CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 328: IS THE PARK FUN?

Xu Xiuxiu, dazed, hung up the phone and felt somewhat at a loss for words. She really didn’t have much of a concept about the disease; the term "diabetes" was something she had often heard mentioned in passing, but she instinctively thought it was a disease that only older people would get. It was utterly bizarre that an infant not even two months old could also suffer from diabetes.

It was Mrs. Song who had cleared things up for her after hearing from the doctor. Over the phone, Mrs. Song had given her a rough explanation. Apparently, it is possible for infants to develop diabetes. There are many reasons why this could happen, including improper breastfeeding and dietary issues, but there was also a much larger factor: genetic disease. Diabetes could be inherited, so infant diabetes cases were typically headed by genetic conditions, but that did not exclude other possibilities altogether.

However, when Xu Xiuxiu heard that it might be a genetic disease, she found the truth to be rather intriguing.

Diabetes inherited from whom? Could it be Wang Qinghua herself who had diabetes? Because Song Yuantao, just like Song Yuanhuan, didn’t have a sweet tooth and wasn’t likely to get diabetes, the question of genetic transmission fell to the mother, Wang Qinghua. But if Wang Qinghua didn’t have diabetes either, and it was a genetic disease, then it was strange for the child to have diabetes.

Xu Xiuxiu couldn’t help but suspect the worst in her heart. It’s not that she thought ill of Wang Qinghua’s character; it’s just that after seeing countless incredible stories about women unfaithful to men, she instinctively felt something was off with Wang Qinghua. However, she didn’t share her thoughts with Mrs. Song. After all, the child’s diabetes still needed to be further checked at the county hospital. So she decided to feign concern, maintaining a facade of emotional involvement while feeling helpless due to the distance.

As for the money for the child’s treatment, Xu Xiuxiu didn’t plan to fret over it. She wasn’t flush with cash that needed burning a hole in her pocket. She hadn’t seen a penny of the interest on the thousands of yuan she’d lent to Song Yuantao that caused his illness. Although she didn’t mind about the money, surely now that their child was ill and funds were tight, they shouldn’t come to her for a loan! There was a saying, "If you borrow and pay back, borrowing again is easy," but they hadn’t repaid the first loan, and to ask for more money now... She wasn’t a charity. She had been generous enough as their in-law; she couldn’t play the saint indefinitely.

It was just a shame about the diabetic child—that poor little thing had barely started life and was already suffering. What a tragedy!

"Cheng Guang, Little Baby, Little Moon, it’s time to go home." After hanging up the phone, Xu Xiuxiu calmed her emotions and said.

"I know, Mommy." Song Chengguang obediently nodded, then reached out to properly tuck in the wind blanket in the baby carriage for his younger siblings, a gesture that warmed Xu Xiuxiu’s heart.

It was cold winter now. Even though they were dressed warmly, the evening breeze still cut to the bone. Xu Xiuxiu was concerned about the children catching a chill, so whenever they went out, they made sure to do so when the sun was strong and to return home before the setting sun went down. The thin blankets for the boy and girl twins were pretty thick, and seeing Song Chengguang’s carefulness, she felt her heart soften.

"Mommy, I see Auntie," said Song Chengguang, whose nature was aloof and lively; reserved with some and animated with others, but after all, he was still a child. Walking along, he couldn’t keep his small hands and feet still, and unlike adults, who walk straight without distractions, his little head was constantly turning. He spotted a familiar figure unintentionally and excitedly tugged at Xu Xiuxiu.

"Where?" Xu Xiuxiu asked, following the direction Song Chengguang pointed to. She saw two people walking across the street, a man and a woman. The man was tall with an average build. Xu Jingjing was walking alongside him, the two of them seemed to be talking, and Xu Jingjing’s gaze as she slightly turned her head towards the man was smiling and gentle, somewhat different from the strong-willed vibe she usually exuded.

Could this girl be on the verge of a romance?

Xu Xiuxiu suddenly smiled, but considering the man was not the type Xu Jingjing usually went for, she thought she might be reading too much into it. Whatever the case, she’d just wait till Xu Jingjing came home that evening and casually probe her.

"Mom, Auntie didn’t see us; she’s talking to that uncle! Aren’t we going to call her?" Song Chengguang stared in Xu Jingjing’s direction with a hesitant look in his eyes.

"No, don’t call her. Your aunt might be busy," Xu Xiuxiu said, the word "busy" tinged with a playful undertone.

"Oh." Song Chengguang simply replied and didn’t ask further, then he continued to chat innocently and amusingly with Xu Xiuxiu.

Xu Xiuxiu, while pushing the stroller and talking to Song Chengguang, took the chance to keep an eye on Xu Jingjing. As she pushed the stroller past where Xu Jingjing was, she got a clear look at the man’s face—it was Wei Jiaqiang, a construction worker from Soup City. Since he worked hard, earnestly, and had an honest and simple nature, Xu Xiuxiu had arranged for him to become a small team leader on the construction site.

Now that Xu Xiuxiu saw the man beside Xu Jingjing was him, she felt somewhat relieved.

Xu Xiuxiu had worked with Wei Jiaqiang on the construction site, and given Xu Jingjing’s current temperament, it was unlikely that Wei Jiaqiang could deceive her. If Xu Jingjing was willing to interact with him this way, then she must have some intentions. It looked like she really needed to have a heart-to-heart with her sister that evening.

After all, Xu Jingjing’s marriage was a matter of concern to Mr. Xu and even to the late Mrs. Xu. As her older sister, Xu Xiuxiu had to guard it well!

"Where did Cheng Guang take his brother and sister to play today?" Neighbor Su Ya, Aunt Su, ever since borrowing the grain, had a harmonious relationship with Xu Xiuxiu’s family. With the weather being nice today, the elderly couple opened their doors to let in some air, owing to the cleanliness of Elder Mrs. Su. When the door was opened and some dirt was noticed, Aunt Su took a rag and diligently wiped clean the entrance door.

As Xu Xiuxiu led the three children upstairs, gasping for breath, they met Aunt Su. Aunt Su saw Song Chengguang dressed so roundly and rosy-cheeked from the effort of helping Xu Xiuxiu carry the stroller. With a few drops of sweat on his face, she found him irresistibly cute.

"Grandma, mom and I took my brother and sister to the park to play, and Cheng Guang ate some rice sticks too," Song Chengguang enthusiastically replied, always polite and sensible towards these two elders.

"Oh! Was the park fun?" continued Elder Mrs. Su with a smile.

"Fun."

"Then Cheng Guang must be tired!"

"Not tired." Song Chengguang shook his head earnestly. Kids have such lively energy, and he genuinely didn’t feel that going for a walk was tiring.