"By then, Aunt Liu will be tired." Guodong felt a bit embarrassed.
Sister-in-law Wu was sowhat disdainful of the siblings, but Aunt Liu never showed any such feelings. Plus, she was extrely warm towards them.
"Tired of what? Just cooking? Ever since Feifei went out with them, I’ve been feeling uneasy.
Alright, take a break. What do you want for lunch? I’ll cook."
"Anything is fine."
"I made dough last night, how about dumplings with shredded radish and vermicelli for lunch?"
"Sure, sounds tasty."
At this ti, Shi Xian woke up inside the house, and Du Fengying hurried in.
Guodong also put down his bowl and went inside. Du Fengying was changing the child’s diaper.
"Aunt Liu, do you need for anything?"
"Guodong, pour cold water into the two basins and bring the thermos to ."
The two kids had developed a habit; even after going potty, they must be washed clean before they settle down quietly.
Ten minutes later, Guodong sat on the kang, holding two bottles for the two kids, watching them nurse.
After Du Fengying finished washing the diapers, she went to cook.
There were still chives in the cellar, she brought up a handful and added them to the filling for flavor.
Jiang Xinyu’s morning class was until eleven-thirty, and her afternoon class resud at one-thirty.
When she returned ho after class and saw the bicycle in the yard, she knew Guodong had co.
Entering the kitchen, she saw the young man helping Du Fengying peel chestnut kernels.
"Aunt Jiang, you’re done with class?"
"Yes, what ti did you arrive?"
"Just before eleven."
"Has Jin Family Village already distributed the grain and money?"
"Yes, it was done yesterday."
"I got it, I’ll pick them up tonight then, will Sister-in-law Wu co over as well?"
"Aunt Jiang, Sister-in-law Wu has already returned."
As the two spoke, they continued to peel chestnuts.
"It’s because she thought I ate too much, Jing Chu got mad and said from now on, we siblings would eat on our own. Sister Xiaoli just let her go."
"Oh, such people should just leave. However, Jing Chu’s temper is not good; she shouldn’t be too headstrong."
"You two wash your hands and eat." Du Fengying had already set the table.
As they ate, they continued their previous conversation.
Guodong told Jiang Xinyu about the two instances that made Jing Chu angry because of Zhao Xiaoli.
"Guodong, what do you think about these two incidents?"
"Aunt Jiang, Jing Chu is my sister, but I don’t completely agree with her actions. People are different, and we can’t impose our own way of handling things or our thoughts onto others."
"Yes, you’re quite right in your understanding. I’ll talk to Jing Chu when I get the chance."
"Aunt Jiang, I ant the sa. I’ve talked to her; although she seems unchanged towards Sister Xiaoli on the surface, there’s still a barrier in her heart.
The three of us ca here together, so we can’t let trivial matters stir discontent.
Besides, Jing Chu listens to you. Aunt Jiang, please have a good talk with her."
"Alright, I understand, don’t worry, I’ll guide Jing Chu."
The dumplings were exceptionally delicious, and the tomato canned soup made it all the more tasty. Guodong really found the al delightful.
After lunch, Jiang Xinyu told Guodong to rest for a while. Their rooms were ready; he and Zhao Xiaoqiang would share one, Old Yang and his wife another, and Jing Chu had her own.
"Guodong, several of those relocated from Li Family Village include two university professors. They have literature and history classes in the afternoon. Go listen to them, if you find it suitable and Jing Chu agrees, I’d like them to teach you humanities subjects; I personally think they’re very good teachers."
"Alright, I’ll go listen in the afternoon."
"Guodong, rest assured, I’ve observed the two of them and have seen no issues with their character so far. You can safely learn with them, but if you notice any problems, you must notify ."
"I understand, Aunt Jiang."
"Go rest now, I’ll call you when I leave."
Jiang Xinyu was also quite tired from the morning. She lay down on the kang, looking at the two sweetly sleeping children, and soon fell asleep herself.
She took Guodong to Zhu Mingbao, "Mr. Zhu, this is my nephew, he’s here to attend your class."
"Alright, I’ve got it. Co with to the classroom."
This classroom was divided for third to fifth-grade students.
They were starting from the fifth-grade textbooks, but Sun Mingbao had integrated history lessons as well, providing the children with an opportunity to learn early.
The response was excellent; the kids felt like they were listening to a story.
Afternoon classes ended at five-thirty, and after the two returned ho, Jiang Xinyu drank a bowl of milk powder and asked Guodong to light the stoves in the three rooms before she drove to Jin Family Village to pick up Zhao Xiaoli and the others.
Du Fengying planned to make porridge, stir-fried shredded carrots and cabbage, with flatbreads for dinner.
So there was no rush; everything was prepared, and cooking at seven-thirty wasn’t too late.
Jiang Xinyu spent more than half an hour getting to Jin Family Village. By this ti, there weren’t any children playing in the streets anymore.
She parked the car directly in front of Old Yang’s house, and Xiao Qiang ca running out upon hearing the noise.
"Aunt Jiang."
"Xiao Qiang, you should call sister or sister-in-law instead."
Zhao Xiaoqiang nodded, and just then Jing Chu also ca out.
"Aunt Jiang, Sister Xiaoli and I have already prepared dinner, it should be ready any minute."
"Hey, you should have waited for to co pick you up, Sister Du is waiting for you at ho."
As they spoke, they entered the courtyard. Zhao Xiaoli also ca out from the kitchen.
"Dinner will be ready soon; try our cooking."
"Okay, since it’s still cooking, let’s take advantage of the ti to load your luggage." Jiang Xinyu was quite anxious as the two little ones should be waking up around this ti.
"Alright, we’ve packed already. Xiao Qiang will handle the loading while I check the stove, we’ll be ready to eat in a minute." Zhao Xiaoli said with a smile.
Everyone had a briefcase with clothes and personal items inside.
"Sister Jiang, we’re bringing over four bags of wheat, bought with the grain allocated yesterday."
"You won’t need to bring provisions to my place, but this ti, bring them over to grind at the township, and send them back afterward."
Zhao Xiaoqiang just laughed; staying at soone else’s place was troubleso enough, and bringing provisions was simply polite.
Four bags of wheat certainly took up a lot of space. The car was packed to the brim.
After loading the car, they entered the kitchen, where today’s dinner was rice, stead egg custard, and cabbage fried with smoked at.
"The flavor is decent; next ti rember, for this smoked at, use low heat to slowly fry, letting the oil render out; it will taste even better."
"Got it, Aunt Jiang, I want to eat at pies."
"Alright, when we go to the county, we’ll buy so fresh at, and let Sister Du make at pies for you. You can have whatever you want."
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