Chapter 17 Nie Qingqing: "Don't speak, I'll help you..."
When her biological mother took the children home for summer vacation, Nie Qingqing couldn't say anything. Tanggao and Tangyuan started fighting again. Tangyuan was left at home for the weekend. He made a fuss all morning and was covered in sweat. She just gave him a bath and he calmed down for a while.
As she calmed down, Nie Qingqing felt something was missing. She paced back and forth, asking Song Zhao if that was the case.
“I used to be secretly pleased when we had some alone time on weekends, thinking I could be lazy again, but now I suddenly feel lonely.”
Song Zhao felt just as lost. He missed his own child even more than Nie Qingqing did, and was even more worried about him.
"Xiao Yuan is introverted. Xiao Yin came back from school, and he was left alone at his mother's place. Sigh, I don't even want to think about it."
Nie Qingqing thought that she should talk to him again after school started, just in case things worked out. She decided not to talk about things she wasn't sure about now.
Tangyuan hadn't been quiet in the room for more than a few minutes when she started yelling, "Mom, my sock has a hole in it! Come quick, it's so funny!"
Nie Qingqing didn't want to pay attention to him, so she shushed him and said to Song Zhao, "Don't pay attention to him, it'll never end."
But ignoring him didn't stop Tangyuan from running over and shouting, "Mommy, where's my sailor uniform? I want to wear that out to play."
"Didn't we just come back from playing?"
"I ate breakfast this morning, so does that mean I won't eat snacks in the morning? Mom, I want my navy uniform."
Nie Qingqing had a headache: "You keep calling me dozens of times a day, it really hurts my head. You and Xiao Yuan put the navy uniform away yourselves, how was I supposed to know where you put it?"
Song Zhao smiled and put down the documents beside him: "I'll take him out for a walk."
Nie Qingqing: "Take him out quickly and let me have some peace and quiet. I'll cook something delicious for you at noon."
...
With more than half of summer vacation over, Xiaoyin was still staying with Xiaoyuan and their mother.
On the day of Sister Xiao's wedding banquet, Nie Qingqing and Qian Yurong each gave a gift of fifteen yuan and took Tangyuan to the banquet.
Tangyuan saved up the wedding candies, saying she would wait for Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan to come back so they could eat them together.
Nie Qingqing calculated the days; there were only two weeks left before school started, and she would have to send Xiaoyin back by then.
Tangyuan was very happy and counted on her fingers: "Mom, there are only fifteen days left until my sister and Xiaoyuan come back, right?"
Xiaoyin is coming back, but it's hard to say about Xiaoyuan. Nie Qingqing remembered what Song Zhao said, that you can't lie to children, so she couldn't make a promise and only replied, "We'll talk about it when school starts."
Tangyuan didn't realize what was going on and thought everyone was coming back, so she was very happy: "Then I'm going to tell Tanggao this good news."
...
Just after delivering the glutinous rice balls to Huazhi Lane, it started raining. The rain continued until the weekend, and Nie Qingqing didn't want to go out, so she stayed home and cleaned.
She wiped the dust off Xiaoyin's room again, smoothed out the sheets, and chatted with Song Zhao, trying to make conversation: "Luckily, I washed and dried the sheets when the weather was sunny. Should we pick Xiaoyin up a week early? We can't wait until school starts to come back."
Song Zhao agreed: "Then I'll discuss it with Comrade Yun Li."
Nie Qingqing disagreed: "I'll go and discuss it."
Song Zhao asked, "Qingqing, do you not want me to talk to Comrade Yunli?"
Nie Qingqing quickly denied it: "What? It's because your going didn't work well. When she came before, didn't she say that she would come to me if she needed anything? So if we have something to do, it should be me going to her. Don't go, do you hear me?"
Song Zhao nodded in agreement. The rain was too heavy to go out, so the two of them made something to eat at home, and Nie Qingqing went to take a nap to kill time.
But there was a knock on the door. She and Song Zhao opened the door together, and to their surprise, it was Brother Zhao from the convenience store at the entrance.
...
Brother Zhao was wearing a raincoat with his trousers rolled up to his knees, but he was still soaked.
