Chapter 401 Mother, I want my little sister!
"Mother, this is for you. I picked this one; it might have some copper coins inside."
Ping'er placed a dumpling on Jiang Nuanzhi's plate and smiled as she gestured for her to enter.
In a daze, Jiang Nuanzhi recalled their first meeting. The boy was sallow and thin, with prominent cheekbones like they were carved by a knife. His hair was dry and yellow like straw, and his body and hands were covered in chilblains. Back then, you could see his ribs under his tattered clothes. His face also carried an indescribable sinister and fierce look that was beyond his years. To this day, Jiang Nuanzhi still remembered the day he brandished his knife, intending to slaughter Dahei to fill his younger siblings' stomachs.
Now, he has grown taller, his eyebrows and eyes are relaxed like newly formed bamboo, his cheeks are full and rosy, and his upright posture is as dignified as a pine tree. Even though he is deliberately acting funny and joking with himself, he still looks like a gentle and refined gentleman.
Jiang Nuanzhi was bursting with pride and couldn't help but poke the cheek of the villain's son: "My Ping'er, you've grown taller and more handsome this year."
After saying that, he reached into his pocket and said, "Here, this is a red envelope for my son."
Ping'er was taken aback, then stood up, lifted her robe and knelt down: "The New Year is approaching, and I am busy today, so I have not yet kowtowed to my mother. In the past, the three of us were weak and emaciated, but fortunately, we received your careful care, like a spring breeze and rain, which nourished our withered bodies and gave us the healthy appearance we have today."
On this Lunar New Year's Eve, everything is renewed. I wish my mother to be as steadfast as a pine tree, healthy year after year, free from illness, disaster, and worry; and to have a heart as bright as the moon, always clear and serene, filled with joy, happiness, and peace.
I will also study diligently and strive for excellence, so as not to disappoint my mother's teachings.
Ping'er was momentarily stunned as she vaguely recalled the past. After regaining her senses, she saw Jiang Nuanzhi twitch the corner of her mouth before kowtowing heavily to the ground. Xiao Er and Baozhu quickly followed suit and kowtowed as well.
Jiang Nuanzhi was stunned for a long time. She didn't expect that giving a red envelope would cause this child to bow down and say such a long string of words, which made her feel a little teary-eyed.
“Ping’er, your mother doesn’t expect you to pluck the stars or the moon, as long as you know the way home. The world is hard, and our family is even harder. But no matter what, always leave a crack for yourself. If the sky falls, your father and mother will hold it up. You don’t always have to be so sensible.”
After saying that, she wanted to help Ping'er up, but saw that he had already raised his head with a smile, but his eyes were red with a faint redness: "Yes, Mother, I have learned something."
He then accepted the red envelope that Jiang Nuanzhi had given him.
Jiang Nuanzhi smiled absentmindedly, just about to send a red envelope to Xiao Er Baozhu as well, when she suddenly heard Chi Heng's voice beside her.
"Haha, this red envelope from my sister-in-law is too sudden. Luckily, I had prepared it beforehand." Chi Heng's peach blossom eyes were a little moist from drinking, and he spoke in a drawn-out tone: "Ping'er, come and wish Uncle Chi a Happy New Year. Uncle Chi has prepared gifts for you little ones."
Having said that, Chi Heng straightened her back arrogantly. She glanced at everyone around her with schadenfreude, thinking, "They were all caught off guard, are they dumbfounded now?"
"Tch! You think you're the only one with this? I have one too!" The old man immediately crossed his arms. "Grandpa, I've got it all ready. I was planning to give it to you tomorrow for the New Year, but since that's the case, I'll go get it right now!"
"Me too!" Xinbo suddenly stood up and hurriedly followed him upstairs.
The young princess looked at her empty hands and stared at Chi Heng's somewhat bewitching face, lost in thought.
