Upon hearing this, the neighbors all looked at Wang Tiezhu and said, "Old Wang, really? Jiang Qiao told your wife about this yesterday morning."
What's wrong? You two didn't deliver it to her last night? Honestly, you two are really something. Aunt Wang is in such a state, we can't help with anything else, but shouldn't we return what we owe her as soon as possible?
Jiang Qiao, a young girl, is already doing enough taking care of the old lady. I heard she's even stopped going to school. What's wrong? Does her family really need those few pounds of grain?
Wang Tiezhu blushed and explained to everyone embarrassedly, "I really didn't know about this. I told my wife that I would return it as soon as possible, but I didn't expect that woman to ignore what I said."
"Jiang Qiao, I really didn't know about this. How about this, I'll buy the groceries at noon and bring them over to you, okay?"
Jiang Qiao glanced at Wang Tiezhu and said seriously, "Are you capable of making that decision?"
Wang Tiezhu glanced at everyone and then assured them, "Of course. If we didn't have not enough food at home, I could return it to you right now. Wait, I'll deliver it to you at noon."
Hearing Jiang Qiao talking to her husband from inside the house, Li Meilan angrily shouted at the door, "Wang Tiezhu, why aren't you at work yet? The whole family is counting on you to earn money and support them."
She was secretly resentful. Why had she gone along with Jiang Qiao's words and said it was a loan yesterday? So many people heard it, and now it would be difficult for her to change her mind.
Jiang Qiao didn't care about Li Meilan's attitude. She was a shameless person, just like Zhang Erya. It was probably because she beat up those three sons yesterday that the old woman restrained herself today. Otherwise, she would definitely have made a scene in the past.
She glanced coldly into the room, then smiled warmly at Wang Tiezhu. "Uncle, since you put it that way, I won't bother you again. It's a win-win situation for everyone. Alright, I won't keep you any longer. I'm going to collect coal nuggets."
Wang Tiezhu watched Jiang Qiao leave with a complicated expression. He still couldn't quite believe what his son had said yesterday. That quiet girl, who was usually so reserved, had really changed. If this had happened before, Jiang Qiao really wouldn't have dared to come to their door to ask for things.
Jiang Qiao didn't care about any of that. Since Wang Tiezhu had agreed in front of everyone, they would wait until noon to collect the grain.
Not long after carrying the basket out, they saw a young man wearing a faded military uniform with a military satchel around his neck. He rode his bicycle in a nonchalant manner, whistling as he came this way. The young women and wives on the road couldn't help but blush and secretly peek at the young man in front of them.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Jiang Qiao couldn't help but sigh. No wonder the people in the compound privately called Ning Hao a scoundrel. Look at him, even if he wasn't a scoundrel, people would still mistake him for one.
Actually, Ning Hao isn't very old, only eighteen. He grew up in their compound since he was a child. This kid has always been a troublemaker, and fighting is commonplace for him. He usually hangs out with all sorts of shady friends, so everyone doesn't think highly of him.
In the past, when Jiang Qiao encountered people like this, she would usually stay far away. In fact, in Jiang Qiao's opinion, Ning Hao was not that bad. He was noisy, but he had his bottom line. At least he didn't mess with the neighbors in the tenement, and he was also filial to his grandparents.
Actually, Ning Hao and she are quite similar, both having had tough lives. Ning Hao's mother passed away early, so having a father was practically the same as not having one. He was stationed in the military for many years and had a second wife. Ning Hao didn't get along with his stepmother and his younger siblings, so he has been living with his grandparents all these years.
"Brother Hao, it's time to get off work—"
Jiang Qiao's words almost caused Ning Hao to lose his temper. He never expected that Jiang Qiao, who seemed to be invisible, would take the initiative to greet him.
Although they lived in the same compound, he and Jiang Qiao really didn't have much interaction. This little girl was too withdrawn and would avoid people whenever possible. There was nothing he could do but nod. Was the sun rising in the west today?
Seeing Ning Hao's expression of utter disbelief, Jiang Qiao couldn't help but find it amusing.
"Brother Hao, what's wrong? We're neighbors, don't you recognize me?"
Although Ning Haojun's face showed suspicion, he reacted quickly and teased with a smile in his eyes, "Hey little girl, do you know that scaring someone can kill them? I thought I saw a ghost in broad daylight. You're not usually like this, why are you greeting me so proactively today?"
Jiang Qiao sighed, "You know our family situation. My nanny has been sick for so long. If I were still like that, wouldn't I be choking and waiting to die?"
Ning Hao didn't know why this girl was suddenly greeting him. He looked her up and down, then patted Jiang Qiao's head. "You're fine as you are. Are you going to collect coal nuggets?"
Jiang Qiao gave a wry smile. "That's right. We don't have much fuel left at home. Brother Hao, can I ask you for a favor? You know a lot of people and have connections. Do you know where we can buy firewood? We have a big stove at home, so honeycomb briquettes aren't very useful. I'd like to get some firewood. If you have any connections, could you ask around for me?"
Ning Hao didn't even try to crack a joke, and immediately agreed, "I'll let you know if there's any news."
Even after getting home, Ning Hao was still a little dazed. Jiang Qiao had not only greeted him but also asked him to do something for her. It was the first time he had ever done this, and even he felt like he was dreaming.
When Ning Zhengtao saw his eldest grandson return, his expression was a little off. "What's wrong? Did you get into trouble again?"
Ning Hao gave a wry smile. "Grandpa, really, why don't you wish me well? What trouble? I've encountered something strange—"
She then recounted her encounter with Jiang Qiao to her grandparents, and then asked again, "Isn't it strange?"
Grandma Ning sighed, "Little Jiang Qiao wasn't like this before. She was quite lively when she was little. It's all because of your teaching, Grandma Wang, that she's been corrupted. She's trying to be a lady, but that's not how you teach a lady. Sigh, it's really terrible to be uneducated."
Ning Hao put his arm around the old lady's neck and said with a grin, "My grandparents are so much better. They're educated and know so much. I, their grandson, am also benefiting from their kindness. If I had a grandma like Wang Dahua, I might have been beaten to death by her long ago."
Grandma Ning patted her grandson's hand affectionately. "You rascal, it's good that you know. I'll say it again: it's not that making friends is bad, but you have to choose the right people. Bad people are absolutely out of the question. Fighting also depends on the situation. If you're bullied, you have to fight back. Just taking a beating is not the style of our Ning family."
The old man gave a bitter laugh. "You, you, Xiao Hao has become like this, it's definitely not your fault. You have no idea what people outside are saying about our grandson. Be careful he doesn't have a wife."
The old lady snorted, "What's wrong with my grandson? Did he steal or rob? So what if he has a lot of friends and likes to stand up for what's right? As long as he doesn't hurt himself, everything else is negotiable."
If Jiang Qiao ever needs anything in the future, please help her if you can. It's really not easy for a widow and her child. By the way, if you can get some, please get more for our family too.”
Ning Hao glanced at his grandmother and said, "What do you need so many for? There's nowhere to store them. I just don't understand why you didn't build a house with a yard like Wang Dahua did back then. Look how cramped this place is now!"
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