As the sun set in the west, Xi Zi and his three siblings, full of joy, followed Mr. Zhang back to the county town in the glow of the summer twilight. After parting ways with them at the intersection, the four siblings, carrying cloth bags and bamboo baskets, briskly walked home with happiness on their faces.
Not yet home, the air was filled with the mixed aroma of corn bread and stewed dishes, making one feel an impulse to enter any house for a meal.
Upon entering the courtyard, they were greeted by the unique fragrance of mixed flour steamed buns and stew. The four siblings exchanged surprised glances, not even bothering to wash their hands as they carefully maneuvered past the vegetable garden, cloth bags and bamboo baskets in hand, heading straight to the kitchen.
Huang Cuilan hadn’t made lunch either, subsisting on two leftover corn breads with water. As every household started cooking, she realized that the children would be returning soon.
"Mom, today big brother caught two fish and gave grandpa one. Shall we eat this one for dinner?"
Noticing the children’s eager faces, Huang Cuilan smiled and nodded, "Alright. Today you will eat to your heart’s content. Later, Xi Zi, take a bowl to your grandma."
Xi Zi’s eyes lit up with joy as he replied, "Okay. Grandma surely won’t eat the fish tonight; she just told me to bring it back, but I didn’t take it. She even said she’d salt it and save it for us tomorrow."
Xiao Zuo commented, "Mom, we didn’t eat over there. Grandpa and Grandma can’t bring themselves to eat refined grains. If my little uncle knew, he’d be heartbroken. You should’ve seen how even the smoked meat was going moldy, and she’s still keeping it, saying she’ll wait for us to come over to eat."
Xiao You frowned and said, "It looks like we need to write a letter to my little uncle. What’s Grandma hoping for, making us keep secrets? Big brother, didn’t you say little uncle would come back for the summer vacation? It’s almost time for school to start, why aren’t they back yet?"
Xi Zi chuckled, "Didn’t Ping’an tell Grandpa to wait for him to come back? It should be soon. Grandma’s birthday is in ten days or so, little uncle should make it back by then."
Mai Miao teased, "Second brother and third brother, you two need to start practicing your writing. Grandpa said you need to write a letter to Little Ping’an so he can see how accomplished his older brothers have become!"
"You brat, still daring to make fun of your brothers, watch out!"
Mai Miao quickly hid behind Xi Zi, sticking out her tongue and making faces at her older brothers, causing Xiao Zuo and Xiao You to laugh. They only had this one sister, so they cherished her too much to ever truly get upset.
Xi Zi patted her on the forehead, "You little rascal!"
After speaking, he glanced at Huang Cuilan, who was smiling warmly, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Mom, I heard the factory is planning to cut staff. Are you okay?"
Looking at her eldest son, Huang Cuilan recalled how people had taken a liking to him and couldn’t help but smile. Listening to his concerned tone, she was overjoyed, thinking her son had truly grown up, "Mom is fine."
"That’s good. Not working could be nice too, you can take care of Dad and us at home. This summer, us four siblings caught cicada larvae and exchanged them at the purchase station for quite a bit, enough for the tuition fees. Don’t worry. When my little aunt comes back, I’ll ask her to teach me about herbal medicine, which can also earn money."
"It’s all because Mom is useless, making you suffer."
"We’re much better off than many others. Mom, we don’t ask for you to be incredibly capable; just rest assured at home. We all agree on providing for Grandpa and Grandma. As for other family members, you’d better have less contact with them; they’re too scheming, and you’re no match for them."
Mai Miao promptly nodded, "Exactly! As long as you ignore my aunt and her family, we’re very happy. My aunt is not reliable; she’s shallow and thinks she’s clever, always secretly taking things home. My grandma even thinks she’s a good person. If it weren’t for my grandpa keeping things in check, she’d be a family-wrecking woman."
Xiao Zuo and Xiao You laughed heartily upon hearing this. Their little sister was becoming more and more like their eldest aunt! Truly hitting the nail on the head!


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