Second Uncle Xia was knocking on the door outside, but everyone in the Xia family turned a deaf ear and continued doing what they were doing.

Only Qiangqiang was standing against the door, replying, "No one's home! No one's here!"

"Who are you kidding? The car is parked right at the door." Uncle Xia said, "Xia Mian is back, right? I came to see her."

"No, that's not our car!" Qiangqiang responded skillfully, "My Aunt Mian hasn't come back yet, Second Grandpa, you should go and get busy."

This confrontation between Second Uncle Xia and Qiangqiang had clearly been more than once. Knowing he couldn't get in, he could only shout through the door, "Mianmian, Second Uncle knows you're back. Your Second Aunt cut some meat especially for you. Come over for dinner tonight."

Xia Chuan curled his lips, "Even cutting off the flesh, that's really a huge expense."

"But who would dare to eat his food? Even if I eat one, ten meals wouldn't be enough to pay it back."

Xia He said, "This will only keep you here for a while. Second Uncle is a master at blocking people."

This person is someone who can sit in a corner for a month just to get something for free.

Second sister-in-law Hongjuan was worried about Xia Mian, "It's so annoying to be pestered by their family."

"Don't worry," Xia Mian said unconcernedly. "He probably forgot that his family never got any benefits from me. I'll just help him remember it later."

Xia Chuan immediately remembered how Xia Mian had caused chaos in Uncle Xia's house two years ago, and couldn't help laughing.

This aroused Hongjuan's curiosity.

Xia He told her some stories.

After distributing the gifts and packing up, Uncle Xia arranged for Xiao Liu to rest in his guest room and leave early the next morning.

The aunt-in-law took her two daughters-in-law to accompany Xia Mian and Xiao Feng home.

As expected, Second Uncle Xia moved a brick and sat at the door of her house.

Seeing Xia Mian and the others coming over, he said with a smile, "I told you Mian Mian that you were back, but Qiang Qiang insisted otherwise."

"Sister-in-law, I've been calling at the door for a long time, but you didn't answer."

The eldest aunt said calmly, "They were talking in the house, I didn't hear it."

Second Uncle Xia didn't care. He just glanced at Xia Mian and Xiao Feng and said with a smile, "You're living well in Yan City. You even have a car. Xiao Feng is also well-fed and plump."

As they exchanged pleasantries, they couldn't help but turn to the topic that concerned him. "The Ning family gave you a lot of money, right? I heard you brought back a cart of stuff?"

"Have you brought anything for your grandma? She's old and has difficulty walking, and you won't be able to find her anywhere. Your uncle will bring it to you when the time comes."

Xia Mian rolled her eyes and said, "Second Uncle, can you please stop coming near me? I don't recognize you as a relative."

"It's only been a short time. You didn't think I'd forgotten you were going to sell me, did you?"

"And there are so many things you've done to cheat our family," Xia Mian said. "I have a very good memory. Put your mind at ease. Don't even think about taking advantage of me."

Second Uncle Xia glared at him and said, "How can you talk like that, little girl? Why are you still holding a grudge? When did Second Uncle ever take advantage of you?"

"What do you mean by selling you out? I'm your uncle, and I'm doing this for your own good. Look at your sister Lili, she married Wang Tao, and now she's always being picked up and dropped off by cars whenever she goes out. She's so impressive! Last year, when we went to Yan City, everyone called her the boss lady."

Xia Mian was too impatient to argue with him and said directly, "Since you and my father are brothers, I won't argue with you about the past, but from now on, we have nothing to do with each other. If you still bother me like a fly, don't blame me for being rude."

Second Uncle Xia said angrily, "Xia Mian, are you trying to break off the relationship?"

"Yes!" Xia Mian said directly to Qiangqiang who followed him, "Call your friends over tomorrow. I brought back a box of chocolates this time. Have you tried them yet?"

Qiangqiang cheered immediately, and Second Uncle Xia said anxiously, "Why give away good chocolate? Your Second Aunt and I have never tasted it. I heard that it is from abroad and very expensive."

