Shen Yinian’s facial injury was getting better day by day. At the same time, the home had seen an increase of a frequent little visitor.
"Shen Yinian, hurry up, we’re just waiting for you!"
Early in the morning, Zeng Yi yelled from outside the yard.
Shen Yinian frowned, and Lin Xiaoguai chuckled as she stuffed two steaming meat buns into his hands.
"Go on, you and Zeng Yi take one each."
Shen Yinian sighed, "Alright, Mom, I’m going."
Lin Xiaoguai bent down and kissed his forehead, "Remember to come back before lunch."
She watched her son leave the yard, being hurried away by Zeng Yi, and couldn’t help but smile.
"Zeng Yi has come again?" Luo Yufang came out of the room, noticed the great-grandson was gone, and knowingly asked.
Lin Xiaoguai nodded, "He’s been here since early, shouting loudly in the yard."
"That boy is good." Thinking back to just before the summer vacation, how Zeng Yi’s palms were swollen from being spanked, yet he still came early to carry the school bag for his great-grandson, always bringing food and playthings over — he really seemed guilty toward his great-grandson. The elderly lady couldn’t help but smile with twinkling eyes.
It’s not about coveting a child’s belongings, but isn’t the sentiment precious?
However, thinking about another child, Luo Yufang frowned. That child’s mother had come over once, bringing some malted milk. She seemed soft and honest. But the child... she had never seen him even once.
"By the way, Wanwan, what vegetables should we buy today?" Luo Yufang was planning to go to the market and asked.
"No need to go." Lin Xiaoguai served her some porridge, "Didn’t Grandpa mention wanting to eat cold noodles a couple of days ago? I’ve sprouted the bean sprouts, and there are cucumbers ready in the garden. We can have cold noodles at noon."
"What about tonight?"
"There’s a carp in the water tank, shrimp and sauced beef in the fridge. We can just pick some vegetables from the garden, and that’ll be enough."
"Alright, saves me a trip." After a pause, Luo Yufang smiled again, "Right, make a little extra cold noodles at noon. Zeng Yi will definitely come over with Little Niangao for lunch."
"That’s for sure." Lin Xiaoguai laughed as well.
"That boy is also pitiable, two men at home, none to care for heartfelt needs — not even a hot meal to eat." Luo Yufang sighed.
It was only after Zeng Yi regularly started to scrounge meals at their place that they learned he and Wen Jie were both children of single-parent families. His mom couldn’t stand the loneliness when Mr. Zeng was out on duty and got involved with another man. Eventually, the couple divorced, and Mr. Zeng took Zeng Yi and left. Although he had grandparents, his uncles had several cousins, so it would be problematic to just care for one grandson. As a result, Zeng Yi hardly had homemade meals growing up, mostly eating cafeteria or restaurant food with his father.
Lin Xiaoguai’s cooking was good, and once Zeng Yi had the chance to taste it, he got hooked.
By noon, Zeng Yi, as expected, returned with Shen Yinian.
"Auntie, what are we having today?" As soon as he entered, Zeng Yi asked expectantly.
"Cold noodles," Lin Xiaoguai smiled.
"Great, I was just feeling hot." Despite his rough and tough appearance, similar to his father’s, the boy had a sweet mouth, especially good at flattering adults.
Shen Yinian loved meat, so Lin Xiaoguai specially added a large spoonful of meat sauce to his cold noodles. Seeing this, Zeng Yi repeatedly exclaimed, "Auntie, I want that too!"
Lin Xiaoguai smiled and also added a spoonful of meat sauce for him.
The quadruplets were now six months old and could eat some supplementary foods. After Lin Xiaoguai finished her meal, she started feeding them.
She didn’t feed them one by one but whoever finished first got another spoonful. Perhaps because there was someone to compete with, the little ones ate exceptionally well, less troublesome than Little Niangao had been at their age.
"All the egg custard is gone?" Seeing her carry the empty bowl back to the kitchen, Luo Yufang happily remarked, "A good appetite means quick growth. I think they’re not far behind Little Niangao at their age."
Lin Xiaoguai simply smiled. When it came to things beneficial for the children, she never skimped — she had spent countless Gold Coins, and it’d be strange if there were no effects.
"Auntie, can I take Sisi out to play?" Zeng Yi eyed the baby stroller curiously and eagerly asked.
"Just Sisi alone?" Lin Xiaoguai raised her eyebrows slightly.
"That won’t do, you can only take Sisi alone - if Little Sun and the others are left behind, they’ll definitely cry," Lin Xiaoguai teased him.
Zeng Yi frowned and pondered, then ventured, "What if Shen Yinian and I do it together, one of us pushes two kids?"