Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 157 - 157:  155: Lovesickness Turns to Ashes: The Past Can’t Be Chased (Part 2)

The studious Xuan’er was seriously furrowing his brows as he practiced his characters.

Such a young age, he already bore a strong resemblance to Di Yelei, especially the way his brow furrowed, it was a perfect match.

“Yes, Dad even gave Xuan’er a test a couple of days ago. He praised me for studying so hard.”

A touch of joy flashed across Xuan’er’s face, and his cheeks were also suspiciously red.

“What did he test you on?”

“But… Dad said, no one should know.”

Xuan’er seemed a bit hesitant to speak.

Liu Sisi nodded, understandingly. Such matters are better off known by fewer people.

“Xuan’er, you’re such a good boy, remember not to tell anyone else, including Mom and anyone at all. Just keep this matter to yourself. If Dad asks you to help him with his writing, just help him and don’t ask questions, also don’t tell anyone else about it, okay?”

“Xuan’er understands.”

Xuan’er nodded seriously.

“Good boy…”

Liu Sisi gently stroked his head, pondering the possibilities.

Di Yelei said that he had asked Zuo Xingyu to capture Sun Ergou. Zuo Xingyu proposed a deal – for Di Yelei to do him a favour in return. However, Di Yelei did not say what the favour would be.

Now it seems that this favour might not be so simple!

She felt a bit worried and her mind kept wandering while copying the book, leading her to make some mistakes, which annoyed her.

When the sun was not so high, Di Ruoning appeared outside the courtyard door. With her were not only Yuan Mengbai but also Ms. Zhao.

“Where is Third Son’s family? Where did they go? Just because Third Child protects you all the time, you dare to laze around the courtyard all day and not go out! Aren’t you afraid that you might grow mouldy if you stayed for too long!”

Liu Sisi was not surprised. After all, every time Ms. Zhao came, she made a mess, which was not surprising.

“Mom, Sisi wants to go help in the fields. Unfortunately, when the family split up initially, Dad and Mom didn’t allocate any land to Ye Lei. Even if Sisi wants to harvest crops, there is no way to start. There’s no choice, even our three meals are bought from the market, and the silver money is flowing out continuously, alas!”

Only after speaking did Liu Sisi slowly put down the pen, glanced at the three of them, stood up and led Xuan’er to greet them.

“Little Sister and Brother-in-law came, why didn’t you call out for Sisi, at least to let Sisi get out to welcome you.”

Ms. Zhao glared at her, helped the pregnant Di Ruoning, directly bypassed her half-squatting figure, and sat down on the chair in the middle.

“You are our Di Family’s distinguished person. How could we dare to bother you to welcome us? Where is Ye Lei, why isn’t he out here? Isn’t he deliberately hiding because he saw me, his mother, is here?”

Liu Sisi gently laughed, “Mom, that’s not right of you to say so. Yesterday, Ye Lei said in the old house, it’s rare for Little Sister and Brother-in-law to come back home, thus we can’t be negligent. Therefore, he left for the hills first thing today, saying he would hunt some game for Little Sister and Brother-in-law as a welcome.”

Everyone paused. Indeed, Ye Lei said this yesterday. But everyone just listened then and didn’t think he would actually go up the mountain before dawn.

They each felt a moment of excitement in their hearts.

With the lack of money in the old house, she didn’t know how long the days of drinking coarse-grain porridge meal after meal would last. This was killing her!

Di Ruoning’s eyes suddenly spun around and she exclaimed, “Oh! My back, it’s getting really unbearable. Ms. Ma, please, hurry up and rub it for me.”

Ma, the maid they bought, hurried forward and carefully helped her rub her back.

Ms. Zhao also looked worried and offered a series of comfort and concern.

“Judging by your current condition, it’s likely to be a daughter. If my precious granddaughter is born, she will be a breathtaking beauty, fit to enter the palace and become an Empress…”

Ms. Zhao praised incessantly.

No wonder she did, Di Ruoning had already given birth to three boys, and naturally wanted a daughter for this pregnancy.

Yuan Mengbai wore a warm smile on his face, and courteously greeted Liu Sisi with a fist salute.

“It’s rather impolite of me to come uninvited today, I hope I’m not disturbing you, Third Sister-in-law.”

“Brother-in-law, you’re too kind. It’s a pleasure to have you visit your wife’s family and step through the door of Third Brother’s house.”

Liu Sisi hastily returned his salute.

“I hurriedly brought some small gifts today… they are for the two children.”

He seemed somewhat clumsy, and awkwardly pulled out some tiny toys from his bosom to place on the adjacent table.

Liu Sisi took a closer look and realized that Yuan Mengbai had offered an inkstone and brushing-pen holder, along with a few uniquely shaped small clay figurines, probably intended for YingEr.

The inkstone and brushing-pen holder weren’t store-bought; they were obviously handcrafted, which made them all the more genuine, and Liu Sisi’s face filled with joy.

“Did you make these, brother-in-law? It’s so kind of you to personally prepare gifts for Xuan’er and YingEr. These, they are really…”

“Just a few idle creations during my free time, I’m glad if third sister-in-law doesn’t mind.”

Yuan Mengbai hastily waved his hand, blushing as he spoke. He didn’t prepare a gift in advance for visiting Third Brother’s house. But he remembered the inkstone and brushing-pen holder that he had made for Xuan’er in his spare time, and the tiny clay figures he had moulded for YingEr, so he brought them along. This seemed better than arriving empty-handed.

Seeing that the Third sister-in-law looked pleased, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Sisi had a simple thought: these items were great and practical! She selected things based on their usefulness and not their price, this Yuan Mengbai was considerate indeed. As she spoke, she quickly turned around and instructed Xuan’er.

“Xuan’er, look at the wonderful items your young uncle has brought for you! Do you like them?”

Xuan’er had already noticed the inkstone and the brushing-pen holder. Upon receiving Liu Sisi’s consent, he eagerly picked up the two items and nodded his head enthusiastically.

“Yes, mom! Xuan’er really likes them. Thank you, young uncle. Thanks, aunt.”

It seemed like the child really liked them; he kept flipping the inkstone.”

Liu Sissi was genuinely happy and reached out to pat his shoulder. These days, to save some money, the mother and son had been sharing one inkstone, one brush, and one desk.

Now they had two new stationery items, and they were both very happy.

“Go boil some water quickly, make a pot of tea, and properly thank your young uncle.”

“Yes, mom.”

Xuan’er obediently rushed to the kitchen.

Ms. Zhao sneered, it was just a piece of stone and half a bamboo tube. What was there to be happy about?

Di Ruoning gently stroked her slightly bulging belly and spoke with a smile.

“Oh! Watching Third Sister-in-law commanding Xuan’er with such ease! It seems that the relationship between a mother and her biological child is truly unique!”

Liu Sisi was taken aback!

“What do you mean by that, little sister? Xuan’er is Third Sister-in-law’s child, of course, I will treat him well. As for giving him tasks, Xuan’er is almost eight years old now, so making him boil water shouldn’t be a big deal, should it?”