Everyone started working enthusiastically, but it didn't count towards their work points. Except in special circumstances, everyone had to come, because it was for the village, and everyone had to contribute.

Everyone goes home for lunch and then comes back to work in the afternoon.

"Honey, I'm home. Feeling better today? Those three brats didn't bother you, did they?"

"I'm fine. Go wash your hands and call those three back from the yard."

"Mom, Mom, Mom!" the three children called out in unison. "My ears are about to explode! Stop shouting! Let your dad take you to wash your hands and eat."

"Today we're having noodles with soybean paste and braised pork. Come here and look at all this dirt on you. You've gotten yourself all filthy in the yard."

"Mom, we saw some ants in the yard. We watched them for a long time. They were so interesting."

"Playing is fine, but don't get all dirty. You're always making such a mess. Take a shower tonight."

Fortunately, Tingting and Jianjun had collected a lot of water from the river on the mountain and stored it in their space. They could use it after heating it up. Otherwise, the three children would have been exhausted just carrying water for their daily baths.

"Jianjun, how's it going? Where's the site chosen?"

"Both Qin Yecai's family and we suggested choosing a place in the village, but in the end we chose one next to Qin's family's."

"This is going to be quite a spectacle! Old Mrs. Qin is no pushover. Our village is going to be in for some serious trouble."

"I thought that old Mrs. Qin was quite happy at the time, but I didn't think she was up to anything good."

“The eldest son in Old Mrs. Qin’s family couldn’t get married back then, so I suspect they’re planning to do this.”

“I think that’s right. I’ll finish eating and washing the dishes, and then I’ll go back to work. You can stay home and read books with the kids. You don’t need to do anything else.”

"Okay, Jianjun, don't worry, I'll be fine at home."

As evening fell, Kongjianjun and Tingting began to bathe the children, whose faces were covered in dirt so much that they were unrecognizable.

Alright, you'll sleep in the next room tonight. You're all grown up now, it's time to start learning to be independent.

"I don't want to, I'm scared, I don't want to sleep alone," Zhu Zi shouted.

No, and the two younger ones also refused.

“The three of you sleep together. With your older brother protecting you, what are you afraid of? If anything happens, call your parents. You’re all grown up now, so you have to grow up on your own.”

“Zhu Zi, you’ve grown up. As the older brother, you should protect your younger brothers, okay? Your mother is pregnant, and this kang (heated brick bed) is too small. There’s hardly enough room for the five of us to sleep. You guys don’t sleep still either. If you bump your mother’s belly again, your little sister will be gone.”

"Dad, I also think it's too small. You go sleep in the next room, and we'll sleep with Mom."

Tingting laughed, now she'd see what Jianjun had to say and do.

Jianjun was also taken aback. This brat is not easy to handle now. He is only 5 years old now, and he will be even more disobedient when he gets older. My sweet and soft daughter, come quickly, don't let him get into trouble again.

There are chamber pots on the floor in that room. Dad will wait until you're asleep before I go back to your mother's room and tell you stories. Don't you want to hear the story of Sun Wukong anymore?

Zhu Zi hesitated when he heard that he could tell stories, after all, the story of Journey to the West was quite attractive.

"Dad, please tell me more today, and don't close your door. I'm actually still a little scared."

When Tie Dan and Shi Tou heard their older brother agree, they obediently nodded. These two children always listened to their older brother.

"Honey, isn't the baby too young? Can he sleep alone?"

"Take advantage of this time to help him develop good habits, otherwise it will be more troublesome when he grows up. Boys need to be independent early. You say I spoil the child, but aren't you the same?"

Tingting pursed her lips and didn't say anything.

When the three children saw that their mother's opinion had been rejected, they obediently went to sleep in the next room.