She is happy that her daughter knows how to respect her elders, and even more, knows how to love her whole family.
Still Mother Xu had been upset earlier because there were such a small amount of meat! but Her daughter had shared it with the others, those little ones. What was the point of them eating it? She might as well have given it to her precious daughter instead.
“Daughter, what are you doing giving away your meat? That’s your nourishment!” Mother Xu scolded her son, grandson, and daughter-in-law with a glare. “What are you all thinking? You think you can just eat that? Give it back right now!”
Xu Jianguo was stunned by his wife’s sharp words. He hurriedly picked up the meat from the bowl and tried to hand it back to his daughter.
But Xu Ying quickly pulled the bowl close to her chest, unwilling to give it up. “Mom, you have to eat this too. If you don’t eat, I won’t either.”
Mother Xu’s heart softened, her eyes turning red with emotion at her daughter’s filial love. “Silly girl, what would your father and I do eating this? We’re already old—it’s wasted on us. You’re young and strong, you need to eat more to keep up your strength.”
Xu Ying’s eyes welled up, tears gathering at the corners. She shook her head stubbornly. “Mom, Dad… do you know? While I was unconscious these past few days, I had a dream. In that dream, I didn’t listen to you or Dad and i mariied Comrade Dong .”
She choked up. “Then he tricked me out of my money, lied to me to go back to the city with him. Once we were there, he abandoned me. Dad was framed and killed, and then… Mom, you passed away not long after. Even Big Brother was hurt—his leg was broken. Only Sister-in-law stayed by my side. In the end, you all left me, one by one. I had no one left to protect me. Everyone bullied me.”
Though Xu Ying changed parts of the story from her past life, the pain in her voice was real, and she couldn’t hold back her tears.
Mother Xu’s heart twisted painfully at her daughter’s tears. “Don’t cry, my precious girl. Look! Your father and I are still here, safe and sound. Your big brother’s fine too. It was just a dream, just a nightmare. Forget about it, okay?”
Father Xu spoke gently too. “Yingying, your mother and I are both healthy. And who would even want to harm us? It’s just your imagination, nothing more.”
Big Brother Xu frowned with worry but could only murmur softly, “Little sister, don’t cry anymore.”
Sister-in-law Xu was touched by Xu Ying’s repeated kindness and spoke sincerely, “Little sister, it was just a dream. We’re all fine, aren’t we? I promise, I’ll take good care of your brother, and we’ll live a long, happy life. I’ll protect you, always.”
Xu Ying wiped her tears, her voice trembling, “Okay… then promise me you’ll all stay with me. Take care of yourselves. Don’t leave me behind.”
Mother Xu and Father Xu nodded quickly, afraid she’d start crying again.
Big Brother and Sister-in-law also reassured her, “Don’t worry, little sister, we won’t abandon you.”
Even Second Brother Xu, usually carefree and playful, became serious. “Your second brother’s here too. I won’t leave you.”
Xu Xingfu, a little older, felt a sudden warmth in his chest. “No matter what happens, I won’t leave you either.”
Xu Xingyou chimed in sweetly, “Even a tiger can’t scare me away!”
Mother Xu’s eyes lit up when she thought of her youngest. “And your third brother wouldn’t leave you either.”
Xu Ying finally burst into laughter through her tears. “Okay… then everyone eat well, stay healthy, and stay by my side forever.”
Mother Xu hurried them along before she could start crying again. “Quick, eat your meat! Look how kind your little sister is—even in her dreams she’s worrying about us.”
The whole Xu family felt a warmth in their hearts as they finally sat down to eat.
After breakfast, Father Xu dressed neatly and took everyone to work.
Eight-year-old Xu Xingfu picked up the chicken feed and went off to feed the hens.
Sister-in-law Xu quickly washed the dishes and hurried out, but before leaving, she reminded her eldest son, “Take good care of your little aunt.”
Xu Ying sat in the courtyard, feeling a gentle warmth in her chest when she overheard Sister-in-law’s reminder.
She was already eighteen, and Shitou was only eight. It should be her, the aunt, taking care of the nephew.
Thinking about her past behavior… well, she had been awful.
“Huzi, come here. Let me take a good look at you.”
Huzi looked up at her with big, gentle eyes, his innocence melting her heart.
Shitou, who had been feeding the chickens, tensed up when he heard her call his brother. He watched warily, but seeing Xu Ying only gently touch Huzi’s head and pull him into a hug, he relaxed. A small smile tugged at his lips as he turned back to his work.
After finishing, he went straight to the backyard to grab a sickle and a basket.
When Xu Ying saw him heading out, she placed Huzi gently on a stool. She quietly took three eggs from her space and carefully slipped them into the chicken coop.
Every household raised chickens—three each. She didn’t want anyone to notice anything unusual.
Just as she finished, Shitou came back, dragging a sickle and a basket almost as big as himself.
In her past life, Xu Ying never thought twice about seeing him like this. But now, watching him carry such a heavy load, her heart ached.
“Aunty, what are you looking at?” Shitou asked.
Xu Ying pointed at the chicken coop. “Shitou, did you collect the eggs this morning? Why are there so many in there?”
Shitou frowned, then rushed over to check. Peeking inside, he broke into a grin. “There really are eggs! I didn’t see them earlier.”
He reached inside, carefully counting. “Hey, sister-in-law, guess how many eggs we got?”
“How many?” Xu Ying asked, amused.
“Five eggs! Does that mean each chicken laid two?” His face was filled with wonder.
Xu Ying feigned surprise. “Really?”
“Would I lie to you?” Shitou grinned proudly. “Look! See for yourself—five eggs!”
Xu Ying covered her mouth, laughing. “Wow, our hens are amazing! Since they laid so many, I’ll make you some egg custard later.”
Huzi’s eyes sparkled at the mention of custard, and he nearly drooled at the thought.
“Egg custard!” he echoed excitedly.
Xu Ying smiled down at him. “Okay.”
Shitou didn’t say anything, but deep down he knew they couldn’t afford to eat eggs so casually. Still, he didn’t want to ruin his little brother’s happiness.
“Aunty, you rest at home. I’m going up the mountain to cut pigweed. Huzi, be good and listen to Aunty, okay?” Shitou said, sounding mature beyond his years.
Huzi nodded obediently.
But Xu Ying stopped him. “Shitou, I’m fine. I want to go up the mountain too. Let’s bring Huzi with us.”
Huzi’s face lit up instantly, his eyes sparkling with joy.
Shitou hesitated. He’d told her to rest—what if she caught cold up there?
“Aunty, there’s nothing fun up there. You should stay and rest.”
Xu Ying shook her head stubbornly. “I’m coming with you. If you don’t let me, I won’t share the eggs with you next time.”
Shitou froze. No eggs? He couldn’t imagine missing out on that rare treat. In the end, he sighed in defeat. “Alright, alright… but you stay close to me, okay?”
And so, what had started as a solo trip turned into three person’s trip.
Afraid their grandma might see and scold them, Shitou quietly led Xu Ying and Huzi around the back of the house and up the mountain.
Xu Ying hadn’t expected much from this trip, but once she stepped onto the mountain trail, she realized… things were even harder than she remembered.