The February breeze carried a lingering chill, yet it was already enough to unfurl the new buds on the branches. In the Shen family's courtyard, the old crabapple tree sprouted tiny green shoots on its branches, and morning dewdrops clung to the tips of its leaves like glistening pearls. Lin Wanqiu was basking in the sun in a rocking chair, her hand gently stroking her swollen belly, feeling the baby's occasional movements, her face filled with a tender smile.

Suddenly, light footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by a clear shout: "Mom! I'm back!" Lin Wanqiu looked up and saw Shen Nian'an running in quickly, carrying a schoolbag on his back and a cloth bag in his hand. He was wearing a faded blue school uniform, and although his face was covered in sweat, he couldn't hide his excitement.

"Nian'an, slow down, don't fall," Lin Wanqiu said quickly, her voice full of concern. Since Shen Nian'an went to primary school in the county town, she could only come home on weekends, and each time she came back, the house would be much more lively.

Shen Nian'an ran to Lin Wanqiu's side, put down his schoolbag and cloth bag, and gently touched her belly. His voice was soft: "Mom, was your little brother or sister good today? Did they kick you?" His eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation. Ever since he found out that his mother was pregnant, he looked forward to going home every weekend to see his mother and his unborn little brother or sister.

Lin Wanqiu smiled and held his hand: "You're being good. Sometimes you kick Mommy, like you're saying hello. How are you doing at school? Have you been behaving well?"

"I was very obedient! The teacher even praised me for doing my homework well!" Shen Nian'an proudly raised her chin, then opened the cloth bag in her hand, took out something wrapped in a handkerchief, and carefully handed it to Lin Wanqiu. "Mom, this is some gummy candy I bought with my saved allowance. Try it, it's very sweet. The doctor said you should eat more sweets to improve your mood."

Lin Wanqiu took the handkerchief, opened it, and saw several beautifully packaged gummy candies inside. She picked one up, put it in her mouth, and the sweet taste spread on her tongue, warming her heart. "Thank you, Nian'an, it's delicious. Why don't you eat some?"

"I don't want to eat it, I want to save it for Mom." Shen Nian'an shook his head, then looked at the water bucket in the yard. "Mom, the water bucket is empty, I'll go fetch some water." Before Lin Wanqiu could answer, he picked up the carrying pole and water bucket from the corner of the wall and was about to walk outside.

Lin Wanqiu quickly stopped him: "Nian'an, you're still too young to carry water. Let's wait until your father comes back." She looked at Shen Nian'an's thin shoulders and felt a pang of heartache. Although Shen Nian'an had grown stronger in the past two years, he still couldn't do heavy work like carrying water.

“Mom, I can do it!” Shen Nian’an stopped and turned around, looking at Lin Wanqiu with a determined gaze. “I’m all grown up now and can help with the housework. You’re pregnant and can’t overwork yourself. Dad has to go to the workshop every day and take care of you, which is also very hard for him. I want to help you share the burden.”

Lin Wanqiu was deeply moved as she looked at Shen Nian'an's earnest expression. She hadn't expected that the once thin and timid child had become so sensible. She gently patted Shen Nian'an's head: "Nian'an has really grown up, and knows how to care for her parents. But carrying water is too heavy, how about you help Mom sweep the fallen leaves in the yard?"

“Okay!” Shen Nian’an nodded immediately, put down the carrying pole and bucket, picked up the broom in the corner, and began to carefully sweep the fallen leaves in the yard. He was not tall, and his hands were still a little tired from holding the broom, but he swept very carefully with each stroke, sweeping the fallen leaves little by little to the corner of the wall and piling them into a small pile.

Lin Wanqiu leaned back in her rocking chair, watching Shen Nian'an's busy figure, her heart filled with gratification. Sunlight bathed Shen Nian'an, casting a golden halo around him, making him look exceptionally warm. She recalled when Shen Nian'an first came to her side; due to long-term malnutrition, he was as thin as a bean sprout, timid, hiding from people and afraid to even speak. In the past few years, under her and Shen Tingzhou's meticulous care, he had not only grown stronger, but his personality had also become cheerful and confident, and he was so sensible—it was truly remarkable.

Grandma Shen came out of the house and saw Shen Nian'an sweeping the yard. A gratified smile appeared on her face: "Nian'an is such a good child. She is so young and already knows how to help with chores. Wanqiu, look at our Nian'an, she is becoming more and more sensible."

"Yes, this child has grown up," Lin Wanqiu said with a smile, her eyes full of pride.

After sweeping the yard, Chen Nian'an went back inside and saw unwashed dishes on the table. He picked them up, went to the stove, and began washing them. He tiptoed to the tap, carefully turned it on, poured some hot water into the bowls, and then picked up a dishcloth to wipe the dishes clean, bit by bit. Although his movements were a little clumsy, he washed each bowl very clean.

Lin Wanqiu walked into the house and saw Shen Nian'an washing the dishes. She quickly went over and said, "Nian'an, put them down quickly, Mom will wash them. You just finished sweeping the yard, take a rest."

"Mom, I'm not tired." Shen Nian'an shook her head and continued washing the dishes. "The more I do, the more you can rest. The doctor said you need to rest well so that the baby can grow up healthily."

Seeing Shen Nian'an's stubbornness, Lin Wanqiu had no choice but to stop him. She simply stood beside him, gently supporting his arm to prevent him from falling. After washing the dishes, Shen Nian'an neatly put them back in the cupboard, then turned to Lin Wanqiu and said, "Mom, is there anything else you need to do? I can help you with that."

"No, Nian'an, rest for a while and chat with Mom." Lin Wanqiu took Shen Nian'an's hand and made him sit on the small stool next to her. "Did you get into any arguments with your classmates at school? Have you learned everything the teacher taught you?"

"I didn't argue with my classmates, and I get along very well with them. I've learned everything the teacher taught, and I even got a perfect score on yesterday's math test!" Shen Nian'an said proudly, her eyes sparkling with confidence.

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