He knocked on the door, looking flustered: "Director Song, your eldest daughter called and said her brother is sick and she wants you to come quickly."
Nie Qingqing realized something was wrong. They needed to go, but there were no adults over there?
She pressed further, "Was Xiaoyuan taken to the hospital? Where are the adults at home? Xiaoyin didn't explain clearly?"
Brother Zhao said, "It was raining so hard that I didn't hear you very clearly. I just kept telling you to hurry up. I was crying when I heard that. You should hurry up."
Nie Qingqing practically ran out. With such heavy rain, there was no point in wearing a raincoat, so she simply left it behind.
When the two arrived at Ji Chengtian's house, the door was locked and no one was home. They guessed that he had been taken to the hospital, but they didn't know which hospital. They would have to ask the neighbors.
Knocking on the neighbor's door, the neighbor said, "You must be Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan's biological father and stepmother. My husband is with the old and the young, taking Xiaoyuan to the People's Hospital. You should go quickly."
Nie Qingqing thanked them and went to the hospital, where she found the two children in a ward.
...
Xiao Yuan changed into a dry hospital gown, had an IV drip attached, her little face flushed red from the fever, and fell asleep with her eyes closed.
As soon as Xiaoyin saw them, tears welled up in her eyes.
Nie Qingqing was soaking wet, and Xiaoyin's clothes were also damp, so she quickly hugged her and comforted her.
Song Zhao was talking to his attending physician, who said it was pneumonia caused by a high fever, and that his condition was now stable.
Hearing that Xiao Yuan was alright, Nie Qingqing was slightly relieved and couldn't help but ask Xiao Yin, "What happened? Your dad and I were so worried when we got the call. Where are your stepfather and your mom?"
Song Xiaoyin sobbed as she said, "Uncle Ji and Mom went on a trip, but they got stuck in the heavy rain and can't come back. My little brother has a fever, so I asked Grandma Xu to take him to the hospital. She saw how heavy the rain was and said it was just a minor cold and that some ginger water would do the trick. But my brother's fever didn't go down all day, so I called you."
Nie Qingqing was furious upon hearing this and rushed up to confront Xu Lingzhi, demanding an explanation:
"If this were your own grandson, would you not take him to the hospital just because it's raining? Don't you think about it? Xiao Yuan still has his own mother and father. If anything happens to the child, who would let you off the hook? You old woman, you have no conscience!"
As soon as she said this, the patients' families in the hospital started pointing and whispering about the old lady.
Xu Lingzhi, feeling wronged, sat down on the ground, recklessly throwing caution to the wind:
“So what if I neglect your children? Who told me I don’t have my own grandson? My son didn’t date for ten years because of the mother of those two kids. He finally married her and she got pregnant. That vicious woman actually wants to abort my own grandson for her son’s sake! And you still expect me to be nice to them? Everything they eat and drink is from my grandson’s blood! I hate it! I just don’t want to send him to the hospital. Why doesn’t anyone pity me?”
Xiao Yuan's mother wants to abort her pregnancy?
Nie Qingqing was stunned. What could she say? Any mother-in-law would have started a fight.
Song Xiaoyin was so frightened that she dared not cry anymore. She was scared and stood next to Nie Qingqing, saying in a panic, "Aunt Qingqing, I didn't know that my mother wanted to abort the baby in her belly."
Nie Qingqing quickly patted her: "We didn't know either."
Song Zhao helped Xu Lingzhi up and said, "Aunt Xu, thankfully the child is alright. We can discuss the family issues after the child recovers."
...
The ward was quiet; no one was making a sound. Xiao Yuan twisted his head restlessly, unable to open his eyes.
Nie Qingqing quickly touched the child's forehead. Xiao Yuan sensed it, opened his eyes, and saw that it was the adults in the family. He looked soft, sweet, and pitiful, and called out "Mom".
That one word, "Mom," made Nie Qingqing's throat ache and her eyes sting. She said to Song Zhao beside her with a heavy heart, "Look, Xiao Yuan is delirious with fever."
Song Zhao felt distressed: "Children are the clearest-minded, it's the adults who are confused. You said you fell into a lucky nest in your second marriage, but Xiao Yuan's mother has been causing trouble in that lucky nest. Her first love waited for her for so many years, but she wants to make him die without an heir. Will the Ji family be good to Xiao Yuan in the future?"
