Seeing the boy's demeanor and courteous conduct, the old woman, who loved liveliness, was even more fond of him.
When the boy saw the young lady behind Second Master Meng, he rushed over with an expression of surprise, tugged at her sleeve, and shyly said, "Thank you, sister, for the medicine. My grandfather's cough is much better."
Hearing her grandson, Grandma Han leaned forward and asked him, "Xiao Zhi, was it this young lady who gave you cough medicine?"
The boy nodded vigorously.
After Grandma Han confirmed that the young lady before her was the one who gave the medicine, her face was filled with gratitude.
"The divine medicine the young lady gifted; after my old man took it, his nighttime coughing lessened. The next day, he barely coughed a few times, and today he can even walk a few steps on his own."
Grandma Han became more emotional as she spoke. If it weren't for Fu Yu stopping her, she would have knelt to thank the kind young lady.
Fu Xinci: That wouldn't do at all. She was so young; having such an elderly person kowtow to her would shorten her lifespan. She wanted to live a long life.
She couldn't agree no matter what. When her father stopped the elderly woman again, Fu Xinci darted away faster than a rabbit, disappearing in a flash.
By the time Grandma Han came to her senses, the young lady was nowhere to be seen, so she let it be.
However, Grandpa Meng's eyes kept lingering on the little boy who was smiling uncontrollably while watching his granddaughter's receding figure.
After inquiring, he learned that Han Zhi was a year older than Yu'er, and he began to ponder.
Grandpa Meng mulled it over, felt the idea was feasible, and sat on a nearby armchair to ask the boy.
"Xiao Zhi, would you be willing to stay with us and study and play with a younger brother?"
Han Zhi glanced at his grandmother. Grandma Han understood that Second Master Meng was looking for a companion for his grandson, and her heart rejoiced again.
If this matter were to succeed, it would be her grandson's good fortune. Now that the Han family had only her grandson as a sole heir, she wished she could kowtow to the ancestors of the Han family to make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happen.
Seeing his grandmother agree, the little boy solemnly nodded as well.
Grandma Han was even happier than her grandson when the matter was settled.
Since Second Master Meng wished for her grandson to stay that day, Grandma Han did not want to be a burden.
Moreover, the Meng family was wealthy and influential. If her grandson had Second Master Meng's protection, he would not go hungry or freeze.
Even if the old couple passed away, her grandson would have a place to stay.
Grandma Han held back her tears and called her grandson aside, instructing him, "Xiao Zhi, you will stay with Second Master Meng from now on to be a companion for Young Master Yu. This is also a blessing for our Xiao Zhi."
"Grandma, I know." The little boy, like a grown-up, spoke mature words.
"Yes, this is a blessing many families can only dream of. Our Xiao Zhi is fortunate."
"Mm."
After instructing her grandson, Grandma Han thanked Second Master Meng and his son again, then hardened her heart and left without looking back.
Han Zhi stood at the gate, watching his grandmother's gradually receding, faltering figure. He pouted but did not cry.
Although he was young, he understood that if he wasn't home, his grandparents could eat half a bowl more of congee.
If his grandparents ate their fill, their bodies would be warmer.
When Fu Xinci heard that Grandma Han had left, she took out a few more cough pills. She did not dare to go herself and asked Qi He to pursue her.
When Grandma Han received the cough pills, she returned with profuse thanks.
In the kitchen, Madam Fang and Madam Zhong were preparing dinner when they saw their husband bring in a young boy about Yu'er's age.
"Husband?"
"Wife, this is Xiao Zhi. Go and find a set of Yu'er's clothes for Xiao Zhi to wear."
"Mm." Madam Fang looked at Xiao Zhi's thin clothing and saw that he was not as tall as Yu'er. She found a nearly new padded jacket and was about to help him change.
"Tai, Tai..."
Xiao Zhi did not know how to address Madam Fang, so he took the liberty of calling her "Tai Tai."
Madam Fang heard this and corrected him, "You are Xiao Zhi, right? Like Yu Luo and the others, you can call me Auntie. You don't need to call me Tai Tai."
Xiao Zhi nodded shyly. Madam Fang took the opportunity to help him take off his old jacket.
Seeing that the child's inner garment was also patched, Madam Fang, without showing anything on her face, turned back to the cabinet and found another set of Yu'er's outgrown inner garments to help him change into.
Looking at the clothes in Madam Fang's hands, which were all new and unpatched, Han Zhi was somewhat at a loss. He had never worn such fine clothes in his life, so he just stared blankly at Madam Fang, not knowing what to do.
After a long while, he hesitantly asked, "Auntie, are these clothes really for me to wear?"
Seeing the child's flustered and uneasy eyes, Madam Fang smiled gently and patiently told him, "These are clothes Yu'er has outgrown. They should fit Xiao Zhi. Do you like them, Xiao Zhi?"
Knowing that these clothes were indeed for him, Xiao Zhi nodded shyly.
While the child was nodding, Madam Fang nimbly helped him change his clothes.
He was still young. His small hands stroked the new jacket on his body. It was soft and warm, and he felt warm all over. His pale little face seemed to have gained some color. He had long forgotten his earlier reluctance to let Madam Fang help him change.
Yu'er was most excited to have a playmate of similar age at home.
One genuinely liked him, and the other genuinely befriended him. In no time, the two children were playing together.
Qi He was almost jealous. The little one who had always followed him now didn't need him since he had a peer to play with.
Fortunately, he had Sister Fu as a companion; otherwise, he might have felt even more lost.
...
Without outsiders, the Meng family's dinners were always a standard two dishes and one soup.
The dishes were one meat and one vegetable, and the soup was either seafood soup or egg drop noodle soup.
Han Zhi looked at the steaming millet porridge in his bowl and the small half of a mixed-flour bun that Grandpa Meng had handed him, and he was reluctant to eat it.
Grandpa Meng noticed his hesitation and quietly explained, "Our food isn't the best, but we have enough to eat. Xiao Zhi, eat quickly. We must not waste food."
Han Zhi nodded sensibly after Grandpa Meng finished speaking, then sat up properly and began to eat slowly.
Watching the child eat with such relish, bite by bite, Grandpa Meng's smile visibly broadened.
Grandpa Meng knew that Qi He was a very self-disciplined child. Not only did he train with the other youths in the morning, but he also kept his staff with him whenever he had free time in the afternoon.
After a day like this, he was so tired that he wanted to sleep after dinner.
At bedtime, Grandpa Meng looked at the two little ones beside him and did not let them go to the west wing to disturb Qi He.