After the last incident, the Zhao family and the Zhao family kept arguing. The milk tea shop could no longer operate due to the discord between the two sides and had to close down early.
Jiang Bai had expected the news of the milk tea shop closing down and was not surprised.
Suddenly, a young maidservant ran over from outside the courtyard, panting, and said, "Madam, your eldest sister-in-law from your maternal family has arrived."
Jiang Bai put down the book in her hand, slightly surprised. Why would her sister-in-law from her maternal family suddenly come over?
She went out to greet them and saw her sister-in-law with her child, who looked unwell.
"Sister-in-law."
"Hey, Bai'er, I'm sorry to bother you with this sudden visit." The elder sister-in-law's eyes lit up when she saw her.
"No need to bother you. It's been a long time since I've seen you, sister-in-law. How have you been?"
The servants brewed fresh tea, and Jiang Bai then teased the child in her arms.
She couldn't help but think of her two children, who were currently in school. Xile wasn't doing well in her studies, so she specifically instructed the teacher to keep a close eye on them.
Without much formality, the sister-in-law stated her purpose directly: "My mother-in-law has suddenly fallen ill, and this time it's quite serious. We've searched all the doctors in the vicinity, but none of them can cure her. I have no one else to ask, so I've come to you to think of a solution."
A somber look hung between her brows; she must not have been getting enough rest lately.
Jiang Bai's eyes remained calm. Her birth mother, Wang Xiufen, favored boys over girls and treated her harshly in many ways, never giving her a second glance.
Jiang Bai was not some benevolent saint, and had no compassion for people like Wang Xiufen.
Seeing her indifferent expression, her sister-in-law understood, but Wang Xiufen was, after all, her child's grandmother, and she couldn't just ignore her.
"Bai'er, I know that your mother-in-law has not been good to you, but we can't just stand by and watch her die. Consider it a debt of gratitude that your sister-in-law owes you."
Upon hearing her say this, Jiang Bai immediately interrupted, "What are you talking about gratitude between us? She is at least related to me by blood. It is only right and reasonable for me to save her. Sister-in-law, you don't need to feel like you are begging me."
Wang Xiufen was the original owner's biological mother. No matter how badly she treated her, the blood ties between them could not be erased. If she saved her own mother and still needed her sister-in-law to repay the favor, it would be unreasonable.
"You've been traveling a long way and must not have had a good rest these past few days. Go and rest with the children first. I'll go back with you tomorrow. Don't worry."
Hearing her agree, the sister-in-law breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Now that you've agreed, I can finally relax a bit."
Jiang Bai summoned a maid to take her sister-in-law and child away to rest, and then she went to find Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi also received news that his sister-in-law was coming and was already ready to wait for her.
She was amused by his posture as soon as she entered the room: "You're quite well-informed, your posture is pretty good."
Zhao Yi raised his head, a hint of smugness in his eyes: "It's all because I've been keeping an eye on your every move, so naturally I had to know about something this big right away!"
"Do you know why your sister-in-law came here?"
Zhao Yi's smug handsome face stiffened, and he muttered an explanation: "I'm just concerned, not spying. I certainly wouldn't send someone to eavesdrop on your conversation with your sister-in-law."
Jiang Bai knew he wouldn't do such a thing, but hearing him say that still made her feel inexplicably sweet.
She stopped teasing him and shared her thoughts: "No matter how badly Wang Xiufen treated me, she is still my birth mother. I still need to go back and visit her, but I'm not entirely at ease leaving my family behind."
Zhao Yi stood up and patted her head: "I'm here at home, so you can just do your own thing. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Ping An and Xi Le. You just need to be really careful when you go over there. I'll miss you."
Jiang Bai nodded. In that case, she would go to the village.
In the evening, after the children came home from school, the eldest sister-in-law, having rested well, looked at the two children with concern.
Xile looked at the doll in her arms and was overjoyed. The three children quickly started playing together.
After dinner, Jiang Bai had to put the two children to bed.
Xile watched as she washed her face, staring intently at her, and suddenly asked, "Is Mother going home with Aunt?"
Jiang Bai paused, not intending to hide it from them: "Yes, my aunt's rabbits had babies, so I came here specifically to ask my mother to go back and catch a pair to keep Ping An and Xi Le company."
When Xile heard the word "little rabbit," her eyes lit up immediately: "Little rabbit? Are there really little rabbits?"
"Of course, when has your mother ever lied to you?"
Jiang Bai smiled slightly; a three-year-old is indeed easy to coax. But she had promised Rabbit that she would never lie to her again.
But someone wouldn't let her have it so easy. Ping An tilted her head to the side, her eyes bright and her expression innocent: "There are rabbits for sale in the city. Mother, you don't need to bother going home with Aunt. The journey is long and you might get tired."
Jiang Bai's smile froze, and when he turned his head, he saw the kid looking completely innocent.
Xile counted on her fingers, thought for a moment, and nodded in agreement: "Yes, Mom, you can buy little rabbits in the city. Please don't go back, okay? I want you to stay with me."
As she spoke, she threw herself into Jiang Bai's arms. The little girl was incredibly cute when she was being coquettish.
Jiang Bai felt his heart melting. He patted her back and coaxed her softly, "The rabbits you buy in the city are nowhere near as smart as the rabbits your aunt raises. Look at our Xile and Ping'an, they're much smarter than other rabbits."
She spoke of Ping An with a hint of resentment. This guy wasn't just smarter than others; he was practically a cunning devil, always finding ways to trip her up.
Ping An didn't say anything more, but just looked up at her.
After Jiang Bai coaxed Xile to sleep, he took Ping An out.
As soon as they went outside, Ping An said, "Mother, you don't need to hide it from me or go to the trouble of making up lies to coax me. It will break my heart if you tire yourself out."
Jiang Bai put him down, then rubbed his chubby face with his hands: "Feeling sorry for me? Why didn't you feel sorry for me when you were causing me trouble? Hmm?"
Zhao Ping'an's face turned red from her rubbing, making him, who was usually calm, look more adorable like someone his age.
"Grandma is sick, I have to go back to see her. You need to keep an eye on your sister at home and make sure she doesn't get hurt or cause trouble." Jiang Bai knew she couldn't hide it from him, so she simply told the truth.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ping'an pursed his lips, remained silent for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "Will you be in danger?"
Jiang Bai was taken aback, then smiled: "No, with the blessings of peace and joy, Mother will be safe and sound and will definitely return to your side safely."
They were all worried about her, and they couldn't let her go.
Zhao Ping'an raised his little hand and extended one little finger: "Then let's pinky swear, you have to keep your word."
Jiang Bai obediently extended his large hand: "Okay, I will definitely come back safely."
With both children already enrolled in private schools in the capital, she had nothing to worry about. Zhao Yi would be watching over them, so she could go with peace of mind.
The next day, after a brief farewell, she and her sister-in-law embarked on their journey back to the village.
Two days later, the two arrived in the village, where Jiang Bai discovered that Wang Xiufen was not the only one who was sick; other villagers had also fallen ill.
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