"Girl, remember this: we can be as good as we are to those who are good to us, but those who are not good to us are just fleeting clouds, they mean nothing to us."
Remember Grandpa's words: Life is not easy, so don't make things difficult for yourself, especially by making things difficult for people who are not worth it.
Don't think too much, sit on the kang (heated brick bed), Grandpa will go out for a walk, don't come out—"
Jiang Qiao never expected that Ma Liu's "strolling" actually meant wandering all over the courtyard, visiting each and every household.
When it comes to interpersonal relationships, Ma Liu is an expert. With so many masters, eunuchs, and palace maids in the palace, he has managed to remain unscathed over the years. He must have his own way of getting along with people.
The families Ma Liu visited all reminisced about their experiences after he left.
"Look at Wang Dahua, she really picked up a sesame seed and lost a watermelon. Don't be fooled by how the Jiang family treated Jiang Qiao back then. In the end, it was this granddaughter who was sold that played a big role."
Qiao Jie didn't ask for money for his medical treatment, so why should he? Wasn't it because Jiang Qiao begged the old man for help?
Sigh, even though they're their own children and grandchildren, they're really not as filial as Jiang Qiao's children—"
After driving around in my Mazda 6, I strolled home, humming a little tune. I couldn't have been happier.
"Grandpa Liu, you found some money, why are you so happy?"
Ma Liu smiled and said, "This is much happier than finding money. Grandpa's trip wasn't in vain. You can rest assured and go about your business. I'll cook dinner tonight."
Jiang Qiao had just been thinking about whether she should move to another place. To be honest, living in the same courtyard as the Jiang family was really annoying.
When Ma Liu heard her idea, he shook his head. "It's better not to. Your grandfather is used to living here. He knows all the old neighbors and everyone is familiar with him. If he moves to another place, he might not have anyone he can talk to."
Actually, the people in your courtyard are quite nice. There's no need to move out just to avoid the Jiang family. Leaving now will only give them more to talk about.
Let's stay here and move out when we find a suitable place later.
Alright, let's not discuss this for now—"
When Qiao Jie returned, Ma Liu quickly inquired about the situation, and what he said was exactly the same as what Jiang Qiao had told him.
When Qiao Jie talked about Wang Dahua, he sighed repeatedly, "What children and grandchildren? Bullshit, what a load of rubbish! They're not even as good as my granddaughter's little finger. Didn't you see? When Jiang Hong saw the old lady pee, she ran far away. And Niu Dahua was even more shameless."
I could hear Wang Dahua's stomach growling with hunger. I guess her family is probably only giving her porridge. I really hope it's not just one bowl of porridge a day, because if it is, Wang Dahua won't be far from death.
"Girl, come on, let's go get Grandpa's medicine—"
"Grandpa, you should rest. I'll go get the medicine."
It would be a lie to say Qiao Jie wasn't tired. He's getting old, and he can't deny it. His physical strength isn't what it used to be, especially at Wang Dahua's house, where he didn't even get a sip of hot water.
However, even if Niu Guihua gave him water, the old man probably wouldn't be able to drink it. The smell and the state of the kitchen were unbearable for an old man like him. When Wang Dahua and Jiang Qiao lived together, their home was always clean and tidy.
To Jiang Qiao's surprise, Ning Zhengtao and his wife returned in the afternoon. Seeing the old couple's appearance, Jiang Qiao and the others felt embarrassed to chat with them for long and quickly told them to go home and tidy up.
That evening, Ning Zhengtao brought over a bottle of wine, clearly intending to have a long talk with Qiao Jie and the others.
Jiang Qiao prepared some snacks for them to go with their drinks. Ning Zhengtao and Ma Liu drank and chatted, with Ning Zhengtao doing most of the drinking while the others kept them company.
The old man was clearly not in good spirits this time; he looked much older than before.
"Everyone says that raising sons and daughters is a debt, and our family's is a sinful debt. You tell me, this good wife, this scoundrel didn't take good care of her, but instead flirted with that scumbag Tong Yun, and ended up killing his own wife. Who can you blame but himself? He ruined a perfectly good life like this."
We are an honest couple, how could we have given birth to such a worthless son?
Now look what's happened! My home isn't a home anymore, I've been demoted at work, he doesn't care about my son, and Haozi has become a stranger to his father. You be the judge, what kind of mess have I made…”
Presumably, he had been feeling frustrated for a long time and had no one to confide in, so Ning Zhengtao talked while drinking and cried as he spoke.
The eldest son was the most outstanding, and he had been a good student since he was a child. He always felt that the Ning family had a successor, and that his son could take over the teaching position from him.
Unexpectedly, the child joined the army halfway through his life. He and his wife were worried about their child every day. They thought that after liberation, life would be better and everything would be fine. Who would have thought that such a thing would happen?
Ning Zhengtao must feel ashamed just thinking about it. His family's pride is gone. Not only is he now a disgrace, but his son has also lost everyone who cares about him.
Jiang Qiao pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "This is Ning Boyuan's own doing. What was he doing back then? He's such a grown man, with a wife and kids, and he was still flirting with other women."
If a soldier cannot be self-disciplined, how can he focus on marching and fighting, and manage his troops?
Qiao Jie sighed. What could he say but offer some words of comfort? After all, Ning Zhengtao had been with him for so long, and he could roughly guess what the old man was thinking.
"Since things have already come to this, let's look on the bright side. At least the army didn't send him home, otherwise he would have been even more disgraced. In the future, we should try to persuade the child properly. Although your son Boyuan is not young, he is a scholar. How should I put it? He has some knowledge and always likes those romantic and frivolous things."
When your son finds another woman in the future, keep your eyes wide open. What good is beauty if she's all sweet on the outside but bitter on the inside? Forget about it, one of hers is enough to make him suffer for the rest of his life.
Don't overthink it. Your children and grandchildren will have their own lives. You're all too old now; you may have the desire, but you don't have the energy. Just stay here in your hometown.
Don't end up like Wang Dahua, only thinking about her children and grandchildren, and ruining herself in the process. Now it's too late for regrets.
Ning Zhengtao was unaware of what Wang Dahua was up to. Hearing Qiao Jie's explanation, he was taken aback. Ma Liu then explained it to him.
"What? You're saying Wang Dahua is paralyzed? How is that possible?"
Qiao Jie sighed, "Why is it impossible? We're all getting old. Who can guarantee they won't get sick? We eat grains and vegetables, how could we not get sick? She just cares too much about her children and grandchildren, and ruined her own health."
Ma Liu then mentioned Jiang Mei and Wang Dahua's illnesses, saying, "Old Ning, look at Wang Dahua, she had a whole family of children and grandchildren, but what happened in the end? So, try to think positively about everything."
"At least your son can stay in the army. He should learn his lesson and not get carried away just because of a little kindness. As his father, you should keep a tight rein on him and see if he dares to do it again."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com