Chapter 130

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

As long as the main functions of these spiritual plants remain, Shen Yao can have peace of mind.

By then, relying on these semi-finished spiritual plants that have grown, Shen Yao feels her career will be infinitely elevated.

However, these are merely thoughts for now; everything must wait until Zhao Yueyue successfully cultivates them from the ground.

Shen Yao and her party stayed in Pingshan Town for about ten days, then departed for the capital.

Same as when they came, the return journey's schedule was unchanged, but several minor incidents were still discovered along the way.

Petty thieves and pickpockets were caught, human trafficking was also encountered, and even while Shen Yao went to fetch hot water, she rescued a young Knowledgeable Youth who had been lured out in an unfamiliar place.

Shen Yao:... Are there this many dangers on trains in this era?

Fortunately, the ending was very good in the end; the suspects were all caught and sent to the Police Station.

This time Shen Yao truly received a reward: a pair of enamel basins printed with red characters.

"Take them back; they're good for drinking water or scooping dishes."

The enamel basins felt heavy when lifted, looking very vintage.

Shen Yao carried her reward earned through righteous courage just like that, brought the specialties bought back from Pingshan Town, and returned to Fengshou Hutong from the Northeast one day early.

When she arrived home, Tian Na was holding a bowl and chopsticks chatting idly with people in the courtyard.

Seeing her own daughter-in-law enter through the Flower Gate, she hurriedly exclaimed "Aiyo" and went up to welcome her.

"How come you're back early?"

"Mom, everything's fine over there; the Group Leader let us come back early to rest at home for two days."

Shen Yao distributed some of the things she was carrying to Tian Na, explaining softly herself.

Tian Na was happy, "That's good; after being out over ten days you look tired.

Hurry back to your room and lie down; Mom will boil two eggs for you, and heat up a can."

Finished speaking, Tian Na directly pushed Shen Yao toward the room; as for the neighbors who were speaking before, hmph, they can chat again when there's time.

Shen Yao had sat on the train for two days and one night; her whole body, even her bones, ached.

Placing the things in her hands in a corner by the door, simply fetching water to wipe her face, Shen Yao changed clothes, turned, lay on the bed, and fell asleep.

As for Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan the two children, Tian Na said when sending her in that they had gone out to play with Shi Tou and Mu Tou after eating, and hadn't returned yet.

"Yao Yao, wake up, it's time to eat."

Tian Na brought cooked egg noodles, paired with a box of canned meat still steaming.

Shen Yao got up from the bed and went herself to the main courtyard table to eat alone.

The fragrant egg noodles went down; Shen Yao felt she had come alive again.

Mm, not easy ah.

When out, eating poorly and sleeping poorly; if possible, still best to try not to choose to go out.

Chatting with Tian Na about what she encountered on the train, Shen Yao took out one of the two rewarded enamel basins and gave it to her mother-in-law.

Tian Na:...

Tian Na's smile grew even wider; this wasn't an ordinary enamel basin, this was their Old Xie Family's honor.

However, the necessary reminder still had to be given; Tian Na told Shen Yao to put herself first in all things, not fearing ten thousand but fearing the one-in-ten-thousand; if encountering vicious criminals, she could only give up.

"Mom, rest assured; if I truly run into that kind, I'll definitely run as far as I can."

Shen Yao had clear self-awareness; she could only bully ordinary people.

Tian Na nodded, "Also don't carry too much mental burden; you helping is sentiment, not helping is duty."

These words aren't entirely correct, but one must always consider the social background; cautiously preserving oneself cannot be said to be wrong.

Moreover, Tian Na wasn't telling Shen Yao to have zero spirit of helping others; she merely added a major premise: not threatening her own safety.

Like jumping into water to save someone; those who can swim will definitely save, those who can't swim jumping in is useless, and instead adds difficulty for the rescuers.

Shen Yao ate the noodles and canned food clean, then rubbed her filled belly.

"Mom, I brought gifts this time; wait while I fetch them for you."

As soon as the words fell, Shen Yao's figure had already vanished without a trace.

Tian Na:...

Aiyo, this hurried, fiery temper, who knows who she takes after.

Tian Na muttered in her heart, turned, and cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks Shen Yao had finished.

Shen Yao returned and also took out all the things she bought from her package.

There were quite a few specialty foods: big sauce, pickled chicken and duck eggs, pickled cabbage in cans, some woolen fabric, several cotton tickets, and odds and ends.

Bringing gifts home at this time all revolve around every aspect of daily life.

"Mom, you keep this; good stuff, I collected it from an old master.

You and Dad are older; later soak it in medicinal wine to drink, good for the body."

