"Tell me about yourself, you girl. Where's your maturity? Those two little ones are more sensible than you. They know how to admit mistakes, and you? You're seventeen and should be married by now if your father hadn't insisted you go to high school. And you took the kids to steal sweet potatoes? How embarrassing if you're caught."
"You're seventeen, a grown girl. If it weren't for your father insisting you go to high school, you'd be married by now, and you took the kids to steal sweet potatoes? How embarrassing if you're caught."
Liu Chunmei glared at Shen Rong, scolding her. This is how parents are.
They missed their children dearly, but as soon as the kids were back, all the freshness wore off, and they found fault with everything.
"Grandma, it's not Auntie's fault. I want to eat."
"Yes, Grandma. It was me who pulled Auntie along and asked her to bring us to eat roasted sweet potatoes."
The two little ones, hearing Shen Rong being lectured, bravely admitted their mistake.
Seeing the two little ones take the blame, Liu Chunmei immediately softened. Grandparents are like that, doting on their grandchildren. She stopped nagging Shen Rong.
"Consider it my love for you two hasn't been in vain."
Shen Rong was very happy to see the two little ones protecting her.
After Liu Chunmei went back to cooking, Shen Rong stealthily approached Chen Yang.
"Brother-in-law, should I aim for Tsinghua or Peking University?"
Chen Yang glanced at his ash-covered sister-in-law, a little surprised.
Could it be that his sister-in-law was a hidden academic genius? She was already considering Tsinghua or Peking University.
"Tsinghua and Peking University? What are you, Ren Pandi?"
"I think you'd be better off roasting sweet potatoes."
Before Chen Yang could reply, his father-in-law glanced at his daughter, whose face was covered in black soot, and casually added.
"Dad, do you have to put your daughter down like that?"
Compared to Liu Chunmei, Shen Rong was much closer to Shen Futang. Her father didn't nag her as much.
"Then you should strive for something. At least get into a university later.
No one in our village has ever gone to university. If you really get in, I'll host ten tables for you. It'll be a real honor."
Shen Futang glanced at his youngest daughter. His elder daughter had suffered hardship, but thankfully her husband was successful now and they were living a good life.
If his younger daughter could get into university, she would be like a golden phoenix flying out of their humble mountain village, and life would be much better.
"Then I'll definitely get into a university. You better be prepared to spend a lot."
Shen Rong raised her head. She was determined to get into a university. After attending high school, her horizons had broadened considerably.
If she could get into university, she wouldn't have to stay in this small village anymore. She could go out and experience the vast world.
"That would be wonderful! I'll use this old life to support your studies."
Shen Futang was happy. He wanted to smoke a pouch of tobacco, but seeing his two precious grandchildren at home, he touched his tobacco pouch and grudgingly held back.
Looking at his father-in-law, Chen Yang found him somewhat endearing.
He had been a heavy smoker in his past life and knew how difficult it was to resist a craving.
His father-in-law loved his children so much. In those days, few men knew about the dangers of secondhand smoke; they all puffed away at home.
He had only mentioned it once, about how the smoke might choke the children, and his father-in-law had stopped smoking in front of them ever since.
"Rongrong, study hard. As long as you get into university, your brother-in-law and sister will support your studies. When you start school, I'll also give you a bicycle."
Looking at his sister-in-law, Chen Yang felt a little sheepish. What if his sister-in-law got in and he didn't? That would be embarrassing.
"Brother-in-law, you're the best!"
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Shen Rong jumped up excitedly on the spot.
A bicycle! In those days, owning a bicycle was no less prestigious than buying a Mercedes or BMW nowadays. It was absolutely fashionable!
"Good heavens. You should thank your sister and brother-in-law. You also need to study hard. If you don't get in, you won't get anything."
Seeing Chen Yang doting on his youngest daughter, Shen Futang felt relieved. All he wished for in his life was for his family to be harmonious and for both his daughters to have good lives. That would be enough for him.
"Dad, don't worry. I'll study late into the night when I get back, studying with my head against the beam and my thigh pricked by an awl."
Shen Rong was so happy she could almost jump. In their entire Liúhé County Middle School, not a single student owned a bicycle.
Even if they went to university, owning a bicycle would still be a matter of pride.
Looking at his sister-in-law, Chen Yang sensed her youthful vitality. This was what young people were like, full of energy.
"Dinner's ready!"
"Dumplings are out of the pot, steaming hot dumplings!"
As he spoke, his mother-in-law came out with a basket of dumplings.
Shen Xue had also washed the two grubby children clean. Indeed, after a wash, they were fair and tender again. They could still be "kept" after a wash.
"Daddy, my tummy is full."
Looking at the steaming, fragrant dumplings, the little milk doll's mouth was watering.
But she had already eaten two roasted sweet potatoes, and her belly was round.
The little milk doll was almost in tears.
Chen Hao remained silent, gritting his teeth. He felt he could still eat another bowl of dumplings.
"Daddy can't help it. Who told you to go off and eat by yourselves?"
"These dumplings smell so good."
"I'll eat one to show you. The filling in these dumplings, the meat is so delicious."
Chen Yang picked up a dumpling, popped it into his mouth, and deliberately ate with gusto to taunt the two little ones.
The two little ones were on the verge of tears from craving. Seeing him like this, Shen Xue became angry.
"Is this how you are as a father, teasing the children?"
Chen Yang hadn't experienced Shen Xue's "kidney-grabbing" power in a long time. Isn't it natural for fathers to tease their children?
Aren't children born to be played with?
Why was he being threatened with his kidneys?
"Yanyan, don't cry. Ignore the bad daddy."
"You two can have one to taste later. Don't eat too much, or you'll choke."
The mother's heart was more inclined towards her children. Hearing her words, the eyes of the two little ones lit up.
"Yay, yay! Yanyan loves Mommy the most!"
"Thank you, Mommy."
Hearing Shen Xue's words, the two children were immediately delighted. Chen Hao's casual "Mommy" filled the couple's hearts with joy.
This indicated that the children were becoming more and more attached to them.
Chen Yang gently stroked his son's head. When would the little one call him "Daddy"?
Shen Rong was also feeling a bit embarrassed now. She had been so focused on taking the two little ones to roast sweet potatoes that she had forgotten it was almost lunchtime.
She herself was quite full now and couldn't possibly eat any more dumplings.
Shen Xue fed each of the two children one dumpling, and then the trio of one adult and two children stood by the table, watching the four of them eat dumplings.
The little milk doll gnawed on her fingers, looking aggrieved. Seeing her pitiful little appearance, Chen Yang felt both heartbroken and amused.
"Bad daddy, I'm not talking to you anymore."
Seeing that Chen Yang was eating the most heartily, the little milk doll suddenly felt that Daddy was doing it on purpose.
"I didn't do anything. I'm just eating. Why am I the worst?"
The old man felt a little indignant. Shen Xue and the others were also eating with great relish. Why was he the only one being called "bad"?
It wasn't as if he was preventing the little milk doll from eating.