Congratulations, congratulations!

Jiang Xiuqi patted Gu Zhengfeng on the shoulder, then changed the subject, "However, now that you have this child, don't neglect our Qiao'er."

Gu Zhengfeng composed himself and nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, no one can replace my daughter in my heart."

I told Jiang Xiuqi about going to the city to see the old man off, and when I got back, I shared this great news with Grandpa Qiao.

"Oh my, this is wonderful news! Good heavens, another baby is coming! Tell your father when you get back, and let him be happy too. Adding a new member to the family is a great joy. Tell your wife to take good care of herself and not to overeat. Now she's eating for two. If you need anything, just write to us. Your uncle may not have any other skills, but he can definitely get you some tonics. We can also find a way to get some good food for your daughter."

The old man talked to Gu Zhengfeng all the way. The child was not only Gu Zhengfeng's expectation, but also Qiao Jie's.

Jiang Qiao stayed by his side. The old man didn't say anything, but he felt quite guilty. Putting aside the fact that Gu Hanting was his benefactor, Jiang Qiao's parents couldn't live with their child either.

Now that Wen Jingwan is pregnant, this predicament can be resolved, so the old man is genuinely happy.

Gu Zhengfeng's appearance in the courtyard made the neighbors wonder if he was there to see Old Qiao for treatment or if he was a relative.

Of course, there were also direct inquiries. When Gu Zhengfeng was sweating profusely while helping the old man stack honeycomb briquettes, the person immediately asked him about it.

"How's Jiang Qiao's newly recognized father?"

"Could it be his biological father?"

The old man chuckled. "Just think of him as my real father. How can he not be like me?"

In front of the old man, the neighbors couldn't say anything. What a resemblance! The People's Liberation Army comrades are so tall and imposing, and handsome too. Jiang Qiao really doesn't look like him at all.

It's not that Jiang Qiao is bad, it's just that this girl's appearance is a bit lacking. How could she have such a handsome biological father? This girl looked quite cute when she was little, but she got darker and darker as she grew up, and her appearance really wasn't that outstanding.

The other party took it as the old man joking, saying that calling him a godfather was more appropriate.

Because it was during working hours, there weren't many people in the courtyard. If there were, they were mostly elderly. After Gu Zhengfeng finished his work, he drove away without even eating. Those who came back from get off work didn't think much of it, even if they heard about it. However, Song Lianfeng came over and asked about it.

"Yes, we just met. They're busy and don't have time to come over. Jiang Qiao had to go out, so they came to lend a hand."

Qiao Jie felt there was no need to explain too clearly. He had already explained it back then, but people didn't believe him, and there was nothing he could do. Even with Song Lianfeng, he used the same excuse. As long as it was beneficial to his own child, he didn't care about anything else.

"Well, it's good to have someone to take care of. They can visit each other as relatives in the future, and Qiao'er will have someone else to look after her."

By the way, has Grandpa Ning returned yet? Did you see him?

Qiao Jie looked at Song Lianfeng in surprise, "What's wrong? Did you go to see her husband again?"

Song Lianfeng sighed, "What do you mean by visiting your husband? His daughter was beaten black and blue by her son-in-law. Do you think the old man can't go over there?"

If you ask me, you should just get a divorce as soon as possible and find someone else who will definitely be better than this one. What kind of people are they? The old couple has been supporting their family for years, and they still want to offend them. Why doesn't anyone care about the old lady?

"Sigh, there's really nothing I can say. I reckon the old man hasn't come back yet; he's probably staying over there."

Qiao Jie gave a wry smile. "How could that be? Old Ning doesn't like that family at all. He definitely won't stay there. I'll prepare dinner first, and maybe he'll come back later."

Qiao Jie didn't have to wait long before Ning Zhengtao returned with his daughter and youngest son. Even Qiao Jie shook his head when he saw the state of Ning's daughter.

The beating was quite brutal. Just as Song Lianfeng said, since the girl and son had returned, Qiao Jie didn't go over to bother them, only asking if they had eaten.

Ning Zhengtao glared at his daughter, annoyed. "What are you eating? I'm already full of anger. Old Qiao, save some for me. I'm going home first."

The youngest son of the Ning family greeted Qiao Jie with a smile, "Uncle Qiao, we haven't eaten yet. If you've prepared extra, please take some with us too, thank you!"

Ning Zhengtao turned and glared at his son. "You brat, go eat at your own home. Who has extra food? Does anyone owe you anything?"

Qiao Jie sighed. He used to envy the Ning family, the old couple, for having two sons and a daughter. How wonderful! But now he wasn't envious anymore. They were all here to collect debts. The eldest son was successful, but so what? He was never seen all year round, and the house didn't even look like a home.

The old man is very content with his current life. He has enough to eat and wear, and Jiang Qiao is with him. He is happier than anyone else in his later years.

He went back and delivered the dinner he had prepared to the Ning family. He hadn't made much; it was just porridge with pickled vegetables. Jiang Qiao wasn't home, and he didn't have much of an appetite, so drinking some porridge was good for his health.

The two Ning children were somewhat disappointed when they saw the porridge; they had thought the old man would bring them some dry food.

"Old Joe, thanks a lot!"

Qiao Jie urged his buddies to eat quickly, "Let's talk about this after we've eaten. What I'm saying is, how should we handle Eileen's matter?"

Ning Botao snorted, "You ask my sister. Back then, our parents were so against it, but she insisted on marrying that scoundrel. Now look what happened, she's suffering herself, and we're all getting dragged down with her."

I'm truly speechless, Ning Ailin. How could you be so blind as to stay with that bastard?

If you ask me, you should just get a divorce. You have a job, you can support yourself, isn't that more comfortable than living in that house?

Ning Ailin rolled her eyes at her younger brother. "You make it sound so easy, but what about my children? Are you going to raise them for me?"

Ning Botao snorted, "But you used to raise your children on your own. What good was that man? Besides having those children with you, what else could he do?"

He's an expert in everything – drinking, gambling, whoring, and womanizing. You must be blind to have fallen for such a scoundrel. If you were so capable, why didn't you deal with him yourself instead of dragging me and Dad into this mess?

If it weren't for us today, would you have been beaten to death?

Still being stubborn? Let me tell you, if you keep acting like this, I'm not going to get involved in your affairs anymore. Go find whoever you want.

Ning Zhengtao slammed his hand on the kang (a heated brick bed). "Alright, all of you, shut up. Your father isn't dead yet, so it's not your place to lecture your sister. No matter how bad she is, she's still your blood-related sister. Are you happy that your sister is in trouble?"