Chapter 81: The Bai Family Matron

As noon approached, a shirtless boy pushed a cart into the courtyard. It was Runsheng.

He’d helped Grandpa Shan get his dentures, tended to his injuries for two days, then used the money from the Niu family to stock up on rice, flour, and oil—only to be promptly kicked out again.

Aunt Liu greeted him politely, “Runsheng, you're here. Hungry? I’m about to start cooking, hehe.”

Runsheng nodded. “Starving. My grandpa wouldn’t let me eat the day before yesterday. I’ve been saving my belly for your cooking.”

“Good, good. I just made a new batch of incense. Try some with lunch and tell me if it smells right.”

“Sure thing. I’m looking forward to it.”

As he spoke, Runsheng wiped the corner of his mouth.

Upstairs, Li Sanjiang heard the exchange and ground his teeth in irritation. He’d thought that old coot had forgotten about this, but instead, he’d sent the family mule over to graze at their trough again.

Still, the timing was perfect—he could have Runsheng push the cart for him this afternoon.

That rascal could eat, no doubt, but once fed, he was more useful than an ox.

“Runshenghou, you’re here.”

Runsheng looked up at Li Sanjiang and nodded vigorously. “Yep, I’m here, Grandpa. I missed you.”

“Grandpa missed you too, good kid. Take me to the Niu family later this afternoon.”

“Got it, Grandpa.”

Li Zhuiyuan, hearing the noise and his great-grandfather’s orders, realized that the cat-faced granny had already completed the preliminary job.

“Runsheng-ge.”

“Hey, Little Yuanhou.”

After a brief greeting, Runsheng squatted in front of the incense Aunt Liu had laid out to dry. He was too hungry to care about anything else.

Li Zhuiyuan walked over to Li Sanjiang and gave him a sweet smile. “Great-grandpa.”

“Mm? What is it?”

“I want to go to Shigang Town this afternoon to buy some stationery.”

“Alright, come with me then.”

Li Sanjiang agreed without hesitation. He didn’t think there would be any danger at the Niu family’s place—after all, he’d already slain that Dead Sinker with the peachwood sword.

“Thanks, Great-grandpa.”

Li Zhuiyuan leaned in, wrapped his arms around Li Sanjiang’s neck, and pressed his cheek to his chest in a warm hug.

Laughing, Li Sanjiang gently patted the boy’s head.

“Aiyo aiyo, hahaha, it’s nothing, really. Whatever you want, Great-grandpa will buy it for you. Great-grandpa’s rich, filthy rich!”

This show of affection from his great-grandchild brought real joy to Li Sanjiang.

Although, when he thought about it, he realized he didn’t love all the kids—just Little Yuanhou.

The boy might not care much about school, but he was utterly endearing.

Having settled things with his great-grandpa, Li Zhuiyuan went back to his chair and continued reading.

As he read, he suddenly felt two hands awkwardly, hesitantly wrap around his neck, followed by a face pressing against his chest.

He understood at once—Ah Li was imitating the way he’d just buttered up Great-grandpa.

Then he noticed the puzzled look in her eyes.

Li Zhuiyuan got it. He reached out and gently patted the girl’s head.

“Whatever you want, I’ll buy it for you, okay? I’m rich, filthy rich!”

Satisfied, the girl let go and returned to her usual posture. Her eyes were bright—brighter than the sunlit corner where they sat.

Downstairs, Liu Yumei was sipping tea when her hand trembled. Bitterness welled up in her heart.

“Rich, my ass. You little brat don’t have a penny to your name!”

Yet even in her sourness, she felt immense comfort, tears glinting at the corners of her eyes.

Since her granddaughter had fallen ill, when had she ever shown such affection?

Sometimes, the hardest leap is the one from nothing to something. She began to imagine a future when the girl might hug her the same way and let her pat her head gently.

She looked down and continued drinking her tea, only to frown slightly.

Had the tea leaves gone bad? Why did it taste both sour and sweet?

…

After leaving Siyuan Village, Xue Liangliang took a long-distance bus to the Municipal People’s Hospital to visit the hospitalized Zhao Hequan.

Zhao’s condition had worsened continuously since admission. Now, his entire body had turned a sickly bluish-purple, as if dyed.

Luo Tingrui happened to be there, too. After glancing briefly at Zhao like it was a formality, he motioned for Xue to step outside with him.

He never liked Zhao Hequan. As department head, he often brought students out for fieldwork, and Zhao was the talkative type. Even if he saw a dog peeing on a lamppost from the bus, he’d feel the need to make some sarcastic comment.

Luo was a practical man. Though he’d once been a student himself and understood the current social trends, he had no patience for idle whining. All they ever did was groan and moan.

Xue Liangliang, on the other hand, had always left a good impression. If the kid weren’t so dead set on moving to the southwest after graduation, Luo would’ve tried to set him up with his daughter.

“Liangliang, heading back to campus?”

“Yes, Director. I’m going to the station shortly.”

“Come with me. Some officials from higher up and local staff are heading to the riverbank for an inspection. Afterward, we’ll return together.”

“Okay, Director.”

Though the inspection team had been assembled at the last minute, it was sizable.

Three cars and a bus were fully loaded. They drove south out of the city, reaching the Yangtze River. This area was part of a county under Nantong’s jurisdiction.

Once they arrived, local officials exchanged pleasantries before giving an overview. Everyone occasionally deferred to Luo Tingrui for input.

Following in the back, Xue soon understood what was happening—they were discussing plans for a future cross-river bridge. The central government wanted to build a bridge connecting Nantong and Shanghai.

It was all still in the planning stages—not ready for construction yet.

But even that was enough to stir Xue’s excitement. Every grand project starts with such a step.

A boat arrived to ferry them across the river so they could get a clearer view.

“Currently, although ferries help with transportation, the lack of a proper bridge severely hampers local economic development…”

As the local official spoke, Xue leaned on the boat’s railing, eyes scanning the vast landscape of river and sky.

Then, his brows furrowed. He looked down at the water beneath the boat.

“If that misprint in the local records is correct, Bai Family Town…

…should be right beneath our feet.”

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