Chapter 29: Continuing the Family Line

Wang Huimin quickly put on her clothes, did her hair, came out to wash her face and brush her teeth, then started making breakfast. Her face beamed with joy, and even the corners of Song Jianjun’s lips couldn’t help but curl up slightly. Seeing that he couldn’t help in the kitchen, he took the dirty laundry Wang Huimin had gathered yesterday and went out to the yard to wash it.

Hearing the noise, the boys in the side room also woke up. Song Fu came out and saw his third uncle doing laundry while Wang Huimin was making breakfast in the kitchen. He started to feel uneasy. Was this girl really that tough? After being ‘tormented’ all night by a man like his third uncle, she still got up early to cook breakfast like nothing had happened. She looked perfectly fine—walking and moving around as if nothing had happened. Could she just be forcing herself to hold it together?

Their married life was none of his business, but he had to think about his third uncle. The man had only just gotten married at his age. He couldn’t let the girl push herself too hard doing everything, or if her health took a hit, life would be even harder for his uncle down the line. And seeing how his third uncle didn’t even lift a finger while the girl cooked, it really did look inconsiderate—though that was just like his third uncle’s personality.

Many years later, when Song Fu looked back on his thoughts that morning, he wished he could slap himself—hard. He’d been completely blind, inside and out, to think that his third uncle wasn’t being considerate of his wife.

But for now, Song Fu walked over to Song Jianjun, glanced into the kitchen, and quietly said, “Uncle, let me do the laundry. You should go help in the kitchen so the girl doesn’t overwork herself. In the end, it’s you who will have to take care of her if she breaks down.”

Song Jianjun didn’t quite understand. It’s just cooking—how could it tire her out so much? Seeing that his uncle didn’t get it—or was pretending not to—Song Fu had to lower his voice even more and say,
“Uncle, there’s no outsiders here, you don’t have to be shy. That girl is your wife now. It’s not shameful to be close to her.”

“She was crying so miserably last night. Who knows how hard you went on her. And now you’re letting her get up early and cook? I’m worried you’ll wreck her health. Then how will she give the Song family an heir later?”

Song Jianjun’s face immediately changed color at that. Just then, Wang Huimin came out with a basin of water to dump out. She caught a glimpse of the uncle and nephew whispering to each other, and Song Jianjun’s face turning red and white in turns. She looked at them a little more closely.

“You two clean up. Breakfast will be ready soon,” she said, turning and going back inside with the empty basin.

After she left, Song Jianjun’s face was red with embarrassment. He glared at Song Fu and said in a low voice,
“Stop jumping to conclusions. It’s not like you think. I’ll finish the laundry—don’t worry about it. Go call Xiaolong and Xiaoxue for breakfast, and don’t say stuff like this again. What if someone hears? It wouldn’t look good!”

Chastised by his uncle, Song Fu didn’t argue back, but rubbed his nose awkwardly. He still thought he wasn’t wrong. He was only concerned about his uncle; it wasn’t like he still had any interest in that girl. So why was Third Uncle so angry?

Could it be that the girl was just too delicate and couldn’t handle much, so Uncle didn’t get to enjoy himself fully last night? That’s why he’s frustrated? The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Maybe he should keep his distance for now. Once the honeymoon phase passed and Uncle worked off that built-up “energy” on the girl, he’d probably return to his usual self.

Wang Huimin, meanwhile, had no clue about any of this. For breakfast, she made cornmeal and millet porridge, along with the leftover sorghum rice and potato chunks from the previous day. It was just barely enough to go around.

But the food was bland and lacked any fat or oil—fine for adults, but not ideal for growing kids. After a moment of hesitation, she took the three eggs she’d found in the chicken coop that morning and made a big bowl of steamed egg custard. The three adults ate less so the two kids could have most of it.

Seeing such a hearty breakfast, Song Xiaoxue’s eyes lit up with joy.
“Third Aunt, you’re so nice! The egg custard smells amazing. I haven’t had it in so long!”

Even Song Xiaolong chimed in while eating, “Thank you, Third Aunt.”

Watching the two kids eat happily, Song Jianjun didn’t say anything. But Song Fu couldn’t stand Wang Huimin’s “extravagance” and immediately complained,
“We’re already tight on money. The eggs the chickens lay should be saved to sell, so we can pay tuition for Xiaolong and Xiaoxue. If you feed them like this, what are we supposed to sell later?”

He wasn’t trying to pick on her—he was just stating the facts.

Since Song Fu wasn’t deliberately targeting her, Wang Huimin let it slide out of respect for Song Jianjun.
“It’s just a few eggs—doesn’t make a difference. Xiaolong and Xiaoxue are still growing. They can’t eat too poorly.”

“Their tuition will be covered by me and your third uncle. You don’t need to worry. Just eat your breakfast.”

When it looked like Song Fu was about to retort, Song Jianjun shot him a look and said,
“What’s done is done. Xiaomin has a point. Xiaolong and Xiaoxue are growing and need proper nutrition.”

That one look was enough to shut Song Fu up, though he still thought Wang Huimin was being wasteful. The two kids ate quietly, not daring to speak again.

Then Wang Huimin looked over at Song Jianjun and asked softly, with a trace of hurt in her voice,
“Uncle Song, do you also think I’m being wasteful?”