Chapter 92 : Urgent Knock on the Door

Su Xieqiu took An An to play in the front yard.

As the day wore on, she went to the kitchen to grab some vegetables and sat in the yard to prepare them while keeping an eye on the little girl.

A short while later, Han Zhenyu came over from the backyard and asked, “What are we having for lunch today?”

Su Xieqiu thought for a moment and replied, “Sister Fengqin gave me two pickled cabbages and a few tomatoes yesterday. We also have a small piece of meat left from two days ago. Let’s make dumplings. There’s still one salted fish you brought back last time. We can make salted fish stewed with tofu and some scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Let’s add two more vegetarian dishes. This is Comrade Gu’s first time visiting us, so we need to prepare a proper meal to entertain him.”

Han Zhenyu smiled and nodded. “Alright, I’ll go mix the dough for the dumplings first.”

“Make a bit more dough so we can roll the rest into noodles. Children get hungry quickly, so we can cook for them in the afternoon.”

“Got it.”

Han Zhenyu had experience managing household chores from his time living with his grandfather. During busy farming seasons, he would take care of cooking and cleaning with his cousins.

The couple worked efficiently, and by the time Gu Fangxun finished washing a large basin of clothes, the dumplings were already wrapped.

Han Zhenyu was stoking the fire, Su Xieqiu was busy cooking, and Chenchen was playing with An An in the yard.

From an outsider’s perspective, they might have looked like a happy family of four.

Watching them, Gu Fangxun felt immense gratitude for making this trip to Northeast China. Meeting Han Zhenyu and his wife was a stroke of luck.

Otherwise, if the two children had stayed with him, their future would have been uncertain.

When he saw the hearty meal on the table, he was so moved that he didn’t know what to say.

Han Zhenyu placed a large bowl of dumplings in front of him and said, “Comrade Gu, I didn’t have much time to prepare, so this is just a simple home-cooked meal. I hope it’s alright.”

Gu Fangxun smiled bitterly. “If anyone could complain about such a delicious meal, they’d deserve a scolding.”

He looked at the couple and said sincerely, “No words can truly express my gratitude. I hope I can repay your kindness someday.”

“Why bring that up again?” Han Zhenyu handed him chopsticks and smiled. “Eat up. After lunch, I’ll take you to the mountains. There’s plenty of wildlife there. Maybe we’ll catch a pheasant or a rabbit for a snack tonight.”

Hearing this, Gu Fangxun became excited and stopped being polite.

Just as he was about to bring An An over to feed her, he noticed that Su Xieqiu had already seated her on a small stool and was teaching her how to eat dumplings with a spoon.

She didn’t forget about Chenchen either and occasionally picked food for him.

Feeling deeply grateful, Gu Fangxun smiled, picked up his bowl, and started eating.

After days of exhausting travel, both he and the children were worn out. Now that they were finally settled, the two little ones became drowsy after lunch. Gu Fangxun accompanied them for a nap.

When it was time for work, the neighbors, the Sun family, had also left for the fields. Han Zhenyu decided to take Gu Fangxun to explore the nearby mountains.

Before they left, Su Xieqiu reminded them with concern, “There are only two of you. Don’t venture deep into the mountains. It’s dangerous.”

Han Zhenyu, hearing her repeated warnings, laughed. “Don’t worry. We’ll just walk around the edges and won’t go inside.”

As she watched them leave, Su Xieqiu sighed. With responsibilities weighing on them, life wasn’t as carefree as it used to be.

After closing the door, she went to the kitchen, scooped ashes from the stove, and scattered them on the green vegetables growing in the backyard.

Don’t underestimate wood ash, it’s incredibly useful. It can kill pests and also serve as fertilizer.  

Su Xieqiu remembered how her grandparents used to spread wood ash on their vegetable fields, resulting in robust, healthy plants.  

After scattering the ash over the backyard vegetables, she returned to the room. Seeing that the two children were soundly asleep, she entered her storage space to retrieve some cloth, intending to make two small quilts for them.  

Chenchen’s quilt was crafted from light gray brushed fabric, while An An’s had a small floral pattern. The fabric resembled what she had seen at the supply and marketing cooperative, though the texture was slightly different.  

Skilled with a sewing machine, Su Xieqiu first sewed the quilt covers. She then spread the cotton, flipped the covers, and secured them with needle and thread.  

This simple quilting method was one she had perfected just two days ago. Using this technique, she had already made two new quilts and had taken apart and washed the old ones that she and Han Zhenyu used.  

While she was sewing, An An woke up.  

The little girl let out a soft groan, which startled Chenchen awake. Without opening his eyes, he instinctively called out, “Sister, don’t cry. Brother is here.”  

Su Xieqiu paused and watched as Chenchen rubbed his eyes. She quickly got up, gently dressed An An, and smiled at Chenchen. Her heart softened as she touched his head and said, “Chenchen, are you awake too?”  

Realizing she was in the room, Chenchen quickly greeted her. “Hello, Aunt Su!”  

“Chenchen, let Auntie help An An get dressed. You can sleep a bit more if you’d like.”  

“Aunt Su, I don’t want to sleep anymore,” he replied.  

Without pressing him further, Su Xieqiu hurriedly carried An An outside to prevent her from wetting the bed. Chenchen followed and used the toilet in the backyard.  

When he returned and didn’t see his uncle, he asked anxiously, “Aunt Su, did my uncle and Uncle Han go to the mountains?”  

“Yes, they went up the mountain,” she replied with a smile. “Chenchen, stay here and look after your sister. Auntie will make some noodles for you.”  

“Auntie, we’re not hungry. Let’s eat in the evening,” Chenchen said thoughtfully. He understood the value of food and didn’t want to trouble her.  

Touched by his thoughtfulness, Su Xieqiu reassured him with a smile. “Chenchen, your uncle gave us money. It’s enough for you and An An to have plenty to eat and wear. Don’t be shy. Treat this place as your home. If you’re hungry, just let Auntie or Uncle Han know, we have enough food.”  

Hearing this, Chenchen lowered his head, and tears began to fall. After a moment, he whispered, “I understand. Thank you, Aunt Su.”  

“Alright, stop crying now,” she said with a warm smile, pulling him into a hug. “You’re the little man of our family now, so you can’t cry so easily.”  

Despite her words, Chenchen sobbed even harder in her embrace. Seeing her brother cry, An An also began to cry.  

Now, Su Xieqiu had to console both children. Once they calmed down, she washed their faces and made some egg noodles for them.  

After all that, she let out a heavy sigh.  

No wonder her colleagues often said they’d rather go to work than stay home caring for children, it was truly exhausting. She realized she had underestimated the challenges when she agreed to take care of the kids.  

As the siblings played happily in the yard, Su Xieqiu returned to the kitchen to prepare the broad beans she’d bought from Aunt Aihua the day before.  

She often bought vegetables from Aunt Qiuye’s private plot during her house construction and now frequently shopped at Aunt Aihua’s. When Han Zhenyu was home, they would pick a basket of food every couple of days to supplement their meals.  

While picking vegetables, Chenchen brought his sister over to help.  

Grateful for the help, she showed Chenchen how to remove the blossoms. Just as they were busy, an urgent knock sounded at the door.  

“Su Xieqiu, open the door,” a man’s low voice called from outside.