"It's okay, I'm happy to do it." Xia Mian looked at him, lowered her head and said slowly to Qiangqiang, "Qiangqiang, let them go and smash the windows of your second grandfather's house for me. If they break them, I'll give you a handful of chocolate."

Second Uncle Xia's eyes widened. "Xia Mian! What are you doing?"

"I'm bothering you," Xia Mian said, "I'm just saying this. If you show up in front of me once, I'll give them a handful of chocolate and tell them to smash the windows of your house. This is the first time."

"If you've broken all the glass, go ahead and break something else. I'll give you a handful of chocolate for every one you break. You can wait for it tomorrow, Uncle."

"Xia Mian!" Second Uncle Xia said angrily, "How can you be so ruthless, kid? You're so narrow-minded!"

"If you don't leave, it'll be twice," Xia Mian said, "or I'll get someone to smash it right now. There should be some children willing to do that, Qiangqiang..."

Xia Mian's appearance immediately awakened Second Uncle Xia's nightmare from two years ago. He didn't dare to bet on whether what Xia Mian said was true or not. He turned around and left in a hurry, saying angrily, "It's a pity that we even cut meat and cooked a big meal for you. You really don't know how to appreciate it."

This was the first time Hong Juan saw Xia Mian confronting Second Uncle Xia head-on like this, and she couldn't help but be stunned. "Mian Mian, you're really amazing. Second Uncle's pestering skills have caused so many headaches."

Xia Mian said, "This kind of shameless person must be made to understand how much you love him before he can understand what you say."

Then he told Qiangqiang, "Remember to bring people to smash the windows of their house tomorrow."

Hongjuan was surprised, "Is it really broken?"

"Of course," Xia Mian said, "I've already said it. Didn't he come up to me today? This is going to be a reckoning."

At this point, she sneered, "If we don't count it today, do you believe he'll dare to come again tomorrow? I'm so fed up with him, so I'll put an end to it once and for all."

Hong Juan covered her mouth and laughed, "Second Uncle won't bother you anymore. I'm afraid he'll have to take a detour whenever he sees you."

"He should have done this a long time ago." Xia Mian didn't want to argue with him every time she went home.

Pushing open the gate of the courtyard, the inside was clean. Knowing that they were coming back, the aunt and two sisters-in-law came to clean up in advance.

Sister-in-law Li Fang glanced at the yard and suddenly said with a look of confusion, "The wormwood braids I ordered are gone."

Mugwort braids are a common way for people in Mingxi County to repel mosquitoes. Fresh mugwort is picked, braided together, and dried for two days. It is then stored half-dry and half-wet. When it is lit, it burns slowly like burning incense, producing thick smoke, which is very effective in repelling mosquitoes and flies.

Li Fang came over earlier and ordered two and placed them in the yard.

Hong Juan said speechlessly, "Second Uncle must have taken it."

My aunt is used to it. "As long as it belongs to someone else's family, even dirt is gold to him."

"Go back and get two more later."

…

Xia Mian and Xiao Feng had a good sleep until a crisp noise came from next door, and then they were awakened by Aunt Xia's loud and powerful scolding.

Xiao Feng opened his eyes drowsily and looked at the mosquito net above his head, which seemed to have not reacted yet. He turned his head to see that Xia Xi was still hibernating, and then he felt relieved. There were three layers of wrinkles on his eyelids, and he looked very sleepy.

"It's still early, sleep a little longer." Xia Mian touched his forehead and told him to continue sleeping. Then he got up and walked to the door. Listening to the sound of people swearing next door, he said to them, "I have a box of chocolates here. Go ahead and swear as much as you can!"

Second Aunt Xia suddenly became quiet as if her neck was being strangled, and there was also the voice of Second Uncle Xia whispering persuasion.

Xia Mian was satisfied, so he went back and took a nap with Xiao Feng in his arms.

It was not until noon that they opened their eyes when they heard Qiangqiang shouting outside.

Xiao Feng stretched, then suddenly remembered something and jumped up, "Brother Qiangqiang."

Xia Mian laughed, "Who's energetic?"

Xiao Feng smiled and hugged Xia Mian's neck and rubbed it, "Go touch the loach."

