Chapter 25: Seventh Aunt, Can I Call You Big Sister?

Fu Wenjing looked at Wang Maoni and said: “Mother, Ruanruan and I also picked a lot of wild kiwifruit. They taste great and are good for the body. You should eat a couple first to fill your stomach.”

Hearing these words from Fu Wenjing, Wang Maoni felt deeply comforted.

Her youngest son was truly thoughtful—not only capable but also considerate. Whether eating or drinking, he always thought of her.

“You two should go wash your hands and face and take a rest. You’ve been busy in the mountains all afternoon—you must be exhausted.” Wang Maoni said with concern. “You don’t have to worry about the kitchen. Your third sister-in-law and Sanya can handle it.”

Sanya was Chen Chunlan’s daughter.

Chen Chunlan had two sons and a daughter. Her daughter was the youngest, and among all the girls in the Fu Family, she ranked third, so she was called Fu Sanya.

Sanya was ten years old this year.

In the era before Su Ruanruan’s transmigration, a girl of this age would still be a family’s treasured child. Even if she wasn’t spoiled like a little princess, she would at least be raised with care.

But in this time, in the production brigade, a girl of this age not only had to do laundry and cook but also had to gather pig grass, dig for wild vegetables, and collect firewood.

If she had younger brothers, she would also have to take on the responsibility of looking after them.

Su Ruanruan knew that this was the norm of this era.

Life was too harsh and difficult. Everyone had to contribute in some way to ensure the family could live properly.

Of course, there were exceptions.

There were cases like Su Chengtai, who was spoiled into complete uselessness.

However, in most cases, it was the boys in the family who were pampered like that. Girls rarely received such indulgence.

As soon as Wang Maoni finished speaking, Fu Sanya swiftly ran towards the kitchen. “Grandmother, I’ll go help my mother with the cooking! You should go inside and rest.”

Hearing this, Wang Maoni nodded in satisfaction, the smile on her face deepening.

She had never given birth to a daughter, and she was not someone who favored boys over girls. With so many grandchildren in the family, she had never particularly doted on any one of them.

As long as the children of the Fu Family were willing to study, they all had the opportunity to go to school.

If someone truly wasn’t suited for studying and didn’t want to continue, they would simply stay home and help with the household work.

Even those who went to school still had to assist with housework once they returned home.

No one was superior to anyone else. Everyone was the same—they ate the same food and did the same work.

It was precisely because of Wang Maoni’s attitude that she was able to keep her six sons and daughters-in-law in check, firmly holding her position as the head of the household.

After washing their hands and faces, Su Ruanruan and Fu Wenjing returned to their room.

As soon as they sat down at the table, Su Ruanruan whispered: “Mother is very impressive.”

Su Ruanruan felt that if she had transmigrated into Wang Maoni’s position, she would have simply divided the family and been done with it.

It wasn’t that she doubted her own abilities, but she wasn’t willing to spend the time and energy managing such a large household.

With so many people living together, the number of trivial matters each day would be overwhelming. Just thinking about handling all those petty disputes made her brain ache.

Fu Wenjing reached out and ruffled Su Ruanruan’s hair. “Mother is indeed impressive, but Ruanruan is also impressive. Everyone has their own strengths.”

Hearing this sudden yet subtle attempt at comfort, Su Ruanruan was momentarily puzzled.

Why was he saying this out of nowhere?

But when she met Fu Wenjing’s concerned gaze, she immediately understood his thoughts.

Fu Wenjing was worried about her, afraid that she would feel upset over Su Chengtai’s situation.

Su Ruanruan gave him a big, bright smile. “I know I’m impressive, and you’re impressive too!”

Fu Wenjing suddenly leaned in closer, his dark, ink-like eyes locking onto hers. The deep glimmer in his gaze seemed to pull Su Ruanruan in.

“Where does Ruanruan think I’m impressive?”

Su Ruanruan: “……”

She glanced outside—the sky was still bright.

“It’s not even dark yet! What nonsense are you talking about?”

As she spoke, she shot Fu Wenjing a playful glare.

Fu Wenjing, however, looked completely innocent. “I was just asking a question. How is that nonsense?”

Seeing his serious expression, Su Ruanruan began to doubt herself.

Had she overthought it? Did she misinterpret his words just now?

Just as she was second-guessing herself, she noticed the growing amusement on Fu Wenjing’s face.

At that moment, Su Ruanruan understood everything.

She had been right all along—Fu Wenjing meant exactly what she had thought.

Su Ruanruan rolled her eyes at him in exasperation and stood up abruptly. “You can stay here by yourself. I’m going outside to take a look.”

“Wife, what are you going to look at? I’ll come with you.”

As Fu Wenjing spoke, he stood up along with Su Ruanruan.

Su Ruanruan paid him no mind and walked straight out.

Compared to earlier, the sun had sunk a little lower, and its light had grown softer.

Since there was nowhere suitable to sit, Su Ruanruan simply grabbed a small stool and settled down.

Just as she sat, a crisp and childish voice reached her ears, mimicking the crow of a rooster.

Following the sound, Su Ruanruan spotted a five or six-year-old girl standing atop a large rock beside the chicken coop. In one hand, the girl held a worn-out clay pot, while the other gripped a pair of bamboo chopsticks.

After the past few days, Su Ruanruan had familiarized herself with everyone in the Su Family.

One glance was enough for her to recognize the little girl.

She was Fu Liuya, the youngest daughter of Sixth Brother Fu and Zhang Chunxia. At just five years old, she ranked sixth among the girls in the family.

Children in this era typically started school late, with many only beginning first grade at eight or nine years old. Since Fu Liuya was only five, she had yet to start school, but that didn’t mean she was idle. Every day, when her older brothers and sisters went out to gather wild vegetables and pig grass, she tagged along.

Su Ruanruan watched Fu Liuya curiously, puzzled about why she was imitating a rooster.

But soon, she understood.

Fu Liuya had called all the chickens over to her. Then, using her chopsticks, she picked up a plump green caterpillar from the clay pot and tossed it into the coop.

“Little chicks, little chicks, hurry and eat. When you grow up, I’ll eat you.”

Su Ruanruan: “……”

Children’s wishes were truly simple and straightforward!

Fu Liuya’s voice was soft and sweet, yet she spoke with utter sincerity, creating an amusing contrast.

She worked swiftly, feeding all the caterpillars to the chickens in no time. Then, she hopped down from the rock, her small figure bouncing with energy.

As soon as she turned around, her gaze met Su Ruanruan’s.

Fu Liuya blinked, then ran over to Su Ruanruan, tilting her head up as she looked at her. In a soft, sugary voice, she called out: “Seventh Aunt.”

“Hm? What is it, Liuya?”

“Seventh Aunt, can I call you Big Sister?”

Su Ruanruan felt the urge to laugh but held it in. “Why do you want to call me Big Sister?”

“Because Seventh Aunt, you look so young, just like Second Sister.”