The midsummer evening breeze, carrying the lingering heat of the day, gently tapped on the wooden windows of the Shen family's house, pasted with old newspapers. Bundles of mugwort hanging on the window frame swayed lightly in the breeze, wafting a faint, fresh scent of herbs into the room. The kerosene lamp in the main room was wicked up very brightly, its dim yellow light carrying fine dust particles that fell on the newly woven bamboo cradle beside the kang (a heated brick bed). The bamboo strips had a warm, pale yellow hue, and Shen Tingzhou had specially polished the edges so that even the finest bamboo strands were smooth and free of burrs. Inside, it was lined with a coarse cloth with floral patterns, sent by Old Mrs. Shen. The light pink background was adorned with tiny blue and white flowers, much like wildflowers sprouting along the edges of a field in spring.

Lin Wanqiu leaned against the kang (a heated brick bed) covered with a thick cotton mattress, her body covered with a soft, starched quilt. Warm milk stains still clung to her chest from where she had just breastfed. She turned slightly to the side, her gaze falling on Chen Nianxi in the cradle. Her fingertips unconsciously caressed the jade pendant on her chest—the pendant was her only support after her rebirth, and now it was pressed against her skin, radiating a faint warmth, much like a temperature-controlled hand warmer in a modern home.

Nianxi was wrapped in a light pink swaddle, only her tiny face, no bigger than a palm, showing. Her long eyelashes were thick and bushy, like two small fans covered in morning dew, trembling gently with her breath. She had just finished drinking milk, and her little mouth was still slightly pouting. Occasionally, she would unconsciously smack her lips twice, and the milk stains on the corners of her mouth were shiny, like crushed pearls. Lin Wanqiu's heart softened at the sight, and she reached out to wipe away the milk stains. The moment her fingertips touched her warm cheek, she saw Nianxi's little brows furrow slightly, as if disturbed from a sweet dream. Her little head shrank back into the swaddle, and Lin Wanqiu quickly withdrew her hand, even softening her breathing.

"This girl is just like you when you were little, so delicate even when she sleeps." Shen Tingzhou carried in a basin of warm water. A few drops of water still clung to the enamel basin, spreading out small damp patches on the blue brick floor. He placed the basin on a low stool by the kang (a heated brick bed), picked up the cotton cloth draped over the basin, wrung it out, and gently placed it on Lin Wanqiu's forehead. "You've just given birth and you're sweating a lot, don't let it get stuffy."

Lin Wanqiu leaned her head against his palm, feeling the coolness of the cotton towel, and her heart warmed. She remembered when she was first reborn, she was a widow who was tormented by her in-laws and couldn't even afford a full meal. Nian'an in her arms was as thin as a reed. Now, she not only had a caring husband, but also such a delicate daughter. Her life was quite decent. The pickles in the workshop were selling well, the vegetables in the yard were plentiful, and even Old Mrs. Shen's attitude towards her had softened a lot. All of this seemed like an unreal dream.

"Where's Nian'an?" Lin Wanqiu asked softly, her gaze sweeping over the empty bench. The little figure who had just been "talking" to her younger sister was gone.

“Mom called me to add firewood to the stove, saying he should learn how to do chores so he can help take care of his little sister in the future,” Shen Tingzhou said with a smile, gently touching Nianxi’s little face with a touch as tender as if he were touching a fragile porcelain. “This boy, he was more attentive to his little sister than anyone else today, he even forgot to grab his favorite braised pork.”

Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but laugh, recalling how Nian'an had squatted by the cradle that afternoon—her little body was taut and straight, her little hands raised for a long time but she didn't dare touch her sister, afraid of hurting her. In the end, she had to encourage her for a long time before she dared to gently touch Nianxi's little ear with her fingertips. Her cautious manner was just like a little adult holding a precious treasure.

Just then, they heard soft footsteps at the door, followed by Nian'an's sweet voice: "Daddy, Mommy, can I come in?"

"Come in, walk quietly, don't wake your sister," Shen Tingzhou called out, his voice extremely gentle.

The door was gently pushed open a crack, and Nian'an peeked in, his small schoolbag slung askew on his shoulder. His face was speckled with charcoal ash, making him look like a little kitten that had just crawled out of the stove. He tiptoed in, his gaze immediately falling on Nianxi in the cradle. Seeing that his sister was still asleep, he breathed a sigh of relief, gently placed his schoolbag in the corner, then moved a small stool and sat quietly beside the cradle. He imitated Shen Tingzhou, gently leaning over the cradle, his round eyes fixed on his sister, barely daring to breathe.

Looking at her son, Lin Wanqiu felt both warm and amused. When she was first reborn, Nian'an was a shy and timid child who would hide from people and wouldn't even dare to speak loudly. Now, however, he was so brave in protecting his younger sister. This change made her more gratified than anything else. She beckoned Nian'an over, and he quickly got up and tiptoed to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looking up at her with his little face: "Mommy, is my sister still asleep? I heard Grandma say in the kitchen that she would cry when she woke up, and I want to wait and comfort her."

"Sweetie, your little sister just finished drinking milk and needs to sleep for a while." Lin Wanqiu patted his head and wiped the charcoal ash off his face with her fingertips. "How did you get this on your face? Just like your dad when he was a kid, he was covered in ash as soon as he entered the kitchen."

Nian'an scratched her head sheepishly and rubbed her face against her palm: "When I was adding firewood, some sparks splashed on my face, but it doesn't hurt. Grandma said that when I grow up, I can help cook for the family, and then I'll make braised pork for Mom and my sister."

"Okay, Mom is looking forward to Nian'an's braised pork." Lin Wanqiu said with a smile, but her heart ached slightly. In her previous life, Nian'an had been malnourished for a long time and was always in poor health, often having to skip school. Although he was stronger now, the thought of him wanting to help with chores at such a young age still made her feel sorry for him.

Just then, the jade pendant in her arms suddenly emitted a distinct warmth, unlike the faint warmth before. It felt like holding a heater, spreading from her skin to her entire body. Lin Wanqiu was stunned for a moment, and before she could react, she felt a clear voice in her mind, gentle yet mechanical: "Infant care skill module unlocked. Do you wish to check immediately?"

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