Lu Haici had been going to the cafeteria to get food for half a month, and anyone with eyes could see that.

Rather than wait for Lu Cheng to return and let others gossip about it, it was better for her to address it openly in advance.

When Lu Haici heard his mother’s words, he chimed in, “Yeah, Mom has been sick all along.”

Hearing Lu Haici’s words, Lin Qingqing almost laughed out loud.

This little kid was truly a great helper!

If he had a kindergarten diploma, he wouldn’t really think that the original person was truly sick.

However, it was also thanks to the original person always saying she felt unwell whenever she asked this little one to go to the cafeteria for food.

She happily patted Lu Haici’s head and said, “Yes, our little man is the best! Once I get out of the hospital, I’ll definitely reward you.”

Who wouldn’t like such a well-behaved, adorable little kid who didn’t even have a kindergarten diploma?

“Mom, really?” When Luhai Ci heard his mom mention a reward, his eyes widened with excitement.

Lin Qingqing replied, “Of course it’s true! I never lie to children.” Except for those who don’t even have a kindergarten diploma, of course.

Luhai Ci grinned, his smile almost reaching his ears.

Yu Xiuyiao was one of those who knew that Luhai Ci had been getting food for half a month. She had even asked Luhai Ci why he was going to get food and where his mom was. Luhai Ci had said his mom was unwell and lying in bed.

At that time, Yu Xiuyiao thought, who could be sick for so long? She even suspected that the other party was being lazy and taking advantage of Luhai Ci’s young age to deceive him. However, she didn’t confront them because it was a family matter, and it was better to let Lucheng handle it. Moreover, with Lucheng not around, if she barged in, who knew how Lucheng’s wife might treat Luhai Ci?

But now, seeing Lucheng’s wife openly discussing this matter and hearing Luhai Ci echo her words, could it be that she had overthought it and misjudged others with a petty mindset?

Looking at how the mother and son interacted, Luhai Ci’s happiness was genuine, and Lucheng’s wife looked at him with warmth in her eyes. So… she had indeed overthought it. Fortunately, she had noticed this matter in time; if she had waited for Lucheng to return and spoken some unfounded words, it would have caused discord between the couple, which wouldn’t be good.

“Look at what you’re saying. There’s an old saying that people can’t hide their needs, and they can’t bear being sick. When one is ill, of course, they need someone to take care of them. Luhai Ci is a child I’ve watched grow up. If he’s the second most well-behaved child in the family courtyard, there wouldn’t be a first,” Yu Xiuyiao thought to herself after this reflection, and her previously polite tone towards Lin Qingqing now carried more sincerity and a hint of apology.

Lin Qingqing smiled gently, “He is indeed a good child.”

Listening to this, Luhai Ci couldn’t suppress his smile at all.

She wanted to go find Ji Yang right now to tell him that not only would she give him a reward, but that he was also a little man and a good child.

As Yu Xiuyou listened to the mother and son talking, she opened the lunchbox and said, “I thought since you had a high fever yesterday, if you woke up today, you wouldn’t be able to eat anything greasy, so I made you some white rice soup.” Indeed, it was white rice soup, and the rice had been cooked until it was unrecognizable. To prevent Lin Qingqing from thinking she was stingy, she added, “This white rice soup is easy to digest, even better than rice porridge.”

Lin Qingqing replied, “Sister-in-law, you really are considerate. My mouth feels bitter, and my throat is a bit uncomfortable, so white rice soup is perfect for me.” White rice soup is a liquid food.

It really is easier to digest than semi-liquid rice porridge. Hearing her say this, Yu Xiuyou once again confirmed that she had misjudged her before. However, she felt sorry for Lu Cheng’s wife; she had been sick for half a month since she arrived.

In contrast to Lin Qingqing’s white rice soup, Lu Haici’s breakfast included not only rice porridge but also a radish cake.

While Lin Qingqing was eating, she chatted with Yu Xiuyou, asking about the family housing and the surrounding situation. As soon as Yu Xiuyou saw her asking questions, she naturally shared everything she knew. Unknowingly, their relationship had become closer, especially since one was willing to listen and the other was eager to talk; one had a soft voice while the other was warm and enthusiastic.

By the time Yu Xiuyou had finished speaking and it was almost noon, she hurriedly said, “Lu Cheng’s wife, I need to go back to make lunch. I’ll bring you lunch later. You seem to be feeling better, so I’ll bring you rice porridge instead of the soup.”

Yu Xiuyou was still being polite; she knew that at home, they wouldn’t eat pure rice porridge; it would definitely be mixed with something else. But while taking care of the sick Lin Qingqing, she was only giving her pure rice.

Lin Qingqing stood up to see her off. “Thank you, sister-in-law.” If she hadn’t been short on money and tickets, she wouldn’t have needed to trouble Yu Xiuyou to bring her food; she could have eaten directly at the hospital cafeteria.

Lu Haici hurried to help her and also said, “Thank you, auntie.”

As soon as Yu Xiuyou left, the nurse and Dr. Tong arrived.

