Zhang Fu nodded in agreement without asking any further questions. Meng Tao asked him about the black market and rented a warehouse. His uncle said there were tire marks on the road behind the back door, indicating that large trucks had passed by. Zhang Fu knew then that Meng Tao was engaging in "speculation" and making money by doing business privately.

There are many such people in the old streets of the county town. Although this is not allowed openly and has been publicized in meetings held by the street office and the factory, what people think in private can basically be seen from their actions. After all, each family takes care of their own business and neighbors will not talk too much.

Zhang Fu also thought that it was a kind of skill. He was just suffering from lack of capital and connections, otherwise he would have done a little - who doesn't want to make more money and live a good life without worries about food and clothing?

So he was not surprised at Meng Tao's behavior, and he even admired her for being so capable as a country girl.

Meng Jinniu was a little worried. He had only been to the county town when he was young. Wasn't Mengzhou too far away? And it was a big place. I heard there was a train station with a lot of connections. He was worried that Meng Tao would meet some bad guys and be kidnapped.

Meng Tao smiled and said that he would not be abducted, and told him to rest well and not to worry. He should also ignore Meng Jingui and Meng Jingang, and that any unreasonable and excessive requests must be rejected and he must protect himself.

More and more people started to gather in the hospital corridor. Under the repeated urging of the nurse on duty and the cleaning lady, Meng Jingang, who was sleeping soundly on the bench, had to get up. However, he had not slept enough, so he returned the quilt to Zhang Fu. Seeing Meng Jingui sleeping next to Meng Jinniu's bed, he also wanted to get close to him, but was rejected by Meng Jinniu.

Zhang Fu also came over and said, "You can't do this. You should think about Taurus. If Taurus doesn't recover from his injury, he will become disabled in the future."

Meng Jingang got up and glared at Zhang Fu: "Who wouldn't do good for him? He's my brother!"

Then he said to Meng Jinniu, "We are here to see you, but we don't even have a place to sleep."

Meng Jinniu was also angry. Why did he go against Zhang Fu? Zhang Fu was speaking for him, and he couldn't let Zhang Fu suffer any loss: "Jin Gang, no one asked you to come here. You are not here to visit me, but to harm me. I have told you many times not to touch me, but you just won't listen. Go home and leave quickly."

Meng Jingang looked at Meng Jinniu in disbelief: "Sanwa, what did you say? You chased us away? How dare you do this to me... Aren't you afraid that your grandparents and dad will scold you when you go home?"

Meng Jingang has this confidence. He is the darling of the family. His grandparents like him. His parents have loved him since he was a child. He is the most educated and has been awarded a worker quota. He has a bright future. The whole family should treat him as a treasure. Meng Lao San is the lowest existence in the family. How dare they disrespect him? Meng Jinniu looked at Meng Jingang. He used to be very good to Meng Lao Si. He was willing to help him with everything and was used to Meng Jingang's superiority. But now, he didn't want to follow Meng Jingang.

"I'm not afraid. I've already given my life back to my father. If it weren't for Sister Taohua rescuing my head and broken legs, they would have been buried in the ground... I will never go back to the old Meng family in Liuzhuang. I'm no longer your brother. I'm the grandson of Meng Shengli from Linshui Village."

Meng Jingang looked as if he didn't understand, and actually he really didn't understand. He had heard that there was an uncle living in Linshui Village, but he didn't know the details. When he met Meng Jingui yesterday, Meng Jingui just said that Meng Jinniu fell and injured himself. Now Meng Jinniu mentioned his father, what was going on?

However, after arguing for a few sentences, his sleepiness dissipated a lot. It didn't matter if he didn't sleep, so he didn't say anything else and went to the bathroom to wash his face and go to the toilet.

Two female nurses came in to give medicine and injections to the patients. They found Meng Jingui lying on Meng Jinniu's bed. They slapped him awake and scolded him. Meng Jingui then went to wash his face in a daze.

When they met Meng Jingang on the road, the two brothers whispered to each other. Meng Jingang finally understood what had happened at home in the past few days. He couldn't help but blame Meng Laifu for being too harsh and wasting 50 yuan on medical expenses. He came to the county town, but after much persuasion, he only got two yuan for travel expenses.

Although Meng Jingang no longer had to work at home and would be working in a factory, he did not agree to adopt Meng Jinniu to the Meng family in Linshui Village. He was a filial son and did not want his parents to work too hard. Meng Jinniu was so capable, and with him at home taking care of things, his parents would not have to work too hard.

Meng Jingui told Meng Jingang that he was sent by Geng Guifen to take care of Meng Jinniu for a few days, and he didn't have to stay in the hospital for the length of time the doctor said. The family was so poor that they couldn't even afford to eat, so could you, a doctor, force someone to stay in the hospital? Just take advantage of Meng Taohua's inattention and find a cart to take Meng Jinniu home!

As for how much money Geng Guifen brought to Meng Jingui, Meng Jingui didn't say and Meng Jingui didn't ask. Wouldn't he know when he got home?

