Chapter 190: Xiao Mo Teaches Niu Niu a Lesson

When Xu Ning returned home, she saw Xiao Mo playing with the triplets, while Lu Xiaotang was cleaning fish. There were seven or eight of them, each weighing about half a pound.

Xu Ning smiled and asked, “Xiao Mo, you caught quite a lot today.”

Xiao Mo excitedly replied, “Sis, I didn’t go into the water today. I just placed a basket in the water with some bread in it, and the fish swam in on their own.”

“What do you want to do with them? I’ll cook whatever you like,” Xu Ning asked for his preference.

“Sis, why don’t you make some soup? The fish are small and have a lot of bones. If we make soup, My niece and nephews can have some too.”

Lu Xiaotang also smiled and said, “There are a few crucian carp in there, perfect for making soup. Let’s go with Xiao Mo’s suggestion!”

“Alright then, I’ll grab a couple of handfuls of beans and head to the village to trade for some tofu. Tonight, we’ll have crucian carp tofu soup.”

Just as Xu Ning finished exchanging for the tofu and came out, she saw Aunt Dashuan and Jianmin pulling a cart back.

When Aunt Dashuan saw her, she warmly greeted, “Xu Zhiqing, you’re here to trade for tofu?”

“Auntie, Niu Pi Tang’s dad wanted to eat tofu, so I came to trade for a few pieces. What are you two up to?” Xu Ning asked as she noticed they were pulling a cart loaded with farming tools.

“We went to check on the private plot,” Aunt Dashuan explained with a smile. “Xu Zhiqing, why don’t you come over and sit for a while?” she invited warmly.

“Auntie, I’ll pass this time. My kids’ dad is at home alone, and I need to help him keep an eye on things,” Xu Ning politely declined.

Seeing Jianmin standing beside Aunt Dashuan, she suddenly remembered that he had gone for an interview at the machinery factory a couple of days ago. She had been busy and had forgotten to ask Xiao An whether Jianmin had passed the interview.

“Jianmin, how did the interview go with you and Dalin at the machinery factory? Did you get in?”

Jianmin smiled bitterly and said, “Xu Zhiqing, they were only hiring five people, but there were around eighty or ninety applicants. Neither Da Lin nor I made it.”

Xu Ning thought for a moment and said, “Jianmin, you’re still young. Even though you didn’t pass this time, it’s important to keep studying and reviewing. The machinery factory is large, and they hire workers every year.

You didn’t make it this time, but there will be more opportunities. If you forget everything you’ve learned, it’ll be even harder to pass the next interview.”

Both Aunt Dashuan and Jianmin agreed with her reasoning.

“Jianmin, listen to Xu Zhiqing. When you have free time, study more. We’ll try again next time they recruit.”

“Mom, I know. I won’t let my knowledge slip away.”

Jianmin then smiled and thanked Xu Ning, “Xu Zhiqing, thank you. Xiao An told me the same thing a few days ago.”

Seeing that it was getting dark, Xu Ning greeted Aunt Dashuan and Jianmin before hurrying home.

Just as she reached the entrance of the village, Lu Xiaotang rode up on his bicycle to meet her.

“For such a short walk, was it really worth coming to pick me up? Is Xiao An back?” she asked.

Lu Xiaotang waited until she was seated on the bike before smiling and replying, “Xiao An just got back and is cooking at home. Didn’t you go to exchange tofu? Why did it take so long?”

“I ran into Aunt Dashuan and Jianmin, so we chatted for a bit,” Xu Ning explained.

When they got home, Xu Ning and Lu Xiaotang overheard Xiao Mo earnestly lecturing Niu Niu.

“Niu Niu, you’re the older brother. How could you hit your little brother? You should be setting a good example for them. Look at what you’ve been doing—fighting over toys and food with your younger siblings. Today, you went even further and hit your brother.

Now, look at me, your little uncle. Even though I’m the youngest in the family, I always show love to my older siblings. Whenever there’s something good, I save it for them. When I cook, I always make their favorite dishes and never think of myself.

Sure, sometimes they might not be very considerate, but I never hold it against them. After all, we’re siblings, born of the same mother.

Niu Niu, you must learn from your little uncle in the future, okay? Sigh, you kids are really making me worry endlessly,” he sighed dramatically.

Xiao Mo sighed dramatically as he wiped Niu Niu’s drool with a towel.

Xu Ning, standing outside, couldn’t help but find the scene amusing. She carried the tofu into the kitchen.

There, she saw Xu An cooking while chuckling to himself, clearly having overheard Xiao Mo’s lecture as well.

Seeing her come in, Xu An quickly said, “Sis, give me the tofu. The fish soup is almost done. Once I add the tofu and let it cook for a few more minutes, it’ll be ready to eat.”

Xu Ning was just about to help stoke the fire when Lu Xiaotang entered. “Go check on the kids in the other room. I’ll take care of the fire,” he offered.

As she was about to leave, Xu Ning reminded the two, “Once the fish soup is done, pour a bowl and send it over to the cowshed. Also, take some of the red date buns I steamed this afternoon.”

“Got it!” they both replied.