An idea flashed across Qiao Mei's mind. If one could extract a big basin of 10,000-year-old ginseng juice and then nourish the white jade stones in the house with it, would the jade stones eventually become bloodstone?
However, this was just an idea. It was really too difficult to produce an entire basin of ginseng juice. One 10,000-year-old ginseng could only produce one to two drops of ginseng juice. It would take forever to get one basin of 10,000-year-old ginseng juice! It was not as if she was in the wholesale business of ginseng!
Although it was actually something that she could do…
"Qiao Mei! Come and eat!" Xia Zhe shouted as he walked out of the kitchen with a pot full of soup.
Qiao Mei put away all the seeds. She intended to specially sew a bag that could be hidden in her clothes so that she could use the seeds to replenish her energy in the event of an emergency.
After cleaning up, she quickly walked to the dining table. Everyone was already seated and waiting for her. She had lost track of time and spent the last two to three hours in the backyard. Everyone thought that Qiao Mei was looking at the scenery, so they did not disturb her and wanted to let her relax.
It was rare for the whole family to be around today. Even Xia Jun had come round for dinner. Qiao Mei did not know when Xia Jun arrived.
"Grandfather! You're here! I don't even know that you are here!" Qiao Mei said excitedly.
"Walk slowly! Don't rush!" Xu Lan said.
"Mei Mei, we have tiled flooring at home. If you're not careful, you might fall down. You have to walk slowly in the future. No matter how urgent the matter is, you can't run around. Do you understand? I came in the morning and went out to play chess with Old Man Zhang next door. I just got home not long ago," Xia Jun said with a smile.
"I'll definitely be careful in the future! So between Grandfather and Grandpa Zhang, who has better skills?" Qiao Mei asked curiously.
Xia Jun patted his chest proudly and said, "Hmph! Needless to say! I'm definitely better! Let's not talk about this anymore. Start eating! Otherwise, the food will get cold!"
Everyone picked up their chopsticks. Xia Zhe whispered into Qiao Mei's ear, "Grandfather can never win Grandpa Zhang next door. He loses every time, but he goes back to compete with Grandpa Zhang again and again. Grandpa Zhang doesn't even want to play chess with him anymore! Grandfather has to send all kinds of gifts to Grandpa Zhang to entice him to play!"
"Why is it the same thing for Grandfather everywhere he goes? When he plays with my grandfather, he can't win either. I wonder if the two of them have reconciled yet," Qiao Mei whispered.
Xia Zhe had not heard of Xia Jun going to Qiao Qiang's courtyard recently. He guessed that the two men had not reconciled yet. In any case, there would come a day when they would be fine again. How could it be that a decades-long brotherhood would end over a game of chess?
Xia Zhe had been the one cooking at home recently. His culinary skills had been improving day by day and he would soon cook better than Wan Wen! When they returned to the military family compound in the future, Qiao Mei could feel at ease to let Xia Zhe do the cooking.
In another two months, the two children would reach the age where they could eat solid food. Qiao Mei wanted to buy more books and read up on this subject. There was a lot for her to learn!
Early the next morning, Xia Fang called to say that Li Gui had recovered very well. All her health indicators were normal and she could be discharged in the afternoon.
Qiao Mei entrusted the two children to Xu Lan's care. Xu Lan vowed not to take a single step out of the house and even asked Luo Yu to send someone to guard all the doors and windows. Not even a fly could enter the house.
Only then did the couple feel at ease to go out and visit Li Gui. It was not their fault for being overly vigilant. They would only be able to feel more relaxed after the Du family was brought to justice.
In the hospital, Li Gui sat on the hospital bed, dressed in a hospital gown, and chatted with Xia Fang. Her complexion was very rosy and she looked completely different from two days ago.
"Mei Mei! Xiao Zhe! You're here!" Xia Fang said with a smile.
"Aunt, it's been hard on you to take care of my mother during this period of time," Qiao Mei said apologetically.
"What are you saying! We're a family, so there's no need to stand on ceremony with me. I'll go out and take a look at the other patients first. The two of you can spend some time with Sister Li." With that, Xia Fang went out for her rounds.
Li Gui held Qiao Mei's hand tightly and said, "My child… It's all my fault. I made things difficult for you and put you in danger. I heard that the two children were kidnapped. How are they now?"
"Who told you about this? The two children are fine. Don't worry," Qiao Mei said.
"Sigh… It's all my fault for being careless this time round. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to work so hard to save me…" Li Gui lowered her head and said sadly.