This time, Grandma Gu finally had a handle on the two of them and planned to use it against them next time. Fortunately, the meat tasted good, and even without alcohol, they both ate two large bowls of rice with it. If Grandma Gu hadn't forbidden it, they felt they could have eaten another bowl.
After dinner, Elder Hua and Elder Mao also received the wild boar meat that Ji Xingmi sent. It was delivered by Mantis. Elder Hua was accustomed to Ji Xingmi sending things over from time to time, but Elder Mao was very happy. It was just that the timing was off; they couldn't eat it now!
Mantis also brought a message from Ji Xingmi to Elder Mao, asking him to have lunch at Elder Hua's place tomorrow, as she would bring more delicious food. Elder Mao was also very much looking forward to it and waved Mantis away. As Mantis left, he reminded Mantis to protect her.
Ji Xingmi, having made plans with Gu Jingyi for the next day, went upstairs to wash up. She also needed to sort the herbs she had brought back, so she went to bed a little late that day.
When she got up the next day, Gu Jingyi was already waiting for her downstairs. Mom Ji looked at Gu Jingyi, who had arrived so early, and smilingly complained a few words about her daughter. Gu Jingyi interrupted, quickly saying he had arrived too early!
Ji Xingmi came downstairs yawning, and the scene she saw was: "Good morning, Mom! Why are you here so early?"
"This child, is everyone like you, sleeping in!"
Gu Jingyi, seeing Ji Xingmi still yawning, asked, "Hmm, so tired? Didn't sleep well?"
"I was sorting herbs until very late last night. It's already quite good that I'm up this morning!"
"Then do you want to sleep in a bit more!?"
Ji Xingmi shook her head. Better not. She could sleep at Elder Hua's place later. She had also arranged to have lunch with Yihao yesterday, so it was better to go there early.
Ji Xingmi followed her mother to the dining room for breakfast. Gu Jingyi followed behind, taking care of her. Even Mom Ji felt a little embarrassed. Her daughter was truly taking it all in stride! Gu Jingyi was practically about to pick up chopsticks and feed her.
Mom Ji kicked her husband with her foot, telling him to look at the example. Dad Ji glanced at her after feeling the movement, then continued to eat his food! Mom Ji got angry seeing his reaction. Without comparison, there was no harm.
Fortunately, Ji Xingmi ate quickly. After finishing, she packed the things she had prepared yesterday. Gu Jingyi helped move everything into the car. Ji Xingmi didn't know how long she would be staying, so she decided to bring the herbs with her. She wasn't planning on finding things to do for herself lately. To avoid being too idle, she decided to do something she liked.
Mom Ji was no longer reluctant to let her go to Elder Hua's place. She even felt it was safer there than at home. As they were leaving, Ji Xingmi asked them to make a detour past the warehouse. She went in to get a few watermelons before heading over.
When their large group arrived, Elder Hua had already gone to a meeting and was not in the small courtyard. Ji Xingmi was familiar with the place. After putting things down, she went back to her room to catch up on sleep. Gu Jingyi had also been resting for a few days and went to do his own things. With the two main characters quiet, the small courtyard also became quiet. However, their arrival stirred up discussions among the surrounding residents. Such a scene shouldn't have happened. But recently, many new people had moved into the compound, so they were not as familiar with Ji Xingmi.
Ji Xingmi was unaware of these matters. She was happily playing in her personal space! She only came out when it was almost time. She had intended to cook, but after glancing out the window at the small vegetable patch in the backyard, she saw that the things she had planted earlier had matured and the weeds had grown to be half her height. She changed direction and went there, tidying up the yard. At this season, only cabbage, radishes, and such could be planted.
When Elder Hua returned with Yihao, the small courtyard was already fragrant with the smell of cooking. They had smelled it on the way, but it wasn't as extravagant as at the Ji family's home, and no one dared to crowd outside.
"Grandpa Hua, Grandpa Mao, dinner is ready!" Ji Xingmi came out of the kitchen and saw the two of them. She called out to them and then went back to her tasks. She still had one dish to stir-fry. Now that they were back, she could get started.
As Ji Xingmi brought the dishes into the dining room, the two old men were already drinking wine. Ji Xingmi glanced at the wine bottles nearby before sitting down. Elder Hua noticed her small action and smiled at Yihao, saying, "Look at her little eyes! She started controlling our wine bottles as soon as she got back!"
Yihao just smiled; he wouldn't complain. He knew that the old man wanted to use him as a scapegoat, hmph!
Ji Xingmi didn't join the conversation. If she spoke, Elder Hua would surely find various excuses to drink more, and then what about his health? She wouldn't fall for his trick; that old man was very cunning! If she wasn't careful, she could easily be led astray by him.
Elder Hua saw her subtly roll her eyes. He knew she was thinking about what happened last time. It was just that one time she found an excuse to drink two extra glasses; there was no need to make such a big deal out of it! He smiled and didn't say anything more. Kids these days were not so easily fooled anymore~