Gu Zhengkai was dumbfounded. "My God, so many—"
In his mind, such things were usually the concern of elderly parents for their children. He never expected that his little niece would think so much about them.
He sighed and ruffled Jiang Qiao's hair. "Girl, don't think too much, or you'll stop growing. All that energy is killing you."
Jiang Qiao raised her little neck and said, "I've grown a lot. Is 1.63 meters short? It's not short anymore. I can still grow taller. I'll grow taller this year."
It was rare to see his niece still having such a childlike side, so Gu Zhengkai patted Jiang Qiao on the shoulder and said, "Uncle, thank you for thinking so thoughtfully about me, Qiao'er."
"Uncle, we need to go back to our old courtyard. I still have some things to take."
Gu Zhengkai nodded. "Anyway, we'll ride our bikes back. Zhixuan, let's take our things downstairs and pack some of our clothes. You can go directly with your grandfather later."
Jiang Qiao sighed, "I'd love to go with them, but oh well, I'll wait until next year."
It would be a lie to say she didn't want to, but she couldn't go every year; there was still Grandpa Qiao at home.
Gu Zhengkai could understand his niece's feelings, but there was no solution to the current situation unless the child took the old man with her. However, the old man was too old and unwilling to leave his hometown.
Furthermore, even if she moved there, she wouldn't be able to take care of her younger brother and sister-in-law, as they both have jobs and a young child at home. In fact, it would be quite good for Jiang Qiao to stay here. In Gu Zhengkai's opinion, the climate here is quite suitable for retirement.
"Things will be better later. Once your mom and dad retire, they can come back. Or, how about we try to get your dad transferred?"
Jiang Qiao shook her head. "No, it's more suitable for him to stay over there. He's getting older, and the constant transfers are exhausting. Besides, I don't want my dad to suffer if there isn't a suitable position for him at his level. It's okay, I was just feeling sentimental. To be honest, I'm used to separation. Let's go."
When Jiang Qiao and the others returned, wow, their courtyard was quite lively.
It's probably almost Chinese New Year. Children are running around inside and outside, the yard is filled with the aroma of meat, and every household has pasted couplets and the character "福" (good fortune) on their doors. Seeing all this, you can clearly feel the strong festive atmosphere. Jiang Qiao guesses that everyone has been saving up oil all year and is using it up today.
Everyone was busy preparing for the New Year, and no one noticed that Jiang Qiao and the others had come in.
After returning to the house, Jiang Qiao first asked Gu Zhengkai and his son to help put up the couplets, while she prepared a package. After hesitating for a moment, she took two things to deliver to Wang Dahua.
As they passed by the Du family's house, Song Lianfeng happened to come out to pour water. "Qiao'er, when did you get back?"
"I just got back. I came back to put up the couplets and also to bring some things to my grandma."
Song Lianfeng grabbed Jiang Qiao and said, "Don't go. Your grandma isn't home. She went to buy things for Jiang Mei's wedding. There are only men left at home."
Seeing Jiang Qiao's surprised expression, Song Lianfeng knew that Wang Dahua hadn't told Jiang Qiao about this.
“You silly child, how could you forget? Didn’t I say before that Jiang Mei found a man from the suburbs? They’re getting married in the first month of the lunar year, and I heard the man has a good job. Your grandma is worried about embarrassing her granddaughter, so she’s been arranging to go out and buy things. No matter what, her granddaughter has already been divorced once. If she has another problem this time, her reputation will be really ruined.”
Jiang Qiao snorted, "She's probably pretty much finished. I've never seen anyone like her. Alright, Auntie, please pass this on for me. I'm too lazy to deal with those people. I need to go back to the countryside to be with my grandfather."
"Your grandfather isn't planning to come back for the Chinese New Year?"
Jiang Qiao shook her head. "It's lively in the countryside during the New Year, and you can even get medical treatment there. My grandpa doesn't want to come back. I'm leaving now, I'll wish you a Happy New Year later."
Looking at what she was holding, and then at Jiang Qiao's departing figure, Song Lianfeng sighed and shook her head.
After Jiang Qiao finished packing, she and Gu Zhengfeng rode off on their bikes. On the way, she told her uncle about Jiang Mei.
"ah?"
Gu Zhixuan was dumbfounded. "No, that man has been arrested. Who is she going to marry? Besides, that man was working for enemy agents, and he was also involved in black market activities. If he's convicted, can Jiang Mei wait any longer?"
Jiang Qiao chuckled twice. "Jiang Mei will never marry him. Now that he's locked up, the wedding is naturally off. But everyone in our compound knows about this. I wonder how Wang Dahua will handle this."
Her grandchildren really bring her honor; the little face her youngest son left her has probably been completely lost long ago.
Gu Zhengkai snorted, "Like attracts like. Someone like Jiang Mei will probably never be idle in the future. She can hook up with other people even when her husband is away, let alone this man."
I doubt she'll stick with one person any longer. I guess she chose that man because she thought he had a good job, was rich and capable. It's a pity she didn't take the right path and ended up getting herself into trouble.
However, I really should thank you, Lao Yang, for giving me this opportunity.
Gu Zhixuan nodded as he rode his bike. "That's right. Uncle Yang thanked my sister profusely. Who would have thought that coming over to help would lead to a job? But Uncle Yang is really something. It's a waste to have someone like him working as a gatekeeper. Talented people should be put where they are needed."
With someone like this helping him from now on, Uncle Song can finally relax a lot.
Halfway there, snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Jiang Qiao sighed, "A good snow promises a good harvest. Let it snow more so that next year will be a good year. Let's not be like these past few years, which have almost driven people crazy."
"Everything will be alright. It's a new year, and we should have a good start."
The three of them traveled together, and although it was snowing, the journey wasn't long. When they arrived home, before Jiang Qiao could even speak, Gu Zhixuan started shouting.
"Zhihong, Grandpa Qiao, Grandpa Liu, we're back."
The people inside had just run out to pick up Jiang Qiao and the others when Yu Deshui's anxious shouts outside attracted everyone's attention.
"Jiang Qiao, Jiang Qiao, quick, help me—"
Qiao Jie frowned. "You kid, explain yourself clearly. What happened? Who's in trouble?"
Yu Deshui jumped off his bicycle and hurriedly explained to Qiao Jie and Jiang Qiao, "Grandpa, Jiang Qiao, my wife is having a difficult labor. The midwife is too scared to help her and says she has to be taken to the hospital. But right now, all the doctors at the hospital are on holiday. Please, I beg you, please save my wife and my baby!"
Yu Deshui threw down his bicycle and was about to kneel down before the old man and Jiang Qiao, but Jiang Qiao pulled him back.
“If you kneel, I won’t save you even if I could. You wait here, we’ll go inside and get something. Grandpa Qiao, here’s your medicine box, I’ll go find the medicine.”
When the old man heard that the pregnant woman and the baby were not in good condition, he panicked. He wasn't good at this kind of thing, but he was a doctor after all, so even if he wasn't good at it, he had to go and take a look.
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