Chapter 1640 - 1072: Heroine of the Republic 46 (5000+)_3

Chapter 1640: Chapter 1072: Heroine of the Republic 46 (5000+)_3

An Hu’s understanding and thoughtfulness indeed reduced An Yi’s burden a lot.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, An Yi specially asked An Hu to collect reed leaves by the riverside. After washing and soaking them, she used sticky rice produced from her space to wrap Eight Treasure Dumplings, red bean paste dumplings, red dates rice dumplings, and other sweet dumplings for the children. This was a Northern specialty; they weren’t accustomed to meat dumplings or salty dumplings. Of course, at that time, eating meat dumplings was not allowed; having a sticky rice dumpling was already quite luxurious.

With her homemade dumplings, An Yi sent An Hu to deliver four to the captain’s family. It wasn’t much; they couldn’t take care of each family member, so they gave four dumplings according to the number of children in their home.

Naturally, the dumplings given to them weren’t of such high specifications, all made from yellow rice, sticky corn, red dates, peanuts, with a lot of mixed grains. But they were still presentable.

It was after moving into the An family that An Hu realized the competence of his new mom. Even though there wasn’t a man in the house, what they ate was exquisite, with seemingly no lack of meat, eggs, or milk, since they frequently consumed them. Regardless of the type of egg, milk, or meat, they were served regularly, which was quite impressive.

But being smart, he never asked anything, and Mommy An never explained anything to him. If she let him eat, he would. He knew his body was weak and needed nutritional supplements. Only by nurturing his health could he contribute to this family. Otherwise, chopping three baskets of firewood would exhaust him; how would that work?

An Hu was easy to raise. He found the sweet potato leaf cornbread, wild vegetable cornbread, and bran skin veggie dumplings she made extremely delicious, accepting both good and bad, without being picky. Even though he ate quite a lot, during a child’s growth period, one absolutely couldn’t afford to skimp. If it weren’t for him refusing to drink milk, saying he wanted it for his sister, she wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of making cheese for him. Milk, eggs, and meat are important for bone development, and no stinginess was allowed while he absorbed nutrients.

"My mom was an authentic Southern person and could make many things, but we didn’t have many ingredients at home. Before she passed away, she worked as a helper at a pastry shop. Even though she was a helper, she was the main cook, teaching others who came along. To raise me, my mom endured many hardships. Mommy An, when we have ingredients in the future, I’ll make them for you guys. I always helped over there and learned many pastry styles. My mom said that once I mastered them, I could find temporary work at a dessert factory or store to support myself in the future."

It’s truly poignant, the care and concern of all parents worldwide. She probably knew early on that her husband was unreliable and thus kept her child close, teaching them in every possible way.

Hu Zi was a boy who appeared rough outside but was delicate inside, extremely respectful towards women. When his sister changed clothes or took baths, he’d only prepare hot water and bowls in advance, never entering. He knew how to avoid it. When it was time for waste elimination, he’d come forward to replace An Yi. Since An Yi didn’t let the children wear split-crotch pants, they needed timely release. If they drank too much water or ate a lot, he’d periodically ask his two sisters. Even though the younger one couldn’t express herself clearly, she understood. If she was vague, she’d seek Mommy An’s help with problems. He was very reliable.

An Yi hadn’t taught these things, yet he knew them, showing that his biological mother had taught him. Such a good child, how could his dad bear to push him out?

In most areas of the Northeast during summer, there is no cicada chirping, and naturally, there aren’t any cicada monkeys to eat either.

However, in summer, there are many places for children to find joy, like going to river streams to catch river snails, river clams, fishing, shrimping, and crabbing. Previously An Yi didn’t have time for these, but Hu Zi, being a boy, would go whenever village children called. He said he wanted to improve the lives of his two sisters, but An Yi caught him in the act.

"Do you know how to swim, uh, can you float?"

Hu Zi nodded: "This, I learned from that scoundrel." He called his lousy dad a scoundrel instead of dad.

An Yi was reassured: "Our family doesn’t lack those things. Remember not to go to deep-water areas; every summer kids drown. You followed me to the rural area, and I am responsible for you and your mom. You need to be responsible for yourself too. Hear me clearly?"

"Mommy An, rest assured, I’m aware." The reason for calling her Mommy An was because he couldn’t accept it for a while. But if calling her Aunt An Yi wasn’t suitable, he contemplated for a long time, and An Yi let him call her Mommy An. It wasn’t too late for him to genuinely accept her and call her mom from the bottom of his heart someday.

This child understood gratitude; his mother had only left for two years, so how could he forget? Hence, she fully understood his feelings and never forced him to do anything.

He called Anna and Angel elder aunt and younger aunt. The reason he wasn’t put under Anna or Angel’s name is that she didn’t know if they could commit to not marrying or having children. She had never thought to force them to make promises. As women, who wouldn’t want to find a man to spend their life with? But having experienced so much and gained wisdom, she had this inner wish for them. Therefore, the child could only belong to her, not to them.

The aim was also to leave them a way out.

As for An Yi herself, indeed, over the years, she hadn’t met anyone who genuinely made her feel she could entrust her life. Without knowing someone well, how could they hold hands and walk together?

After the Yi family suffered a setback at An Yi’s place, they dared not disturb her again. But whenever An Hu passed by An Yi’s former home, the Cai Wenfang family and Yi family’s children would point at An Hu and laugh, saying extremely unpleasant words.

"She won’t let my family live there, yet picks up a half-grown lad. What’s An’s intention?"

"Exactly, it’s just because she’s afraid nobody would carry on the family name, so she specifically found a boy to inherit the future house, lest it cheapens others." ℴℴ𝘮

...

An Hu was equally furious hearing this, but An Yi had instructed not to get tangled with this family. No matter what they said, pretend not to hear.

When he relayed these words to An Yi at home that evening, she nodded her head.

"That family’s worldview is incorrect; never associate with them. Even speaking to them lowers one’s status. Look, are these children’s words? Just ignore them; as long as they’re not standing in front of me, pointing at my nose and cursing, I won’t even lift my eyelids. You are new here, just take care of our family’s business. These trashy people, often because of insecurity, can’t stand others doing well!"

If their worldview was correct, why would she sever familial ties? The house was merely a tribute to the original owner’s nurturing, nothing more; she didn’t want any involvement with them.

An Yi reiterated several times, and An Hu took it to heart. He preferred to take a detour rather than pass in front of their door.

Over time, the Yi and Cai family’s reputations led to resentment from the social members, and no one wanted to team up with them for work.

Because they were truly too lazy.

After hearing these rumors, An Yi dug from the depths of her memory that Cai Wenfang was originally a Voldemort.

In the early years, relying on Marshal Yi’s prestige, the Cai family was like parasites to the Yi family. When Marshal Yi died in battle, they lost their source of income. With the advent of war, they had no choice but to flee South. Living in the mountains for unknown years of hardship, they couldn’t bear it anymore and thought to return to see whether they could receive government assistance. After all, Marshal Yi was a great General who died on the battlefield, right? Depending on his lingering prestige, surely they wouldn’t end up without a shelter?

However, the Northeast had been dominated by the Japanese Army for fourteen years, and countless soldiers, great and small, sacrificed. Marshal Yi’s name existed, but not as exaggeratedly resonant across Guandong as they assumed. Therefore, expecting the government to provide food and drink for their whole family was pure fantasy. Even having a place to settle was already fortunate; dreaming of additional grain subsidies for their large family, well, they should count themselves lucky!