The sun was setting and smoke was rising. Wisps of white or yellow smoke decorated the small mountain village with a simple flavor of human life. Xia Yu was like a school geek, pestering Xia Qianqian to teach him his lessons.
Qin finished cooking the noodle soup and interrupted them: "Okay, let's eat first and learn slowly later."
"Mom, my elder sister is so awesome. I think she can go to town and be a teacher." Xia Yu hadn't recovered from her cold yet, but her little face was beaming with excitement.
"Nonsense, have you ever heard of a female teacher?" Qin said.
Xia Yu: “…” He had indeed never heard of it.
This was Xia Yu's last meal at home, and he had to be sent back to the old Xia family in the evening. So Qin cut two pieces of bacon extravagantly and piled them in his bowl.
Xia Yu saw that other people had no meat in their bowls and was unhappy: "Mom, why am I the only one with meat?"
"Because you are not at home often, I don't know when you will come back next time." Qin said, her voice becoming sad again.
Xia Qianqian also said: "Yu'er, eat quickly. There is still meat at home. We can eat it even if you are not here."
Xia Yu shook his head, then put the meat into Xia Qianqian's bowl: "Sister, you have worked hard to support the family, you should eat meat."
"Sister can eat meat every day, but I can't bring you meat every day. So, you eat this meat." Xia Qianqian put the meat back into Xia Yu's bowl.
"Then let sister eat it. She's smaller." Xia Yu handed the meat to Xia Yunyun.
Although Xia Yunyun wanted to eat meat, she refused: "Brother, I always have delicious food with my elder sister, so this meat is for you."
…
The three siblings pushed and shoved the two pieces of meat back and forth, and Qin felt both appreciative and sad.
Just then, Xia Dingfeng came: "Sister-in-law, are you home? I'm here to take Yu'er back."
Xia Qianqian, Xia Yu, and Xia Yunyun all changed their expressions. Xia Qianqian quickly gave two pieces of meat to Xia Yu and Xia Yunyun, and urged them, "Eat quickly, Uncle San is here again!"
The two children stopped being modest and quickly put the meat into their mouths.
Qin opened the door and said, "Third brother, the sun hasn't set yet, let Yu'er have dinner before leaving!"
"Oh, are you eating?" Xia Dingfeng smiled. Great, he made it in time for dinner. He smelled the aroma outside the door, wondering what delicious food there would be tonight.
"Has Third Uncle had dinner?" Xia Qianqian asked.
"Not yet." Xia Dingfeng walked in, looked around, and was disappointed. "Are you eating noodle dumpling soup?"
Qin said, "Yes, Third Brother, do you want to eat here?"
"Forget it, I'll go home and eat." Xia Dingfeng said with disdain.
"Then please sit for a while, Uncle San, and wait for Yu'er to finish his meal."
Xia Dingfeng sat down, watching them drink noodle dumpling soup, and asked casually, "Qianqian, do you want to go to the county town?"
Xia Qianqian replied: "Yes!"
She not only wanted to go to the county, but also to the state capital and the capital! It was said that the ancient capital was very prosperous, and she wanted to go and see it.
"Then you should spend more time with your aunt, say a few nice words to her, and ask her to take you with her when she returns to the county." Xia Dingfeng said.
"Just me?" Xia Qianqian raised her head.
Xia Dingfeng said, "Of course! To be honest, your second aunt has already persuaded your aunt to take Shanshan to the county town to find a marriage partner. You are prettier than Shanshan, and you have abilities. You will definitely find a good marriage partner in the county town."
Qin was most worried about Xia Qianqian's future marriage. After hearing what Xia Dingfeng said, she asked happily, "Will my sister agree?"
They had just fought today and almost broke Xia Ruyu's leg!
(End of this chapter)