Chapter 55: We Are Family, We Must Get Along

Early that morning.

Jiang Rou was especially busy.

She diverted the spiritual spring water from the space to the real world.

On one hand, she used it to irrigate the crops in the courtyard, hoping that the seeds she had planted in the past few days would grow quickly and well.

On the other hand, she connected the spiritual spring water stream to the home’s under-pressure water system.

Thus, from then on, the household would use spiritual spring water from the stream for drinking, cooking, and all other water needs.

Jiang Rou knew that once the spiritual spring water left the space, it no longer contained its Spiritual Power and would no longer have any magical effects.

However…

After all, it was something taken from the spiritual spring water space, so using it felt reassuring.

Besides that, Jiang Rou did not forget to prepare breakfast.

It was still millet porridge, boiled eggs, and large apples!

Jiang Rou peeled the bright red apples, cutting the flesh into pieces, and threw the apple cores into the chicken coop, thinking it would improve the chickens’ meals.

The white flesh of the apple was sliced, full of juice, and it gave off a rich fragrance.

The quality was excellent.

After finishing all of this…

Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua woke up.

Zhou Xiaochuan could not only dress himself and make his bed, but he had also taken great care of Zhou Xiaohua, leaving Jiang Rou with no worries.

Upon hearing the sounds from the room, Jiang Rou called out loudly: “Xiaochuan, Xiaohua, get up and wash your face and hands. Once you’re clean, you can eat.”

After their conversation yesterday, Zhou Xiaochuan still felt conflicted about Jiang Rou.

He knew that she treated him well and that they had their own secret, but he couldn’t completely accept her in his heart just yet.

The little wolf cub’s internal thorn could not be removed all at once.

It could only be healed little by little over time.

However, Zhou Xiaochuan had changed.

He no longer resisted Jiang Rou and would follow her instructions.

Zhou Xiaochuan took Zhou Xiaohua’s hand and went to the courtyard to wash up.

The used water was then poured onto the fields, not a drop wasted.

Jiang Rou watched the two little ones return, reaching out to touch Zhou Xiaochuan’s head and then Zhou Xiaohua’s cheek.

“Good kids! You washed up really well! From now on, you must wash your hands before eating, so you won’t get a stomach ache.”

Zhou Xiaochuan looked uncomfortable.

On the other hand, Zhou Xiaohua was very happy, actively rubbing her chubby little face against Jiang Rou’s palm.

She was so cute.

It almost melted Jiang Rou’s heart.

Who wouldn’t like a little girl like this?

Moreover, Zhou Xiaohua had delicate features, and when she grew up, she would definitely become a beautiful and graceful young woman.

While the three of them were eating breakfast, Zhou Xiaochuan noticed the apple slices. He took a bite, and the crisp texture and sweet juice burst out.

It was an apple!

He frowned and asked: “Where did you—mmmmm!”

Jiang Rou was prepared. Before Zhou Xiaochuan could finish his sentence, she quickly covered his mouth.

The little girl was easy to please; she was happy with whatever food there was and never asked too many questions.

But this little wolf cub, not only was he smart, but his sharp eyes noticed everything.

First the eggs, and now the apple—he always asked questions that Jiang Rou didn’t know how to answer.

She couldn’t just tell him that she had a spiritual spring water space where everything could be found, could she?

Telling the truth like that would make people think she was crazy.

“I picked it from the mountain. Kids shouldn’t ask so many questions. ‘Don’t talk while eating, don’t talk before sleeping,’ understand? You can’t talk when you’re eating. Xiaohua is such a good girl, so quiet and well-behaved. Here, have another piece of apple.”

Jiang Rou picked the biggest piece of apple and placed it in Zhou Xiaohua’s little bowl.

Zhou Xiaohua was so happy, her eyes sparkling, as if she could talk.

Jiang Rou took a piece for herself and stuffed it into her mouth, crunching happily, savoring the taste.

Was the little wolf cub worried that she had poisoned the apples?

Otherwise, why was he so cautious?

Well then, she would eat in front of him!

Seeing Jiang Rou puffing up her cheeks, Zhou Xiaochuan’s expression changed, gradually softening.

He no longer dwelled on where the apples came from and took a piece to eat himself.

It was crisp, sweet, and delicious!

While having breakfast, Jiang Rou also told the two children a few things.

“Xu Chunxiang… the woman who took care of you before, something happened in her family, and she no longer has time to take care of you. Now that I’m married to your Dad, I’m essentially your stepmother, so I’ll be the one taking care of you.”

“From now on, we’ll live together, eat together, sleep together, and be a family. You can tell me anything, as long as it’s not something that goes against the principles. I can help you with it.”

“Anyway, it’s simple: we’re a family now, and from here on out, we should get along well.”

Jiang Rou’s attitude towards the two children was loving and equal. She treated them as her children, but communicated with them more like friends.

Zhou Xiaohua was confused and couldn’t understand everything Jiang Rou said in that long speech.

She happily ate one piece of apple with her left hand, and another with her right hand.

Zhou Xiaochuan understood the meaning.

He looked up and asked: “Does that mean we don’t have to go to that woman’s house anymore?”

Jiang Rou nodded: “Yes, we won’t need to go there again. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I’ll be the one cooking for you. Don’t worry, I won’t let you go hungry.”

She wasn’t Xu Chunxiang, who had a habit of mistreating children.

Zhou Xiaochuan stopped drinking his porridge and paused for a moment.

His face was serious, thinking over the meaning of Jiang Rou’s words.

After a while, Zhou Xiaochuan nodded: “Okay.”

When Jiang Rou heard his answer, she sighed in relief inside.

Not resisting was a good start.

…

That day, after finishing the morning tasks, the Zhou family courtyard welcomed a guest.

The visitor was Lin Yulan.

Lin Yulan was not only the wife of team leader Liang Guangming but also someone Yang Hongping had cultivated, intending for her to take over the position of women’s director.

Lin Yulan came from a military family, and both her identity and background made her quite suitable for the role.

As a result, many matters in the courtyard, including social interactions, were organized by Lin Yulan.

When Lin Yulan entered the door, Jiang Rou had just finished washing Zhou Xiaohua’s hair.

The little girl had not been well taken care of before. Her body was dirty, and her head was even dirtier. Not only were her hair tangled, but she also had lice.

Jiang Rou had washed her hair once before, and today, with the good weather, she took the opportunity to wash it again.

Finally, the lice were no longer visible.

She took a dry towel and gently wiped Zhou Xiaohua’s hair.

Under the bright sunlight in the courtyard, Jiang Rou sat on a stool while Zhou Xiaohua leaned her head against Jiang Rou’s lap, creating a scene that looked like a mother and daughter.

When Lin Yulan entered and saw this, she paused for a moment. A strange expression flickered across her face, and she was momentarily stunned before regaining her composure.

She slowly smiled and spoke up.

“Sister Rou, are you drying Xiaohua’s hair?”