sighed inwardly, thinking that this place was better and he could get a good meal today.

"Auntie, I have some wheat bran at home. Would you like some?"

Li Meilan couldn't be happier. Wheat bran was a good thing. Wild vegetables were all gone, but with this, at least she could fill her stomach.

A smile immediately appeared on her face. "Well, I can't possibly thank you. I... I don't know how to thank you enough, Jiang Qiao. Thank you."

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "Auntie, you're too kind. We're neighbors, how could I stand by and watch you go hungry? Just wait—"

We had wheat bran at home. I told her grandfather to keep some at home, but she didn't want to eat it; she just wanted to make an appearance. Actually, wheat bran isn't bad. Mixing it in a little is good for the stomach and intestines. After all, it's a coarse grain among refined grains.

But if this were to be her staple food, mixed with some grains, she absolutely could not eat it. With so much grain in her hands, why would she make things difficult for herself? She never mistreats herself; health is the foundation of everything, and without a healthy body, everything else is in vain.

Jiang Qiao casually took out another bag of snacks. These were food substitutes, and Jiang Qiao didn't really like the taste.

"Auntie, don't be disgusted. We've been gone for so long and haven't brought back anything. My son and I have spent all our money. We had to borrow some from someone to get back. Don't let anyone see us. Go back now."

Upon seeing that there was food, Li Meilan thanked them repeatedly and then ran home with the food in her arms.

Watching Li Meilan's retreating figure, Jiang Qiao shook her head. It wasn't that she particularly liked this person, but she could still use him for the time being. As for whether the theft of their belongings was related to their son, that was a matter for the future, and she didn't have any evidence for the time being.

She mixed wheat bran with white flour, intending to save it for steaming buns that evening. From her food storage space, she took out large white flour buns directly from the space.

After the father and son finished eating and rested for a while at noon, Jiang Qiao steamed some buns and went to the Ning family in the afternoon. She hadn't had time to inquire about the old man and the others in the morning, so she brought the gifts after resting.

She never expected that Ning Zhengtao would be home alone, and that he would be so hungry.

"Grandpa Ning, how could you do this? Come on, come home with me, we have food at home."

Without giving the old man a chance to refuse, Jiang Qiao put down his things and quickly helped the old man back. When Qiao Jie saw his old friend in this state, even he was surprised.

"Old Ning, what's wrong?"

Jiang Qiao made some dumpling soup for the old man. It was a good soup for the elderly and easy to digest. Fearing that the old man might not be full, she also brought out a big steamed bun and a bowl of pickled vegetables with hot oil for him to eat with.

After Ning Zhengtao finished eating, he sighed deeply, "I'm old, useless now—"

Jiang Qiao was furious when she found out, "What kind of children are they? It's only because Brother Ning Hao isn't home that they're not here. If they were, I would definitely give them a beating."

Grandpa Ning, don't worry. I'll look into Grandma Ning's situation for you later. Don't worry, it shouldn't be a big problem.