"Qiangqiang said he wanted to take you to touch loaches?" Xia Mian stood up and found an old set of clothes for the child to wear. "Then wear this. You won't be able to get clean today anyway."

When the two of them arrived at their uncle's wife's house, Qiangqiang had already returned from playing around, bringing with him his friends who had done something bad.

Xia Mian kept his word and gave Qiangqiang a handful of chocolate. He immediately started to show off, "Queue! Queue! No more if you don't queue!"

Xiao Feng ate the breakfast that her aunt had specially left for them and then ran away with Qiangqiang.

Xia Mian asked Uncle Xia what preparations should be made for visiting Xia Chun's grave.

"Hongjuan is already preparing the offerings," said the aunt. "Just make them today, buy some paper money, fruit, and wine, and go straight there."

When mentioning Xia Chun, everyone felt a little depressed.

The atmosphere was just beginning to feel sad when a fair-skinned old lady in a blue floral shirt pushed the door open and came in. Seeing the people in the yard, she smiled before she spoke. "Xiang'e, I heard Mianmian is back?"

It was Grandma Xia.

Xia Chuan glanced at Xia Mian and said, "Look, here she comes."

My aunt frowned unconsciously and sighed secretly.

Xia Mian wiped her eyes and walked towards the old lady eagerly, "Grandma! You're here!"

Grandma Xia had a hunch that something was wrong, but she still looked at her lovingly, "I haven't seen you for two years, and Mianmian has grown into a big girl. What injustice has happened to you?"

"Well," Xia Mian grabbed her hand and said excitedly, "Grandma, I was just about to go look for you, but I didn't expect you to be here first."

"Grandma, didn't you say last time that you would go to Yan City with us and do our laundry and cooking? This time, please come with us!"

As if afraid that the old lady would not agree, Xia Mian said flatteringly, "Grandma, I bought you a beautiful silk scarf this time, but I didn't bring it back. Anyway, you will be returning to Yan City with me in a few days, so it doesn't matter if you bring it back."

Although the old lady came here with this idea in mind, she couldn't help but hesitate when she saw Xia Mian's appearance, "What's going on?"

"Grandma, you don't know how hard it has been for Xiaofeng and I this year." Xia Mian said aggrievedly, "I can't pick Xiaofeng up from school every day. Xiaofeng is sent to a neighbor's house. It's not a solution to keep doing this for so long."

"Besides, there's no one to clean and cook, so I have to buy food every day, and my money is almost gone."

Grandma Xia frowned and asked, "The Ning family doesn't care about you?"

Xia Mian sighed, "I was able to manage it last year, but this year I can't do anything about it even if I want to."

"Something seems to be wrong with their company," Xia Mian said. "There's this real estate bubble in Hainan. Didn't many big bosses jump off buildings? They've also lost a lot of money. They can't even take care of us right now."

"But they've found a school for Xiaofeng and me, and rented us a house for a year. They've done their best."

Xia Mian said with some distress, "But I still have a year before graduating from high school. I'm afraid Xiao Feng and I can't handle this situation alone."

"Grandma, please come with us this time," Xia Mian said coquettishly, holding her arm. "It will only take one year of hard work. Once I get into college, everything will be easy."

"Actually, there's not much work. Xiaofeng and I both go to school, so you can just help us clean the house, cook, and pick up Xiaofeng. It's not too tiring, and with your strong body, it's definitely no problem."

At this point, Xia Mian suddenly clapped his hands and said, "By the way, there's a street sweeping job at the gate of the house we rented. I asked the Ning family to help out and said they'd give it to you. It's pretty easy, just sweep a few times with a big broom every day."

"Just think of it as exercise. Besides, you'll get two hundred yuan a month, which will cover the expenses for the three of us."

This was clearly calculated, and the old lady immediately frowned and sighed, "It's not that grandma doesn't want to help you. I could have been there two years ago, but this year grandma is 75 years old, and her legs and feet are not very flexible anymore."

"It's okay. Just take your time if you can't do it." Xia Mian said regretfully, "If I can't do the street sweeping job, I won't do it anymore. Just cooking will be fine. Help me look after Xiao Feng. At least there will be someone there for him to go home to."

