Jiang Chan liked well-behaved children. Of course, most of the children in the orphanage had been well-behaved too. Even the troublesome ones had been frightened into obedience after Jiang Chan dealt with them. A child like Xiao Hua hit Jiang Chan right where it pleased her most.
Once she looked at the wishes the original host had left behind, Jiang Chan knew this was a long-term task. At the very least, she would have to stay in this world until Xiao Hua became an adult, which meant no less than thirteen years.
If Xiao Hua was slow to find a boyfriend, she would have to stay even longer. Jiang Chan let out a silent sigh. It looked like this would be a prolonged battle.
Since it was going to be a long fight, Jiang Chan was unwilling to keep wronging herself. In her previous two worlds, she had grown accustomed to comfort. Even if things were hard at the beginning, she eventually lived without worry. How could that compare to now, when grandmother and granddaughter wore thin, shabby clothes and lived in quarters generously provided by the hospital?
Thinking about these scattered matters, Jiang Chan swiftly placed the prepared ingredients into the clay pot. Xiao Hua, sitting beside her and holding a picture book, sniffed the air. “Grandma, it smells so good.”
Jiang Chan pinched Xiao Hua’s dry braid. “Grandma will make it for you tonight. This food belongs to the hospital. We can’t take advantage of others.”
Xiao Hua nodded and continued looking at the pictures in her book.
Jiang Chan had some experience in raising children. After all, there had been many children in the orphanage. On top of that, during her first task, she had helped take care of Jiang Dan’s child. She had her own methods when it came to educating children.
Right now, she was influencing Xiao Hua little by little. The best education was leading by example and subtle influence. With her guidance, Xiao Hua would surely grow into a child with proper values.
After making a few dishes, Jiang Chan hammered lightly at her waist. Xiao Hua, understanding and attentive, put down her book and came over to pound her waist. Jiang Chan once again cursed Zhou Dayou’s entire family from the bottom of her heart.
In all her lifetimes, she had never been this frail. Doing even a little work made her hurt everywhere. It seemed that once life improved a bit, conditioning this body would have to be put on the agenda.
By noon, the cafeteria became lively. Xiao Hua sat obediently on a stool, looking at the pictures for a while, then glancing at Jiang Chan. Seeing that Jiang Chan was fine, she lowered her head again to read.
People came and went in the cafeteria, and the window where Jiang Chan worked had the longest line. Besides patients, many doctors and nurses came to get food. After all, Jiang Chan’s cooking smelled wonderful.
Once this rush was over, Jiang Chan served the remaining food and sat down with Xiao Hua. Suddenly, someone sat down across from her. Jiang Chan looked up and saw a familiar face. It was Doctor Liu.
“Auntie Jiang, the household registration you asked me to help with for Xiao Hua is done.” Doctor Liu pushed a household register across the table.
Jiang Chan quickly opened it. Seeing her name and Xiao Hua’s name on the same register, she was so excited she could hardly contain herself.
Doctor Liu was truly capable. Not only had he managed to get Xiao Hua’s household registration completed, he had also successfully transferred Jiang Chan’s registration out of Zhou Dayou’s household. From now on, even if Zhou Dayou’s family wanted to find her, it would be very difficult.
“Doctor Liu, you’ve helped me so much. I really don’t know how to thank you.”
“That’s easy. Auntie, you cook patient meals so well. Why don’t you treat me to a meal? I’ve been coveting your cooking for a long time.”
“No problem. I’ll go buy groceries this afternoon. Doctor Liu, come to my dorm for dinner tonight.” Jiang Chan agreed immediately. She still felt deeply indebted and always wanted to repay kindness in some way.
Jiang Chan rarely smiled, but now she did. Xiao Hua curiously poked at the corner of Jiang Chan’s mouth.
“Grandma, did something good happen?”
Jiang Chan pulled Xiao Hua’s thin body into her arms. After being fed properly for a while, Xiao Hua had finally gained a little weight.
“Of course it’s good news. From now on, Xiao Hua will stay with Grandma. Are you happy?”
Xiao Hua wrapped her skinny arms around Jiang Chan’s neck. “Happy. Xiao Hua wants to be with Grandma forever. Wherever Grandma is, Xiao Hua will be there too.”
Jiang Chan set Xiao Hua down. “All right. Xiao Hua was just a nickname before. Grandma has given you a new name. You’ll take Grandma’s surname. Your name is Jiang Wuyou. Grandma hopes my Xiao Hua will live a life without worries and be happy forever.”
Xiao Hua loved her new name. “Grandma, do I really have my own name now? I’m called Jiang Wuyou?”
“Yes. Does Wuyou like this name?”
“I like it. Grandma, you’re so good.” Xiao Hua rubbed affectionately against Jiang Chan’s hand.
Carrying the groceries she bought in the afternoon, Jiang Chan returned to the temporary dormitory provided by the hospital. In the afternoon, she used all her skills on the outdoor stove and made eight dishes.
The fragrance filled the air. Several children nearby kept sniffing. Jiang Chan quickly picked up a few lion’s head meatballs, placed them in a small bowl, and handed it to Xiao Hua.
“Xiao Hua, go share these with the older brothers and sisters. You have to learn to share good things.”
Perhaps because she sensed she was different from other children, Xiao Hua was a little shy and not close to strangers. Jiang Chan deliberately worked on building Xiao Hua’s confidence.
Xiao Hua shrank back a little, but seeing the encouragement in Jiang Chan’s eyes, she still bravely took that first step.
Hearing the childish chatter from nearby, Jiang Chan finally felt a bit at ease. People in this era were still simple, especially children. Winning them over with food worked every time.
When work ended in the evening, Doctor Liu arrived at Jiang Chan’s dorm right on time. Seeing the eight dishes on the table, he was shocked.
“Auntie, why did you make so many dishes? That’s too extravagant.”
“Not extravagant at all. Compared to the help you gave me, a single meal can’t come close to repaying it. Come on, Doctor Liu, eat while it’s hot.”
Dinner was naturally warm and lively. Jiang Chan took care of Xiao Hua while chatting with Doctor Liu. Doctor Liu also asked about Jiang Chan’s future plans. An elderly woman raising a child alone had a difficult road ahead.
“Auntie, with your skills, you should open your own shop. That’s better than working in a cafeteria.”
“I’ve thought about that too, but I don’t have enough money right now. I plan to work in the cafeteria for a few more months, save some money, and then consider opening a shop. Rushing things won’t work.”
“That makes sense.” Doctor Liu nodded. Seeing that Jiang Chan had a plan, he felt relieved.
When he was about to leave, Jiang Chan packed a few dishes for him to take home. Doctor Liu truly couldn’t refuse and left carrying the food, already thinking about how tomorrow’s drinks would have something to go with them.
“Xiao Hua, come wash your face. After that, Grandma will change your medicine.”
After tidying up the dormitory, Jiang Chan brought over a basin of hot water and called Xiao Hua to wash her face. Xiao Hua walked over and lifted her thin, yellowed face. Jiang Chan carefully wiped her face and applied the ointment Doctor Liu had prescribed.
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