Chapter 88.1 

After arriving home, everyone was once again forced by Li Yufeng to drink a bowl of ginger tea.

Zhang Chunying’s knitting speed was truly impressive, leaving Su Xiaoxiao in awe. By lunchtime, she had already knitted two pairs of gloves. She first gave the smallest pair to Xiao Doubao. Xiao Doubao, who wore gloves for the first time, raised his two little hands and, squinting his eyes, said in a childish voice, “Thank you, Auntie~~~”

“No need to thank me, you’re such a good boy.” Zhang Chunying patted his head.

Xiao Doubao had always been quite eloquent with a loud voice. He had learned from his father to say, “I’m a big man,” since he was little. Sometimes he intentionally lowered his voice when speaking. This was Zhang Chunying’s first encounter with such a little boy, and she began to imagine that if she had a daughter, she would probably be just as endearing.

As for the other pair of gloves, it didn’t matter who they were given to. She could knit two more pairs in the afternoon, and Da Bao wouldn’t be back so soon. So, his gloves can be knitted tomorrow.

In the end, she let them decide for themselves.

Su Xiaoxiao was also curious. She held the gloves and asked them. “How are you going to choose who will get this pair of gloves?”

Xiao Bao waved his hand and said, “I’m a big man, I’m not afraid of the cold. You can wear it.”

Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Zhuzi stared at him and said in unison, “Aren’t we all big men!”

Su Xiaoxiao chuckled and said, “Alright, you first-grade little gentlemen. How about we draw lots to decide?”

Xiao Doubao shook his head and said, “Fantuan can wear them; he’s the smallest.”

Xiao Fantuan wasn’t the type to brave the cold just to prove a point. Anyway, besides Xiao Doubao, he was the youngest here, and since no one was competing with him, he happily accepted and said, “Okay, Mom, give them to me.”

Xiao Fantuan happily put on the gloves and high-fived Xiao Doubao, saying, “Xiao Doubao, our hands won’t be cold anymore!”

Xiao Doubao squinted his eyes, happily clapping his little hands and dancing around his brothers.

Han Cheng was in his room reading a book, and Su Xiaoxiao poured a glass of tea. At this moment, Su Weimin and Su Zhenhua entered the house, carrying the fish they had caught.

The children gathered around their grandpa.

Xiao Fantuan took off his gloves and crouched in front of the big wooden bucket, poking the bighead carp. “Grandpa, this carp’s head is so big.”

Xiao Doubao also crouched down, he copied his brother and took off his gloves to poke at the fish. However, when the fish moved, he got scared and quickly pulled back.

Su Weimin chuckled. “Indeed, it weighs more than ten kilograms. Just the head of one fish weighs several kilograms. With this cold weather, we can leave them outside for a few more days; they won’t go bad. We’ll eat them slowly.”

Su Weimin selected two smaller Wannan mud carp and crucian carp, packed them up, and had Xiao Bao take them to the back.

Fantuan and the others wanted to go outside to play, but Li Yufeng was concerned about too many people going and causing trouble, so she only allowed Xiao Bao to go.

At this moment, every household was immersed in the joy of having caught several kilograms of fish this year. They were busy stewing the fish and savoring the fresh catch at home. While, Xiao Bao carried the fish and fled behind, and not a single person noticed.

Xiao Bao knocked on the door and called out softly, “Grandpa, Grandpa…”

At this moment, a slightly older, slender, and gray-haired man named Yang Nanhuai walked over. He glanced around and said, “Xiao Bao, why did you come over in broad daylight? Come inside quickly, don’t let people see you. Is there not enough Spring Festival goods at your place?”

The clever Xiao Bao slipped into the house, handed the fish in his hand, and said, “No, Grandpa Yang. My grandfather asked me to bring the fish over.”

Yang Nanhuai was stunned for a moment and immediately waved his hand. “No need, no need. Your grandma brought meat over last night. Why are you bringing fish today? Do you have guests at your place? Go back and attend to your guests.”

Xiao Bao shook his head and said, “They’re not a guest, it’s my aunt and uncle who have come back.” Xiao Bao opened his arms as wide as possible and said, “We still have such a fat bighead carp at home, enough to eat.”

Yang Nanhuai patted Xiaobao’s head and thought. ‘The Su family is truly kind-hearted, and they have raised such a good child.’ 

Yang Nanhuai, his wife, and his son had to hide in this place to escape trouble, and it’s rare to encounter such a bright and intelligent child. They all wish they could pass on their lifetime of knowledge to him.

Yang Nanhuai couldn’t help but think of his eldest grandson, who had only seen him once, and his youngest grandson, who had never seen him before.

His eldest grandson should be the same age as Xiao Bao this year. Before leaving the border, he received supplies and letters from Han Cheng. He mentioned that he had married a good wife who treated both children very well. He reassured them, but he didn’t know if they had raised the two grandchildren as well as Xiao Bao.

Dong Mingyue, upon hearing Xiao Bao’s words, came out of the kitchen and asked, “Did anyone see you when you came here, Xiao Bao?”

Xiao Bao shook his head and said, “No one saw me. Don’t worry, Grandma Dong. I’m going back. My family is waiting for me to go back for dinner.”

Dong Mingyue just went to the fish pond to join in the fun and vaguely saw a couple with several children, including Xiao Bao. The man was tall and held a child in his arms, with an umbrella covering his face, so she couldn’t see clearly. The woman was petite with a gentle appearance, and the children all seemed to adore her. These two people must be the aunt and uncle that Xiao Bao mentioned.

Dong Mingyue couldn’t resist asking, “Does your aunt have three sons?”

Xiaobao nodded and counted with his fingers, “Fantuan, Zhuzi, and Xiao Doubao. They are three blood brothers, and in our whole family, there’s also me and Big Brother Da Bao, and my aunt is pregnant with Xiao Tangyuan. My mom is also carrying a baby. Wow, when you add it up, we have so many siblings!”

When Yang Nanhuai and Dong Mingyue heard the names Fantuan and Doubao, their hearts skipped a beat. Their two grandsons also had the nicknames Fantuan and Doubao. However, they quickly realized that the other family had three real brothers and a baby on the way. Nicknames like Fantuan and Doubao were common, and Su Captain’s family wouldn’t let their daughter become a stepmother, so they dismissed the thought and didn’t ask further.

Dong Mingyue touched Xiao Bao’s head and said, “Your aunt is really lucky. Both her son and nephew are so obedient.”

Her daughter wasn’t so fortunate, and she didn’t know how her two sons were doing.
Xiaobao nodded and smiled as he kept talking, “Because my aunt is the best aunt in the world. My aunt loves me the most, and the person I like the most in my family is my aunt. Oh, I still like my uncle and my brothers, Grandpa Yang and Grandma Dong. I also like you. You’ll have good luck too!”

Dong Mingyue’s weathered face showed a relieved expression, and she bent down to hug Xiao Bao. “Yes, meeting your family is our good fortune. We also really like Xiao Bao.” ^[1]Weathered face – This term is often used to describe someone who appears older or more rugged due to their life experiences