Chapter 66: The Four Little Ones’ Biggest Fear
Translator: CokeZero Editor: Rainystars
Lu Jiao brought food into the east bedroom to feed Xie Yunjin. Before going in, she reminded the four little ones, “Be a good host to grandma and uncle.”
The First Born nodded in a serious manner, “Okay, got it.”
The other three copied him and nodded as well.
The four little ones became more and more cute and adorable. Lady Tian and Lu Gui were head over heels in love with them and continued to put food in their bowls.
The four little ones tried to copy their behavior and they too scooped food into Lady Tian and Lu Gui’s bowls. Their actions made Lady Tian and Lu Gui very happy.
Inside the bedroom, Lu Jiao fed Xie Yunjin and asked, “How is it? Is the new bed frame comfortable?”
The bed Xie Yunjin slept on before was very old. Half of it was essentially collapsed due to a missing leg and therefore, tilted. When he wasn’t cautious, he would find him on the other side of the bed.
Though the new one they received was not of the best quality, it was smooth and flat. They even placed a new mat on top of it, so Lu Jiao figured it was a lot more comfortable than the old one.
Xie Yunjin, however, wasn’t delighted and simply warned her, “Remember to give Doctor Qi the money for all this. We aren’t too poor to afford this.”
Xie Yunjin stared at Lu Jiao with a raised eyebrow. He wondered just why Qi Lei would suddenly buy furniture for them.
What was his intention? Could it be that he was in love with Lu Jiao? That seemed impossible.
Not only was Lu Jiao an average rural woman, but she was also married. No normal person would have those kinds of thoughts towards her.
Xie Yunjin managed to make himself feel better. Since Lu Jiao didn’t respond, he repeated himself, “Remember to give him the money.”
Lu Jiao had no choice but to agree, “Okay, next time I see him, I will.”
Xie Yunjin finally stopped asking and silently ate.
Since he may walk again soon, much of the sadness and anger that engulfed him before had dissipated. His entire aura was now gentler and more colorful, which made it obvious to bystanders that he was in a good mood.
Lu Jiao continued to feed him and mindlessly muttered, “Now, we are just missing some household essentials. When I get some time, I will go into town. Today, we even ran out of chopsticks.”
Xie Yunjin nodded, “Take the Village Leader’s ox cart when you go.”
“Okay.”
Lu Jiao wanted to say more but there were sounds of footsteps and an excited voice approached.
“Third brother, I heard you found a doctor who can treat your legs?”
Xie Erzhu’s old face glistened. His reaction was as if his own legs were getting cured.
Since Xie Yunjin was done eating, Lu Jiao simply greeted Xie Erzhu and left.
Inside the room, Xie Yunjin and Xie Erzhu chatted, “Yes, Doctor Qi said he can operate on me. I’m not sure if I will heal properly after yet.”
Xie Erzhu laughed. He was just as excited as Xie Fugui, “Since he’s willing to do the surgery, then naturally your legs will heal. He wouldn’t dare to operate otherwise.”
Xie Erzhu then started to pace around the room, “Third brother, this is such good news. You can start studying again after!”
Just then, Lu Jiao entered with a bowl of rice that was topped with deer meat and pork, “Second brother, eat something.”
Xie Erzhu declined, “No, no, I will go home and eat.”
He was farming when he heard the news. The news excited him so much that he rushed over right away.
Lu Jiao shoved the bowl into his hand, “How can you visit my home and leave without eating? Eat this.”
“I…”
Xie Erzhu hesitated, “Do you have enough?”
Lu Jiao smiled, “We are all done.”
That bowl of rice was originally hers.
Xie Yunjin stared at Lu Jiao with a pulsating gaze.
He knew for a fact that the rice was Lu Jiao’s. He didn’t say that out loud, however, or else Xie Erzhu would decline.
Lu Jiao left and Xie Yunjin asked Xie Erzhu to eat, “Second brother, please eat.”
“Okay.”
Xie Erzhu happily dug in. This sister-in-law of his knew how to hunt and so there was always meat. Plus, her cooking skill was next level. How delicious.
Outside, Lady Tian watched Lu Jiao give away her rice. So she went to the kitchen.
Lu Jiao followed and they made some noodles together.
The four little ones went after them with their own bowls.
The First Born handed the bowl to Lu Jiao, “For you to eat.”
The other three also shoved their bowls into Lu Jiao’s hands, “Mommy, for you.”
Lu Jiao shushed then, “Don’t let your uncle hear. He would be embarrassed to eat if he heard. I’m making noodles now. It’s just as delicious.”
The four little ones listened to her then whispered, “Mommy, can we try the noodles?”
“Of course, let’s all eat together.”
The four little ones nodded. Lady Tian watched their interaction and her face blossomed.
She was worried that her son-in-law would abandon her daughter after he studied some more. However now, it looked like the children were very close to her daughter. For the children, Lady Tian was certain that her son-in-law wouldn’t abandon Lu Jiao.
Lu Jiao put the noodles into a bowl and went to eat in the living room. She also gave a little bit to each of the quadruplets. She didn’t dare to give them too much, in case they overeat.
Inside the east bedroom, Xie Erzhu’s voice could be heard, “Third brother, everyone in the village now knows about your legs. I’m afraid our parents have heard as well.”
Xie Yunjin said coldly, “So what now?”
Xie Erzhu hesitated, “Our parents may want you back.”
He knew his parents’ nature so well and could predict that the moment they found out about Xie Yunjin’s legs, they would want him to move back.
Xie Yunjin declined ruthlessly, “Since I’ve moved out, I have no reason to go back.”
Xie Erzhu sighed, “You know what our mother is like. If she wants you back, she’ll find a way to cause a scene.”
“Don’t worry about it. I will deal with it.”
Since Xie Yunjin had a plan, Xie Erzhu didn’t pursue the matter further.
In the living room, Lady Tian also whispered to Lu Jiao, “Your mother-in-law may want you to move back.”
Lu Jiao didn’t answer. The quadruplets, however, had a change in expression. They were all so scared and all glanced at Lu Jiao.
If they go back, their mother may turn back to her violent and mean self. Also, if they go back there, all the good food will be eaten by Maodou and Caidou.
The four little ones lost their appetite. They slid off their chairs and crowded Xie Yunjin.
“Daddy, we are not going back.”
“All our food will be eaten by the fourth uncle, Maodou, and Caidou.”
Maodou and Caidou were the eldest sons, of Xie Daqiang – one was ten and the other was eight.
They were once sent into town by Xie Laogen to study. However, Caidou was not made to study and ended up coming back.
Maodou was doing okay so he continued to study.
Xie Yunjin heard his sons. His face turned unspeakably cold and his pupils were dark like the deep sea.
The four little ones didn’t stop because of the drop in temperature. On the contrary, they yelled out even more complaints with fear on their faces.
Their past must’ve left many shadows in their little hearts. Plus, Lu Jiao was such a mean person when they lived with their grandparents.
To the children, they thought their mother was mean because she hated living there. If they move back and all their stuff got stolen, would their mommy transform back into that evil woman?
The four little ones couldn’t bear the thought and started to cry.
“The fourth uncle gets to eat eggs and candy, and he gets new clothes. We have no food and no clothes there.”
“Brother Maodou and Caidou also get to eat. We are the only ones who don’t get any food. They also hit us.”
“Grandma also told us never to tell anyone. She said if we tell anyone, we wouldn’t get our next meal.”
“Wuuuu, we don’t want to go back. We are scared.”