novelraw Chapter 271 - 103: Jing Si Confronts Granny, Part 2
Chapter 271 - 103: Jing Si Confronts Granny, Part 2
That was true. Going back and forth would waste time. If they missed the golden window, Granny Guo would be beyond saving.
Jie Jingshan smiled, but not out of smugness. She wasn’t a fool; her fourth sister-in-law was just trying to reassure her. It was all just a coincidence. What mattered most was that her sister-in-law had saved Granny Guo.
"Jing Qi, have you eaten?" Qin Mei’s gaze flickered as she looked at the Beggar’s Chicken wrapped in brown paper in Jie Jingshan’s hands. The food at Second Aunt’s house was still untouched on the table. They had heard Ma’s mother’s shouts before they could eat and had rushed over to save Granny Guo, forgetting all about their meal.
The scene had been too chaotic. Since Granny Guo lived alone, Second Aunt was worried and stayed to watch over her, paying no mind to eating.
"I haven’t," Jie Jingshan answered honestly, shaking her head.
"There’s still food at home. We can heat it up when we get back," Qin Mei said with a smile. Jie Jingshan nodded.
As they were almost home, Jie Jingshan couldn’t help but ask, "Fourth Sister-in-law, how was it handled?"
Qin Mei paused, not understanding what Jing Qi meant at first.
"Granny handled it," said Jie Jingchen, who had been silent until now.
Qin Mei’s eyes widened in realization. She had tried to keep it from Jing Qi, thinking she was still young, but it turned out Jing Qi knew everything.
"Oh." Jie Jingshan grunted in understanding and didn’t ask any more questions. ’If Granny handled it, the outcome is obvious. Granny can’t stand Aunt Zhang and has wanted to kick her out for ages. Now that she finally has the chance, there’s no way she’d let it pass, right?’
They had just stepped into the courtyard when the sound of Granny’s shouting drifted out from the kitchen.
"So unfilial! Utterly unfilial! We came all this way and went through so much trouble, and now we’re starving! But is anyone cooking for us? No! We two old folks have to cook for ourselves."
"All right, stop complaining. It’s not so bad, cooking for ourselves," Grandpa soothed.
"Why can’t I complain? I’m going to complain! When we lived with our second son’s family, did his wife ever make us cook a single meal? And when we visit our third son, doesn’t his wife always treat us to the best food and drinks? And..."
"That’s enough, stop it. If you don’t want to cook, I’ll do it. Go sit in the courtyard and wait. I’ll call you when the food is ready," Grandpa cut in, his patience wearing thin.
"You’re the one who said it. Don’t you dare complain later that I didn’t help," Granny warned.
"I won’t, I won’t," Grandpa said, resigned.
Granny stopped tending the fire. She stood, dusted herself off, and walked out of the kitchen. She saw Jie Jingchen and Qin Mei wheeling Jing Qi into the courtyard. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d seen Jing Qi.
She had no affection for Jing Qi. In fact, she detested Zhang Hongying, and Jing Qi had been very close to her. Jing Qi was a major reason why they hadn’t been able to kick Zhang Hongying out of the Jie Family.
But after Jing Qi’s accident, their bond had weakened. That made it even harder to get rid of Zhang Hongying. After all, if they sent her away, who would take care of Jing Qi?
But now, Jing Si’s wife was willing to care for Jing Qi. The eldest son and his wife were also comfortable with this arrangement. With that settled, Granny no longer had any reservations. She seized the opportunity to send Zhang Hongying back to her hometown. The eldest son had felt the same way; otherwise, he wouldn’t have had Jing Wu personally drive Zhang Hongying home.
"Gr... Granny," Jie Jingshan called out, her voice trembling.
Granny dusted herself off again. When she saw what Jie Jingshan was holding, her eyes lit up and she trotted toward them. Qin Mei watched, bewildered by Granny’s little jog. She worried the old woman would misstep and fall; a fall could be a serious matter for someone her age.
As Granny drew closer, the look she gave Jie Jingshan wasn’t one of kindness, but of ravenous greed.
Granny snatched the package from Jie Jingshan’s hands. She tore open the brown paper and saw it was a Beggar’s Chicken. Her face lit up, and she closed her eyes to inhale the aroma. "It smells so good!"
Qin Mei raised an eyebrow. ’So she really was after the Beggar’s Chicken. Snatching food from her own granddaughter... Does she have no shame at all?’
"Old man, stop cooking! Jing Si bought us a Beggar’s Chicken to show his respect!" Granny shouted toward the kitchen.
Just then, a mother and son returned, having already eaten their fill. Upon hearing the two words "Beggar’s Chicken," Jie You sprinted over to Granny. Staring at the chicken in her hands, the little boy gulped. "Great-Granny, I want some Beggar’s Chicken! I want a drumstick!"
Granny paused. She looked at Jie You and remembered he was the eldest son’s only grandson. Though she was reluctant to part with it, she patted the little boy’s head fondly. "Alright, alright, my precious great-grandson. You can have the drumstick."
Xu Chunyan eyed the Beggar’s Chicken in Granny’s hands and patted her own stomach. She was already stuffed, but she could probably still manage a wing. The drumstick was for her son, of course; she wouldn’t fight him for it. A wing would be more than enough to satisfy her.