Before Deputy Lieutenant Li’s wife could grasp Er Bao’s words,

Yi Bao continued, “My dad said that my mom already works hard cooking and preparing meals at home, so household chores should be done by us boys. Auntie, if you need help cleaning, I can ask the other kids to help too. My mom doesn’t know how to clean. When we were young, grandma used to clean the house, and now that we’re with the army, my dad and us boys clean the house together.”

Yi Bao spoke the truth.

Back in their hometown, not only the household chores but even their upbringing was taken care of by their grandmother.

However, Yi Bao didn’t resent his mom.

At that time, his mom was ill, but now she treats them so well, she’s the best mom.

Deputy Lieutenant Li’s wife hadn’t reacted yet, or perhaps she was stunned by Yi Bao and Er Bao’s words.

This sister-in-law didn’t do household chores at her in-laws’, then when she followed her husband to the military, both the men and the children did the household chores.

That’s… truly exemplary for women.

Deputy Lieutenant Li’s wife was called Wang Yuhong.

She had many siblings, both sisters and brothers, and her family also favored boys over girls.

However, among her sisters, she was the most fortunate.

Her brothers, who were pampered by their parents, treated her well too.

She was clever in this regard.

From a young age, she knew that being a bit gentler and sweeter could evoke men’s protective instincts, regardless of their identity, whether they were brothers, partners, or elders.

So she grew up in such an environment.

However, even though she grew up in such an environment, she had never experienced days where she didn’t do household chores at her in-laws’ or in the military with her husband.

For a moment, she felt particularly envious of Ning Shu’s life.

Wang Yuhong didn’t doubt the words of these two children.

Looking at Ning Shu’s fair complexion and smooth skin on her face and hands, she could tell that she must be leading a good life.

When she first arrived, the men in the house were digging holes while she rested.

Now, the children were digging holes while she rested.

This was enough evidence to judge the truthfulness of the children’s words.

Seeing that Auntie still hadn’t spoken, Yi Bao thought she was being silly, so he asked again, “Auntie, do you want me to call the other kids to help with cleaning?”

Wang Yuhong snapped out of her thoughts.

She glanced at Ning Shu.

Of course, she hoped that Ning Shu, as the adult, would help.

But since the children had already spoken, if she insisted on calling Ning Shu, wouldn’t that invite gossip?

Wang Yuhong wanted to maintain an image of being gentle, kind, and in need of protection.

She couldn’t afford to let people gossip about her.

“You little boys are so well-behaved, so obedient. But Auntie is an adult, how can I let you children clean?” Wang Yuhong spoke gently and softly.

She didn’t really mind if the children wanted to help.

She just needed someone to clean, and she didn’t care who did it.

But since they were children, she had to speak nicely.

Based on her past experience, praising these kids a bit would satisfy them, and they would happily come to help her.

So she said this now just to make the children more willing to help her clean.

At this moment, San Bao spoke softly, “Auntie, it’s okay. We kids also help each other. We’ll help Auntie clean, and Auntie can help us in return. That way, Auntie won’t feel embarrassed or troubled.”

Yi Bao glanced at San Bao.

He used to worry about San Bao’s foolishness, but now he felt reassured.

He and San Bao were smart enough. Even if Er Bao was foolish, together with San Bao, they could handle it.

San Bao gave his older brother a smile.

The brothers’ eye contact conveyed a mutual understanding, something only they understood.

Their simple-minded brother didn’t get it, and even their mother didn’t understand.

However, Ning Shu was pleased to hear San Bao’s words.

Pregnancy couldn’t prevent one from cleaning.

What nonsense.

She had already seen through this comrade.

Originally, she wanted to refuse, but since the three brothers wanted to help, she didn’t say anything.

But hearing San Bao’s words, why did she feel like her youngest son was a bit sly?

Huh?

Wang Yuhong felt a bit dizzy.

Why did these children’s words confuse her so much?

The children she had encountered before weren’t like this.

In the past, as long as she showed a hint of needing help in a gentle and weak manner, the children would happily come to help.

They wouldn’t talk so much.

This child was talking about helping each other so she wouldn’t be troubled.

But she wasn’t troubled in the first place.

However, she didn’t dwell on it. What kind of help could children need?