After the two brothers discussed it, they went back to the ward to persuade Meng Jinniu not to be adopted to Linshui Village. Since ancient times, adopted sons have been looked down upon. Meng Jinniu should not listen to Meng Taohua. Their grandmother said that Meng Taohua's parents died when she was born, and her third grandfather was also killed by her. He had no other children and only lived to the age of sixty. That Taohua was an evil star that killed her parents and hindered her brothers and sisters. Otherwise, how could the Meng family in Linshui Village become extinct? If Meng Jinniu went there, he would definitely not get any good! Meng Jinniu was indifferent to what they said, lying on the bed with his eyes closed to rest, but when he heard them say bad things about Taohua, Meng Jinniu became calm, opened his eyes and scolded the two of them, and called Zhang Fulai to testify, saying that he would report the two brothers because they had feudal superstitious ideas and needed to be educated and make self-criticisms! Meng Jingui: "..."

Meng Jingang: “…”

The brothers were once again surprised by Meng Jinniu's change. He turned hostile and even learned to get people to testify and report him? Is he still the stupid Meng Lao San? Meng Jingui took on the identity of the elder brother and scolded Meng Jinniu. Meng Jingang tried to smooth things over. Meng Jinniu snorted and ignored them. The two did not dare to say anything more.

Especially Meng Jingang, he is about to enter the factory as a worker, and he also needs to undergo political review, and it is very strict. If he is reported and has a black mark on his file, he will not even have time to cry.

At around ten o'clock in the morning, Meng Jingui and Meng Jingang were so hungry that they asked Meng Jinniu why Meng Taohua hadn't come to deliver breakfast yet. Meng Jinniu didn't answer, and Zhang Fu next to him said, "You guys had already eaten, and you were still sleeping."

"Does that mean you'll take care of our meals too?"

"Taohua only left money for Jinniu's meal, not yours."

Meng Jingui was very disappointed and looked at Meng Jinniu with resentment. He had no choice but to take Meng Jingang to a restaurant outside. After looking for a long time, he finally took out three cents and bought a few black-faced steamed buns that did not require food coupons. The two brothers ate the meal with the free boiled water in the store. They didn't know whether to call it breakfast or lunch.

After dinner, Meng Jingui and Meng Jingang discussed: "While Meng Taohua is not here, let's find a cart and take Sanwa back to the village. We should be able to get some medical expenses back. Sanwa's condition is just a broken bone. The country doctor can treat it with herbal medicine, and it won't cost much."

Meng Jingang was worried, mainly because Meng Jinniu had threatened him to report him. Meng Jinniu was no longer as naive and obedient as before. He had grown rebellious. If he started making a scene in the hospital, with so many doctors, nurses, and patients watching...

Meng Jingang couldn't afford to lose face, so he refused to listen to Meng Jingui.

He had to go home. He had lost his place to stay and eat, and only had a few cents for bus fare. If he didn't go back, he might not even have enough money for bus fare.

Meng Jingui looked angrily at Meng Jingang as he walked further and further away without looking back, but there was nothing he could do.

He had to go back to the hospital by himself. In Meng Jinniu's ward, the accompanying family members were not there at this time, as if they had made an appointment. Only a few patients were left, either leaning against the head of the bed or lying on the bed, quietly.

Zhang Fu was nowhere to be seen. Meng Jingui saw the opportunity and hurried to Meng Jinniu, calling him "Third child". Meng Jinniu had not slept well last night because of the noise made by Meng Jingui and his brothers. He was drowsy and opened his eyes when he heard the shouting. He looked at Meng Jingui and couldn't help but frowned: "Second brother, why don't you go back?"

Meng Jingui: "Sanwa, you just lie in the hospital like this, the doctor doesn't come to see you much, and you just take a few pills this morning... Why don't we go home and ask a local doctor to pick some herbs to make soup, it will be fine! And it will save money. When the hospital returns the money, we can use it to buy meat and give you meat every day. What do you think?"

Meng Jinniu looked at Meng Jingui as if he were a fool for a while, then closed his eyes again.

"Sanwa, say something. Look, there are people pulling bricks and wood on a cart across the street. I'll carry you down there. We can agree on a cart to take you back to the village. We'll go slowly so you don't get bumped. We can get home before dark, okay?"

As Meng Jingui spoke, he thought of what Geng Guifen had promised: if he brought Jinniu home and the hospital returned the money, all his would belong to him; and Geng Caiyue would also give him an extra thank-you gift. Even though Geng Caiyue was a widow, she was rich!

Then he couldn't ask for less, he had to give at least thirty yuan. After all, he worked so hard to bring the third child back, and in the end it was a good thing for Geng Caiyue, right?

What young man would be willing to marry a widow with three children? Geng Caiyue is six or seven years older than the three children.

Meng Jingui was calculating in his mind. Seeing that Meng Jinniu didn't say anything, he reached out to pull him. Meng Jinniu opened his eyes and said, "If you move me again, I will call the nurse and kick you out."

"I'm discussing something with you, and you don't even answer me." Meng Jingui was angry.

"I've said before, I'm never going back to Old Meng's house again."

"Do you think grandma will agree to let you settle down in Linshui Village?"

"So what if I don't agree? I'm an adult now and I can make my own decision."

"You..." Meng Jingui wanted to say something, but someone came in to visit the patient. Several other family members also came back, and the ward became lively. It was definitely not possible to move Meng Jinniu away at this time, so Meng Jingui had to give up.

(End of this chapter)