Su Qingzhi's eyes lit up immediately.

"Our Zhenzhen is amazing! Starting a fire is a skill that requires patience and knowing how to handle things properly!"

She bent down and gently pinched his cheek.

"But Auntie uses a gas stove now, so she doesn't need to burn firewood anymore. But could you help Auntie wash the vegetables? The bright green vegetables, the clear water, washing each leaf clean with your little hands is so much fun. It must be so boring cooking alone in the kitchen, can you keep Auntie company and talk to her?"

Zhenzhen was stunned.

No one had ever asked him that before.

No one bowed their head before him or spoke in such a gentle tone.

Can you help me?

In his memory, the adults would either order him to "go and clear the bowls."

Or they'd wave their hand dismissively, saying, "Don't get in my way."

In the family compound, Aunt Yang and two other women were indeed kinder to him.

But he knew that each family had its own children, and having an extra pair of chopsticks at the table meant an extra burden.

But now, Su Qingzhi stood before him, looking at him with anticipation.

A sudden surge of warmth welled up in his heart.

At that moment, a thought he dared not even consider suddenly popped into his mind.

If she could take me in and give me a home, wouldn't everything be different?

But as soon as the thought popped into his head, he ruthlessly suppressed it.

No, that won't work.

Auntie already has a little girl named Zhouzhou.

Moreover, my aunt's belly was slightly protruding, and I heard that she was pregnant with a baby.

He was just an outsider sent to foster care, a child whom even his own family didn't want.

“Zhenzhen…can help.”

He finally raised his head, his voice still very soft.

Su Qingzhi smiled.

"Great, Zhenzhen is such a good girl, Auntie is so happy."

His face turned red instantly.

Why is Auntie so gentle?

I will definitely spend more time playing with Zhouzhou in the future, take her to see ants moving house, teach her to fold paper rabbits, and not let her cry.

Su Qingzhi had no idea what he was thinking.

She simply took his hand gently and led him step by step into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Chef Liu had already lit the stove.

Upon seeing Su Qingzhi enter, Master Liu smiled and nodded.

"You're here? I've already started the fire and prepared the water."

After saying that, he lowered his head and went back to his work.

Today, Su Qingzhi specially wanted to make a bowl of pigeon soup for Shen Zhiyu.

She heard that pigeon soup is nourishing and good for the body, especially suitable for people with weak constitutions.

The pigeons had already been bought from the market, and the supply and marketing cooperative staff had helped clean them thoroughly.

Besides making soup, she also made porridge.

So she chopped some lean minced meat, cracked two eggs, and prepared to make a smooth minced meat and egg custard.

Now Shen Zhiyu can eat with them too.

She was content as long as he ate well and became more energetic each day.

Su Qingzhi didn't let Zhenzhen run around.

She steadily brought over a large porcelain bowl and filled it with cool well water.

She then placed the greens one by one into the bowl and gently patted Zhenzhen's little shoulder.

"Zhenzhen, can you help Auntie wash some vegetables? Be careful and wash every single leaf clean."

The little guy's eyes lit up instantly when he heard that he could help.

She immediately rolled up her small sleeves, squatted down by the basin, and carefully picked up a handful of green vegetables with both hands.

He turned the leaves over one by one and washed them carefully.

Su Qingzhi stood aside and watched quietly.

There's only one stove in the house, so we can't cook several dishes at the same time. We have to prepare them one by one.

Pigeon soup takes the most time to make; it must be simmered for several hours to develop its rich aroma.

To save time, she specifically asked Master Liu to let her use the large stove.

As for the steamed egg custard, she had a brilliant idea and steamed it on top of the large pot of stew.

Zhenzhen squatted next to the stove, her bright black eyes fixed on the pot lid.

He muttered to himself.

My aunt's cooking always smells so good!

As soon as the food was ready, Su Qingzhi opened her personal storage bag and quietly put all the food inside to keep it warm.

"Auntie!"

Zhenzhen suddenly jumped up.

"Aunt Yang is about to get off work, I'm going to go find her and play!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already turned around and started to rush out.

Su Qingzhi reacted quickly and grabbed the back of his collar.

"Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

"Go home to the family hospital!"

Zhenzhen turned her head back.

"I want to see if Aunt Yang brought back any candy today."

"oh?"

Su Qingzhi sighed, feigning disappointment.

"But Auntie's belly is so big now, she can barely hold all of this. Look at all this stuff, what if it spills on the way if I deliver it all by myself?"

"Zhenzhen is the most sensible. Will you accompany your aunt to the ward?"

Zhenzhen paused for a moment.

"Um... I'll stay with Auntie."

Su Qingzhi felt a sudden sense of relief.

"Here, take it. Let's go together."

After saying that, she picked up the vegetable basket, took his little hand, and walked towards the hospital ward one after the other.

When they reached the ward door, Zhenzhen began to stealthily move backward, as if she was about to turn around and slip away.

Su Qingzhi, with her sharp eyes, grabbed his wrist.

"Stop, Zhenzhen, don't run away. We'll eat together today."

Zhenzhen froze, and just as she opened her mouth to refuse, a soft little hand suddenly reached out from the side.

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