Chapter 175: The Snobbish Li Mother

With a few fewer people at home, the place felt empty. Xu Ning sighed and went inside to check if Niu Pi Tang had woken up.

The three little ones were still sound asleep. She went to the kitchen to cook some porridge and would feed them once they woke up.

When Niu Pi Tang finally opened their eyes, they looked around. Normally, there were people to play with them in the morning, but today it was just their mother.

Xu Ning noticed the three of them searching around and laughed as she asked, “Are you looking for Uncle and Aunt? They’ve gone back home but will come to see you again.”

The three children didn’t seem to understand, but Xu Ning dressed them. Niu Niu and Pi Pi started heading outside, and Tang Tang also reached out her hands, wanting to be carried out to find people.

Niu Niu and Pi Pi walked unsteadily, and worried they might fall, Xu Ning quickly carried Tang Tang and followed them outside.

The two little boys didn’t see anyone outside either. They called out a couple of times at the door, but no one responded, so they returned and hugged Xu Ning’s legs.

“Niu Niu, Pi Pi, let go of Mommy. How about we go eat some food?”

As soon as they heard the word “food,” they didn’t need any prompting. They released Xu Ning’s legs, giggling as they made their way to the kitchen.

She placed them on a small bed, letting them hold onto the railing. After washing their faces, she fed Tang Tang some milk before giving them their meals.

Both little boys had a great appetite and were not picky eaters. They crumbled the boiled eggs into the millet porridge, finishing an entire bowl clean.

Seeing her two brothers eating so happily made Tang Tang envious, so Xu Ning fed her a few bites as well. The well-fed children were very obedient, sitting on the small bed and playing with their toys.

She sat by the bed, reading while chatting with the little ones.

When Xu An returned from work in the evening, he appeared very happy.

Xu Ning smiled and asked, “Xiao An, why are you so happy today? Did something good happen?”

Xu An excitedly replied, “Sister, our director spoke to me today and said I’ll be officially employed next month.”

Xu Ning was very happy to hear this news.

“Really, Xiao An? You’re so capable; I’m proud of you!”

Xu An felt a bit shy from the praise.

“Sister, it’s not just me. We joined last year together, and this time there are ten spots for formal employment. I and Fan Sizhe were just lucky to be chosen.”

“That’s not just luck; it’s the result of your hard work. Xiao An, you’re amazing.”

In the evening, Mother Xu and Aunt Lu came over, and upon hearing this news, they were also extremely delighted.

Seeing that both of them had come over together, Xu Ning said, “Mom, the kids don’t need to be fed at night anymore. With the autumn harvest approaching, it might be difficult for both of you to rest well if you stay overnight. Perhaps it would be better if you took turns staying over; there’s no need for both of you to come at the same time.”

After considering that the kids didn’t need to be fed at night and that one person could manage things, they agreed.

Meanwhile, Xu Yang and Li Na returned to the Jinshi Military District without washing up. They quickly opened their two bags to check if anything inside had gone bad.

There were too many people on the train, and they were afraid of attracting unwanted attention, so they hadn’t opened the bags during the journey.

Xu Yang first took out the rabbit jerky and salted wild chicken wrapped in oil paper. He sniffed them and found they were still good.

The rest was just some dried vegetables, so he didn’t worry. Li Na then spotted two pounds of brown sugar and two pounds of rock sugar in the bag made of wolf skin.

Xu Yang looked at the large pile of dried vegetables and mushrooms on the ground and smiled. “Let’s keep some for ourselves and take the rest to Mom and Dad. We can share some with Big Brother and Second Brother.”

Once they finished packing everything up, Xu Yang prepared to head to the military base to report for duty. He tied the items to Li Na’s bicycle and encouraged her to go ahead.

When Li Ma opened the door and saw her, she happily asked, “When did you come back? Have you eaten? Where’s Xu Yang?”

Li Na glanced at her helplessly and replied, “Mom, could you let me in first before we talk?”

Only then did Li Ma realize and quickly moved aside to let her bike in, shutting the door afterward.

Noticing the numerous bags on the bicycle, she asked, “What’s in there? Why so much?”

“It’s the dried vegetables and mushrooms that Xiao Ning prepared for you.”

When Li Ma opened the bag and saw the contents, she exclaimed in surprise, “So many dried vegetables! Oh, and there’s meat too! Xu Yang’s sister is quite generous; she’s really living up to what you spent on those few pounds of milk powder.”

“Mom, your words are really harsh. You keep bringing up those few bags of milk powder. Do you think she brought all these things just because of that? She did it for her brother.

Xiao Ning is living a better life than we are, so don’t look down on her. Her husband is quite capable, and Xiao An is also working in the factory now, earning a salary every month.”

After being confronted by her daughter, Li Ma curled her lips in disdain and said, “What can a young educated worker from the countryside, especially one with that background, possibly have that’s better than us?”

Li Ba put down his newspaper and said, “You should keep your disdainful attitude to yourself. If Xu Yang comes back and you act like this, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Li Ma shot him a glare and continued to unpack the items that Li Na had brought over.