When Xu Xinning got home, she saw Xu Daya tinkering in that spot again, while Cao Anian was chopping firewood not far from Xu Daya.

Cao Anian was very hardworking. He never stopped working after arriving at the Xu family. He was the kind of person who always had something to do.

Upon seeing Xu Xinning enter, Cao Anian stopped what he was doing and looked at her, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Xu Xinning didn't take it seriously, nodded to him, and went to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Xu Laosan and Mu Jingshu were tending a fire together in the stove. Of course, it was impossible for the two of them to simply and quietly tend the fire.

The reason they were so eager to start a fire was simply because they wanted to roast something.

These two are quite amazing; they can grill anything that's edible.

This time, I roasted sweet potatoes and oranges.

I can understand roasting sweet potatoes, but why roast oranges?

Mu Jingshu: "Isn't it said that roasted oranges have the effect of drying dampness, resolving phlegm, regulating the stomach, and stimulating appetite? So we want to maximize its effect. Besides, roasted oranges are sweeter than unroasted ones."

Roasted oranges are quite rare in the Jiangnan region, but they are perfectly normal in some other places.

Because it was so rare, both of the other two children, except for Mu Jingshu, were quite curious about it.

They roasted not only sweet potatoes and oranges, but also rice.

Anyway, children's world is the simplest; they do whatever makes them happy.

Seeing Xu Xinning enter, Grandma Xu smiled and said, "Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon, go wash your hands."

He had barely finished speaking when he realized the fire was getting too big, so he immediately shouted to the two people tending the fire, "The fire is too strong, turn it down, the food is burning!"

Xu Xinning went to the washbasin stand and took a washbasin and a towel. Grandma Xu scooped a spoonful of hot water for her, and then she went to the yard to fetch water.

Mu Jingheng hasn't returned yet, and I wonder how his talk with that bastard went?

The Chen family is small, so they cook and eat quickly. They had already finished eating and cleaned up. Chen Jianguo rolled his newly acquired iron hoop to find Xu Laosan and the others to play. When he saw Xu Xinning, he called out, "Sister Ningning."

Xu Xinning smiled and said, "Did your dad buy this for you?"

Since Wang Ying disappeared, Chen Ping has been particularly fond of Chen Jianguo, as if he wants to shoulder both paternal and maternal love on his own.

Chen Jianguo: "I didn't buy it. My dad made it for me out of scrap wire. Sister Ningning, look, isn't it rolling well?"

Xu Xinning readily agreed, saying, "Hmm! You rolled very well, quite skillful!"

These days, kids are into playing with rolling hoops, spinning tops, marbles, paper blocks, and all sorts of other games like East, West, South, North.

The toys were rough and simple, but they carried all their joy and childhood memories.

Upon hearing Xu Xinning say that, Chen Jianguo was extremely proud.

A short while later, Xu Laosan, Mu Jingshu, and Xu Zeyu all came out to play.

With something to do, why would they think of helping with the fire?

Naturally, this task was taken over by Hsu Hsin-ning.

The kitchen is filled with the aroma of life, which makes people feel at ease and warm.

Grandma Xu: "Why hasn't your dad come home yet, so late today?"

Xu Xinning: "We should be there soon, right?"

Grandma Xu: "Xiao Heng went to the county town?"

Xu Xinning: "Mmm!"

Grandma Xu glanced at Xu Xinning. She felt that since the landslide, her granddaughter seemed less close to her than before. Suddenly she said, "Niu Zhaodi came by today."

Perhaps fearing that Xu Xinning might not know who Niu Zhaodi was, since she used to call her "Second Aunt" all the time, it was understandable that she might not know her name, she added, "She's your former Second Aunt."

Xu Xinning poked at the flame, and without looking up, said "Oh".

Grandma Xu continued, "Originally, she wanted to come and take advantage of Daya after she found out that Daya was married, but after seeing that Daya was mentally impaired, she probably had a change of heart and left without saying anything. You haven't seen her like this now; she's obviously not doing very well. But it's impossible for someone like her to be doing well. With that kind of family around, how could they stop until they've drained her dry?"

Grandma Xu seemed to be venting her emotions and didn't seem to expect Xu Xinning to answer.

Grandma Xu: "I heard she got married, married to an old bachelor in their village. You didn't see it, there are marks on her body, she must have been beaten by her husband. People are all like that, they're just asking for trouble. Your second uncle used to treat her so well, but she acted like that. If you ask me, it's probably because he didn't beat her enough. Whenever I see her, I think of all the things she did in the past, and it makes me feel really uncomfortable."

Your second uncle has paid the price for his youthful ignorance.

Daya is reaping what she sowed. I think it's for the best. If she hadn't ended up like this, she might not have the good fortune she has now.

My dearest child! I feel most sorry for you. I should hate Daya for what she did, but seeing her like this now, I can't bring myself to hate her anymore.

My dear child! You are both my granddaughters, and I really can't show favoritism. I don't expect you to understand, I just hope you won't suppress your feelings.

This was the first time Grandma Xu had said such things to Xu Xinning since the accident, and it seemed she had been holding it in for a long time.

Xu Xinning knew she was being a bit stubborn, but she just couldn't stand being taken advantage of. She couldn't bring herself to say she would forgive or not hold it against her, and in fact, she wouldn't forgive and was indeed holding it against her.

Xu Xinning kept her head down and didn't reply.

Grandma Xu sighed and said, "Your eldest daughter married far away. You and Xiao Heng are both capable and will definitely live in the capital in the future. How many more times will we see each other in this lifetime? At worst, we can just pretend we didn't see each other. I'm getting old, and I just hope that you will both be safe and sound."

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