Chapter 82 - This Kid…?
She went to pour two cups of sugar water. The old bowls she had to use made her sigh deeply. Tomorrow, she must buy some new china, including teacups. She didn’t need tea leaves as Xie Yunjin’s classmates brought some good quality ones last time.
Lu Jiao took the water to the east bedroom. Inside, Xie Yunjin looked at Master Chen with much excitement, “Master, I didn’t expect you to visit.”
This statement made it clear just how much Xie Yunjin respected Master Chen.
In front of the bed, Master Chen patted his hand and sighed, “I’ve heard about what happened. You are so unlucky to have been hurt like this.”
Lu Jiao handed the sugar water to the elders. The two took it over without any complaints.
Lady Chen even asked Lu Jiao to sit. Lu Jiao didn’t. She noticed that they had much to talk about and didn’t want to interfere.
Lu Jiao greeted Master and Lady Chen before leaving.
Inside the room, Xie Yunjin spoke in a cordial tone, “Master, there’s no need to worry about me. I am fine. Lu Jiao had hired a doctor to treat me. The doctor had told me that my legs can heal.”
Master Chen’s voice went up an octave, “For real?”
Xie Yunjin nodded, “Yes, the new doctor from Baohe Tang, Dr. Qi, knows how to perform surgery. I will be okay after my operation. There’s no need for you to worry.”
Master Chen smiled. Out of all his pupils, Xie Yunjin was the smartest he’s taught. If he wasn’t, he never would’ve gone to Xie Laogen and convinced him to go study. After that, he never would’ve wanted his young daughter to marry him. Who knew…?
The thought of his daughter pinched Master Chen’s heart. His eyes reddened.
Xie Yunjin noticed it and knew right away what Master Chen was thinking of. Solemnly, he apologized, “Master, I am sorry. It was all my fault.”
Master Chen shook his head, “It’s not your fault. If you have to blame someone, blame our poor eyesight. Don’t be burdened by this.”
Lady Chen also spoke up, “Yeah, what happened to YingEr isn’t your fault. Stop blaming yourself. It’s all in the past now. I just hope you don’t blame us for not connecting with you all these years because of YingEr.”
Xie Yunjin was determined to get up when he heard those words. Master Chen pushed him down to stop him.
With his eyes red, Xie Yunjin spoke in a serious tone, “I am forever grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I am not someone who will ever forget the kindness you’ve shown me.”
Master Chen waved his hand, “Everything you achieved is because of your own hard work. Don’t credit me.”
Lady Chen asked caringly, “How’s your health? Can you go under operation?”
Xie Yunjin nodded, “I have been recovering well. Without any accidents, I can go under the knife in two days.”
“What time? Do let us know.”
Xie Yunjin shook his head, “You are older now so don’t worry about me. Once my legs heal, I will personally go visit you.”
While the three chatted, the four little ones peeked inside from the door.
Xie Yunjin called them inside, “Come here and meet grandpa and grandma Chen.”
The four little ones ran inside and bowed towards the two, “Grandpa Chen, grandma Chen.”
The quadruplets wore identical clothes and had the same hairdo. Master and Lady Chen couldn’t really tell them apart like this.
Looking at these four obedient children, they couldn’t help but pat their heads, “How cute.”
Lady Chen took out some candy from her pocket and gave it to them.
The four little ones thanked her right away, “Thank you grandma Chen.”
Their mommy had taught them to be respectful and kind. Those who were rude were not good children. These days, the four little ones were very polite and didn’t even need more teaching from Lu Jiao.
Lady Chen was very happy and nodded profusely. She looked at these four children one by one starting from the First Born. By the time her gaze reached the Fourth Born, she froze. This kid…?
Before she could think too much, she heard voices from outside.
“I heard Master Chen is here?”
It was the Village Leader, Xie Fugui. Other than Xie Yunjin, several other children from this village went to study under Master Chen.
Xie Fugui originally wanted to save some money and send his Datou to Master Chen’s place to study. So, when the news went around that Master Chen was here, he rushed over.
Inside the east bedroom, Master Chen stood up. He knew Xie Fugui and they started to chat.
Lu Jiao brought in another chair so the Village Leader could sit. During the same trip, she took away the empty water bowls.
Lady Chen couldn’t help but study Lu Jiao a little. This woman sure was orderly. The way she moved was confident and outgoing, not at all like a villager raised in the countryside.
She heard that Lu Jiao had a bad reputation. What was that about?
The four little ones followed Lu Jiao out while the adults chatted inside.
After some time, Master Chen and Lady Chen left.
Xie Fugui walked them out along with Lu Jiao. Once the elders were back on the oxcart, Lu Jiao said respectfully, “Once Yunjin’s legs heal, I will tell him to go visit you.”
Lady Chen warmly welcomed, “Come with him. Bring your four children as well.”
Lu Jiao smiled and said bye to Master and Lady Chen.
Once they left, Lu Jiao asked Xie Fugui, “Village Leader, is your oxcart going into town tomorrow? I need to go in tomorrow. Yunjin improved a lot and I need to go have a talk with Dr. Qi tomorrow about his surgery.”
Xie Fugui was over the moon to hear that, “I will ask Tieniu to give you a ride tomorrow.”
He even added later, “Should I go with you?”
He soon realized that was an awful idea. It was weird to go with Yunjin’s wife alone. He laughed, “I’ll ask my wife to go with you.”
Lu Jiao shook her head, “There’s no need. I know Dr. Qi well and I just need to ask him whether or not he can do the surgery. If he can, then we’ll make it happen soon. Yunjin’s getting impatient.”
Xie Yunjin truly was. He wanted to get it all done right away. That way, he’ll know for sure whether or not he’ll walk again.
Though the doctor had assured him, he was still worried.
Xie Fugui excitedly responded, “When he goes, we will all go with him. This is a big deal for the village.”
Xie Fugui turned to leave, “I’m going to discuss this with the Clan Leader to see who we should send into town with Yunjin. This is one of the biggest events for our Xie Village.”
Lu Jiao speechlessly watched him leave. She never even confirmed with him she was okay with it.
Since Xie Fugui was now long gone, Lu Jiao had no choice but to walk back to the yard. The Fourth Born pulled on her hands and asked, “Mommy, who were the grandparents that gave us candy?”
“They are the couple who used to teach your father.”
The Fourth Born lost interest right away.
“Mommy, are we going to sleep wearing pajamas tonight?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Yes.”
She planned for this and had used medicine from her space earlier to kill all the mosquitoes in the house. If she didn’t, the boys would be bitten to death in their little shorts.
The Fourth Born remembered the shorts and his face flushed red, “Those pants are so short. Mommy, I am shy.”