Chapter 175: Chapter 79: Top Star of the ’60s Song and Dance Troupe (18)

Xia Zhaoyun was a decent cook. After searing some scallions in lard, she served up firm, smooth, hand-pulled noodles. They were topped with a stir-fry of egg, carrot, cucumber, and shredded pork in soy sauce, with a pinch of red chili, making for a wonderfully savory and delicious meal.

After dinner, everyone leaned back in their chairs, content. Xia Zhaoyun nudged He Qingran with her foot. "Time for you to wash the pot and do the dishes!"

He Qingran’s brow furrowed, but she ultimately rose resignedly, rolled up her sleeves, and disappeared into the kitchen.

Xia Zhaoyun took the opportunity to take a bath, feeling refreshed all over as she dried her hair.

As darkness fell, she pulled the light’s chain, and the room was instantly as bright as day. She couldn’t help but purse her lips in a smile. ’I’ve really lucked out,’ she thought. ’After all, Tong Yuxiang prepared this as a bridal suite for her son, and Director Huo even paid extra out of his own pocket. All the renovations were done to be the best and most comfortable.’

’Even the wattage of the lightbulb is higher than anyone else’s!’

The children gathered around He Qingran, listening as she told the story of Journey to the West with animated gestures.

Xia Zhaoyun unfolded the fabrics sent over by the logistics department, looking through them one by one. There were two or three colors for each type of material. While there wasn’t a lot of any single piece, there was enough to make a full outfit for herself and the two children.

She took out a pen and paper and started sketching. She planned to make three outfits for each of the two children, and then two sets of pajamas for each of the four of them at home.

Once she finished the drawings, she measured everyone’s sizes again and quickly got to work.

Xia Zhaoyun was incredibly fast at making clothes. She’d sketch the pattern with chalk, cut the fabric with her shears, and then run a few seams on the sewing machine. Her speed left He Qingran clicking her tongue in amazement.

She couldn’t help but lament dramatically, "Yunyun, is there anything you can’t do? Why wasn’t I born a man? I can’t even have such a perfect wife and mother like you, and in the future, I’ll have to serve some other man..."

Xia Zhaoyun smiled, pursing her lips. "Any man who makes you serve him isn’t worth having! But, Ranran, I think you could try doing some chores. You don’t need to be an expert, but at least you won’t have to rely on others when you need something done."

He Qingran nodded. "Alright, Master Little Xia! Please guide me well from now on!"

As she spoke, she gave Xia Zhaoyun a proper, traditional bow, which prompted the two children to copy her. The four of them immediately dissolved into a fit of laughter.

The next day, as soon as Xia Zhaoyun sat up in bed, the two little ones beside her rubbed their eyes and sat up too.

The new clothes in the courtyard were already dry, so she helped them change.

Ruyuan wore a sailor suit with a white top and blue shorts, while Little Ruyi had a sailor dress. Both wore azure bucket hats and carried matching cloth bags.

They were overjoyed. In front of the mirror embedded in the wardrobe, they puffed out their chests, held their heads high, and walked back and forth. They even saluted from time to time. Their little faces beamed with satisfied smiles as they sweetly called out "Mama."

Wakened by the noise, He Qingran scratched her hair and leaned against the doorframe, watching. She looked at the children, then back at Xia Zhaoyun, and suddenly leaned in in astonishment to whisper in her ear. "Whoa, Yunyun, you know what? I just realized how much you all look alike!"

"People talk about couples looking alike, but you guys have that mother-and-child resemblance, don’t you? Especially with those fox-like eyes and the shape of your noses and mouths. Oh, and that proud preening, like little peacocks—it’s like you were all cast from the same mold."

Xia Zhaoyun chuckled lightly and nodded, sighing in agreement. "I noticed it yesterday, too. I guess this is just fate."

For breakfast, they had thick, golden millet porridge and crispy pan-fried egg pancakes that were both soft and chewy. Paired with crunchy, slightly spicy pickled cucumbers, He Qingran accidentally stuffed herself again, sprawling in her chair, both satisfied and helpless.

The children also ate with great gusto.

After dropping the children off at kindergarten... Although they were young, they had lost their parents early on and spent half a year living under their uncle’s roof. This life of dependency had made them mature beyond their years. They showed none of the panic, fear, or attachment to adults typical of children their age.

Their eyes just grew a little red as they softly asked again and again, confirming that Xia Zhaoyun would come to pick them up.

This only made Xia Zhaoyun’s and He Qingran’s hearts ache for them more. They hugged them, patted their heads, and kissed their cheeks, finally leaving with many backward glances under the teacher’s impatient gaze.

"Pfft," He Qingran suddenly burst out laughing. "Yesterday, I was worried about us two new moms not being able to take care of them. But we’ve only been with them for less than a day. How does it already feel like they’re our own?"

Xia Zhaoyun smiled and nodded too. "It’s because the children are so obedient and sensible. They’re clever little things who know exactly how to make you dote on them!"

Behind the factory was a small market where production teams sold various agricultural products. The two of them wanted to buy everything they saw. Even after exercising great restraint, they ended up strapping their two bicycles full of goods.

With so many things arranged in the once-empty house, it finally started to feel like a home.

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