CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: EATING WONTONS

The next morning, when Xiao Mi groggily woke up, she was already being carried by her dad on the way to town.

Xiao Mi moved her arm a little. Her whole body was tightly wrapped and tied to her dad’s back with long strips of cloth, giving her an overwhelming sense of security.

"Xiao Mi is awake." Her second mom, who was beside her, noticed and quickly leaned closer, her face full of smiles, "Hungry?"

Xiao Mi quickly shook her head.

"Need to pee?"

Xiao Mi continued to shake her head, squinting her eyes and still feeling a bit sleepy, especially as being carried by her dad, the swaying motion of walking was particularly hypnotic.

It’s great that Xiao Mi could understand their conversation, so she could tell them directly if she was hungry or needed to pee. The weather was still quite cool, so since Xiao Mi wasn’t hungry yet, they could speed up a bit.

They had left without breakfast in the morning, and halfway through the journey, Er Ni got too hungry to walk, prompting Second Mom to quickly take out some rice balls.

These were specially cooked last night, molded into rice balls, wrapped in clean lettuce leaves, ready to eat when hungry.

Before setting out in the morning, Second Mom had also steamed them hot, wrapped them in cloth, and kept them warm in her bosom. They were still warm, neither too hot nor cold to eat.

Each of the family of four had one, with Jiang Hu having the biggest one, and Er Ni the smallest.

Once everyone finished, their bellies were just full enough, and their energy for walking was replenished.

Midway, Second Mom fed Xiao Mi and Tie Dan some milk and took the opportunity for everyone to take a rest.

By the time the sun emerged, they were almost at the town, but with the sun out, the cool feeling was completely gone.

The group quickened their pace, and before the sun got any harsher, they finally arrived at the town.

Jiang Hu often visited the town, but for the others, it was only their second time. Their curiosity hadn’t worn off, and once they stepped into town, they looked around, full of wonder.

Jiang Hu once again held both children, letting Second Mom hold Er Ni, while Da Wa was independent, running ahead a few steps, peeking here and there.

A fork in the road appeared ahead, and just as Da Wa was about to turn to ask his dad, Jiang Hu motioned with his chin, indicating, "Go in from that side. There’s a wonton stall inside. We’ll have wontons first."

Last time he wanted to treat his family to wontons, but they were invited by Shopkeeper Liu instead.

Fuan Village was too far from Xiangma Town, with many kids in the family, and no ox cart in the village, making it really hard to come to town, which is why usually Jiang Hu sold the vegetables by himself.

Though Da Wa was longing for popsicles and was just running around looking for them, when he heard Jiang Hu mention wontons, he changed direction without hesitation.

When Jiang Hu, carrying the children and leading his wife and daughter over, Da Wa was already saying, "Boss, four bowls of wontons, please!"

Jiang Hu shook his head with a smile, "This Da Wa, he’s really in a hurry."

Second Mom chuckled, "Da Wa isn’t the quiet type. Having been at home taking care of his younger siblings all this time, he must have felt stifled."

That’s true. Da Wa used to love going out. Even if scolded by his grandparents, it wouldn’t deter his desire to play outside.

But ever since they settled in Fuan Village, Da Wa seemed to prefer staying at home. Perhaps the many experiences on their journey, or having his younger siblings at home, made him quickly realize his responsibilities as the eldest brother.

Jiang Hu nodded but added, "It’s a good thing. If he’s too restless, he might get scolded by the teacher when he goes to the academy."

Xiao Mi, who was curiously looking around, hoping to spot a popsicle, was startled in an instant.

"Brother, going to..." Her eyes sparkled, looking expectantly at her dad.

Is Big Brother going to school? That’s great! When Big Brother learns things, he can teach her, and then she can naturally learn to read!

Last time in town, she had taken a quick glance at the shop signs on the roadside. She recognized almost all the characters.

But in these times, the chances for girls to go to school were slim. If she knew a lot of characters without having learned anything, that might not be the best.

But now it’s different. Big Brother is going to school, and by then he can teach her and Er Ni!

Xiao Mi was even more excited than Da Wa!

Oh, no, Da Wa didn’t even know anything yet!

Jiang Hu nodded happily, "Yes, in two years, Brother will go to school. Xiao Mi, don’t tell Brother, let’s give him a surprise, okay?"

Xiao Mi nodded vigorously, "Okay!"

Two years later will be just right; by then she’ll almost be three years old. Brother going to school at age seven is just about the same as starting elementary school in her past life, neither too early nor too late.

Xiao Mi pondered that she must give her family more Spiritual Spring water in the future.

Besides growing crops for money, the Spiritual Spring water seemed to change the physical constitution too. Tie Dan was the best example; she’d heard scholars generally had poor health, and she couldn’t let her Brother end up like that.

As she was thinking, Jiang Hu had already seated Tie Dan and Xiao Mi, with Da Wa having secured them a small table, each with a seat perfectly.

When Da Wa asked for four bowls of wontons, the shopkeeper had already asked, knowing Da Wa’s parents were there, so the wontons were already being prepared.

The wontons took a bit longer to cook. The family sat and rested for a while before the wontons were served.

The fragrant, steaming wontons, even had some small shrimps inside.

Xiao Mi was already in Second Mom’s arms, sitting there. She didn’t even have time to be amazed at why there were shrimps, too busy inhaling deeply.

"Eat, eat, Mom, eat!" Please let me taste a little, it smells so good!

Second Mom smiled, picked up a bit of wonton skin, cooked soft, just the size of a fingernail, not too big to worry about Xiao Mi choking.

As soon as Second Mom picked it up, Xiao Mi eagerly opened her mouth, even making an ’ah’ sound, amusing Second Mom greatly.

"Eat slowly, don’t choke."

Xiao Mi nodded quickly, finally getting that little piece of dumpling skin into her mouth.

It was soft, slightly salty, and a bit fresh, probably thanks to the little shrimps.

Second Mom then poked open a wonton with chopsticks, picked a little filling about the size of a mung bean, and fed it to Xiao Mi.

Xiao Mi hadn’t grown teeth yet, but she still chewed the small meat filling with her gums before swallowing it.

"No more eating now, when Xiao Mi grows a bit older, you can eat more."

Xiao Mi nodded, showing she understood, not greedy, satisfied with just tasting it.

Besides, she hadn’t forgotten she was just a little baby now, she couldn’t risk challenging her stomach’s tolerance.

Tie Dan was opposite Xiao Mi, seeing his sister eating, opened his mouth too, indicating to his dad with ’ah, ah’ sounds. But alas, Jiang Hu didn’t dare give him any, just dipped chopsticks in the broth, letting him taste it.

But Tie Dan was content too. After all, he didn’t know what his sister ate, only that both dad and mom fed his sister and him.