Considering that Widow Wang was sent to the hospital, Zhou Huai's appearance in town provided clues.
Shouldn't this child be at the hospital? How did he end up here?
Jiang Ci and Zhou Huai had a good relationship. Although the girl kept pestering her because of her stepmother, Zhou Huai hadn't actually done anything bad.
Jiang Ci said to Zhou Mingli, "You take the child inside first, I'll go check on things."
Zhou Mingli nodded. "Okay."
As Zhou Miao walked, she turned her head and said, "Mom, hurry up and come."
Seeing her pleading little face, Jiang Ci couldn't help but smile. "Okay, go ahead."
After everyone went inside, Jiang Ci walked towards Zhou Huai.
The little girl didn't even notice them. Jiang Ci approached and patted her on the shoulder. Zhou Huai jumped, and when she saw it was Jiang Ci, she shrank back and lowered her head deeply, "Aunt Jiang..."
Jiang Ci's words were not harsh, her tone as usual, "Xiao Huai, why are you here all alone?"
Zhou Huai clutched his clothes and stammered, "I... my mother is still in the hospital and hasn't woken up yet. I'm here taking care of her."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhou Huai's stomach began to rumble.
Jiang Ci's gaze fell on her stomach, and a strange blush appeared on Zhou Huai's dark face, making him bury his head even lower in embarrassment.
"You... haven't eaten yet?"
Zhou Huai quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I don't need to eat. I just want to buy some for my mom."
Jiang Ci chuckled. "Are you made of iron? Don't you need to eat?"
"Your mother isn't awake yet, what can she eat?"
Zhou Huai pursed her lips tightly. She was tongue-tied and didn't know how to explain herself after Jiang Ci's words.
Jiang Ci then asked, "Did you bring money and tickets?"
Zhou Huai nodded, "Hmm..."
Aunt Lian not only gave her money, but also a lot of grain coupons.
"Go in and eat if you have money."
Zhou Huai didn't lift his foot; he remained standing outside the door with his head down.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Ci sighed inwardly. Zhou Huai was indeed a good person at heart, but unfortunately, she was being manipulated by such a stepmother.
But Jiang Ci wasn't the kind of person who would give alms to anyone who was suffering. She shrugged and said, "No one else cares whether you live or die, and neither does your mother. What you can eat is yours."
After saying that, Jiang Ci stopped looking at Zhou Huai and stepped into the state-run restaurant.
She wouldn't buy food for Zhou Huai. Although Zhou Huai's story was pitiful, if she didn't stand up for herself, she would be manipulated by Widow Wang. Helping her would be a waste of time and effort, and she would end up raising someone else's child.
Jiangci was not willing to do that.
She's not the billionaire she used to be; it's not worth mentioning that she'd spend a few million to establish an educational foundation to sponsor well-behaved, academically successful poor children.
Jiang Ci is currently struggling to make a living, so naturally he won't share his money with others.
Zhou Huai watched Jiang Ci's departing figure, his mind buzzing.
She was really hungry.
She followed them all the way to town last night, and hasn't had a drop of water or a bite of food since this morning.
She already ate very little at home, and with all the work she did, she was never full. Aunt Jiang's words, "What you can eat is yours," were like a curse, constantly swirling in her mind.
But Mom said that raising her had already cost a lot. If it weren't for raising her, Mom would have gotten married long ago. Her uncles and aunts were not good to her. Only Mom was her family.
We should keep the money and tickets for Mom to use.
But I'm so hungry.
Zhou Huai's stomach kept rumbling.
She should go back to the hospital.
The hunger that emanated from her very soul, coupled with the irresistible aroma of meat and steamed buns wafting from the state-run restaurant, constantly tempted and lured her, making it difficult for her to take a step.
Just then, a slovenly-looking man with a lewd smile walked over, holding a large white steamed bun in his hand, and offered it to Zhou Huai.
"Little girl, eat up, eat up."
Zhou Huai's eyes were practically glued to that big white steamed bun.
She kept swallowing, making gurgling noises.
Hungry.
The disheveled-looking man waved the steamed bun in his hand in front of her and continued to whisper, "Eat up, eat up, it's free."
Zhou Huai suddenly rushed forward!
Just as she was about to grab the steamed bun, someone grabbed her and pulled her backward!
Seeing the person who was about to take the bait suddenly being taken away, the man's face changed drastically. Just as he was about to get angry, he met a pair of cold and intimidating eyes, and the insults that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.
"Are you going to leave or not? Or should I take you, this kidnapper, to the nearest police station?" Jiang Ci's tone was icy.
The man cursed and swore, but dared not linger; he tucked his tail between his legs and ran away.
Zhou Huai's gaze remained fixed on the steamed bun in the man's hand.
Jiang Ci took a deep breath and said in an unfriendly tone, "Still looking? A single steamed bun is enough to sell you to someone as a child bride."
Zhou Huai snapped out of his daze and instinctively said, "I...I didn't..."
There aren't as many human traffickers these days, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. If someone is abducted, they can forget about ever going home again.
"If you're hungry, just take the money and go in to buy food. Do you really need someone to teach you something so simple?" Jiang Ci looked down at the child. "Zhou Huai, there's no such thing as a free lunch."
Zhou Huai stood there dumbfounded. Jiang Ci said impatiently, "What are you still standing there for? Take out the money! Go inside and buy some food!"
Zhou Huai didn't know why he listened to Jiang Ci and followed in her footsteps.
The waiter at the state-run restaurant watched the man walk away silently and followed him quietly.
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