The weather today was finally not as hot as usual, making it the perfect time to eat something warm.
Shen Lu braved the rain to buy a grass carp, preparing to make her specialty, sour and spicy fish.
Shen Lu skillfully prepared the fish slices and then got to work.
The sour and spicy fish was served, with tender and smooth fish fillets paired with a sour and spicy sauce, and refreshing side dishes to cut through the richness.
This meal left the two little ones with their bellies full.
Seeing the two children still wanting more.
Shen Lu propped her chin on her hand, at this rate, in less than a month, the two little ones would surely regain a normal child's weight.
After the meal, the mother and sons sat by the candlelight.
The two little ones had been clamoring to fly kites, so Shen Lu found some wooden sticks and paper to make kites for them.
Shen Lu was on the side, shaving wooden sticks to make the frame, and found some paints, handing the brushes to the two little ones, letting them add color to the plain white paper.
The two little ones held their brushes, drawing and excitedly telling her about the interesting events of the day.
"Today, when they were playing with Er Niu, I told them the story I heard yesterday, and I completely stunned that group of little brats, it was so impressive."
Gu Xingyu tilted his head back, looking smug.
Gu Xingze pointed in the direction of Er Niu's house.
Gu Xingyu immediately understood and said for him: "With Brother Er Niu around, our little friends all come to play with us."
Children don't hold grudges overnight, and besides, Er Niu had already received his lesson, so the two children didn't dwell on it.
Shen Lu lowered her eyes, making kites for the two little ones.
The dim candlelight flickered on Shen Lu's round cheeks, the shadows cast by her long eyelashes enveloping her beautiful eyes, strands of hair falling onto her fair, delicate neck.
Even at 180 jin, Shen Lu's features were still very pleasing to the eye.
Xiao Ze and Xiao Yu cupped their little faces, thinking their mom was the most beautiful woman in the world.
It was early summer and the weather was rather cold, so the mother and sons didn't shower, just simply wiped themselves down.
The twins weren't in the mood to play rough today either, and had obediently lain down in bed early, looking at Shen Lu expectantly.
Clearly, they were waiting to be told a story.
Fortunately, Shen Lu had always enjoyed reading, so dealing with the two little cubs was not a problem.
After coaxing the two little ones to sleep, Shen Lu felt their foreheads for their temperature; Xiao Yu was normal, but Xiao Ze was a bit warm.
Shen Lu regretted not giving them some medicine when they were awake earlier.
She could only lie down holding Xiao Ze's hand, so she could notice any situation immediately.
In the middle of the night, thunder and rain raged outside the room.
Shen Lu, half-asleep, suddenly sensed something.
She abruptly opened her eyes; Xiao Ze beside her was breathing rapidly, his eyes tightly shut, his brow furrowed, looking uncomfortable.
She reached out to test his forehead temperature and burned her hand.
Shen Lu calmed her flustered mind, picked up Xiao Ze, found fever reducers from the medicine box, and gave them to him.
She then went outside to prepare to fetch a basin of water to wipe Xiao Ze down.
Shen Lu had only been out for a few minutes when a bolt of lightning split the sky, and crying could be heard from inside the room.
She hurried back, turning to see Xiao Yu, barefoot, stumbling out of his room.
Xiao Yu was groggy from sleep, tears welling in his big eyes, and he asked with a cry.
"Mom, Mom, where are you going?"
Shen Lu froze on the spot; this was the first time she had heard Xiao Yu call her Mom.
She picked up Xiao Yu and returned to the room, silently vowing to protect the two soft and adorable little ones no matter what.
The thunder earlier had woken Xiao Yu, and even after getting back into bed, he kept crying and fussing with his eyes closed.
Shen Lu carefully picked up Xiao Yu, placing the child's drooping head in the crook of her neck, gently patting his back.
The soft, comforting embrace of his mother quieted Xiao Yu for a moment.
Within a few minutes, he started crying again, and Xiao Ze beside him also struggled slightly, looking like he was about to wake up.
Shen Lu had to hold one child while using the other hand to constantly wipe Xiao Ze with a towel to cool him down.
After Xiao Ze was given medicine, his condition stabilized a bit. Shen Lu picked up Xiao Yu, rocking him and humming a soothing tune.
In the warm, soft embrace, listening to his mother's gentle humming, Xiao Yu's tightly furrowed brow relaxed.
He occasionally let out a soft whimper, tilted his head, and fell into a deep sleep.
Shen Lu gently put Xiao Yu down, then wrung out the towel and continued to wipe Xiao Ze's body over and over.
She focused on wiping his armpits, neck, groin, and the back of his knees, areas that help dissipate heat.
Xiao Ze's flushed face and dry, cracked lips showed how uncomfortable he was; he could only furrow his brow and let out a soft hum, unable to even cry out loud.
Shen Lu felt a pang of heartache, her nose stinging; she hadn't forgotten that in the story, Xiao Ze's brain had been damaged at this age.
Could the events in the story not be changed?
Shen Lu was worried and prepared to take Xiao Ze to the hospital.
Just as Shen Lu was getting dressed and about to ask Li Mei to look after Xiao Yu, whether it was the medicine taking effect or Shen Lu's constant wiping,
Xiao Ze's temperature finally went down.
After a night of turmoil, Shen Lu could finally lie down and rest.
Shen Lu was on Xiao Ze's left, and Shen Lu was on Xiao Yu's right.
The family fell into a deep sleep like this.
During this time, Shen Lu woke up several times, feeling uneasy, and only when she felt Xiao Ze's temperature return to normal did she relax and lie back down.
As daylight broke, Shen Lu slowly opened her eyes; the two little ones were sleeping soundly on the kang.
She instinctively checked the temperature of the two little ones' foreheads, and only after confirming they were completely fine did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Recalling yesterday's experience, it felt like fighting a battle all night. Shen Lu let out a long sigh, thankfully it was all over.
Shen Lu got dressed and got out of bed.
Outside, it had rained all night, and the world was as refreshing as if it had been washed clean. A gentle breeze blew, carrying a slight coolness.
After Shen Lu finished washing up, she prepared breakfast for the two little ones.
Because the two children were sick, Shen Lu made a very light meal.
Millet porridge and steamed eggs, along with some refreshing side dishes.
After the ordeal of last night, Shen Lu was also very hungry this morning.
After a simple bite, she checked on the two little ones again before starting her day's activities.
The two little ones woke up groggily around noon. Shen Lu reheated the cooled porridge and added a few red dates to each serving for fragrance.
The two children looked groggy, completely unaware of what had happened last night.
Shen Lu didn't remind them either, to avoid leaving them with bad memories.
"The earthworms you caught yesterday seem to have been useful; quite a few seedlings have grown in the field."
Shen Lu knew it was important to give children positive feedback, so that they would be more confident and cheerful with encouragement.
Hearing this, the two little ones couldn't contain their joy, hopping and skipping. They ate half a bowl more than usual during the meal.
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