Jiang Qiao helped Fu Lin, who was still reluctant to leave, to his feet. By the time the two of them got on the truck, the sun had already set.

Fu Lin sighed, but thinking about today's harvest, it wasn't a loss. If Jiang Qiao hadn't brought him here, even if the whole family had worked together, they wouldn't have been able to get so much stuff. That's why people say that girl is resourceful. She runs around with Grandpa Qiao, and this mountain is no different from their own home.

Jiang Qiao didn't want many mushrooms and wild vegetables. She had some in her spatial storage if she wanted to, but she only took a few to eat that day and share some with her neighbors.

"Oh, give them all to me, you've really lost out this time."

Jiang Qiao waved to Fu Lin, "Suffering is a blessing. I'm very fortunate. Let's go. If you want to go again, I'll take you next time."

Jiang Qiao returned carrying a basket and ran into Li Meilan outside preparing dinner.

"Hey, Jiang Qiao, you've gone to the countryside again?"

Jiang Qiao nodded, not saying anything else to Li Meilan, "Auntie, these are mushrooms and wild vegetables I picked on the mountain, they're quite fresh, here's some for you."

Li Meilan felt a little embarrassed. In the past, she had tried to take advantage of Jiang Qiao, but that girl never gave her a second glance. Now that she's toned it down a lot, she's actually quite generous.

"I'm so sorry, you went through so much trouble to go to the mountains to gather these things. I know it's not easy to gather anything these days. You've all come out to get them, so keep them for yourselves."

That's what they said, but their eyes never left Jiang Qiao's basket.

Jiang Qiao knew perfectly well that Li Meilan was a glutton; if it were in the past, she really wouldn't bother with someone like that.

But Li Meilan's actions these past few times made her feel that this neighbor was alright, so bringing her some food really wasn't a big deal.

"Auntie, you're too kind. It didn't cost much. You've had your meal. You can come and pick some next time."

Jiang Qiao left some wild vegetables and mushrooms for Li Meilan. After returning home, he divided them into three portions: one portion was given to Zhu Lin and the others, and the other two portions were given to Song Lianfeng and Wang Dahua.

Jiang Xintong was also there, but her two children had come along too. To allow the children time to adjust, she, as their mother, had to stay and take care of them for a while.

Overall, Jiang Qiao is quite pleasing to the eye with Jiang Xintong's son and daughter, at least better than Niu Guihua's.

However, in her eyes, she was just a stranger. Although she had a grandmother-granddaughter relationship with Wang Dahua, that was the Jiang Qiao of the past, not her. What she was doing now was just for show. She didn't really have much affection for this old lady.

"Wow, we can find wild vegetables and mushrooms here! I'll take the kids out to see them later."

Jiang Qiao pointed out the location and casually asked, "Auntie, have Niu Guihua and the others moved away completely?"

Jiang Xintong sighed, "I would like to make them all move out, but how is that possible? This house, do you think they can give it up?"

Niu Guihua simply took the children to the countryside to farm, and they will return after the autumn harvest.

As for Jiang Ping, he went back to his son's place for dinner; I don't have any extra food for him.

"Even though I'm living here, all the food I get is bought with my own ration coupons. In the end, I still have to put up with their attitude."

"Are you really comfortable leaving the two children here?"

"Sigh, what can I do if I'm worried? I can't come back. I still have children and your uncle at home. Besides, given my status, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to come back. It's different over there."

My eldest son will be able to go to work in a few days. Your uncle's comrade helped me find him a daughter. For now, she will take care of her maternal grandmother. We'll talk about it when she's older.

Jiang Qiao, after I leave, please keep an eye on the children for me if anything happens. Just make sure Old Jiang's men don't bully them. If anything really happens, send me a telegram.

Jiang Qiao gave a bitter smile. "Aunt, to be honest, considering your nephews and nieces, your brother and sister-in-law, and my grandmother's favoritism, even if I genuinely help your two children, my grandmother's side—"

Only Jiang Xintong herself knows how she feels about her mother, but she simply doesn't say it.

"Don't worry about what your grandparents think. As long as you help out the neighbors, I can leave with peace of mind. Just ignore those scoundrels."

Jiang Qiao nodded. "I'll try my best. I'll be going now."

As soon as I got back, I ran into Song Lianfeng talking to the postman. "Girl, come quick, here's your letter and postage slip. It looks like it was mailed by Chunming and the others. I wonder where that child has gone. It's been so long and he still hasn't come back."

Jiang Qiao and Song Lianfeng both have package slips, but it's unclear whether their packages contain the same contents. We'll have to wait until they pick them up tomorrow to find out.

Song Lianfeng wanted Jiang Qiao to come to their house for a meal, since cooking for one person was too much trouble.

However, Jiang Qiao disagreed, "I can manage on my own, but Third Aunt, come with me—"

Song Lianfeng didn't know why Jiang Qiao wanted her to go over there, but since she was free anyway, it would be nice to go and chat for a bit.

Moreover, she still had gossip to share with everyone. Jiang Qiao knew about Jiang Hong's affairs, but she never expected that Jiang Mei would have a somewhat ambiguous relationship with Old Zheng's son.

"Really?"

Song Lianfeng sighed, "This is just my guess. I saw these two people when I was shopping once. You know, how could people who have nothing in common be together and chatting and laughing like that?"

Everyone knows Jiang Mei is no good. What are these men thinking, getting involved with this woman? Aren't they afraid their wives will find out?

All Jiang Qiao could say was, "This woman is incredibly bold. Her reputation is already ruined, yet men still get involved with her. I don't know what Niu Guihua is thinking. Instead of keeping her in check, she should find a suitable person to marry while she's still young. If this continues, nothing good will come of it."

"I didn't think much of her interactions with other people, but to get involved with Old Zheng's son... tsk tsk, even a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow. This Zheng Yuanfeng has really got a death wish."

Song Lianfeng snorted coldly, "What do you know? With San Gangtou backing them up in this courtyard, who would dare to occupy Wang Dahua's house in the future? Oh dear, Jiang Ping and his wife really went to great lengths. Tsk tsk, risking their daughter for such a dilapidated house. The Jiang family is indeed no pushover."

"Tell me, Jiang Hong is so young, and she's already pregnant. Tsk tsk, it's unbelievable. It won't sound good if word gets out. It hasn't spread around our neighborhood, but everyone outside has heard. Grandma, I don't know if she's pretending to be deaf or if she really doesn't know."

Jiang Qiao sighed, "She's already in this state, what can she do even if she finds out? She'll just have to bear it herself. With Jiang Mei before her, one more Jiang Hong won't make a difference."