Chapter 248: Six Children

She turned to Xu An and said, “Xiao An, go to the village and tell Aunt Dashuan and Aunt Si to come here tonight to help take care of the kids.

Also, let Da Lin, Jianmin, and Hong Dang know that we’re heading to the city this afternoon. Ask them if they want to come along.”

Xu An nodded and prepared to head out, but then thought for a moment and added, “Sister, I should also tell Hu Cheng and the others. Since we’re all going together, they wouldn’t mind spending some money to stay at the guesthouse.”

Xu Ning smiled and replied, “Sure, go ahead and tell them. Just let them know we’re leaving after lunch, so if they want to join us, they should get ready in advance.”

Not long after Xu An left, Lin Miao arrived as well, also wanting Xiao Mo to help look after her children.

Xu Ning sighed inwardly and smiled at Lin Miao, saying, “My brother is too young. We already have three kids at home, and he can’t handle so many by himself.

Grandma Wang is also getting older; she can only help with cooking but isn’t really capable of watching the kids.

Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei are both asking the aunts from the village for help. Why don’t you go ask around in the village, bring something for them, and see if anyone is willing to help?”

It wasn’t that Xu Ning was being unsympathetic; with so many children together, even a minor bump could lead to misunderstandings later on.

Her Niu Niu and Pi Pi were both mischievous and loved to fight, while Lin Miao’s little Apple was delicate and well-cared-for. If anything happened, Xu Ning couldn’t bear the responsibility.

Though Lin Miao felt a bit unhappy after hearing this, she understood that Xu Ning was speaking the truth. Xiao Mo was still young, and managing so many children was indeed a lot to handle.

“Alright then, Xu Zhiqing, I’ll go ask around in the village,” Lin Miao said.

Xu Ning smiled and sent her off.

By the time lunch came around, Xu An still hadn’t returned.

Xu Ning suggested waiting for him to eat together, but Xiao Mo waved his hand and said, “Sister, there’s no need to wait for Second Brother. He’s either eating at Uncle Village Head’s house or at Aunt Dashuan’s. He won’t go hungry.”

Just after they finished eating, Aunt Dashuan and Aunt Si arrived, bringing a small bundle with them, which contained three pairs of tiger-head shoes and a tiger-head hat for Niu Pi Tang.

Aunt Dashuan said, “Xu Zhiqing, Xiao An asked me to tell you that they went to Wang Liang’s house and will be back shortly. He said to get everything ready so you can all head to the county as soon as they arrive.”

Xu Ning helped Tang Tang try on the tiger-head shoes and hat, and they fit perfectly.

The three children put on the shoes and hats, reluctant to take them off, bouncing around on the kang.

“Aunties, thank you so much for making these for them every year,” Xu Ning said as she thanked both women.

Aunt Si smiled and patted her hand, saying, “Xu Zhiqing, if anyone should be thanking anyone, it’s us thanking you. You’ve helped us a lot these past two years.

You helped us sell cabbage and radishes in the winter, and now you’ve introduced us to this wonderful opportunity for our families. We don’t know how to express our gratitude!”

Aunt Dashuan chimed in, “What the Si family said is right. Xu Zhiqing, compared to all the kindness you’ve shown us, making some clothes for the kids is nothing.”

Xu Ning replied cheerfully, “Well, since you two insist, I won’t hold back any longer!”

“That’s more like it,” Aunt Dashuan said, then asked, “Xu Zhiqing, will Jianmin be able to stay with you when he goes to the city today?”

Sitting on the kang, Grandma Wang smiled and replied, “There’s plenty of room. Both of my rooms have kangs, so we can easily fit seven or eight people on one kang.”

When Aunt Dashuan and Aunt Si had arrived earlier, Xu Ning had introduced them.

Aunt Dashan quickly expressed her gratitude to Grandma Wang. “Thank you, Aunt Wang! It’s really a bother for your family!”

Grandma Wang chuckled, “It’s no trouble at all. My old man loves a lively atmosphere. When those kids come over, he’ll be so happy.”

While they were chatting on the kang, Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei arrived, carrying their children and some supplies.

When Niu Niu saw Xiao Pang, Xiao Ya, and Xiao Yu, he excitedly jumped up from the kang.

“Brother Pang, my mommy said you’re going to sleep at our house today, right?” Niu Niu asked.

Xiao Pang shyly nodded while holding onto Xiao Yu and Xiao Ya. Xu Ning couldn’t help but smile at the look on his face.

Xiao Pang was very considerate but easily embarrassed, like a girl, which was quite different from her two bold boys.

Xu Ning lifted Xiao Pang, Xiao Ya, and Xiao Yu onto the kang, letting them all play together.

The noise from the six children on the kang was louder than a hundred ducks quacking.

Yang Xiaomei said to Aunt Dashuan and Aunt Si, “Aunties, we’ll be counting on you these next couple of days.”

Both aunts laughed and replied, “It’s no trouble at all. You can rest assured and focus on your exams; we’ll take good care of the children here.”

Wei Lanlan added with a smile, “Grandma Wang, and you two aunts, the kids are still young, so they might be a bit rowdy at night. You’ll have to put up with them for a couple of days.”

She placed the supplies they had brought, including grains, eggs, and some meat, on the table. “You can cook these for meals and help replenish your strength.”

The two aunts wanted to refuse, but Xu Ning quickly stopped them, smiling as she said, “Aunties, they’ve already brought everything, so you should just keep it. There’s no need to be polite with them.”

Only then did Aunt Dashuan and Aunt Si relent, and Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei sighed in relief; they were still getting used to this back-and-forth of politeness.