Back To The 80s-Chapter 200: Doubts (Added 140 Monthly Tickets)_1

Zhuang Shuxian held onto Jiujiu’s hand even when they had entered the room. She sat on the small bed, pulling Jiujiu to sit next to her.

"Lily, quickly get out the new clothes, candy and cookies that I bought for Jiujiu." Zhuang Shuxian urged Qin Li to open her bag eagerly.

When Gu Xiaobei saw Qin Li take four or five new pieces of clothing out of the bag, including woolen sweaters, a red sports suit emblazoned with the words "China", and tiny cotton-padded jackets, she felt somewhat melancholic. Poor Mrs. Jin was treating Jiujiu as her emotional crutch.

"Now my vision is a blur, otherwise I’d make Jiujiu a cotton coat out of better cotton than this," Zhuang Shuxian held the jacket up to Jiujiu, displeased with the fit.

Seeing this, Qin Li’s eyes became somewhat moist. Zhuang Shuxian’s mental state had improved over the past couple of days. Buying clothes for Jiujiu had seemingly diluted some of the pain she felt over Jin Cheng’s departure.

Seeing that Qin Li’s eyes were reddening, Xiaobei sympathetically reached over and held her hand.

"Sister Xiaobei, I’m fine. I just feel sorry for aunty. I was thinking, what if we let aunty adopt Jiujiu?" Qin Li’s idea aligned perfectly with Zhuang Shuxian’s. She shared her thoughts quietly, leaning in close to Xiaobei’s ear.

Xiaobei paused in surprise. Qin Li’s proposal was indeed a good one, but if they proceeded with it, Jiujiu might feel like they were abandoning her. "I’m just afraid that Jiujiu will get the wrong idea."

"Let’s take it slow, and let them spend some time together first." Qin Li understood Xiaobei’s concern and proposed an alternative.

Xiaobei watched as Zhuang Shuxian grabbed a handful of candy, stuffed it into Jiujiu’s pocket, creating a picture of grandmotherly love.

At noon, Xiaobei used the meat brought by Qin Li to steam rice, stewed pork with cabbage and noodles, and stir-fried sour and spicy shredded potatoes.

Zhuang Shuxian continued to serve Jiujiu meat as they ate. The more time she spent with Jiujiu, the more affectionate she felt. She began to believe that Jiujiu truly was Xuerong’s child. If she really was Xuerong’s child, then that meant... Zhuang Shuxian was startled by her own thoughts.

After lunch, Zhuang Shuxian once again invited Jiujiu downstairs for a walk.

Meanwhile, Xiaobei and Qin Li were discussing in the room. Qin Li sighed, "Aunty and Jiujiu are really getting along well. You know, about what I suggested, you should think about it. Aunty would definitely treat Jiujiu well."

After some thought, Xiaobei responded, "Let’s let them spend more time together first. This decision needs to take Jiujiu’s feelings into account. We can’t treat her like some object, being given away at will."

"Right. Take Jiujiu with you to stay in the city during the winter vacation. Otherwise, aunty will keep looking at the photographs of Uncle Jin and Jin Cheng and end up crying every day." As Qin Li said this, her expression dimmed noticeably, a fleeting hint of pain hidden within her eyes.

"Qin Li, you’re too hard on yourself. If you’re hurting, just let it out." Xiaobei concerns fell on the always strong Qin Li. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"I’m fine. Every day, I tell myself-no one is fighting with me for Jin Cheng now. And I know that Jin Cheng loved me, and I’m already very content." Qin Li blinked rapidly, but the tears welling up in her eyes did not fall.

Xiaobei quickly changed the topic, "After the New Year, we’ll see what we can do in T City."

"Sure, does your husband Lu Zhanguo have any changes in his work? If he gets promoted, hopefully he can be transferred to the military region. That way it’ll be convenient for us to meet up." As long as they weren’t talking about Jin Cheng, Qin Li seemed perfectly normal, discussing eagerly with Xiaobei.

