"Auntie, do you have any aromatherapy that can help me sleep and calm my nerves?" Xiao Yutang asked.

"Sleep aid and calming? Of course I have it. What kind do you want? I have traditional incense, essential oils that I learned from foreigners on the radio, massage, sachets, and beads..."

"I want all of these, and they only cost 25 yuan." Xiao Yutang was straightforward.

The proprietress was shocked.

She runs a small business with a low profit margin and the products she sells are not expensive.

Even Lanlinxiang, who used to spend the most money with her, never bought a bottle of incense worth 25 yuan at once.

"Tangtang, your name is Tangtang, right? You're not mistaken? Do you really want 25 yuan?"

"Yes, 25 yuan." Xiao Yutang said as he took half of the money Shen Huanxi gave him and put the other half back into his pocket.

"Okay Tangtang, I'll slowly pack it up for you. But I don't bring many of these products out. The calming incense I brought out today doesn't even add up to 25 bucks. Since you want a sleep aid, I have a lavender pillow that also calms the nerves. With this pillow, I can add up to 25 bucks. Do you want it?"

"Yes, Auntie, please pack them all for me, and check them for me. There can't be any bad, expired, or spoiled ones. I want the best!" Xiao Yutang instructed.

The proprietress nodded happily and went to help him pick up the goods.

Xiao Yuzheng pulled Xiao Yutang's hand and stood on tiptoe to get close to his ear.

"Brother, Mom said we should compare prices before buying anything."

"This is the shop she often comes to buy things from. She knows how to enjoy life, so she must use the best things. She has already compared prices from three different shops, so this shop must be the best in the area."

"Yeah." Xiao Yuzheng didn't know who "she" Xiao Yutang was talking about, but when he heard Xiao Yutang say that this shop was the best around here, he nodded.

"But mom told us to bargain, why don't you bargain?"

"No need to bargain. We will bargain when we buy our own things. We won't bargain here. If we don't bargain, the auntie will be happy and she will pick the best goods for us."

The stall owner heard what Xiao Yutang said.

"Tangtang, you are sensible. You are worthy of being the one who came to buy things from me with your mother. You also know that I will never cheat old customers. I certainly can't cheat you, so you don't have to bargain.

Anyway, your mother often buys things from me, and she knows the prices of the things I sell. If you buy something and your mother buys it for you at a higher price, my mother will be mad at me and will never patronize my business again, right?

I don’t want to offend your mother, so I will definitely not charge you more, and I will guarantee the quality and quantity, and I guarantee it is the best.” The proprietress smiled and looked at Xiao Yutang and Xiao Yuzheng.

"Is this your brother? I heard from your mother that you have a brother, but he is too young and she doesn't bring him out. He looks a lot like you."

"This is my brother." Xiao Yutang answered truthfully.

"Oh, he really is your brother. I was wondering why you look so alike. You must be brothers. You two are both very good-looking."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Brother, who are you going to buy these incense for?" Xiao Yuzheng shook Xiao Yutang's hand.

"For Mom."

"Oh, great."

While the proprietress was filling incense for Xiao Yutang, she heard the conversation between the two brothers and started laughing again.

"Little boy, you are still young, don't you know what your mother likes? Your brother knows it very well. Your mother is a person with a very high quality of life. She used to buy things from me often. She will definitely be very happy if you buy aromatherapy from me and bring it back to her.

I remember when your mother brought your brother here, he was disdainful. No matter how your mother said that liking aromatherapy is a manifestation of quality life, your brother just wouldn't listen, didn't look up, and wasn't interested, which made your mother very worried.

Now your brother has come to buy some incense for your mother, which means it is a good thing and your brother understands it. Not only can your mother receive the gift, but she doesn’t have to worry anymore.” The lady boss is also a talkative person. She packed a few bottles of incense powder and started to pack the sachets.

Xiao Yutang frowned. He didn't buy these gifts for Lan Linxiang, nor did he buy them for the so-called quality of life or petty bourgeoisie, and certainly not to relieve Lan Linxiang of her worries.

