Chapter 55 Eating Together
Zhu Jingwen wiped away her tears, composed herself, but her voice was still slightly choked.
“Xiaolong was also switched. When we sent him back to his biological parents, they thought he had died at birth. They were overjoyed to see the child safe and sound. Cao Yue has really harmed too many people.”
Lu Mingyue nodded in agreement and asked, "So what's Cao Yue's situation now?"
“We reported this to the police for investigation. Cao Yue confessed to what he did, and the Cao family can no longer protect him.”
This outcome is the best result for both the child and the family.
Regardless, the child is now back with them, and Zhu Jingwen and Qin Lie only want to cherish him and never let him suffer any more harm.
The sound of children laughing and playing could be heard outside.
Leilei and Yaoyao saw that their younger brother really enjoyed playing with the chicks, so they opened the cage and let them out.
After several days of careful care, the chicks have shed their pale yellow down and grown a layer of fine new feathers, like they are wearing a light brown coat.
Unlike when she first arrived, she no longer walks unsteadily, but with a light and cheerful energy, chattering and running around the yard.
"Brother, stop Xiao Hei! It's going to steal Mom's vegetables!"
Hearing his sister's call, Leilei quickly grabbed a small bamboo pole and chased Xiao Hei out of the vegetable garden.
Lu Mingyue came out of the house, took a bamboo basket, and herded all the chicks inside.
Leilei breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, his mother arrived in time; otherwise, the vegetables that had just sprouted in the garden would have been lost.
Yao Yao fed the chicks some wild vegetables.
Upon seeing the fresh food, the chicks immediately gathered around, occasionally lowering their heads to peck at it, and sometimes raising their heads to stare at them with their big black eyes.
Leilei used a bamboo skewer to pick up an earthworm from the tin box and put it into the bamboo basket.
After the chicks finished eating, Yao Yao took out the quietest little yellow chick and held it in her hand, gently stroking its head.
Mingming looked at her with a hint of envy.
Feeling his gaze, Yao Yao smiled and said, "Do you want to try it too? Little Yellow's fur is so soft, like cotton."
"May I?"
Mingming's voice was a little soft.
"Of course you can. Little Yellow won't catch you. If you're scared, I'll give you a leaf to hold."
Yao Yao stuffed a piece of vegetable leaf into his hand and handed Xiao Huang over at the same time.
Xiao Huang was a little slow to react, his eyes fixed on the vegetable leaves, completely unaware that he had been moved to a different spot.
Mingming held the vegetable leaves in one hand and carefully supported Xiaohuang with the other, her movements clumsy but extremely careful.
Little Huang lowered its head, gently took a bite of a leaf, and chewed it with its small, pointed mouth, as if savoring some precious delicacy.
Yao Yao's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled and said, "Little Huang likes you a lot."
Mingming's cheeks flushed red, and he looked excited. He whispered to Xiao Huang, "You need to eat more so you can grow up quickly."
The two adults watching this heartwarming scene were unconsciously touched.
Sunlight falls on the children, and the shadows of the chicks intertwine with the children's smiling faces, creating a heartwarming scene.
"The children are ready to eat."
With Huo Zheng's shout, Lu Mingyue led the little ones to wash their hands and go back inside for dinner.
Inside, steaming hot dumplings with three kinds of seafood filling were already laid out, their aroma filling the air.
Qin Lie laughed and said, "It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. I didn't expect we'd be able to eat dumplings."
"These dumplings were made with the help of the children and Huo Zheng."
"Really? Old Huo can make dumplings?"
Qin Lie was clearly somewhat incredulous. If he remembered correctly, Huo Zheng had burned the pot when he was home with the two children before.
He had a look on his face that said, "Don't lie to me."
Leilei vouched for his mother, saying, "Uncle Qin is true. Dad can roll out dough, and so can I!"
Yao Yao lowered her head, shook her head, and said, "Yao Yao doesn't know how."
Lu Mingyue patted her head and comforted her, "Who said you can't? Yaoyao's dough pieces are so pretty and good, Mommy likes them the most. Besides, if Yaoyao hadn't pressed them so well, Mommy wouldn't have been able to make such beautiful dumplings."
She picked up a dumpling and placed it on Yao Yao's plate, saying, "This is the result of our joint efforts, Yao Yao, eat more."
Yao Yao's eyes crinkled with laughter as she nodded happily, "Next time Mom makes dumplings, Yao Yao will help again."
The three-ingredient filling contains chives, eggs, and shrimp, and is drizzled with sesame oil for added aroma.
The children's eyes lit up as they looked at the plates of steaming dumplings and smelled the aroma in the air.
"Slow down, be careful not to burn yourself."
Lu Mingyue smiled and reminded them to set aside a few dumplings for each child to cool.
"Slow down, be careful it's hot," Lu Mingyue reminded with a smile, picking up a few dumplings for each child.
Yao Yao puffed out her cheeks and blew on the dumplings, waiting until they cooled down before taking a bite. Her eyes immediately lit up, "Wow, Mom's dumplings are so delicious!"
Leilei nodded repeatedly, "It tastes even better than the cafeteria food!"
Mingming carefully took a bite of the dumpling, the steam carrying the aroma of flour slowly spreading in her mouth.
The sweetness of the shrimp, the fragrance of the chives, and the delicious eggs come together like a warm current flowing into the heart.
His eyes lit up instantly, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, but he lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly.
He had almost never eaten anything so delicious in his life.
At first, I could barely get enough to eat while following the old bachelor, but since he passed away, I haven't even been able to eat cornbread.
They often go hungry, only able to scavenge leftovers, and sometimes even have to fight dogs for food. If they're unlucky, they might go a whole day without eating.
White flour dumplings were something he never even dared to dream of.
This dumpling not only filled his stomach, which had been empty for a long time, but also gave him a long-lost sense of warmth and comfort.
His nose tingled slightly, and tears welled up in his eyes. But he blinked hard, trying not to let the tears fall.
"Is it delicious?" Lu Mingyue asked gently.
Mingming raised her head, nodded vigorously, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "It's delicious, thank you, Auntie."
Zhu Jingwen watched the child eat so earnestly, feeling like she was treasuring a precious gem. Since the child had come home, he hadn't had much of an appetite, so eating so many dumplings today was truly unprecedented.
Zhu Jingwen couldn't help but tear up, and secretly vowed in her heart to cook well, fatten up her child, and let him be as happy and carefree as other children.
After the meal, Huo Zheng stood up to clear the dishes and wiped the table clean.
Zhu Jingwen couldn't help but turn to Lu Mingyue and ask, "Mingyue, how did you teach her?"
After a heart-to-heart talk, Zhu Jingwen changed his way of addressing her from "Comrade Lu" to the more affectionate "Mingyue".
Lu Mingyue smiled and lowered her voice, saying, "There's no special instruction. Just let him do more chores, and he'll get used to it. Besides, family matters are meant to be shared by everyone."
Zhu Jingwen's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but give a thumbs up in praise.
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