Chapter 17: Definitely Worth It

Cheng Hongying huffed angrily. “You really think you’re living the high life now, huh? Spending money to hire someone to look after your kids—do you even know how much that costs?”

“My mother-in-law’s whereabouts are unknown, and I can’t possibly take care of two babies by myself.”

“Still, you shouldn’t be hiring anyone! What if people find out? They’ll label you reckless. You should’ve at least told me—you could’ve asked me to help. I would’ve come to take care of the kids, and it wouldn’t cost a penny!”

Qiu Yinuo cleared her throat. “Well, I hadn’t remembered you all yet at that point.”

“Well, now you do. And now I’m here too. So fire that girl and come back to the village with me. I’ll look after the kids for you. Isn’t that way more affordable than staying in the city?”

Seeing her frown, Cheng Hongying suddenly remembered the real reason she came. She smacked her forehead. “Look at me, been here this long and forgot to tell you the serious matter. Your father passed away not long ago. After I handled the funeral, I came to find you. Now I’m the head of the household. Don’t be afraid—just bring the kids back and live at home.”

Qiu Yinuo reacted indifferently to the original owner’s father’s passing. “Congratulations on escaping that hellhole, Comrade Cheng Hongying.”

“Watch your mouth! What kind of daughter talks like that? He was still your father! Even if you’re not sad, don’t show it. If the villagers catch wind of this, they’ll gossip behind your back.”

“I don’t care what they say. He treated me like dirt—I’m not acknowledging him.”

Cheng Hongying sighed. “It’s fine to say that to me, but don’t say it in front of your grandparents when we get back.”

Qiu Yinuo pouted. “I’m not going back. I’m fine here. Why would I go back?”

“You’re so stubborn! Wouldn’t it be better if someone helped you take care of the kids?”

“No, it wouldn’t. For all I know, you’re just trying to trick me into going back and making me your precious son’s servant.”

“Watch your damn mouth! You ungrateful brat.” Cheng Hongying narrowed her eyes. “You’re not actually amnesiac, are you?”

“Of course I am! Who jokes about something like that? I just remembered a few things when I gave birth, but it’s still incomplete.”

“You’d better be telling the truth. If I find out you deliberately didn’t contact me, I swear I’ll skin you alive.”

“We live in a civilized society now. That kind of drama is outdated.”

Cheng Hongying frowned. “You talk in ways I can’t even understand anymore. Whatever, I brought some mushrooms from back home. I’ll make you some soup. You need to drink plenty while breastfeeding to produce enough milk. That girl looking after you—she hasn’t even had kids of her own. What does she know about taking care of others?”

Even now, Cheng Hongying was still trying to convince her daughter to stop spending money on hiring help.

As if Qiu Yinuo would listen. “Qingqing’s doing a good job. The babies really like her too.”

“My grandsons are only two months old! What do they know?”

“If you keep nagging, your grandsons are going to go hungry—and I haven’t even had the soup to produce more milk yet.”

Fuming, Cheng Hongying stormed out of the room. She glanced into the other room and saw He Ziqing rocking the babies to sleep. The young girl’s clear, bright eyes looked back at her, and Cheng Hongying suddenly felt a little awkward. She wasn’t sure how much the girl had heard of her ranting.

Uncomfortably, she headed for the kitchen. Meanwhile, He Ziqing, holding both babies, returned to Qiu Yinuo’s room.

“Sister Yinuo…”

Seeing the girl looking uneasy, full of worry in her eyes, Qiu Yinuo guessed she must’ve heard what her mother had said just now.

“Don’t worry, I won’t dismiss you. There’ll be farm work to do next year—she won’t have time to help me watch the kids anyway.”

Only then did He Ziqing let out a sigh of relief. “Sister Yinuo, I’ll take good care of Dabao and Erbao. I’ll eat less and work more—I’ll definitely be worth the money.”

She had finally found a job that included food and lodging; she didn’t want to lose it just like that.

“I can also take less pay,” she added nervously.

Qiu Yinuo smiled with pursed lips. “No need for that. We’re not short on that little bit of money. My mom’s just used to being frugal. Once she realizes how capable you are—and that you know martial arts—she won’t want you to leave.”

These past few days, He Ziqing had been getting up early every morning to practice martial arts. Yinuo had seen it all with her own eyes—this definitely wasn’t just for show.

Once the baby was weaned, she could train with her too, all for free. Missing out on such a deal would’ve been painful.

With that assurance, He Ziqing beamed. As long as they let her stay, she didn’t mind working herself to the bone.

Cheng Hongying was the classic case of a sharp tongue paired with a soft heart. During dinner, she asked a few questions about He Ziqing’s background. Upon learning that the girl had left her hometown and was temporarily living with a distant aunt, her heart softened even more.

She stole a glance at the girl who was devouring her food like there was no tomorrow and nearly had a heart attack.

Here she was feeling all sorry for the girl, but look at her—eating like she hadn’t had a proper meal in a hundred years.

While eating, she even started piling food into He Ziqing’s bowl. “Qingqing, you should eat more. The eggplant my mom makes is delicious.”

That single chopstick-full almost moved half the dish into He Ziqing’s bowl. Ziqing, who had barely dared to take food herself, went silent.
“…”

Inwardly, she cried: Sister Yinuo, can you spare me? Hasn’t she noticed Auntie’s eyes are about to fall into my bowl?

Cheng Hongying looked at He Ziqing with a half-smile. “Look at how skinny you are. Eat more!”

“…Thank you, Auntie.”

As if a dam had broken, the conversation started flowing again. Cheng Hongying asked about her family and, upon hearing it was just her father and a group of senior martial arts brothers, sighed, “You poor child. Is your aunt’s family treating you well?”

Before Ziqing could answer, Qiu Yinuo jumped in, “Everyone’s fine except her uncle. He’s not exactly welcoming.”

Another poor girl, Cheng Hongying thought, feeling worse by the minute. She’d actually considered sending her away earlier.

Guilt-ridden, she picked up another large portion of stir-fried potatoes and mushrooms and dumped it into Ziqing’s bowl.

“Qingqing, looking after the kids must be tiring. Eat more. Auntie’s stir-fried potatoes and mushrooms are really good. Try some.”

Faced with Cheng Hongying’s sudden change in attitude, He Ziqing was visibly happy. “Thank you, Auntie.”

After dinner, He Ziqing took the initiative to clear the table and wash the dishes, not letting Cheng Hongying lift a finger.

Watching the busy young girl, Cheng Hongying pulled Qiu Yinuo aside and began whispering again. “How much are you paying her a month?”

“Five yuan, with food and lodging included.”

“Five yuan with meals and a bed isn’t bad… but our family’s not exactly well-off either. You’re raising two sons, and money will be tight in the future. Maybe ask her to take a bit less.”

Qiu Yinuo nearly laughed. “What do you think this is, a vegetable market? Even factory jobs with food and lodging pay thirteen or fourteen yuan a month now. Five yuan really isn’t much. Once she’s worked longer, I’ll even raise her pay. Mom, do you know what Qingqing’s family used to do?”

“What?”

“I heard her grandfather used to run a martial arts school. He was also skilled in massage therapy. Qingqing’s martial arts are top-notch. Letting your grandsons learn from her from a young age—isn’t that a great deal?”

Cheng Hongying was tempted. Looking at it that way, it really was worth it.