Chapter 9 My internal organs started to ache.

Before he could finish speaking, Chen's mother nudged him with her elbow, and he cried out in pain before reluctantly falling silent.

Chen's mother glared at Chen Xiu'e, and then said in a much nicer tone: "Dongzi has been busy since yesterday and hasn't had a proper rest or a proper meal. You go ahead, we'll stay here and watch over things."

Hearing this, most people might have been polite, but Qiao Changdong nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world, picked up Qiao Qiao and walked out.

Hearing Chen's mother's words, Qiao Qiao also felt sorry for Qiao Changdong.

Even if she wanted to be her father's little darling, she couldn't bear to tire him out. Besides, there was still a long way to go, so she said in Qiao Changdong's arms, "Dad, Qiaoqiao can walk by herself."

As she spoke, she squirmed in his arms, signaling him to put her down.

Qiao Changdong patted the chubby little bottom in his arms with a hint of annoyance: "Stop being so clumsy, you're as chubby as a kitten, your dad can still carry you."

Qiao Qiao blushed again, but didn't make a scene.

Instead, she obediently wrapped her little hands around Qiao Changdong's neck, resting her head sweetly on his broad shoulders.

She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Her little eyes were full of affection as she looked at him, unwilling to look away even an inch.

This is her father.

It was her father who went crazy in her previous life.

She wished she could be attached to him every moment, to be his body accessory for life.

The father and daughter left the hospital together, all lovey-dovey.

Qiao Qiao was born on April 10th, 1980 (lunar calendar).

Qiao Kexin was born in the ninth month of the lunar calendar in 1983. I don't remember the exact date, but if I calculate the time, it should be around November of the Gregorian calendar in 1983 now.

In 1983, Hongfeng Town was still very underdeveloped. Although it was a county town, there were very few high-rise buildings.

Most of the houses are single-story, mostly mud-brick houses, but perhaps because they are near the hospital, there are many shops, making it quite lively.

However, it was precisely because of these mud-brick houses that belonged to the 1980s that Qiao Qiao felt a greater sense of reality in her rebirth.

There are several restaurants in the shops closest to the hospital entrance.

Qiao Changdong lowered his head and lovingly kissed his daughter's soft little face before asking, "Sweetie, which restaurant do you want to eat at?"

Qiao Qiao raised her hand and pointed to one at random.

Qiao Changdong then led her into the shop.

The shop is small, just an open-air room of less than 20 square meters.

Two large coal honeycomb stoves were placed on one side of the entrance, with two iron pots on top.

A tall, burly middle-aged man stood between two pots, stirring the food with an iron ladle. When he saw the two men enter, he glanced a few more times at the baby in Qiao Changdong's arms.

Only when Qiao Changdong looked over with some displeasure did he give an awkward chuckle.

He grabbed the towel hanging around his neck and wiped the sweat from his forehead, then shouted at the two men, "Brothers, what do you want to eat? There's food in the back, keep an eye on it."

After the middle-aged man finished speaking, he gestured with his mouth towards the area behind him.

Qiao Qiao saw a wooden board placed horizontally on two long benches about a meter behind him, with about a dozen bamboo baskets on it, each containing prepared dishes.

Both meat and vegetarian options are available.

The wooden board was placed against the wall, and there was a piece of paper pasted on the wall that read: 50 cents for dishes with meat, 20 cents for purely vegetarian dishes, and 5 cents for a bun, steamed bread, or rice (serving).

Qiao Changdong, afraid that Qiao Qiao couldn't see, lifted her up even higher: "What does my sweetie want to eat?"

Qiao Qiao figured it wouldn't just be the two of them eating, so she ordered four dishes: one meat dish, two vegetable dishes, and a soup.

Qiao Changdong read it aloud to the restaurant owner who was still cooking.

The sound of the iron pot and spoon clashing together was quite loud. The owner thought he had misheard: "Would you like four dishes?"

It's lunchtime now, and the restaurant is quite busy, mostly with family members accompanying patients in bed. Ordering one dish and a few steamed buns is already considered quite good.

Most people order steamed buns and dumplings with some free pickled vegetables from the restaurant. After all, nobody comes here to eat out; they just want to fill their stomachs. It's rare to see someone order three dishes and a soup so seriously.

Qiao Qiao had already been carried to a table by Qiao Changdong. Hearing the boss's slightly puzzled voice, Qiao Changdong said to the boss, "Just do it, money is no object."

After saying that, he grabbed the corner of his clothes and wiped it on the bench next to the table before putting Qiao Qiao down to sit on it.

"Hey." The boss was also happy to have such a big customer and responded with a smile.

Qiao Qiao tugged at Qiao Changdong sitting beside her: "Dad, money..."

In the past, Qiao Changdong would have said that if he didn't have enough money, he would pawn you here and make you a kitchen maid.

But right now his precious baby is going through a period of insecurity, so he can't bear to tease her like that.

He pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and slammed it on the table with an air of dominance: "Don't worry, Dad has plenty of money."

Qiao Changdong's stack of money included ten-yuan notes, five-yuan notes, two-yuan notes, one-yuan notes, and a few small bills.

A rough calculation showed it should be several tens of yuan. Considering that the average wage for ordinary workers is only around thirty to fifty yuan, Qiao Qiao felt relieved.

After Qiao Changdong finished speaking, he didn't rush to take the money back, but looked at her with a doting expression.

Qiao Qiao also looked at him.

Their eyes met, but neither of them moved.

"Why aren't you taking it?" Qiao Changdong asked, puzzled, seeing that Qiao Qiao still hadn't moved.

Qiao Qiao blinked in confusion, not quite understanding at first, but after a few seconds she was stunned, and her nose started to sting.

She and Qiao Changdong had a habit: ever since she learned that money could be used to buy snacks at the village store, Qiao Changdong would give her all the loose change he had that was less than one yuan to buy candy.

After it happened many times, Qiao Qiao would rummage through his pockets and take all the small change without Qiao Changdong having to give it to her.

This habit continued until she was taken back to the Shen family.

The Shen family... Just thinking about the Shen family made Qiao Qiao feel her internal organs start to ache again.

To outsiders, she was from a prestigious family in Kyoto, and during her year in the Shen family, she lived a life of luxury, never having to worry about food or clothing.

But only she knew what a terrifying cannibalistic cave it was... that had devoured her completely.

Thinking back to the past, Qiao Qiao couldn't help but feel hatred in her heart. She hated the Shen family, and one day, she would make them pay back everything they owed her family!

However, right now, she cares more about the Qiao family, and she has to cherish every minute and second she spends with them.

Qiao Qiao gathered her chaotic thoughts and reached out her delicate white hands to pick through the scattered money.

She stuffed all the small change into her own pocket, then looked up and gave Qiao Changdong a charming smile.

Qiao Changdong's heart softened at her adorable smile. He cupped her little face in his hands and gave her a big kiss on her rosy cheeks before finally putting the money away with satisfaction.