That's right. If she really wiped out the Ji family bloodline, and Xiao Yuan went there, wouldn't the Ji family hate Xiao Yuan to death?
Can Xiao Yuan be happy relying solely on his mother's love? Sigh, it's so troublesome.
...
Just as Xiao Yuan was calmed down, Nie Weibin arrived with Tang Yuan and a large bag of clothes, including Song Zhao's, Nie Qingqing's, Xiao Yin's, and Xiao Yuan's.
Nie Qingqing stood up to greet him: "Brother, what brings you here? And you even brought Tangyuan! How did you know?"
Nie Weibin wiped the raindrops from his short hair and said, "Director Yu from across the street came to deliver a letter to our house. Mom asked me to bring you some clothes. Tangyuan is like a monkey's bottom. As soon as she heard that Xiaoyuan was in the hospital, she clung to my bicycle and wouldn't let go. I had no choice but to bring them. You and Xiaoyin should change into dry clothes first. Mom said that catching a cold in this hot weather is no joke."
Her mother is so thoughtful; everyone in the family cares for each other, that's what makes a family.
Tangyuan darted to the bedside and placed the candies next to Xiaoyuan's pillow: "Xiaoyuan, I'm here."
Xiao Yuan opened his eyes, feeling a little better: "Tang Yuan, with such heavy rain, if only I weren't sick, we could have played in the puddles."
Tangyuan said, "Mom bought us new rubber shoes. We'll play together again when you're better."
...
Nie Qingqing took Xiaoyin to the bathroom, first dried her hair with a towel, then changed her into clean clothes. After returning, she told her brother to go back first: "Tell Mom that everything is fine here. Tangyuan can stay here. Tell him to go home with Song Zhao later."
The hospital needed someone to stay overnight, and Song Zhao was his biological father; under no circumstances could Nie Qingqing be allowed to take his place.
"Qingqing, take Tangyuan back. I'll keep watch here tonight."
Nie Qingqing wasn't just being insincere; she had her reasons. She countered by asking Song Zhao, "If Xiao Yuan wakes up tonight and sees it's you, you'll be disappointed. I'm keeping it so I can tell him stories."
Afraid that Nie Qingqing would leave, Xiao Yuan softly called out "Mom" again.
Now, Nie Qingqing really couldn't deny it. She held his little hand in hers and promised, "Auntie won't leave. I'll stay here with you tonight."
Xiao Yuan then fell asleep again, but her little hands were clenched tightly.
She said to Song Zhao, "Look, I can't leave. Tangyuan needs someone to take care of him too. Why don't you take him back?"
Tangyuan didn't want to leave: "Mom, I want to stay. Xiaoyuan needs me too."
Nie Qingqing: "With you here, I can't take care of both of them by myself; I'll only cause trouble."
Tangyuan promised, "Mom, I won't be naughty. Xiaoyuan will be happy to have me here."
Nie Qingqing disagreed: "You're still young and your immune system is weak. There are germs in the hospital. When you get home, take a shower and use soap. Be good. Mom is already very tired."
...
Visiting hours ended just as the rain stopped. Nie Qingqing told Xiaoyin to go back too, but Xiaoyin shook her head and didn't want to leave. So Song Zhao took Tangyuan and went back first.
Xu Lingzhi also wanted to stay and refused to go home. With so many people in the ward, how would they manage to squeeze in at night?
Nie Qingqing advised, "Auntie, the hospital doesn't need so many people to accompany you. You should go back. You're tired, and we'll have to divide up the staff to take care of you."
Xu Lingzhi dared not leave: "I'm not that weak. Besides, if I go back, Xiao Yuan's mother will come back and we'll have a huge fight. I'm not leaving."
Nie Qingqing sighed, "Xiao Yuan's mother has indeed always been living in a comfortable home."
As night deepened, she gave the cot to Xu Lingzhi, told Xiaoyin to squeeze in with her younger brother, and sat on a small stool, leaning against the edge of the bed, making do for half the night.
...
In the middle of the night, Xiao Yuan's fever subsided, and he felt much better in the morning.
