RYEY -Chapter 480 Li Bing Leaves

Xiao Dan glanced at Cheng Qiao and slowly moved closer. “Second sister-in-law, see if my wife is pregnant.”

“She’s not. Make sure your wife eats things that boost energy, stays warm, and doesn’t get cold.”

Chen Xiaoniu was naturally weak and cold-natured, making pregnancy difficult. But with proper warmth and nutrition, it could be managed.

“Thank you, second sister-in-law. I’ll remember that.”

Xiao Dan planned to consult Zhu Qingde for some medicinal herbs to strengthen Xiaoniu. Although the Chen family was not short on grandchildren, he lacked a son or daughter.

Moreover, his father had high hopes for him and Chen Xiaoniu. After all, the children his older siblings had produced didn’t love studying.

“Who wrote the characters on this plaque? The handwriting is beautiful; I really need to learn from him.”

Qin Daqiang suddenly pointed at the plaque hanging above the convenience store.

“It was written by Dr. Zhu Qingde.”

Li Le answered proudly, her voice clear and resonant.

Qin Daqiang immediately walked over and shook Zhu Qingde’s hand tightly. Just that handwriting alone was enough to make him proud—though he was a rough man, the people under him were all capable.

Zhu Qingde glanced back at Li Le with a look of gratitude in his eyes. At this moment, Li Le finally understood why her second brother and second sister-in-law had asked her to have Zhu Qingde write the characters: they wanted to take advantage of Zhu Qingde’s skill.

“Second brother, second sister-in-law, I still have a lot to learn, and I promise I will study hard from now on.”

Seeing her sister finally realize this, Li Huan nodded approvingly, thinking she was teachable. That look of “you finally got it” mixed scorn and affection, making Li Le feel both frustrated and fond.

The convenience store’s business was astonishingly good. Almost everything, food or goods, was bought up quickly because, as Cheng Qiao suggested, on the first day of opening, nothing required ration coupons.

Many people weren’t lacking money, but ration coupons—especially for alcohol, cigarettes, hot water bottles, soup bowls, sugar, oil, and pastry tickets—were scarce.

Since no coupons were needed, people shopped frantically. Eventually, Chen Xiaoniu could only hang a “Sold Out” sign. Even Shouhou was stunned by the speed.

“Lele, you’re an overnight success! Congratulations!”

“Thanks, Brother Shouhou. By the way, here’s my bank account. I’ll deposit the money, then transfer it through the bank so we won’t have to handle cash.”

Shouhou nodded repeatedly. He was worried about carrying a large amount of cash, so he quickly gave Li Le the wholesale company’s bank account for the transfer.

Based on today’s sales, Li Le also placed another order with Shouhou. In half a month, the new stock would arrive at the convenience store, and maybe they could give the customers a small bonus.

Finally, it was time to part. Xiao Dan was ready; his task today was to drive Cheng Li and Cheng Liguo back, while Shouhou and the driver took Li Bing’s family back to Xiangyang County.

Cheng Qiao and Li Huan, along with Mother Li and the children, also got into the car. They were concerned about Mother Li’s health, so they planned to go straight to Liangzhou Railway Station to take a train back to Chun City.

After seeing Mother Li and Li Ming back to the grocery store, Cheng Qiao prepared to leave for Beijing to attend her October graduation and medical qualification exams, which had to be taken at the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Xiaonuan, upon learning that Cheng Qiao was going with them to Beijing, smiled brightly. She could spend another two months with her mother and wanted to show her off at school.

Qin Daqiang fully supported Cheng Qiao’s trip and promised that if she obtained her medical license, she could become the director of the military district hospital. He was confident he could help her secure this position.

Cheng Qiao nodded solemnly. She had been reborn with space and medical knowledge. Since heaven gave her a second chance, she had a mission: saving lives.

Qin Daqiang then approached Li Bing, embracing the man he was proud of. Such a fine talent wasted by an insignificant woman—fate was indeed unpredictable.

“Promise me that even after you return, you’ll keep training and not forget what you learned in the army. If, I say if, you ever come back, it’ll come in handy.”

Li Bing smiled wryly. He knew this was just old leadership comforting him, but he also knew he would not sink into despair. He would work hard to carve a new path.

“Mom, I’ve asked Shouhou to find you a helper. From now on, you just eat and rest in the store; don’t worry about anything else.”

“Doesn’t that make me a landlady? Could someone report me?”

Under Cheng Qiao’s careful care, Mother Li’s health had greatly improved, though compared to before, she still had a long way to go. At least her appetite wasn’t as strong as before.

Poor appetite meant insufficient nutrition intake, which would slowly weaken immunity. She could no longer work hard or worry over things.

“No, now that the reforms have opened up, you can consider it providing a job for a struggling family. It’s a good thing.”

Mother Li nodded. Whatever Cheng Qiao said was right. Li Ming was also growing up, and many things had to be gradually entrusted to him; after all, he was the only son to inherit the Li family.

Li Huan had loaded all the luggage onto the truck, allowing them to travel light. The driver had started the engine, waiting for the Li family to board.

Mother Li looked at Lele with deep reluctance. Lele was her youngest daughter and pregnant. With no women in her husband’s family, she truly worried.

“Mom, don’t worry. With Dr. Zhu Qingde and Dr. Shen Ying here, both the children and I will be fine. When it’s time for the baby, I’ll call you. You, on the other hand, must not overwork.”

Mother Li nodded repeatedly. With Cheng Qiao’s help, she got on the car, waving goodbye to Li Le from the driver’s seat. Li Le’s eyes turned red; her heart felt heavy.

While everyone was busy saying goodbye, they heard Li Chen’s frightened cries. Everyone looked over. It was Jiang Hua, holding his son, coming to see Jiang Meili and Li Bing off.

Jiang Meili, holding Li Chen’s hand, was about to board when she heard a familiar voice and turned back, realizing Jiang Hua had come to see her.

Unexpectedly, seeing the child in Jiang Hua’s arms terrified Li Chen. He kept pulling away and accidentally fell, scraping his hand, which bled.

Jiang Meili quickly tried to pick up Li Chen, but he thought she was taking him to see that freak, screaming in fear:

“I’m not going! That’s a monster! I’m scared! I don’t want to go! I want Grandma! Second Aunt, help me…”

Jiang Hua was embarrassed. He just wanted Meili to see her brother, not to scare Li Chen.