Everything he did here today had nothing to do with Lan Linxiang. The mother he was talking about was Shen Huanxi.

The proprietress had obviously misunderstood, but she didn't want to explain.

"Okay, this is incense powder, take it back, your mother knows how to make it, and there are also small incense beads with glutinous rice as adhesive, I'll pack some for you. By the way, why didn't your mother come with you today? She loves shopping the most, but I haven't seen her in the past few days. You even have to help her buy incense?"

"Sister Mei, you are really talkative today. You chatted so much with this kid. Will it delay things? You'd better pack the things quickly. There are quite a lot of things, a total of 25 yuan. Don't make any mistakes." The owner of the soap stall next to her winked at the owner of the aromatherapy shop.

The owner of the aromatherapy shop didn't understand what she meant.

"Don't worry, I've been doing this for so long. It's just packing something. It won't cause any trouble. His mother is an old customer of mine. I miss her a little, so I wanted to ask. I really haven't seen his mother for a long time. Where's your mother?"

"Our mother is just..."

"Zhengzheng, go to Changan and Changning and help them bargain. Changan and Changning are shy and dare not talk too much to others. You are a man, you go to protect them and help them." Xiao Yutang interrupted Xiao Yuzheng and wanted to get rid of Xiao Yuzheng.

Xiao Yuzheng was a person who listened to his older brothers and sisters very much. He obeyed Xiao Yutang's orders and ran towards Chang'an Changning.

Xiao Yutang looks like the proprietress of an aromatherapy stall.

"Auntie, my parents are divorced. The mother who brought me to your place to buy things is no longer our mother. We have a new mother. I bought these aromatherapy products as gifts for our new mother. Our new mother has been very busy with work recently and has not been sleeping well, so I want to buy these for her."

Xiao Yutang told all this directly to the owner of the aromatherapy stall.

He didn't know why, but when he told others that his parents were divorced and Shen Huanxi was his new mother, he just felt very happy.

He just said all this to the owner of the aromatherapy stall just to explain it to her so that she would not misunderstand him again in the future. He did not expect that speaking out would give him the feeling of sharing his joy.

He really likes Shen Huanxi.

"Ah..." The owner of the aromatherapy stall felt a little embarrassed when she heard him say that. Didn't she really just rub salt into the wounds of this little boy by saying so much?

She felt a little sorry and always felt that she had hurt Xiao Yutang, but she found that Xiao Yutang seemed very happy, with the corners of his mouth raised.

"Tangtang, I have packed your aromatherapy for you. These are the ones you wanted for calming the nerves and helping you sleep. I have posted the instructions for use on the bottle. I will also give you a few sachets for refreshing your mind. I have put them all in there for you." The owner of the aromatherapy stall felt a little sorry and wanted to give some things as an apology.

"Auntie, this is not good..."

"It's okay, take it back and give it to your new mother."

"Okay." Xiao Yutang was not polite this time.

He carried a large bag of aromatherapy that the proprietress had packed for him and walked towards the drugstore.

When the owner of the aromatherapy stall saw his receding back, he felt a little guilty. He thought he was too outspoken and spoke carelessly without even asking for details first.

The young woman selling soap nearby sighed at her.

"Sister Mei, didn't I just tell you with my eyes to stop talking? Why are you still talking?"

"I don't know either. How could I know that such a big change happened in that boy's family in such a short time? If I knew, you could kill me and I wouldn't tell you."

"Okay, you don't have to blame yourself. You didn't mean it. The boy seems to be very sensible and he won't make a fuss about this." said the owner of the soap stall.

Several vendors nearby couldn't help but say a few words.

"The boy is very sensible. Didn't you notice that he was taking care of his brother's emotions? His brother didn't seem to understand that his parents were getting divorced, and he didn't know that his mother had changed. Just now, when Sister Mei asked why their mother didn't come, he sent his brother away."

"He is very sensible. Are children whose families have experienced misfortunes all precocious? My kid is about the same age as him, and he just keeps asking me to buy him toys. People are really different."

