Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Treating Guests

She sensed something unusual from the heaviness in his expression, so she decided to prepare a few things for him. She packed some medicine for him in a waterproof, sealed bag—his usual medication, some antibiotics, medicine to help wounds heal, and fever reducers, among others. She also filled a small bottle with spiritual spring water for him to take along, just in case.

Xu Huai’an gripped the items tightly in his hand and replied hoarsely, “Alright!”

After they said their goodbyes, Gu Qinghuan couldn’t sleep either. She got herself ready and quietly made some millet porridge in the villa. Then she planned to head home for a bit to check on the children.

Xu Huai’an, meanwhile, joined up with his team and began his journey.

—

Zhong Luoning was recovering well and was allowed to go home to rest the very next day. Xiao Zhuo even helped drive her back to the small villa. Ever since Xiao Zhuo’s mother, Mrs. Xiao Fengying, found out that Gu Qinghuan was already married, she’d felt rather regretful.

Lanting School was on winter break. Both he and Ming Ruxue were roped in by Gu Qinghuan to help look after the kids.

They’d already been living in the small villa for several days, but had been so busy that Gu Qinghuan hadn’t had a chance to invite everyone over for a meal. So she specially arranged a weekend gathering, inviting Xiao Zhuo, Xu Lei, He Qiang, Wang Xiaowei, and a few others over for a housewarming dinner.

She’d originally wanted to invite Grandma Gu as well, but when she went over, the place was empty. The neighbors said Grandma had gone up the mountain to serve the Buddha. Gu Qinghuan didn’t push the matter.

He Qiang’s cast hadn’t come off yet, but he seemed in good spirits. He even brought some mung bean cakes made by his younger siblings, as well as some of his family’s homemade pickled vegetables. And honestly, those pickles were just right—perfectly salty and sour, and quite tasty. They were especially good for making pickled fish, so Gu Qinghuan used them that very night.

Inviting Wang Xiaowei was actually a bit of a surprise. She’d been so busy lately that she’d almost forgotten about her, but Wang Xiaowei happened to come by to return something, and that’s when Gu Qinghuan learned about her recent situation.

After her lease at the old communal building ended, Wang Xiaowei finally found a job. She was a bit embarrassed to talk about it—she was now working as a wet nurse for a wealthy family. She’d stumbled into the job by accident. When she was out job hunting, an auntie saw her holding her baby and asked how old the child was and whether she had enough milk. Wang Xiaowei replied that her baby was just over three months old and that her milk supply was fine.

The auntie said, “To be honest, dear, it’s hard to find a job when you’re carrying a baby. But I happen to know of something that might suit you. There’s a wealthy family who just had a baby, but the mother can’t nurse. They’re looking everywhere for a wet nurse, and they’re picky—they don’t want someone too old or whose own child is too big. You’re young, your child is still small, and you look clean and healthy. You fit their requirements. It’s up to you if you want to try. I hear the pay is pretty good.”

The auntie’s words tempted Wang Xiaowei. After so long searching for work, she’d been feeling hopeless and was about to take her child back to her hometown. But now, things had turned around.

She took her child to the interview, which, as it turned out, was right near the small villa she’d helped Gu Qinghuan clean before. The family scrutinized her from head to toe, asked many detailed questions, and finally agreed to let her try nursing their baby. Maybe the baby was really hungry, because it nursed eagerly and fell asleep right after. The grandparents were very satisfied and decided on the spot to let Wang Xiaowei and her child stay, giving them a room on the first floor reserved for staff.

The only requirements were that she had to bathe every day, keep clean, and always feed the employer’s baby first. Wang Xiaowei found this acceptable—after all, their baby was still small and didn’t need much. She could earn money, live in a nice house, and keep her own child with her. It was the perfect job, so she stayed.

She ate with the family, and with good nutrition, her milk supply increased—more than enough for both babies. The family was pleased. In her spare time, she didn’t slack off, but helped with cleaning and cooking, which the family also appreciated.

Once she was settled, she made a point to return the things she’d borrowed from Lanting, bringing some fruit as thanks. She happened to arrive just as Gu Qinghuan was hosting her dinner, so she was invited to join.

Wang Xiaowei made sure to feed the employer’s baby before coming over.

Xiao Zhuo had planned to come alone, but when Mrs. Xiao Fengying heard that the girl from the hospital was hosting, she insisted on coming along and even prepared a gift without asking. Xiao Zhuo had no choice but to bring his mother.

As soon as the mother and son stepped out, they ran into Qu Hanwen, who had come to visit them on his rare weekend off. Since divorcing Xiao Fengying, Qu Hanwen hadn’t remarried, throwing himself into his career and achieving a fair bit of success, though he lacked the warmth of a family. With both his parents gone, he sometimes felt lonely when he saw other happy families.

