CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 94: COPPING A FEEL

Jiang Xingye wasn’t craving that box of red braised pork. He only poured some of the sauce over his rice, not touching a single piece of meat, just so Xu Qinghuan could have it.

But Xu Qinghuan didn’t know that. Earlier when the old man asked for that box of red braised pork, seeing Jiang Xingye reluctant, she didn’t make him give it to the old man.

She was protecting him. Knowing this, how could Jiang Xingye not be happy?

Soon, they arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Xu Qinghuan went inside with a basket, spending her money and tickets to buy two pounds of rice, two pounds of flour, one pound of brown sugar, and just in time saw some iron pots for sale. She spent two industrial tickets and thirteen yuan to buy an iron pot and four bowls.

Not seeing any sewing machines for sale, Xu Qinghuan asked the staff at the counter, "Comrade, are there no sewing machines for sale?"

"We don’t have any in stock. If you want one, we can bring one from the city for you. A sewing machine costs 170 yuan and one sewing machine ticket. Do you want it? It’s in short supply, are you preparing a dowry?" The staff member was quite gossipy.

"Yes!" Xu Qinghuan paid with her money and tickets. The staff issued her a receipt and they agreed she would come to pick it up in two weeks.

Jiang Xingye was waiting for her at the door.

"Where to now?" Jiang Xingye had already become quite accustomed to being the driver.

Xu Qinghuan couldn’t help but smile and unreservedly got into the car, "A small alley next to the state-owned restaurant. I don’t know the name of the street, but I’ll know the house when we get there."

"Okay." Jiang Xingye’s voice was extra gentle, "The road ahead is rough, be careful."

The road there was bumpy. Jiang Xingye was already being very cautious, yet they still hit a bump, and Xu Qinghuan lurched straight towards him. In her panic, she wrapped her arms around Jiang Xingye’s slender waist.

Xu Qinghuan herself was a bit embarrassed, but the hard, warm, and distinctly defined muscles under her palm exuded a robust power. Her hand uncontrollably gave them a squeeze.

Jiang Xingye was completely stunned, feeling a rush of heat in his lower abdomen. It took all his effort to suppress the flutter, riding wobbly until Xu Qinghuan called for a stop, at which point he robotically brought the car to a halt.

The redness of his ears seeped all the way down to his neck.

Getting off the car, Xu Qinghuan glanced at him, his face was as red as a boiled lobster.

He dared not look at her, but Xu Qinghuan was looking at him. Feeling very uncomfortable, Jiang Xingye glanced back at her; his eyes were full of grievance, like a wronged little wife.

Xu Qinghuan also felt a bit awkward. Hugging his waist might have been excusable, but touching his abs was in no way justifiable.

And it was quite a firm squeeze, rubbing back and forth a little.

So she simply didn’t explain, cleared her throat acting calm, and said without meeting his eyes, "Wait for me here. I’ll be back soon."

"Okay." Jiang Xingye looked down, nudging a stone on the ground with his toe.

Once Xu Qinghuan turned and ran off, he finally exhaled a long breath of relief, glancing down at his own waist and stomach, lingering his gaze lovingly on the spot Xu Qinghuan had touched on his right abdomen.

Even the hungriest times and seeing a big piece of pork belly wouldn’t make him as happy as this.

If it weren’t growing on him, he’d want to cut it off and offer it, bowing in worship every day.

He was excited like a big fool.

Once again, Xu Qinghuan arrived at the Ren Family’s home. When she knocked on the door, she took five pounds of rice, five pounds of flour, two pounds of white sugar, half a pound of buns, a lunch box of red braised pork, and a wild chicken from her secret storage space.

The livestock in her space looked identical to those outside, but the taste was much better. In her past life, she often caught rabbits and wild chickens from her space to eat; they were delicious and supplemented her Spiritual Energy.

No one came to open the door for a long time. Xu Qinghuan shouted, "Ren Jingmo," and then she heard the heavy, slow footsteps coming from the courtyard.

The one who opened the door was the old man Ren. Seeing Xu Qinghuan, he was very surprised, "Why are you here?"

