"Yes, we'll be fine from now on." These words were spoken to Tangyuan, and also to Tianyu herself. Since she was here, she would make the best of it. She had heard that every child was a little angel from heaven, and when they took a liking to someone, they would choose to come to earth to be their child. Although she had never given birth to Tangyuan, heaven had brought her to his side, and she would cherish it and not let Tangyuan become an orphan like her.
As they talked, both of their stomachs started rumbling. Tian Yu wiped away Tangyuan's tears and asked with a smile:
Are you hungry?
"Yes, Mother is hungry too," Tangyuan replied with a silly smile, wiping away Tianyu's tears.
"But there's not much food at home. Mom will think of something else for the glutinous rice balls," Tian Yu said with some difficulty.
"Yes, there are some in the haystack in the kitchen," Tangyuan said, pulling Tianyu towards the kitchen.
Upon entering the kitchen, Tangyuan parted the haystack and, sure enough, there was food: four eggs, two sweet potatoes, and a small bowl of rice in a jar. No wonder Tian Yu had searched the entire kitchen and found nothing. But this was far too little; it was enough for today, but what about tomorrow?
"Is that all? Is there any other food at home?" Tian Yu asked incredulously.
"That's all. I hid them while Mother was unconscious, afraid someone would come and take them."
"What have you been eating these past two days?"
"I...I ate at Grandma Zhao's house," Tangyuan stammered, her eyes darting away, avoiding Tian Yu's gaze.
Tian Yu knew Tang Yuan was lying. Judging from his expression, he probably thought she was blaming him, so she had no choice but to squat down and explain, "Mother isn't blaming Tang Yuan. Mother just wants to know if Tang Yuan has eaten anything these past two days and if he's been hungry."
"I'm sorry, Mother, I didn't mean to. I know you wanted to save eggs to exchange for rice and money, but I was so hungry that I stole two eggs," Tangyuan cried again, feeling wronged.
"It's alright, Mother didn't blame Tangyuan. Tangyuan has only eaten two eggs these past two days," Tian Yu comforted her with some heartache.
"No, I made a bet with Tiger, and I won. He gave me two steamed buns." The glutinous rice ball perked up again as it spoke of this.
"It's all my fault, Mother, that Tangyuan has suffered and gone hungry."
"Tangyuan isn't hungry, but she's happy when her mother wakes up."
"Tangyuan is so good, Mommy is cooking for Tangyuan."
"Yes, Tangyuan is helping Mother start the fire."
"No need, I can do it myself. You go and have fun, it'll be over in a bit."
"Then I'll stay with Mother. I'll be here whenever Mother needs my help."
"Alright, let's talk for a bit, but can you not call me 'Mother'?"
"If you don't call me Mother, then what should I call you?"
"Mommy, Mommy sounds so nice, from now on I'll call you Mommy."
"Mother, Mother, Mother, Tangyuan likes it, from now on we'll call her Mother."
While chatting with Tangyuan, Tianyu started a fire and cooked a pot of sweet potato porridge. Before eating, she washed Tangyuan, who looked much fairer, though still too thin. There were no other ingredients at home, so the mother and son could only eat porridge to fill their stomachs. Tangyuan was very happy, drinking a lot and repeatedly saying it was the best porridge he had ever tasted. Looking at the bare walls of their house, Tianyu sighed deeply and could only accept reality.
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