"Good grandma, please come with us. When I go to college, I will let you enjoy a good life."

“…”

Grandma Xia was frightened by her pestering and wanted to leave after sitting for a few minutes.

Xia Mian pulled her and refused to let her go, "Grandma, didn't you come to see us? Xiao Feng hasn't come back yet." She looked like she wanted to continue persuading her.

The old lady said she had something to do and insisted on leaving, and Xia Mian changed her demands again.

"Grandma, I'm really out of money." She piteously held onto the man's hand and wouldn't let go. "Can you lend me some money? I'll pay you back after I get Zhang Qiming's house and sell it. That house can be sold for 50,000 or 60,000 yuan."

"I just ran out of money this time, so I came back to sell the house."

Grandma Xia asked cautiously, "The company's house can't be sold, right?"

Xia Mian's eyes wandered for a moment and he said, "Of course, they are very popular. Every unit is short of housing, so there is no place that cannot be sold."

"Even if a murderer lived there, I can just sell it at a lower price..."

The more she said this, the less Grandma Xia believed it.

But Xia Mian refused to let her go and forced the stingy old lady to pay twenty yuan before letting her go.

After the old lady left, Xia Chuan and the others burst into laughter, "Where do you get so many tricks?"

Xia Mian laughed and said, "Didn't they force me to do this? I just want to live a comfortable life."

Xia He smiled and said, "Okay, now that both problems have been solved, we can all live comfortably from now on."

However, it is impossible for Uncle Xia's family to be completely comfortable. It is better to find ways to get rid of the top relatives like Uncle Xia and Grandma Xia and have less contact with them.

But they still had to take care of Xia Qiangqiang, the naughty boy, even if he made them mad to death.

In the evening, the offerings for Xia Chun's grave were almost ready, and the family was busy preparing dinner.

A child suddenly ran in and said anxiously, "Uncle Hai, Aunt Ma asked me to tell you that your Qiangqiang fell into a pit."

"What?!" Xia Hai's face suddenly changed.

Now is the time to irrigate the wheat seedlings. Many places have dug puddles to store water. There are a few deeper ones on the west side of the field ridge, and some children have drowned in them.

So the adults repeatedly warned the children not to go near the puddle over there.

Xia Hai thought that Qiangqiang was relying on Xiaofeng to act lawless and ran over there.

"This damn kid!" Xia Hai cursed as he ran out.

Xia Mian's mind buzzed, and he hurriedly asked the child, "Where's his brother? Are they together?"

"His new brother?" the child said. "They are together. His brother saved him."

The whole family immediately ran out in a hurry, but as soon as they got out of the door, the child shouted, "It's not that way, it's east!"

Xia Hai was extremely anxious, "How could it be in the east? The fields in the east have been watered and there are no puddles!"

The child then said, "It's not a puddle, it's a mud puddle."

"Mud pit?" Xia Haixin slowly put it down, "Is Qiangqiang okay?"

"I've rolled all over the mud, and I can see people rolling around inside, but they won't get out," the child said. "There are still several people here. Aunt Ma asked me to tell the adults."

It turned out that he was too naughty and was kindly notified by someone.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Li Fang's legs went weak and she almost fell down, and Hongjuan quickly supported her.

Xia Mian also realized belatedly that he was covered in cold sweat.

After knowing that his life was not in danger, Xia Hai turned around with a dark face, went back to the yard, picked up a stick as thick as a child's arm, and walked angrily to the east.

Xia Mian also hurriedly followed him to find the child, and the others went home and waited.

When they arrived at the place, Xia Mian really couldn't help but sigh that these kids really knew how to have fun.

The fields here have indeed been irrigated, and the puddles that previously stored water have turned into mud pits.

Next to the mud pit was a somewhat steep and narrow slope. Several children dug out the water and mud from the mud pit and smeared them on the narrow slope, which suddenly became slippery.

Six or seven children slid down the small slope as if it were a slide.

