Chapter 834: They've Made Their Move

Liu Chuxue carried the dried seafood Ji Kunlan had sent her into the main room: "I received a call from Fu Yan Cheng this afternoon; someone from my eldest uncle's former unit will be arriving in the next few days to verify the destination of the pension and subsidies, so I went to see Du Juan."

Hearing this, Zhao Lamei became agitated: "When will the people from the unit arrive?"

Liu Chuxue set down what she was holding: "It's unclear which day they'll arrive, but it will surely be within these few days."

Zhao Lamei frowned slightly: "If you hear any news, tell me in advance; your father and I will go over then."

Though she couldn't do much else, accompanying her niece and bolstering her courage would be good, especially since the child had been severely suppressed by her adoptive family back in their hometown.

After settling this matter, Zhao Lamei thought of her sister-in-law still in the hospital: "Chuxue, I've stewed some fish chunks and steamed some two-grain rice; hurry and take some to the hospital. Your aunt suffered greatly this time and must be properly nourished."

Although she had only briefly interacted with her sister-in-law on the day they recognized each other, she could see her aunt was not a difficult person and had been very affectionate toward her, so she wished to return the kindness.

Liu Chuxue gave a soft "Mm": "Alright, I'll go right now."

Zhao Lamei turned to prepare: "Eat first, then take the meal to your aunt."

Just then, Chunxiao emerged from her room: "Mom, I'll go with Second Sister; it will be good to have someone to look out for each other when we return."

Liu Chuxue looked over: "It's fine for me to go alone; you should focus on your studies, circle anything you don't understand, and I'll explain it when I get back. The final exams are in just over a month."

Though these words were true, Chunxiao felt her second sister simply didn't want to take her along; yet thinking of the exams suited her intentions anyway, as she indeed wanted to achieve good results to prove she was no worse than her classmates.

Liu Chuxue said no more, hurried into the kitchen to eat, then pushed out her bicycle, packed the food her mother had prepared, and left the house.

Zhao Lamei knew Liu Chuxue's capabilities but still instructed: "Be safe on the road and return early."

Watching Liu Chuxue ride away until she was out of sight, she then turned back into the house.

Chunxiao pouted: "Mom, if Second Sister didn't want to take me, that's fine, but she didn't need to make up excuses."

Zhao Lamei shot her youngest daughter a look: "If you have objections, why didn't you say so when your second sister was here? What's the use of nagging me now?"

This single remark left Chunxiao speechless.

Knowing her youngest daughter was overthinking things but unwilling to let her say anything more unpleasant, Zhao Lamei said: "I don't need any help here; go study."

Chunxiao felt somewhat uncomfortable inside but dared not say anything more aloud, thinking to herself: One day I will surpass Second Sister, and then let's see if you'll still prioritize her in everything.

Thinking of how her classmates ostracized her, she resolved even more firmly to study hard and integrate into the group as soon as possible.

Having thought this through, she stopped dwelling on her second sister not taking her along, turned, and went back to her room.

Liu Chuxue had not been riding her bicycle long when the wind picked up outside, sending a shiver through her; recalling the cotton she had planted in her space, she realized she must find an opportunity in the next few days to bring some home.

The whole family was still wearing their old cotton-padded clothes from before; the filling had clumped and no longer provided much warmth, sufficient only for these few days, but once the depths of winter arrived, these garments would surely leave them shivering from the cold.

She truly did not know how the original owner's family had survived previous winters; now that she was in charge, surviving winter like this was absolutely impossible.

Lost in thought, she soon arrived at the hospital.

When she entered the ward carrying her things, she saw her eldest aunt, Zhang Haitang, was also there: "Eldest Aunt, you're here too?"

Seeing the basket in Liu Chuxue's hand, Zhang Haitang immediately understood.

Liu Chuxue looked at the cabinet beside her aunt's hospital bed, noting no sign that a meal had been delivered: "Aunt, Mom asked me to bring you some food."

As she said this, she felt somewhat puzzled and glanced toward her eldest aunt, asking with her eyes what the situation was.

Zhang Haitang knew her nephew was capable and did not treat Liu Chuxue like a child; she leaned close and whispered: "Your aunt's husband's elder brother has arrived with his wife's family."

Liu Chuxue understood at once: "They've made their move?"

Zhang Haitang nodded lightly: "I also rushed over after receiving a call from your eldest uncle just before getting off work; I was about to go out to buy a meal for your aunt."

Walking toward her aunt's bedside, Liu Chuxue said: "Aunt, I'll watch over Aunt here; it's getting late, so you should go eat something first, and we can discuss anything else afterward."

Zhang Haitang also knew she likely could not leave for some time: "Alright, I'll go eat first."

Having said that, she looked at her sister-in-law: "Don't worry; Father and your eldest and second brothers will handle everything."

Xiao Nianchun's eyes were swollen; Zhang Haitang, fearing she might cry again, said: "You clearly understand your current situation; you must not cry again."

Only after saying this did she walk out.

Xiao Nianchun, worried about her eldest brother and her husband, feared this incident would affect their futures: "Chuxue, I can't eat right now."

Liu Chuxue ignored her protest, taking the food from the basket: "Aunt, health is the capital of revolution; right now, taking care of yourself so Grandfather, Eldest Uncle, and Uncle don't have to worry about you is the most important thing."

Hearing these words, Xiao Nianchun remained silent for a long while.

Just as Liu Chuxue was about to persuade her further, Xiao Nianchun spoke: "You're right; it's not their fault, but those disgusting creatures who brought this upon themselves."

Perhaps she had come to terms with it, or perhaps she truly did not want her relatives distracted by her while dealing with such messy affairs; seeing the uncovered dishes, she paused in surprise: "Did your mother prepare all this? She's pregnant, after all."

At that moment, moved anew, her eyes reddened again.

Liu Chuxue quickly said: "Aunt, you must not cry again, or what will become of your health?"

Xiao Nianchun gave a soft "Mm": "Okay."

Hearing the choke in her voice, Liu Chuxue said: "Aunt, we are all your backing; a family should look out for one another, and your well-being is what matters most."

Xiao Nianchun nodded, accepted the meal Liu Chuxue handed her, struggled to suppress the tears in her eyes, and picked up a piece of stewed fish.

It must be said that Zhao Lamei's cooking was truly excellent; the aroma of the food quickly spread, causing others in the ward to glance repeatedly in Xiao Nianchun's direction.

However, they were all adults, and no matter how hungry they felt, none dared to ask openly.

Seeing her aunt heed her advice, Liu Chuxue poured a bowl of fish soup from the thermal container: "Aunt, have this with your fish soup."

Seeing both fish soup and stewed fish chunks, Xiao Nianchun said: "You've made your mother work too hard."

Noting her aunt's guilty expression, Liu Chuxue said: "Just treat my mother better in the future, and her efforts will be worth it."

Liu Chuxue knew her aunt was a good person, yet she said this deliberately; henceforth, how well they got along as aunt and sister-in-law was more important than anything.

Hearing her niece's words, Xiao Nianchun nodded heavily, thinking to herself: Given how generous my second sister-in-law is, I must certainly treat her even better in the future; I am no Bai Yanlang, and I would never take all this for granted; only by exchanging heart for heart can relationships endure.