bookcurios Chapter 211: Blind Mother-in-law is Sick and Chen Er Lai Takes Care of the Child
Chapter 211: Blind Mother-in-law is Sick and Chen Er Lai Takes Care of the Child
Xing Fangcao's departure was sudden, but it didn't cause much of a stir. The villagers only talked about her for a few days before forgetting her.
The educated youth didn't even murmur a word, and when they heard she was gone, they all breathed a sigh of relief, especially Xu Qingshan, Wang Na, and Ma Lanzhi.
Xu Qingshan secretly rejoiced that he could finally stop being harassed by Xing Fangcao. The last time Xing Fangcao kept pestering him, the village was full of rumors and gossip.
He took great pains to dispel the rumors and prove that he had nothing to do with Xing Fangcao.
Wang Na and Ma Lanzhi, because of their falling out with Xing Fangcao, lived in constant fear, fearing that Xing Fangcao was plotting something behind their backs. Now that she was gone, they could finally sleep soundly.
Chen Shuning was very calm, she was not afraid of Xing Fangcao's disturbance. Chen Shuning was so calm, but Wang Na was not calm anymore.
Wang Na asked in a low voice, "Shuning, Xing Fangcao left in such disgrace, aren't you surprised at all?"
Chen Shuning asked back, "What are you surprised about? If she wants to leave, then she can leave. Even if she doesn't leave, she can't get any advantage from me. I'm not afraid of her."
Wang Na sighed and said, "She's been acting weird these past few days. She won't sleep well at night, crying and laughing all the time. Lanzhi and I are so scared that we can't even close our eyes."
Ma Lanzhi took a sip of water and agreed, "Shuning, you have no idea how scary she is. I'm afraid she'll wake up in the middle of the night and come over to kill us both."
"She can't beat you." Chen Shuning fixed the basket in his hand and said with a smile, "Who can she beat with her small body?"
Chen Shuning picked up the shovel in the corner again. This shovel was loose, so she had to wedge a nail in.
"However, Xing Fangcao's departure will be good for you." Chen Shuning raised the hammer and hit the nail, saying as he worked, "Now you two can study with peace of mind.
No one will ever say you’re annoying or forbid you from reciting your lessons or taking notes at night. No one will complain that your candlelight is too bright and disturbs others’ sleep.
"Hahaha..." Wang Na doubled over with laughter. "Xing Fangcao really said that about us. She was clearly using our candlelight to read, but she still insisted that we were disturbing her sleep and that she was reading because she couldn't sleep."
Chen Shuning smiled and urged, "Let's not talk about her. I've already marked the notes you need to memorize today. The book is on the table, take it back and memorize it!"
Ma Lanzhi picked up the hoe and said, "I'll come get it after work. I haven't finished my work this morning yet, so I have to get to work."
Chen Shuning reminded them, "You two are working too slowly separately. Why don't you just work together?"
Wang Na asked curiously, "How do we work together?"
"Didn't I ask you two to reclaim the wasteland?" Chen Shuning said slowly, "One of you will be responsible for hoeing the ground, and the other will be responsible for picking up stones. After working for a while, you can switch roles.
It's a waste of time to hoe the ground and pick up stones at the same time. Finish it sooner so you two can read more."
"That's a good idea!" Ma Lanzhi's eyes flashed with surprise, and she said with a smile: "Nana, let's go and try it according to what Shuning said. If it works quickly, we'll do it this way in the future."
Ma Lanzhi and Wang Na left happily, and the shovel in Chen Shuning's hand was also repaired.
She dusted off her hands, walked to the stove, and poured more water into the pot. After lighting the fire again, she sat down in front of the stove with the book and began to recite it seriously.
The weather is getting hotter and the work in the fields is getting harder. One pot of water is no longer enough for the villagers to share.
Chen Erlai staggered in with the child on his back. Seeing Chen Shuning, he pleaded, "Shuning, come and help uncle! The child has peed..."
