Today, we continued with the autumn harvest. Jianjun brought his three sons to work in the fields. The younger ones were picking up wheat ears with cloth bags behind them, while their father was cutting wheat in front. At first, they thought it was quite fun, but later they got more and more tired and started to want to quit.
Dad, I feel so tired, I don't want to do it anymore. Zhu Zi has already started to cheat.
“Let me tell you, Guo Weidong, look at all those kids picking up wheat ears. Some of them are even younger than you. Your two younger brothers are even younger than you, and they’re all working there. If they get tired, they can drink some water and take a break.”
When Xiao Zhuzi saw his father calling his full name, he knew that his father was angry and that he was about to get a beating, so he didn't dare to say anything. He went to the side to drink some water and prepared to pick it up later.
When Zhu Zi saw so many children working, including one who was even younger than him, he realized that as a man, he should indeed do his best to pick up the wheat.
The woman working over there said, "All three of Guo Jianjun's sons are here."
Li Dachun rolled his eyes: "Zhang Tingting stays at home and doesn't go to work. She's so dramatic just because she's pregnant. If she doesn't work, her three sons have to. Look how tired the three kids are."
The woman next to her ignored her, knowing that she was just jealous.
When Guo Jianjun's mother heard this, she immediately said to Li Dachun, "My Jianjun is so lucky! He has three sons, and he's pregnant with another one. You haven't had any luck all these years. Why isn't your land bearing fruit?"
The middle-aged women and young wives working around them also laughed.
Seeing that this was Jianjun's mother speaking to him like that, Li Dachun immediately retorted, "With so many children, can we even afford to raise them? There's another one in the womb. Even if Jianjun works, I don't think it will be enough."
Alright, alright, the old lady next to them acted as peacemaker, saying it was fine, and everyone went back to work.
Seeing that they would be back around noon, Tingting made mung bean soup for the four of them, fearing they might have heatstroke. She also made some pork rib stew with green beans and spicy cod for them to enjoy when they returned.
"Mother, Mother, Mother," the three children called from afar.
Tingting was also a little excited when she heard that the three children had returned. It was the children's first time doing chores, and what mother wouldn't worry about them?
My little rascals, hurry up and wash your hands and come to the table to eat. This year, Mommy has prepared all your favorite dishes.
Thank you, Mom. Time to eat.
"Honey, how are things going? How are the three kids behaving?"
Zhu Zi was afraid his father would talk about what happened today, so he quickly looked up at his father. Jian Jun was amused to see his son like this.
"They all did a good job. Zhu Zi is also a good older brother and has set a good example for his younger brothers."
Xiao Zhuzi smiled secretly when he saw his father praising him so much, and looked up at his mother.
"That's good. Our Zhuzi is such a good older brother. Tiedan and Shitou are also great for persevering. I'll give you some candy later. Don't show off outside, understand?"
"Okay, okay, the three children are talking amongst themselves. They're usually not allowed to eat candy, so they're all happy about this."
Tingting took out some unwrapped milk candies from her pocket and gave each child two.
Zhu Zi touched the candy in his pocket, and the meal tasted even better.
"Honey, once the autumn harvest is over, you'll be due soon. It's between the end of September and mid-November now. Let's not have any more children after this one is over."
"Whether it's a boy or a girl, it's too harmful to the body. Every time I get pregnant, I can't eat any of my favorite foods, and it takes a long time to recover."
“Honey, but what if this isn’t a daughter? Our family is full of little brats. A daughter is so much better, a sweet little cotton-padded jacket.”
"Boy or girl, let's leave it at that for now. We won't have any more. I feel like you're working too hard. I work every day and can only help out in the winter. With so many children, you're exhausted."
"It depends on fate with the child. You can't force a wife. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. This will hurt my health. Besides, my current skills aren't up to par. If something dangerous happens, there'll be nothing I can do."
Tingting nodded in agreement. After all, there was nothing she could do but let nature take its course. Either it wasn't a girl, or she simply wasn't meant to be with a girl.
What's the difference between constantly insisting on having a girl and constantly wanting a boy? Tingting, who has come to terms with it, is now focusing on this pregnancy.
After finishing their meal, the three children took the ears of wheat they had gathered home, poured them into a jar, and then went out to work again.
When they got home late at night, the children were exhausted and covered in dust. Tingting felt sorry for them, but boys shouldn't be spoiled too much; they need to be toughened up. This food didn't come easily.
After Jianjun bathed and fed the children, Tingting rewarded the three children by letting them sleep on the kang (a heated brick bed) in her room that night.
Mom, it hurts. The children are turning over in their sleep, and they are crying a little. They've been working too hard during the day and are so tired that they can't stand it anymore.
Jianjun and Tingting were also heartbroken. They massaged their three sons' arms and legs to relieve their soreness, and they couldn't bear to see them like that, so they shed tears.
"Honey, don't cry. This is the price the children have to pay to grow up. They have to learn to grow up slowly. We can't protect them forever."
This is the child's growth, and it is also the growth of Jianjun and Tingting, the couple. The child is also slowly growing up and taking a new step.
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