Chapter 674: The '50s Motherhood System (31)

"I heard the township is coming to measure the foundation to build a collective dormitory for those six children, and they've fenced off a huge piece of land!"

"I also heard those six children have their own rations; the township will provide them for the first year, and after that, the villagers who farm their ration fields will provide them. My sister-in-law's cousin just received one of those fields, so this news is absolutely true."

"So that means Xie Yang doesn't lose out either? The township marks the land and pays to build the children's housing, the children bring their own rations, and how much can three or five-year-old children eat in a whole year? Doesn't the surplus all go to Xie Yang?"

Someone said this, and many people's minds began to waver, feeling that this seemed like a business deal that was sure to make a profit without any risk.

Not until Zhishu Xifu put her hands on her hips and scolded them awake: "Are you saying your children are livestock? Just feed them something and give them a place to stay? Don't two or three-year-old children need someone to look after them? Don't seven or eight-year-old children need to go to school? Don't children need clothes made from cloth when they grow up? Don't you have to spend money to see a doctor when they get sick? You are all parents or even grandparents yourselves, can't you think of these things?"

"..."

Everyone then realized that raising children doesn't just cost rations; there are many other places where money must be spent.

"Then Xie Yang adopted these children, does she pay for all this money?" someone asked.

Zhishu Xifu nodded: "Of course! Otherwise, how could it be called adoption?"

"Then what is she after? Spending money and effort just to be their foster mother? What if she raises a bunch of ungrateful wretches, wouldn't it be all for nothing?"

Zhishu Xifu sneered unpleasantly: "Are biological children necessarily filial? In our village, it's not like there aren't ungrateful wretches who drive their own fathers and mothers into the woodshed and don't give them food."

"..."

These words made a lot of sense, leaving them speechless.

"In any case, even if we can't do what Xie Yang does—sacrificing her own life's major events to adopt the orphans of martyrs so that those martyrs who gave their lives for the country can rest in peace—we shouldn't say such heart-chilling things. Our Shili Village has always been united; if anyone deliberately destroys the unity of our village, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Zhishu Xifu was also a 'tough flower' in the village back in the day, and her style of doing things was very fierce. It was only after she got married and gave birth to children one after another that her temperament was worn down to be gentle, and over time, everyone forgot her original fiery temper.

At this moment, it seemed as if they had returned to the years when they were dominated by her, and everyone didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Fortunately, her little grandson ran over at this time: "Grandma! Grandma! A lot of people have come to Yangyang's house. Dad said the township sent people to bring children, and asked you to go help take care of them quickly... Grandma, what children? Why are they all being sent to my Yangyang sister's house?"

"..."

Zhishu Xifu had no time to answer her grandson's doubts, so she carried her basket and went to Xie Yang's house in a flurry.

"Grandma, wait for me—" Liuqiang quickly kept up with his grandmother's pace.

Other villagers looked at each other.

"How about we go take a look too?"

"Let's go together! Didn't they say they were going to build a dormitory for the children? Even if we can't help with anything else, we can still put in some effort."

In the courtyard of Xie Yang's house, which was not small, it was now surrounded by people three layers deep inside and out.

The outer layer consisted of villagers from the village who came to watch the excitement, while the inner layer consisted of the Town Mayor, Cao Zhuren, and other township Cadres, as well as other village secretaries and villagers who accompanied the children.

Xie Yang heard the Main System's relay and knew that the children's condition was not very good, but she did not expect it to be this bad.

There were six children, the oldest only eight years old, stiff and thin, looking severely malnourished at a glance.

The youngest was still wobbling when walking, and the wind from the late spring cold made it a bit chilly. Their little face was frozen red, snot dragged to the philtrum, and they sniffed from time to time. Their eyes were quite round, and they were held by a warm-hearted village woman from their village, looking at Xie Yang curiously, neither crying nor making a fuss.

Xie Yang glanced at the other four children again; some were reserved, some were bewildered, but none of them possessed the innocence and liveliness of this age. They were so sensible that it made one feel pity.

Xie Yang didn't say anything. She went into the house, scooped the hot water kept warm in the pot into a bucket, took a washbasin and a bar of soap, and came to the courtyard. She asked the children to line up, washed their hands with Soap one by one, and taught them how to wash their hands clean.

It took several changes of water to get their hands clean.

Then she gave each of them a cotton handkerchief. She let the older children wash their faces themselves, and after they were clean, she let them help the two younger ones wash their faces.

With their hands and faces clean, Xie Yang took out a jar of vanishing cream and applied a little to each child's hands and face.

The watching villagers were stunned:

Goodness! Xie Yun's daughter is really particular! So many steps just to wash a face? First the soap, then the vanishing cream. At this rate of raising them, how much money will be spent in a year!

"Is this the style of city people? Who in the countryside doesn't raise children roughly?"

"These children have come to the Xie Family and are enjoying blessings!"

"If you ask me, Xie Yang is just stupid. With this money, she might as well cut a few taels of meat for herself to eat. Spending it on children she didn't give birth to is like throwing money into the water. Can she count on them for any return in the future?"

The whispers all around rose and fell. Xie Yang acted as if she didn't hear them, and went on to apply the vanishing cream evenly to the two little ones, teaching the four older children how to apply it: "Like me, can you apply it? Isn't it much more comfortable? Are your hands and faces not tight anymore? You must wash your hands and faces like this in the future. Firstly, it's comfortable for yourself, and secondly, maintaining personal hygiene will prevent you from getting sick."

The two little ones were ignorant and only knew that their little hands and faces were fragrant after washing, and they squinted and smiled comfortably.

Even if the four older ones hadn't used vanishing cream before, they had heard adults talk about it and knew that this thing was very precious. But such a precious thing was actually used on them! One by one, they were flattered.

Before they came, the village secretary grandfather told them that a kind person wanted to adopt them, the kind of adoption that didn't require them to change their names, and told them to be obedient and behave well so that they would have a new home in the future.

So now, this beautiful aunt with a very gentle voice washed their hands and faces and taught them to apply precious vanishing cream. Does this mean she likes them? Is she willing to adopt them? Do they have a home again?

The precocious and sensible children didn't say anything, but their longing eyes revealed everything.

Xie Yang smiled at them, went to the kitchen to bring out the brewed Malt Extract, and handed one bowl to each of them.

Even the two little ones didn't need anyone to help feed them; they held the small bowls and could drink very well by themselves, without spilling a single drop.

While they were burying their heads in drinking the Malt Extract, Xie Yang talked to the Town Mayor and others:

"It will take at least ten or twenty days to build the children's dormitory. I only have one room here and can't accommodate so many people, so during this period, I have agreed with the older woman to stay at her place."

The Town Mayor nodded: "Your village secretary told me on the way here that you all have high awareness. We will definitely prioritize recommending your Shili Village for this year's county-level Advanced Unit."

As for the Advanced Individual, it goes without saying that Xie Yang would definitely be recommended. The Town Mayor added in his heart.