Apart from those who came knocking to inquire, lately, passersby could often be seen around Elder Hua's courtyard. The auntie mentioned that many people tried to pry information from her when she went out to buy groceries. Seeing this situation, Ji Xingmi decided not to go out, not wanting to encounter those people.
She hadn't visited in a long time, and the vegetable garden had become somewhat overgrown. Ji Xingmi decided to tend to the garden again. It was October, and there wasn't much else to plant, so she sowed some cabbage and radishes. She also planted some in her spatial dimension, which could be supplied to Chen Jiagong later and also distributed among her family members.
Whenever Gu Jingyi finished his work, he would come to help Ji Xingmi with the gardening. They would also chat a few words during this time. Gu Jingyi quite enjoyed these moments; since Ji Xingmi's return, his mood had visibly improved.
Speaking of which, Gu Jingyi was also learning to cook from the auntie recently. Ji Xingmi would occasionally go over to offer guidance. He had a good aptitude and could soon prepare some simple dishes.
During this period, Ji Xingmi, along with the auntie, sewed many small cloth bags, slightly larger than clothing pockets. After making the bags, Ji Xingmi filled them with the medicinal herbs she had prepared: hemostatic powder, antidote, life-saving medicine, insect repellent, and other useful items. She even prepared quite a few poisons! These weren't for pranks but were genuine, lethal poisons!
She prepared two small cloth bags for each of her companions, one for common medicines and one for poison. After all, they were the ones who often had to fight for their lives, and having poison could give them an edge! This brought tears to the eyes of the few grown men who received them, though they managed to hold back their tears, lest they appear unmanly!
Ji Xingmi also prepared some for Secretary Sun and Gu Jingyi. They did not receive any poison; Gu Jingyi did get a small amount, but the ones he had were for pranks, with little harmful effect. Elder Hua was definitely prepared with a substantial amount as well; he was the most important. Ji Xingmi packed almost all the heart-preserving pills she had made for him, about twenty in all!
"Grandpa Hua, although I truly hope you won't need these medicines, you must keep them close to you. With these, no matter what happens to any of you, you'll be able to hold on until I can come to your rescue! You must return safely! I'll be waiting for you at home, and when you return, I'll buy a roast duck to welcome you back."
"Don't worry!" Elder Hua said to her with a smile.
"Grandpa Hua, especially you! Remember what I said! Be patient and not arrogant! You must come back to watch over me, otherwise, with all my skills, who knows what trouble I might stir up without you around!"
Hearing this, Elder Hua playfully tapped her head again! "Ouch~"
"Don't worry, it's just a normal visit; they won't dare do anything to me! Have you forgotten the things you made? As long as they want them, they won't dare lay a hand on me!" Ji Xingmi hadn't forgotten this matter at all! She patted her head.
"Stop tapping, your head isn't addled! While I'm away, stay at home and behave yourself! Pay attention to your safety! Always have someone with you wherever you go, understood!"
"Got it. Got it!"
After Ji Xingmi finished her instructions to Elder Hua, it was Elder Hua's turn to give her advice. Seeing them like this, Secretary Sun and Gu Jingyi exchanged smiles and left to arrange other matters, leaving the space to the grandfather and granddaughter.
After Ji Xingmi gave them everything, she returned to the Ji family with Mushroom. This was the shortest time she had spent at Elder Hua's place. However, thinking that they would be leaving in a couple of days, Ji Xingmi felt a faint sense of loss.
But she wouldn't have time to dwell on these feelings for long. Because Grandpa Gu and the others returned. For the past two days, she had been accompanying Grandpa Gu. In fact, Grandpa Gu could have returned earlier, but there was still no news from the Zhao family, so he hadn't rushed back. His early return this time was due to some health issues he was experiencing, prompting the Gu family to urgently bring him back.
It was quite late when they arrived. The Gu family urgently sought out Ji Xingmi from the Ji family that very night because Grandpa Gu's condition didn't look optimistic, and he had started speaking incoherently.
Gu Zhonghua didn't dare to delay and personally drove to find his future daughter-in-law for help, as he was aware of her medical skills. Ji Xingmi wasn't angry when she was woken up; she grabbed her things and quickly got into the car. Father Ji also hurried to ask Little Ji and the others to follow.
By the time Ji Xingmi arrived, Grandma Gu was already weeping uncontrollably.
"Little Xing'er, quickly, look at your Grandpa Gu, he's speaking nonsense!"
"Grandma, don't worry, let me take a look!" Ji Xingmi soothed the elderly woman and quickly took the old man's pulse. Then, she began to apply acupuncture to lower Grandpa Gu's temperature first.
Ji Xingmi lifted the blanket covering Grandpa Gu and said to Gu Zhonghua, "Uncle, please help me unfasten Grandpa's clothes."
He followed her instructions without hesitation. Ji Xingmi asked Gu Jingzhao, who was standing nearby, to fetch a bottle of white wine, and then asked Grandma Gu for a towel. She then proceeded to wipe Grandpa Gu down.
After about half an hour, his temperature began to slowly recede. Only then did Ji Xingmi stop her actions. After giving Grandpa Gu some water and having him swallow two pills, she finally felt truly relieved.