Li Meilan twisted her fat waist, a smug smile on her face. "Oh, what are you saying? You're such a pitiful little girl. I just can't stand how domineering and bullying they are. Isn't it because you're not their biological child?"

Auntie only found out late yesterday, otherwise you wouldn't have ended up at Old Qiao's house. You know, it's not very convenient for a young girl to live with an old man, but it's too late to say anything now.

Jiang Qiao, if you need anything in the future, don't be shy, just come to your auntie. Come visit your auntie's house whenever you have time.

"By the way, what delicious food did you make? The whole house smells amazing!"

Jiang Qiao stared coldly at Li Meilan. "Auntie, what are you saying? I'm a patient, shouldn't I be able to eat something good?"

Li Meilan chuckled awkwardly, "Of course, of course. It's nothing, I'll be going now."

Jiang Qiao stared coldly at Li Meilan as she left, then returned to her room with a gloomy face. This woman really wouldn't do anything without a reason; she really needed to be careful in the future.

I had just finished packing the things I prepared for Ning Hao when Ning Hao's voice rang out from outside, "Jiang Qiao, are you there?"

"Come in, come in, we've been waiting for you."

Ning Hao is leaving tomorrow. Before he leaves, he wants to say goodbye to Jiang Qiao and give the little girl some advice.

Jiang Qiao looked up and couldn't help but smile. "Brother Ning Hao, why are you bringing things when you visit?"

Ning Hao placed the things he was carrying on the table. "These are pork bones I bought for you. They say you are what you eat to replenish your own essence, right? This is the only time I can buy this. I'm leaving tomorrow, so there are some things I need to explain to you properly—"

Ning Hao was worried that if Jiang Qiao became stubborn and couldn't get along with Grandpa Qiao, what would happen to her in the future?

"Don't worry, as long as they don't scheme against me or harm me, I'm sure I can get along well with Grandpa Qiao. I'm not that kind of person."

"Also, if you need anything, just go find Fu Lin and the others. I've already spoken to them, so just let me know if you need anything."

Jiang Qiao pushed the prepared package to Ning Hao, saying, "This is a gift for you. You can look at it on the train. Don't ask any questions. It's just a small token of my appreciation."

Ning Hao was surprised. He didn't expect the little girl to have prepared something for him, especially such a big bag. How did she manage to do that?

However, Jiang Qiao had already said that even if he was curious, he couldn't ask now.

"Okay, I won't ask anything. I'll just accept what you give me. You need to study hard. I'll write to you later and you can report on your situation here."

Jiang Qiao casually mentioned the dinner party that evening, "Okay, then I'll come over with my grandpa and grandma."

Ning Hao didn't stay with Jiang Qiao for long. After all, they were alone together. Although she was young, not everyone in the courtyard looked at them with kindness. It was best to be careful and not cause trouble for Jiang Qiao.

Grandpa Qiao did not disappoint Jiang Qiao. In the past, he could eat whenever he wanted without having to prepare anything special. He was content with just being full, and the rest of the family was not hungry.

Even during the Lunar New Year, unlike other families who prepare large and small packages, he is an old man with no children, so he doesn't need to prepare so much.

This year is different. There's another child in the family. When I was younger, I didn't feel anything, but as I get older, I feel the house is a bit empty.

Jiang Qiao's arrival filled the void in the old man's heart, so he listened to whatever the child said. There happened to be a market in the countryside, so he bought a lot of things to prepare, so the child could eat more. The little girl was still too thin. It couldn't be said that Wang Dahua mistreated Jiang Qiao, but she wasn't spoiled either.

The two hadn't interacted much before, but he'd heard the neighbors talk about the child quite a bit.

The old man had his hands full of things, but as soon as he entered the door, he saw the kitchen filled with steam and the aroma wafting from it made his mouth water.

"Hey, girl, what delicious food have you made? It smells so good! Didn't I tell you not to do any work? Why don't you listen?"

Jiang Qiao raised her head and looked at the old man with a smile. "Grandpa Qiao, I didn't use much strength. It's just cooking. Besides, my back doesn't hurt anymore. If you asked me to carry water or something, I really couldn't do it. Cooking doesn't take much effort at all."

"Oh my, why did you buy so much stuff? Quick, put it down! You must be exhausted!"

The old man not only bought chicken and duck eggs, but also had two strings of mushrooms and garlic hanging on his arm. As for what was in the basket on his back, it was not yet visible.

Qiao Jie is really tired. He can't deny that he's getting old. If he were young, he wouldn't have thought much of it, but now he can't. His whole body feels weak.

Although the kitchen was filled with smoke, Jiang Qiao was not oblivious to the old man's expression.

"Grandpa Qiao, come inside and rest. I'll get you some chicken soup right away."

The old man didn't stand on ceremony with Jiang Qiao anymore; he was exhausted, cold, and tired.

However, when he drank the hot chicken soup, the old man seemed to come back to life. It felt wonderful. Coming home, having hot soup and water to drink, and having someone to take care of him while he ate—this was the feeling of home he wanted.

Moreover, the little girl is an excellent cook. After a bowl of chicken soup, not only does it warm you up, but it also makes you feel completely refreshed.

Qiao Jie didn't hold back his praise, giving Jiang Qiao a thumbs up. "Little girl, your cooking is pretty good. Grandpa will be in for a treat from now on. I haven't had such delicious chicken soup in years. It tastes just like my wife's cooking. Not bad at all."

After praising it, the old man finally remembered where the chicken came from.

Jiang Qiao explained with a smile, but the old man glanced at her disapprovingly and said, "Girl, you've injured your bones, so you need to rest properly. Although my ointment is good, you can't be careless. Don't do this again. I'll make it for you from now on."

After resting, the old man personally went to the kitchen to help. By the time Ning Hao and the others arrived, the food was already served. It looked and smelled delicious, and the abundance of the meal surprised even the Ning family elders.

"Goodness, you didn't eat all the food for the New Year, that's too kind of you."

The old man took out a bottle of wine and invited everyone to sit down, saying, "Don't be so polite. We've been neighbors for so many years, what's wrong with treating you to a meal? Besides, I should thank Ning properly for finding me this girl."

On another note, Ning Hao is going to join the army, so this is a way for us, grandfather and grandson, to send him off with a farewell meal.

Come on, don't be shy, eat while it's hot. Let me tell you, you all know my cooking skills, but you've never tried Jiang Qiao's cooking, have you?

Let me tell you, my cooking is amazing! Even I'm ashamed of myself for it. Come on, everyone, try it! We're all family, no need for formalities.