Looking at his mother’s knowing gaze, Ji Youran found himself utterly bewildered.
He had a strange feeling; the way his mother looked at the pig’s head Huo Xing’Er was carrying... it was as if she were looking at his own dog’s head!
Huo Xing’Er efficiently butchered the pig, while Zhu Xiuxiu and Wang Dongxue deftly handled the rest.
Soon, the Ji family was dining on fragrant Braised Pork, rib soup, and tender pink steamed sausages!
Li Suisui ate until her little mouth was bulging, her face shiny with oil.
"Delicious! The meat is so fragrant!"
"If you like it, eat more. Your Eldest Aunt will make you more tomorrow!" Wang Dongxue filled her rice bowl to the brim.
Zhu Xiuxiu took out a handkerchief to wipe Suisui’s mouth. Smiling, she asked, "Sweetie, what’s your favorite dish?"
Suisui was consuming mouthfuls, stuffing her mouth so much she couldn’t speak.
Seeing this, Old Mrs. Ji answered on her behalf, "Does that even need asking? Our sweetheart’s favorite is certainly meat!"
Lately, the little girl had been eating meat at every meal, which greatly worried Old Mrs. Ji. Of course, her concern wasn’t whether the family could afford to feed the little girl so much. Rather, it was her concern for the little girl’s digestion; she worried that a long-term meat-only diet might cause problems.
"Oh, Mother! Let Suisui answer for herself. Our sweetheart does love meat, that’s true, but there are many kinds of meat she enjoys. For example, there’s chicken, duck, rabbit, and even wild boar from the mountain."
Speak up, speak up! Little girl, just casually mention any meat you like. Let your Third Aunt witness if these recent events are truly because of your good fortune! Zhu Xiuxiu thought.
As Third Aunt was lost in thought, she saw the little girl swallow a mouthful of meat. "Suisui wants to eat all the meats Third Aunt just mentioned, but we don’t have any of them at home! Third Aunt, can you pick them all up tomorrow?"
Suisui blinked her eyes. She could eat delicious meat today because Third Aunt had picked up a pig when she went to town. So, if she wanted to eat other kinds of meat tomorrow, Third Aunt would have to pick them up too!
Zhu Xiuxiu was speechless.
Do I even have a say in this? she wondered. Wait a minute, little girl, I dare you to drop the ’can’!
"Sweetheart! Just tell me, do you want to eat them or not?"
The little girl nodded vigorously, stuffing another piece of Braised Pork into her mouth without looking up.
"Yes, yes! Third Aunt, tomorrow, please bring back the CLUCK-CLUCK chickens, the QUACK-QUACK ducks, the big wild boar, and the little white rabbit!"
Wang Dongxue and Zhu Xiuxiu looked at each other and started laughing in unison.
Huo Xing’Er held her bowl, glancing first at Zhu Xiuxiu, then at Wang Dongxue. Why does it feel like my two sisters-in-law are plotting something?
「Later that night」
It was time for Suisui to take a bath and go to sleep. Normally, Zhu Xiuxiu would have returned to her room by this time, minding her own business and leaving these tasks to Wang Dongxue.
But today, Zhu Xiuxiu was acting out of character; she eagerly rushed to do everything: heating water, mixing it to the right temperature, and even fighting to scrub Suisui’s back!
At first, Wang Dongxue let her, but she soon grew uneasy.
"Third Sister-in-law, it’s getting late. You should go to bed. Suisui needs to sleep too."
"No rush, no rush! There’s still plenty of time. I’ll play with our little sweetheart for a bit longer."
Our little lucky charm’s good fortune! I need to soak up more of it! Zhu Xiuxiu thought.
"I can manage Suisui here," Wang Dongxue said. "Third Sister-in-law, don’t you have your meditation and cultivation to attend to? Don’t let it be delayed."
"Oh, Eldest Sister-in-law, you’ve got it backward. I’m the one who should be here with Suisui. You and Eldest Brother have only just reunited after a long separation; you should be spending more time with him. Perhaps this time, Eldest Sister-in-law, you’ll be able to conceive?"
"Zhu Xiuxiu!" Wang Dongxue was furious.
This woman... always bringing up the touchiest subjects! Was having children solely her business anyway?
"Oh, Eldest Sister-in-law, I’m not wrong, am I? Look at our family. Right now, you’re the one most likely to have another child. Wouldn’t Suisui be lonely without any brothers or sisters to play with?" Zhu Xiuxiu then turned to Suisui, winking at her repeatedly. "Sweetheart! Quickly tell your Eldest Aunt to have a little brother or sister, then you’ll have someone to play with!"