Xiaofeng pursed his lips tightly before nodding.
Yang Ruxin sighed. She really didn’t want Xiaofeng to face adult problems at such a young age, but there was no helping it. That was just how society was, a man’s world. Only boys were considered one’s own family, while girls were deemed a financial loss, belonging to someone else’s family. Houses without boys were labeled as having no heirs, looked down upon by others. Many matters wouldn’t be taken seriously without a man taking the lead, so although Xiaofeng was young now, he was the only son of Yang Baiyue, the legacy of the main branch of the Yang Family, the one who would bear the family responsibilities. For that reason, everyone would show a bit more sympathy.
"Big sister, don’t worry," Rufeng said as he saw Ruxin sigh and quickly tugged at her hand, "Uncle Xiaowu said that I will be the Family Head of the Yang Family’s main branch in the future. I will be a support for my sisters... Although I don’t understand many things and don’t know how to deal with them now, big sister can teach me. I will grow up soon and be able to handle things..."
"You’re so good," Ruxin smiled. In her past life, children of his age were still being spoiled in their parents’ arms, but Xiaofeng was already taking on the responsibility of a family. "Don’t worry, with big sister here, I’ll tell you what to do..."
Xiaofeng nodded, still a bit bewildered by many things but feeling the weight of his responsibilities.
Ruxin soon arrived at the village head’s house with Xiaofeng.
"Dani, what’s the matter?" Village Head Yang Mancang truly sympathized with this family but felt powerless, "Xiaofeng is here too..."
The village head’s wife, Lin Xiaoling, had already taken out a cake and stuffed it into Xiaofeng’s hand.
"Thank you, Second Aunt," Xiaofeng said, accepting the cake only after seeing his big sister nod, but he didn’t forget to thank her.
The village head was the second eldest amongst his brothers, so everyone called him Second Uncle or Second Grandpa, and his wife was addressed as Second Aunt or Second Grandma. Being of the same generation as Yang Baiyue, they also went by Second Uncle and Second Aunt.
"Xiaofeng is really sensible," Xiaoling fondly pinched Xiaofeng’s cheek.
Feeling somewhat shy yet not dodging, Xiaofeng then lifted the cake to Ruxin’s mouth, "Big sister, eat."
"Big sister isn’t hungry, Xiaofeng, you eat," Ruxin said, heartened by how precociously the children of the poor must assume household duties, finding her younger siblings’ behavior too endearing to think of letting go.
Xiaofeng didn’t eat either, instead, he carefully placed the cake inside his own chest pocket.
"Why aren’t you eating?" Xiaoling couldn’t help asking.
"I’ll go back and share it with my second, third, and fourth sisters," Xiaofeng looked up at the village head’s wife, "Second Aunt, is that okay?"
"Such a thoughtful child," Xiaoling sighed, then turned around and took a few more cakes to wrap up, "Take these too, go back and share with your sisters..."
"Second Aunt, there’s no need," Rufeng shook his head, "We..."
"Take it," Xiaoling frowned, "Otherwise, Second Aunt might get angry..."
Rufeng looked at Ruxin, somewhat at a loss.
"Second Aunt, we can’t always rely on other people’s charity. Don’t worry, we will make our way through," Ruxin smiled at the village head’s wife, "One cake is enough."
Xiaoling looked towards her husband.
Yang Mancang nodded in approval, "The child has ambition. Before, your third great-uncle had already said that the children from the main branch are all good..."