When Xia Hai and Xia Mian approached, they watched a child sliding down from the top of the slope. When he reached the bottom, he was stopped by something and fell forward due to inertia. He could not maintain his balance and rolled into the mud pit next to him.

Xia Mian instantly thought of when he fried chicken legs and coated them in batter. The chicken legs also rolled into the batter in the same way. However, this kid was stronger than the chicken legs. He didn't need any external force. He rolled himself in the batter and evenly coated himself with a layer of mud, without even letting go of his head.

There were already two children standing inside.

No wonder someone had to call the adults, these kids were playing too wildly.

Xia Hai and Xia Mian tried to find out who Qiangqiang was, but the chicken legs, no, the kids' hair and faces were covered with mud, so they couldn't tell who was who.

Until Qiangqiang's voice came, "Haha, Dagang, you fell in too, watch me!"

"Cannonballs, fire!"

The sound came from the mud slope. Xia Hai and Xia Mian looked over and found that there was a clay man sitting on the slope, holding a straw basket and pouring some mud and water on the slope to keep it slippery.

Because he was the same color as the mud slope, if he didn't speak, people wouldn't be able to see him at first glance.

Xia Mian watched helplessly as the guy slid down the mud slope, rolled into the mud pit, splashing a large amount of mud, and laughed wildly.

Obviously intentional.

Xia Mian could feel Xia Hai beside him taking deep breaths, but he was still like a balloon being blown up, as if he would explode in the next second.

Xia Mian quickly waved to Xiao Feng. She had just seen the child for the first time.

Xiao Feng was not that wild after all, so he just sat by the mud pit and watched them slide down. When Qiangqiang rolled in the mud, he also smiled.

His legs were also covered with a thick layer of mud.

Combined with the statement of the child who reported the news, it is obvious that when Qiangqiang fell in for the first time, Xiaofeng went in to rescue him.

Unexpectedly, Qiangqiang simply let himself go, and Xiaofeng saved him in vain.

"Xia Zhiqiang!!!" Xia Hai finally couldn't help but roared out in anger, shaking the earth.

Qiangqiang raised his head from the mud pit and was shocked to see his father. He used his hands and feet to crawl towards Xiaofeng.

Xia Mian was so angry that she laughed and quickly shouted to Xiao Feng, "Xiao Feng, come here quickly!"

Xiao Feng had already run over when he saw Xia Mian. Now, when he heard the call, he ran even faster with his short legs, "Auntie!"

Xia Mian felt a little regretful when she saw the little guy's rare mischievous look. If only she had a camera, she could take a picture directly. It would be such a precious memory in the future.

Xiao Feng was a little worried at first, after all, it was the first time for him to play so excessively, but when he saw Xia Mian's expression, he immediately relaxed and explained while running, "Brother Gang Qiangqiang fell into a mud pit."

Xia Mian smiled and touched his head, "See, Xiao Feng helped Brother Qiangqiang, right?"

Xiao Feng nodded, and Xia Mian took his muddy paw and said, "Let's go back and wash up."

On the other side, Qiangqiang saw the amulet running away and immediately stopped.

Xia Hai leaned on his stick and shouted with an overwhelming momentum, "Come over here!"

Qiangqiang shrank his neck, obviously knowing that he couldn't run away, so he could only walk forward obediently.

In order to delay the time of being beaten, he moved forward almost half a step at a time, which made Xia Hai's anger begin to rise again.

He walked over directly with the stick in hand, "Are you going to run by yourself or do you want me to whip you to run?!"

So Qiangqiang was driven home by his father like a duck with a stick.

Everyone he met on the road burst into laughter when they saw his expression.

I didn’t notice it when we were in the mud pit and there were only mud people there, but now the street is full of normal people, and Qiangqiang’s appearance is very funny.

Xiao Feng grabbed Xia Mian's hand and couldn't help laughing at Qiangqiang's appearance, and couldn't help laughing out loud from time to time.

Seeing how hard he was trying to endure, Xia Mian said, "Don't worry, just smile. You're not the only one who matters anyway."

Xiao Feng grabbed Xia Mian's hand and laughed so hard that he fell down.

