The next day, Xinyan got up early.
She set the porridge to cook and was sweeping the courtyard when she heard a commotion coming from the Qiao Familyâs courtyard: "Qiao Shuanzhu, I donât agree. If you dare bring them here, Iâll take our son and return to my parentsâ home."
Only to hear Qiao Shuanzhu retort: "Now that my brother is gone and my sister-in-law is remarrying, what do you suggest we do? We canât just ignore them."
Bai Cuilin got even angrier at this: "What about your sister and your other sister? Why should we be the only ones to take responsibility?"
Qiao Shuanzhu was furious: "Those two kids have the last name Qiao, thatâs why!"
Sister Cheng saw Xinyan in the courtyard and came over with half-picked chives to chat.
Xinyan pointed at the Qiao Family: "Whatâs going on?"
Sister Cheng came over to gossip with Xinyan, and Xinyan was naturally quite receptive.
Sister Cheng was picking the chives in her hand and glanced over at the Qiao Familyâs courtyard: "A while back, Qiao Shuanzhu went back to his hometown to handle his brotherâs funeral. His brother was in poor health and had been ill for many years. Although Qiao Shuanzhu is a bit selfish, heâs actually quite good to his family.
Over the years, if not for him sending money home every month, his brother would likely not have made it this far. Now that his brother is free from suffering, his sister-in-lawâs family, worried about their daughter having a tough time, has already arranged a remarriage for her. As for his brotherâs sons and daughters, thereâs no one to look after them now.
Still, this kind of thing would cause trouble in any family. They already have three kids to raise, and if they add two more, relying solely on Qiao Shuanzhuâs salary, things would certainly get tighter."
Xinyan sighed, thinking to herself: If those two kids from Qiao Shuanzhuâs brotherâs family really come, given Bai Cuilinâs temperament, theyâre not likely to have a good life here.
However, as it was not her business, she wouldnât meddle or make any unnecessary comments.
Sister Cheng finished picking the chives and went home, while Xinyan put away the broom and quickly went into the kitchen.
Millet porridge, scallion pancakes, and strips of zucchini, blanched and tossed with simple seasonings for a cold dish, made up the breakfast.
When the meal was ready, He Jinxuan returned and was helping the two little ones get sorted, looking very much like a family going about their day.
While eating, He Jinxuan said, "Later, give me the keys to that courtyard. Iâve found beds and furniture for you, and Iâll have someone help move them over tonight."
Xinyan was very grateful, and after thanking him with a smile, she pushed the scallion pancakes toward him: "You should eat more."
He Jinxuan smiled, seeing her happy, and felt quite good himself: "Alright."
After finishing the meal, Xinyan cleared her throat lightly and said, "Brother He, Sili and Siyan are not so young anymore. Theyâve been at the Mechanical Factory for a while now and have pretty much adapted to life here. If you donât have time to look after them, why not send them to a daycare? This way, you can focus more on work."
He Jinxuan had thought about this before, but when they first arrived, they were like startled birds, trusting no one. He was worried about hurting the two little ones further, so he kept them by his side.
Later, things finally improved, but then something came up with him, and it was delayed again.
Xinyan, thinking of something, added: "Since theyâre not officially in school, they can start daycare whenever, allowing them to adapt ahead of time and meet children their age. When they start first grade, they wonât be strangers to the environment."
He Jinxuan took her words to heart: "Alright, I got it. Iâll look into it in the next few days."