Shen Yao took out Northeast specialty Old Mountain Ginseng, directly shocking Tian Na in place.

Looking at the ginseng shape and length, Tian Na inhaled sharply, "Quite valuable, right."

Although she didn't know the price of ginseng, they all say the Northeast Three Treasures: ginseng, sable fur, deer antler.

The price, sounds very beautiful; anyway, after all these years, Tian Na only got to see ginseng's face thanks to her daughter-in-law's light.

"Mom, you keep it; this is from me and An Zi to honor you and Dad."

In the years since marrying in, Shen Yao had lived well; whether in daily companionship or otherwise, Tian Na and the Xie family accommodated her more.

Ginseng prices depended on years of growth; these past few years, Shen Yao had relied on her space and her salary, saving a small fortune with Xie Ci'an, so buying a few roots of ginseng wasn't too painful.

"Fine, I'll take it then," Tian Na gritted her teeth, simply dropping her pretense.

But after all, she had asked about the Shen family side; she couldn't give only to her own family and not to her natal family.

"Mom, don't worry, I've left one root for Grandma and them."

Just like giving to Tian Na and Xie Shangjin, one root each, roughly the same thickness, no one is to pick and choose.

Hearing this, Tian Na relaxed, turned around, and put away the things Shen Yao had brought into the house.

A little later, those of the Xie family who worked came back, and seeing Shen Yao at home, they were all delighted.

Shen Yao did not disappoint this joy; everyone got a share, everyone got a gift.

Even the two little ones, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, each held a bag of White Rabbit Milk Candy and a box of Brown Sugar Biscuits.

Even Second Young Master's family, who did not live in the courtyard, Shen Yao had gifts specially prepared and handed to Tian Na.

She had no time to deliver them while at work, but Tian Na's work at the Medical Office was easy; she could find time to run to the Rolling Mill, saving time and effort.

"Tired? Let me pinch your shoulders."

Xie Ci'an had Shen Yao lie down and began serving his wife with all his heart and strength.

Shen Yao lay on the bed, feeling the fingers massaging her body, and expressed satisfaction that Xie Ci'an's craftsmanship had improved, urging him to keep at it and strive for better.

Xie Ci'an:...

Xie Ci'an looked at Shen Yao with a pained expression at the dark circles under her eyes, "Don't go to the factory the day after tomorrow; just stay home and rest for two days to recover your spirit."

"I happen to have a holiday the day after tomorrow; then I can take Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan to the Park for a walk, and to the Cinema to watch a movie."

Shen Yao hummed and nodded, "Fine, then our whole family will go out to play."

After finally returning from outside, Shen Yao felt she could shortchange anyone but herself.

In a few words, she decided the meals for the day after tomorrow would be at the State-owned Restaurant in the city; Shen Yao licked her lips, this time she wanted to go there specifically to eat meat buns to satisfy her craving.

No longer feeling the drifting sensation of being outside, Shen Yao slept soundly on her own big bed.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already broad daylight.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, the two little ones, were chirping and playing in the courtyard; the children's unique happy laughter drifted through the Window into Shen Yao's ears.

Hugging the quilt and getting up, Shen Yao stretched, put on the clean clothes placed by the pillow, and got out of bed.

Xie Ci'an did what he said; today he didn't go to work, but stood in the courtyard watching the children play.

Hearing a noise from behind, he pointed to the unlatched Room door in the main courtyard.

"The food Mom made is still hot, including the meat buns you love."

Shen Yao's eyes lit up, and she laughed as she went in to eat her belated Breakfast clean.

"We'll go out for a stroll today; the weather is good, and Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan can go out and see things too."

Children as young as Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are too young for school, and she wasn't reassured about the nursery run by the Factory.

Helpless, in daily life she could only ask retired Grandmother-in-law Zhou to help watch them, but most of the time Xie Ci'an took them to the Machinery Factory.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were well-behaved; even when taken to the Factory, they were cute and obedient.

Hand them a book, and the two of them could read quietly by themselves all day.

It was also because Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan behaved rather specially that Shen Yao discovered the two of them had somewhat high intelligence, which was very much like Xie Ci'an.

However, Xie Ci'an had not had a good childhood, because Tian Na and Xie Shangjin didn't know how to cultivate a genius; it was entirely Xie Ci'an growing wild on his own, fortunately he didn't grow twisted in the end, nor did he fall midway.

So nowadays, the education of Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan was entirely Xie Ci'an's responsibility.

As a new father, Xie Ci'an was a model of treating both equally.

Although Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan had somewhat different temperaments, including different genders, the knowledge and skills Xie Ci'an actively taught them suited them well.

