Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

Chapter 28 was recommended by Qin Hua.

Hearing Wang Xiu say that, Jiang Man smiled.

"What's wrong? Why are you so serious?"

"Now everyone in the village is saying that Tiedan was pushed down by Sun Meifen's son."

Jiang Man hadn't expected everyone to be so quick-witted, guessing right away.

That makes sense. Qin Hua is only seven or eight years old; his fear was written all over his face. Adults who pay attention can easily see it.

"Don't make things up without evidence."

Although Jiang Man had a lot on her mind, the words she spoke were still precise and appropriate.

"There is no evidence right now, otherwise we wouldn't have asked Tiedan's parents to call the police."

As Wang Xiu spoke, wiping the steamer, she said, "When I passed by Sun Meifen's house this morning, the gate was tightly shut. Normally, her husband would be shouting in the yard demanding food. What else could it be but a guilty conscience?"

Jiang Man knew that what Wang Xiu said made sense, but she couldn't tell Wang Xiu everything.

Sometimes, saying everything can actually harm people.

"Alright, I made some red bean buns this morning. Take some back to Lao San, and then we'll set up our stall when you get back."

Wang Xiu readily agreed, packed the red bean paste into a bamboo basket, covered it with a cloth, and went home to deliver the red bean paste bags.

The steamed buns and tea eggs still sold out within an hour, and many regular customers complained that the fillings for the steamed buns were too monotonous.

On the way back, Jiang Man kept thinking about this problem, but she and Wang Xiu both had limited time and ability.

If we hire a few more people, we'll have to pay their salaries, and it will even involve personnel management.

She was just setting up a stall, not opening a shop, and didn't want to make it so complicated.

Today, elementary school only had half-day classes. Jiang Man bought some candy and snacks and returned home, just in time for Shi An and Shi Ning's elementary school to let out.

"mom!"

Shi An and Shi Ning, carrying their schoolbags, happily ran over as soon as they saw Jiang Man.

"One White Rabbit milk candy for each of you." Jiang Man handed out the milk candies she had just bought to them and led them home. "Did you have a good morning?"

"We don't know how Tiedan is doing, so everyone is unhappy."

Shi Ning spoke in a childish voice, her tone tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"I'll take you to town to take pictures this afternoon, and then we'll go to the hospital to see Tiedan, okay?"

When Shi An and Shi Ning heard that they could not only take photos in the afternoon, but also visit Tie Dan, they immediately became happy.

They were better behaved than usual during their afternoon nap.

Jiang Man packed up the things she wanted to send to Qin Yishen, and they took them to town together in the afternoon.

Jiang Man wore a simple floral shirt, the hem of which was gently fluttering in the breeze. She wore dark blue cloth trousers with the cuffs neatly rolled up, and black cloth shoes. Her whole demeanor exuded a refreshing and generous air.

Her hair was braided into two plaits that hung down in front of her chest, the ends swaying slightly with her movements, and a gentle smile graced her face.

Shi An and Shi Ning were even more excited. Shi An was wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt with a simple cartoon pattern printed on the chest, paired with a pair of army green shorts.

Shi Ning was wearing a pink dress with a few small flowers embroidered on the hem. A red ribbon was tied around her waist into a pretty bow. Her rosy cheeks were like ripe apples, and her dimples appeared when she smiled. She skipped and hopped along beside Jiang Man.

Jiang Man led them to the only photo studio in town. It was a small shop with a somewhat old but very clean signboard hanging at the entrance that read "Guangming Photo Studio". In the glass window of the photo studio, there were some sample photos, and Shi An and Shi Ning looked at them with longing.

"Mom, can we take photos like this too?"

Shi An and Shi Ning have never taken a picture before, and they've never even seen what a camera looks like, so everything they see now is a novelty to them.

"Of course, we'll take you to have your photos taken every year from now on, as a way to preserve the evidence of our time together."

Jiang Man looked at them gently, but little Shi An and Shi Ning didn't understand what Jiang Man meant.

Pushing open the door, a faint smell of medicine wafted out. Several potted green plants were placed in the photo studio, adding a touch of life to the room.

Different styles of backdrops hung on the wall. A photographer wearing black-rimmed glasses was standing in front of an old-fashioned camera, adjusting it. The camera had a large wooden body, and the black lens reflected a faint light under the lamp.

"Hello, we'd like to take a photo."

The photographer looked up and responded enthusiastically, "Of course! Then stand in front of this backdrop. Family photos often feature simple and elegant backdrops like this."

The photographer was very enthusiastic and began directing them to stand in the appropriate positions.

Shi An and Shi Ning were initially a little reserved, standing straight with their hands unsure of what to do.

Jiang Man quickly squatted down, gently comforting them, straightening their clothes and fixing their hair, and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous, just like usual, smile, let's capture our happiest moments. This photo is to be sent to Dad, and you want him to see your happiest selves, right?"

With Jiang Man's encouragement, the two children gradually relaxed. Jiang Man stood behind the two children, gently placing her hands on their shoulders, a happy smile spreading across her face.

"Come on, look at the camera, smile, one, two, three..."

The photographer spoke as he pressed the shutter.

With a "click," this heartwarming scene was captured.

This black and white photograph accompanied Qin Yi through many difficult days.

"Mom, are we going to see Tiedan?"

"Okay." Jiang Man led them to the hospital by following the signs. "After we see Tiedan, we'll pick up the photos and then send something to Dad."

The hospital was very large, and it was the first time Shi An and Shi Ning had been there.

They looked at the person dressed in white walking around with curiosity in their eyes.

"Hello, could you tell me which ward Zhang Tiedan is in?"

"Want to visit? It's room 312 on the third floor. Leave your information here."

After filling out her information, Jiang Man took her two children to the third floor.

She knocked on the door, and heard footsteps inside. When the door opened, Tie Dan's mother's face was revealed. Her eyes were swollen like walnuts, clearly from constant crying.

“Xiaoman, my dear…” Tie Dan’s mother was clearly surprised that Jiang Man would come. She paused for a moment and then stepped aside. “I didn’t expect you to bring your child. Come in quickly.”

"They've been worried about Tiedan since last night, so I brought them here today to see him."

Jiang Man led Shi An and Shi Ning into the ward and immediately saw Tie Dan lying on the hospital bed.

He was wearing thick bandages on his head, and one of his hands and one of his feet were in thick casts and suspended in a sling. His eyes were tightly closed.

"Did the doctor say when Tiedan might wake up?"