Elder Hua was quite pleased with his current state, feeling much more comfortable. "This is pretty good too!" he declared.
"Yes, yes, it's me who's not content!" Ji Xingmi immediately popped a pill into Elder Hua's mouth.
"Hmm? Sweet?"
"Yes, this is for you. Take one when you feel like smoking, or when you need to cough," Ji Xingmi said, handing him a bottle of pills. Elder Hua accepted it.
Picking up the small bottle and shaking it, Elder Hua asked, "Are these like little snacks for me?"
Ji Xingmi pondered for a moment. "I suppose so! Anything else you'd like to eat?"
"The jerky you made last time was quite good; you could make some more!"
"Alright, I'll make more this time. Last time was five-spice, I want to try spicy!"
"I want some too!" Elder Hua felt like his mouth had been lacking flavor lately.
"You can't eat it, at most you can just taste a little," Ji Xingmi immediately deflated the old man's hopes.
"Can't you let me have some? My mouth has no other taste lately, it's all so bland!"
"How about we buy a fish tomorrow and make pickled fish? I want some too! And some tofu and radish stewed together."
"That sounds delicious."
"Right? Grandpa Hua, I see you have a backyard. Why don't we grow some vegetables? Radishes, chili peppers, cucumbers, things like that. I think I still have some watermelon seeds. If we plant them now, we can have our own watermelons in the summer!"
Ji Xingmi's topic had shifted from tomorrow's meals to the small courtyard. She had been eyeing the courtyard for a long time. Previously, she had planned to leave once she was healed, so she hadn't thought much of it. Now, it seemed she would be staying here for a while longer, so it was time to get started!
"It's clear you've had this idea for a long time, you've even brought seeds!"
"Hehe, is it okay? I'll start digging tomorrow and try to have my own watermelons by summer."
"Alright, have Secretary Sun find a few orderlies tomorrow to help tidy up. You just take care of the planting! Have you finished reading the materials Secretary Sun brought back?"
"Okay, I'll just be in charge of planting then! Not yet~ I'll finish it soon." Ji Xingmi was delighted when Elder Hua agreed and immediately handed the book she had just finished reading to Secretary Sun, asking him to put it back in the study. She wanted to share the good news with Grandma Hua.
Ji Xingmi went to find Deng Caiyun, and when she shared the news, Deng Caiyun was also very interested. She hadn't thought of it before. The two of them went to the backyard to plan what and how to plant.
Elder Hua smiled and shook his head, seeing their enthusiasm. However, he had something to discuss with Secretary Sun, so he didn't join them. Elder Hua and Secretary Sun talked in the study until dinner time. After Ji Xingmi finished her meal, she retired to her room early. Elder Hua assumed she was tired and wanted to rest.
Ji Xingmi, however, did not go to rest early. She went into her space and browsed through a lot of the information she had collected, including the history of modern and contemporary weapons development. When she got tired of reading, she made new pills. She could use them to replace Grandpa Hua's current medication, as the old pills were no longer as effective for his condition.
Even though she was busy with her work late into the night, she woke up early the next morning. The sky was overcast, and it started raining after breakfast.
Seeing the rain, Elder Hua remarked, "Spring rain is as precious as oil!" Hearing this, Ji Xingmi seemed to be reminded of something. When she accompanied Elder Hua to the study, she wrote a few letters and handed them to Secretary Sun, asking him to deliver them to the Ji family.
Secretary Sun took the letters without asking further questions and went out to arrange for them to be sent. Ji Xingmi saw the old man taking out a pill to eat. Ji Xingmi remembered the new pills she had prepared last night and gave them to Elder Hua.
"Hmm? New candy?" Elder Hua thought they were more snacks.
"No, new medicine. Three pills a day!"
"Can't I take the old ones anymore?"
"Yes! They're not suitable anymore. These are better!"
"You made them last night?"
"Mm-hmm~" Ji Xingmi was already looking at the materials Secretary Sun had brought back, chatting with Elder Hua intermittently. Seeing her engrossed in her reading, Elder Hua didn't disturb her further. He chewed a pill and then returned to his official documents.
When Secretary Sun returned, both of them were diligently reading at their respective desks. He also returned to his own desk to handle his work.