Chapter 3 Can She Eat Eggs Too?

Chapter 3 Can She Eat Eggs Too?

Xingxing clung to the edge of the table, straining to look up and gave Bai Xiaofeng a soft smile. "Thank you, Auntie."

So well-behaved?

Bai Xiaofeng was taken aback at first, then exclaimed with a laugh, turning to Wei Pozi. "Mother, you have to admit, Xingxing is such a pretty little girl." As she spoke, she had originally planned to scoop only half a ladle for the little girl from the pot, but now she scooped a bit deeper, adding more substance.

Wei Pozi noticed this and gave Bai Xiaofeng an approving glance.

Suddenly receiving her mother-in-law's approval, Bai Xiaofeng felt elated and was about to say something when Wei Pozi instructed, "Get Xingxing a boiled egg."

Whoa!

This was unexpected.

Bai Xiaofeng's smile froze instantly!

The wild vegetable porridge that everyone could eat was one thing—it wasn't just her food, so being generous wouldn't hurt and might even please her mother-in-law. But eggs were different!

Eggs were such precious things! She herself didn't even get to eat them!

Not only did Bai Xiaofeng struggle to contain her surprise, but everyone else in the room also froze.

Li Chunhua stammered, "Mother, but these are... eggs..."

Wei Pozi glared at her. "What's wrong with eggs? There are seven eggs in total. Your two sons each get one, take two. The second son's two sons get two, and the third son has only one son, so he gets one. That leaves two, can't I have one and your father have one?"

Li Chunhua was left stuttering, "But, but..."

"I said I'll feed this little girl out of my own rations!" Wei Pozi impatiently cut off Li Chunhua and turned to glare at her eldest son, angry with him. "Eldest, do I not even have control over one egg anymore?!"

Yu Daniu, though he also felt a pang of sympathy for the egg, knew his mother's word was law and could not be disobeyed.

He immediately responded, "Mother, of course you have control! You manage everything in the house!" He scolded Li Chunhua, "Looks like you're getting uppity! Eat your food!"

Li Chunhua dared not say anything more and lowered her head meekly.

Wei Pozi's temper flared over a boiled egg, and no one at the table dared to speak further.

Bai Xiaofeng, seeing the situation, quickly smiled and placed the boiled egg in front of Xingxing. "Xingxing, come, eat the egg."

Xingxing hesitantly held onto the edge of the table, looking up, glancing around.

She fumbled awkwardly as she took the boiled egg and carefully peeled it.

Wei Pozi's expression softened slightly.

Yu Lao Tou coughed and spoke, "Everyone, hurry up and eat. It rained last night, so we have a lot to do today. After eating, all of you brothers come with me to the fields."

The men of the Yu family all responded affirmatively.

Bai Xiaofeng, sensing the atmosphere, quickly served the eggs. "Come, come, the children should eat too. Huai Geer, try it; don't you love runny yolks? Second Auntie specially cooked it for you..."

The atmosphere at the table eased somewhat.

Everyone hurriedly picked up their chopsticks, bowing their heads to eat the thin porridge mixed with wild vegetables.

Soon, the table was filled with the sound of slurping and eating.

Xingxing focused solely on peeling the egg shell carefully.

She peeled slowly, ensuring the egg remained unblemished.

Once she finished peeling the precious boiled egg, she carefully placed the white, tender egg into Wei Pozi's bowl.

Wei Pozi, who was picking up pickled radish, looked down at her bowl instinctively. The white egg was still partially visible above the porridge.

Wei Pozi was stunned.

Xingxing looked up at Wei Pozi, smiling softly. "Grandma, eat. Xingxing doesn't want it." The small girl, trying hard, swallowed a tiny gulp of saliva.

Wei Pozi felt a sharp pang in her heart, her chopsticks trembling slightly.

She didn't say anything, but her face showed discomfort.

Xingxing grew anxious, why wasn't Grandma eating?

She quickly explained, "Grandma, Xingxing washed her hands, they're clean, really, see!" Xingxing opened her small hands, eager to show Wei Pozi that they were clean. "Grandma, eat quickly. This, this will keep you healthy!"