Early in the morning, Tang Guizhi brought over millet porridge, followed by sugar cakes.
She touched the needle in Xiaoyuan's hand and blew on it with heartache: "Xiaoyuan, does it hurt?"
Xiao Yuan quickly shook his head: "It doesn't hurt anymore."
As dawn broke, Song Zhaotian went to the department store and bought fried dough sticks and egg drop soup. He also brought some for Xu Lingzhi, saying, "Auntie, please have something to eat first."
Xu Lingzhi was holding her breakfast when she suddenly became sad, and what she said made it hard for anyone to blame her.
“Seeing your family so loving and affectionate makes me feel so sad. Can you understand how I feel? My son waited ten years to marry a divorced woman who had two children, and I didn’t say anything. Why do you want to abort my grandson now? Even if it’s not a grandson, but a granddaughter, I would still be happy.”
After hearing this, no one knew how to comfort her.
Tang Guizhi advised, "Sister, things haven't come to that point yet. Let's discuss it again when your daughter-in-law comes back. There's always a way."
...
Xiao Yuan was treated in the hospital for a day, and the doctor said he could be discharged the next day.
Xiao Yunli came back and told her the whole story without embellishment, analyzing it from both a logical and emotional perspective, and asked her what she planned to do about the baby in her belly.
Xiao Yunli had considered not having the child, and Ji Chengtian had agreed. But her mother-in-law overheard, and now it's impossible to keep it a secret.
Ji Chengtian was indeed incredibly kind to Xiao Yunli, telling her, "I respect your decision. If you still don't want it, I'll talk to my mom. We can just move out."
Xiao Yunli was caught in a dilemma. Marriage involves two families, and her mother was still angry about her last divorce.
This time, the child from a second marriage has become an enemy in her husband's family. Her mother will probably stab her in the back and scold her for courting death.
Xiao Yunli asked Ji Chengtian, "Do you want a child of your own?"
Ji Chengtian likes her and also wants to have a child of his own. He's in his early thirties, mature enough, and doesn't want to lie to cover up the truth.
Ji Chengtian said, "How many men don't want a child of their own? I feel heartbroken when you say you don't want a child. Decades later, the scars in your heart may never heal. Actually, I'm also conflicted, but I respect your decision."
...
Nie Qingqing dared not offer any advice; she was a stepmother, and anything she said would only add fuel to the fire in other people's ears.
Song Zhao wanted to go over and say something fair, but Nie Qingqing pulled her back: "You still want to persuade them? If you could persuade them well, they wouldn't have gotten divorced."
Song Zhao remained silent and stepped aside.
Xiao Yuan was very nervous and sat motionless.
Xiaoyin lowered her head, feeling sad. So many people were being tolerant of her mother, couldn't her mother also consider others?
Tang Guizhi thought about it and realized that it was difficult to persuade anyone else, so she would try to persuade them herself.
“Daughter, I didn’t want to say anything, but you’re Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan’s mother. If you make a scene, the two children will be unhappy, and it will be difficult for Qingqing as a stepmother. Don’t think I’m meddling. If you don’t like what I’m saying, I won’t say anything more.”
Xiao Yunli quickly said, "Auntie, please tell me what you want to say."
Tang Guizhi said, "Ji Chengtian loves you so much, how can you bear to make him suffer? No matter how bright the charcoal fire is, if you pour cold water on it, it will be extinguished sooner or later. People are reciprocal. He is good to you, so you have to cherish him too. Only in this way can you live a good life."
If two people have a good relationship, how can it last if one person makes unconditional sacrifices?
Xiao Yunli understood, and she felt distressed: "In two months, if I have pregnancy symptoms, I won't even be able to take care of myself, let alone Xiao Yuan. I wanted him, so I have to take good care of him."
...
Is she keeping the baby out of responsibility for Xiao Yuan? But if she does that, the Ji family will hate Xiao Yuan. Why doesn't she think about that?
Seeing that her attitude was softening, Nie Qingqing stepped forward to express her opinion.
"Can we find a compromise? Xiao Yuan stayed at my house for a month before, and everything was fine. If your family can afford fifty yuan a month, you can continue to leave her here with me until you give birth, have finished your postpartum period, and have recovered. Then we can discuss it again."
