The two of them ran far away before stopping to catch their breath. Lü Guangyao panted heavily as he looked at his wife, taking a good while before he could speak.
“I really didn’t expect Wei Yao to be so vigilant.”
“She truly lives up to being Mingrui’s wife. Let’s head back first. Now that we’ve seen she’s doing well, we can rest easy. When Mingrui returns, we’ll invite the couple over for a meal and properly apologize, understood?”
“Understood, understood. Ah, I just didn’t expect it. I’d heard before that Song Dagui and Chang Yongqin were decent people, and that the two children were also being looked after by Chang Yongqin. Who would’ve thought these two elders could be so cruel to their own grandchildren? And that Song Liping—she’s been trying to get into her unit’s secretarial office lately. Hmph, I wonder if she’ll manage to pull it off!”
Chen Shumin didn’t comment. That woman was no good, and she had no desire to persuade her otherwise.
Wei Yao looked at the two bags of goods on the ground, all of them high-quality items. Passersby outside the courtyard couldn’t help but glance at her, their gazes making her frown. She quickly gathered the items and brought them inside, storing them in the cupboard.
Since they claimed to be Song Mingrui’s friends, she’d let him handle returning the favor when he got back.
Back when they were living with the Song Family, she and the children had very few possessions. Every purchase had to be carefully considered, and whenever they added something, Chang Yongqin would inevitably complain.
Now, this fine courtyard was hers. She could furnish the house however she pleased, especially since she now had money and space, and no longer had to answer to anyone.
Most of the kitchen cabinets were semi-new, but there was nothing else inside.
She directly took out rice, flour, cooking oil, steamed bun baskets, cloth covers, pots, bowls, ladles, chopstick holders, cleaning cloths, and even soy sauce, vinegar, and other seasonings stored in clay jars from her space. Cured meat, fresh meat, and fresh vegetables and fruits filled the cabinets and baskets to the brim.
While Song Yang and Song Hui were still asleep, she took out four sets of cotton quilts from her space, all made of soft, brand-new cotton with floral-patterned covers. She also selected several sets of bedsheets and pillowcases, tossing them all into the washing machine to be cleaned and dried. Thermos flasks, teacups, and enamel basins were added as well.
Everything the house needed, she arranged neatly.
She placed several jars of Snow Cream on the dressing table and looked at her sallow face and dry hair. She felt like slapping herself but thought better of it, realizing how foolish that would be.
In her previous life, she had never truly loved herself. Thinking back, she had always felt a faint envy whenever she saw Song Liping dressed impeccably. Now, she could use whatever she wanted and had to make sure she looked clean and beautiful.
Beside the dressing table, she placed a Butterfly brand sewing machine. On the Phoenix brand bicycle, she attached a small seat so that Song Yang and Song Hui could ride comfortably in the future.
Looking at the rooms filled to the brim with belongings, she felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
When Song Yang and Song Hui woke up, they were still a bit dazed. As she went to hug them, she heard Song Yang mutter:
“Did the old immortal say we can’t live in the nice house anymore? Did the dream end?”
Wei Yao’s lips twitched. This silly child—after nearly half a month in the space, he still thought it was all a dream!
"Yangyang is awake. Mom made hot noodle soup. After we eat, we'll go to the hospital to give a silk banner to the nurse sisters and doctor uncles, and we also need to visit Grandma Liu to express our gratitude. These are all our benefactors."
"Okay, Mom. I miss Grandma Liu. She secretly gave me candy!"
"Good child."
Wei Yao wiped the corner of her eye, helped the child get dressed, washed her face and little hands, and served her a bowl of noodles. On top of the noodles lay an egg and some minced meat, smelling incredibly delicious. The little one ate so happily her eyes narrowed into slits.
Before heading out, Wei Yao took several bags of roasted peanuts and distributed them to the neighbors on both sides.
In the past, she would have tightly guarded the food, never letting others freeload even a bit. But now things were different. Distant relatives are not as helpful as close neighbors. Friendship is built through mutual exchange. If Song Mingrui didn't transfer posts in the future, she would be raising two children alone. If she encountered difficulties, she would need someone nearby to lend a hand.
Through conversation, everyone learned that the newly moved-in young wife's husband worked in the Transport Team and they had just separated from his parents' household.
Since she brought gifts over, showing a willingness to build good relations, and they were neighbors after all, if she truly faced hardship, they would naturally be willing to extend a helping hand!
After delivering the gifts, Wei Yao gathered some presents and first went to the hospital.
Coincidentally, the doctor who treated her and several nurses who had helped her earlier were talking in the hospital lobby. Before she and the child even reached them, she began loudly weeping with gratitude.
As she approached, she even made a gesture as if to bow. The doctor and nurses quickly helped her up.
"Big sister, what are you doing? When we encounter injustice, we must lend a hand. This is what us warm-hearted folks ought to do. As long as you can live well from now on, we'll be relieved."
"Yes, sister. Seeing you looking much better now, Yangyang wearing new clothes and having gained some weight, we're truly happy for you."
"Yes, now that we've separated from the family, life is much better. Knowing you are all selfless and kind-hearted people, I don't have anything particularly valuable to offer. This is a silk banner I had custom-made. Please, you must accept it. And this—these are celebration candies from our separation. Let everyone share in the joy."
When she handed over the items, the nurses and doctor repeatedly declined. Only after Wei Yao insisted did they reluctantly accept.
Before long, even the hospital director was alerted. Hearing about what the nurses and doctor had done, he greatly praised them and even issued rewards on the spot.
Everyone desires a good reputation. Wei Yao's public gesture undoubtedly helped the hospital gain a wave of goodwill in front of the patients. The doctors and nurses, feeling the warmth and admiration from everyone, flushed with excitement.
The same method naturally applied to Liu Chunling, but compared to the reputation the hospital wanted, she gave Liu Chunling a tangible jar of malted milk powder, two jin of brown sugar, and two cans of mandarin oranges.
Liu Chunling pretended not to accept, and the two of them pushed and tugged for a long time before she reluctantly took them.
"Xiao Wei, you should hurry back to work soon. I heard your supervisor's niece wants to get into the cotton textile mill. Even though you're on leave, if it's too long, someone might try to stir up trouble. But you'll need to find someone to help look after these two children!"
Wei Yao's expression shifted, and she said gratefully, "Director Liu, you truly are a good person. Thank you for telling me all this. I'll go cancel my leave and return to work tomorrow. The cotton textile mill has a nursery—my children Song Yang and Song Hui can attend. In a few months, it'll be the New Year, and after that, Yangyang will start school. By then, I’ll have a much easier time."