Tao Hongying smiled and waved her hand, comforting her sister-in-law, "Sister-in-law, we're family, no need for formalities. This is a big business for you and Third Brother, we're all here to help out. If Fourth Brother and I want to do anything in the future, can you and Third Brother just stand by and watch?"
"Of course not!" Zhao Yuru quickly shook her head, which made Tao Hongying smile even more. "That's it then. We're family, it's only right that we help each other out. Besides, I have to go to the restaurant again in three days, and I won't have time to help out."
After saying that, she went to the kitchen.
With nothing to do, whatever Grandma Li did was taken away by someone else, so she simply took her granddaughter to help pick and wash vegetables.
Jiayin rolled up her sleeves, wanting to help, but her grandmother stuffed two pieces of sticky rice cake into her hands and sent her aside to sit on a small stool.
If she just behaves herself, shuts up, and doesn't cause trouble, that's already helping.
Although there are no soy sauce vats here, there are water vats, rice vats...
Jiayin thought her grandmother felt sorry for her, so she happily stretched out the sticky rice cake and ate it with relish.
If she knew her grandmother's true thoughts, she would probably be furious.
The soy sauce vat has really ripped her off; it's destroyed even the most basic trust between grandparents and grandchildren!
When the sun was high in the sky, Jiaren brought his younger brothers over.
As soon as we entered the courtyard, we saw my little sister sitting at the door, her chubby face resting on her hands, eagerly waiting for us.
The boys ran over like crazy, hugging and kissing each other, laughing and making a ruckus.
Grandma Li came out of the house, shook the water droplets off her hands, and called out to her grandsons with a smile, "How many times have I told you, Fu Niu'er is growing up, you can't always be so close to her!"
Unfortunately, the boys wouldn't listen at all and kept carrying their little sister around the yard.
Jiayin was initially happy, but then she heard Maoge'er pestering his grandmother, asking, "Grandma, my little sister is just a little chubby, how has she grown? Don't worry, we don't mind that she's chubby!"
Jiayin rolled her eyes, internally ranting and raving.
What a great brother! Thank you for not minding my weight!
After a while of commotion, the whole family started eating.
In the dining hall, two tables were set up: one for the men and one for the women.
After a busy morning, Tao Hongying didn't have the energy to cook elaborate and complicated meals. She simply stewed cabbage, tofu, and pork belly, braised rabbit with dried vegetables, and served cold mountain vegetables and egg drop soup.
Each table was filled with four small ceramic bowls, plus a large bowl of steamed mixed rice.
Whether it was tearing down walls to build a kang (heated brick bed) or washing and cleaning, it was all hard work, and everyone subconsciously used their chopsticks to scoop up the rabbit meat.
Perhaps because it tastes sweeter when people are fighting over it, Jiayin gnawed on the rabbit leg even faster.
She took these rabbits out of her spatial storage last night.
Who knows, tonight we'll have to find a few more of the fattest rabbits and let them fulfill the ultimate contribution of their rabbit lives—to feed the whole family!
Soon, the food was completely eaten, even the soup was mixed with rice.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they refused to rest and went back to work.
After all, the sooner we finish preparing, the sooner we can open for business.
Jiaren brought his younger brothers along, tucking in their long gowns, and they were also busy.
After carrying sand and gravel and moving bricks back and forth inside and outside the house several times, the boys were all drenched in sweat from exhaustion.
Brother Sun, Da Zhuang, Uncle Wu, and the others watched with trepidation, trying several times to snatch the work from their hands, fearing they might strain their arms or backs.
But Grandma Li stopped them and encouraged her grandsons to help with the work.
She felt sorry for her grandchildren, who were tired.
But she was more afraid that her children would develop a selfish temperament of wanting something for nothing. More than studying hard to become successful, she wanted her children to learn to be grateful.
In order for a family to go further, they need to care for each other, understand each other, and give to each other.
Instead of one person having to make a unilateral sacrifice to benefit another.
Especially Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er, who have never suffered since childhood, have no idea how difficult it is to make a living.
In their short lives, apart from the blows dealt to them by their mother, Wang E, there were no other setbacks.
She doesn't mind letting her two grandsons take this opportunity to experience more of life's hardships!
Fortunately, even though Cat Brother and Li Brother were exhausted, they gritted their teeth and followed behind their older brothers. Neither of them shirked their responsibilities or gave up!
With class about to start, the boys hurriedly washed their hands and faces, waved goodbye to their families, and ran off quickly.
Zhao Yuru and Tao Hongying stood beside their mother-in-law, their faces full of pride.
Tao Hongying praised, "Our child will definitely be outstanding in the future."
Grandma Li smiled broadly, but said modestly, "Children need to be disciplined; they don't take praise too much. We can only say that, but we can't let the boys..."
Halfway through her sentence, her expression suddenly changed, and she jumped up and darted to the woodpile.
She snatched the axe from her chubby granddaughter and threw it aside, scolding her, "Grandma told you not to touch these things, why didn't you listen? What if you hurt your hand? What if you smash your foot?"
"Even if you're not injured, it's no good if you get too tired. You'll be sore all night! Leave these chores for your brothers to do when they get home from school!"
Jiayin was just bored and wanted to try chopping wood, but her grandmother caught her as soon as she picked up the axe.
She quickly replied, "Grandma, I want to help too!"
"Oh my, oh my, our Fu Niu'er is so smart and well-behaved! She really cares about her family! Grandma's eldest granddaughter, I can't get enough of her. There's really no better filial and sensible child in the world than our Fu Niu'er!"
Grandma Li held her chubby granddaughter, beaming with joy, showering her with compliments as if they were free...
Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru grinned as they listened, exchanging a glance, both at a loss for words.
What happened to the promise that children should do more chores and experience the hardships of life?
Weren't we supposed to tell kids not to be praised, but to be disciplined from time to time?
It turns out that those were all made for the grandson, but they were completely different when they came to the granddaughter!
Busy days always fly by; three days have passed in the blink of an eye.
Although Jiayin brought out plenty of food and drinks from his space, and there was always meat on the table, the whole family, young and old, still got thinner and darker.
However, the results were remarkable; the cafeteria renovation was finally completed.
Not only was a door and two large windows opened between the kitchen and the dining hall, but four small private rooms were also partitioned off.
Even the open space on the east side of the courtyard has been set up with tables and chairs, and large sunshades have been erected.
Flowerbeds have sprung up all around, and although no famous flowers have been planted, the fences are covered with climbing roses and there are all sorts of colorful flowers at your feet. The gentle breeze makes it a delightful sight.
Since the small garden was taken care of, the Li family has been having lunch here.
In particular, those six large sun umbrellas were specially ordered by Li Laosan.
The umbrella handle was as thick as a man's wrist, and the umbrella surface, made of oiled paper, was ten feet in diameter when unfolded, painted with various patterns, making it elegant and beautiful.
Under the umbrella was a round table with a hole cut out in the middle. The umbrella handle could be inserted into the hole, which was enough to cover everyone sitting at the table.
Whether it's providing shade in spring and autumn, sheltering from rain in summer, or blocking snow in winter, it's more than capable of fulfilling its purpose.
The boys love to run around here, while Jiayin likes to sit on a small stool, eat snacks, and daydream.
Even Jiaren would bring a book and take advantage of the short breaks at noon or in the evening to sit here, drink tea, and read.
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