"Yeah, they’ve all had good things happen to them, leaving only your uncle and at ho."
"In the future, your days of enjoying life are ahead. Twenty years later, you’ll be the household heads, all living in the town, which will be convenient."
Tian Shulan loved hearing this kind of talk, so her smile grew even wider.
"Mom, are we going ho?"
"Going ho, are you all thirsty?"
The four children all nodded, their faces flushed red from running and jumping.
"Auntie, I’ll take the kids ho first."
Tian Shulan watched Jiang Xinyu’s departing figure, sighing in her heart. She really had skills; she couldn’t beco one of us anymore.
"Mom, staying in the old ho feels comfortable." Jiang Feifei said, clutching her mother’s hand.
"Yes, but only for a while. At night, there are many mosquitoes. Plus, you have to do farm work all day. I’ll take you to the fields in the afternoon."
After the five of them got ho, the Wang Family mbers had not yet returned.
"You’re back? Quickly, wash up; it’s almost ti to eat."
Jiang Xinyu cheerfully got water for the four children. At this mont, a little child dashed in.
Jiang Xinyu looked at him and laughed; he really looked like his dad.
"Who are you? Why are you at my ho?"
"I know you are Fuqing."
"How do you know who I am?"
At this point, Xiangting ca over, "Brother."
"Xiangting, you’re here too? Where’s my aunt?"
"Brother, my mom is cooking."
Wang Ailing heard the commotion and ca out, "Fuqing, you’re back. Why aren’t you at ho even though it’s vacation?"
The little boy chuckled shyly, "Aunt, what’s for lunch?"
"Stead buns and water soup.
Fuqing, this is your aunt Jiang Xinyu."
"Are you Aunt Jiang Xinyu?"
"Yes, that’s right."
The little boy scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.
"Fuqing, let introduce you. This is my younger brother Shi Jing, and this is my sister Feifei."
Both kids called him "Brother," making things even livelier with yet another child.
"Do you need my help with anything?"
"No, I’ve got the dishes ready. I’m just setting the table, and Dad and the others should be back soon."
Wang Ailing is popular in both her natal and in-law families for good reason. She always takes her part seriously. Take today, she ca back not treating herself as an outsider at all, doing all kinds of chores at ho. How could anyone not like such a person?
A few minutes later, Sun Eri rushed back, paused seeing kids in the yard, "Grandma, grandma."
"Ah, my grandsons and granddaughters are back."
Jiang Xinyu heard the clamor and ca out too, "Aunt."
"Xinyu? Xinyu, you’re back?"
"Yes, Aunt, I’m back."
"So many years you’ve been away, and now you’re all grown up."
Wang Ailing also ca out. "Mom, wash your hands; I’ve made lunch."
"Alright, it’s such a blessing when my daughter cos back." Sun Eri said, smiling.
After washing her hands, she sat in the shade, "Shi Jing, Feifei, co here."
The two kids ran over, "Mom."
Sun Eri was stunned hearing the kids call out, surprised at Jiang Xinyu.
"You two, this is Grandma."
The two kids greeted in unison.
"Good, good, good. Grandma will get you so treats." Sun Eri tried to stand but was held by Jiang Xinyu.
"Aunt, no need, we’re about to eat."
"That won’t do; this is the first ti I’ve t the kids. Don’t mind, let it be,"
"Mom, let’s wait until the afternoon to give them treats. The al is ready." Wang Ailing also persuaded.
"Xinyu, you’re bold to get married and not tell us a word?"
"Aunt, we’ve separated. What else is there to say?"
"Separate? You are taking care of the kids yourself?"
Jiang Xinyu nodded, "Yes, it’s just taking care of them."
"Are you foolish?"
Wang Ailing heard her mom’s loud voice, Shi Jing and Feifei also got startled.
"Mom."
Sun Eri took a few breaths, "You’re just going to keep these two kids?"
"Yes, I gave birth to them."
Sun Eri didn’t know what to say, after a mont, "Xinyu, you’re still young, what will you do in the future? Spend your whole life alone with the two of them?
It’s fine now, but when they grow up and have families of their own, you’ll be left all alone. What will you do then? Living on your own? Who will be there to get you hot water when you’re sick?
Xinyu, listen to Aunt, while you’re young, find soone else quickly."
Jiang Xinyu knew it was kindly ant, "Aunt, let’s talk when the kids grow up. Don’t worry about , I can take good care of them."
"You always have your mind set. When the ti cos, it’ll be you who suffers; with no man in life, everything falls on your shoulders. Then you’ll know how hard it is."
Jiang Xinyu just smiled, unsure what to say.
Then the Wang Family mbers returned. Wang Jianqiang saw Jiang Xinyu and gave a genuine smile.
"Xinyu, you’re back?"
"Uncle."
Wang Xiaolong and his wife, carrying hoes, ca in.
"Looks like you’re about to give birth, sister-in-law?"
"Xinyu, you’re back?"
The two spoke simultaneously and then laughed.
Sun Eri stood up to get water for her husband to wash up.
The three of them noticed the two extra kids in the yard but didn’t realize they were Jiang Xinyu’s children.
Jiang Xinyu called the two kids over to greet each person.
Wang Jianqiang furrowed his brows but didn’t say anything.
During lunch, there were stead eggplants mixed with minced garlic. Also fried beans with salted vegetables and cucumber salad. Though simple, everything was quite appealing.
Sun Eri took care of feeding the kids.
The two kids, although not fond of today’s food, ate till full without complaining.
No one knows a son better than his mother, and Jiang Xinyu knew the kids weren’t used to it, but she didn’t ntion it. After lunch, Wang Jianqiang went to the backyard and picked a waterlon.
Sun Eri chilled a bucket of water.
The kids were sent off to nap by Guo Caifeng, considering her large belly.
Being married for years, she’s finally pregnant again, and giving special attention to the child.
No matter how busy, she absolutely rests a bit at noon.
Now, only Wang Family mbers and Jiang Xinyu were left in the main room.
They asked about the past four years of living outside.
"Xinyu, why didn’t the kids’ dad co back?"
"Uncle, we’ve separated. I’m raising the two kids by myself."
Wang Jianqiang puffed on his cigarette for quite a while without speaking.
They knew at their age how hard it is living alone, especially a woman with two kids.
But things are already like this, it’s late for anything.
"Xinyu, if anything happens, speak up. If our family can help with money, we will. If we can lend a hand, we will."
"That’s right, if there’s any trouble, let us know." Sun Eri added.
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