Chapter Fifty-Two: You must know how to be grateful, understand?
When Zhang Chunxue saw her, her expression softened even more, and she carefully handed Zhong Yuanyuan over to Zhong Xiaoxiao.
Zhong Yuanyuan took the phone from Zhong Yuanyuan and then quickly called out to Zhong Hongqing, "Hongqing, come out and play with building blocks with your aunt."
She held Zhong Yuanyuan in one arm and took the hand of the still somewhat timid Zhong Hongqing with the other, and quickly walked out of the kitchen.
Once under the eaves, Zhong Xiaoxiao gently placed Zhong Yuanyuan on a clean old straw mat, and then rummaged through the corner to find a box of building blocks.
Zhong Hongqing's eyes lit up as soon as he saw the building blocks.
He always loved playing with his aunt, who was only a few years older than him.
She was feeling really stifled in the kitchen, but now that she's relaxed, she quickly grinned and exclaimed in her childish voice, "Auntie, I want to build a big castle!"
Zhong Xiaoxiao rubbed his little head: "Okay, let's build the biggest one!"
Under the eaves, the aunt and niece, their previous gloom gone, began to laugh and chat.
In the kitchen, Zhang Chunxue still had a stern face, and the pots and pans clattered in her hands, as if she wanted to vent all her anger on them.
As she deftly chopped the vegetables, she glanced coldly at Zhong Hongqing, who was playing happily in the yard, out of the corner of her eye.
That little rascal!
Zhang Chunxue scoffed inwardly.
He was an ingrate whose parents taught him bad habits in his past life, and he doesn't seem to be any better in this one.
However, it's still very young and chubby, so it's not too unsightly.
But she didn't intend to interfere further.
What good things could that despicable couple, Zhong Chengfa and Li Hongjuan, possibly raise?
He might be even more despicable than in his previous life!
Zhang Chunxue now only dotes on Yuanyuan; she is her own granddaughter, her sweet little darling.
As for Zhong Hongqing, well, as long as he doesn't starve, that's fine.
Soon, the aroma of food wafted out of the kitchen.
The three brothers kneeling in the courtyard smelled the aroma and their stomachs grew even hungrier. They stretched their necks, but dared not make the slightest move.
The first thing Zhang Chunxue brought out was a bowl of rice porridge that she had specially made for Zhong Yuanyuan; it was sweet, soft, and sticky.
Zhong Yuanyuan had just woken up and was being held by Zhong Xiaoxiao. She smelled the fragrance, sniffed it with her little nose, and then grabbed it with her little hand.
Zhong Hongqing was engrossed in building with blocks when he caught a whiff of the enticing aroma of rice.
He dropped the building blocks and ran to the kitchen door with his short legs, drool almost dripping from the corner of his mouth.
He stared longingly at the bowl of rice porridge in Zhang Chunxue's hand, then looked at his little sister being carefully fed by her grandmother, his little head filled with longing.
Zhang Chunxue acted as if she didn't see him, carefully feeding Zhong Yuanyuan spoonful by spoonful.
Zhong Yuanyuan's little mouth was all white from eating, and she would smack her lips from time to time, letting out a satisfied hum.
Zhong Hongqing stood to one side, his little hands unconsciously gripping the door frame.
He remembered that his grandmother used to feed him like this.
Grandma's embrace is the warmest, and the food Grandma feeds me tastes the best.
But now, even his grandmother won't look at him.
A huge wave of grievance welled up in his heart, his little mouth twitched, and his eyes immediately filled with tears, which were about to fall but couldn't, making him look pitiful.
Although Zhong Hongqing was only three years old, he vaguely sensed that his grandmother didn't seem to love him as much as before.
He sniffed, trying hard not to let tears fall, pouted, silently moved to sit down next to Zhong Xiaoxiao, and lowered his head without saying a word.
Zhong Xiaoxiao patted his head tenderly, but didn't dare to say anything more at this moment.
Her mother was clearly still angry. Although Zhang Chunxue was treating her very well now, she didn't dare to provoke Zhang Chunxue at this time.
Zhang Chunxue fed Zhong Yuanyuan until she was completely full. The little girl let out a satisfied burp and then nestled in Zhong Xiaoxiao's arms, dozing off again.
There was still a thin layer of rice paste left in the bowl.
