Chapter 121.1

Happy days always pass by very quickly. This year was a warm winter, with the sun shining high every day. The children made time every morning and afternoon to help Su Xiaoxiao with household chores and take care of their younger siblings. Only after putting their younger siblings to sleep did they go out to play.

Xiao Fantuan was the boss of the kids in his age group, with many little companions trailing behind him every day.

Xiao Bao was also considered the boss of the kids in Sujia village.

Xiao Yu and Dundun started attending pre-school classes last year, both in the same class. Xiao Yu was also the king of the bosses in his class, with many children following him.

Consequently, almost all the children of this age group who didn’t go back to their hometown for the Lunar New Year gathered together.

Every day, the “bosses” led a large group of children under the banyan tree, either playing jump rope or rolling hoops while painting or engaging in various board games.

Xiao Bao suggested going to the beach to make roasted sweet potatoes, but his new friends didn’t know what that meant.

Xiao Bao explained, “In our village, it means digging a hole in the field, heating it with firewood, wrapping the sweet potatoes in lotus leaves or banana leaves, burying them, and finally sealing it with charcoal fire. Once the charcoal cools down, we can dig them out and eat. The sweet potatoes made this way are especially delicious, so it should work at the beach too.”

Fantuan summarized, “Roasting sweet potatoes, huh? I haven’t tried that method yet. Let’s give it a shot.”

After listening, the children became excited and immediately agreed to do it. Fantuan immediately assigned who would go home to fetch a few sweet potatoes, who would be responsible for moving firewood, who would be responsible for finding tools to dig and bury sweet potato holes, and who would go home to find lotus leaves.

Su Xiaoxiao had always been taught in their family that they should discuss everything like adults do.

The more they thought they might get scolded for something, the more they were inclined to inform the adults. Having such thoughts meant they were aware that what they were planning might be wrong.

So, there was nothing big or small that the kids at Han Family would hide from Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao. They discussed matters reasonably. If Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao said something couldn’t be done, the children wouldn’t act on their own.

As soon as the kids got home, they told Su Xiaoxiao about their plan to make roasted sweet potatoes.

This was something that both Da Bao and Xiao Bao often did in Su’s village, and doing it at the beach wasn’t particularly risky. Su Xiaoxiao emphasized the safety measures with fire and the necessity of cleaning up the mess afterward. She reminded them to leave the beach as clean as they found it and also not to play near the water.

The cubs remembered everything Su Xiaoxiao told them.

Su Xiaoxiao also asked them to bring a few taro roots and potatoes.

She said, “These also taste great when roasted. Da Bao and Xiao Bao, you have experience; remember to keep an eye on them and prevent any mischief.” Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t worried about her children; she was just concerned that children from other families who might not listen could create trouble.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao nodded and said, “Auntie, don’t worry, I will take care of them.”

Da Bao is still in second grade, only nine years old after the Chinese New Year, and will become third grade in September. On the other hand, Fantuan and Zhuzi were already in third grade, and many of their classmates were older than Da Bao, but they all just enjoyed playing with Fantuan.

Fantuan said, “Mom, don’t worry, we don’t play with bear children. The ones we play with are obedient and good kids.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded and said, “Then you guys go ahead and keep an eye on Xiao Doubao.”

Xiao Doubao shook his head and said, “Mom, I won’t go. There are too many people, and I don’t know many of them. I don’t want to go.”

“Okay, then Xiao Doubao won’t go. He’ll stay at home with Mom and his younger siblings.” Su Xiaoxiao said, pulling the cub into her arms.

Xiao Doubao grinned and hugged his mother, saying softly, “Hmm, I’ll stay at home with my mother and siblings~~”

Xiao Doubao has always been clingy to his mother. The older cubs didn’t insist anymore, picked up their things, and headed to the beach.

Da Bao, Xiao Bao, and Xiao Fantuan returned to the beach, and all of their friends were there. They also dug a big hole and waited there.

Xiao Yu not only brought a bag of sweet potatoes but also brought some candies from home, handing out one to each of his friends.

When one of his friends peeled off the candy wrappers and was about to toss them onto the beach, they were immediately stopped by Xiao Fantuan: “You can’t leave trash here. Put the wrappers in your pocket. If you don’t do it, then don’t eat them for now.”

Xiao Yu always listened to what Fantuan said. He was the first to pick up the wrapper he had thrown and said, “Pick it up, pick it up, or else next time, I won’t give you any candy.”

Everyone obediently picked up the candy wrappers and put them back in their pockets.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao arranged firewood in the hole, using some pine needles to start a fire. and the fire suddenly ignited.

After burning a lot of charcoal on the firewood, Da Bao asked everyone to spread the sweet potatoes, taro, and potatoes wrapped in lotus leaves onto the charcoal fire.

Xiao Bao said, “Only one layer can be laid in the middle, and the rest should be placed along the edge; otherwise, it won’t be cooked well. Be careful not to burn your hands.”

Once everything was arranged, Xiao Bao scooped up some hot sand and spread a thin layer back over the food. Finally, they placed the firewood back on top of the sand to continue burning. When the fire burned out completely, they covered everything with another layer of hot sand, finally finishing the work.

Da Shu asked, “How much longer until we can eat?”

Xiao Bao said, “About half an hour or so, until the sand on top isn’t too hot to touch.”

Xiao Yu said, “I think this method would also be great for roasting chicken or fish. Oh, and we could also collect shells to roast!”

Xiao Fantuan nodded and said, “It’s indeed possible. As long as it’s wrapped and doesn’t get sand in, it’s okay. My mother uses a clay pot at home to bake, and the principle should be the same as this.”

All of his friends know Su Xiaoxiao. She was Fantuan’s mother, who was beautiful, had a gentle voice, was knowledgeable, and cooked delicious food. They always envy Xiao Fantuan because of this.

Xiao Yu said, “Since we have to wait anyway, shall we go look for shells?”

Xiao Fantuan shook his head and said, “Making seafood requires a lot of seasoning to prevent it from being fishy. Let’s have this for today and wait until my mother prepares the seasoning for us to collect and roast seafood. That way, it will be delicious.”

Everyone hadn’t even started eating yet, but they were already looking forward to “next time.” The seasonings made by Fantuan’s mother would surely be delicious.