Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 391: Fishing in Troubled Waters

"Third Uncle and Third Aunt are back!"

Jinbao called out excitedly from the persimmon tree.

Jinhua and Si Niang, who were playing in the haystack, immediately poked their heads out and looked toward the mountain.

The two sisters had their hair in small braids, hanging over their shoulders, filled with straw flowers they had woven for each other.

As they tossed their braids, the straw flowers fell down, much to Si Niang’s regret, but she didn’t have time to care, she needed to go meet Mother.

"Sister Jin Hua, let’s run!" Si Niang leapt directly from the haystack, more than a meter high. Da Lang, just coming down from the tree, looked up and quickly stopped Jinhua, who was about to jump after her. "Don’t jump, you’ll break your leg!"

Si Niang occasionally trained with him and Uncle Ah Wang, knowing some techniques. She was fine, landing and running swiftly, but Jinhua couldn’t manage.

Da Lang ran up and helped Jinhua down from the haystack.

Jinhua gave him a cheeky grin, grabbed a few straw flowers from the ground, and chased after Si Niang, "Si Niang, wait for me~"

Da Lang shook his head helplessly, turned, and called the boys home; it was time to eat.

The sky was very dark, they could only dare to climb the old persimmon tree on the back mountain because their parents weren’t home.

The first batch of persimmons had long been picked clean by the village children, and a few small ones that came out afterwards were all stuffed into the brothers’ pockets.

Count them up, exactly seven, one for each of the seven siblings, even Da Mao got a share.

"Ah, ah!" Da Mao, lying on the threshold inside the main room, clapped his hands excitedly when he spotted his brothers and sisters sprinting over.

He could walk now, but his staggering steps were nerve-wracking, so Mrs. Qiu placed him in the main room, blocked by the high threshold he couldn’t cross.

But now he was anxious, with arms and legs together he climbed to the threshold, managing to flip himself over, landing with a "thump" outside.

Mrs. Qiu was bringing dishes to the door and stopped immediately, holding her breath.

The anticipated cries didn’t sound, the little guy’s big eyes spun around, his mouth puckered up initially, but seeing the adults weren’t rushing to console him, he realized it wasn’t a big deal and giggled again.

Mrs. Zhang had dressed him in a thick little jacket for warmth. He was like a ball, rolling up from the ground, holding his arms out for balance, intending to descend the stairs by himself.

Mrs. Qiu sighed in relief, smiled at him, and he grinned back, his face red and appealing from the indoor charcoal fire.

"Da Mao!" Qin Yao walked over in a few big steps, clapped her hands to grab the little one’s attention, opening her arms, "Come, Third Aunt will hug you~"

"Oh~" Da Mao waved his arms excitedly, immediately staggering towards Qin Yao.

Before he fell off the stone steps, Qin Yao picked him up high.

Da Mao was initially startled, his mouth formed an O shape, then his little legs kicked hard, expressing his happiness.

"So heavy, seems our Da Mao has turned chubby from eating." Qin Yao chuckled, pinching his plump little backside.

Liu Ji practically couldn’t bear to look, clicking his tongue twice, he couldn’t resist pinching his nephew’s flushed face.

Da Mao disliked Third Uncle, waving his hands to show his refusal, threatening to cry if he came closer.

The family members were all his protectors, Liu Ji didn’t dare to make him cry, reluctantly withdrawing his hand.

Qin Yao nodded towards the kitchen, "All the guests are helping, aren’t you, the host, going to join?"

Liu Ji thought she had forgotten about that, sighing immediately, rolled up his sleeves and went to help in the kitchen.

Of course, if he worked honestly, he wouldn’t be Liu Laosan.

Liu Ji had mastered the art of feigning activity, asking here, caring there, looking busy with only the movement of his mouth.

With Da Mao in her arms and a string of children behind, Qin Yao entered the main room.

Jinhua and Si Niang got persimmons from their brother, eagerly peeled them and fed Qin Yao.

Known as the master of sharing, Qin Yao had one bite of each.

Same size, same depth—the two sisters both felt their persimmon was the most favored.

The dining table was already set.

Old Liu and Mrs. Zhang were already inside by the fire; it was Liu Bai, Liu Zhong, Liu Fei, these young ones bustling around. The elders just needed to enjoy the gathering of children and grandchildren. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Old Liu couldn’t sit still though. Seeing some bristles on the raincoat hanging on the wall, he took it down and fixed it in a few strokes, then noticed the table legs at Qin Yao’s, thinking they were unstable, he searched the room to prop them.

The problem with earthen floors, heavy objects in one place for a long time, the ground indents from continuous pressure.

"After spring plowing next year, if there’s time, you should replace these floors," Old Liu suggested.

He intended to handle it personally.

Old Liu was unaccustomed to hiring help during farming seasons; suddenly he had nothing to do.

Before, he was busy year-round, leaving early, returning late, never idle, leading a strenuous life.

He always hoped for a better life, so he could rest a bit.

But now, during farming seasons, Liu Bai and the others dragged him out shortly after starting so he wouldn’t take away laborers’ earning opportunities.

They urged him to take care of himself, ideally not farm anymore.

Lifespans in Sheng Country were already short, at Old Liu’s age, without proper care, an illness might take him away.

However, Old Liu couldn’t comprehend their ’filial piety,’ feeling uneasy without showcasing his sole farming skill.

Mrs. Zhang was more understanding; she was only concerned with Liu Fei’s marriage now.

After all, the daughters-in-law of Liu Family were capable, she was happy to let them manage.

She herself tended to the family garden, raised silkworms, wove, and watched over her grandchildren.

Enjoy the good times, worry when things are tough.

Watching the elders’ differing attitudes, Qin Yao acknowledged Old Liu’s desire for self-worth, not rejecting his suggestion.

"Sure, then Dad, thank you for your help in advance."

She managed the stationery factory, Liu Ji studied, Ah Wang tended to four children and household chores, likely exhausted, even if Old Liu hadn’t said, she would likely need them.

Because the family simply didn’t have the manpower.

"The dishes are ready, everyone sit down and get ready to eat!"

He bellowed through the room, prompting everyone to take their seats.

The children took the small table; the adults squeezed around the large table.

Ah Wang and Mrs. Qiu prepared a table full of delicious, various smoked meats and pickles Qin Yao brought back from the Prefecture, all turned into fragrant dishes.

Paired with several farmhouse stir-fries, bowls filled to the brim, hearty and satisfying.

Only Qin Yao’s family dared to season so generously; Jin Hua and Jinbao couldn’t eat such delectable dishes at home, once the adults started eating, they hurriedly picked up and devoured.

Those oily, bright green wild vegetables, fresh and tasty, far better than the plain boiled leaves at home.

Jinbao munched as he felt aggrieved because his mother always said he was picky not liking greens, without considering how bland the leaves at home were, with barely a drop of oil or half a spoon of salt.

He secretly hummed in frustration, channeling his sadness into appetite, devouring rice, "Third Aunt’s greens are the best!"