Chapter 193: Niu Pi Tang Enters the Village

Before Xu An had a chance to take a break and go chop firewood, the next day, Da Lin, Jianmin, and Erwa from Aunt Si’s family came over to help and chopped for a whole day.

The three of them were busy all day and didn’t even eat here. Xu Ning felt a bit guilty, so she made some red date steamed buns to send over to the three families when Xu An returned home.

When Xu An came back and saw the large pile of firewood in the yard, he smiled and said, “During lunch today, Fan Sizhe, Jin Dapeng, and Uncle Hongdang all said they’d come help chop firewood next week. Now we won’t have to trouble them.”

“They finished their work and ran off without even having a meal or drinking a drop of water. Please take the red date buns I just made over to them,” Xu Ning replied.

Xu Ning remembered how, in previous years, when she gave them food, the boys had been unreserved. Now that they had grown up, they seemed to feel a bit shy about it.

The day they were distributing grain happened to be a Sunday, so Xu Ning and Xu An took the kids to the village together.

Since the three children learned to walk, they had wanted to run outside every day and didn’t want to stay at home for even a moment.

Once Niu Niu and Pi Pi were outside, they became very excited, refusing to let their uncle carry them and insisting on walking by themselves, with Tang Tang following behind her two brothers.

The three children were dressed in cotton clothes and pants, walking unsteadily. Xu Ning and Xu An were worried they might fall, so they stayed close by to protect them, which was even more tiring than carrying them.

When they arrived at the village warehouse, there were still many people lined up. Aunt Dashuan suggested that Xu Ning take the children to her house to sit and wait.

However, the children couldn’t sit still at home. Xu An and Jianmin took them to see the grain distribution, where it was lively and bustling.

Meanwhile, Xu Ning stayed behind to chat with Aunt Dashuan.

“Xu Zhiqing, you’ve raised these children so well; they’re chubby and healthy. You can just wait to enjoy the blessings,” Aunt Dashuan praised with a smile.

Xu Ning forced a smile in response, “Aunt, enjoy the blessings? You don’t know how these little ones are driving me crazy.”

“Just learned to walk and now they want to run outside and play every day. I’m so scared I can’t even open the front door; I lock it every day just to prevent these two little rascals from slipping out when I’m not paying attention.”

“It’s a good thing they’re curious about everything now. They’ll be bigger in no time and will be able to help you with chores,” Aunt Dashuan said.

While they were talking, Aunt Si from next door came over. As soon as she entered, she laughed, “Xu Zhiqing, your three children are truly delightful!

Xiao An and Jianmin each held one of them while watching the grain distribution. They weren’t shy at all, even when others teased them.

Xiao An was encouraging them to call out, and they shouted right back, ‘Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Auntie,’ with their little mouths moving quickly.”

“Aunt, those two little rascals of mine are so thick-skinned and love to talk. At home, as long as they’re not asleep, their mouths don’t stop.

If I ignore them, they can chatter on for a whole day, driving me crazy! Today, since Xiao An is home, I figured I’d bring them out to play for a bit.”

Both aunts laughed heartily at her words.

Just then, Aunt Dayong walked in and saw the group laughing happily. “Oh, I was wondering why you two old folks weren’t out watching the grain distribution. So it’s Xu Zhiqing here!”

Xu Ning stood up and smiled, “Aunt, I came to distribute grain too! It just hasn’t been my turn yet, so I came to sit with Aunt Dashuan for a while.”

Aunt Dashuan brought over a stool for her to sit on and asked with a smile, “Has your grain been distributed already?”

“Just finished. We came here early this morning to wait. And now that my eldest daughter-in-law is pregnant, I’ll be heading to the city this afternoon to bring them some vegetables. Their factory treats them well, but it’s not as easy to get fresh vegetables as it is in our countryside,” she replied, pride evident in her tone.

Feigning ignorance, Aunt Dashuan smiled and said, “You’re going to be a grandmother again! With a son and daughter-in-law who are doing so well, you’ll be enjoying life in no time.”

Aunt Si joined in with feigned flattery, adding, “Exactly! Just look at our village; who has it better than you? You live in a big tile-roofed house, and your son works in the city. The best days are yet to come!”

Xu Ning watched the three of them exchange compliments with a smile.

Aunt Dayong sighed, “What blessings are we talking about? As long as the kids are doing well, that’s what matters. My daughter-in-law sent word back yesterday that she wants to eat pickled cabbage, so she asked me to pickle some extra this year.

I came to ask you for help because I’ll be pickling cabbage at my place tomorrow.”

After she finished speaking, Aunt Dashuan smiled and replied, “I’m afraid I can’t help this year. My back has been hurting for a while now, and it hasn’t gotten any better.

I haven’t even pickled my cabbage yet this year. My husband won’t let me do it; he said my second daughter-in-law can just pickle a little for herself. It doesn’t need to be so elaborate.”

Aunt Dayong’s expression darkened a bit; the two families lived close together, and their relationship was decent.

In the past, whenever she came to ask for help, Aunt Dayong would always lend a hand. Who would have thought that this year she wouldn’t give her any face?

She smiled and said, “No worries. You just rest up, and I’ll have Xiao Lan help me with the pickling.”

After chatting a bit longer, Aunt Dayong found an excuse to leave. Aunt Dashuan and Aunt Si exchanged glances, slightly curling their lips.

Xu Ning observed the scene and noticed the time wasn’t early anymore. She smiled at the two aunts, saying, “Aunts, the grain distribution should be about done. Let’s go take a look.”

“Oh no, I almost forgot about the grain distribution! Come on, let’s hurry and check it out.”