Zhang Chunxue held the bowl, her eyes sweeping across the yard.
The three grown men, Zhong Chengfa, Zhong Chengren, and Zhong Chengyi, remained kneeling upright, but their faces were all grim.
Her gaze finally settled on Zhong Hongqing.
The little guy was holding a small wooden spoon, listlessly picking at the few green vegetables in his bowl, his face scrunched up like a bitter gourd.
Zhang Chunxue walked over expressionlessly and placed the bowl of rice porridge, which had only a little bit left at the bottom, on the small stool in front of Zhong Hongqing with a "clatter".
"Here, this is what Yuanyuan left over, you can eat it."
Her tone was icy cold, devoid of any warmth.
Zhong Hongqing's eyes lit up instantly. Without thinking, he reached out his little hand to grab the bowl.
"Smack!"
Zhang Chunxue reacted quickly, pressing down on the rim of the bowl and pulling it back.
Zhong Hongqing's small hand grasped at empty air and he froze.
Zhang Chunxue stared at him coldly: "What should you say?"
Zhong Hongqing was a little at a loss. He looked at his grandmother, then at the bowl, and opened his mouth but didn't make a sound.
"Quickly, Hongqing," Zhong Xiaoxiao nudged his arm and whispered, "thank Grandma quickly."
Zhong Hongqing then realized what was happening, and quickly looked up at his little face, saying timidly, "Thank you, Grandma."
Zhang Chunxue's face remained expressionless as she slowly asked, "Who left this for you?"
Zhong Hongqing blinked his big eyes, thought for a moment, and whispered, "It's...it's my sister."
"Then what should we say?" Zhang Chunxue's voice remained stern.
Zhong Hongqing finally understood, nodding his head like a chick pecking at rice: "Thank you, little sister! Thank you, little sister!"
Zhang Chunxue then let go of his hand and pushed the bowl in front of him.
"Eat."
Zhong Hongqing was overjoyed. He grabbed the bowl, picked up his small spoon, and began to wolf down the food.
The rice porridge wasn't much, but it was sweet and delicious.
He ate until his little mouth was smeared with food, his face full of happiness and satisfaction.
They looked as if they were eating some kind of delicacy, not leftovers.
After finishing the rice porridge, Zhong Hongqing let out a satisfied burp.
He licked the last bit of rice cereal from the spoon, raised his little face, and looked at Zhang Chunxue with bright, dark grape-like eyes.
Seeing that Zhong Hongqing had finished eating, Zhang Chunxue slowly put away her bowl.
She wiped her hands, looked down at the satisfied little guy, and her voice remained cold.
"Remember, from now on, whenever there's something good to eat at home, you have to give it to Yuanyuan first."
"You can only have what your sister leaves behind, understand?"
Zhong Hongqing nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice.
After all, he had been eating cornbread that scratched his throat every day at his grandmother's house for the past few days, and the occasional meat scraps stir-fried with pickled vegetables were considered a treat. He had never tasted such sweet and smooth rice porridge before.
He's lucky to have anything to eat, what else does he have to complain about!
Seeing that he was obedient, Zhang Chunxue's lips seemed to twitch slightly, but she quickly regained her cold and hard expression.
Do you know why your maternal grandparents didn't want you? Why your mother doesn't care about you either?
Zhong Hongqing shook his head blankly, his little face full of confusion.
"It's because you're too naughty, disobedient, and a real troublemaker!"
Zhang Chunxue's voice wasn't loud, but every word pierced the heart.
“I didn’t want you as a burden in the first place, but your dad insisted on bringing you back.”
"It's only because I'm kind-hearted and felt sorry for you that I didn't throw you out to feed the dogs."
"You need to know how to be grateful, understand? Don't cause me any more trouble, or else..."
Her last "humph" was drawn out, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible threat.
Zhong Hongqing was stunned and nodded quickly, whispering, "Grandma, Hongqing will be good."
Zhong Xiaoxiao listened from the side, her brows furrowing slightly, a strange feeling creeping into her heart.
She felt that something was off about what her mother said, but upon closer reflection, she felt that... it also made some sense.
After all, Hongqing was quite a troublemaker in the past, which is why his mother used to spoil him.
For a moment, Zhong Xiaoxiao was also lost in confusion.
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