Chapter 138

Li Yufeng and Su Xiaoxiao were still worried about Xiao Fantuan. If he really caught a cold, it wouldn’t show immediate symptoms; what if he developed a fever or caught a cold in the middle of the night? 

Li Yufeng thought for a moment and went to cook another batch of ginger soup. Fantuan had such a good appetite; after eating his fill, he almost burst his belly by downing a bowl of ginger soup.

Xiao Fantuan: “Grandma, I really don’t want to drink anymore. I’m really fine.”

Xiao Roubao heard this and rushed over, tugging at his big brother’s sleeve: “Gege, I drink~~”

Xiao Fantuan handed him the bowl, and Xiao Roubao, with his small hands, took a sip and immediately pushed it away. The spicy ginger soup wrinkled his little face into eighteen folds of soup-soaked dumplings. He spat out water bubbles continuously.

The funny sight made the whole family burst into laughter.

Su Xiaoxiao poured some warm water and handed it to him: “See if you still dare to stuff anything into your mouth in the future.”

Xiao Roubao was not afraid, he nodded and said, “I want to.”

‘I really can’t do anything about him.’

Yang Lin came at this time.

Su Weimin was surprised to see him come to their house. It was the first time in so many years that he stepped into their yard. “Is there something wrong for Xiao Yang to come so late?”

Yang Lin shook his head: “No, nothing. Just came to see Fantuan. By the way, my mother made some candied haws and asked me to bring them over for the kids to try.”

Su Weimin looked at Fantuan and Yang Lin and said, “See Fantuan?” When did you meet Fantuan?

Xiao Fantuan knew that neither his grandfather nor his second uncle knew about him going into the water. He jokingly accepted the candied haws from Yang Lin: “Wow, candied haws! Thank you, Teacher Xiao Yang.”

Xiao Roubao heard the word “Candy” and rushed over with his short legs, saying, “Gege, eat, eat~”
Dong Mingyue knew that there were many children in the Su family, so the servings were quite small, with only three pieces of fruit on each stick. Xiao Fantuan asked Xiao Roubao, “Do you want apples or oranges?” Actually, asking was futile, as Xiao Roubao was not picky about food.

Xiao Roubao reached out and grabbed a bunch for himself, stuffing it into his mouth without hesitation.

The other kids also came over, each grabbing a bunch. Amidst the distraction, Su Weimin forgot to ask Yang Lin why he had come to find Fantuan.

Yang Lin mainly wanted to see if Fantuan was okay. Seeing him bouncing around and in good spirits, he relaxed and said, “Then I’ll go back first. You guys take your time eating.”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Let me see you off.”

Li Yufeng chased after them with some things from home, casually closing the door behind her. “Xiao Yang, take this home to eat.”
Yang Lin waved his hands. “No need, Aunt Li. You’ve already given us enough.”

Li Yufeng handed it to him: “Don’t be so polite with me. By the way, let me remind you, that Liu Shuixian does have genuine feelings for you. Today, she even asked me to be a mediator. Of course, I refused. If you don’t feel the same way about her, just be cautious. I’m afraid she might get confused and act recklessly again.”

Yang Lin’s face turned pale as he shook his head and said, “Aunt Li, our family is strict and upright. There’s absolutely no improper relationship between me and her.”

Li Yufeng sighed. “I know your character, that’s why I asked you to be careful. In such matters, regardless of right or wrong, people tend to lean towards supporting the female comrade.”

Yang Lin nodded and said, “I know. Thank you, Aunt Li. Comrade Liu, is she okay?”

Although Yang Lin had no intention of being with Liu Shuixian, he still couldn’t shake off his concern for her well-being.

Li Yufeng nodded. “As long as she woke up in time, there’s no issue. After a fever and cold for a few days, she’ll be fine.”

Yang Lin nodded and said, “Anyway, thank you all today. I’ll go back first. Fortunately, Fantuan is okay. If anything had happened to Fantuan, I…”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, “It’s okay. Fantuan will be very happy to know that he helped his uncle in the future.”

Yang Lin subconsciously looked at Li Yufeng and asked, “Did you both already know?”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, “At home, only my mother and I know. Others are unaware. In any case, in the future, when facing difficulties, let’s discuss and handle them together. Don’t carry them on your own. If you want to find a partner, my mother can come forward and ask matchmaker Xu to introduce someone to you, but I think your return to the city is not far away. It would save unnecessary trouble if you look for someone in the city.”

Yang Lin shook his head like a tambourine, waved his hand vigorously, and said. “No, no, I won’t be looking for anyone in the future.”

After this incident, he was genuinely scared. Just when he started to develop some interest in a female comrade, he caused such commotion.

Su Xiaoxiao said, “There’s no need to be afraid forever. There are still many good girls. As long as you sincerely want to find someone, you can still meet someone suitable.”

Yang Lin continued to shake his head. “Let’s talk about this later.” Anyway, he was afraid.

Yang Lin bowed to Li Yufeng, “Aunt Li, on behalf of our family, thank you all. Meeting your family is our good fortune; you’re also a blessing for Fantuan and DoubBao.”

Li Yufeng stepped aside a bit and said, “Xiao Yang, you really… What are you doing? Anyone would have helped in this situation. You don’t need to be so polite.”

