Zhu Yunxiu's words were full of concern and reluctance.
“Don’t worry, Grandma.”
Xu Qinghe responded with a smile, carrying two hot meat buns in his arms, a backpack full of supplies on his back, and he got on his bicycle and set off into the morning light.
Zhu Yunxiu stood at the door, watching her granddaughter's back gradually walk away. Until Xu Qinghe disappeared from the end of her sight, she whispered to the two puppies who were accompanying her to come into the house and carefully locked the door just in case.
In the yard, Zhu Yunxiu played with a puppy, weaving a basket in her hands, and at the same time, she did not forget to dry her homemade tofu in the sun. Such a life was simple but fulfilling, without any trace of loneliness.
Xu Qinghe thought she got up early enough and set off as soon as the sky turned pale. However, when she arrived at the hospital exhausted, she found that Qin Huixin and her family had already been waiting outside Sun Hongqi's ward, and the doctor was carefully examining Sun Hongqi's injuries.
"Cousin, uncle, why are you here so early?" As Xu Qinghe stepped into the hospital corridor, he saw Qin Huixin and his wife who were waiting anxiously. He quickly quickened his pace and went forward to ask.
When Qin Huixin and his wife saw Xu Qinghe, a hint of relief finally appeared on their anxious faces.
Qin Huixin held Xu Qinghe's hand and explained with a choked voice, "We were really worried, so as soon as we got home last night, we hurried to the village chief's house to borrow a car and rushed here despite the darkness.
The mountain road was rugged and bumpy, and we had just arrived not long ago.
Upon hearing this, Xu Qinghe immediately took out the breakfast that his grandmother had carefully prepared from his backpack. The food was wrapped tightly and still remained warm.
"You guys haven't slept all night, you must be starving. Eat something first and find a place to rest. I'll take care of your cousin."
The exhausted Qin Huixin and his wife were a little embarrassed at first when faced with Xu Qinghe's thoughtfulness, but when they thought of Xu Qinghe's generous help all the time, they no longer refused. They took the food with tears of gratitude and began to chew it with big mouthfuls.
When they took a bite of the fragrant fried mushrooms and meat, they were stunned.
This was a luxury that could only be enjoyed during the Chinese New Year, but now, on such a morning, it unexpectedly warmed their stomachs. The aroma of meat in their mouths seemed to temporarily dispel all their fatigue and worries. The two of them just enjoyed it silently, with no time for words.
When Xu Qinghe offered them food again, even though they were not yet completely full, they refused to accept any more, waving their hands repeatedly: "We are really full, you can keep the rest for yourself."
For them, being able to taste this rare delicacy is a great fortune, so how could they dare to ask for more?
Not to mention, Xu Qinghe's help today has made them burst into tears of gratitude. They feel that they will never be able to repay this deep friendship in this lifetime.
However, Xu Qinghe was unwilling to say more and insisted on handing each person another portion: "I prepared a lot and even saved a portion for my cousin. You can eat it, don't hesitate."
"Xiaoyue, thank you so much for this matter!"
Sun Fu, Qin Huixin's husband, is only in his early forties, but due to years of hard work, his face looks extremely vicissitudes, his skin is dark, and his back is slightly bent, as if the years have left more traces on him.
However, when he looked at Xu Qinghe, his eyes flashed with sincerity and gratitude, penetrating the vicissitudes of time, clear and bright.
"Oh, uncle, we are all family, why should we be so polite? You are embarrassing me. Over the years, I have always remembered the help you and aunt have given to our family and the care you have given to grandma."
Although Qin Huixin often crossed the mountains alone to bring the warmth of home to Zhu Yunxiu, without Sun Fu's silent support and encouragement, how could that warmth be so lasting and firm.
A warm feeling surged in Sun Fu's heart. He knew that his wife's efforts were also deeply recognized by Xu Qinghe. He secretly vowed that once his son recovered, he would go deep into the mountains with his son to look for precious things as a way to express his gratitude for Xu Qinghe's selfless help.
The wild vegetable cakes in their hands, although simple, contained full of love. The two of them carefully wrapped them in oil paper, intending to savor them carefully when they needed them most.
After all, the previous portion had already made them feel warm, so Xu Qinghe didn't force it. Instead, he handed over a military water bottle and said softly, "Drink some hot water first to warm your body, don't catch a cold."
The couple looked at the seemingly ordinary pot in front of them. The liquid inside was clear and transparent, like a mountain stream, without any ripples.
They exchanged glances, secretly guessing that this might just be the host's politeness. So, with a bit of embarrassment, they took turns gently opening the lid of the pot and lifting it gently with their fingertips, as if performing some kind of ritual, carefully letting the warm water flow into their mouths, deliberately keeping a distance, for fear that their lips, which were slightly rough from work, would appear out of place in front of this clear water.
However, when the first wisp of rich but not greasy milk aroma quietly bloomed in their mouths, a hint of surprise and confusion flashed in their eyes.
This wasn't just plain water, but the precious malted milk I only enjoyed during festivals! My thoughts were instantly drawn back to yesterday, the two cans of malted milk Xu Qinghe had gifted me. The elders had left them all to the children, untouched by them, just to see the happy smiles on their faces. The sweetness and laughter that filled the house still resonated in my mind.
At that time, when they were brewing tea for the children, they controlled the amount because they cherished it. However, Xu Qinghe, this seemingly weak woman, was so generous. The richness and mellowness of this sip were even richer and purer than the one the children at home had last night.
The aroma of milk slowly filled their mouths, and the couple squinted their eyes unconsciously, enjoying this sudden, almost luxurious happiness.
But soon, this enjoyment was replaced by a trace of uneasiness. They realized that their behavior seemed too indulgent, and hurriedly handed the kettle back to Xu Qinghe, waving their hands repeatedly, determined not to drink another sip.
Xu Qinghe looked at them with mixed feelings. It was just a pot of ordinary malted milk, but it moved his cousin and his wife so much. Poverty always makes people feel the difficulty of life in the subtle details.
Under her repeated insistence, the couple had no choice but to take another sip reluctantly. Xu Qinghe then put away the kettle with satisfaction, a gentle light flashing in her eyes.
Just as she was about to persuade the two to take a break, the door of the examination room was suddenly pushed open, and a doctor in a neat white coat walked out slowly. Everyone hurriedly gathered around, nervous and full of anticipation.
"Doctor, can my child's leg be cured?"
Sun Fu's voice was full of anxiety and urgency. He instinctively wanted to reach out and keep the doctor, but when he touched his hands, which had become dark and rough due to labor, and the doctor's spotless white sleeves.
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