Chen Shuning put the book on the table, hurried over, and helped Chen Erlai take the child off his back.
"Uncle, where is my Aunt Gao Ye? Why are you taking care of the child today?"
As he spoke, Chen Shuning handed the child to Chen Erlai.
Chen Erlai took the child and said, "Blind Grandma is sick, and Ye Zi took her to the health center for treatment. Is there any water? The child must be hungry, so drink a few sips of water first."
"How can we just drink water?" Chen Shuning took out half a piece of peach cake from the cloth bag, carefully broke off a little, and soaked it in the cup.
"Uncle, give this to the child!" Chen Shuning handed the cup over and said, "Take this little piece that's left over and feed the child when she's hungry."
Thinking that Chen Erlai didn't even have a cup to drink water from, Chen Shuning sighed and said, "You can use this cup first. I'll find another one for myself later."
Chen Erlai said awkwardly, "I'm so embarrassed..."
"Here!" Chen Shuning pointed at the child and said, "Give it to the child. When the child doesn't need it anymore, you can use it yourself. I promised you a water cup last time..."
Chen Erlai took it carefully and said embarrassedly: "Shuning, then I will take it shamelessly! Uncle won't take it for nothing, I will give you something in exchange."
"No thanks." Chen Shuning said with a smile, "Uncle, I don't want your things."
As they were talking, Liu Xianghua came in carrying a basket. Seeing Chen Erlai's clumsy look, Liu Xianghua put down the basket and took the child.
"How can you feed a child like this?" Liu Xianghua frowned and said, "Er Laizi, watch carefully, this is how you feed a child! It's best to use a small spoon to feed him, so he won't choke easily."
"Sister-in-law, where do I get a spoon..." Chen Erlai touched the back of his head and said, "How about I go back and get one? Gao Ye has a spoon."
Liu Xianghua glanced at him and said, "Go ahead! And change your clothes, too. The child has peed you so much..."
"Hey!"
Chen Erlai responded and ran back. He was anxious because he hadn't finished his work in the fields.
Chen Shuning stuffed a handful of firewood into the stove, sat down next to Liu Xianghua, and asked, "Mom, are you done with the work in the fields?"
"What's your second brother doing?" Liu Xianghua replied, "I'll pick a basket of wild vegetables first. When Er Laizi comes over, I'll go find your second brother."
"What's going on? Why is Er Laizi babysitting the kids today?"
Chen Shuning replied, "Blind Grandma is sick, and Aunt Gao Ye has taken her to the hospital. Mom, I see that Uncle Er Lai has changed a lot. Do you think he and Aunt Gao Ye can become a family?"
Liu Xianghua untied the child's diaper and whispered, "Who can say for sure... But I can tell that Er Laizi has no bad intentions towards Gao Ye. He looks at Gao Ye with pure eyes!"
Thinking of Chen Erlai's father, Liu Xianghua continued, "Erlaizi now looks just like his father! When his father was alive, he was also so kind-hearted."
Chen Shuning washed his hands, went over to tease the child, and asked, "Mom, what's this child's name? I've never heard Aunt Gao Ye call her by her name."
Liu Xianghua thought for a moment and replied, "I heard Er Laizi mention it. It seems her name was Gao Xiwang. He said she brought hope to Gao Ye."
Since Gao Ye returned to Chenjia Village, he has been very low-key. He rarely brings his children to meet people, and he is either in his yard or in the fields.
"Gao Xiwang..." Chen Shuning said with a smile, "It's a nice name. Mom, let me take care of her! You go to the fields and help my second brother. You can go home after you finish the work."
Liu Xianghua said worriedly: "You have never taken care of a child, let me do it!"
Seeing that her mother disagreed, Chen Shuning squatted on the ground and started picking wild vegetables.
"Put it down!" Liu Xianghua shouted, "Just study hard during the day and teach your brother well at home at night. I'm counting on you two to get into college and bring honor to our family!"