Gu Jiaojiao bought two rabbits and a large pig’s trotter to nourish Su Shuoci’s body, believing in the traditional concept of “like nourishes like.”

Although the Su family didn’t have a refrigerator, Gu Jiaojiao had her space, so she also bought ten pounds of fresh pork belly.

She then bought two sets of pig offal. Since the Su family grew their own vegetables, she only needed to buy meat.

She thought that Su’s parents, who had resigned from their jobs today, would likely return home early, so they didn’t linger any longer.

Su’s father and mother, whom Gu Jiaojiao was thinking of, had a smooth resignation process and returned home by nine o’clock.

Su’s father tinkered with a mobile cart as soon as he got home, while Su’s mother tended to the vegetable garden. Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking at the door.

“Coming, coming.”

Su’s mother opened the door and saw Dong’s stepmother leading a group of people, carrying a reclining chair. Her heart sank.

“Mrs. Su, this is Jiaojiao’s grandfather, parents, and two brothers. Where is Jiaojiao?”

“Jiaojiao and Shuoci went out to buy some things. Please come in. Husband, come out and help. Jiaojiao’s family is here.”

“Coming~”

Su’s father immediately came out to support Gu’s grandfather, while Su’s mother warmly led the others inside.

Ren Xiaofang fled as if escaping. She usually loved taking small advantages, but today, she had already gained enough by bringing the Gu family to the Su household, so she turned and ran.

Gu’s grandfather felt a chill in his heart, but he couldn’t say anything. After all, he had endured enough disdain over the past ten years.

Su’s mother noticed that the Gu family looked as wilted as frostbitten eggplants, but she didn’t mind. Her son had been worse off after his injury.

At least the Gu family was dressed cleanly. In these times, the gap between rich and poor wasn’t vast.

Everyone wore clothes in shades of gray, black, and blue, making them all look the same.

Su’s mother instructed Su’s father to fetch hot water for the Gu family to wash their hands, while she prepared a cup of malted milk for each of the three who were awake.

Gu Jingtai’s eyes moistened as he held the fragrant malted milk. His family occasionally bought a bottle, and everyone would save it for his sister to drink.

At this moment, Gu’s mother, shaken awake by the journey on the reclining chair, also woke up. Su’s mother immediately wiped her face and hands with hot water.

“In-law, have some hot water. I’ll make another cup of malted milk. Jiaojiao said that people who’ve just woken from a coma should drink some hot water first.”

Gu’s mother was in a daze, noticing that the living room no longer had the slightly upscale furniture from her parents’ home.

Gu’s father took a sip of the malted milk. He hadn’t had it in years, and it tasted just as he remembered—no, even more fragrant.

But his eldest son was still unconscious, so he didn’t have the heart to savor the flavor. He gulped it down like a cow chewing peonies.

Gu’s grandfather, who had been holding on by sheer willpower, felt a slight improvement in his spirits after a few sips of malted milk.

“In-laws, we’ve troubled you.”

“Not at all, not at all. You’re Jiaojiao’s family, which makes you our relatives. You’re welcome to stay with us until you recover.”

Su’s mother spoke warmly, “My son has only started to recover thanks to Jiaojiao’s blessings. I’m very grateful to you.”

“Yes, this house was allocated to my son by his workplace, so it’s Jiaojiao’s too. There are three rooms upstairs, and only our daughter lives up there.”

Su’s father spoke honestly, his sincerity evident, which made Gu’s grandfather, who had seen the ups and downs of human relationships, let down his guard.

“Would you like to go upstairs and rest for a while?” Su’s mother asked cautiously, seeing how exhausted the Gu family looked.

“When… when will Jiaojiao be back?” Gu’s father asked.

“She should be back earlier today. Usually, she doesn’t return until the afternoon…”

Su’s mother then excitedly shared with the Gu family about how they had resigned from their jobs to set up a street stall.

She was so thrilled and had no one else to share the news with. Su’s father also chimed in enthusiastically.

Soon, the Gu family understood that this was their granddaughter’s (daughter’s) (sister’s) idea.

“In-laws, isn’t going to work a good option for you?” Father Gu felt that his daughter was being unreasonable.

“Jiaojiao said that we earn more from running a street stall than from working a regular job, and at least we don’t have to endure disdain. She said that setting up a stall is neither stealing nor robbing, and that some people need to get rich first anyway.”

Gu’s grandfather grew more curious about his granddaughter, whom he hadn’t yet met. He had the same idea.

Gu Jingtai’s mind also became active as he listened to Su’s parents. He had been thinking of coming to the city to find work!

Gu’s grandfather lay on the Su family’s reclining chair, feeling very comfortable. The simple and honest aura of Su’s parents put him at ease.

“What’s wrong with Jiaojiao’s brother? Should I call Dr. Sun to take a look?” Su’s father asked worriedly, seeing Gu Jinghua’s pale face.

“Dr. Sun has already seen him. We can only wait for him to wake up on his own… If…”

“It’s okay. Our Jiaojiao can treat illnesses. Let’s wait for Jiaojiao to come back. Husband, go to the door and see if they’re back yet.”

“Jiaojiao can treat illnesses? No need to check. We can wait.”

Gu’s grandfather was astonished. Had she inherited her grandmother’s talent?

Su’s mother’s eyes darted toward the front door as she whispered to Gu’s father and son.

“She does. I’ll tell you secretly—Jiaojiao said she can cure my son’s legs, which even many renowned doctors couldn’t fix.”

Gu’s father was amused by Su’s mother’s demeanor. Whether it was hope or something else, his mood lightened instantly.

Gu’s mother and Gu Jingtai, sitting farther away, didn’t hear Su’s mother’s words, but seeing Gu’s father visibly happier, they also felt uplifted.

The atmosphere in the living room was harmonious, without the restraint they had felt at the Dong household.

Su’s mother went to the vegetable garden to pick some greens, instructing Su’s father to keep the Gu family company.

Su’s father was an honest man, and the shrewd Gu’s grandfather quickly extracted all the details about Gu Jiaojiao from him.

Gu’s grandfather learned that the Sheng family had publicly severed ties with Jiaojiao in the newspaper. What was wrong with Jiaojiao wanting to compete for favor with Sheng Xinglian?

If Sheng Xinglian wanted to compete with Jiaojiao, he would simply treat them as two granddaughters. What was wrong with that?

Severing ties was fine. His granddaughter would naturally be cherished by them. Gu’s grandfather showed no expression on his face.

Su’s father, thinking they didn’t mind, answered every question the old man asked, even repeating how people in the neighborhood had criticized Gu Jiaojiao.

This nearly made Gu’s mother faint again, and Gu Jingtai kept patting her back, equally furious.

Seeing that his daughter-in-law and grandson couldn’t take it, Gu’s grandfather changed the subject. The in-laws were too honest; he would learn more from them later.

In Su’s mother’s vegetable garden, there were green pumpkins, eggplants, beans, and green peppers, all of which she picked.

She wanted to showcase her culinary skills by preparing a lavish lunch to entertain the Gu family and also have Jiaojiao critique her cooking.

“Mom, why did you pick so many vegetables today?” Gu Jiaojiao asked curiously as she pushed Su Shuoci into the yard.

“Jiaojiao, your grandfather and parents are here,” Su’s mother said with a smile.

“My grandfather is here?” Gu Jiaojiao left Su Shuoci and ran into the house.

Su Shuoci: …

My wife has family and forgets about me!

This wouldn’t do. He maneuvered his wheelchair and sped in after her.