Shen Yao still remembered Xie Ci'an's theory and very much agreed with his educational approach.

Society would not be tolerant or harsh toward you just because you are male or female.

Seize every opportunity to learn, work hard to perfect your own survival skills, and stand in society by your own ability.

Even if Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an leave first in the future, they would not worry about the two children's lives.

Compared to unconditional doting and care, teaching them necessary survival skills is the Core.

"Let's go to the Park; the flowers in the Park are blooming," and they could also see more people.

Even though Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are young, the ability to judge people cannot be lost.

Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an decided where to go, turned around, and called the two children back.

Hearing they could go out to play, the two little ones' eyes lit up, and they exclaimed with various exclamations of surprise.

Wow~

They really wanted to go out; even if they went out every day, they still wanted to go out.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao had a black line on her head, while watching the two children change clothes, she gave them a lesson on the need to guard against others.

Even the abductors and thieves they met on the Train were good teaching material.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan:...

"Is it that dangerous?"

Tuan Tuan furrowed her beautiful eyebrows and eyes, sighing like a little adult that she needed to be more vigilant, not talk to strangers, and not take biscuits or candy from strangers.

"Yuan Yuan, you must be obedient too; we children are the easiest to be bullied."

Yuan Yuan nodded and hummed twice, with two little buns tied on her little head.

"I will be obedient; Mom won't lie to us."

The children's tender voices sounded warm and cute; Shen Yao rubbed their cheeks, "Let's go."

Pushing two bicycles, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan each sat on the crossbar in front of Mom and Dad's bikes.

Since coming out, the two little ones had been excited nonstop, opening their mouths to babble various baby talk that no one but them could understand.

Shen Yao was impressed by their energy; they had been playing since eating breakfast in the morning, yet could persist for hours without fatigue—were children made of iron?

With such questions in mind, the family of four was not idle when they arrived at the park, wandering here and there, occasionally playing hide-and-seek and the game of eagle catching chicks, the main point being liveliness.

Although it was a workday, there were many pedestrians coming and going in the park.

The children played in groups of three or five, and Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, watching enviously, couldn't help but join in.

Seeing this, Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an did not stop them, but encouraged the two of them to go make more friends.

Whether successful or not, it was all a unique experience.

At noon, they simply had lunch on a park bench, bought by Xie Ci'an at the State-owned Restaurant.

Steamed buns with delicious braised pork and vermicelli, pickled cabbage stir-fried with pork belly.

The mother and child trio ate like little flower cats, their bellies round and full, and their faces were very cute.

"Wipe your face quickly, we're going to the movies this afternoon, what do you two like?"

Shen Yao took out a handkerchief and handed it to the two children, watching them clumsily wipe their own faces.

"Intelligence Seizing Tiger Mountain"

"Surprise Attack White Tiger Regiment"

Good heavens, they were starting off with war movies, and famous Peking opera films at that.

"Fine, watch them all."

Shen Yao waved her hand, setting the afternoon's schedule; movie tickets were not expensive, and children could count as half price.

Watching two movies in a row cost less than one yuan, quite cost-effective.

Taking the two children whose faces were smeared like little flower cats to wash simply with kettle water by the roadside, Shen Yao shook her wrist and announced they could set off for the next destination.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan cheered, while not forgetting to say goodbye to the new friends they had just made.

The world of children was just this simple, without the twists and turns of adults; whether happy or not was all written on their faces.

"Don't pout, it won't look good; Yuan Yuan wants to play with friends, and on the weekend Mom will still take you out."

On the road to the cinema by bicycle, Shen Yao comforted the unhappy Yuan Yuan.

With both hands propped on the handlebars, Yuan Yuan cupped her own little round face, "Mom will take Yuan Yuan out on the weekend?"

Shen Yao nodded, "Of course, not just Yuan Yuan, Tuan Tuan will come too."

At the age of loving to play and make a fuss, always keeping people cooped up at home was no good.

Shen Yao normally had one day off a week, so she simply took the children out to play.

It was also today's park trip that let Shen Yao see the happiness of Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan getting along with their peers.

Compared to the older children in the courtyard, they were still more suited to little companions.

"Mom, can it be a few more days a week?" Yuan Yuan pushed her luck.

"One must know moderation; you can't always come out to play," Shen Yao took the opportunity to educate her, while also letting Yuan Yuan go back and make her own weekly outing plan arrangements.

Yuan Yuan:...

Yuan Yuan looked wronged, "Mom is bullying people," she was still a child.

Shen Yao remained expressionless, thinking that this morning she had said she was already a big child of three full years, but now she had become a little child.

Indeed, although children are small, they have many schemes.