“Zheng’er, Rong’er, have the two younger boys woken up?”
The two little children watched over the two even smaller children, their big eyes filled with curiosity.
Zheng’er turned around and looked at Aunt Ju. “No, Grandma Ju. They are still sleeping.”
The two babies had been sleeping very soundly ever since they had some rice paste after they were rescued. Zheng’er felt that they would be easy to raise—perhaps even easier than he and Rong’er when they were younger.
In that case, their mother would not have to tire herself out raising them.
Of course, they would still help her take care of their two younger brothers.
“I touched their faces too. They’re not hot,” Rong’er added.
“Good boy.”
Aunt Ju placed the two bowls of rice paste on a small table and caressed their faces.
Jiuyue has been taking care of these two children so well. They are so obedient and sensible, watching over the younger boys and checking if they have a fever after being soaked in the water.
The two babies are also quite well-behaved. They have only been eating and sleeping. They haven’t been causing too much inconvenience.
“Grandma Ju, will these two younger brothers return to their home when the flood subsides?” Zheng’er asked Aunt Ju.
Aunt Ju hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “Well… I’m not sure.”
The flood was so massive that the roofs were submerged. Who knew if the boys’ parents were still alive?
Even if they were still alive, they might have assumed their children were gone since they were swept away by the currents. Why would they come looking for them?
Moreover, the roads and fields were muddy after the flood. Nobody had food or money. How were they supposed to survive?
The adults could not eat their fill or wear warm clothes, let alone take care of the two children.
“You two may have to take care of them in the future. Zheng’er, Rong’er, will you be willing to do that?” she asked softly.
Although An Jiuyue was capable, she already had her hands full with her two children. It would be difficult for her if she adopted them.
Moreover, everyone struggled to make ends meet in this day and age. Why would anyone want to raise children?
The officials were even less likely to care. They might even sell the children via a broker.
This was reality.
Should An Jiuyue decide to not adopt them, they would not be able to survive.
“We’re willing!” Zheng’er and Rong’er answered in unison.
Of course, they were willing. They were even hoping that the two younger boys’ parents would not come searching for them.
Although they were not younger sisters like they had thought, they were still willing to care for them.
“I hope you will continue being willing,” Aunt Ju sighed.
Taking care of the two babies was no easy task. Mere words were not enough. Zheng’er and Rong’er might be fond of them, but it still depended on whether An Jiuyue would be willing to raise them too.
However, Aunt Ju felt that An Jiuyue was a tremendously kind lady. If no one wanted the two children, she would definitely take them in.
…
Qian Yiyun and Xue Ling sat at a corner under the tree, watching the women complain.
“Sister Xue Ling, it’s a relief that you’re alright this time. You shouldn’t run off like that in the future,” Qian Yiyun warned sternly as she looked at Xue Ling.
If Xue Ling had not run off, which prompted her and her brother to head out to look for her, they would not have been caught in the flood.