As soon as Zhao Juhua left, Village Chief Lin came over.
"Chunping, what's going on? Someone said you picked up a baby girl?"
Mu Chunping looked at Ningbao in his arms, then at the village chief.
"Yes, village chief, this is Ningbao, who is three and a half years old. Ningbao calls the village chief 'grandpa'."
Ningbao obediently called out to Village Chief Lin.
"Grandpa Village Chief."
Village Chief Lin glanced intently at the little girl in Mu Chunping's arms. Her round face, delicate mouth, and expressive eyes suggested she was a clever and mischievous girl.
"Oh my, this child is so good-looking."
Village Chief Lin paused for a moment, then said earnestly,
"Chunping, the world is not good now and life is difficult. Raising another child will be a much heavier burden. You should discuss this matter of taking in a child with your family."
However, if you decide to raise them, you must treat them well. The child is quite pitiful; we can't be like your mother, Zhao, who favored boys over girls.
Mu Chunping smiled and looked seriously at Village Chief Lin.
"Uncle Village Chief, don't worry, it won't happen. Our whole family loves baby girls, but unfortunately we've had four boys."
"My parents will definitely love Ningbao."
Village Chief Lin nodded.
"Okay, once you've discussed it, that's fine. Hurry up, we need to get going soon."
...
When Mu Chunping walked up to his family, they already knew from Zhao Juhua that Mu Chunping had picked up a baby girl.
Seeing Mu Chunping return, even Mu Dasheng, who was lying on the cart and unable to move easily, struggled to sit up. His hands trembled with excitement as he looked at the baby in his son's arms.
"Chunping, is this the little girl you picked up? She's so pretty! Come here and let me hold her. Come here, little girl, I'm your grandpa."
Mu Dasheng's wife, Li Guizhi, also came over. "Old man, this road is uneven, so you should just lie down. Let me carry you. Come here, my dear grandson, I'm your grandma."
Mu Chunping's wife, Shen Yuzhen, placed her youngest son, Mu Chengye, on the cart and stretched out her hands to Ningbao.
"Mother, you're too tired carrying the baby on the road. Let your daughter-in-law carry the baby instead. Let your mother carry you."
Shen Yuzhen's elder brother, Shen Junshan, also looked on with anticipation.
"Yuzhen, do you want to hold Chengye's hand or let your older brother carry you? Come on, let your uncle carry you."
Shen Junshan's wife, Liu Qingru, also reached out her hand.
"Husband, how can a big man like you, with your clumsy hands and feet, hold a baby? Let me hold it, your aunt will hold it."
Mu Chunping's eldest son, Mu Cheng'an, is 11 years old.
"Little sister, I am the eldest brother."
Nine-year-old Mu Chengju, "my second brother."
Seven-year-old Mu Chengle said, "I am the third brother."
Five-year-old Mu Chengye said, "I am the fourth brother."
Shen Junshan's 12-year-old son, Shen Sijian, said, "I'm the eldest cousin."
Eight-year-old Shen Sikang said, "I am the second cousin."
...
Before Mu Chunping could speak, everyone in the family rushed to hold Ningbao.
Ningbao looked at them with great joy, her heart pounding. She loved them so much; they were all such good people, but it seemed like they hadn't been having the best luck lately.
So many unlucky people, especially the grandfather on the cart, whose life-threatening acupoint turned bluish, a sign that only people nearing the end of their lives have.
But it's okay, she's here, none of this matters...
Ningbao waved her chubby little hand excitedly at everyone.
"Hello, I am Ningbao, and I am three and a half years old."
“Father, Mother, I found Ningbao up ahead. She said she originally lived in the Sanqing Temple…”
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