Yang Lin took a deep breath and said, “Anyway, if you need my help, just let me know. I’ll go back first.”

Li Yufeng nodded. “Go ahead.”

Su Xiaoxiao added, “Brother Yang, you really don’t need to have any psychological burden. These are all common things. In any case, if you need anything, just come and tell us.”

Yang Lin turned around and said, “Thank you.”

After Yang Lin walked away, Li Yufeng said, “What a good kid. Why can’t he find a suitable partner?”

Su Xiaoxiao took Li Yufeng’s hand and said, “Mom, if there really is a suitable girl, you can introduce one to him.”

Li Yufeng shook her head and said, “You think everyone is like that? You don’t get married until you’re in your twenties. Even a young girl of eighteen or twenty doesn’t have much to talk about with him. Everyone has their own fate. If you can meet Han Cheng, he can surely find someone suitable for himself. It’s just a matter of time.”

A gust of wind came over, and Su Xiaoxiao trembled with a cold breeze. “My mother is still the wisest. Let’s hurry inside, it’s so cold.”

Li Yufeng hugged her daughter a bit tighter and lifted her collar. “Why don’t you use the scarf I knitted?”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “I’ll take it out tomorrow and wash off the camphor smell before using it.”

Li Yufeng tapped her daughter’s head and said, “I just washed it not long ago, you love cleanliness too much.”

Su Xiaoxiao rubbed against her mom, “I’m your daughter, I learned it from you.”

Li Yufeng looked at her angrily and said, “You…”

In the span of a brief conversation, Xiao Roubao had already polished off a stick of candied haws and was now chasing after his older brothers for more. His mother had warned against letting Xiao Roubao consume too much sugar, so he hesitated to give him more.

When Su Xiaoxiao entered, she immediately lifted the little meatball that was chasing after sweets and said, “No more today. Let’s go brush our teeth with Mom.”

Xiao Roubao was obedient to his mother. He hugged her neck and nuzzled, “Good.”

Su Xiaoxiao walked out, holding the little one, and said, “Even if it tastes good, you can’t have more. Otherwise, you’ll be forbidden from having sweets for a week.”

Xiao Roubao listens to his mother the most. Although he still wants to eat, he can only pout and brush his teeth with his mother.

Xiao Fantuan was in good health, and after the night passed, he was still the happy and lively Xiao Fantuan. It was only then that Li Yufeng and Su Xiaoxiao completely relaxed.

Li Yufeng, decisive as ever, to prevent villagers from coming to their house, took one of the twins each in her arms the next day and brought them to the production team office for everyone to “visit.” Upon receiving the news, the members of the community rushed to the office to “view” the twins, and finally, their home became quiet.

Coincidentally, when Liu Shuixian fell into the water yesterday, it was precisely during the time when every household was busy cooking. In this small mountain village where everyone knew if a hen laid a double-yolk egg, such explosive news surprisingly didn’t spread.

Two days later, Liu Shuixian returned the clothes. Judging by her expression, it seemed as if nothing had happened. She appeared calm, revealing no thoughts about the incident. Of course, she didn’t bring up the matter of asking Li Yufeng to help her plead.

Su Xiaoxiao, however, noticed a hint of desolation in her demeanor. At least, the arrogance she once displayed seemed to have disappeared.

Su Xiaoxiao tentatively asked, “Do you like reading? I have some books I can lend you to read.”

Liu Shuixian was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head and said, “I haven’t read a book in many years. I’m not like you, and I don’t like reading. Carrying those book bags was just to please Yang Lin.”

Su Xiaoxiao actually thought about reminding her to pick up her books again and continue her studies. When the college entrance examination resumes, she can take it. Even getting into a vocational college or technical school would be a viable option. However, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t recall if there were age restrictions. In her previous life, she had come across an article mentioning that the conditions for the college entrance exam in the years 1977 and 1978 had been relaxed considerably. This applied to candidates affected by the suspension of the college entrance exam policy from 1966 to 1976. As long as there were no background issues and they passed the political review, they could participate in the college entrance exam. However, those who graduated from high school before 1966 did not seem to fall within this range, as they were not affected by the policy.

Su Xiaoxiao was uncertain if she remembered correctly. Liu Shuixian was several years older than her and had already taken the college entrance exam without being affected by the policy. Moreover, convincing someone who had put down books for over a decade to pick up textbooks again and learn all the knowledge within a year or two was not an easy task.

Furthermore, she had no evidence, and suddenly bringing up this matter might make others think she was crazy.

After careful consideration, Su Xiaoxiao stopped herself from mentioning it.

……….

In the blink of an eye, it’s already the 25th of the lunar new year, and a few cubs have adapted well to life in Sujia Village. 

Besides spending some time on writing, drawing, and homework, they spent the rest of their days playing around. This year had a mild winter, and with the children a year older, both Da Bao and Xiao Bao were half-grown and very familiar with every corner of the village. Li Yufeng didn’t restrict their outdoor activities much, as long as they came back before dinner.

The three older cubs ran around outside every day, leaving only the obedient Xiao Doubao at home to help take care of his younger siblings. When Su Xiaoxiao asked him why he didn’t go out to play with his brothers, Xiao Doubao simply said that it’s more fun playing with his younger siblings, so Su Xiaoxiao didn’t press the matter further.