Xia Mian couldn't help laughing, and looked down at his legs and said, "Aren't you uncomfortable?"

Xiao Feng lifted her leg to show her the cracked mud on it, "It hurts, it's tight."

"Then let's run back quickly to wash." Xia Mian also ran with the child.

When Qiangqiang rushed into the yard, even though everyone was mentally prepared, they were still shocked.

Li Fang, who was always good-tempered, couldn't help but yelled angrily, "Xia Zhiqiang! Just stand there and don't move. If you make the yard dirty, I'll beat you to death!"

Xia Hai waited for Xia Mian and Xiao Feng to come in, then closed the door directly.

Xia Chuan had already connected the snake-skin hose and started rushing towards Qiangqiang. In order to increase the force, he blocked the outlet of the hose with his thumb to increase the pressure, which immediately turned into a strong stream of water.

"Ahhh!" Qiangqiang was so shocked that he turned around and tried to run. Xia Hai stood behind him with a stick in his hand, "Where are you going?!"

Qiangqiang suddenly didn't dare to move, and shrank his neck, allowing his third uncle to wash the mud off him.

Li Fang shouted angrily, "Take off all your clothes!"

So Qiangqiang stood pitifully on the bluestone slabs in the yard, stripped himself naked, and let Xiachuan wash him like a sculpture.

Xia Mian was almost laughing to death. She hugged Xiao Feng, took off his shorts, leaving only his underwear, and went to Xia Chuan's side.

"Stand still and don't move!" Xia Chuan warned Qiangqiang, then turned around and was much gentler when he washed Xiaofeng.

He loosened the snake-skin tube and tried it on Xiaofeng's calf first. Xiaofeng shuddered at first, then couldn't help giggling.

Seeing that he was not afraid, Xia Chuan washed him without hesitation.

After rinsing off the muddy water, Xia Mian carried the child into the water that had been exposed to the sun all day.

Looking at Qiangqiang, you can understand why Uncle Xia's family has to dry two large basins of water every day in the summer.

Xiao Feng was sitting in a warm tub taking a bath. When she saw Qiangqiang jumping around and screaming under the strong current, she held onto the tub and laughed so hard that she fell over.

The adults were both angry and amused.

After Xiao Feng finished washing, Xia Hai picked up Qiangqiang and threw him into the basin to rinse him, then put his clothes back on.

But that’s not all.

Xia Hai dragged Qiang Qiang into the tank and said expressionlessly, "If you don't scream, I won't block your mouth. If you scream, I will block your mouth. It's your choice."

Qiangqiang lay on his back, looking at his father's dark face and shaking his head desperately, "I won't scream, no need to gag."

Xia Hai didn't say anything, and Qiangqiang was stuck in the tank alone, watching everyone busying around with a look of despair.

Xiao Feng would run over to look at him from time to time, and curiously touch his hanging hands.

It was not until dinner time that Xia Mian felt that Qiangqiang might prefer his father to beat him up.

Xia Chuan and Xia He set out the tables and chairs, and Li Fang and Hong Juan served the dishes one after another.

Qiangqiang immediately stood up, staring at the plate with burning eyes. When Xia Hai came out with a large plate, Qiangqiang sucked his saliva and said, "Cicada Monkey!"

Xiao Feng liked to eat it before, so Xia Chuan specially went to catch a lot of it last night. This is also Qiangqiang’s favorite.

Xia Hai put down the plate, picked up the towel and said, "Do you want me to tie you up?"

Qiangqiang shook his head quickly.

Xia Hai sat back, and the family pretended he wasn't there and continued to eat.

Qiangqiang was stuck in the tank, looking anxiously and slurping his saliva.

Xiao Feng took a bite of food and looked back at him.

After hesitating for a while, he picked up a few cicada monkeys from the plate and put them into his small wooden bowl. He stood up and took a few tentative steps towards Qiangqiang.

Seeing that the adults had no intention of stopping him, he stood next to Qiangqiang with his bowl in hand and ate.

Then, when the adults weren't paying attention, he quickly picked one up with his hand and tiptoed into the other's mouth.

Qiangqiang was so moved that he almost cried.