Speaking of his youngest son and daughter-in-law, Gu Hanting suppressed his grief, his voice choked with emotion, "They're both gone. Now it's just me, an old man, raising two children alone—"
As a parent outliving their child, Jiang Qiao had no idea how her grandfather had survived those difficult times.
There are some things I want to ask but can't bring myself to say. There will be other times later, I can ask slowly and eventually find out the answers.
"Grandpa, I know a little medicine. Let me see what's wrong with my brother."
Jiang Qiao touched Gu Zhenghong's forehead; it was very hot. She then checked his pulse. Jiang Qiao was quite anxious. If the child didn't receive treatment soon, he would definitely not make it.
"Grandpa, you all go out and keep watch. Don't let outsiders disturb my treatment of my brother."
The old man didn't know how his granddaughter wanted to treat his grandson's illness, but the child's eyes didn't lie. Although she was a newly adopted granddaughter, it was clear from her words and actions that she had inherited the Gu family's traits—courage and resourcefulness.
Gu Zhixuan picked up the rice bowl on the table. "Grandpa, sister, you wait here. I'll go get you some food."
The old man gave his grandson a complicated look, then nodded, and the two of them went out of the house together.
Jiang Qiao sent the two people away because she wanted to give her younger brother acupuncture. This medicine works quickly, and she had a lot of medicine in her space that she really didn't know where to use.
After giving my younger cousin acupuncture, I threw the rest of the items back into my spatial storage. Then I took out a box of medicine from my storage, tore off the packaging, and used the water from my storage to give my younger cousin two pills.
The rest were placed next to the little guy's pillow. Just as I stepped out the door, I saw Qiao Jie rushing over.
Seeing Gu Hanting sitting at the door, Qiao Jie excitedly walked over, "My benefactor—"
Gu Hanting was puzzled; he didn't remember recognizing the person in front of him.
Qiao Jie could clearly see the confusion on his face.
"Little brother, do you still remember me? The time you helped me buy coffins to bury my parents and relatives."
Gu Hanting pointed at Qiao Jie in astonishment, "You are, you are that Brother Qiao?"
Qiao Jie excitedly grasped Gu Hanting's hand, "Little brother, I've finally found you! I never expected that we would meet under such circumstances."
Seeing Jiang Qiao come out, he pointed at Gu Hanting, but before he could speak, Gu Hanting stopped him.
"Girl, try not to come here again. Go with your grandfather, someone's coming."
Jiang Qiao glanced at the people walking towards her from a distance, then went inside to take out the lunchboxes she had prepared for the two people that morning and placed them on the kang (a heated brick bed) inside the house. Then she came out carrying a basket on her back.
"Dr. Qiao, have you found your granddaughter yet? Hurry up, let's go eat, we've been waiting for you."
Jiang Qiao said in a low voice, "Grandpa Qiao, this is my own grandfather. We can talk about it next time. Let's go."
With tears in his eyes, Gu Hanting watched his granddaughter leave, feeling as if his heart was being torn apart. It was clearly his own granddaughter, but he couldn't be close to her. He hoped that the girl could write to his son so that the two of them could know the good news that the child was still alive as soon as possible.
As Qiao Jie walked, he listened to Jiang Qiao's explanation. "What? That really is your grandfather?"
Jiang Qiao nodded, but her eyes were fixed on the person who was approaching.
"Grandpa Qiao, how are those people doing with their treatment?"
The old man sighed, "It's alright for now, girl, what's the deal with that stone?"
Jiang Qiao also looked scared. "How would I know? Maybe even God couldn't stand it and punished them. Who knows?"
Qiao Jie also felt that this matter was somewhat mysterious. Those people might have been his granddaughter's doing, but he really couldn't explain the large rock that fell from the sky. Maybe it was really a divine intervention. Perhaps that was for the best, at least his benefactors could be spared some physical suffering. However, looking at these people, he sighed inwardly.
Because of how these people treated her grandfather and the others, Jiang Qiao now sees everyone as a bad person.
Upon entering the cafeteria, Jiang Qiao finally understood why her neighbors had praised the large cafeteria. It was indeed wonderful; a large crowd of people gathered together, making for a lively dining experience. Some, having almost finished eating, would sit around a table, arguing heatedly about something, their faces flushed.
Jiang Qiao listened intently and understood what was going on: the older people were reprimanding the younger ones for what happened today.
But the younger generation is unwilling to listen to the elders' advice, and they immediately started arguing with me.
Most of the older generation were tenants and laborers of the Gu family. They all received some care and benefits from the Gu family back then. The older generation cherishes these old friendships, but the younger generation is fearless and full of theories, which the older generation can hardly argue with.
"Anyway, since no one from the Gu family took care of you back then, who knows where you little brats are buried."
In times of famine, people reduce rent; when someone is in trouble, people generously help. But even among landlords, there are differences, and we should treat them differently, not all the same. After all, he's an elderly person; we shouldn't go too far.”
Jiang Qiao wanted to continue listening when an elderly man walked towards her.
"Oh, so this is the doctor who treats those brats? I'm so sorry, I went to a meeting at the brigade this morning and didn't know about this. Dr. Qiao, thank you for your selfless help."
Come on over, let's get some food. It's not anything fancy, so just eat what you have for now. We'll make something nice for you later.
Grandpa Qiao and the man shook hands and introduced themselves. Jiang Qiao then realized that the man in front of her was actually the captain. Judging from his thick eyebrows and big eyes, he didn't seem like a cunning person.
Grandpa Qiao chuckled and said, "Don't mention it. We're just passing by and gathering herbs. We'd be more than happy to have a hot meal. We don't have much to be picky about."
Knowing that Qiao Jie was a doctor who treated everyone, and that he hadn't taken a single penny, even the person serving the rice looked at the grandfather and grandson with special regard.
Jiang Qiao looked at the bowl her cousin had filled with rice. There wasn't much in it, but it should be enough to feed them until they were half full. At least it wasn't as bland and watery as she had imagined.
As the two passed each other, Jiang Qiao said in a low voice, "There's food on the kang (heated brick bed) at home. You two eat quickly, and I'll go get the lunchbox later."
Gu Zhixuan was taken aback for a moment, then realized that it was his cousin talking to him. He hummed in response and quickly left with his things.
Although the family of grandfather, grandfather, and grandson also ate in the communal dining hall, their treatment was still somewhat inferior to that of others. The grandfather told him not to complain, that it was already very good, as long as they didn't starve to death.
He knew that the women serving the rice had already taken good care of him. He guessed that his grandfather had helped them back then, so they had been very kind to him.
He wasn't an ignorant child; he knew the situation of the landlords and rich peasants around him like the back of his hand.
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