Chapter 418: Chapter 405: Has It Been Like This Recently?

This time, Zhuang Qingning used the same methods, and looking at these people, they not only didn’t show a hint of disgust, but rather, were having a jolly good time.

Miao Hongjin didn’t know what to say about these people in this moment.

Just as Miao Hongjin was shaking his head and sighing, lamenting these people’s love of winning dishes, there was a sudden shout of surprise from the crowd.

Looking up, Mrs. Zhang had won the final victory and was proudly showing off to everyone, she had won the opportunity to invite Zhuang Qingning to her house for a meal.

“You all criticized my wood ears for being small, so what if they are small? It was still my good luck.”

Grasping Zhuang Qingning’s hand and raising her eyebrows in triumph, Mrs. Zhang said, “Come, don’t mind what they say, my wood ear is crisp and delicious. With some chili and vinegar, it’s wonderful.”

Zhuang Qingning nodded in agreement, “Sure, I’ll get to taste your cooking then.”

Not at all picky, with an eager look on her face, Mrs. Zhang was more convinced than ever that Zhuang Qingning had a good disposition. She enthusiastically took her towards her home.

The remaining people, looking at each other, sighed and returned home somewhat dejected.

Mrs. Zhang was a widow. Her husband had died a few years ago in a ship leak accident in the dock while carrying goods. He got his foot caught and drowned.

Although the shipowner compensated the Zhang family with a large sum of silver due to her husband’s death, Mrs. Zhang’s in-laws were greatly affected by this tragedy and fell ill, bedridden for years, unable to survive without medicine.

Caring for her in-laws and two young children required all of Mrs. Zhang’s energy, so she could only cultivate her sweet potato field, barely making ends meet. Meanwhile, the silver compensation disappeared like running water.

By the time the in-laws passed away, the Zhang family was destitute and heavily in debt to others.

A single woman with two six or seven-year-old children, she could only farm and do laundry for others to barely get by. If they had any additional expenses that year, they wouldn’t even have enough food before the sweet potato harvest.

Mrs. Zhang was the poorest and most hopeless person in the village.

But now, with the glass noodles factory opening, she could find work there while still farming. The wages she earned in a month, along with the field’s yield, were sufficient for her and her two children’s daily food and drink. It seemed that, in time, she may even save something, which she could use for the dowry or the betrothal gift when the children grew up.

Mrs. Zhang felt she had found hope, hope for her life, and for the future.

The one who gave her this hope, however, was no one else but Zhuang Qingning.

Being able to invite Zhuang Qingning to her home for a meal today, Mrs. Zhang saw it as a sign of good fortune from the heavens and a chance to express her gratitude to Zhuang Qingning.

“Miss Zhuang, please sit,” Mrs. Zhang pulled Zhuang Qingning into the courtyard and quickly fetched a bench for her to sit. At the same time she shouted, “Ni, Erdan, come over quickly and pour a bowl of water for Miss Zhuang.”

“And didn’t we get some apples from your uncle’s house a few days ago? Quickly wash them and bring them here.”

The boy and girl hurried over, calling out “sister” to Zhuang Qingning sweetly.

Miao Ni quickly went to wash the apples, and Miao Erdan brought over some water, giving Zhuang Qingning a handful of wild jujubes, “They’re wild jujubes. They aren’t as tasty as the farmed ones but are still sweet. Give them a try, sister.”

“Thank you.” Zhuang Qingning, looking at the two thin but well-behaved children, had a smile on her face.

“No, we shouldn’t be thanked, sister Zhuang.” Miao Ni quickly waved her hand, “Mother says, we are blessed by you, sister Zhuang. It’s we who should be thanking you.”

“Sister Zhuang, rest awhile. I’ll prepare the food.”

Miao Ni paused, and asked somewhat hesitantly, “Sister Zhuang, would you like some baked sweet potatoes? We have some red clay sweet potatoes at home. When baked, they’re quite sweet.”

She looked towards Zhuang Qingning somewhat embarrassed after speaking.

Obviously, she wanted to treat Zhuang Qingning well but was afraid her food was not good enough.

“I’ll eat. I love baked sweet potatoes. One wouldn’t be enough, I’ll need two.” Zhuang Qingning answered with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll bake three then.” Seeing Zhuang Qingning’s love for baked sweet potatoes, Miao Ni entered the kitchen with great joy, washing the sweet potatoes and placing them into the stove.

Mrs. Zhang started preparing the food in the kitchen, while Zhuang Qingning took a look around the courtyard.

The house was a bit old, the courtyard walls were low due to years of weathering, and the so-called courtyard gate was just a square made from a few broken planks nailed together.

But the courtyard was very clean, even the dusty door and windows of the old house, and the children’s clothes, although worn-out and patched, were well washed.

It was evident that Mrs. Zhang was a very hardworking woman.

Zhuang Qingning took a sip from the bowl of water and looked up to see Miao Erdan standing in a corner of the courtyard, looking her way from time to time.

He seemed to want to talk to Zhuang Qingning but was too shy to approach.

Zhuang Qingning put down the bowl, waved to Miao Erdan, and asked, “How old are you?”

“Six years old.” Miao Erdan replied.

“I have a younger sister at home who is eight this year.” Zhuang Qingning said with a smile.

Miao Erdan walked two steps forward, tilting his head to one side, “So she’s the same age as my sister.”

“Is that so?” Zhuang Qingning softly replied, “Then all of you are about the same age. Next time when I am free, I’ll bring my sister over to play with you.”

“Great.” Miao Erdan’s eyes lit up when he heard her. He took two large steps towards Zhuang Qingning but stopped two steps away from her and suddenly crumpled to the ground.

“Are you alright?” Zhuang Qingning was shocked and quickly helped him up. “Did you hurt yourself?”

“No, no.” Miao Erdan quickly got up from the ground, dusted off his clothes, and grinned, “I’m fine. I just felt a sudden weakness in my legs.”

A sudden weakness in his legs?

Zhuang Qingning blinked, “Has this been happening lately?”

“For a while, there’s been a pain in my legs when I sleep at night.” Miao Erdan answered.

Zhuang Qingning held Miao Erdan’s hand and looked at his nails. As expected, the fingernails were somewhat grayish with white marks on them.

Obviously, Miao Erdan was calcium deficient.

Due to the years of family poverty, where providing enough food can be a struggle, it was natural that nutrition wasn’t sufficient.