"But how long can he keep this a secret from his brother? His brother is growing up day by day, and one day he will find out that his mother is not his biological son, right?"

"Who knows, maybe the boy himself can figure this out, but it's better to keep this a secret for as long as possible."

…

When Xiao Yutang returned to the door of the drugstore carrying a big bag of aromatherapy, Xiao Yuzheng also followed Chang'an Changning to chat with Xiaohua and her daughter.

"50 yuan per person. Did your mother give you so much pocket money?" Xiaohua's mother widened her eyes.

"Yes, our mother said that this is to improve our financial management skills! This is a very important skill!" Xiao Yuzheng said seriously.

Xiao Yutang had a worried and serious look on his face. He quickened his pace and rushed over.

"Zhengzheng, why do you always talk about the money your mother gave you? Don't you want to be a painter? Aren't you studying painting very hard? You have to make your own money in the future! You can't always rely on your mother! It's so useless for a boy like you to always think about spending your mother's money! You can't think like this in the future! You think it's wrong and useless to always spend your mother's money! You have to work hard to become a painter and make your own money!" Xiao Yutang shouted louder when he was excited.

Xiao Yuzheng was shocked. It was the first time that his brother was so fierce to him. He was so scared that he hid behind Chang'an, sticking his little head out, not daring to look directly at Xiao Yutang.

Xiao Yutang held the incense in one hand and pulled Xiao Yuzheng out from behind Chang'an with the other hand.

"Did you hear me? I said you are a real man, you have to rely on yourself! It is so hard for mom to run a business as a woman. It is already hard for her to take care of Chang'an and Changning. Can you please stop adding more burden to her? Don't you feel sorry for mom? Don't you mention mom giving you money anymore! I won't let you ask mom for money anymore!"

…

Shen Huanxi picked out more than 10 kinds of spices in the pharmacy, all of which were of the best quality. Just after he finished paying the bill, he heard Xiao Yutang shouting outside, apparently scolding Xiao Yuzheng.

Shen Huanxi was afraid that the children would start making noise, so she hurried out with the spices.

When I came out, I saw Xiaohua and her daughter.

"Xiaohua, Xiaohua's mother, you are here too, what a coincidence." Shen Huanxi greeted them.

"Yes, what a coincidence to see you here. I saw Changan and Changning, so I came over to say hello and chat. I was just saying that Changan and Changning are so lucky to have a mother like you."

"I am very happy too! Our mother is so nice!" Xiao Yuzheng said with his head held high.

Xiao Yutang pulled him over, but he couldn't say anything in front of Shen Huanxi.

Shen Huanxi thought about what Xiao Yutang had said when she was in the pharmacy just now, and when she saw Xiao Yutang's reaction now, she immediately guessed something.

So she picked up Xiao Yuzheng from the ground.

"Of course we are happy, and we have Tangtang. The four of you will be very happy, because you are all my children, and I will treat you well."

"Mom is the best!" Xiao Yu was held in Shen Huanxi's arms. He hugged Shen Huanxi's neck and kissed her on the face.

Shen Huanxi was amused by the little guy.

"Did you buy anything?" Shen Huanxi asked.

"We bought cotton shoes and sweaters. We bought some for ourselves and for our mother. My mother wears size 36 shoes, and the pair we bought is size 36. They are filled with very thick fleece, so they are very warm!" Chang'an said.

"I haven't bought anything yet..." Xiao Yuzheng saw that Chang'an and Changning had bought things for Shen Huanxi, but he didn't buy anything, so he lowered his head.

Shen Huanxi kissed his cheek.

"Don't worry, Mom has already given you the money, so it's up to you to decide how to distribute it. Thank you, Chang'an Changning, but from now on, you can just use the money you give to spend to buy things for yourselves, not for me."

"We can't spend it all. Mom, I bought you some aromatherapy and put them here. I also bought you a sleeping pillow. Mom has been too tired and busy at work recently and hasn't had a good rest. Having these things can help you sleep better." Xiao Yutang also took his things to show Shen Huanxi.