Nie Qingqing took the initiative to suggest it, and Xu Lingzhi was extremely grateful, and she also expressed her gratitude.
“Our family runs a small business, so we can afford the fifty yuan. As long as Yunli agrees, I'll pay the fifty yuan. Wouldn't that make everyone happy?”
Xiao Yunli was still worried, and everyone asked her what else she was worried about and urged her to speak up.
“Before, Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan were either taken care of by their maternal or paternal grandmothers. Now I have to take care of this one myself. It won’t be enough until after my confinement period. I’ll have to wait until the baby is one year old. Xiaoyuan has been away from me for so long. Will he still be close to me?”
...
So that's what she was worried about. Putting herself in her shoes, if the second marriage didn't go through, Nie Qingqing had made up her mind to go to the special economic zone to find a factory to work in. Tangyuan would have to stay with her mother, brother, and sister-in-law. She not only thought about it, but she was also worried that if she made money, Tangyuan wouldn't be close to her anymore. They were both her mother, and she could understand that very well.
Nie Qingqing comforted her: "You are the biological mother. If the children are not close to you, who will they be close to? Every weekend, I send Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan to your place so that the children can be close to you."
Xiao Yunli finally agreed and asked Nie Qingqing, "You didn't agree to take Xiaoyuan over just for fifty yuan a month, did you?"
Song Zhao was immediately displeased. How could she not distinguish between good and bad? Just as she was about to speak up, Tang Guizhi pulled her away.
Tang Guizhi said to Song Zhao, "What's the big deal if we lose a few words? Look at this situation, it's not the time to argue about right and wrong or win or lose. She's trying to get Xiao Yuan home, so don't make things worse."
Song Zhao was unwilling: "So many people are accommodating Yun Li, and she still criticizes Qing Qing for being greedy for money. I don't want Qing Qing to be wronged."
Tang Guizhi said, "If she feels wronged, then that's what it means to feel wronged. We don't think it's a real grievance. We're all doing this for the child's good. Let's not hold grudges."
...
Nie Qingqing is a stepmother. Even if she says it's not for money, no one will believe her, so she might as well admit it.
She laughed heartily, "I hope the children are doing well, and of course I also cherish this money. You self-employed people don't lack it, but I am quite short of it. Of course I'm happy to receive an extra sum of money."
Nie Qingqing said in front of everyone that it was for fifty yuan, and Xiao Yunli took it seriously. The children should be able to tell who is closer to them, their stepmother or their biological mother.
She called Xiaoyuan over and asked, "Xiaoyuan, do you want Mommy to give birth to a younger brother or sister?"
Xiao Yuan nodded quickly: "Mom, go ahead and give birth, I'll be a good girl."
Xiao Yunli then asked Xiaoyin, "What's your opinion?"
Song Xiaoyin said, "Mom, I have no objection. You can decide your own affairs."
Xiao Yunli didn't hesitate at all and said, "Then it's settled. After the baby is born and turns one year old, I will bring Xiao Yuan back."
Ji Chengtian was overjoyed and repeatedly stated, "I will definitely bring him back. I will be a good father and treat Xiaoyuan as my own son."
Xu Lingzhi beamed with joy when she saw that her daughter-in-law was willing to give birth. She even apologized to Xiao Yuan, saying, "It was all my fault before. I made Xiao Yuan suffer. Grandma will give you a big red envelope. I will never treat you like that again."
Xiao Yuan was very well-behaved: "It's okay, Grandma Xu. You'll have your own grandchildren in the future, and you won't be like this anymore."
...
The matter was settled, and Song Zhao wrote an agreement, which he and Xiao Yunli signed.
Xu Lingzhi and Tang Guizhi were about the same age and got along well. Xu Lingzhi was delighted and took Tang Guizhi's hand, saying, "Children are quick-witted. Yunli's baby might be a boy."
Tang Guizhi advised her, "I'm happy it's my granddaughter, but don't show it and upset your daughter-in-law."
Xu Lingzhi said contentedly, "I know. Cheng Tian waited ten years to start a family. How could I possibly upset her? I was blinded by greed before and got angry with a child. Luckily, Xiao Yuan is alright."