Perhaps this child was just being considerate and comforting her.

So she went along with San Bao’s words, “You’re right, little one. You can help Auntie clean, and if you need anything later, just come find Auntie.”

San Bao nodded. “Okay.”

Yi Bao asked, “Auntie, should I go find other kids to help too?”

Wang Yuhong thought for a moment.

More people meant cleaning faster, so she said, “Sure, go ahead.”

Without saying a word, Yi Bao ran out.

Wang Yuhong smiled at Ning Shu. “Sister-in-law, your children are really well-behaved.”

You shouldn’t hit someone when they’re smiling.

Besides, regardless of the other person’s personality, Ning Shu was happy to hear praise for her children.

She was just an ordinary person who liked hearing compliments and praise for her children. “Yes, they’ve always been well-behaved since they were young.”

She had a modest spirit, but in reality, she wouldn’t be modest.

Her three children were the best-behaved.

Hearing their mother admit that they were well-behaved, Er Bao and San Bao were delighted.

Wang Yuhong didn’t know what to say.

Generally, when someone says your children are well-behaved, shouldn’t you modestly say they can be naughty sometimes?

“They are indeed well-behaved… Sister-in-law, you look so young, I couldn’t tell that your children are this old.”

Privately, Wang Yuhong summed up Ning Shu in her mind.

Either she wasn’t easily fooled or she had a straightforward personality.

But based on her years of experience in observing people, she felt Ning Shu wasn’t easy to get along with and wouldn’t take advantage of others.

She needed to be careful in the future.

Ning Shu smiled. “A broad mind and a plump body make one look naturally younger.”

Although she was only seventeen when she had her children, which was indeed young, it was a common age to have children in those days.

Maintaining a good mental state was more important than having children early. Women who worried too much aged faster.

Wang Yuhong agreed, “Sister-in-law, you make a good point. But it’s also important who you marry.” She sighed. “Unlike me, Sister-in-law, I’m not as lucky… Sigh…”

She didn’t continue.

Ning Shu raised an eyebrow.

She couldn’t see where this lady had any bad luck.

She looked much more spirited than most women, with delicate features and a plump figure.

Though her skin wasn’t fair, it was normal for someone of East Asian descent.

People with bad luck shouldn’t live as she was now.

They should be like she was before she went to the countryside.

However, while Ning Shu enjoyed gossip, she wouldn’t gossip with someone she had just met.

She said, “As long as things are good now.”

Wang Yuhong: “…”

Meanwhile, Yi Bao was calling for his friends.

“Cheng Yingyong… Cheng Yingyong…” Yi Bao shouted loudly at Cheng’s house.

“I’m here.” Cheng Yingyong was taking a nap at home.

It was scorching hot, and his mother didn’t allow him to go out to play before 2 p.m.

These days, several kids in the residential area had suffered heatstroke, so his mother was keeping a close eye on him. “Yi Bao, what’s up?”

After two and a half years of being classmates, people around them had learned to distinguish between the twins, but only when they were talking.

If Yi Bao and Er Bao wore the same clothes and kept quiet, no one could tell them apart.

But as soon as they spoke, they could be distinguished.

It was just that Yi Bao’s speech had a certain style to it.

Yi Bao said, “A new auntie moved in next door. Her husband got injured on duty and is in the hospital. She’s pregnant and just arrived. There’s no one at home to do the housework, so she asked us to help clean. She promised to help us next time. Are you coming?”

Of course, Cheng Yingyong wanted to go, but he was going to play, so he went inside to ask his mother.

His mother naturally wouldn’t refuse to help a comrade’s family, so she let her son go.

Cheng Yingyong followed Yi Bao out and asked, “Yi Bao, do we need the auntie’s help with something?” He couldn’t think of anything he needed help with.

Yi Bao grinned, “My mom just came back from our hometown today and brought back a lot of sugarcane. She said once the sugarcane starts sprouting in the ground, we can plant it. When we plant the sugarcane, we’ll ask the auntie to help us so we can plant faster.”

If Ning Shu knew Yi Bao was thinking like this, she’d have to praise him: “My Yi Bao is amazing.”

Hearing Yi Bao’s explanation, Cheng Yingyong thought it was a good idea.

They were used to trading snacks for help among themselves, so Yi Bao’s idea seemed fine.