"Okay, thank you Tangtang, thank you kids. Is there anywhere else you want to go?"

"Mom, is there anything else you need to buy? Have you bought all the spices?" Xiao Yutang asked.

"Let's go to the grocery store over there and buy some more spices. Xiaohua and her mother, you finally come to the city, why not come to our house and play today?" Shen Huanxi said to Xiaohua and her daughter.

"Okay!" The two of them were not polite.

Shen Huanxi went to the grocery store to buy spices. When the children saw that she was carrying so many things, they didn't want to go shopping anymore and pulled her back with them.

Xiaohua's mother had nothing to do but watch. Shen Huanxi had invited her to his house to play, so she took the initiative to come over and help Shen Huanxi carry things.

When I returned to the big locust tree in Guixiang Village, I heard a lot of people chatting about Shen Huanxi under the tree.

"Xiao Shen has really made a lot of money recently. I heard that she immediately bought land to build a factory, but I thought she was too impulsive. I didn't know if the sea buckthorn juice could be sold, so I built it first. I was afraid that she would lose money. Now it seems that I was worrying too much. Xiao Shen is really capable."

"Of course, she seems very smart. Even though she has made a lot of money now, I don't know how she treats her four children. After all, there are two biological children and two illegitimate children."

"It's easy to explain if the family doesn't have much money, because we provide food, clothing, daily necessities and send the children to school anyway. If we make too much money, it will be obvious that we are biased."

"That's right. If you don't have money, giving one child 10 cents and the other child 8 cents is not a big difference. But if you are very rich, giving one child 10,000 yuan and the other child 8,000 yuan, the difference is huge. Moreover, even if you really have a lot of money, you can't really give that much to your non-biological children, right?"

"That's right. When I have 10 yuan, I won't feel bad if I give my stepson 1 yuan. But if I have 10,000 yuan, I will feel bad if I give my stepson 1,000 yuan. But I won't feel bad if I give all to my own children. It's the same ratio. The more money I give, the more obvious my bias is. I'm afraid those four children will make trouble in the future, and I'm afraid they will complain to Xiao Shen openly."

"Why are you complaining? They are not his biological children. It is his duty for Xiao Shen to give them the children. I think it is wrong for them to covet Xiao Shen's money when they are not his biological children."

…

When Xiao Yutang heard these words, his brows furrowed.

Xiao Yuzheng still had an innocent and cute look on his face, probably because he hadn't reacted yet.

Shen Huanxi touched the two boys' heads and looked at the group of neighbors who were talking.

"What are you talking about? It's hard to treat your biological children equally. Looking at your age, you are not the only child, you must have many brothers and sisters. Can your parents really be fair and just? If your biological children are like this, what about others?

Even to Chang'an and Changning, I can't guarantee that I am fair. I can only say that it is better to teach people how to fish than to give them fish. It is better to make money so that children can live a better life, receive a better education, and become better people, rather than giving them money directly.

If I just give them money without training them well, they will eventually run out of money. I will train my four children well, and they will all be excellent children. Even without me, they will live well, and even if they don't inherit my property, they will live well.

It seems like Tangtang, he got the first place in his grade now, he will definitely be an excellent college student in the future, this is what I cultivated, this is also the greatest wealth I gave him, not the money itself, can we not talk about money directly!" Shen Huanxi went up and retorted.

Everyone under the big locust tree was stunned. It was embarrassing enough to be caught talking about someone behind their back during the day, not to mention that Shen Huanxi also confronted them.

Shen Huanxi's words are really hard to refute.

If she had said directly that she was absolutely fair and just, no one would have believed her and could have refuted her, because no one would believe that someone could treat their stepchildren as well as their own biological children.

If she really said that, no one would believe her, and everyone would think she was hypocritical, and it might even cause a rift in her relationship with her two stepchildren.

But she directly said that no one could be absolutely fair and just, and she cut off all the retorts they could make. What else could they say?

What's more, what Shen Huanxi said is not unreasonable.

When Lan Linxiang was teaching Xiao Yutang, his test scores were the last in the whole grade, and he was always fighting and having conflicts with his classmates at school.

