Jianjun is here because Chengcai and Zhuzi's three children have grown up, so they can't directly take out hot water from the space. They can only boil water one pot at a time.
Chengcai is very sensible. He helps Jianjun boil water, add firewood, and pour water. Chengcai also knows that taking a bath uses a lot of firewood and water, and that water has to be carried out. His uncle and aunt treat him very well, no different from their son.
“Chengcai and Youcai are both outstanding, and this child can’t be any worse,” Jianjun exclaimed.
The two children were embarrassed by the praise, and their faces turned a little red.
Hearing their father say this, the three children felt very uncomfortable. Their father always praised their older brother Chengcai, so the three of them had to do their best too.
"Brother Chengcai, I'll help you with the work too," she said, glancing at Jianjun as she worked, implying that she was good at it as well.
Jianjun was amused by his son; his son's eager look for praise was quite adorable.
“Oh my, our Zhuzi, Shitou, and Tiedan are great too. They can even help their older brothers with chores. They are such good kids.”
The three children who were praised smiled happily, stood tall and proud, and felt more energetic in everything they did.
"Hurry up and wash, hurry up and wash, stop playing around, you bunch of brats will be washing until midnight, you're not behaving at all," Jianjun shouted at them.
Since they only had sons, Jianjun naturally took on the task of bathing them. By the time he finished scrubbing and drying all the children, it was already dark. Having too many children was a waste of a father's time.
"Hurry up and get into bed, don't catch a cold. You need to dry your hair properly," she said as she went to get clothes from the closet.
We prepared clothes for these children, from underwear to shoes, all complete sets. Cheng Cai and You Cai touched the clothes and couldn't put them down.
Although the aunt and uncle made cotton-padded jackets for them, they hadn't worn new clothes for a long time, and they were all tattered and worn.
“Alright, all of you come and try it, let me take a look,” Tingting quickly urged them.
"Oh my, this is really handsome, but it's a little too big. You guys are growing so fast these days, your heads are growing so fast."
After Jianjun finished pouring water and wiping the floor, the children got off the kang (a heated brick bed) to try on their shoes. The shoes were made to fit perfectly, and Chengcai and Youcai were so happy wearing their new clothes that they kept touching them.
Tingting patched the clothes of the children in a regular pattern. She couldn't just patch a single piece of cloth, or the whole village would notice. Since they were just puddings, everyone could accept it.
“Auntie, this dress is so beautiful,” Youcai said, touching it as he spoke.
“I’m glad you like it. Tonight, you and your brother will stay in the room next door. We have plenty of rooms. We also made a set of clothes for you two to wear to bed later,” Tingting said, looking at the two children.
Chengcai and Youcai realized that their uncle and aunt were very capable people, and they felt that they were truly blessed and lucky.
"These new clothes are for you to wear normally, as well as Zhuzi, Tiedan, and Shitou's old clothes, plus your old clothes. We'll wash them and cut them into two pieces, so Youcai and Chengcai can wear them when they go up the mountain."
"Thank you, Aunt and Uncle," the two brothers said happily. They slept soundly in their aunt's house, where the blankets were soft and fragrant.
The next day, the two brothers went out to work. Because Tingting hadn't washed and cut the old clothes yet, many children of the same age in the village were extremely envious when they saw the two brothers wearing new clothes.
Although there are patches, they are obviously new; they've all gone back to their own homes to find their parents.
"Mom, I saw Chengcai and Youcai wearing new clothes. They're so clean. I want some too."
"Mom, I want new clothes. Everyone else has them, why don't I?"
"What do you want? Where are you going to get cloth to make you? Just stay here. You're covered in mud every day. Wearing anything is a waste."
"Mom, I want one too, ah!" she began to wail.
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