Now that the Xiao family had moved back, he used the excuse of visiting his son to come by often, shamelessly joining them for meals—though his real intentions lay elsewhere. After so many years, Xiao Fengying had mostly forgiven him. After all, they were both nearly fifty—what was the point of holding grudges? But she still gave him a hard time with her words.

Xiao Fengying turned her head away, ignoring Qu Hanwen, leaving Xiao Zhuo to play peacemaker. When Qu Hanwen heard that the dinner was hosted by Zhong Weiqian’s granddaughter, he quickly said he wanted to join too. So the three of them ended up coming together, bringing a pile of gifts.

Gu Qinghuan was startled—she didn’t know about the relationship between Qu Hanwen and Xiao Zhuo, thinking it was just a coincidence until she noticed some subtle clues during the evening. Fortunately, she’d prepared plenty of food, so a few extra guests weren’t a problem.

Xu Lei was the last to arrive. With the year-end approaching, he was quite busy. The furniture Gu Qinghuan had ordered had already been delivered. Everyone gathered around the big round table, raising their glasses together.

Though the group at the table varied greatly in status and background, everyone was well-mannered, and the meal was a joyful one.

Zhong Luoning sat at a separate table with the children. She couldn’t eat much yet, but she joined in the fun and helped Wang Xiaowei soothe her baby. Children truly are the purest angels in the world—a single smile can make you forget all your worries.

After tasting Gu Qinghuan’s cooking, Xiao Fengying couldn’t stop praising it, asking her to teach her when she had time. Qu Hanwen teased her for being her age and still losing out to a young girl, only to get a hard kick under the table from Xiao Fengying in retaliation.

These days, Xiao Fengying was often bored. She came from a distinguished family, with more inherited wealth than she could spend in a lifetime. Besides shopping and eating with friends, she had little else to pursue in life. Xiao Zhuo was fully supportive of his mother learning to cook—it would give her something to focus on besides nagging him about marriage. Plus, if she learned Gu Qinghuan’s recipes, he’d get to enjoy them too.

Qu Hanwen asked a few questions about Xu Huai’an, but Gu Qinghuan didn’t tell the truth—she just said he was away for a few days. Xiao Zhuo, knowing a bit more, simply ate in silence.

Wang Xiaowei seemed a bit uncomfortable and left with her child soon after dinner. Gu Qinghuan didn’t try to keep her—after all, she was still nursing someone else’s baby. Watching her eat so carefully, avoiding spicy or overly sweet foods, Gu Qinghuan guessed the family must have strict requirements for her.

Before she left, Gu Qinghuan gave Wang Xiaowei a thick cotton jacket as a gift, noticing that her own was thin and worn. Wang Xiaowei tried to refuse, but finally accepted it, embarrassed.

He Qiang also took the opportunity to say his goodbyes. Gu Qinghuan gave him some dried goods and grains from the northeast—practical gifts for him. There was rice, flour, millet, soybeans, corn grits—enough to fill a big sack, probably around fifty pounds. She’d have given more, but with only one usable hand, fifty pounds was likely his limit.

He Qiang slung the sack over his shoulder with one hand, thanking Gu Qinghuan repeatedly. He really needed these supplies—grain was scarce everywhere, and with several growing kids at home, this would help them get through the tough times.

Xu Lei had brought some pastries made by his wife—beautifully crafted, even prettier than those sold in stores. That’s when Gu Qinghuan learned that his wife was the descendant of a famous pastry shop in Beijing. Unfortunately, the family business had fallen on hard times, but she still made treats for friends and family now and then.

Gu Qinghuan had long noticed that, despite Xu Lei’s job at the police station, his family probably wasn’t very well-off. So she took the opportunity to help, placing a large order for pastries at market price as he was leaving. Xu Lei thought she just wanted a few for herself and offered to give them as a gift, but when he saw how much she wanted and that she insisted on paying a deposit, he realized she was serious and happily went home to tell his wife, who started soaking ingredients that very night.

His job sounded impressive, but didn’t pay much. His wife stayed home with the kids and ran a small business on the side to make ends meet. It’s hard for poor families to break out of their circumstances—it takes more than one generation’s effort. Xu Lei had only managed to finish school thanks to support from Zhong Zijun. Even so, getting rich and moving up in the world was still a distant dream.

Gu Qinghuan also gave him some food and supplies, just as she had for He Qiang.

Finally, it was Xiao Zhuo’s family who left last. Qu Hanwen loved playing with Dabao, and was delighted by how articulate and clever the child was. Xiao Fengying, too, was smitten—she’d long wanted a grandchild, but her son was nearly thirty and still unmarried, which drove her crazy with worry."