629 Speaking

“She has so much ginseng there, why would I need to be worried about my health? Let’s hurry up and deal with He Wei’s matter, and get him and his son out. Then send He Mei away and we’ll set off for the northeast.” After saying that, He Ning focused on eating the grapes.

It did not matter whether he was healthy or not. The efficacy of the ginseng he had was not as good as the 100-year-old ginseng. He must get another 100-year-old ginseng as soon as possible.

Qiao Mei did not know that He Ning was going to come and look for her. Lying happily in the rocking chair and basking in the sun was the happiest thing for her every day.

She still had some regrets this time round. Back then, she had asked Xia Zhe to make a swing for her in the capital. She wished that she had managed to get him to make one here. This way, not only would she be able to sit on it, but these children would also be able to come and play with it after she left.

“Elder sister! It’s time to eat!” Zhang Qin ran over anxiously, sweating profusely.

“You’re here. Why are you in such a hurry? Did your brother rush you?” Qiao Mei took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the sweat off Zhang Qin’s forehead.

For the past two days, Qiao Qiang would go to the neighboring village to look for people to play chess with. He said that they had organized a competition. Whoever won first place would host the chess session the next time.

In order not to travel back and forth in the future, Qiao Qiang had been working especially hard for the past few days so that he could win first place.

“No, it’s because I played with eldest brother at home. Elder sister, let’s go. The food will get cold if we wait any longer,” Zhang Qin said with a smile.

The two of them returned to Li Gui’s house hand in hand, chatting happily. As soon as they sat down on the brick bed, they heard someone crying outside.

“Li Gui! My daughter! You have to save me! You can’t leave me in the lurch!” They could hear hoarse cries from outside, mixed with the sound of children crying.

This timing was really coincidental. It happened right at lunchtime and not a minute later.

Li Gui put down her bowl and chopsticks and hurriedly walked out. Zhang Chao hid in the corner in fear. Then, he saw Zhang Miao on the brick bed and hesitated before crawling over to hug her.

“Brother… brother is here… Miao, don’t be scared… don’t be scared…” Zhang Chao said with difficulty.

Qiao Mei, Zhang Wei and Zhang Qin all looked at Zhang Chao in surprise. This was the first time Zhang Chao had spoken since he came home!

She did not expect Old Madam Li to be that little bit useful, but she must get rid of this scourge today. If this dragged on, it made her feel uneasy, and the children would not be able to live in peace as well.

Li Gui hurriedly opened the courtyard door and went forward to help Old Madam Li up. “Mother! What are you doing! Get up quickly! If you need anything, come in and talk.”

“I’m not getting up! If you don’t help me, I won’t get up! You have to save us! If you also don’t care about us, we won’t be able to survive!” Old Madam Li broke free from Li Gui and knelt on the ground, crying and kowtowing, attracting the attention of many people.

The news spread like wildfire and countless villagers came to join in the commotion. They would grab every opportunity. Ever since Li Gui came to the village, there had been one incident after another at her place. It made everyone’s lives so much more interesting!

“Did something happen at Li Gui’s house again?”

“Yes, this person looks like she’s from the neighboring village. It should be her mother. I’ve seen her twice.”

“Then who are these two girls? Are they the old lady’s daughters?”

“Hahahaha, what a joke! It must be her granddaughters! She’s almost 70 years old and her husband has been dead for so many years. If it’s really her children, wouldn’t it be a joke!”

Everyone had different opinions and gradually, they said all kinds of nasty things. Li Gui could neither stop Old Madam Li nor disperse the villagers, so all she could do was stand at one side.

Qiao Mei waited in the house for a while and realized that there were no signs of the commotion ending. She slowly walked out to see what Old Madam Li wanted.

“My life is so hard! I brought you up! Now that our family is in trouble, you don’t even care about me! You unfilial daughter! Are you just going to watch me die!” Old Madam Li shouted as she pointed at Li Gui.

“Come into the house with me and have a bite. We’ll talk about other things after you eat.” Li Gui went forward to help Old Madam Li up, but just as she placed her hand on Old Madam Li’s arm, Old Madam Li gave her a tight slap.

“Why did you hit her!” Auntie Dong hurriedly went forward and grabbed Li Gui, wanting to argue with Old Madam Li.