Tang Guizhi said, "Harmony in the family brings prosperity in everything. Isn't that wonderful? Everyone is happy."
Indeed, Xu Lingzhi was quite satisfied with today's outcome: "Sister Tang, I'll give you a year's salary for taking care of the child plus living expenses, a total of six hundred yuan. Please take good care of Xiao Yuan for me."
The money had been given to her by her son-in-law. Tang Guizhi took the money and immediately stuffed it into Nie Qingqing's pocket.
...
Nie Qingqing felt refreshed and energized again when she went to work.
Qian Yurong teased her: "You're still laughing? Everyone says you're willing to raise Xiao Yuan for that fifty yuan a month. Now everyone has gotten what they wanted, but who knows the bitterness in your heart?"
Nie Qingqing was far from suffering; she was quite happy. While others secretly gloated, she was just as secretly pleased.
She laughed and said, "Then I also benefited. Not only did I get 600 yuan for free, but Xiaoyin has become more sensible, Xiaoyuan is much more cheerful now that he knows he can stay for two more years, and Tangyuan finally stops calling 'Mom' dozens of times a day. I'm back to being a hands-off parent. I'm secretly happy."
Xiao Qiuxia, who cleans this office, loves coming back to it the most. She jokingly asked, "What about Song Zhao? Is he secretly happy too?"
Nie Qingqing said, "It's strange. Everyone is happy, but Song Zhao seems preoccupied. I'll ask him later what's wrong with him."
“He’s carrying his child, why would he have something on his mind?” Qian Yurong said, “You should ask him. Husbands and wives should be honest with each other.”
Nie Qingqing thought for a moment: "Or is it because you're upset that I accepted that fifty yuan?"
Qian Yurong shook her head: "It shouldn't be that bad."
...
When the topic turned to money, Nie Qingqing said enviously, "Small business owners make money, and Grandma Yunli is so generous with the money, she just took out six hundred yuan all at once."
Xiao Qiuxia's daughter-in-law runs a street stall, and she finally understands that being a self-employed individual can earn more than working a regular job.
“Xiao Yuan earns more than 200 yuan a month by setting up a breakfast stall. Xiao Yunli’s in-laws have been self-employed for several years, and they probably have at least 10,000 yuan.”
Nie Qingqing exclaimed in surprise, "You can earn more than 200 yuan a month selling fried dough sticks? That's more than a factory manager makes!"
Qian Yurong praised her: "Your daughter-in-law can tell you her income, which means she is close to you. You are very lucky."
Remembering her daughter-in-law's instructions not to show off, Xiao Qiuxia quickly said, "We can't just look at how much money she makes. She gets up at four in the morning and is still busy after closing up shop at noon. I told her to rest well and wait for me to come back and do it."
Qian Yurong was happy for her: "Your family understands each other, and your life will definitely get better and better."
Nie Qingqing gestured towards the office where Xiao Qiuxia's sister-in-law was and said, "Your sister-in-law just got married and she's already pregnant. When are you planning to have a grandson?"
Xiao Qiuxia now listens to her daughter-in-law in everything, and said with a smile: "Xiao Yuan said that she and Dashan are still young, so they should earn money first and try to buy a small house far away from her brother-in-law's family. I want to hold my grandson and granddaughter as soon as possible, but what she said makes sense, so there is no rush. We will wait for two more years."
...
We chatted until it was almost time to leave work, and everyone waited for Director Yu to leave before we left, otherwise she would start nagging again.
Today was an exception. Just before the end of the workday, Director Yu came in all high spirits, making Xiao Qiuxia hurriedly wipe the dust off the leaves of the green plants.
Seeing how diligent she was, Yu Wenhui smiled and said, "Qiuxia, you don't need to be so busy. Take a break when you're done. If there's nothing else, let's all go home early."
She ran off like a whirlwind, making Qian Yurong laugh. She asked Nie Qingqing, "You live in the same building, do you know why she's in such a good mood today?"
Nie Qingqing guessed, "The electronics factory is doing well and they need to hire drivers. Her son happens to have a large vehicle driver's license, which meets the hiring requirements. Judging from her good mood, she must have secured a job and set a wedding date. She's just happy."
