Chapter 505: Chapter 213: The Top-grade Classical Prose (Part 5)_3
Within a few days, Wu Zhuoya had been worn down to a gaunt figure.
However, her hard work had not been in vain. On the day the Soviet experts officially departed, He Tiantian, who had been in a coma for nearly a week, finally woke up.
"Mom, I want to eat meat!"
Upon waking, that was the first thing Tiantian said.
Wu Zhuoya didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, "Tiantian, you’ve been on a liquid diet these past few days because your stomach is weak. If you suddenly eat meat, you will have indigestion!"
After much persuasion and repeated promises, Wu Zhuoya finally managed to convince her daughter.
The doctor conducted an examination and, although he still found it strange, he cautioned, "Make sure to supplement her nutrition, her body is really weak!"
"...Doctor, is she pretending to be sick?" Wu Zhuoya did not speak, but He Weihong, who was by her side, couldn’t help but ask.
The doctor rolled his eyes, "Nosebleeds for no reason and comatose for six days, you try faking that!"
Really, this girl did not seem like a mean person. How could she think that way about her own little sister?
He Weihong was left speechless by the doctor’s retort, her face flushed with shame.
"I, I just found it weird! All the good stuff at home is reserved for her, yet she would go to the neighbor’s house... How could she be malnourished?"
"You’re asking me? Who should I ask? Anyway, I’ve told you, all you family members need to pay more attention!"
The doctor left after dropping that line.
He Weihong was left with a burning face, and although she was usually feisty and wanted to say more, she was stopped by a look from Wu Zhuoya.
He Weihong pouted her mouth, feeling slightly wronged: it really was strange.
Moreover, Tiantian’s actions made it seem as though the He Family had neglected her, turning her into a case of severe malnutrition!
That was a huge injustice, almost comparable to Dou E.
The parents practically treated Tiantian like a little ancestor, getting her anything good that they could find. If there was anything decent to eat, it all went into Tiantian’s stomach.
All that braised pork, fried fish, meatballs, peach pastries, honeyed trifles... He Weihong salivated just thinking about it, yet Tiantian, who had eaten all those good things, turned out to be freakin’ malnourished!
"Alright, enough, stop it. Your sister has just recovered from her illness, don’t make a fuss!"
Wu Zhuoya was truly exhausted. Her youngest daughter had suddenly become so frail, and her oldest was acting like an unreasonable child.
She felt drained, both physically and emotionally.
Rubbing her temples, Wu Zhuoya scolded with annoyance before returning to the sickroom, gently helping Tiantian up.
"Humph!"
He Weihong snorted coldly but did not throw a tantrum. Instead, she sulkily trudged her way into the sickroom to help pack things up.
Carrying a net bag filled with a basin, towels, and other items, along with gifts like eggs and longevity cakes brought by visiting friends and relatives, He Weihong followed behind Wu Zhuoya with a pout.
The three of them encountered colleagues and neighbors on their way back to the family compound, all of whom greeted them.
As people chatted, they inevitably mentioned the day’s big news—the experts had really left, and the little foreign-style houses were completely empty.
"What? They’ve left?"
Tiantian, who had been counting the days, feigned shock and repeated with urgency, "All gone? Puslov too?"
Realizing Tiantian’s eagerness and recalling her previous "feats," everyone clamped their mouths shut.
Wu Zhuoya silently sighed. Although she disapproved, she didn’t criticize Tiantian.
He Weihong, infuriated, her pretty face reddening, opened and closed her mouth several times, wanting to speak but ultimately swallowing her words.
No, she couldn’t berate her here, not where the neighbors could see and gossip.
Tiantian, you shameless thing, how dare you still pine for the goodies from the little foreign-style house?
And that Puslov, he saw you as nothing more than a plaything to amuse himself, to ease his boredom.
Just teasing you with nice food and drinks, delighting in watching you disgrace yourself.
He probably thought of you no differently than the stray cats and dogs outside.
Mom and Dad, how many times have the brothers told you, the neighbors use you as a negative example for their children, you’ve become the laughingstock. And yet you still have the audacity to cozy up to them.
You really shouldn’t demean the word "friend" like that!
He Weihong’s internal tirade almost choked her with anger.
Yet Tiantian seemed oblivious to everyone’s silence and her family’s embarrassment, continuing to inquire, "Did they really leave? Are they not coming back?"
Everyone: ...
Wu Zhuoya, unable to bear her daughter’s awkwardness, hurriedly whispered, "Yes, they’ve returned to their country, and they probably won’t be coming back!"
The tension between China-Soviet had long been anticipated. The withdrawal of the Soviet experts wasn’t without warning.
"Mom, let’s go home! Let’s hurry back!"
Tiantian seemed startled by the news, urging with urgency. She didn’t forget to remind, "Oh, Mom, the draft paper I mentioned last time, did you manage to find it?"
"Draft paper?"
Wu Zhuoya had forgotten about it, but it wasn’t difficult to obtain. Not wanting her daughter to worry, she quickly promised, "Yes, yes, of course! I’ll get it for you when we’re home!"
"Hurry, we must hurry or it’ll be too late. Oh, and prepare some braised pork or meatballs for me. I’m afraid I’ll have another nosebleed or simply faint!"
Everyone & Wu Zhuoya & He Weihong: ...