Chapter 341: Chapter 341: The Selfishness of Human Nature

The literacy book in Mili’s hand contained more than just a simple character; it also included words that could be formed with the character, each character had pinyin, and there were explanations of the words. Yi Roujing felt it was comparable to a dictionary.

"Wow, your mom is amazing." Yu Cuiyu was also surprised. She had seen the Xinhua Dictionary before, and while similar, this was different. Some of the word explanations were entirely through her own understanding, not copied from the dictionary.

"This is not something an average person could create," Yi Roujing commented seriously.

"My mom is amazing, she’s very well-read, very smart." Mili’s cheeks were flushed with pride, but after a moment of shining, she drooped, "But my mom couldn’t go to school because of me."

"Isn’t there anyone else at home to take care of you?" Yu Cuiyu patted her little head and said.

"No, they don’t care about me," Mili’s voice grew quieter, "only mom is good to me."

"What about your dad’s side?" Yi Roujing asked.

"Dad married a new wife, and I was sent back to my grandmother’s home," Mili said, "but my grandmother and uncles don’t like me; only mom is good to me, and mom didn’t remarry because of me."

Mili was not very spirited, and Yi Roujing and Yu Cuiyu were both taken aback by what they heard.

"Your dad and mom separated?" Yu Cuiyu asked in surprise.

"Yes, they don’t care about me at all, only mom is genuinely good to me." Mili said softly.

An idea flashed in Yi Roujing’s mind, and she grasped it immediately, "Isn’t Zhang Mengtian your birth mom?"

Mili nodded with a face full of grief, "I really wish she was." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"So who is your mom? Zhang Mengdi?" Yi Roujing continued to ask.

A look of sadness and sorrow crossed Mili’s face, and just as she nodded her little head, Zhang Mengtian came in with a thermos.

"Thank you for coming to see Mili, have a cup of hot water first." Zhang Mengtian took out a clean enamel mug, but there was only one, and she apologetically said, "Can you share it?"

"We’re fine, you don’t need to take care of us," Yu Cuiyu said, "What’s Mili’s situation?"

"She was severely malnourished as a child and needs proper conditioning. The doctors in our small hospital had limited skills, so they recommended we come to Jing City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital for treatment that will solve the problem once and for all, saving time and money." Zhang Mengtian said, "Yesterday, the doctor came to see her. They had a joint consultation and advised us to administer intravenous drips for a few days to see faster results."

"Once she’s a little better, she can start taking Chinese medicine." Zhang Mengtian smiled and said, "The doctor said she can be cured. Once the drips are registered and Chinese medicine is prepared, we’re planning to go back to continue the recovery; all her past deficiencies can be made up."

"I see you made a great literacy book for Mili, it looks like you’re very well-read. Have you ever thought of taking the college entrance exam? Universities offer subsidies; once you graduate, you can get a good job and take better care of your child, right?" Yu Cuiyu asked.

Zhang Mengtian smiled wryly, "If I go to college, someone else would have to take care of Mili. Being with the child is more important than studying."

"You can rent a place outside and hire someone to take care of the child," Yi Roujing said, "Universities offer monthly allowances, scholarships for students in need, and if you’re excellent, you can also get a scholarship. In the future, you might even be able to do work-study, trading labor for money. With enough effort, you can completely gain knowledge while taking care of the child."

Zhang Mengtian was stunned, "Can it really be done that way?"

"Of course," Yi Roujing affirmed.

Besides Zhang Mengdi, even Yu Cuiyu was silent. She thought this method was good and wondered if her Xiaocao could rely on conditioning to solve their problems like Mili in the Chinese medicine hospital.

The best solution would be for her husband to pass the college entrance exam, go to college, and come to Jing City. The couple’s stipends and work-study could certainly support their family of three in Jing City.

"Roujing, I never thought of this; you’re really smart," Yu Cuiyu said brightly, her eyes shining with a new determination.

Zhang Mengtian was also pondering whether she should give it a try.

"By the way, did Zhang Mengdi give you the money for the child’s treatment?" Yu Cuiyu didn’t forget their reason for visiting.

"Thank you," Zhang Mengtian said sincerely, "She expressed her thanks for the loan you gave."

Yi Roujing took out a banknote, "I don’t trust Zhang Mengdi, so I specifically brought this for you today, and I’ll demand the money from her."

Zhang Mengtian was very surprised.

"Mili is Zhang Mengdi’s biological child, so it’s only right for her to bear the child’s medical expenses," Yi Roujing said.

"Now Mili is my child," Zhang Mengtian said firmly, "But I appreciate your help and agree with your opinion, so I went to her school to find her. She owes me a lot and needs to pay back at least something."

Outside the hospital, Yu Cuiyu hadn’t fully recovered from the shock, "Roujing, did you know that Zhang Mengdi was this kind of person from the beginning?"

"That happened during military training. I was targeted, and although the mastermind wasn’t Zhang Mengdi, she was the one pushing from behind. Xu Ancheng was worried about me and happened to have acquaintances in the public security bureau in Zhang Mengdi’s hometown who helped investigate, and we found she had character issues, so I don’t trust her," Yi Roujing explained honestly.

"How could anyone not love their own flesh and blood?" Yu Cuiyu, as a mother, found it completely incomprehensible.

"Being born human, not everyone is kind-hearted, and not all parents deserve to be called parents. There are many selfish people, and for some, self-love surpasses love for their children," Yi Roujing said.

The two parted ways halfway. Yi Roujing returned to Beiluo Lane, and today Xu Zongyin was also in Beiluo Lane, where both families gathered to spend the weekend together.

As soon as Yi Roujing entered the courtyard, she heard the continuous laughter and frolicking of children.

"Brother, how did you find me so quickly?" Mantou’s voice, filled with admiration and a hint of coquettishness, "Can’t you just let me win?"

"All right, now go hide again," Baozi said solemnly, "I’ll find you later."

"Okay, brother," Mantou joyfully went to hide again, waiting for Baozi to find him.

Yi Roujing walked in and saw her family trying to suppress their laughter.

Ding Anmin came up to Yi Roujing, whispering with a smile, "Sister-in-law, Baozi looks just like my big brother, so smart at such a young age. My son looks like a fool, I wonder who he takes after."

Ding Anmin, though saying this to Yi Roujing, kept glancing directly at Huang Xiaobao.

Yi Roujing chuckled, "Like you, Xiaobao is a top student at Qing University."

Ding Anmin, not quite believing, turned around and glared at Yi Roujing, "Sister-in-law, you’re sticking up for others. My big brother doesn’t have our family’s genes, but look at my second brother, he’s also from Qing University, and I’m a genuine university student."

"Yes, I know," Yi Roujing nodded, "But you are so simple and sincere, just like Mantou, so endearing."

"Hmph, you just say nice things," Ding Anmin seemed to express dissatisfaction, but his face was clearly lit with joy, just like Mantou, truly identical.