Xiao Qiuxia said enviously, "Truck drivers are in high demand."
Qian Yurong joked, "Then we'll have to prepare money for the wedding gift again."
Nie Qingqing smiled mysteriously: "No need to rush. His son's wedding date is set for the first month of next year, which is still a long way off. It's hard to say whether the person getting married then will be the same one now."
...
Now that Yu Wenhui has spoken, everyone should leave work early.
As Nie Qingqing passed by Grandpa Liu's house, she smelled a distinctive aroma of Chinese medicine. Peeking inside, she saw Grandpa Liu looking at a medicine pot. She asked, "Grandpa Liu, who brews medicine for you?"
In the past, Grandpa Liu would always tell him, but today he was being mysterious: "Go home first, I'll tell you later."
"Okay." Nie Qingqing didn't say much. She knew everything. When it came to Chinese medicine with this kind of smell, Grandpa Liu would never say anything. He was very tight-lipped.
At home, Xiaoyin was watching Xiaoyuan and Tangyuan prepare for their studies. She wanted Xiaoyuan and Tangyuan to start first grade together when school started. Xiaoyuan's knowledge was already at the level of a second or third grader, but he was only five years old. The school said they would give him a test when school started, and it shouldn't be a big problem.
Nie Qingqing slipped into the kitchen and gossiped to her mother: "Mom, Uncle Liu's family is brewing that kind of Chinese medicine again. I can smell it. Whenever he brews this kind, he won't say whose it is. Did you know that?"
Tang Guizhi knew perfectly well, and told her, "That medicine is for Director Yu. Song Zhao will take it back later. Don't ask any more questions."
Nie Qingqing became even more curious: "Mom, you know my personality, how could I not ask more questions? You might as well just tell me directly."
Tang Guizhi peeked out; it was quiet outside, and the children were too far away to hear.
She whispered, "Director Yu is a bit overwhelmed. He got some traditional Chinese medicine from Grandpa Liu to treat his kidneys. We can't let the people in the family compound know. We'll have Grandpa Liu brew it for us, and then have Song Zhao take it back quietly. We can't let a word of it get out."
Nie Qingqing suddenly realized: "I remember now, when my dad was in his forties, there was this smell of Chinese medicine in the house. Then for those few years, my dad would drink a round of it every year. After drinking it, he would be happy and his attitude towards me and my brother would be better. It's a Chinese medicine that's good for men, right? Don't just get it for him, get some for Song Zhao too."
Tang Guizhi tapped her: "Can you take medicine indiscriminately? You can only take it when you need it. This isn't a good thing, so you really can't say things like that. It will make Director Yu lose face, do you hear me?"
Nie Qingqing rubbed her forehead: "I think Director Yu is in good health."
Tang Guizhi: "You'll have to ask his wife. Hey, why am I telling you all this? Judging from the voice, it must be Song Zhao back. Go and eat."
...
After finishing their meal, Song Zhao tacitly took the thermos containing the traditional Chinese medicine and led the children home.
Factory Director Yu heard the noise and, just as the sound of people coming upstairs reached him, he pushed open the door, carrying a garbage bag, and greeted them in a fake manner: "You're back, Factory Director Song. Let's go downstairs and take out the garbage together."
Song Zhao understood without saying a word: "You go down first, I'll be there in a bit."
Tangyuan couldn't contain herself any longer: "Dad, we took out the trash this morning. What were you and Uncle Yu actually doing down there? Could you take me with you?"
Nie Qingqing pressed his head down and pushed him into the bathroom: "Go take a bath with Xiaoyuan quickly, Dad will bring you some soda later."
Song Zhao tacitly went to get the money and asked Nie Qingqing, "Do you want me to bring you anything?"
Nie Qingqing: "Just come back quickly. Don't waste time talking to Director Yu. I feel like his wife has been irritable lately. If she's late, she'll yell at you too."
...
Downstairs by the small flower bed, Song Zhao handed the thermos containing traditional Chinese medicine to Factory Director Yu.
Yu Zhengmin unscrewed the cap and took a sniff. The strong smell of Chinese medicine made him frown. He didn't drink it, but poured the medicine into the small flower pond. He also told Song Zhao to keep it a secret.
