Chapter 59: With Three Kids

Chapter 59: With Three Kids

Su He looked at Niu Niu and said, smiling, "Niu Niu, give your brother a fried dough cake, then you can go play with him for a while."

Niu Niu, however, hesitated as she glanced at Ji Liangchuan and then back at her mother. Finally, she shook her head and replied, "I don’t want to go. I want to stay and help Mom with the stall."

Su He felt her heart warm at her daughter’s words, and she mentally scolded herself for her earlier suspicions, which had now affected Niu Niu’s ability to make friends.

Zai Zai was the same—though he had a good impression of Ji Liangchuan last time, her odd behavior had made him wary toward the boy.

"It’s fine. Mom’s almost finished here. You two can go play with him," Su He urged again.

Seeing Niu Niu’s conflicted expression, Ji Liangchuan spoke up, "Auntie, can I help you sell things here?"

Su He looked at him in surprise but still replied, "Of course, but it’s very hot here with the charcoal fire."

Ji Liangchuan shook his head firmly. "Auntie, I’m not afraid of the heat."

And so, Ji Liangchuan joined the little stall crew.

Customers smiled when they saw all the children helping Su He.

"Your kids are so well-behaved, staying so quietly by your side like this."

Su He chuckled. "I told them to go play, but they refused."

Gradually, the sweet potatoes and flour Su He had brought were almost gone, and soon, only the last fried dough cake was left.

People who’d said they’d come back later to buy were now returning, only to find that Su He was sold out.

Everyone looked at her in surprise—they were surprised her stall did so well.

Most customers bought several each, and with the market so crowded, Su He’s fried dough cakes had sold out in just over three hours.

After packing up the stall, Su He asked Aunt Niu to watch their things while she took the kids to walk around the market.

There were lots of little trinkets on the street. Su He stopped at a stall selling hair accessories for girls and asked Niu Niu, "Do you like any hairbands or clips? Pick any you like, and Mom will buy them for you."

Niu Niu glanced shyly at her mother and her two brothers before crouching down to choose a set of colorful hair clips and another set of colorful hairbands.

Little girls these days loved piling on clips, and Niu Niu was no exception.

Su He bought everything she had picked out, then also bought a few hair clips and bands for herself before paying.

"Mom will do your hair tomorrow morning with these, okay?" Su He gently stroked Niu Niu’s head as she spoke.

"Okay," Niu Niu replied, glancing at Ji Liangchuan before answering shyly.

Too bad Ji Liangchuan lived in town—he wouldn’t see her wearing them.

Noticing Niu Niu’s gaze, Ji Liangchuan took the opportunity to ask, "Auntie, where do you live?"

"We’re from Shangyao Village," Su He answered with a smile.

"Is it close to town?" Ji Liangchuan pressed.

Su He thought for a moment. "Pretty close—about an hour’s walk."

"Auntie, can I visit Niu Niu and Zai Zai in your village?"

Su He gave Ji Liangchuan a surprised look, then smiled and replied, "We'd love to have you."

Niu Niu got all excited and said, "Big Brother Liangchuan, if you come to our house, my brother and I can show you how to catch swamp eels in the fields, and we can also take you to the mountains to pick mushrooms. My mom makes the tastiest mushrooms, really."

Su He: "......"

Her daughter's overeager behavior was truly embarrassing.

Was she really crushing on Ji Liangchuan at such a young age?

Zai Zai was also speechless. When had he ever agreed to take Ji Liangchuan to do these things? It was all his little sister's wild idea.

"Okay, I'll come find you and your brother to play then," Ji Liangchuan beamed.

"Yes, but be careful, okay?" Su He chimed in.

"Auntie, don't worry," Ji Liangchuan assured her confidently.

Afterward, they wandered around town a bit longer. Su He stopped at a popular noodle stall in town for lunch.

The three kids split two bowls between them, as they couldn't eat that much. Su He had a bowl of noodles to herself.

Last time they came to town, it had been a bit rushed, and they hadn't had time to eat noodles. But after trying them this time, Zai Zai whispered to Su He, "Mom, these noodles aren't as good as the noodles you make."

Su He couldn't help but laugh and replied, "Noodles and the noodles you make are different. Maybe you just prefer what you make?"

But Zai Zai shook his head seriously and said, "No, it's just that yours tastes better."

Meanwhile, Ji Liangchuan transferred some meat from his bowl into Niu Niu's.

"Niu Niu, if you like meat, eat more."

Niu Niu asked in confusion, "How did you know I like meat?"

"You finished all the meat in your bowl but hardly touched your noodles," Ji Liangchuan said, amused. Wasn't it obvious?

Niu Niu: "......"

She looked around furtively, then whispered to Ji Liangchuan, "It's because I don't like these noodles. They're not as good as my mom's."

Though she spoke softly, Su He and Zai Zai, sitting beside her, both heard.

Zai Zai gave Su He a look that said, "See? I told you so."

Su He: "......"

How had it only taken this long for both kids to get spoiled by her cooking?

After they finished their noodles, Su He got a takeout order to bring to Aunt Niu.

She told the two kids to go play at the bookstore with Ji Liangchuan, and she would pick them up later. Both children ran off happily.

Zai Zai didn’t actually dislike Ji Liangchuan. He thought Ji Liangchuan was cool and nice, being so welcoming the first time they met.

But to him, Su He was more important, which was why he had been a little standoffish to Ji Liangchuan.

Now that he saw Su He seemed okay with Ji Liangchuan, he warmed up to him.

After all, both were male kids and quite mature for their age, so they actually had a lot in common to talk about.

Ji Liangchuan was the same—he never really clicked with kids his age, but he really liked Zai Zai and Niu Niu. It seemed like Zai Zai could understand all the wild ideas in his head, and even though Niu Niu didn’t quite follow, she always played along enthusiastically.

So he genuinely adored the siblings—they were the only two friends he’d made since coming to his grandmother’s place.

Su He was clueless about the kids’ little schemes. After sending them off to the bookstore, she quickly took the packed rice noodles to Aunt Niu.

Touched that Su He had thought of her while eating, Aunt Niu mumbled through a mouthful, "Miss Su, how much for this bowl? Let me pay you back." Meanwhile, Su He was minding the stall for her.

There wasn’t much left at Aunt Niu’s stall—just a few scattered greens. If no one bought them, she’d just take them home to cook for dinner.

It was all thanks to Su He—her fried dough stand had brought quite a few customers to Aunt Niu’s neighboring stall.