Chapter 169: Little Bok Choy, Yellow in the Field

Xu Mo was being chased and beaten by his mother. Unwilling to back down, he exclaimed, “Mom, why are you hitting me? You’re really being unfair! You never hurt your older sons at all. If you don’t believe me, just ask my sister if I’m not telling the truth!”

Xu Ning…

Every word he said was correct, but somehow, when stripped of its context, it just didn’t sound right.

With no other choice, Xu Mo jumped onto the bed where the kids were resting, clutching one of them tightly. “Tang Tang, my dear niece,” he said, “your uncle is so pitiful. Dad doesn’t love me, and Mom doesn’t care either. I’m bullied by my brothers, and my sister won’t stand up for me. I’ll have to rely on you three in the future.”

When the kids saw him, they climbed onto him to play, and Pi Pi hugged his neck, kissing his cheeks fiercely. Before long, Xu Mo’s face was covered in the child’s saliva.

He started making funny faces to entertain them, and the three children giggled uncontrollably.

Xu Mo’s mother watched the mischievous little monkey with a mix of amusement and exasperation, feeling utterly helpless against him.

Xu Ning said to Li Na, “Sister-in-law, Xiao Mo can be a bit of a smart aleck. Don’t take it to heart!”

Li Na laughed and replied, “I think he’s quite adorable! For such a small child, he sure knows how to talk.”

“Xiao Mo is very well-behaved. He came here with our parents when he was just three years old. He always had to watch other people’s expressions when speaking or doing things and often made our parents happy.

When I was pregnant with the triplets, he was so small yet would stand on a stool to help me cook. He would be so busy that he’d be sweating profusely, yet he wouldn’t let me do anything.

After I gave birth, he often helped me with chores and took care of the triplets. Even though he can be a little troublemaker sometimes, he’s actually very responsible.

He often nagged me, saying that the eldest brother was too honest and worried that he might offend someone in the army. Every time he wrote letters, he would remind him about it.”

Li Na noticed that Xu Ning’s eyes were a bit red. She patted her hand and smiled, saying, “I know all about it. When I was dating your brother, he told me everything about your family’s situation. I don’t mind it at all, so don’t worry. The bond you two siblings had in the past won’t change in the future.”

Father Xu and Mother Xu exchanged glances, then discreetly looked away.

Xu Ning looked at her sincerely and said, “Sister-in-law, it’s a blessing for my brother to marry you, and it’s also a blessing for our family.”

At that moment, Xu Yang and Xu An walked in.

Xu Yang sat down to chat with their parents, while Xu An prepared to go after Xu Mo.

Seeing Xu An enter, Xu Mo quickly crawled inside the bed, hugging the little toddlers tightly.

With a playful grin, Xu Mo said, “Second brother, what are you planning to do? I’m your own biological brother! We can’t be doing these self-destructive things; it would break Mom and Dad’s hearts.”

Hearing this, Mother Xu was both amused and annoyed. She replied, “Xiao An, feel free to hit him. We won’t be upset at all; this kid really needs a good lesson.”

Xu Mo pretended to be heartbroken, saying, “Mom, how could you hurt your son’s feelings like this? I’m your youngest son, and I’m supposed to support you in your old age!”

Mother Xu shot him a glance and said, “With your eldest brother and second brother, your dad and I won’t need you to take care of us in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Mo lay back on the bed, hugging Tang Tang and pretending to cry, “Oh, Tang Tang, my heart is aching!”

He began to sing, Little bok choy, yellow in the field, my cruel relatives have made my tears flow…

Father Xu chuckled and said, “Alright, enough of the theatrics. It’s getting late. Let’s head back. Your eldest brother and sister-in-law have been traveling for days; they need to rest early.”

Xu Mo quickly got up from the bed and said to the Niu Pi Tang, “My nephews and niece, your Uncle is leaving! I’ll come back to see you tomorrow. Be good tonight and listen to your mom and grandma, okay?”

The little ones giggled in response, not quite understanding but clearly amused.

He then smiled at Li Na and said, “Sister-in-law, we’ll head back now. I’ll come back to talk to you tomorrow. On Sunday, I’ll go to the creek to catch some fish for you to eat.

If my eldest or second brother badmouths me in front of you, you mustn’t believe them! I’m really not a wife-chaser; they are!”

Before Xu Yang and Xu An could react, he finished speaking and dashed outside.

Father Xu shook his head with a smile and said, “I’m heading back too. You all should rest early!”

After Xu Mo and the others left, Xu An prepared to head to the youth compound to sleep.

Xu Yang asked, “Xiao An, why are you going out this late?”

“Eldest brother, I’m going to sleep in the male youths’ quarters. You and sister-in-law can stay in my room.”

Li Na quickly said, “Xiao An, you should sleep with your brother. I’ll sleep in Xiao Ning’s room tonight so I can help take care of the kids.”

Xu Ning smiled and said, “Brother, sister-in-law, let Xiao An sleep over there. He has a good relationship with several of the young men, and since they usually work, they don’t have much chance to chat. Since you’re here, it’s a good opportunity for him to spend a few nights over there. Besides, I have Mom here to help.”