Xu Qinghuan noticed he looked much better and directly pushed the door open, squeezing in. "I wanted to come, so I did."

Ren Shanglu didn’t chase her away but closed the door behind them and followed her inside, "Hurry up and leave; don’t just stay here."

Inside the house, the initially terrified Ren Jingmo relaxed noticeably upon seeing Xu Qinghuan and ran over to her, "Sister, why are you here?"

This sister was very nice. Last time, she left rice, flour, and meat buns with them; he really liked this sister.

Xu Qinghuan took out a big handful of White Rabbit creamy candies and handed them to Ren Jingmo. Ren Jingmo’s hands trembled a bit as he accepted them, uncertainly asking, "Sister, are these for me?"

"Who else would I give them to? Go ahead and eat!" Xu Qinghuan said.

Ren Jingmo looked up at his grandfather, and when he nodded, Ren Jingmo happily took and carefully unwrapped a piece, popping it into his mouth. The sweet sensation flooded his palate, making him feel so happy he almost floated.

Xu Qinghuan set the basket down, "We were late to the supply and marketing cooperative today and couldn’t buy any meat. I only brought some rice and flour."

Ren Shanglu saw her taking things out one by one, his eyes slowly welling up with tears.

Seeing her take out a pot, Ren Jingmo was astonished, "Sister, is this pot also for us?"

"Yes!" Xu Qinghuan was happy to see some light in his eyes, "With the pot, you can cook properly."

She handed the buns and red braised pork to Ren Jingmo, "Quick, go eat with grandpa. It’s still hot; it will get cold if you wait too long."

The red braised pork and meat buns were bought from a state-owned restaurant in Shen City. When she put them inside her space, they were still hot, and now they still were.

The grandfather and grandson did not doubt her, assuming she had bought them at a local state-owned restaurant.

Ren Jingmo opened the lunch box, and the rich aroma of meat hit his nose. His heart beat particularly fast as he looked at Xu Qinghuan with sparkling eyes, "Sister, I’m so happy, thank you!"

"You’re welcome, go ahead and eat. I’ll bring more for you in the future." She asked Ren Shanglu, "Old Sir, I’ll leave these things here for now. Find a way to hide them well. I’ll think of a way to stop those people from bullying you."

"You don’t need to bother!" the old man retorted harshly, "Just take care of yourself."

Xu Qinghuan knew he was worried about dragging her into their troubles. If she hadn’t encountered them, she wouldn’t bother. But having met them, and this being her mentor’s mentor, her teacher’s elder, how could she just ignore it?

Xu Qinghuan gently patted Ren Jingmo on the shoulder, but the child gasped in pain.

Xu Qinghuan froze for a moment before pulling open the child’s shirt. His emaciated back and shoulders were covered with scars, some as wide as her fingers, raw and bloody, deep enough to see bones.

A wave of anger surged through her, a chilling sharpness in her eyes, her voice as cold and cutting as winter’s harshest winds, "Who did this? Was it those people?"

Ren Shanglu turned his eyes away, eyes full of hatred, his face stained with tears.

Ren Jingmo turned and held Xu Qinghuan’s hand, "Sister, it doesn’t hurt."

Xu Qinghuan trembled all over, clutching Ren Jingmo’s hand tightly as tears rolled down, squatting down to hold Ren Jingmo in her arms, dampening his clothes with her tears.

Carefully Xu Qinghuan peeled off the child’s clothes, taking out a box of ointment from her space and gently applying it to the child’s back.

These were all fresh injuries, likely ones received today.

If medicine wasn’t applied promptly, the child would likely develop a high fever tonight. With such a large injured area, infection could lead to unimaginable consequences.

Even if it wasn’t the reason Ren Jingmo died, the chances of infection in this hot weather were very high.

"Sister, this ointment feels so good when applied!" Ren Jingmo couldn’t help but exclaim.

After finishing applying the ointment, Xu Qinghuan handed the box and two fever-reducing pills to Ren Shanglu, "These are for fever. If Jingmo runs a fever tonight, give him one. I’ll come back tomorrow to check."

Ren Shanglu said, "No need to come back."

Being a doctor himself, he didn’t need others if there were medicine available.