CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: SMELLS SO GOOD!

Mr. Yan from the village school had some errands at home today, and let the students off early.

When Yuanbao got back, Song Wei accompanied Wen Wan to visit her family, Granny Song and Old Song were doing spring plowing, and Song Fang went to deliver food to them, leaving no one at home.

Yuanbao tossed his book bag onto the head of the bed and was about to head out to play. Just as he reached the door, he saw Second Lang’s wife from next door pushing open the door and stepping out.

Second Lang’s wife had seen Yuanbao returning early and knew that no one was home next door today, so she decided to take action. She quickly started boiling water on the stove and, despite feeling a pang of regret, grabbed a few eggs to cook.

"Yuanbao, what kind of special day is today that you’re back so early?" Second Lang’s wife asked with a big smile.

Yuanbao replied, "Mr. Yan had some family issues, so he let us leave early."

"You haven’t eaten yet, have you?"

Yuanbao rubbed his empty stomach, feeling a bit hungry indeed.

"Second Aunt has cooked a pot of eggs, come in and have some to fill your belly," Second Lang’s wife said as she reached out to pull Yuanbao in, "Your little stepmother let your dad accompany her back to her family, if I didn’t take care of you today, you’d end up starved silly."

Yuanbao said nothing and followed Second Lang’s wife into the house.

Once the eggs were cooked, Second Lang’s wife served them up in a large bowl.

Yuanbao eyed the eggs, there were roughly seven or eight of them.

"Second Aunt made these especially for you, eat up!"

Yuanbao rubbed his hands together unapologetically, picked one up and cracked it against the wooden table before starting to peel it.

The scent of cooked eggs tempted the three little girls from the second house as they lined up at the door, drooling.

Second Lang’s wife waved them away before turning back to Yuanbao, "Yuanbao, does your stepmother treat you well?"

Yuanbao took a bite of the egg, "No flavor."

Second Lang’s wife quickly went to the cupboard and brought over a small bowl of chili sauce, "If you like eating eggs, you can stay at Second Aunt’s house, and I’ll cook them for you every day."

Yuanbao said, "I’m thirsty."

A bowl of cool boiled water was placed in front of him.

"When you head back, tell your grandparents. Once you come over, Second Aunt will cook chicken soup to nourish you, and make sure you grow up healthy and strong. Oh dear, look at how pale you look. Your stepmother is so stingy even before giving birth, not letting you eat your fill. If she has a child in the future, there won’t be room for you left in that yard next door."

Having finished the last bite of egg, Yuanbao touched his rosy little chubby face, and let out a burp, "Burp~"

"..."

Before she could ask further, Yuanbao had already patted his backside and walked away.

Second Lang’s wife looked at the egg shells scattered all over the place, feeling so angry it made her liver ache.

——

Song Wei and Wen Wan had lunch at the Wen Family, and didn’t stay long before returning.

It was Wen Wan who actively suggested leaving.

Her stepmother’s sharp tongue never spoke well, and Wen Wan worried that if they stayed too long, Mrs. Zhou might start saying things that would cause discomfort for everyone.

Now that she was married, she needed to prioritize her husband’s family. There was no rule saying you had to rest at your maternal home upon returning, since her husband’s family was so close, it was up to her whether she stayed or went.

Upon entering, she saw Yuanbao squatting on the ground playing with stones, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

At this hour, the school hadn’t let out yet, right?

Upon hearing the noise, Yuanbao turned his head, saw that it was Song Wei and Wen Wan, and snorted, muttering, "You’re not taking me out to play again."

Song Wei asked the reason for Yuanbao’s early return and then gave him a look, "Wait for the next rest day."

Seeing Yuanbao with a face full of grudge, Song Wei chuckled, "It’s still early, how about we go visit your Grandma Xie?"

Yuanbao objected, "...no way, I’d rather die!"

His cousin, Xie Zheng, was an academic fanatic, even stricter in academics than Song Wei, and Yuanbao had been completely defeated by him several times before, leaving him traumatized.

Moreover, Xie Zheng had opened his own school, and Yuanbao was most afraid of dealing with teachers.

...

Half an hour later, the little guy was munching on a cake baked by Wen Wan, while sitting in the ox-cart headed to the Xie Family.