If such a child wants to live a good life in the future, he or she must either be able to earn money on his or her own, or rely on inheriting the family property.

With Xiao Yutang's past, he would definitely not become a great man. Where could he learn to make money? Lan Linxiang worked as an accountant and could not make much money, not to mention Xiao Shanhe. Anyway, if Lan Linxiang took care of this child, he would definitely be useless.

It's different now. Xiao Yutang has made great progress. If he can get into university in the future, that would be even more amazing. This is indeed the greatest wealth that Shen Huanxi has given him.

Not only did Shen Huanxi's words leave the people chatting under the old locust tree unable to refute them, but they also made Xiao Yutang feel relaxed and happy.

Shen Huanxi didn't say much to them, as Xiaohua, her mother and four children went home with her.

Today, many bosses came to the yard to reserve sea buckthorn juice. Xiao Shanhe and Zhang Guifen took Shen Huanxi's colleagues to squeeze juice, write orders and collect money.

Shen Huanxi brought Xiaohua and her daughter to greet them, and then asked a few children to play over there. She went to the kitchen with Xiaohua's mother to cook.

"Huanxi, you are so kind to your two stepchildren. They will definitely be very happy to hear what you said under the old locust tree. Let's not talk about Zhengzheng, who is still too young. He may not be able to understand. Anyway, Tangtang will definitely be very happy."

"I didn't say that to make them happy. That's what I really think. I just hope that the lives of my four children can become better because of me." Shen Huanxi smiled and handed the basket of vegetables to Xiaohua's mother, "Please pick this for me. I'll go chop the ribs."

"Okay." Xiaohua's mother took the basket of vegetables.

"But Huanxi, aren't you afraid of being in a thankless position? After all, those two children are not your biological children. Even if you are so devoted to them, they may not remember your kindness.

Isn't that the case with Aunt Chen in our village? She never married in her life and adopted two children, raising them with great difficulty. But when the two children grew up and could earn money, they went back to their biological parents. They didn't even come to see Aunt Chen when she was sick."

"I don't care about these. I have two daughters of my own and I don't expect them to take care of me in my old age. I just want to raise them to be capable, responsible and good children. I don't want anything else."

"That's true. You are so capable, and you are not someone who needs to rely on children. But Zheng Zheng doesn't seem to know that he is not your biological child. He seems to always think that he is your biological child. What if he finds out one day? I am afraid that the child will feel disappointed."

"Hmm..." Shen Huanxi frowned when he heard Xiaohua's mother say this.

In fact, what Xiaohua's mother was worried about was also what she was worried about.

Recently, Xiao Yuzheng and she have been getting closer and closer, which is of course a happy thing for her. It would be best if Xiao Yuzheng could truly treat her as his own mother. Who wouldn't be happy to have a son who treats her as his own mother for no reason?

But this is obviously impossible. After all, everyone around her already knows that she is not Xiao Yuzheng's biological mother. Even if she doesn't say it, even if Xiao Yuzheng doesn't know it now, one day he will hear it from someone else and know the truth.

What she was afraid of was that Xiao Yuzheng had never thought about the fact that he was not his biological son, and he would not be able to accept the reality the moment he heard it from someone else.

"Don't worry. I'll find a time to explain it to Zheng Zheng directly, so that he knows from a young age that he is not my biological child. This is better than him hearing it from someone else."

"That's right. I also think it's a good idea. It's better to tell him in person than to let him know from others. But can he really accept it? How are you going to tell him? The child likes you so much now, how can he accept it?"

"I'll think of a way. Let's not talk about this for now. By the way, Xiaohua Niang, I have something to ask you." Shen Huanxi changed the subject.

She invited Xiaohua's mother to her home today, not to chat with her or to keep in touch with her, but because she had something important to ask her.

The author has something to say:

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2022-02-06 23:59:09~2022-02-07 23:59:16~

Thanks to the little angel who irrigated the nutrient solution: 1 bottle of Wangzai Tianmeimei;

Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!