Chapter 456
As soon as Aunt Guo finished speaking, she worried that her stern attitude might have frightened Su Xiaoxiao. She quickly took Su Xiaoxiao’s hand, gently patting it. “Xiaoxiao, don’t be scared. I wasn’t scolding you just now. I was just thinking about the gossipy women in the village, and it made me a little angry.”
“I understand,” Su Xiaoxiao replied, squeezing Aunt Guo’s hand back with a soft smile.
Jiang Yexun glanced at her, thought for a moment, and said, “You don’t need to worry about what they might say. From now on, I’ll go help you in the fields every day. I’ll complete the six required labor points and then come back. That way, the records will show that you’re earning the basic 150 labor points every month. When it’s time to return to the city, they won’t have any reason to hold you back.”
“That’s not necessary. I don’t want to exhaust you,” Su Xiaoxiao quickly refused.
She was merely looking for an excuse to have kids, not to add more workload to the family.
But when Jiang Yexun heard her say that she didn’t want him to be worn out, his lips couldn’t help but twitch.
So, in his little wife’s eyes, was he really that fragile on a daily basis?
Initially, he hadn’t planned to say much, but now all the relatives in the room turned to look at him.
Especially Su Hongchen, who stared at him with an ambiguous, probing gaze.
Left with no choice, Jiang Yexun could only smile helplessly and emphasize, “Six labor points a day isn’t enough to tire me out.”
“You don’t have to force yourself. Even if the two of you don’t work in the fields, the brigade won’t block your return-to-city paperwork,” Su Hongchen said meaningfully.
Su Xiaoxiao immediately nodded enthusiastically.
Setting aside the rewards they had already earned, they had returned during a time when college entrance exams had been reinstated.
As long as she passed the entrance exams, it would be completely justifiable for Jiang Yexun to leave with her. No one would be able to stop them.
“We’ll deal with those matters when the time comes,” Jiang Yexun said, not giving a direct answer.
It wasn’t the right time to talk about such things, especially on New Year’s Eve—a day meant for joy and good omens for the year ahead.
However, if his mother couldn’t leave the brigade for the time being, they would have to stay and live there. If they avoided all farm work, it would inevitably spark resentment from the villagers.
So, they still needed to do some tasks. Life couldn’t be too carefree.
Xiaoxiao and her family hadn’t stayed in the brigade long enough to understand the twists and turns of village dynamics.
“Alright, alright. We’ll think about work when it’s time to work. Right now, let’s focus on making dumplings,” Mrs. Su said as she brought over the prepared filling from the kitchen.
Su Xiaoxiao set the little munchkin in her lap to the side and stood up to wash her hands.
But the four little ones immediately pounced on her.
“Pretty Auntie, don’t go! Stay and play with us!”
“I’m just going to wash my hands. I’ll make something delicious for you later,” Su Xiaoxiao said, gently tapping the noses of the four little dumplings with a smile.
Hearing the promise of something delicious, their eyes lit up like stars.
“Eat! We want something delicious!” The little munchkin patted the sofa excitedly, shouting with joy.
Although the noise was a bit much, the sound of firecrackers outside complemented the lively and festive atmosphere.
Everyone washed their hands before returning to the living room to make dumplings together.
Little Jingyun was the most mischievous of the children.
She reached out to grab a dumpling wrapper, but Su Xiaoxiao caught her little hand and pretended to nibble on it.
“Be good, sit over there and play with your toys. Didn’t I buy you a doll? Let your brothers play with you,” Su Xiaoxiao said, coaxing her with a laugh.
Little Jingyun tilted her head back, blinking her big eyes at Su Xiaoxiao.
But her three brothers understood the hint perfectly. They each reached out to take their sister’s hand.
“Come on, we’ll play with your doll. Once we’re done, we can eat some meat,” said the eldest boy, stumbling over his words but speaking gently to soothe his sister.
Su Xiaoxiao watched as the kids walked over to the corner where the gifts and snacks were placed. She called out again, “I also bought you airplane models, comic books, and marbles. Be careful with the marbles, though. Don’t put them in your mouths, okay?”
“Got it! We’ll take care of our little sister!”
The three little boys answered in unison, their voices sweet and obedient.