Chapter 23 These past few days have been tough.
Lei Jingwu brought quite a lot of things, not only various snacks from Shanghai, but also a rather large cardboard box.
The cardboard box contained a small bag of flour, a small bag of rice, a bucket of oil, a piece of pork leg weighing about four or five pounds, and four cans of luncheon meat.
There were two more boxes below, but Yao Shula couldn't see what was inside.
“These…” Yao Shula looked at those things and then at Lei Jingwu.
"I've been wanting to thank you properly ever since you picked up Xiaotian last time."
Later I heard that you were busy with something, so I was delayed.
I guess you've been busy with things these past few days, which is why you've brought these gifts to thank us.
"These are just a small token of my appreciation, don't take them to heart," Lei Jingwu said with a smile.
Yao Shula glanced at the things on the table again.
Tsk tsk tsk, malted milk powder, a famous snack from Kaisiling in Shanghai, and bags of what looks like dried meat, plus a tin can of what is probably candy.
These days, high-end gifts are the preferred choice.
"Big sister, this is all candy, not the White Rabbit candy."
This contains chocolate, shortbread, fruit candy, and peanut nougat.
"I think it tastes better than White Rabbit candy." Little Tiantian immediately came over to show off.
Yao Shula patted Xiao Tiantian's head and smiled.
"Comrade Lei, you're too kind. It was just a small favor."
Little Tiantian is so cute...
"And this is from Tian Tian's father to thank you. He was too busy with work to come and thank you in person."
"I asked you to bring this to you; it's just a small token of my appreciation." Lei Jingwu then took an envelope out of his pocket and placed it on the table.
Having received several envelopes recently, Yao Shula immediately estimated how much money was in the envelopes on the table.
If it's all "big unity" (a unit of currency), then it should be around two hundred yuan.
As for the fact that Xiaotian's father is too busy with work...
He must be busy! Everyone says that the new Secretary Lei is always running around to the countryside, so he definitely doesn't have time to deal with personal matters.
"No need for this, you're too kind!" Yao Shula glanced at the envelope and quickly looked away.
Having confirmed that Lei Jingwu wouldn't take the envelope back, I still had to say a few polite words.
"Yes, please accept this from Tian Tian's father!" Lei Jingwu said with a smile.
Xiao Tiantian quickly ran over and stuffed the envelope into Yao Shula's hand.
"Big sister, take it. Big brother even had my dad call!" Little Tiantian said with a grin.
Call up?
Yao Shula was stunned for a moment. What phone call...?
Soon, Yao Shula understood why Director Liu had welcomed the three siblings in so quickly that morning!
Oh, someone made a phone call...
"Thank you!" Yao Shula smiled at Lei Jingwu!
Lei Jingwu smiled, then opened the candy box and gave Yao Shuli and Xiao Tiantian each a handful of chocolates.
The two children immediately ran out to play in the yard.
Yao Shula knew that Lei Jingwu definitely had something to say.
"Um... Comrade Lei, is there something you want to say?" Yao Shula asked with a smile.
Lei Jingwu nodded.
“Yao Shula, I’ve been wondering about something with you: you and your father have such a bad relationship…aren’t you afraid of what outsiders will say?” Lei Jingwu asked in a low voice.
Yao Shula immediately shook her head.
"Don't be afraid!"
"Aren't you afraid? This is an era where people can be drowned in spit! Aren't you afraid of people pointing fingers at you?" Lei Jingwu continued to ask.
Yao Shula gestured for Lei Jingwu to sit down and poured him a glass of water.
"We don't have any tea at home, so please make do with this."
Let me put it this way!
I won't make a scene, but I'll definitely feel angry and frustrated inside. Over time, that will definitely cause health problems.
As the old Chinese medicine doctor said, all illnesses are caused by anger.
So, what will happen to my younger siblings if I get sick? Or even worse, if I die from illness, won't my younger siblings end up in that person's hands again?
"Look, would you choose to be furious or to have a complete falling out with Yao Guohua?" Yao Shula asked with a smile.
Lei Jingwu...
"Then... let's just make others angry!"
"That's right! Why should people be so resentful? It's better to make others angry than to make yourself angry, isn't it?"
"So, I'm not afraid at all!" Yao Shula said with a smile.
Lei Jingwu looked at Yao Shula and nodded repeatedly.
With such an older sister around, the two younger ones definitely won't suffer any losses.
No wonder Xiaotian was also clamoring to come and play...
"Yao Shula, there's one more thing I need to ask you!" Lei Jingwu suddenly changed the subject.
"You need my help again? I'm just a helpless woman struggling to make ends meet with my younger siblings."
"Come on, tell me what happened, let me see what it is." Yao Shula quickly sat up straight.
Someone asked me for help! That's strange...
"Could you take care of Xiaotian for me these next few days?" Lei Jingwu asked in a low voice.
Yao Shula...
Taking care of Xiaotian?
"What? Does Tian Tian's father not want him anymore?" Yao Shula asked, trying to keep her voice down.
Lei Jingwu...
"No! Isn't it the end of the year? His father is busy, and he and the housekeeper at home... like to quarrel."
I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll be going to Guangzhou first, and then back to Shanghai.
I estimate I won't be able to come from Shanghai until the second or third year of junior high school.
What if, during this time... Tiantian tries to run away from home again, just like last time?
I can't believe he'll be so lucky as to run into you guys again.
I thought that I was familiar with you all every day and I was happy staying at your house.
Let Tiantian live in your home before New Year's Eve.
I've already spoken to Zhou Pingan. He'll just deliver Tiantian to his father the day before New Year's Eve.
Besides, I don't stay here for nothing every day.
I've prepared rice, flour, oil, and meat. I'm a bit picky about food at home every day, but I'll eat anything at your house.
Also, here's fifty yuan, consider it extra money for taking care of Tiantian during this time.
"What do you think?" Lei Jingwu said, taking out his wallet and counting out five ten-yuan bills.
Yao Shula was a little conflicted.
The Lunar New Year is quite busy, with another child...
“Okay! Leave it with me! As for the money, you can take it back.” Yao Shula made the decision immediately.
Are you kidding me? This is Secretary Lei's son...
"Thank you very much. To be honest, I'm quite worried about Tiantian after I leave."
This kid... he deserves a beating, but I can't bring myself to hit him.
I feel quite at ease leaving the child with you; you seem to have a knack for taking care of kids.
I'm leaving Tiantian with you today.
Oh, besides rice, flour, and oil, that box also contained luncheon meat, canned yellow croaker, a box of eight preserved eggs, and a box of sixteen double-yolk salted duck eggs.
"It would be nice to serve it as a cold dish during the Chinese New Year," Lei Jingwu said with a smile.
Yao Shula quickly expressed her gratitude.
These things... are not easy to buy!
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