“Comrade Lin Qingqing, your partial test results have come back, and everything is fine. I’ll take your temperature again. If your temperature is normal, you can handle the discharge procedures this afternoon.” Dr. Tong handed the test report to Lin Qingqing, then took out a thermometer and placed it under her tongue. He added, “The remaining reports can be picked up in three days.”

Staying in the hospital costs money for each additional day, so people in this era wouldn’t want to stay unless it was absolutely necessary. Therefore, doctors wouldn’t keep patients longer than needed.

Hospital Stay

After measuring her temperature, Lin Qingqing’s was still normal, so the doctor issued her a discharge slip.

“Thank you, Doctor. I really appreciate your help.” Lin Qingqing received the slip and saw Luhai Ci tiptoeing to look at it. She handed it to him.

Doctor Tong said, “No need to thank me; it’s our duty.”

After Doctor Tong and the nurse left, Lin Qingqing noticed that Luhai Ci was still staring at the slip. She curiously asked, “Can you read the words on it?”

Luhai Ci shook his head. “I know how to count from 1 to 10, and I recognize ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom.’ My kindergarten teacher taught me those. None of those words are on this slip.” He returned the slip to Lin Qingqing and nervously asked the question that mattered most to him, “Mom, are you better now?”

Lin Qingqing realized that Luhai Ci always called her “Mom” before speaking. She thought it was probably a habit of young children, similar to how some people like to add “you know” or “right?” when they talk.

What Lin Qingqing didn’t know was that Luhai Ci, having lost his mother at a young age, especially liked calling her “Mom.” It felt as if calling her that meant he had a mother again, almost as if he was saying it to reassure himself.

Lin Qingqing replied, “Yes, I’m getting better. From now on, you won’t have to work hard to get food and wash the dishes at the cafeteria anymore.” While encouraging kids to help with household chores can be a way of education, forcing them to do so is another matter altogether.

Luhai Ci immediately shook his head, his messy little head bobbing so much that his hair fluffed around: “I’m not struggling! I like to work.”

Because when he worked, his mom liked him, so he loved to work the most.

Lin Qingqing said, “Then let’s work together from now on, okay? You can get the food from the cafeteria, and I’ll wash the dishes. If I cook, you can wash the vegetables. A boy and a girl working together isn’t hard at all.”

“Okay.” Luhai Ci’s small, sweet voice responded with confidence.

“Your son is so well-behaved.” A woman from next door watched them interact with envy.

Lin Qingqing smiled at her, “You’re too kind, sister. Luhai Ci, your auntie praised you, so you should say thank you.” Many mothers would humbly downplay compliments about their children, saying things like, “Oh, you haven’t seen him misbehave.” However, Lin Qingqing wouldn’t say that about Luhai Ci. First of all, she had never seen him misbehave. Secondly, from the bits of memory she had from the original person, Luhai Ci was indeed a good child.

So, Lin Qingqing didn’t humbly deny the compliment. Instead, she first called Luhai Ci’s name.

Haici has learned to say thank you. Sometimes, “thank you” is a form of humility. For a child like Lu Haici, what he needs isn’t a humble denial but rather the encouragement of recognition.

Lu Haici displayed the unique bright smile of a preschooler and said to the woman across from him, “Thank you, auntie.” His smile was radiant, like the afternoon sun, capable of dazzling people’s eyes.

The woman looked at him and couldn’t help but smile as well.

Lin Qingqing wasn’t familiar with the woman, and since she hadn’t spoken yet, Lin Qingqing felt it wasn’t appropriate to start a conversation. Since waking up, she hadn’t seen anyone visit the woman, so she didn’t want to bring up any sensitive topics. However, she was feeling quite well now.

Feeling bored sitting there, she decided to chat with Lu Haici. “Little Haici, shall we play a game?”

As soon as Lu Haici heard about playing a game, he showed great interest. However, he immediately shook his head and said seriously, “Mommy, you’re still sick and haven’t recovered, so we can’t play games. Only disobedient kids play games when they’re sick.”

Pfft…

The woman couldn’t help but laugh at Lu Haici’s words.

Even Lin Qingqing couldn’t help but chuckle, “Yes, yes, you’re right, little Haici. I was wrong. How about we play a question-and-answer game instead?”

Lu Haici sighed, using a tone that suggested he was helpless against her. “Alright then, what do you want to ask, Mommy?” He really had no choice; it was no wonder Uncle said that women are like children—they need to be coaxed. His mom, too, was still sick and wanted to play games. A question-and-answer game was still a game, right? He wasn’t a three-year-old easily fooled.

Lin Qingqing pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her laughter. After finally calming down, she asked, “Little Haici, what’s your favorite food?”

Lu Haici thought for a moment and replied, “I like milk candy and meat buns the most.” He remembered how Ji Yang’s mom had bought milk candy and meat buns for Ji Yang, and he could never forget the happy look on Ji Yang’s face while he was eating them. It made him feel so happy. So, he wanted his mom to give him milk candy and meat buns too. That way, he could be even happier than Ji Yang. However, his mom had already given him milk candy; if only she could give him meat buns too. Then, he could tell Ji Yang that his mom had also given him milk candy and meat buns.