country bumpkin

Yunya and her sister got tired of playing and fell asleep again. Kong Xiujuan was glad she had brought her eldest daughter along; otherwise, she really wouldn't have been able to handle her second daughter's crying earlier. She also blamed herself for forgetting that the children weren't familiar with her.

However, it seems that the relationship has improved a lot now.

Little Yun slept for an hour, then woke up hungry and started to cry. Her older sister played with her using a bamboo dragonfly. Soon, her attention was captivated by the little toy.

While they were having fun, Kong Xiujuan made her some milk powder and then asked Sun Zitao to go out and buy some meat-filled steamed buns.

Yunya and her sister ate xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and drank milk powder together. The two adults also bought vegetarian steamed buns. After they were full, they tidied up their things.

The older sister played with her younger sister. Kong Xiujuan also stayed by her side. They made it through the night without incident. Only after Xiaoyunya fell asleep again did Kong Xiujuan feel at ease.

The little girl calmed down for a while, but then she started crying and looking for her grandmother again. If she kept crying like this, she really wouldn't know what to do. Thinking this, she unknowingly fell asleep.

The next morning, before Xiaoyunya woke up, Mu Shuyun arrived. She hadn't slept a wink the night before, tossing and turning as she made pancakes. She was worried that if the little girl woke up and couldn't see anyone she recognized, she would cry.

I was busy until late yesterday before I finally remembered this. I was planning to come over tonight, but Kong Tongming said, "Let's go first thing tomorrow morning! Her older sister, Xiaomei, will be there to play with her, so it should be fine."

He knew Yunya too well. As long as she had toys and other children to play with, she could go a whole day without needing an adult. She just needed an adult to be with her when she slept, because children are afraid of the dark.

Kong Xiujuan saw her mother's dark circles and said, "Mother, you haven't slept all night. You look so haggard." Mu Shuyun shook her head and said, "It's nothing. I was just worried about Yunya. I was afraid she would cry and be unable to watch over her."

Kong Xiujuan looked at her mother gratefully and said, "Mom, thank you for your hard work."

Mu Shuyun smiled and waved her hand, "Silly child, don't be so polite with me."

Mu Shuyun arrived in a car from a fellow villager. Because she arrived so early, she hadn't eaten. Sun Zitao went out and bought two fried dough sticks, five large steamed buns, a basket of small steamed buns, and rice porridge. Meals for both adults and children were prepared.

Xiao Yunya woke up first and saw her grandmother waving her arms and legs, wanting a hug. Mu Shuyun walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, hugged Yunya, and kissed her forehead.

After the eldest daughter woke up, she quickly wiped her face and hands and ate. Once everyone had finished eating, the doctor who was making rounds arrived.

The doctor in charge of Yunya's bed said, "Your little girl is recovering well. After finishing her IV drip today, she can be discharged this afternoon if she has no other symptoms."

Hearing this, the whole family smiled with relief. This incident had really terrified them. If they hadn't arrived in time, it's hard to say what might have happened.

After finishing her IV drip in the afternoon, Sun Zitao called the on-duty doctor over to check on Yunya's condition. Once it was confirmed that she was completely recovered, Mu Shuyun went to complete the discharge procedures.

The doctor still prescribed some medicine, saying it would help consolidate the treatment and cure the disease completely.

When he returned, he had many bags and bundles, including blankets and quilts. He also stayed at the inn across from the hospital, where he had left his donkey for the past few days. The innkeepers took good care of it, feeding it hay and water. Only after settling the bill could Sun Zitao finally go home.

When he arrived, he secretly borrowed 10 yuan from a friend who was also waiting for work. In the two days he was in the hospital, he bought meals and paid for the donkey care fee several times, and had already spent a third of the money.

He didn't tell Kong Xiujuan about borrowing the money, because he was afraid his wife would worry.

Family members who come to the town hospital to accompany their children usually rest in the hospital corridor. Only when the daughter-in-law gives birth do the in-laws stay in hotels, and the expenses are naturally paid by the husband's family.

Ordinary families are quite frugal; they usually leave their donkeys at hotels for a penny a day, which isn't very expensive.

…………

They arrived home quickly and without any major accidents. Once inside the yard, Sun Zitao started unloading things, and another flurry of activity ensued.

Kong Xiujuan carried her older sister, and Mu Shuyun carried her younger sister as they entered the house one after the other. The house was warm and cozy.

Today is market day, and Kong Xiangdong came back a little early from selling tofu, so he lit the stove. He's currently in the next room cleaning up the soybean dregs and hasn't heard them come back.

He used to make tofu in the morning and then go out to sell it, leaving Mu Shuyun to clean up the mess. Today she went to the hospital, so the chores were left for now.

Mu Shuyun called to him at the door of the tofu shop, and he quickly came out when he heard her voice. "Mother, you're back! Yunya is all better!"

He looked at Yunya, who was being held in his mother's arms, with a smile in his eyes and a face full of surprise. Little Yunya also looked at her uncle with joy. She reached out her little hands, wanting a hug.

The second uncle quickly wiped his hands on his clothes and went to pick up Yunya. Yunya was hugged by her uncle and giggled.

Kong Xiangdong held Yunya in his arms and rubbed his stubble against her little face, making her laugh even more happily.

Mu Shuyun felt incredibly warm inside as she watched this scene. She knew that Kong Xiangdong had always loved children, especially his adorable little niece, Yunya.

Kong Xiujuan also came over, touched Yunya's hair and said, "Yunya, after you get better, you must listen to your grandma and not be naughty anymore."

Yunya blinked her big eyes and nodded obediently. At this moment, Sun Zitao walked in, and seeing everyone's happy atmosphere, a smile also appeared on his face.

The family sat around the stove, chatting about everyday things. Kong Xiangdong told everyone about the funny things that happened at the market that day, which made them all laugh.

Mu Shuyun inquired about Kong Xiangdong's tofu business with concern, and was relieved to learn that everything was going smoothly.

In this warm atmosphere, time seemed to slow down, and everyone enjoyed this precious time with family.

Suddenly, there was a rustling sound of footsteps coming from the courtyard. Everyone looked into the courtyard at the same time.

I didn't see anyone, I only heard sounds.

Just as I was wondering, bursts of laughter came from outside...