Chapter 153: Xiao Mo Washes Diapers

When Xu An got up, he found Lu Xiaotang in the kitchen making dumplings.

He quickly washed his hands and went over to help. “Brother-in-law, why are you up so early again?”

“I just got up too. Xiao An, this time when I go back to the army, I won’t be able to return for at least a year. You’ll have to bear a bit more responsibility here at home.”

“Don’t worry about it, Brother-in-law. We’ll manage just fine here,” Xu An reassured him.

After finishing breakfast, Lu Xiaotang returned to the room to check on his wife and children. He and Xu Ning had talked for a long time during the night.

Seeing that Xu Ning was still sound asleep, he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. After glancing at the three children, he turned and left the room.

Xu An carried his luggage and said, “Brother-in-law, Grandpa Chen is waiting outside.”

Lu Xiaotang, reluctant to look back, took the luggage from Xu An’s hands and strode out.

It was only when Niu Niu started crying that Xu Ning finally woke from her dreams. She looked outside and saw that it was already bright daylight.

Glancing at the time, she realized it was after nine in the morning, which meant that Lu Xiaotang had already left.

With a sigh, she got dressed and prepared to make formula for the two little ones.

Before she could even get out of bed, Xu An came in with the prepared milk.

Smiling, Xu An said, “Sister, is Niu Niu awake? I can tell just by his voice; he’s the loudest of the three.”

Xu Ning laughed, “It’s that little brat! My ears are almost deaf from his crying. Whenyou’re your Brother-in-law leave?”

“He left early in the morning. He said you looked tired from soothing the kids last night, so he didn’t wake you.”

After feeding all three children and changing their diapers, Xu An added, “Sister, I’ll keep an eye on Niu Pi Tang while you go eat.”

Xu Ning nodded and said, “Xiao An, you should start working tomorrow. I can handle the three of them at home.”

“Sister, I’ll wait a couple of days before I go to work. It’s not busy in the fields yet since autumn harvest hasn’t started.

When the harvest begins, Xiao Mo’s school will be on break, and he can help you cook and take care of Niu Pi Tang at home.”

He then chuckled, “Last night, we all discussed it, and when we asked him to help with cooking and looking after the baby, he was so proud of himself. He bragged to Mom and Aunt Lu for a long time. They both said they’d give him a beating if he didn’t tone it down!”

Xu Ning laughed and sighed, “Xiao Mo is already eight years old. When he first came here, he was just a little shrimp, and now he can work in the fields and earn points!”

Xu An laughed and said, “Yeah, time flies! When we first came to the countryside, I missed home so much that I cried every day.

You had to work and soothe me too. Sister, you’ve raised us all. We’ll take care of you from now on.”

Hearing this, Xu Ning’s eyes immediately turned red. She wanted to say something but choked on her words and couldn’t get them out.

“Quick, Sister, go eat! The food is getting cold. Brother-in-law made you chicken soup this morning and even wrapped dumplings.”

Not long after they finished dinner, Mother Xu and Aunt Lu both arrived, wanting to stay the night to help take care of the kids.

However, there wasn’t enough room on the kang for both of them, so Aunt Lu stayed while Mother Xu would come over the next night.

Xu An discussed with Xu Ning about switching rooms since his was a bit larger.

She thought for a moment and said, “Let’s just wait until after the New Year to switch.”

When the autumn harvest began, Xiao Mo would also be on break. For the past few nights, Xu An had been teaching him how to mix formula, including the right temperature and the correct amounts.

The little guy learned very diligently and was now quite skilled, even washing the diapers particularly well.

Both Mother Xu and Aunt Lu praised him, and he proudly replied, “Don’t underestimate me! I’m quite impressive.

In Yushu Village, I’m already quite a famous figure. Mixing formula and washing diapers? That’s nothing!”

His mother laughed and gave him a playful slap, saying, “You little rascal, don’t get too cocky! I’m telling you, you better take good care of your sister and your nephew and niece, or I won’t let you off the hook.”

He huffed in protest and went to check on Niu Pi Tang.

Every day before heading to work, Xu An filled the water tank and prepared breakfast.

Standing at the entrance of the cow shed, Xiao Mo saw that the young people from the commune had gone to work, and there weren’t many people around, so he came over.

He first washed the diaper he had changed for Niu Pi Tang, muttering to himself as he washed, “This color is from Niu Niu’s diaper; he makes the stinkiest mess.

Once this little guy grows up, he’d better treat me well! It’s his uncle who has to clean up his stinky poop!”

Inside the house, Xu Ning was feeding Tang Tang and couldn’t help but chuckle at the little chatterbox outside.

Xiao Mo washed the diapers clean and hung them on the line to dry.

Next, he placed the pig trotters in a clay pot to stew on the stove. He added a handful of red dates and a handful of yellow soybeans, as instructed by Mother Xu and Aunt Lu, who had said they needed to drink this soup every day.

He then began preparing meals for the adults, planning to take them to the fields later.

This year, the workers in the cow shed were assigned to the northern fields to harvest beans. This area had only recently been cleared for farming, so it was relatively remote.

However, it was closer to the cow shed, so the workers didn’t bring their meals with them in the morning. Xiao Mo would prepare the food and deliver it to them.

Xu An and the young people from the commune were working in the southern fields. They had taken meat sauce and steamed buns with them that morning and had eaten there.