CHAPTER 461: CHAPTER 461: GNASHING TEETH

"It really is something we can’t usually get here. Indeed, third sister is capable, managing to bring it back alive from the Imperial City." Cai Senlin, who was following beside Xu Qingqing, also glanced at the large crab and nodded in agreement.

"Second brother-in-law," Xu Xiuxiu called out with a smile upon hearing him.

"Hmm! Didn’t third brother-in-law come with you?" Cai Senlin asked, nodding. Because of Xu Xiuxiu and Xu Qingqing, the bond between Cai Senlin and Song Yuanhuan as brothers-in-law had gradually strengthened over the years.

"He had some business at home. The woodshed is falling apart due to disrepair, so my father-in-law has him busy fixing it!"

"Can he handle all that work? If you need anything, just let me know. I’m pretty free these days and can lend a hand." Cai Senlin politely offered, since in the countryside, it’s common to rely on relatives and help each other out.

"Of course, I’ll let you know if we need anything," Xu Xiuxiu quickly responded.

"Alright, alright, haven’t you seen your brother-in-law already carrying the child? Hurry up already. You don’t know how heavy this little guy is!" Xu Qingqing spoke with a hint of complaint, as she began to plan on putting down Little Cai Bao.

"Play, play..." Just as Little Cai Bao was about to be put down by Xu Qingqing, the little one protested unhappily, pointing at Cai Tou, "Play more."

"Go ahead!" Xu Qingqing didn’t mind and put Little Cai Bao on the floor, then nodded.

Immediately, Little Cai Bao became happy. As soon as his little short legs touched the ground, he scampered off. Then, adorably standing behind a group of children chattering around the big crab, he peeked out his little head—just next to Little Moon. He looked up at Little Moon, then looked at Little Baby next to him, a puzzled look in his eyes, then he grinned and said, "Play with Jiejie," his babyish voice clearly directed at Little Moon.

Little Moon, who was quite pale-faced and more on the quiet side, caused Little Cai Bao, who was too young to recognize people, to confuse him with Little Baby. He directly addressed him as Jiejie, but as soon as he did, Little Moon’s face turned sour.

"Silly son! That’s a little brother, not a sister," Xu Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh and exasperatedly corrected him.

"Jiejie!" Little Cai Bao stubbornly insisted.

"..." Little Moon continued to scowl and trudged sulkily to Xu Xiuxiu’s side, burying his head on her lap.

"Pfft!" Seeing this, the adults instantly burst into laughter.

It was simply the charming innocence of a child!

With the arrival of Xu Qingqing’s family of four, the lunch was unusually lively, especially with the addition of rare seafood and large crabs. The little ones were very happy and even embarked on a study on how to eat crabs, debating where to start and how to eat them. The children, sitting in a row, enjoyed themselves tremendously, and the adults, including Mr. Xu, after savoring the delicious crabs, had some warm millet wine, looking very spirited!

Seeing Mr. Xu like this, his daughters were all understanding and didn’t have the heart to interrupt. Even Xu Fangfang, after receiving a recorder that Xu Jingjing bought for Doudou, unusually chose to stay quiet. After lunch, the sisters chatted about household matters, Xu Xiuxiu gently soothed Little Hong Dou and watched Little Cai Bao, who was wobbling along behind the boy and girl twins, Duoduo and Jiejie, and couldn’t help but marvel at how swiftly time flew.

She had only just been reborn into the eighties, from the initial discomfort to now integrating into it, and in a blink of an eye, had gone from an outsider to being part of it all. These changes made Xu Xiuxiu, as an adult who felt time rushing by, truly experience a sense of wonder.

"Jingjing, when are you planning on having a second child?" Xu Qingqing was straightforward and didn’t avoid such topics, directly posing the question.

Xu Jingjing shyly turned her head to look at her daughter in her arms, who was curiously looking around and mostly caught in a daze or sleeping, and reluctantly pursed her lips, "Why a second child? I can barely handle this one! Her dad mostly looks after her anyway." She was sure to have another child; despite the strict family planning policies, the fine for having an extra child wasn’t a problem, and since Xu Jingjing and Wei Jiaqiang were registered as rural residents, they were allowed by policy to have a second child since their first was a daughter.

"You should have children while you’re young, don’t end up like me. I’ve gained a ring of fat around my belly after having a child, and my husband’s affection has cooled down quite a bit," Xu Qingqing lamented, then turned her gaze towards Xu Xiuxiu, "Speaking of which, you young lady, you’ve had several kids already, how come you still look like a young unmarried girl? Must be your man spoiling you too much!" Xu Qingqing said, her eyes roving over Xu Xiuxiu’s figure thoughtfully.

One really had to admit, Xu Xiuxiu did maintain herself well enough to make one gnash their teeth in envy—her skin soft and fair, her figure slender. Although plumpness was considered advantageous for childbirth at the time, Xu Xiuxiu’s delicate appearance was just the right balance—neither too much nor too little, perfectly standard.

"Really?" Xu Xiuxiu was well aware of her own condition, but pretended to be oblivious.

"Of course." This time, it was Xu Jingjing who chimed in, echoing Xu Qingqing’s words with grinding teeth, "Second Sister, you don’t know, our third brother-in-law, oh! He treats Third Sister like a precious gem. It even made this unmarried girl here incredibly envious at one point." She even sought partners modeled after her third brother-in-law, Song Yuanhuan, for a while.

"With such a delicate appearance, how can he not cherish her like a precious gem? Otherwise, what if someone else swoops her away?" Xu Qingqing joked. Although she hadn’t witnessed the sappy behavior Xu Jingjing described and couldn’t imagine the outwardly stern third brother-in-law becoming so tender towards Third Sister, seeing Xu Xiuxiu’s current state made it clear. For a woman, how well one is living, how well her man treats her—these are evident in one’s demeanor, and as a fellow woman, it’s easy to see through. So with her glowing aura, Xu Xiuxiu told Xu Qingqing just how blissful and comfortable her life really was.

"Third Sister, I’m truly envious of you!" Xu Qingqing said, her tone full of sincerity, "Seriously, how lucky can you get!" As she spoke, she stretched out her hand to poke Xu Xiuxiu’s cheek, feeling that collagen-rich, velvety skin, marveling inwardly.