But he asked, “Yi Bao, what’s sugarcane?”

“It’s long and green, like cornstalks, but sweeter than cornstalks. It’s as sweet as sugar water, but tastier than sugar water.” Yi Bao gestured as he spoke. “You can come to my house later and see.”

As they spoke, the two of them went to call He Jiaxing and Yang Wenjie.

Meanwhile, Ning Shu watched Wang Yuhong standing at the doorway, so she politely invited her, “Would you like to come inside and sit for a while?”

Wang Yuhong replied, “No need, sister-in-law, I’m fine standing here.”

Hearing her response, Ning Shu didn’t insist any further.

Wang Yuhong stood there for a while, and several minutes passed before Yi Bao returned with some children.

Yi Bao brought three children with him.

When he saw Wang Yuhong still standing at their doorstep, his mother sitting under the eaves, his brother digging a hole, and his younger brother fanning the wind beside him, he said, “Auntie, I’m back. These are my friends who came to help too.”

Seeing Yi Bao finally back, Wang Yuhong felt relieved.

She had been waiting here because she was afraid if she went home and left the kids unattended, they might forget about this task.

What would happen to the cleanliness of their home then?

“Thank you so much. I’ll head home first and wait for you next door,” Wang Yuhong said, exhausted from standing.

She had been standing here for quite some time.

Although Ning Shu had initially asked her to sit, she had politely declined, so Ning Shu didn’t insist any further.

“We’ll be there soon,” Yi Bao said enthusiastically.

Seeing Yi Bao return with his friends, Er Bao stopped digging the hole.

He said, “Let’s go clean the house next door.”

So the three brothers along with their three friends went next door.

When Wang Yuhong saw them coming, she said, “Kids, the water is in the kitchen. Start cleaning the rooms first. You need to wipe the floors and beds.” Luckily, there were beds, tables, chairs, and cabinets here.

This furniture was left behind by the previous occupants.

The man from that household was transferred elsewhere, so they couldn’t take these furnishings with them and had to leave them behind.

Wang Yuhong asked them to clean the rooms first; she planned to take a nap first. She was quite tired from the train journey.

“Okay,” a few children replied, then Er Bao asked, “Auntie, where are the cleaning cloths?”

Cleaning cloths?

Wang Yuhong gave a gentle smile, “I’m sorry about that. Since your uncle isn’t here, and I’ve just arrived, we don’t have cleaning cloths here yet. Can you go back home and get some?”

“Alright, I’ll go get them,” Er Bao turned and ran back home.

Ning Shu had already gone to her room for a nap, and the new electric fan in the house was now running.

Da Mao and Tie Dan were lying beside her bed.

Not only was she feeling hot, but Da Mao and Tie Dan, covered in fur, were also feeling hot.

Since they got the electric fan, during the summer, they didn’t like going out with the three brothers except in the early morning and at night.

After all, being covered in fur made them feel even hotter.

Hearing someone coming in from outside, she shouted, “Who’s there?”

Da Mao and Tie Dan also opened their eyes, then closed them again.

They already knew it was Er Bao.

“Mom, it’s me,” Er Bao replied loudly, “Mom, Auntie next door doesn’t have any cleaning cloths, so I came to get some.”

Upon hearing this, Ning Shu suddenly had an idea, “Bring the wooden ladle we use for rinsing as well. You shouldn’t wash the cleaning cloths in the water bucket; instead, use the ladle to squeeze out the water and then wipe with the cloth, understand?”

“I got it,” Er Bao responded.

There were five cleaning cloths in the house, one each for Lin Guodong, the three brothers, and Haicai.

Er Bao took the cloths and the ladle and went next door.

As soon as he arrived next door, he said, “Bro, we only have five cleaning cloths, not enough for everyone. Mom also said we shouldn’t wash the cloths in the water bucket; we should use the ladle to squeeze out the water and then wipe with the cloth.”

Yi Bao had an idea when he heard this, “We’ll each take turns with one cloth, and the San Bao will use the ladle to rinse them for us.”

This group always followed Yi Bao’s lead, so when he said this, everyone naturally agreed.

So the three brothers rinsed the cloths for them, and once the cloths were damp, they went to clean the floors and beds in the rooms.