Chapter 30: Anni Returns Home
"How about this?" Xie Zhong pondered for a moment. "Anan is already ten years old and can help out around the house. Anni is still quite young. Aside from our usual gatherings during holidays, let her stay with your mother and me." Originally, he had intended for both Zhu Yan and Zhu Yi to return to their father's place, but seeing that Xie Xinlian was pregnant, he couldn't help but feel concerned for his own daughter, so he proposed this arrangement.
Xie Xinlian thought it over. "I'll take her back today. On days when Shun Yao and I are off work, we'll come to pick her up. When we're working, I'll trouble Father and Mother to look after her."
"No trouble at all." Xie Zhong was satisfied with this outcome. According to Xie Xinlian, Zhu Shun Yao's day off was Sunday, and hers was Tuesday—meaning they could take her home two days a week. This was far more reasonable than his original plan of having her return every other day. "Then it's settled."
Zhu Yan didn't voice any objections to this decision. In truth, even if she had, who would listen to a mere child?
"Then head back early today so you can get some rest," Xie Zhong said. He knew well that pregnant women tired easily. Although they lacked the means to afford better food, whenever possible, he hoped Xie Xinlian could take it easy.
Xie Xinlian didn't argue; she simply nodded and took her leave. As she departed, Qi Qiao'er handed her a jar of honey, a dozen eggs, and two goose eggs. For Xie Xinlian in her current state, these were excellent tonics.
The eggs and goose eggs came from Qi Qiao'er's own chickens and geese. Chicken eggs were nutritious, while goose eggs provided essential nutrients for the fetus and had significant benefits for fetal development. Of course, they shouldn't be eaten daily; consuming goose eggs every day wasn't advisable. Once a week was ideal, so the two goose eggs Qi Qiao'er gave her would last for half a month.
The quantity was small, but the quality was high. Although Xie Xinlian wanted to decline, she knew it wouldn't be appropriate to refuse. Even though she and Zhu Shun Yao had salaries, household expenses still added up.
When Xie Xinlian and Zhu Yan arrived home, their residence was still just a thatched hut—specifically, a single room made of mud bricks and straw. It was absolutely freezing in winter and sweltering in summer. It was winter now, and stepping inside, the cold was biting, but at least it provided shelter from the wind and rain.
Upon entering, Zhu Yan shivered. It was truly cold, yet her heart felt warm. This was her home. In that moment, she truly realized she had returned to being five years old.
"What would Anni like to eat? Mama will make it for you," Xie Xinlian said, ruffling Zhu Yan's hair.
Zhu Yan tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "Everything Mama makes tastes delicious."
"My Anni has grown up. Your little mouth is so sweet." Xie Xinlian was filled with joy. Although the family was poor, she genuinely doted on her children. Any good food always went to them first. Despite sometimes appearing fierce on the outside, at home, Xie Xinlian was incredibly tender toward her two daughters.
As soon as Zhu Yanli came home from school, she saw Zhu Yan and broke into a happy smile. "Anni's back! Later, I'll take you to Yuanyuan's house to look at comic books. Yuanyuan said Brother Hu Hao bought a bunch of new ones that we've never seen before."
"Okay," Zhu Yan agreed. She was feeling bored anyway, so having something to do was a good thing. "But will Brother Hu Hao actually let us see the new comics?" On this point, Zhu Yan harbored absolute doubt.