After Chen Lan finished speaking and heard Sister Zhao say the same, seeing that Sister Zhao was not being polite, she stopped trying to persuade her.
Chen Lan didn't dawdle either. She stood up briskly, picked up the remaining three aluminum lunch boxes and a cloth bag, and went back to queue at the ticket window.
Chen Lan didn't buy too many things this time. Since Jiahui would cook for Weidang and the others at noon, Chen Lan only bought a portion of braised beef for Weidang and two portions of sauerkraut and pork dumplings. She planned to change Weidang's taste, who had been hospitalized for a long time, and let him try the freshness of sauerkraut and pork dumplings. Jiahe, who was staying at the hospital, would just benefit from Weidang.
When everything was packed, Chen Lan and Sister Zhao each carried a cloth bag and walked out of the dumpling restaurant.
The two walked at a moderate pace, chatting as they went. At a three-way intersection, they waved goodbye and went their separate ways. Chen Lan turned towards the Railway Central Hospital to deliver dumplings to Weidang and Jiahe.
As for Sister Zhao, since it was already time to get off work, she took her packed food home.
When Chen Lan arrived at the hospital ward, Weidang and Jiahe were a little surprised. Jiahe asked unhappily, "Mom, it's so hot today, why are you bringing us food at noon? Where's my second brother? Why isn't he coming to deliver it?"
Chen Lan took out the lunch boxes and quickly explained, "Your second brother will be here soon. Mom didn't come from home. I brought you sauerkraut and pork dumplings made by the state-run restaurant."
Jiahe complained again, "Mom, you're really something. Why did you go out in such hot weather? You even went out of your way to buy sauerkraut dumplings for me and Weidang. Aren't you afraid of the heat? There's no one with you, what if you get heatstroke?"
Hearing Jiahe's concern, Chen Lan felt incredibly comforted. She thought, Jiahe is indeed the child she raised with great effort. She had not raised this son in vain; he was a true little warm man.
So she quickly explained, "Jiahe, Mom went out this morning with Sister Zhao from the housing management office to visit the Affiliated High School of Harbin Normal University. On the way back, we happened to encounter a state-run restaurant that specialized in selling dumplings. We both went in and each ate a bowl of dumplings. Mom found that the sauerkraut and pork dumplings tasted quite good, so I specifically brought a portion for you and Weidang to try. Come, Weidang, Jiahe, hurry up and taste them while they're hot!"
Jiahe and Weidang picked up their chopsticks and started eating. Jiahe asked while eating, "Mom, why did you go to the Affiliated High School of Harbin Normal University? Do you want us brothers and sisters to study in Harbin and accompany your dad?"
Chen Lan replied with a smile, "Smart, son, that's exactly what Mom is thinking. Mom wants you all to study in Harbin for two years, get a high school diploma, and also keep your father company."
Hearing Chen Lan say this, Jiahe stopped asking. He just said, "Mom, your son will listen to you. Whatever you arrange is fine! Mom, the sauerkraut and pork dumplings you bought are really delicious."
After saying that, he lowered his head and continued eating. The sauerkraut and pork dumplings were indeed very popular. The sour taste of the sauerkraut whetted Weidang and Jiahe's appetites.
At this time, Jiaxing also came to bring them food. As a result, they not only finished the meal and bone soup that Jiaxing brought from home, but also ate up all the sauerkraut dumplings and braised beef!
Chen Lan was a little worried that they had eaten too much and it would be difficult to digest, so she asked Jiahe to stand up and help Weidang walk around the ward a few times.
Unexpectedly, Jiahe said proudly, "Mom, don't worry! We young people have good appetites! Even if you feed us stones, we can digest them quickly."
Seeing that the two were fine, Chen Lan was relieved. Seeing Jiahe's proud look, she remembered his cute appearance when he was a child, so Chen Lan decided to tease this kid Jiahe.
So Chen Lan said with a smile, "Okay, then Mom will have your second brother bring you a portion of spicy stones tomorrow to eat."
Jiaxing also chimed in, "Okay, Mom, son will definitely deliver it to the third one on time."
As expected, Chen Lan immediately heard Jiahe's wails. Then, just like when he was a child, Jiahe threw his arms around Chen Lan's neck, rested his big head on Chen Lan's shoulder, and started acting spoiled!
Jiahe said coquettishly and cutely, just like when he was a child, "Mom, I am the one who listens to you the most in the family. Mom, you can't treat me like this."
Chen Lan laughed and gently patted Jiahe's back, saying, "Okay, I won't treat you like that. You'll be treated specially. Look at you, you're already so old, and you're much taller than Mom. You still like to act spoiled like when you were a child. Look, your second brother is laughing at you! If your tenth sister saw this, she would definitely say you're shameful."
Speaking of this, Chen Lan couldn't help but miss the children at home, and also missed her mother and mother-in-law at home.
It seemed that she had to finish her business here quickly, and before the children started school, she had to go back to the valley first. After arranging the autumn harvest work in the valley, she would bring the children who were studying medicine to Harbin to study.
It wouldn't matter if children studying other majors were delayed for a year or two, but it was different for those studying medicine. Because, like Jiayao, they also had to hurry up and find mentors at the hospital to learn clinical skills!
After Weidang and Jiahe finished eating, Chen Lan and Jiaxing got up and prepared to leave the hospital and go home. As they were leaving the ward, Jiaxing asked, "Third brother, do you want to go back and take a shower and change your clothes?"
Jiahe shook his head and replied, "Second brother, the ward is quite cool. I haven't sweated much these past two days, so I don't need a big bath. I can just wipe myself clean. You can come and change with me tomorrow!"
Seeing that Jiahe said that, Jiaxing nodded and hummed, and said nothing more.
The mother and son walked out of the ward one after another. Chen Lan said, "Second child, let's go to the scrap recycling station again in a while!"
Jiaxing asked with some surprise, "Mom, aren't our houses already repaired? What are we looking for at the scrap station now?"
Chen Lan replied, "Mom plans to let you brothers and Jiahui stay in Harbin to study high school for two years, so I want to go to the scrap station first to find some junior high school books, so that you can review in advance and be able to participate in the school's entrance examination."