646 Broken Chopping Board
“Grandfather… Is elder sister angry? Is it what my mother did that made elder sister unhappy? I think elder sister was especially angry when she went back… Will elder sister abandon us?” Zhang Wei asked nervously.
Qiao Qiang thought for a moment and said, “Come over and have dinner and I’ll tell you.”
Zhang Wei was still young and was easily coaxed into eating obediently. Qiao Qiang smiled as he watched the children wolf down their food, as if they had not eaten for a few days.
“Is it delicious?” Qiao Qiang asked with a smile.
The children nodded hurriedly. Their mouths were full of food and they had no time to talk to Qiao Qiang.
“Your elder sister made all these. Do you still think your elder sister is angry, Xiao Wei?” Qiao Qiang said.
Zhang Wei looked at the food in his hands in a daze. He knew that Qiao Mei would not abandon them, but there was nothing they could do to stop what Li Gui was doing, nor could they make it up to Qiao Mei.
“Why is elder sister so good to us? We’ve always been a burden to her and you, grandfather. We’ve caused so much trouble, so why are you still willing to help us?” Zhang Wei asked with a sob.
Qiao Qiang thought about it but could not come up with an exact answer. However, he knew that these children were good-natured and were good kids.
“Your mother is just muddle-headed for a moment. Everyone makes mistakes, including grandfather and elder sister. You children don’t have to worry about adults’ issues. As long as you grow up well and study hard, your elder sister and I will be at ease. Do you understand?” Qiao Qiang reached out and patted Zhang Wei’s head.
Zhang Wei remembered Qiao Qiang’s words well. When he grew up, he would definitely repay them both.
“Alright, grandfather won’t stay here anymore. I still have to go back and look after your elder sister! Remember to take care of your youngest sister after you’re done eating, understand?” Qiao Qiang instructed.
Zhang Wei nodded in understanding.
Li Gui and Zhao Hong hired the horse carriage for four dollars and rushed back to the Li family house without stopping. Old Madam Li was lying on the brick bed leisurely, listening to the radio and humming along!
“Mother! Mother, I’m back!” Li Gui started shouting as soon as she entered.
Old Madam Li was so shocked that she hurriedly turned off the radio and lay down on the brick bed. She kept moaning as if she was terminally ill.
“Aw ~ It hurts ~ It hurts ~” Old Madam Li muttered to herself.
When Li Gui entered the house and saw this scene, tears flowed down her face. She knelt by the brick bed and said, “Mother… I’m back. Let’s go to the clinic now! Hang on! I’ll get someone to come and treat you now!”
When Old Madam Li heard this, she immediately grabbed Li Gui’s hand and said, “My illness… the clinic can’t treat it… Don’t go… Stay with me…”
Zhao Hong chimed in, “That’s right. The clinic is closed now. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”
