Jiang Xia only then realized and casually touched her coiled-up hair bun, smiling as she said, "Ah, isn't it just that loose hair gets in the way when working? Tying it up is more convenient."
The three children were even more astonished.
In the past, Jiang Xia had been extremely particular about her face and hair, refusing to tie up her hair precisely because she didn't want to acknowledge that she was already a married woman.
Now, she could actually say that tying up her hair was convenient for work?
After speaking, Jiang Xia crouched down to look at Jiang Linxi, smiling as she asked, "Little Xi, does Mother look less beautiful with her hair tied up like this?"
Jiang Linxi shook his head honestly, "Mother is beautiful!"
Seeing this, Jiang Yinan angrily scolded, "Little Xi, what nonsense are you saying!"
Only then did Jiang Linxi realize that he had unconsciously followed Jiang Xia's lead and called her 'Mother.'
Realizing this, Jiang Linxi also felt a bit embarrassed and annoyed, pouting his lips.
But Jiang Xia glared at Jiang Yinan, "Jiang Yinan, how can you be so harsh with your little brother?"
This brat really has an exceptionally bad temper.
Looking at it this way, among these three little beans, Jiang Linxi is the easiest to win over.
As for Jiang Yangdong, although he appears cold on the surface, he's not that difficult to handle.
But this Jiang Yinan is the absolute hardest to deal with—so stubborn, who knows if he takes after his father or mother!
Having decided to first win over the cutest little bun Jiang Linxi, Jiang Xia hugged his soft little body and leaned in to give him a loud kiss on the cheek.
"Our Little Xi is the most obedient, call me Mother again?"
Jiang Linxi was completely stunned by Jiang Xia's actions, his eyes wide as he stared at her.
His heart suddenly felt warm and fuzzy.
In all his years, he had never experienced a mother's tenderness and affection.
Now, Mother had actually kissed him?
Mother's embrace was so warm, Mother's hands so comforting, Mother's kiss so gentle…
Jiang Linxi, utterly defenseless, opened his mouth wide, "Mother—"
"Yes!" Jiang Xia was very satisfied, holding Jiang Linxi's little body, "Little Xi is the most obedient, isn't he? Mother loves Little Xi the most."
Looking at Jiang Xia's face so close to his, Jiang Linxi suddenly began to cry, tears falling 'plop plop.'
"Mother, will you never hit Little Xi again? Little Xi is scared…"
Seeing the soft little bun pouting and crying, Jiang Xia's heart ached terribly.
She hugged Jiang Linxi tightly, wiping his tears with her hand, "Good boy, Mother will never hit Little Xi again. Little Xi is Mother's most precious son."
"Not only will Mother not hit Little Xi, she won't hit Dongdong, won't hit Little Nan, and won't hit Little Bei either. Even though your two older brothers still dislike Mother now, Mother is an adult and won't hold a grudge against children. Mother will also love and care for them very, very much."
Jiang Xia smiled as she spoke to Jiang Linxi, the tenderness in her eyes particularly moving.
Jiang Linxi opened his round eyes wide, "Mother, is that true?"
Jiang Xia nodded very seriously, "Of course it's true!"
Jiang Linxi's little face flushed red with excitement—he had a mother who loved him now!
From now on, he was no longer a little bastard; he had a mother!
Just then, Jiang Xia suddenly caught a whiff of an unusual smell and hurriedly stood up, "My porridge—"
She rushed to the stove and lifted the lid of the pot.
"Thank goodness, thank goodness, it didn't burn!"
As she spoke, Jiang Xia took a bowl from the side and ladled out the porridge.
There weren't many intact bowls left at home. It seemed that after earning some money in the future, they would need to buy a few more complete ones.
Jiang Linxi had already trotted over on his short little legs, looking obedient. "Mother, Little Xi will help you!"
Jiang Xia smiled, reaching out to ruffle Jiang Linxi's small head. "Little Xi is so good, but you're still so young. You can't carry such hot bowls—you'll get burned."
"Be good and go sit on the kang. Mother will be there soon."
Jiang Xia swiftly ladled out the porridge, placing the largest bowl in the pot. "Little North has been working hard, so the biggest bowl is kept warm in the pot for when your eldest brother returns. Is that okay?"
Jiang Linxi nodded obediently. "Okay!"
Watching the interaction between the mother and son, Jiang Yinan and Jiang Yangdong were both quite astonished.
Could this woman really have changed for the better?
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside.
"Little Nan, Little Dong, Little Xi, big brother is back! Look what good things I brought you!"
The door opened, and Jiang Xiangbei, covered in dust and exhaustion, walked in.
"Big brother—"
Jiang Linxi rushed forward first, his small body darting straight ahead. He stood by the earthen kang and hugged Jiang Xiangbei.
Jiang Xiangbei wore a cheerful smile, but the weariness in his eyes was hard to conceal.
Jiang Yangdong and Jiang Yinan also gathered by the edge of the kang, eagerly watching Jiang Xiangbei.
Something big had happened at home today, and they had no idea what to do. They were waiting for Jiang Xiangbei to return so they could tell him.
Jiang Xiangbei glanced at the small, worn-out dining table on the kang. "Second brother, did you cook?"
Jiang Yinan shook his head, but Jiang Linxi chimed in, "Big brother, it was Mother who cooked!"
Mother?
Jiang Xiangbei's expression changed abruptly, looking at Jiang Linxi in shock. "Little Xi, what did you say?"
Jiang Linxi blinked his eyes and said seriously, "Mother cooked the meal. She also fetched water from the river and bathed and washed our faces for us. Today, Mother didn't hit us!"
Jiang Xiangbei looked utterly disbelieving. Only after seeing Jiang Yangdong nod did he turn to Jiang Yinan. "Second brother, is that true?"
Jiang Yinan nodded reluctantly but quickly added, "But big brother, how could that woman change so quickly? There must be some scheme. I don't believe her!"
Hearing this, Jiang Xiangbei nodded. "Second brother is right."
Just then, Jiang Xia walked in carrying a large bowl of coarse rice porridge.
At first glance, she saw Jiang Xiangbei and spoke naturally and familiarly, "There's hot water outside. Go wash your hands before eating."
"I was planning to keep your bowl warm in the pot until you returned, but you have such good timing."
After speaking, Jiang Xia climbed onto the kang to warm up.
It was already autumn, and while the afternoons were warm, the mornings and evenings were still quite chilly.
Watching Jiang Xia's series of actions, Jiang Xiangbei was also somewhat surprised.
However, being older, he remained composed and calmed the other three brothers. "You all go sit down first. I'll go wash my hands."
He turned and went outside, finding hot water indeed placed in the basin.
Looking around, the kitchen had also been cleaned spotlessly.
As Jiang Xiangbei washed his hands, his mind was filled with shock.
This woman had never done rough work before—all these tasks were left to his younger brothers.
How could she suddenly start doing chores today?
Moreover, she hadn't scolded him today and had even left him a meal.
Jiang Xiangbei sensed that something was off.
Jiang Xia's unusual behavior definitely meant there was some trick up her sleeve.