Settled

Zhou Shirang lowered his head, and Qian Sanjue also bowed his head.

Qian Dajue glanced at the two of them, snorted coldly, and then said, "Let's leave it at that for today. Let's go back first." If there's anything, let Wulang call us.

Old Zhou nodded and quickly escorted the three uncles out.

In the evening, Zhou Xi, her mother, and her sister slept on the same bed. Qian Shi touched her hand and said, "It's a bit cold." A girl's hands shouldn't be cold. "Feel Manbao's, it's so warm."

Manbao was already sleepy, about to yawn and go to sleep, but upon hearing this, she perked up. She stuffed her chubby little hand into her big sister's hand, smiling and asking, "Is it warm?" "I'll warm your hands for you."

Zhou Xi smiled as she touched her hand, "Manbao is really healthy now." I remember when she was little, her hands and feet were always cold, no matter how many clothes she wore. Sometimes her back would sweat, but her hands were still cold.

Qian Shi, who has experience with illness, said, "That's a deficiency of yang." You're probably suffering from a cold in the palace. Your second uncle is right. Once we receive the money from the Liu family, you should go to the county town to see a doctor.

Zhou Xi sighed, "Mother, I don't think it's necessary to spend this money. I have visited a doctor before, and he simply mentioned that I was weak and needed to rest." There was no definite diagnosis. I have taken a lot of medication, but it has not helped at all. Why spend the money again?

Qian Shi sighed, "The best doctor in the county town is from Jishi Hall. I wonder if anyone is familiar with him, at least to provide a definite diagnosis and treatment plan."

Manbao raised her hand and said, "I, I, I'm familiar with the doctor."

Before Zhou Xi could speak, Qian Shi tapped her forehead and said, "You've only met him once." How can you be familiar?

"Not only that, but I also borrowed a book from him and returned it." Although I had Wuguo return it, we have been in contact," Manbao insisted. "We are friends."

Since they are friends, the questions asked should be answered seriously.

Manbao said, "Big sister, when you go to see the doctor, I'll go with you."

Zhou Xi looked at Qian Shi, and Qian Shi nodded slightly, "Alright, let your sister go with you."

It didn't take long. The next day, Old Zhou took his sons to clear the empty space next to the woodshed. They made adobe bricks with straw and mud, brought out the wood for building the house, and started construction.

Thatched houses may be quicker to build, but it is currently winter, and the weather is very cold. Old Zhou was concerned about his three sons' health, so he decided to construct a sturdier house.

But it wasn't too difficult. After the adobe bricks were dried, they were stacked up without any assistance, and the family completed the construction in two days.

This is one of the benefits of having many sons.

On the third day, the Zhou family invited the three uncles from the Qian family and then asked the village head to accompany them to the Liu family's village.

This time, Zhou Xi also went with them.

Children couldn't attend such occasions, so Manbao stayed at home to practice writing and reading. They returned just after noon, bringing back a lot of things.

Zhou Xi carried two new quilts, two sets of new clothes, and some small items.

Zhou Xi kept a set of new clothes for herself and intended to give one to her mother. However, Qian Shi pushed it back, saying, "You don't need to give it to me. Manbao bought me a set this year, and Wulang and Liulang bought another set together." "I don't need more clothes."

Zhou Xi was surprised, "Where did Manbao get the money?"

Qian Shi smiled and said, "Don't underestimate her." She earned quite a bit of money this year but didn't save any.

That night, she took out the remaining seventy or so wen, and Qian Shi took it all. It was rare for her daughter to give them money, so not taking it would be foolish.

Now Manbao had no money left.

Zhou Xi didn't insist and gave both new quilts to the four brothers because their new house had been burning all day, and they needed them when they moved in at night. Zhou Xi would move into the house where they lived.

Their new house was colder, but the new quilts were warmer.

Qian Shi didn't stop her and proceeded to count the remaining items.

A pair of silver earrings, a pair of silver bracelets, and two coins.

Qian Shi wrapped the items and whispered, "Keep these things for yourself." Whether you remarry in the future or not, your children will always be your greatest asset. "It's better to have something than nothing."

Zhou Xi whispered her agreement.

The impact on the Zhou family was neither significant nor insignificant. Little Qian Shi and her sisters-in-law adapted after two days.

At first, Zhou Xi felt a bit guilty and wanted to take over all the household chores, but Qian Shi stopped her. She then divided the tasks meant for three people among four individuals, and many things were done in rotation.

Little Qian Shi and her sisters-in-law adapted in just two days, and everything was almost the same as before. They had slightly less housework to do each day, and there was an additional person to share responsibilities with. Was this equivalent to having one more sister-in-law?

Qian Shi didn't show favoritism; she treated Zhou Xi and the three daughters-in-law equally during meals. As a result, little Qian Shi and her sisters-in-law quickly accepted Zhou Xi.

After the initial anxiety, Zhou Xi gradually settled down. Now that she had money and Qian Shi was decisive, she called Zhou Erlang and said, "Take your sister and Manbao to the county town tomorrow to see the doctor at Jishi Hall." "Find out what's wrong with your sister and if it can be treated."

Zhou Erlang agreed.

Manbao requested, "Let Wulang and Liulang come with us."

This way, they could also sell candy. It was almost New Year's Eve, and there would be a lot of people buying snacks on the street.

Manbao had no money again, and she couldn't even buy meat.

Qian Shi looked at Manbao and nodded, "Okay."

Wulang and Liulang were overjoyed, and Zhou Shirang looked at Manbao with a profound gaze.

After staring at each other for a while, Manbao ran back into the house and said to Qian Shi, "Mother, let Fourth Brother come with us."

Qian Shi asked, "What does he need to go for? Isn't it enough for your Wulang and Liulang to run errands for you?"

"Let him go see the excitement." I believe Fourth Brother used to gamble because of his lack of experience. Let him go and broaden his horizons so that he won't make foolish decisions again.

Manbao's voice was not quiet, and the brothers outside heard it.

Zhou Shirang: ...

Wulang and Liulang covered their mouths and laughed.

Qian Shi thought about it seriously and felt that her daughter had a point, so she nodded, "You have to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't go near the gambling den again."

After Manbao agreed and left, Zhou Shirang couldn't help but mutter in her ear, "I said I won't gamble anymore, and I don't have a single penny on me now." What can I gamble with?

"If you don't have money, you won't gamble." "How did you end up in debt before?" Manbao said, "It shows that even without money, you can still gamble."