“My wife wants a child, and she’s about to conceive. I’ve tried to postpone it a few times, but she insists that I go to Huazhi Lane to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. I’m full of energy and don’t need to take this medicine.”
Isn't this a complete waste? Grandpa Liu worked so hard to prepare the medicine, and his family helped him cover it up and carry it away, and he just threw it away?
Song Zhao ignored him: "Go ahead and make a fuss. I'm going to buy soda for the kids. Don't follow me. I don't want to hear your family's nonsense."
Yu Zhengmin followed up: "Your wife is hard to find, but tell me the truth, does she really think it's good for the three kids to be at home?"
Song Zhao said, "What, are you envious and jealous of me? Then keep being jealous."
...
After confirming that the children were asleep, Nie Qingqing locked the door and nudged Song Zhao, who was sitting at the desk.
Song Zhao checked the time; it was 9:30. He usually didn't go to bed until 10:00. He closed the book and said, "It's time. I'll sleep with you."
Nie Qingqing couldn't hold back any longer: "What time is it? It's only 9:30! Xiao Yuan can continue to live at home for another two years. Is there anything on your mind that you can't tell me?"
Song Zhao thought he had hidden it well, but since he had been found out, he stopped hiding it.
"I have nothing on my mind. I just feel guilty seeing how good Ji Chengtian is to Comrade Yunli."
After all that, he was upset about it, and Nie Qingqing was unhappy and didn't want to talk to him, so she went to the side and sulked.
Song Zhao walked over, sat down next to her, and tried to hug her, but failed. He said, "Just like last time, you get angry if you don't listen to what people have to say."
How could Nie Qingqing not be angry? "Are you thinking that if you had treated Yun Li like Ji Chengtian did, you wouldn't have gotten divorced?"
Song Zhao cupped her head and laughed: "You're really overthinking things. I was thinking that you're so wonderful, but I haven't been as doting as Ji Chengtian, and I haven't been able to treat you like Yun Li has. Am I terrible?"
It turned out that they were both wrong. Nie Qingqing was no longer angry and rubbed his face: "If you think like this, you'll ruin your brain. Isn't my life good enough? So good that I've been having nothing but sweet dreams lately."
Her contentment only made Song Zhao's unease worse; he was still brooding over the negotiations at the hospital that day.
“Yunli gets all the benefits, and she even tries to put you down, making Xiaoyin think that you only brought Xiaoyuan over for the money. You’re always laughing like an idiot and don’t care about yourself. It makes me feel bad.”
What's wrong with that? But she was happy that Song Zhao could think that way: "Why are you suddenly so stubborn? Xiaoyin is sensible and wouldn't think like that. I'm not going to talk to you anymore. You can keep thinking about it. I'm going to sleep."
Song Zhao quickly added, "I've thought it through, let's sleep together."
Nie Qingqing: "There's no way to figure it out so quickly. Let's go to sleep after we've figured it out."
Song Zhao turned off the light: "I've really thought it through. I can't let you live a worse life than Yun Li, so I have to work hard myself."
Nie Qingqing felt truly happy. See? She knew she had gotten the better deal this time and didn't suffer any loss.
...
However, Director Yu from across the street suffered a great loss because of his cleverness. His wife found out about his scheme and made a scene.
Nie Qingqing listened at home for a long time, and then went in to criticize Song Zhao.
"If I ask you to cover up for Director Yu, he'll expose you. Let's see how you face his wife then."
Song Zhao: "Why should I deal with someone else's wife? Let her make a fuss, it's Director Yu's business, what does it have to do with me?"
Does he really want to distance himself from the situation? Doesn't he know how to write the word "transference of anger"?
Sure enough, He Shumei, not satisfied with her scolding at home, came to knock on the door: "Director Song, I know you're home. What kind of terrible idea did you come up with for my Zhengmin?"
Song Zhao stood up to argue, but Nie Qingqing glared at him, picked up a feather duster, put it down, and took a towel instead. She then went with him to open the door.
Song Zhao: "Qingqing, what are you doing?"
Nie Qingqing: "Don't talk, I'm helping you put out the fire."
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