Ping'er, along with her younger siblings, kowtowed before Li Rong: "Father, the three of us offer our sincerest blessings. May you be as strong as a tall pine tree and live as long as the Southern Mountain. May you be free from evil spirits and enjoy good health. Father, you have worked tirelessly day and night for us and the family. We are deeply grateful and will always remember you."
I will take the virtuous and wise men of the past as my role models and study diligently. In my conduct and dealings with others, I will also follow my father's teachings, be honest and upright, treat others with kindness and compassion, and live up to my father's expectations.
"But I have one wish, and I hope Father will grant it."
Li Rong served Jiang Nuanzhi a spoonful of corn with pine nuts. Then, putting down what he was holding, he fixed his gaze on his son's straight back, which was as upright as a pine tree, and nodded: "Ping'er, please speak freely."
Ping'er immediately kowtowed to the ground, a smile on her face: "Father, when will you and Mother give the family another little brother? I feel the house is a bit quieter now."
As he spoke, he stared intently at the expressions on their faces.
When Xiao Er and Bao Zhu saw their elder brother offering New Year's greetings, they had already knelt down to accompany him. But when they heard him say this, their eyes lit up.
"Yes, yes, yes! Father, Mother, your son wishes you both good health and a hearty appetite. I wish Father will never get poisoned again and will be as strong as an ox! I wish Mother to be as beautiful as a fairy and as strong as an ox!" As he spoke, Xiao Er kowtowed with a thud: "Next year, Father and Mother will also have a chubby baby like Brother Hu and the others."
Jiang Nuanzhi's lips twitched, and she gave him the red envelope.
Hey kid, what are you talking about, "old folks"? Is she really that old?
After listening to Ping'er's story, and then listening to this one, Jiang Nuanzhi's mind was filled with images of someone as strong as an ox and a chubby baby.
She rubbed her temples and then rubbed Xiao Er's forehead: "Mother also wishes you that in the new year you will be more shrewd, grow taller, and learn more skills."
"Hehe, Mom, I've got it!"
"Sister, I want a sister!" Little Baozhu, her hair styled into double buns by Jiang Nuanzhi, had a red velvet flower in it that she had pulled askew. Her two older brothers had grown quite a bit taller, but she had grown wider, looking like a plump, white bun. She grabbed one of Li Rong's fingers and snuggled into Jiang Nuanzhi's arms, saying, "Mommy, Daddy, wishing you a happy new year and that I can have the soft little sister I want! Da Ya and the others all have little sisters to play with, but I don't! If I have a little sister, I won't be the youngest anymore, I'll be the older sister!"
As she spoke, she kept pulling and shaking Jiang Nuanzhi's hand. Even when Jiang Nuanzhi offered the red envelope, she refused to take it, persistently pestering the two of them.
Jiang Nuanzhi was at a loss for words and subconsciously looked up at Li Rong.
But then she saw Li Rong, who had been looking at her, turn her gaze away in the blink of an eye. Her body stiffened, and she stood there rigidly, her face expressionless as if she hadn't heard anything. Her ears were visibly red, and then the redness spread to her neck.
Jiang Nuanzhi noticed this and subtly nudged his arm.
Li Rong suddenly looked over, and Jiang Nuanzhi noticed that the corners of his eyes were red. She immediately gave him a wink. Seeing that Li Rong was still stunned, Jiang Nuanzhi gritted her teeth and pinched his waist.
This person is really something, does she have to deal with having a baby all by herself?
He's having it way too easy being a father.
Besides, when it comes to childbirth, natural childbirth is never as quick or easy as a natural one.
If you've already had three kids raised with painless delivery, who would still want to give birth naturally?
Ha, let alone not wanting to have children, I don't even have the chance to.
Having been here for so long, let alone having a child, she's only been able to touch his eight-pack abs a couple of times when Li Rong was sick. After that, he wrapped himself up tightly as soon as he could move again. She hasn't even had a chance to get a taste of them, not even a glimpse.
Huh? Well, I did see it when I was giving him acupuncture just now.
It's a pity I was busy helping him detox and didn't pay attention.
(End of this chapter)
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