She strained her mind, thinking of all the benefits of eggs she knew, trying to convince Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi felt even worse.

Yu Lao Tou quickly took the boiled egg in front of him and nodded toward Wei Pozi. "That boiled egg is the child's heartfelt gift, already peeled for you. Just eat it."

As he spoke, Yu Lao Tou quickly peeled the egg in front of him and placed it in Xingxing's bowl.

Xingxing panicked. "Grandpa, you eat... Xingxing can't eat it."

Yu Lao Tou coaxed her, "Why can't you eat it? Good child, it's meant for you."

In her vague memories, eggs were precious and beneficial. The blurry-faced grandmother always shouted at her, saying she was unworthy of eating eggs.

Tears welled up in Xingxing's eyes.

Can she eat eggs too?

Seeing the little girl sitting there, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears, Yu Lao Tou's heart nearly broke.

He exclaimed, "Oh!" and hurriedly coaxed, "Good child, it's just a boiled egg. If you don't want to eat it, is it because you think Grandpa's hands are dirty?"

As he spoke, Old Yu deliberately stretched out his hand for Xingxing to see.

Xingxing hastily denied, "No, no! I, I'll eat it!"

The young girl hastily conveyed a perfectly boiled egg to her lips with chopsticks, aiming to demonstrate she held no disdain for Old Yu. However, her haste led to a swift gulp, which resulted in a sudden choking fit. Her face flushed with color, and her eyes widened in surprise.

Wei Pozi couldn't worry about anything else and hurriedly helped the little girl pat her back to help her breathe, saying, "Eat slowly, eat slowly."

Old Yu was also startled and circled around Xingxing, asking with concern, "Are you better now? Still choking? Grandpa will get you some water?"

Xingxing chewed on the boiled egg she had never tasted before, feeling Wei Pozi's gentle comfort on her back, and hearing their concerned voices in her ears.

Her tears finally could not be held back any longer, and they fell drop by drop.

...

After finishing the meal, Li Chunhua felt a mix of emotions.

Bai Xiaofeng cleared the table and gave her a meaningful look, signaling her to go outside to talk.

The sisters-in-law carried the bowls to the kitchen. Fortunately, the heavy rain last night had filled all the water containers at home, making washing dishes easier. Bai Xiaofeng wiped the bowls with a damp cloth while whispering to Li Chunhua, "Elder Sister, from Mother and Father's attitude, it seems they really intend to raise that little girl."

Li Chunhua, having been scolded twice by Wei Pozi during dinner, felt somewhat dejected. She replied listlessly, "It's just a little girl; she seems quite sensible. If Mother wants to raise her, let her do so. What can we say as daughters-in-law?"

After saying this, Li Chunhua lifted the curtain and went out.

But Bai Xiaofeng was a bit unwilling to let it go. Her eyes turned, and she planned to ask her own foolish husband later.

At that moment, Wei Pozi stood at the main house door and called over her grandsons.

Soon, four grandsons of varying heights stood before Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi frowned and looked around, "Where's Ju Geer?"

Ju Geer was the youngest boy in the Yu family before Xingxing arrived. He was the only son of the third branch and was just four years old.

The eldest, Huai Geer, promptly replied, "Grandma, Third Aunt said Ju Geer ate a bit too much and took him out for a walk."

Wei Pozi was not pleased and muttered, "I didn't see Ju Geer having any trouble digesting during dinner. It's just that Third Daughter-in-Law spoils her child too much."

Yu Yongju was the only son of the third branch. His mother, Su Rouer, was a girl from the county and behaved differently from the villagers. Yu Yongju, at four years old, was raised rather delicately by his mother, and the third son indulged his wife, which made Wei Pozi somewhat disgruntled.

However, Wei Pozi only complained once and then dismissed the matter. She then addressed the other four grandsons seriously, "You've seen Xingxing. From now on, she is your sister. You must treat her like a real sister, not bully her, and protect her if others do. Do you understand?"