Gu Yilan was startled and wanted to snatch the bag back but didn’t dare.

“Mom, this is what Jiansen’s aunt said—six candies per child. There’s enough candy.”

Besides, there weren’t that many kids in the courtyard.

Old Lady Gu snorted. “None of you know how to manage a household. I say one candy per child, so one it is.”

If it were up to her, she wouldn’t give any at all.

After all, girls are married off, so there’s no need to do favors at home.

Gu Yilan frowned but didn’t argue with her mother.

Old Lady Gu, like a king inspecting his territory, first stood at the kitchen door and took a look. Ignoring Jiang Xiuqing, who was busy inside, she entered the house.

Gu Yimin saw his mother coming and immediately greeted her, pouring her a cup of tea.

“Mom, sit down and have some tea!”

Old Lady Gu had no interest in tea. Her eyes kept darting around the room.

When her gaze fell on the canned food and powdered milk someone had brought, she immediately said, “Your dad hasn’t been feeling well lately. Take a can of powdered milk for him. I like canned food, so I’ll take two cans.”

Gu Yimin glanced at his mother and then handed her the entire bag containing the powdered milk and canned food.

“This is what Xiaoxi and Jiansen bought for you and Dad. We were planning to give it to you tonight, but since you’re here now, you can take it back with you.”

Old Lady Gu’s eyes widened, and she smiled with delight.

The bag contained two cans of powdered milk and four cans of food!

Pleased with her haul, she glanced toward her son’s room and then happily carried the bag away.

Before leaving, she also took the bag of wedding candies she had intercepted earlier.

When Gu Xiaomei saw what her mother had brought back, her eyes lit up.

Great! She planned to take a can of powdered milk and a can of food back with her!

However, thinking about how her mother would surely be upset about losing a can of powdered milk, she came up with another idea.

“Mom, I think you should go over again tonight. There’s meat to eat. If they can’t finish it, you can bring some back.”

Old Lady Gu, however, waved her hand. “I won’t go. You go and bring back a bowl of meat dishes.”

How much could she eat if she went? If she didn’t go, they’d have to send food over, and they’d send more.

Seeing her mother refuse to go, Gu Xiaomei pouted. “Mom, I want to bring some meat back!”

Old Lady Gu shot her a look. “If you want to bring meat back, go ask for it yourself.”

Right now, Gu Xiaoxi wasn’t home, and neither was Lu Jiansen. She wasn’t going to go over tonight.

Seeing her mother refuse, Gu Xiaomei went to her eldest brother’s house instead.

Her eldest sister-in-law loved taking advantage of others and didn’t get along with her second sister-in-law. If she teamed up with her, getting some meat shouldn’t be too hard.

Meanwhile, Gu Xiaoxi, who was at the hospital, had no idea someone was scheming to take meat from her house. She was whispering to her grandfather.

“Grandpa, what do you think of him?”

Grandpa Jiang smiled and patted her head. “He’s a capable young man! Take good care of yourself when you go with him to the military base.”

“Then, after I settle down, will you come to the base to stay with me?”

Gu Xiaoxi looked at her grandfather with hopeful eyes.

In her past life, after her grandfather was discharged from the hospital, he still refused to live with her. He eventually fell and passed away by the end of the year.

Grandpa Jiang laughed. “Silly girl, why would you want me to stay with you? I’m not your grandma—I can’t even cook. You and Jiansen should live well together.”

“If you won’t come to the base, then come live at my house and let my parents take care of you. Otherwise, I’ll just visit the base and come back to stay with you.”

Grandpa Jiang sighed helplessly. “You’ve got me. I promise, after I’m discharged, I’ll go live at your house.”

“That’s more like it!” Gu Xiaoxi was instantly delighted.

The two chatted for a while longer before Lu Jiansen returned from speaking with the attending doctor.

“The doctor said Grandpa can be discharged next Monday to recuperate at home. I’ve arranged with the hospital, and they’ll send him home by car.”

Gu Xiaoxi smiled and nodded. “That’s great!”

Grandpa Jiang smiled and said to Lu Jiansen, “From now on, our Xiaoxi is in your hands. Treat her well. When you have leave, come back together.”

“Yes, I will. Grandpa, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her!”

With Lu Jiansen’s assurance, Grandpa Jiang felt reassured. After a few more words of advice, he told them to head back.

As they passed through the hospital lobby, Gu Xiaoxi unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure.

She stopped and looked for a moment.

Lu Jiansen followed her gaze and asked curiously, “Do you know that man?”

Gu Xiaoxi nodded. “That’s my third uncle.”

What was Third Uncle doing at the hospital?

Just as she was wondering, she saw a woman holding a test result walk up to Third Uncle.

“I’m really pregnant. What are you going to do about it?”

Third Uncle looked overjoyed. “That’s great, that’s great! I’ll go tell my mom right now. She’ll be thrilled.”

The woman frowned and whispered, “Do you dare go back? You said you’d just take the money, but why did you have to set a fire?”

Third Uncle angrily replied, “It’s all that wretched Xinli’s fault. I couldn’t break the lock, and she said to burn a hole in it and then put out the fire. But I didn’t expect Dad to come home early.”

Gu Xiaoxi’s eyes narrowed as she listened.

So, the fire happened because of Gu Xinli?

In this life, Gu Xinli was sent to the countryside earlier, so the fire happened sooner?

What she was curious about was, did Gu Xinli know there was so much money in that wardrobe?

Just as she was about to leave, she heard the woman beside Third Uncle mutter again.

“Who’s the person who sends money to your dad every year? I’ve seen him pick it up at the post office, and it’s quite a lot. We’ll need money for the wedding and the baby. Why don’t we ask for that money?”

Third Uncle’s eyes widened. “How do you know about that?”

The woman smirked. “I saw your dad picking up money at the post office. Did you think you could hide it from me?”

Third Uncle panicked, scratching his head anxiously. Suddenly, he spotted Gu Xiaoxi, who seemed to have just come down from the hospital floors.

He froze!

Gu Xiaoxi reacted quickly. “Third Uncle, what are you doing here? Did you know my grandpa is hospitalized and came to give me money for the hospital fees?”

Third Uncle was stunned for a moment, then chuckled awkwardly. “No, I was just passing by.”

Gu Xiaoxi feigned surprise. “Didn’t I just hear you talking about picking up money at the post office? Wasn’t it my brother sending money back? I’ll ask Grandpa and Grandma about it later.”

Hearing this, Third Uncle was terrified. He quickly pulled two yuan from his pocket and shoved it into her hand.

“Xiaoxi, there’s no need to ask your grandparents about this. You must have misheard.”

Gu Xiaoxi took the money and smiled. “Oh, I must have misheard then. Third Uncle, you set fire to Grandma’s money wardrobe. Aunt and Little Aunt are egging Grandpa and Grandma on, saying they’ll beat you to death when you go home! You should hide outside for a few days before going back. I’m heading home now.”

“O-okay!” Third Uncle wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking relieved.

Gu Xiaoxi didn’t pay him any more attention and walked out of the hospital.