Chapter 103: Do You Want to Call Me Mom?

“Xiaochuan, no need to add more firewood. Lower the flame, and you don’t have to stay in the kitchen all the time. If you want to play, go to the courtyard…”

As Jiang Rou spoke, she walked out of the steamy kitchen.

After working for so long, she could finally take a deep breath and relax.

Just as she stepped out of the small kitchen, a sight not far away made her eyes well up with warmth.

Outside, near the door leading from the courtyard to the living room, stood Zhou Xiaohua.

Her small body carried a large basin, which was filled about one-third with water, with a towel floating inside.

The basin was made of iron—so big, so heavy, and filled with water.

A four-year-old child could barely hold it.

Zhou Xiaohua gripped both sides of the basin with her tiny hands. Because she couldn’t bear the weight, her steps were unsteady, and she wobbled as she walked.

She struggled to move her short legs, looking more and more like a little penguin.

She did not call out, nor did she ask for help. Relying only on her small strength, she had fetched the water and taken the towel from the drying rope.

Step by step.

She staggered toward Jiang Rou.

As she walked, the water inside the basin sloshed from side to side.

With each sway, some of the water spilled over the edge.

Along the way, there were not only Zhou Xiaohua’s tiny footprints but also scattered water droplets marking her path.

Her clothes were already wet, but she did not frown even once. She remained determined and kept moving forward.

Just like that, the small figure finally reached Jiang Rou.

With a loud thud, Zhou Xiaohua set the basin down on the ground. She had trouble controlling her strength, so the sound was heavier than expected.

Fortunately, the water she had worked so hard to carry did not spill out.

She stared at the basin and revealed an innocent, satisfied smile.

Then, Zhou Xiaohua stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Rou’s hand.

With her small strength, she tugged at Jiang Rou.

Jiang Rou followed Zhou Xiaohua’s pull and slowly squatted down.

Zhou Xiaohua continued to hold her hand and gently placed it into the basin of water.

The water in the basin was cool and refreshing.  

Jiang Rou had just been holding an iron ladle and a pot lid. Her fingers had been gripping tightly for a long time, leaving her fingertips red and sore.  

Now, as she soaked her hands in the icy water, a wave of relief washed over her.  

But Zhou Xiaohua wasn’t done “speaking” yet.  

She continued to hold Jiang Rou’s hand, guiding her toward the towel.  

Since she couldn’t articulate her thoughts clearly, she resorted to gestures.  

She made a few movements, but when she saw that Jiang Rou wasn’t responding, she became anxious.  

Her small mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.  

Her tiny face filled with urgency as she looked back and forth between Jiang Rou and Zhou Xiaochuan.  

【Take the towel, wipe! Wipe the sweat.】  

【Brother, say it! Help me say it.】  

Jiang Rou could feel the little girl’s eagerness. At the same time, she could also sense something bubbling up inside her chest—like an opened bottle of orange soda, fizzing with countless tiny bubbles.  

Her chest felt full, warm.  

The tip of her nose tingled slightly.  

It was all because of the deep emotion welling up in her heart.  

Back when Jiang Rou had first met Zhou Xiaohua, the very first thing she had taught her was to always wash her hands before eating.  

She had gently held Zhou Xiaohua’s tiny hands, washing them clean bit by bit, even using a towel to wipe her face.  

And now, after all this time spent together, things had reversed.  

It was Zhou Xiaohua who was worrying about Jiang Rou. It was Zhou Xiaohua who was taking care of her.  

The room was silent.  

Just as Zhou Xiaohua became overwhelmingly anxious, Jiang Rou softly spoke.  

“Xiaohua, you saw me working in the hot kitchen, sweating a lot, so you fetched water for me to wash my hands, wipe my face, and cool down. Is that right?”  

【Mm-hmm.】  

Zhou Xiaohua immediately nodded with determination. The little pigtails on her head bounced wildly with her movement.  

“You also thought I must be very tired from cooking, that it was hard work, and you wanted me to feel more comfortable. That’s why you carried the basin over, didn’t you?”  

