Chapter 76 An'an is a Little Man
"Welcome back...my...tree?"
Her tone was a little awkward and clumsy, but incredibly sincere.
Calling it a "tree" might seem too simplistic, but at this moment, it feels especially intimate and natural.
"Buzz—!"
A deep and resounding resonance echoed throughout the entire spiritual space, and countless starlight points leaped and spun joyfully in response.
It is no longer cautious, but like a sail that has found its harbor. It is the great joy of something lost and found again, the peace and security of finally returning home, and the wholehearted and unreserved sense of belonging and protection!
She finally understood completely.
This divine tree is more than just power, more than just an object of a contract.
It's more like... a somewhat clumsy but incredibly sincere child who was born for her and exists for her, or a silent yet powerful guardian.
Its "life" and her "life" are now closely linked and inseparable through this bond forged by warm starlight.
The next morning.
Xu Zhili got out of bed quietly, preparing to make a warm breakfast for her and An'an.
She went to the kitchen first and scooped out a few spoonfuls of flour and poured them into a bowl.
Next, I boiled some warm water and slowly poured it into the flour while constantly stirring it with my hands until the flour formed into clumps. Then I started kneading the dough.
Her hands skillfully pressed and folded the dough, and in no time, the dough became smooth and delicate.
She covered the dough with a damp cloth and placed it in a warm place to ferment.
While the dough was fermenting, Xu Zhili began to rinse the rice and cook porridge.
After rinsing the rice clean, she put it in a pot, added an appropriate amount of water, lit the wood-fired stove, and quietly stood by.
As the fire grew stronger, the water in the pot began to boil, and the aroma of rice slowly filled the air.
The porridge was just starting to cook, and the dough was already risen.
Xu Zhili lifted the damp cloth and saw that the dough had doubled in size and had a honeycomb-like structure.
She sprinkled some dry flour on the cutting board, placed the dough on it, and kneaded it repeatedly to release the air. Then she divided the dough into evenly sized portions, rolled each portion into a ball, and shaped them into steamed buns.
She placed the steamed buns one by one in the steamer, covered them, and let them rise a second time.
A few minutes later, Xu Zhili lit the wood-fired stove again and started steaming buns.
About twenty minutes later, the aroma of steamed buns filled the air, and Xu Zhili knew that the buns were cooked.
She turned off the stove, lifted the lid of the steamer, and steam instantly rose up, revealing the plump, white steamed buns with an enticing sheen.
Meanwhile, the white rice porridge in the pot was also cooked until it was thick and sweet.
Xu Zhili looked at the steamed buns and rice porridge she had made and carefully put several portions into her spatial storage. This way, she wouldn't have to worry about making breakfast when she was busy.
A satisfied smile appeared on her face, filled with anticipation that her family would enjoy the breakfast.
At this moment, Xu Zhian smelled a sweet aroma. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and twitched his little nose. The fragrance of white rice porridge wafted into his nose, and he couldn't help but lick his lips and rub his rumbling stomach.
"Sister, An'an is hungry." A childish voice rang out.
Hearing the sound, Xu Zhili turned around and saw Xu Zhian staring longingly at the steamed bun.
"An'an, wake up! There's food here. I'll take you to wash up first. Remember to get up and wash up by yourself from now on, An'an. You're a little man, you need to learn to take care of yourself."
As she spoke, Xu Zhili waved her hand and patiently taught him how to brush his teeth and wash his face.
Xu Zhian was well-behaved and didn't make a fuss. She just nodded obediently and memorized the washing steps her sister had taught her.
"Sister, I've got it."
Xu Zhili smiled and reached out to touch An'an's messy head, thinking to herself that her younger brother An'an had finally regained some of the appearance a child should have.
Unlike when he lived in the Hunan Provincial Family Compound, he had no childlike vitality at all. He was like a puppet, with empty eyes, showing no interest in anything around him, and was immersed in his own world all day long.
Xu Zhian took a small sip of the white rice porridge and was pleasantly surprised to find that it contained sugar. She exclaimed happily, "Sister, the white rice porridge is so sweet! It's delicious!" After saying that, she grabbed a steamed bun and ate it in big bites, occasionally taking a sip of porridge.
"An'an, eat more if you like, but make sure you finish everything in your bowl, and don't waste food."
As soon as she said it, Xu Zhili paused for a moment before realizing that in this era of scarcity, food was incredibly precious, and even if she hadn't said it, no one would have wasted it.
Xu Zhili squatted down and looked at her younger brother, who was sitting on a small stool and fiddling with a few old building blocks.
The six-year-old boy's face was a little sallow. His eyelashes were long, casting a small shadow under his eyes, and his expression was so focused that it was as if the boy were the most precious toy in the world.
"An'an," Xu Zhili's voice was exceptionally gentle, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the morning light. She reached out and smoothed An'an's soft, slightly curled hair on her forehead.
"Your sister is going to work now. Do you want to stay home and play by yourself today, or do you want to come with your sister to go geography class?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhian raised her head, blinking her clear, large eyes with a childlike innocence and a touch of dependence.
He glanced at the leaves of the locust tree in the distance outside the window, then looked down at his beloved toy in his hand, his little brows furrowing slightly, as if he were making a difficult choice.
Finally, he shook his head vigorously, hugging the wooden piece in his arms even tighter, his voice soft yet clear.
"An'an doesn't want to go out. An'an wants to stay home and play with her toys."
After saying that, he held up the wooden piece in front of his sister like a treasure and waved it, looking at his well-behaved and sensible younger brother.
Xu Zhili felt a warm current surge through her heart as the softest part of her heart was gently touched.
This child is always so easy to take care of; even at such a young age, he knows how to be considerate of his older sister's hard work.
However, beneath that warm current, an indescribable worry, like a hidden reef at the bottom of the water, quietly emerged—after all, he was only six years old, and his personality was too quiet and introverted.
What if... what if a stranger walks by, or he bumps or falls while playing?
He was all alone at home... This thought, once it arose, entwined around her like vines, making her heart tighten slightly.
Almost simultaneously, she clearly felt the emotional resonance emanating from the Tree of Life deep within her consciousness—a calm and reassuring worry.
Just then, a gentle yet powerful voice rang out directly in her consciousness: "Master, there is no need to worry too much. I can spare a wisp of my primordial power and transform it into a very ordinary sapling, taking root in the soil of this courtyard."
It will become my eyes and ears, guarding this place. If anyone with ill intentions approaches, I will alert them immediately. Ordinary people have absolutely no chance of breaking through the invisible protection of this divine tree avatar.
The voice of the Tree of Life is like a clear mountain spring, carrying the power to soothe the soul.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
