How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Dong's mother whispered to her daughter, "Children are so good. Look at Dongdong, he's never been so well behaved when eating."

Dong Xiaohuan smiled and said, "These kids at home are all well behaved. I've never had to worry about anything." Her tone was full of pride.

"Okay, okay." Seeing her daughter like this, Dong's mother no longer had anything to worry about.

After dinner, Dong's father wanted to go home, but Dong Dongdong was not happy. He had finally had his brothers and sisters to play with, and when he was called back, he pouted and was about to cry.

Dong's mother softened her heart and said it was okay to go back later.

Dong Xiaohuan gave Mrs. Zhou a day off and decided not to open the stall in the afternoon. She called her mother and went shopping.

The children stared at each other. Xia Chu recalled the games she had played as a child: Drop the Handkerchief, Eagle Catches Chicken, and Statues...

The children's laughter echoed throughout the afternoon in the yard as Wang Yong sat with his father-in-law. Neither of them was good at speaking, but looking at the children's smiling faces, it didn't seem to matter.

Wang Yong thought for a long time, "Dad, how many days has Xiaomao been gone?"

Father Dong calculated, "Almost a month."

"When he comes back, invite him over for a drink and let him introduce himself to the place."

"it is good."

"How's the fish business at home?"

"It's not good. I couldn't hide it. Many people in the village are fishing. There are fewer fish in the river, and the price is getting lower and lower."

"Then let's think of another way. Xiao Mao has always said that he wants to build a new house. Can you spare the money?"

"It's almost enough. This house is still habitable since it was built in the year Xiaomao built it."

The two chatted in the yard. Xia Chu felt a little tired. He panted and said, "Drink some water and take a break."

"Dongdong still wants to play." Dong Dongdong pouted and turned to pull Guan Xu, "Brother, come and play again."

"It's too hot, let's take a break." Guan Xu shook his head and sat next to Xia Chu under the corridor.

Xia Tian had already brought a pot of cold boiled water from the kitchen, "Sister, come and drink some water."

Wang Yong, who was about to get some water for them, sat down again. Father Dong saw Xia Tian feeding his younger brothers and sisters one by one, and finally drinking it himself. He nodded and said, "Xiao Tian really acts like an older brother."

Wang Yong agreed, "Yes, he has always taken good care of his younger brothers and sisters."

Father Dong was silent for a while, not knowing what he was thinking about, and suddenly said: "Even though he is sensible, don't neglect him and mistreat him."

Wang Yong had heard everything about the Dong family from his wife. His father-in-law was the eldest son, a hardworking and honest man from a young age. But his parents always ignored him, always prioritizing the younger ones. Even when it came to getting married, Dong's father was the last one to do so.

When my mother-in-law first came into the family, she faced a lot of hardship from her mother-in-law. As the eldest child, almost all household chores fell on him. All the farm work fell on my father-in-law. The couple worked like oxen, never resting year-round.

Especially after Uncle Dong had a son, Aunt Dong straightened her back and often ordered her mother-in-law to do work.

Later, my mother-in-law became pregnant with Xiaohuan. Due to overwork, her pregnancy was not good. Xiaohuan was very thin when she was born. Because she was a girl, my grandparents did not like her.

After giving birth, my mother-in-law didn't take good care of herself and continued to fall ill. My father-in-law couldn't even afford medicine, and asking my parents for money was a tall order. He watched his wife, who had been cheerful and playful before marriage, become haggard and frail, seemingly on the verge of death, and his daughter, now a mere bag of bones. Finally, he exploded, approaching the elders of the clan and demanding a division of the family.

At that time, everyone in the village scolded him for being unfilial, but he did not give in. He took his wife and daughter and left the village, moving to another place to start a new life.

This was probably the most courageous thing he did in his life. After that, his life was no different from that of a beggar. But he still relied on himself to support his wife and children, and later built the house he lives in today. The year the house was completed, she happened to be pregnant with Xiaomao.

My mother-in-law jokingly said that this child knows how to enjoy life, and he came here just after we got a new house.

When my father-in-law said this at this time, he probably recalled the past.

A few children sat against the wall in the corridor, discussing what the clouds looked like. Guan Xu's thoughts were always focused on food, and he started arguing with Dong Dongdong. Xia Tian slapped him in the face, and he crossed his arms in anger.

When Dong's father realized that he hadn't heard the children's voices for a long time and came out to check, he found that the little ones were sleeping all over the place, all on Xia Tian.

Xia Tian didn't sleep, but he couldn't move either.

"These kids are all asleep." Father Dong was angry and amused. He called Wang Yong and quietly carried them all into the room.

When it was Xia Chu's turn, Xia Tian stopped Wang Yong and said, "My sister is a light sleeper and wakes up as soon as she moves."

"Okay." Wang Yong didn't force it.

When Dong Xiaohuan came back, Xia Chu was still asleep.

Dong's mother put down the things in her hands and was about to hug her, "Why are you sleeping here?"

Dong Xiaohuan held her back and whispered, "Mom, don't. Xiaochu is a light sleeper and wakes up easily when touched. Leave her alone."

"The ground is so cold. Girls can't catch a cold." Dong's mother said worriedly.

"Let me hold her, gently." Wang Yong moved very lightly, and Xia Chu hummed twice. Xia Tian quickly came over to pat her, and comforted her a few more times before she woke up.

"Let's go back while Dongdong is asleep," said Dong's mother.

Dong Xiaohuan glanced at her husband and got a look of affirmation. Then she put her arm around her mother and said, "Mom, stay here for a few days. We'll set up a stall tomorrow. Don't you want to see how good our business is?"

Dong's mother wanted to see it, but it was inappropriate for her to live in her son-in-law's house. "That would be so inconvenient."

"It's such a long journey, and we've had so much trouble coming and going. Why don't you stay for a few days? I'm craving your cooking." Dong Xiaohuan coquettishly shook her mother's arm, then looked at her father, "Dad, is that okay? Just stay for three days!"

It was rare for a father to refuse his daughter's request, especially since Dong Xiaohuan's family was in financial difficulty when she was young and she had suffered a lot. Dong's father always loved her more and nodded.

Dong's father agreed, and Dong's mother no longer refused.

Li Xi waited until nightfall, but no one came back. She was so angry that she threw a tantrum at home. Unfortunately, no one paid any attention to her.

Zhou Qin came to work early in the morning and saw a few more people at home. She looked around curiously. When she learned that they were his wife's parents, she smiled and greeted them.

With one more person helping out, there wasn't enough work to do, and the work was finished before noon. Zhou Qin finished work early and went home happily.

Dong's mother stewed a pot of soup with the chicken and mushrooms she brought.

Xia Chu took a bite and widened her eyes in amazement, "The soup made by my grandmother is so delicious!"

Dong's mother was so coaxed by her that she laughed, "Then drink more. And, I'll buy a chicken and stew it for you tomorrow."

"That's right, my cooking skills are only 50% as good as my mother's." Dong Xiaohuan smiled while holding the bowl.

Dong's mother followed up with a comment, "You don't have the brains for this. It's good enough that you can do the work and understand it."

Cooking skills really depend on talent. The same dish with the same recipe may taste different to each person.

Wang Yong couldn't bear to see others say anything bad about his wife, so he quickly chimed in, "Xiao Huan's cooking is delicious too, I love it."

Dong's mother smiled without saying anything, watching the children eat without even raising their heads. She was filled with pride and secretly decided to show off her cooking skills in the afternoon.