"I don’t know about that. But I do hope that he could move directly to the provincial capital, which would give us more opportunities to do business." Xiaobei felt that small T City was somewhat isolated and lacked a strong consumer power.

With her advanced business acumen from the 21st century, she still found it challenging to take action under the current circumstances and needed to plan carefully.

Zhuang Shuxian took Jiujiu downstairs for a stroll. In the early winter, the vegetable fields were desolate. Only a few old eggplants stood erect in the dry soil of some homes.

"Jiujiu, what do you like to eat? Next time grandma comes, I’ll bring it for you." Zhuang Shuxian kindly asked.

"Grandma, there’s no trouble, Auntie bought me everything I need. I don’t lack anything to eat." Jiujiu answered knowledgeably.

"Then, will grandma bring you some fava beans, the fried kind?"

"Grandma, I can’t eat fava beans. The last time I had them, I ended up in the hospital for resuscitation." Jiujiu sharply remembered the experience that almost scared Xiaobei to death.

Zhuang Shuxian stopped in surprise, looking astonished at Jiujiu. "You’re allergic to fava beans?"

Jiujiu nodded, yet Zhuang Shuxian became somewhat agitated. Looking so similar and even sharing the same allergy to fava beans, how could there be such a coincidence in the world?

Zhuang Shuxian thought about having Jin Xueping investigate the matters of the past thoroughly through his contacts. For now, she could only ask Jiujiu tentatively, "Jiujiu, do you look like your father or mother?"

Jiujiu thought for a moment and said, "I look like my father." She didn’t resemble the Chens family, yet the image of her father was blurry in her memory. Hence, she deduced that she probably looked more like her father.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shuxian was slightly disappointed. However, the suspicions in her heart did not fade away.

Zhuang Shuxian had developed chronic cold-induced leg pain because she used to pull sand from the river in cold weather when she was young. After walking for a while, her leg started to ache.

Jiujiu noticed that Zhuang Shuxian was walking more slowly, and not as sprightly as before. She asked with concern, "Grandma, is your leg hurting? We should quickly go home so you can rest."

Zhuang Shuxian shook her head. "Grandma has an old problem. It’s nothing."

"Grandma, I know how to do massage. I used to massage my mom’s legs every day at home. When we go back, I’ll massage your legs." Jiujiu said, but her face showed a measure of melancholy. She had not seen her mother for some days, and she missed her painfully.

"Good, when we go home, you can massage my legs." Zhuang Shuxian said, smiling and patting Jiujiu’s head. Seeing Jiujiu’s depressed expression, she asked with concern, "What’s wrong, Jiujiu?"

"I miss my mom. I want to go back and see her, but I’m afraid of my fourth sister-in-law." Jiujiu blurted out with sadness.

Zhuang Shuxian was also curious about where Jiujiu grew up. She held Jiujiu’s hand and said, "Next Sunday, I’ll accompany you back to see your mom. If your fourth sister-in-law dares to hit you, grandma will back you up."

Jiujiu was simple-minded and looked up with hopeful eyes. "Grandma, really?" After thinking for a moment, she shook her head. "Grandma, my home is far away, and your leg hurts. You shouldn’t go. Later, auntie can accompany me back."

"It’s fine. Grandma can walk slowly. It’s decided then." Zhuang Shuxian decisively settled the itinerary with no room for refusal.

The two walked for a while longer before they headed home. Along the way, Jiujiu talked more, ceaselessly sharing stories about school and her classmates with Zhuang Shuxian.

Zhuang Shuxian listened with great interest. When they arrived home, she told Xiaobei and Qin Li about her decision to go to the Chen Family’s homestead with Jiujiu next Sunday.

Xiaobei and Qin Li were surprised, but Xiaobei nodded and said, "Okay, I’ll go with you. I’ve been meaning to take Jiujiu back for a visit."