【Mm-hmm.】

Zhou Xiaohua’s eyes sparkled, and her fair little face was filled with a bright smile, revealing her tiny, adorable teeth.  

“Then… do you want to call me Mom?”  

Jiang Rou tentatively asked the question.  

【Mm-hmm.】  

Zhou Xiaohua nodded vigorously again.  

But after nodding, she suddenly realized the meaning behind Jiang Rou’s words.  

She froze for a moment.  

Her big, round eyes carried a hint of confusion and nervousness.  

Zhou Xiaohua didn’t know what to do. She lifted her head once more and looked toward Zhou Xiaochuan.  

Zhou Xiaochuan was her older brother, the person she trusted the most.  

She always listened to her brother.  

Zhou Xiaochuan had also heard Jiang Rou’s words. He pressed his lips together.  

The stubborn young boy naturally understood the weight of Jiang Rou’s question.  

That’s ‘Mom’ we’re talking about—‘Mom’!

Zhou Xiaochuan remained silent, his dark eyes deep in thought. After a moment, he quietly made a hand gesture toward Zhou Xiaohua.  

【It’s up to you.】  

This was the silent understanding between the siblings. They could always understand each other without words.  

After receiving Zhou Xiaochuan’s answer, Zhou Xiaohua’s bright black eyes swirled with thought before she turned back to look into Jiang Rou’s gaze.  

This time, she no longer hesitated.  

Just as before, she nodded again—firmly and resolutely.  

【Mm-hmm! It’s Mom!】  

She had a mother now. A mother who wouldn’t disappear.  

The smile on Zhou Xiaohua’s face became even more radiant.  

At the same time, Jiang Rou couldn’t help but smile as well.  

Even though Zhou Xiaohua’s “Mom” was silent, it was the loudest sound in Jiang Rou’s heart.

But in Jiang Rou’s heart, she had already heard it.  

A little girl, with a tender yet cheerful voice, was calling her “Mom.”  

“Xiaohua, thank you. I will definitely be a very, very good mother.”  

Jiang Rou had chosen Zhou Xiaohua as her daughter, and in return, Zhou Xiaohua had chosen her, granting her the identity of a mother.  

People always said that parents couldn’t be chosen.  

But between Jiang Rou and Zhou Xiaohua, they had run toward each other, forming a bond of mother and daughter from both sides.  

Today’s Sesame Oil Duck was absolutely worth making!  

Jiang Rou’s heart felt as sweet as if she had just eaten honey.  

Her hands, still soaking in the water, held the towel as she pulled Zhou Xiaohua’s hands along, washing them together.  

The sound of water splashing filled the air, light and joyful.  

However, the aftermath of the fragrant yet perilous Sesame Oil Duck had not yet ended.  

“Sister Rou! Where are you? Where are you guys? Are you all okay? Is there any danger? Where are you?”  

In an instant, Zhao Guifen’s voice rang out.  

Her figure rushed into the Zhou family’s courtyard, storming toward the house in a panic.  

Despite her frantic arrival, she still carried a hoe in her hands—fully prepared, looking both cautious and dramatic.  

“Sister Rou! Xiaochuan! Xiaohua! Are you all—”  

As soon as Zhao Guifen charged into the house and saw the three of them safe and sound, their faces filled with smiles, she froze in place.  

Jiang Rou didn’t even have time to finish washing her hands and face.  

She quickly put down the towel and turned toward Zhao Guifen, who was pale-faced and in a state of alarm. Confused, she asked,  

“Sister Guifen, what’s wrong with you?”  

“Oh my! You nearly scared me to death!”  

Zhao Guifen stretched out her hand and thumped her chest heavily, finally managing to catch her breath.  

“It’s all because of that Er Huzi in my house, talking nonsense! He said he heard some kind of explosion from your place—pi-li pa-la, just like that! And the moment I heard the word ‘explosion,’ I nearly lost my breath right then and there….”