"Here, Jing Qi." Qin i offered the boiled egg to Jie Jingshan.
Jie Jingshan looked at the egg Qin i was offering but didn’t take it. She gazed at Qin i, her young face earnest. "Fourth Sister-in-law, Fourth Brother left that egg for you."
"I already had so congee, so I can’t eat the egg. You need the nutrition right now." Not giving Jie Jingshan a chance to refuse, Qin i pressed the egg into her hand.
"I’m not hungry, Fourth Sister-in-law." Jie Jingshan felt a bit helpless, but a warmth spread through her heart. ’Fourth Sister-in-law always gives her eggs to .’ She thought back to Aunt Zhang. When they were on good terms, she would give Aunt Zhang any nice things she had, always thinking of her first. If it weren’t for everything that happened after her incident, she would have never known she had given her heart to the wrong person.
"Studying is hard work and taxes your brain. Training is tough and drains your energy. Jing Qi, you need proper nutrition for both. An egg with milk is very nutritious. You eat the egg first. I’ll go mix so powdered milk for you." Qin i stood up and walked toward Jie Jingshan’s room.
"Fourth Sister-in-law," Jie Jingshan called out, stopping Qin i. Words of gratitude ford on her lips, but she swallowed them. Her sister-in-law didn’t like to hear such things. "Make an extra cup."
"Alright." Qin i smiled and nodded. ’This is Jing Qi’s way of showing her gratitude, her way of expressing her feelings. I can’t refuse, or she’ll feel burdened.’
If she showed Jing Qi a bit of kindness, Jing Qi would want to repay her tenfold.
’Jing Qi is such a kind girl,’ Qin i wondered. ’Why would Aunt Zhang betray her?’
Jie Jingshan set her book down, cracked the egg, and began to peel it. She ate it in small bites, a warm feeling spreading through her chest.
"Fourth Wife of Jing!" Granny Yu’s voice bood. "Fourth Wife of Jing!"
"Granny Yu," Qin i called back. She had just mixed two cups of powdered milk in enal mugs, and she handed one to Jie Jingshan.
Jie Jingshan, who had just started on the egg yolk, began to choke. She took the enal mug from Qin i and took a large gulp of the milk.
Qin i was still holding her own mug and hadn’t taken a sip when Granny Yu burst in. Parched, she snatched the enal mug from Qin i’s hands, tilted her head back, and chugged a large mouthful. She stared at Qin i, stunned. "Is this... milk made from powder?"
The corner of Qin i’s mouth twitched, but she managed a smile for Granny Yu.
"Oh, Fourth Wife of Jing, I’m so sorry! I thought it was just water. I didn’t realize it was milk made from powder," Granny Yu said, looking guilty. ’Powdered milk is so expensive!’
"It’s alright. Go ahead and finish it," Qin i said with a smile. ’What else can I say? Granny Yu already drank from it. Even if she gave it back, I wouldn’t drink it now.’
Granny Yu looked quite embarrassed as she stared down at the milk in the enal mug. But then she rembered why she’d co looking for Qin i and instantly felt justified. ’I’m here to bring her a small fortune, so what’s the big deal about drinking one cup of milk?’
Granny Yu finished the rest of the milk in the mug, wiped her mouth, and smacked her lips, savoring the taste. "No wonder powdered milk is so expensive. The milk it makes is delicious."
Qin i simply smiled without saying a word. Noticing that Jie Jingshan was upset, she gave her shoulder a comforting pat.
Pouting, Jie Jingshan didn’t seem comforted at all. Qin i prompted her, "Jing Qi, drink up. I need to wash the mugs when you’re done."
Jie Jingshan was annoyed that Granny Yu had drunk the milk ant for her sister-in-law.
Even though she was upset, she didn’t let it show. Jie Jingshan finished her drink and handed the mug to Qin i.
Qin i took the two enal mugs to a nearby sink to wash them. Granny Yu followed her, watching her wash the mugs. "Fourth Wife of Jing," she said, her voice filled with excitent, "I didn’t drink your milk for nothing. I’ve co bringing you a small fortune!"
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