Customarily, when helping with a move, the Yang Family’s eldest branch would have been expected to provide a meal, but everyone was aware of the family’s circumstances. So, after setting things down, they all left directly, except for Yang Baixiang and Gu Yao who stayed to help with the arrangement.
"Dani, are you sure you can manage on your own?" Yang Baixiang, after moving in all the items and double-checking for any oversights, still couldn’t shake off his worries.
"It’s no problem." Yang Ruxin smiled, "You can go back. Aunt Feng’s house is just next door, and Gu Yao can help out if there’s anything."
"Okay." Yang Baixiang glanced at the Gu Family’s home, just a plot of vegetable garden away, "I will also go over and thank them again in a moment." He felt deeply guilty, having promised to take care of his nephews and nieces, yet finding himself unable to help or protect them.
Yang Ruxin didn’t stop him; she gratefully accepted Uncle Xiaowu’s kindness.
After some thought, Yang Baixiang still called over the two youngest to warn them, especially since the Xiaocang River was close by. He admonished them not to go to the riverbank on their own, as it could be dangerous.
Xiaosi and Xiaofeng both obediently nodded their heads and promised not to wander off.
Only then did Yang Baixiang leave the courtyard uneasily and went to the Gu Family, naturally offering another round of sincere thanks.
Yang Ruxin closed the courtyard door and glanced over the small farmhouse, letting out a long sigh of relief. Finally separated from those despicable people, she had taken the first victorious step. Now, it was time to work towards prosperity and a better life.
"Big sister, does this mean no one will ever beat or scold us again?" Yang Rufeng asked with excitement, looking up at Yang Ruxin.
"Big sister, does this mean our food won’t be stolen anymore?" Sini Yang Rumeng’s large eyes also shone brightly.
"Yes," Yang Ruxin gently patted their heads, "No one will ever beat or scold us again, and we can eat our fill of good food without worry... nobody will be able to bully us anymore..."
The two little ones cheered.
"Big sister, can we raise some chickens in the backyard?" Sanni Yang Ruhao already started thinking about their daily life, "We should also plant vegetables in the plot next door..."
"Right," Yang Ruxin nodded, "If you’re not afraid of hard work, we can raise not just chickens, but also pigs. Since we’re near the river, we could even raise ducks..."
"We’re not afraid of hard work," Xiaofeng shook his head, "I can go pick wild vegetables every day..."
"I’m not afraid either, I can pick wild vegetables as well..." Xiaosi also hurriedly said out loud.
"That’s wonderful," Yang Ruxin pinched the cheeks of the two little ones in turn, "When the time comes, I’ll let you eat eggs and meat every day, and you’ll grow up plump and healthy."
But Xiaosi suddenly pouted her lips, "Big sister, I don’t want to be plump and unattractive like little aunt."
Yang Ruxin paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter, realizing the truth in her words. Indeed, Yang Baihe was quite hefty; in the villagers’ eyes, that was certainly not an attractive kind of plump.
Xiaosi was bewildered by Yang Ruxin’s laughter.
"We won’t be like little aunt," Yang Ruxin said after she had her fill of laughter, touching Xiaosi’s head, "When we say plump and healthy, we mean it in a good way, very attractive. Our Mimi, if plump, would definitely be exceptionally adorable..."
Only then did Xiaosi smile, believing in her big sister’s words.
"But we don’t have any money..." Sanni suddenly sighed. The life described by her big sister was indeed beautiful, but unfortunately, they would need silver to buy piglets and chicks.