When the train arrived at the station, Feng Mingshu got off the train carrying Mao Mao and saw Uncle Li, who was thin and had a few gray hairs at his temples.
"Fourth Uncle, why have you gotten so old?"
The three Li brothers exclaimed, and Li Yanzhong smiled warmly and said, "People naturally get old as they get older."
His gaze turned to Feng Mingshu, and he called out, "Mingshu, are you tired from the journey? Did Mao Mao cry?"
Feng Mingshu suddenly felt a dryness in her throat. She shook her head and said, "I'm not tired, and Mao Mao isn't crying."
"Mao Mao is so well-behaved; he's either sleeping or staring out the window," Li Sanpang added.
Li Yanzhong laughed, glanced at the children, took their luggage, and led them out of the train station to the brand-new tractor.
The three Li brothers were so surprised that they shouted "Wow!"
The tractor sped through the fields, a cool breeze caressing my face, but it couldn't dispel the lingering worry in my heart.
It wasn't until the tractor drove into the village and arrived at the Li family's house that Feng Mingshu saw his mother standing at the gate.
In the sweltering summer heat, my mother wore a headband, and her cheeks were noticeably sunken.
Feng Mingshu handed Mao Mao to Da Pang to hold, then jumped out of the car and ran over. She grasped her mother's hand, tears streaming down her face: "Mom, you promised me you would take care of yourself, but you've lost so much weight in just one year."
"Don't cry, Zhuzhu, Mom will recover soon," Yu Jingqiu comforted her daughter, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
"Mommy!"
Mao Mao broke free and came running over, wobbling as she went.
The mother and daughter squatted down almost simultaneously and opened their arms to the little baby.
The little child stopped, looked around in confusion, and finally nestled precisely into his mother's arms, tilting his head to examine the person who looked like his mother.
“Mao Mao, this is your grandma. When you were a month old, your grandma used to put you to sleep.” Feng Mingshu introduced her son.
Mao Mao naturally didn't remember his childhood, but he remembered his mother repeatedly teaching him a word on the train. Reminded of this, he immediately called out in his childish voice, "Grandma~"
"Yes!" Yu Jingqiu responded happily, reaching out to take her grandson, but Li Yanzhong held her arm.
“Jingqiu, you can’t exert yourself right now. Let’s go inside first and let the child play on the kang (heated brick bed).
Seeing Uncle Li's actions, Feng Mingshu realized that her mother had forced herself to come and greet her and the child. She quickly picked up Mao Mao and said, "Mom, let's go inside first. I also want to see the little sister."
Yu Jingqiu smiled and nodded, then let Li Yanzhong help her into the house.
Inside the room, the twins were guarding a baby, one on each side. When they saw someone come in, they immediately cheered and rushed towards Feng Mingshu, calling for their older sister.
Seeing her younger siblings grow taller and rounder, Feng Mingshu was very happy. She patted their little heads and praised them, "You are all great. You can take care of your little sister now."
The twins puffed out their chests proudly, then their attention was drawn to the little doll next to their older sister.
Li Mingyu's eyes lit up: "Sister, is this my nephew? He really looks like me. Little Mao Mao, quickly call him uncle."
“Little Mao Mao, I’m your aunt,” Li Mingxue also came over and pointed to the baby on the kang, “The one on the kang is your aunt.”
Little Mao Mao was confused, looking at this and then at that, her little mouth pursed tightly.
Feng Mingshu chuckled, taught him to call his uncle and aunt, then took off his little shoes and placed him next to his aunt.
After instructing the twins to keep an eye on them, Feng Mingshu turned her attention to her mother, asking about her health, the medications she was taking, and her diet, among other things.
Yu Jingqiu chuckled in surprise, patted her daughter's hand, and said, "Mom is much better now. With a little more rest, she'll be back to normal. Don't worry."
Feng Mingshu's eyes welled up with tears. She gripped her mother's plea tightly: "Mom, please don't risk your life to have children anymore. If things aren't going well here, come back to the island with me. Bring your younger siblings with you. I can afford to support them. My salary and subsidies add up to seventy yuan."
There was movement outside the curtain, but Feng Mingshu ignored it, staring straight at her mother, waiting for her answer.
The twins were stunned by the question their older sister suddenly raised. They opened their mouths to speak, but Yu Jingqiu shook her head to stop them.
She held her daughter's hand and said slowly, "Zhuzhu, the birth of every child is a rebirth for the mother. I have never regretted giving birth to you, including your little sister."
The baby who had just lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed) seemed to understand her mother's words. She turned her head and babbled, attracting everyone's attention, including that of one-and-a-half-year-old Mao Mao.
And Li Yanzhong outside the curtain.
Li Yanzhong walked in, put down the teapot, and skillfully reached out to pick up his youngest daughter. He first checked her diaper, and after confirming that it was still dry, he turned to Feng Mingshu and said, "Mingshu, this time it was Uncle Li's fault. I promise you that I will never let your mother be in danger again, nor will I have any more children."
In the past, Li Yanzhong treated Feng Mingshu with gentleness and care, which is the attitude of an elder towards a younger generation.
But now, Li Yanzhong has set aside his seniority and made a promise to Feng Mingshu on an equal footing.
At that moment, Feng Mingshu's feelings were complex and difficult to understand.
Seeing her mother's sickly appearance, she knew she shouldn't blame Uncle Li, but she couldn't help but feel resentful. She was serious when she suggested that her mother, younger brother, and younger sister come back to the island with her; she wasn't joking.
"Is that our eldest daughter bringing her great-grandson back? Eldest son's wife and second son's wife, you two hurry up and go to the kitchen to cook. Third son's wife, go to the village and exchange some eggs and mountain delicacies, whatever is good to exchange!"
The old lady of the Li family rang out in the courtyard, breaking the silence inside the house.
Under Li Yanzhong's guidance, Feng Mingshu took Mao Mao out and recognized the Li family members.
The Li family, young and old alike, were very hospitable. With the three Li brothers, Li Dapang and Li Mingshu, adding their own jokes, Feng Mingshu quickly became familiar with the Li family. Meanwhile, Mao Mao received the love of the whole family and his status was equal to that of his one-month-old aunt.
Within a few days, Feng Mingshu noticed that the boy had gained a bit of weight.
She also noticed that her mother's complexion was improving day by day.
Later, she learned about what happened during her mother's childbirth and saw the various years of ginseng that the Li family had prepared for her mother.
After that, she talked with her mother for another night, and the next day she took Mao Mao and prepared to leave.
Unable to persuade them to stay, the Li family kicked the three fat men from the Li family, who were having too much fun in the mountains, out of their home.
The three brothers were crying and whining, and as a result, they were slapped by their own father.
Half a month later, Li Yanzhong once again drove his tractor to take them to the train station.
Before parting, Feng Mingshu called out to Li Yanzhong for the first time, "Dad, please take care of your health. I'm entrusting my mother, younger brother, and younger sister to you."
Li Yanzhong seemed to be stunned for a moment before he reacted. He nodded vigorously and said "Yes," his lips trembling and his eyes moist.
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