Chapter 61 Standing by the Creek, Not Moving an Inch

Chapter 61 Standing by the Creek, Not Moving an Inch

Xingxing woke up once during the night, but Wei Pozi was constantly worried that she might get a fever from the shock. Thankfully, after Xingxing woke up and mumbled a few words, she fell back asleep without any signs of a fever, which finally eased Wei Pozi's mind.

Still, Wei Pozi woke up three or four times during the night to touch her little granddaughter, who was sleeping soundly, and check if her temperature was normal.

By morning, Xingxing was back to being a lively little girl.

Her older brothers came to see her. Seeing her sitting on the bed, eating congee with small bites, they were relieved and went off to school together.

Seeing Xingxing almost fully recovered, Wei Pozi smiled and said, "Good child, later you'll accompany me to thank the two aunties who saved you."

Xingxing nodded her head, "Grandma, do you know how Yaya is doing?"

She was somewhat worried.

Wei Pozi patted Xingxing's little head, "After we return from thanking the aunties who saved you, I'll take you to see Yamei'er."

Xingxing happily replied, "Okay! I'll listen to Grandma!"

Wei Pozi looked at her with loving eyes.

One of the women who had saved Xingxing and Yamei'er lived in the southern part of the village. When she saw Wei Pozi come over with such a grand gift, she was both surprised and delighted, repeatedly waving her hands in refusal, "When a child falls into the water, anyone would save them..."

Wei Pozi thanked her repeatedly and insisted on giving the gift. The woman reluctantly accepted the bamboo basket covered with red cloth.

After Wei Pozi left, her mischievous son rushed over and lifted the red cloth, exclaiming, "Mother! There's so much stuff! Meat, fish, and eggs!"

The family marveled at the generosity of the Yu family, praising their gratitude and kindness.

The other woman who helped was Zhou Wuniang.

She had always been close to Wei Pozi and often chatted under the elm tree when they were free.

"Pozi, you're too polite! Xingxing should call me Auntie; it was just a small act to save her," Zhou Wuniang tried to refuse the basket Wei Pozi offered.

Wei Pozi, knowing her well, smiled, "Thank you for saving Xingxing. It's only right that I bring this gift. Please accept it."

Saying this, Wei Pozi placed the basket on the table, leaving no room for refusal.

Zhou Wuniang exclaimed, "Alright, then I'll accept it."

She called Xingxing over and looked her up and down, "Our Xingxing truly has good fortune; nothing happened to her!"

Xingxing raised her face and said obediently, "It's all thanks to Auntie for saving Xingxing!"

Hearing this, Zhou Wuniang felt very pleased.

She laughed and said to Wei Pozi, "No wonder people say daughters are more considerate... Look at my family, just one son, and he runs off to school every day..."

Then, remembering that Wei Pozi sent four sons to school, she exclaimed, "Speaking of which, can your family afford the expenses for all four boys?"

Wei Pozi replied, "Let the boys study first. Look at your son Qian'an; he studies so well and is so promising... Clearly, studying more does no harm."

Wei Pozi patted Zhou Wuniang's hand, "You were wise to insist on sending Qian'an to school despite the difficulties."

These words touched Zhou Wuniang deeply.

She held Wei Pozi's hand tightly, "Pozi, you understand me!"

Zhou Wuniang hesitated, then leaned closer, "There's something I've been keeping to myself, not sure if I should mention it."

Wei Pozi's heart skipped a beat, "What is it, Wuniang? You're hiding something from me?"

Zhou Wuniang hesitated, then whispered, "Auntie, it's not that I was hiding anything... Yesterday, when I heard Yamei'er's cries for help, I rushed over. When I got there, I saw Xingxing and Yamei'er struggling in the creek, and the new daughter-in-law Mao's daughter standing by the creek, not moving an inch!"

Wei Pozi drew a sharp breath.

Xingxing was clearly traumatized by the incident, so Wei Pozi hadn't pressed her for details.

She had planned to talk to Zhou Wuniang today to get a clearer picture.

And now, she heard this!

Wei Pozi felt a chill down her spine but instinctively thought the young girl, barely ten years old, couldn't be so malicious; she must have been scared.

Seeing Wei Pozi's shocked silence, Zhou Wuniang coughed and lowered her voice, "Perhaps it was too sudden when Xingxing and Yamei'er fell in, and the girl was frightened."

Wei Pozi slowly nodded, preferring to believe this explanation.

They chatted for a while longer before Wei Pozi took her leave, saying she wanted to visit Yamei'er at the Xiang household.

Zhou Wuniang warmly escorted Wei Pozi and Xingxing out, "If your sons have any problems with their studies, feel free to ask my Qian'an."

Wei Pozi smiled and agreed, "Sure, will do!"

Leaving Zhou Wuniang's house, Wei Pozi's smile faded slightly.

Zhou Wuniang's words had affected her.

But after a moment's hesitation, Wei Pozi decided to take Xingxing to see Yamei'er.

The two little girls were close friends, and if Xiang Shan's new wife mistreated Yamei'er, Wei Pozi felt she should help the poor child for Xingxing's sake.

With this decision, Wei Pozi took Xingxing to the Xiang household.

Yamei'er wasn't as lucky as Xingxing; she had a fever all night and was still weak when she woke up in the morning, lying listlessly on the bed.

Seeing her friend lying weak and pale on the bed, Xingxing's eyes welled up with tears.

"Yaya..."

Xiang Shan didn't work in the fields today because his daughter was sick. He stayed at home to watch over her.

Mao Shi was there too. Seeing Xingxing about to cry, she quickly said, "Oh, little girl, you mustn't cry in front of the sick. It's not auspicious."

This didn't sound pleasant, and Wei Pozi wasn't very pleased.

She thought, her granddaughter is praised by everyone for being well-behaved and lucky!

But in your mouth, it becomes something inauspicious. Tsk!

Xingxing took the advice seriously. She was afraid that if she cried, it might affect Yamei'er, so she quickly wiped away her tears with a small handkerchief: "I won't cry!"

Mao Shi glanced at Xiang Shan and then said to Xingxing, "By the way, when you go out to play with Yaya in the future, don't go near the water—my Afu cried all night, blaming herself for not stopping you."

Wei Pozi sneered inwardly; Mao Shi truly wasn't someone easy to deal with.

She was trying to push all the blame onto Xingxing and Yamei'er!