Ning Zhengtao was so hungry because his children came and ransacked the house. The old man couldn't cook, and he couldn't eat what was left. He was also worried about his wife's condition, which is why he ended up in the state Jiang Qiao saw.

Qiao Jie sighed and handed the tea to his old friend. "Old Ning, don't think about anything. We know what kind of person Zhu Lin is. We've been neighbors for so many years, don't we? Good people are rewarded. She'll be fine."

During this time, you'll eat at our house. Whether the food is good or bad, at least you'll have enough to eat. We'll figure out how to feed the others later.

Ning Zhengtao gave a wry smile. "Brother Qiao, there's no need for us to eat here. There are already too many people in our courtyard who can't get enough to eat. If they all come to your place, how will the two of you survive?"

Jiang Qiao chimed in, "How about this, we'll cook a meal and bring one for you. I noticed no one's been bringing it to you, so no one's going to complain, right?"

"Grandpa Qiao, why don't you stay home and talk with Grandpa Ning? I'll go out to buy some things, and we'll go out later."

Qiao Jie nodded. "Okay, go ahead and buy more."

The old man got up and brought his old friend some fruit. "Here, have some. Older people should eat more fruit; it's good for their stomach and intestines."

Ning Zhengtao and Qiao Jie didn't stand on ceremony and ate while Ning Zhengtao shared his thoughts with Qiao Jie.

“My son came home saying he wasn’t getting enough to eat, and my daughter came home saying we were starving. What am I, an old man, supposed to do? If I were capable, I could get some food and my children wouldn’t go hungry. I have to save it from my own diet.”

Over time, they got into a habit of coming back on the day they were to collect their grain. They used to leave me some grain, but this time, I don't know what happened, they took all the good stuff. What could I say? I couldn't digest that bran.

They're all family, so I couldn't say anything. I could only bear it all myself, but I never expected that I still couldn't hold on.

Looking back now, I realize you're really lucky, brother. Look at how well Jiang Qiao takes care of you, even I'm envious, not to mention the food."

Grandpa Qiao sighed and patted Ning Zhengtao on the shoulder. "From now on, if there's anything for your brother to eat, there will be some for you too. Even if I'm gone, there's still Qiao'er. Don't be discouraged. It's probably just that the child has it too hard. Don't forget, they are parents too. Sigh, every family has its own troubles."

Jiang Qiao said she was going to buy things, but it was just an excuse to take things out of her space. She also went to her uncle's place, which was quite remote, but it made it easier for her to get the car out. While visiting her uncle, she also wanted to inquire about the situation of the Ning family's old lady, Erping's grandparents, and parents.

When she drove past, Gu Zhengkai thought he was seeing things. He heard that someone was looking for him outside, but he never expected it to be his own niece. This girl had run away and there had been no news for more than half a year. He thought that she wouldn't be back until the New Year.

"Qiao'er, where did you get this car? Can you drive?"

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "Of course I know how. My dad taught me, he taught me personally, how could it be fake? I borrowed it from my dad's comrade-in-arms. Your place is a bit remote. If I didn't get a car and had to walk, would I even want to keep my legs?"

"Let me tell you, I just got off the train this morning and came straight here to see you. See how filial I am, your eldest niece?"

Gu Zhengkai chuckled and ruffled Jiang Qiao's hair. "Little girl, you're really something. You came to see your uncle and brought me all this stuff. Don't tell me you didn't load anything into this car and just drove here empty. Let me tell you, your uncle's stomach is rumbling right now."

Gu Zhengkai had nothing to say about his own niece. This girl was capable enough to help him overturn a case, so what couldn't she do?

Jiang Qiao said with a smile, "That's right. I can't come empty-handed. What do you want to eat? I'll unload it for you right away. Don't just stand there, hurry up and help. I have to go to Grandpa's house later."

Uncle, how are Grandpa and the others?

Speaking of his elderly father, Gu Zhengkai felt even more guilty. He originally thought that after he got out of prison, he could at least take care of his family. However, after he started working, he realized that he was wrong. He simply didn't have the time to take care of his family, let alone his father and children.

He hasn't been home for almost a month, and he doesn't know what's going on at home.

"Alas, thank goodness for the food you provided, otherwise, they would have been in dire straits."

After getting into the car with Jiang Qiao, Gu Zhengkai was dumbfounded. He knew his niece was capable, but her capabilities were too great. He lacked everything, but these things seemed to be no problem for his niece. In addition to food and clothing, she even brought him fruit.

Gu Zhengkai was dumbfounded. "How are we supposed to carry all of this? There's quite a lot."

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "Uncle, I have no objection to you taking everything back, but do you have a place to put it? Do you have a place to sit?"

Gu Zhengkai thought about it and realized that if he was afraid of being seen eating meat, he would be even more afraid of these things.

"Alright, I'll take some to eat first, and you can take the rest to your grandfather. No, Qiao'er, where did you get all this stuff?"

Jiang Qiao gave a wry smile. "Uncle, I've been gone for more than half a year. Do you know where I went? South, the southernmost part of the country. Just think about it, how could I not get this little bit of stuff?"

Gu Zhengkai looked at him with admiration. "You're really something, running so far. You're really brave, girl. Well, your uncle is benefiting from your success this time. I won't ask any questions. I'll just focus on eating."

Jiang Qiao took out meat buns and let Gu Zhengkai eat them in the car. She also handed him a pot of water. "You eat first. I'll help you choose something. Uncle, you can keep these snacks for yourself. Take some of this meat and salted fish back with you. It'll be a nice treat for everyone tonight."

Keep some of this fruit and give some to your colleagues. You can keep these pickled vegetables and share them with everyone.

Don't worry, I'll bring you more later after you finish eating. Take this wine back with you; it's medicinal wine..."

Jiang Qiao pointed out each item to Gu Zhengkai one by one. She was worried that her uncle would be ostracized since he had just arrived. With these things as a foundation, people would have to treat her uncle well because of them.

Gu Zhengkai ate while secretly wiping his eyes. He wasn't stupid; what was the child's purpose in choosing things like this and giving such detailed instructions?

"Qiao'er, your uncle is now the Party Secretary, so he's an official. Nobody ostracizes me, and I feel quite happy working here."

Jiang Qiao packed the things away in the basket and bag, then turned to look at Gu Zhengkai and said with a serious expression, "Uncle, it's not that I'm being petty, but wherever there are people, there will inevitably be open and covert struggles. Things are fine now, but who knows what will happen in the future? You must be careful in everything you do."

By the way, I have something to ask you…