I never expected that our conversation would veer off into the topic of retirement.
Moreover, before my own little one was even born, a four- or five-year-old child had already taken over the job.
"No, Xiao Heng, who told you all this? How did it come to the topic of retirement?"
Looking at the old lady, who also looked surprised, I knew that this wasn't what the old lady said. Without a doubt, it must have been one of those idle people in the family compound.
Even if it's simple, I know that people will gossip. Maybe they're just curious, maybe they don't have any bad intentions, it's just pure gossip. But gossip is gossip, it's not appropriate to talk about this with a four or five-year-old child, is it?
"Xiao Heng, who told you that? Why are you asking me to take care of your third aunt in her old age?"
“Nobody told Xiao Heng. I overheard them talking about it; they said we're a son, but we're not,”
The child scratched his head, seemingly confused. Qin Shao sat up to correct him.
"Some people say that my third aunt raised us like her own son, and that a son should take care of his parents in their old age."
"Yes, yes, that's right. I'll be a son to my third aunt and take care of her in her old age."
That's really unnecessary. The little kid doesn't even know what "retirement" means. But it's precisely this innocent thought that warms my heart. (I pinch his little cheek.)
"No need for retirement care, thank you, Auntie."
But you're the older brothers. When your aunt's baby is born, can you take him or her to play together?
"younger brother?"
"Maybe it's your sister. Don't you like your sister?"
The child didn't even understand what "younger brother" or "younger sister" meant, yet he was tricked by his aunt.
"I like it, Xiao Heng loves his little sister,"
"That's good."
The children ran out in a flurry, while the old woman still looked worried.
"There's gossip going around in the family compound, what should we do?"
"Oh, old lady,"
Jian Dan hadn't expected that the old lady with the sweat beads was so carefree and didn't care about these trivial matters at all.
"You don't think there's only these two idle remarks, do you?"
The Qin family's side is a simple courtyard for the couple, while there are no other houses on the other side. Usually, apart from the children, the old lady tends to the vegetable garden, sometimes goes with Professor Zhu to pick up livestock, or goes with the old man to check on the greenhouse. She rarely goes out, let alone sits and chats with the other families in the compound.
To be honest, she genuinely didn't know, and her heart immediately jumped when she heard this.
"Anyone else gossiping?"
Simple,"......"
So, they really didn't know anything at all.
"...It's nothing, they're new here, they're just curious. There was some gossip at the beginning, but it's all over now."
The main problem is that everyone is busy. It's an honor for someone to have a job in the military region that earns work points. Who has the time or energy to gossip about other people's affairs?
However, I didn't go into detail, because if I said too much, the old lady would get anxious and upset again.
"Don't worry, this is our territory, we won't let the child suffer any real injustice."
"We've heard everything we needed to hear over this long period. But the people in the family compound are just a bit gossipy; if they have any ill intentions, it's mostly just envy or jealousy. Don't worry, the kids can handle it."
This time, the old lady didn't ask any more questions, but just kept muttering to herself.
"What a terrible thing to do!"
It wasn't too cold yet, and my belly wasn't very big, so I simply patted my belly and strolled around slowly, eventually ending up in the backyard.
It was almost Chinese New Year, and schools were on holiday. The children in the residential compound were running around at home. As she walked over, she saw the Qin brothers, who had just left home, playing happily in the snow with a group of children. She didn't disturb them and slowly walked past from the side of the road.
"Teacher Ming, are you supervising the construction here?"
Mingzhu took a few steps forward, looked her up and down, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she was sure she was alright.
"This path is so slippery, why are you still wandering around? I've heard about it, you followed them up the mountain again. You're really something, don't you know your own limitations?"
As he spoke, he casually helped her walk back together.
"I went to your house the night before last, but you weren't back from the clinic. How are you now? Have you recovered?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I've just been cooped up at home for a while, so I've gotten lazy. Otherwise, what's a little bit of cooking? They didn't believe me when I said I was fine, and they insisted that I stay at the clinic overnight."
Mingzhu showed her no politeness whatsoever, tapping her forehead with her finger.
"Stop right there! Don't you have any awareness of being a pregnant woman? You're not the same nimble person you used to be. You're pregnant, and you're carrying another one in your belly. You're really careless."
"Can things be the same during pregnancy as usual?"
Mingzhu didn't say anything about what she should do for the sake of the child. She knew her own simple nature very well, and she was always very considerate towards friends and sisters.
"You, you, can't you just be patient for one year? Pregnancy makes your body more sensitive and delicate than usual. Tell me, what if you bump into something or strain yourself? Won't you be the one suffering in the end?"
Seeing that she nodded obediently without any objection, Mingzhu's smile eased considerably.
"It's almost noon. What would you like to eat? I'll have Lin Dongfang make it for you."
After being out for half the morning, the mere mention of food made Jian Dan's stomach rumble.
"Um, do you eat three meals a day now?"
In winter, fewer people are working, and many rural families eat only two meals a day: breakfast around 8 or 9 a.m. and dinner around 2 or 3 p.m. Most of the families in this compound follow the work schedule of the military camp. However, there are also some who are good at managing their finances. Men who work eat three meals a day, while those who don't work eat two. Especially now that the Lunar New Year is approaching and the children are on holiday, many families simply eat only two meals a day.
Lin Dongfang pushed open the kitchen door from the inside.
"Look at what you're saying, you're being so polite with us? Hurry up and come inside to warm up, what do you want to eat?"
I remember you like pig's trotters, and luckily we have a few left at home. Just wait, I'll start braising them right away. I have some ready-made braising broth; it'll be ready in an hour.
"Huh? Huh? No need, don't bother, just save it for the New Year, I'm not an outsider."
Lin Dongfang had already hurried out, and Mingzhu poured her some hot water and placed it on the kang table.
"Alright, stop being so polite. This is to say we don't treat you like an outsider. We're just cooking for you, so eat it. The New Year is just around the corner. What's the difference between eating now and eating during the New Year?"
"How about we celebrate the New Year early?"
It's simple, but I'm still a bit conflicted.
"How about I come back to eat tomorrow?"
Lin Dongfang carried several frozen, rock-hard pig trotters into the house and, upon hearing this, immediately asked...
Are you thinking about those few people over there?
"Don't worry, I told my uncle this morning to bring my second uncle, second aunt, and younger uncle over for lunch. Can't you see the meat in the pot is almost done braising?"
Now it was Jian Dan's turn to be surprised.
"You've already made up your minds? Why didn't you tell me?"
Lin Dongfang's laughter came from the kitchen.
"Otherwise, do you think you and Mingzhu have a telepathic connection?"
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