Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 13

Hearing the little bun’s soft, sticky-sweet voice, Ying Su instantly felt all her fatigue melt away. The corners of her lips curved into a joyful smile as she set down what was in her hands and scooped up the little one who came running at her. Holding him, she spun him around several times in the air.

The little bun had never been lifted and spun around like this before. He burst out laughing, giggling happily. In the past, he often saw the fathers in the village spin their children like this, and he had always longed for it. Now, finally, someone was holding him up and spinning him too.

His dark, shiny eyes sparkled with liveliness and cuteness. Ying Su gave his cheek a big, hard kiss, making his little face flush red in an instant.

Hugging her, he whispered, “Mommy, how can you kiss me? That’s so embarrassing.”

Ying Su found it amusing. She flicked his forehead lightly. “I’m your mother. What’s so embarrassing about me kissing you? A kiss is a way of showing love. Mommy kisses you because she loves you.”

Hearing that, the little bun bit his lip, looking a bit conflicted. His dark eyes turned, and then he leaned close to Ying Su’s cheek and gave her a light kiss. Mommy loved him, and he loved Mommy too.

His little gesture nearly overwhelmed Ying Su’s maternal heart. She rubbed his soft cheeks before setting him down from her arms.

Madam Li was holding the woodenware Ying Su had made, her expression changing several times before turning to open astonishment. “Cuihua, did you make this?” Since her son, Li Dalang, was a carpenter, Madam Li naturally knew some of the craft. She thought these pieces were crafted so well, almost unbelievably good.

Ying Su smiled and nodded.

“Heavens, your skill is incredible! Dalang has learned woodworking since he was little, yet even he isn’t as good as you. Cuihua, having this skill is wonderful! With this craft, you and Huzi will never have to worry about food and clothing.” Madam Li seemed very moved, clearly happy for Ying Su.

Ying Su only gave a faint smile. She herself didn’t actually plan to do carpentry work, but she could always sell some designs. Her head was filled with plenty of good ideas, and those alone could earn her a tidy sum.

“Dalang often works in town. When he comes back, I’ll ask him to help you find carpentry work there. That way, he can also look after you.”

Ying Su neither agreed nor refused. Remembering what she needed to do tonight, she instead asked Madam Li, “I want to go into town tomorrow. I’ve forgotten the way there. Could you tell me the route?”

Madam Li knew that since Ying Su had been bought into Dongjun Village five years ago, she hadn’t gone to town once. She carefully explained the way in detail, then added, “Why not just go with Dalang and the others tomorrow? You don’t know the road, after all…”

Since she didn’t know what kind of attitude Dalang had toward her, Ying Su wasn’t about to cause trouble. Smiling, she politely declined Madam Li’s kindness. If she rashly agreed but Dalang was unwilling, it would only put Madam Li in a difficult position.

“Grandma, this bowl is so pretty! It has cute little piggies on it, much nicer than the ones dad makes!” A chubby little boy looked at the wooden bowl in Huzi’s hands with envy.

Huzi puffed himself up proudly. “Of course! My mother made it. Of course it’s beautiful.”

Madam Li chuckled and introduced, “This is Dalang and Chuncao’s child, called Dazhuang. Dazhuang, call her Auntie.”

Afraid that he might grow up frail and sickly like Erlang, the family named him Dazhuang (sturdy) when he was born. He didn’t disappoint them, he grew up robust, with a strong, healthy look and a bit of baby fat.

“Auntie,” Dazhuang called obediently, not shy at all, unlike how the other villagers treated Shen Cuihua with dislike.

Ying Su smiled, picked up a wooden bowl, and handed it to him. “This is for you.” She could see how much the child liked it. His eyes kept staring at the bowl, but he hadn’t asked for it, such a well-mannered boy.

Dazhuang quickly accepted it, cradling it happily in his hands. “Thank you, Auntie! The piggies and doggies on this bowl are so pretty.”

On the wooden bowl, Ying Su had carved Q-version (chibi-style) images of the twelve zodiac animals. Each little animal looked lively and adorable, making the bowl truly exquisite.

As the sky darkened, Madam Li pulled Dazhuang along and said, “It’s time for supper. We’ll go home first. I’ll bring some food over for you and Huzi later.”

Ying Su’s lips curved in a smile. “No need. I still have a fish at home. It’s already dead and I won’t be able to keep it long. I plan to cook it for Huzi tonight.”

Madam Li nodded, remembering the fish Ying Su had given her earlier. Even though it was in water, the weather was hot, and it probably wouldn’t last the night. Best to cook it that evening, especially since Dalang and Chuncao would also be home.

“Alright then, Dazhuang and I will head back.” Madam Li smiled and walked away with the boy.

The evening glow spread across the horizon like brocade, blending with the distant mountains, dazzling in color and breathtaking to behold. Ying Su’s lips curved slightly. Life in this peaceful, tranquil little mountain village, perhaps it was a beautiful life in its own way.

Since she planned to cook, she first had to clean the rust-covered pot. Rolling up her sleeves, Ying Su carried a wooden bucket in one hand and the iron pot in the other. “Baby, where do we usually fetch water to drink?”

“There’s an old well at the east end of the village. Mommy, I’ll fetch the water,” the little bun said, reaching for the bucket.

But how could Ying Su let a child do that? “With your small body, how much water can you carry? If you hurt yourself, Mommy would feel bad. You show me the way, I’ll carry it.”

The little bun could only nod and lead her to the old well. Together they brought back two buckets of water. Ying Su scrubbed all the pots and bowls clean first. Then outside the thatched hut, she stacked stones to make a simple stove, set the pot on top, and began to prepare for cooking.

There was no kitchen or proper stove, so she could only make do like this. Still, she thought, once she earned some money tomorrow, she’d hire someone to build her a proper kitchen.

“Mommy, let me tend the fire!” The little bun volunteered eagerly.

Ying Su set down a bundle of firewood beside the stove and smiled. “Alright.”

The little bun quickly lit the fire, his movements practiced. Seeing his little scarred hands moving so skillfully, Ying Su felt a pang of heartache. He must have suffered quite a bit before. Stroking his head, she praised softly, “You’re amazing, baby.”

The little bun’s face turned hot, flushing red. Seeing him so shy made him even more adorable.

There was no kitchen knife at home, but that didn’t stop Ying Su. She used the hatchet to clean and gut the fish, removing the muddy tendon with swift, practiced movements. Soon, the fish was in the pot. She even washed and added some seasonings she had found in the mountains earlier.

the little bun watched in awe, eyes wide. Was this really his mother? Since recovering from her illness, she seemed capable of so many things!

“Mommy, you’re amazing!” He said proudly, his little face glowing with admiration, as if sharing in her glory.

Ying Su smiled gently. While the fish simmered in the pot, she stuck a ring of corn cakes to its edges. The little bun couldn’t stop swallowing, his dark eyes shining brightly.