Chapter 244: Taking Xiao Mo Up the Mountain

When Lu Xiaotang and Xiao Mo returned from the mountain, it was still not yet four o’clock.

With Xiao Mo in tow, he didn’t dare venture deep into the mountains and instead caught a few rabbits and wild chickens on the outskirts.

Xiao Mo felt a bit unhappy. The day before, his brother-in-law and second brother had gone into the mountains and brought back so many wild chickens, rabbits, and even two wild goats.

Following his brother-in-law up the mountain, he had only managed to catch some wild chickens and rabbits. Sigh, he was still too young.

Xu Ning had already walked several laps along the main road with the triplets, trying her best to keep them entertained. But Niu Niu and Pi Pi, full of energy and excitement, kept tugging at her hands, trying to steer her toward the mountain.

“Mom, let’s go up the mountain!” Pi Pi urged, pulling harder, while Niu Niu chimed in with a determined, “Yeah, we want to find meat too!”

Just as Xu Ning began to grow impatient and contemplated giving the two boys a beating, Lu Xiaotang and Xiao Mo came down from the mountain.

The moment Niu Niu and Pi Pi spotted their father and uncle, they let go of their mother’s hands and dashed toward them, their faces lighting up with joy.

“Dad! Uncle!” the boys shouted in unison, racing across the dirt path. They each threw their arms around one of them, squeezing them tightly in warm, excited hugs.

Pi Pi, as bold as ever, grabbed his Uncle Mo by the face with both hands, pulling at his cheeks playfully. “Uncle, did you bring back any meat?” he asked with wide eyes, his voice filled with anticipation. “I want to eat meat tonight!”

Xiao Mo grinned proudly, enjoying the attention. He ruffled Pi Pi’s hair affectionately and replied with a confident smile, “Of course I did! Tonight, you can have all the meat you want. We brought back plenty!”

Satisfied with his uncle’s answer, Pi Pi let out a delighted giggle, but Niu Niu had his own agenda. Sensing an opportunity, he tugged on his father’s sleeve, his voice earnest as he made a request. “Dad, can you take me with you next time you go up the mountain?”

Lu Xiaotang pinched his son’s cheek and smiled. “Sure, when Niu Niu and Pi Pi grow up, I’ll take you both up the mountain to play.”

“What about Tang Tang?” The little girl noticed her father hadn’t mentioned her and quickly raised her hand in protest.

Lu Xiaotang, instantly aware of his oversight, chuckled softly. With a gentle smile, he reached down and scooped her up into his arms. “Right, I also have my daughter. I’ll take all of you along when the time comes.”

After dinner, Lu Xiaotang was washing the dishes in the kitchen while Xiao An went to study with Jianmin and Da Lin.

Xiao Mo was trying to get the triplets to sleep on the kang.

The three little ones had napped too long in the afternoon, and now they were full of energy, showing no signs of wanting to sleep at all.

Lu Xiaotang sighed. Once they reached the capital, he planned to have them sleep separately, all moved to the front courtyard, while he and his wife would sleep in the back.

Xu Ning was washing her face when she heard his sigh and playfully asked, “What’s wrong? Why the sudden sigh?”

“Wife, I have to go back to the army the day after tomorrow.”

After hearing his words, Xu Ning walked over and hugged him. “Aren’t you about to be transferred back to the capital soon? I’ll go with the kids to join you there.”

Lu Xiaotang held her tightly and kissed her forehead. Just as he was about to lean down for another kiss, Xu Ning pushed him away.

“What are you doing? If Xiao An or Xiao Mo sees us, it would be so embarrassing!”

Lu Xiaotang cleared his throat, realizing he had been a bit reckless. He whispered in Xu Ning’s ear, “Wife, I checked yesterday, and we still have ten condoms. Let’s use five tonight and the other five tomorrow. How does that sound?”

Xu Ning’s face flushed as she shot him a glare.

This guy was really something, even counting how many there were. It seemed he wouldn’t rest until they used them all before he left. The thought of his audacity made her cheeks turn even redder.

She gave him a hard pinch on the waist before heading back into the house.

Tang Tang was hugging Xiao Mo’s neck, lying on his back as he pretended to be a horse, bouncing her up and down. She giggled with delight, completely absorbed in the game.

Niu Niu and Pi Pi sat nearby, feeling quite envious. There was nothing they could do; they only had one uncle, so they had to give in to their little sister.

When Pi Pi saw their mother come in, his face lit up with excitement as an idea popped into his head. “Mom, come ride the horse!” he exclaimed, hoping she’d join in the fun.

What he meant, of course, was for her to lie down and let them ride on her back like they did with their uncle.

Xu Ning couldn’t help but laugh softly at the request. “Mom has things to do,” she said, smiling at Pi Pi’s innocent suggestion. “Call your dad and have him be your horse instead.”

With that, she patted Pi Pi’s head and picked up a book from the kang cabinet before heading into Xiao An’s room, leaving the boys to their antics. Behind her, she could hear the twins, now emboldened by her suggestion, start to howl loudly, “Dad, come be our horse!” Their playful demands echoed through the house as the evening rolled on.

By the time the rowdy children were finally calmed down and settled, it was already past nine o’clock. Xiao Mo, who had spent the entire afternoon trekking up and down the mountain, was feeling completely worn out. All that running around with the triplets had drained him.

He trudged over to Xu Ning, stifling a yawn, and said, “Sister, I’m going to bed now. You should get some rest too. You can go back to your room.”

Before she could reply, he added, “I’ve already locked the front door. Second Brother isn’t coming back tonight—he’s staying over at Jianmin’s place, so there’s no need to leave the door unlocked for him.”

With a final yawn, Xiao Mo lay down on the bed, pulling the blanket over himself, his body eager for sleep. Xu Ning walked over to him, tucking the blanket snugly around him. She blew out the candle, casting the room into darkness, and quietly left, closing the door behind her as Xiao Mo quickly drifted off to sleep.

Lu Xiaotang adjusted the three children, who were sleeping in disarray, before taking out the nearly empty cloth bag from the kang cabinet.

Xu Ning watched as he pulled out five condoms and placed them under the pillow.

With a speechless expression, she asked, “Do you really have to use them all? Can’t you save a few for the next time you come back?”

Lu Xiaotang replied seriously, “There’s no need to be stingy. When I go back, I’ll buy them from the hospital every month. Don’t worry; there will definitely be some for next time.”

Xu Ning…

Hearing him say that made it sound like she was worried there wouldn’t be any left for next time. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

Lu Xiaotang held back his laughter as he lifted his wife and set her down at the foot of the kang, placing some distance between her and the three kids. Knowing she was shy, he kindly blew out the candle first.