Chapter 167: The Couple Arrives

After the two of them finished their bath, Xu Ning took a chilled watermelon from the water jar and sliced it up, offering it to them to quench their thirst.

Li Na, eating a slice of watermelon, asked, “Xiao Ning, did you grow this watermelon yourself?”

Xu Ning smiled and replied, “Yes, Sister-in-law, I grew it myself. The watermelon patch is right behind the bathroom. You probably haven’t seen this much since you grew up in the city.”

“Later, I’ll have my brother show you around the vegetable garden. The cucumbers and tomatoes have ripened too. I’ll pick some for you to try.”

Li Na praised her, “Xiao Ning, you’re amazing. You’re raising three kids by yourself, and you still manage to keep the garden so well.”

Xu Ning wasn’t sure if Xu Yang had told her about their parents also being here to help with the children, so she avoided mentioning it.

She smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, all of this was planted by Xiao An when he came back at night. I just tidy up a bit when I have free time.”

Once they finished the watermelon, she brought over two bowls of noodles.

Xu Yang handed a bowl to Li Na and said with a grin, “Dig in! This is my sister’s rule: dumplings before getting on the cart, and noodles after getting off. You have to eat them!”

As Xu Ning fed a bowl of noodles to Tang Tang, she heard Xu Yang’s words and laughed, saying, “Brother, Sister-in-law, there’s more in the pot. After you’re done, feel free to serve yourselves.”

When Niu Niu and Pi Pi heard Xu Ning call them “brother” and “sister-in-law,” they mimicked her, saying, “Brother, sister-in-law.”

Xu Ning playfully scolded, “You little rascals, that’s your uncle and aunt!”

Xu Yang and Li Na stood by the small bed with their bowls, watching the kids eat. Niu Niu and Pi Pi giggled as they slurped up their noodles, glancing at them with big smiles.

Xu Yang found the two little rascals quite amusing, so he picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and tried to feed them.

To his surprise, the two boys didn’t even glance at the noodles he offered and waited for their mother to feed them instead.

He asked in confusion, “What’s going on? Is there something different about the noodles in my bowl compared to what you’re eating?”

Brother, they’re still getting used to you. Just give it some time, and it’ll be fine,” Xu Ning reassured him.

Sure enough, after just a few hours, when Xu Yang finished eating and announced that he would take the boys out to play, both of them rushed toward him, and even Tang Tang looked at him with bright eyes.

Xu Yang picked up the two boys while Li Na carried Tang Tang, and they prepared to take them for a walk on the main road.

As they stepped outside, the moment Tang Tang noticed that their mother wasn’t coming along, Niu Niu and Pi Pi quickly climbed down from Xu Yang’s arms.

The two little boys wobbled over to Li Na, reaching out for Tang Tang.

They babbled, “Sister, sister.”

Seeing them still at the door, Xu Ning realized Tang Tang was hesitant to go outside, so she stepped out with a smile.

Xu Yang, surprised, asked, “Aren’t these two just a year old? How are they so sharp? They’re just like Xiao Mo when he was little. Is he still this mischievous now?”

Xu Ning quickly glanced at Li Na before turning her attention back to Tang Tang, who was reaching out with both arms for her to hold.

She picked her up and said with a smile, “Brother, Sister-in-law! Let me go with you to explore nearby.”

When Niu Niu and Pi Pi saw that their mother had come out too, they clung to Xu Yang’s legs, climbing back up to him.

This sight amused both Xu Yang and Li Na, and they laughed as each of them held a child, walking with Xu Ning toward the main road.

Since the sun wasn’t too strong and there was a gentle breeze on the main road, Xu Yang suggested they walk over to the creek, where it would be cooler.

When they reached the door of the cattle shed, they found it closed from the inside. Xu Yang asked, “Have Mom and Dad gone to work?”

Hearing his question, Xu Ning realized he must have already spoken with Li Na about their parents.

She smiled and replied, “Yes, they’ve all gone to work. Last night, Mom was asking when you and Sister-in-law would arrive.”

Xu Yang nodded and said, “My wife and I can stay here for ten days. I’ll help you with work tomorrow.”

“Brother, that’s not necessary. You finally have a few days off. You should take Sister-in-law to explore the area instead,” Xu Ning insisted.

Li Na, holding Pi Pi, chimed in with a smile, “Xiao Ning, just let your brother go. I’ll stay home and play with Niu Pi Tang. These little ones are so adorable; they’re much more fun than he is!”

Xu Yang glanced at his wife and sighed, “See? Now that we have these little ones, my wife doesn’t even want to pay attention to me. I might as well just go work in the fields tomorrow!”

Xu Ning chuckled at their playful banter and said, “If you want to work, then go ahead! I’ll stay home and keep Sister-in-law company.”

As they chatted, they walked toward the creek, where a few local children who weren’t in school were fishing.

Niu Niu and Pi Pi spotted them and quickly climbed down from Xu Yang and Li Na.

Once on the ground, they pulled the adults along, leading them a few steps closer. Niu Niu and Pi Pi were excitedly shouting.

They called for their mother, uncle, grandmother, and maternal grandmother, loudly yelling for everyone but still not using any other words.

Seeing this, Tang Tang also wanted to join in. She looked at Xu Ning and softly called out, “Mama.”

Xu Ning’s heart melted at her call. She gently touched Tang Tang’s little, raised hair and smiled, “Does Tang Tang want to go see the fish too?”

The little girl didn’t seem to understand fully but giggled in response.