“Mm, alright!” Xiao Bi’an looked into her clear, bright eyes and did not ask why she still hadn’t recognized all the family members after being married into the family for more than half a month.
Life had to move forward; there was no need to dwell on the past.
He calmly began introducing the members of his family:
“Our father, Xiao Aiguo, is fifty this year. He’s straightforward and doesn’t overthink things, but he’s hardworking and dependable. We were all raised through his efforts.
“Our mother, Niu Cuihua, is forty-eight. As you’ve seen, her legs are not very convenient, but she’s gentle and capable, handling both household and outside affairs with ease.
“They are my biological parents. As their son, it’s my duty to be filial to them. I won’t force you to treat them as you would your own parents, but you must show them basic respect.
“Can you promise me that?”
Xiao Bi’an looked at Lu Miaomiao seriously, waiting for her answer.
“Of course. As long as they don’t provoke me, I’ll be a good daughter-in-law who respects the elderly,” Lu Miaomiao replied with a smile.
This man truly had upright values! Even in modern times, it was rare to hear someone speak this way.
“Thank you.” Xiao Bi’an let out a sigh of relief, a gentle smile appearing on his refined face.
“Mwah, so sweet!” Enchanted by his smile, Lu Miaomiao couldn’t help but lean in and plant another kiss on his lips, savoring the moment.
“Lu Miaomiao, how can you be so improper!” Xiao Bi’an’s face flushed red as he blurted out the protest.
“Well, who told you to tempt me?” the thick-skinned woman retorted confidently, turning the tables on him.
“Go on, dear Comrade Xiao! You haven’t finished the introductions yet!” Lu Miaomiao clung to his arm like a mischievous cat that had just stolen some cream, acting coquettishly.
“You…” Xiao Bi’an was utterly helpless against her soft and teasing demeanor and could only continue with a resigned smile.
So this was her true personality—a little bundle of charm and affection.
“My eldest brother is Xiao Bisheng, thirty-five. He’s honest and simple, though somewhat conservative in his thinking.
“My eldest sister-in-law, Liu Guilan, is thirty-three. She has a gentle temperament and is very hardworking. Since marrying into the family, she has helped our mother a great deal. They have twin daughters: the elder is called Zhaodi, and the younger Laidi. They’re only five years old. Because our family’s circumstances were poor, my eldest brother didn’t marry until he was thirty.
“My elder sister, Xiao Biyun, is thirty. She’s also very gentle and has always treated me well. She married into the town and has a son and a daughter. She usually only returns during holidays.
“My second brother, Xiao Bigui, is twenty-five. He married a widow from our village when he was still in his teens. The boy helping her tend the fire is the child she brought with her, named Zhang Goudan. He’s thirteen and a very sensible child.
“My second sister-in-law, Liu Huifang, is thirty-five. They have a son and a daughter: Xiao Zhenguo, who is eight, and Xiao Daya, who is seven.
“I am the fourth child, and Xiaocao is the youngest at eleven.
“In the future, stay away from my second brother. He’s not a good person,” Xiao Bi’an warned.
“Hmph, let him try to come near me. I’ll beat him so badly he won’t even recognize his own parents!” Lu Miaomiao said fiercely.
“I know you’re skilled in martial arts, but some underhanded methods are hard to guard against. You should still be careful,” Xiao Bi’an advised gently.
Seeing the concern in his eyes, Lu Miaomiao’s heart softened, and she conceded, “Alright, we’ll keep out of each other’s way. But only if he doesn’t provoke me first.”
She didn’t even realize that her own bottom line had lowered. In her previous life, she wouldn’t have bothered listening to anyone’s nagging—she would have simply told them to get lost. Her strength had always been the source of her pride.
“Good girl,” Xiao Bi’an said softly, unable to resist patting her head when he saw her pouting in reluctant agreement.
Just as the atmosphere between them became filled with tender intimacy, it was suddenly shattered by the arrival of four children rushing into the courtyard.
Both of them turned to look toward the entrance.
“Niu Cuihua, you old hag! I’m hungry—hurry up and get me some food. I want to eat!”
Leading the group was a chubby boy wearing patched clothes. He was Xiao Zhenguo, the biological son of Xiao Bi’an’s second brother. He wiped his runny nose with his dirty sleeve and shouted toward the kitchen. Since Niu Cuihua usually cooked dinner, he called out to her without even looking inside.
Following behind him were three girls. One was Xiao Daya, the second brother’s daughter. She was sallow and thin, looking more like a five- or six-year-old despite being seven. Her loose, patch-covered clothes hung on her like a sack and appeared to be hand-me-downs from her brother.
The other two were the eldest brother’s twin daughters, Xiao Zhaodi and Xiao Laidi, both five years old. They were also skin and bones. Their faces were so dirty it was impossible to tell when they had last been washed, and their oversized heads wobbled atop their frail necks as if they might topple over at any moment.
After observing the children and determining that they posed no threat, Lu Miaomiao lost interest. Resting her chin on one hand, she leisurely admired Xiao Bi’an’s handsome face, making him blush and avert his gaze under the pretense of watching the children. After all, she had nothing else to do and couldn’t exactly take out her phone to pass the time—she had stocked up on generators and phones in her previous life!
Hearing Xiao Zhenguo rudely insult his own grandmother, Niu Cuihua, Xiao Bi’an frowned and was about to speak when Niu Cuihua emerged from her room, gently addressing Xiao Daya:
“Alright, alright. The meal will be ready soon! Daya, your mother is cooking right now—it’ll be done in a moment. You’re older and run faster. Go to the fields and call your uncle, aunt, and grandfather back for dinner.”
“Pah! You crippled old woman, what right do you have to order me around? Why don’t you go yourself?” Xiao Daya cursed impatiently. She was exhausted from playing and saw no reason to fetch anyone. Her mother had always told her that the old woman existed solely to serve them.
“Niu Xiaocao, you worthless girl! What are you sneaking to eat? Why does it smell so good? Give it to me now!”
The chubby boy noticed Xiao Xiaocao emerging from the house with her mouth moving and immediately rushed forward, shouting.
“No! These were given to me by Fourth Sister-in-law!” Xiao Xiaocao replied with rare firmness. Covering her mouth, she ran quickly into the courtyard.
The chubby boy soon caught up and tried to pry open her mouth. Seeing this, Xiao Daya grabbed Xiaocao’s arms to restrain her and rummaged through her pockets, pulling out three pieces of candy.
It turned out that the two elders had been reluctant to eat the sweets themselves. After putting them in their mouths, they had taken them out, rewrapped them, and placed them into Xiaocao’s pocket.
When the chubby boy saw that his sister had obtained the candies, he shoved Xiao Xiaocao to the ground. Standing with his hands on his hips, he mimicked his mother’s shrewish scolding:
“You worthless girl, you heartless little slut! How dare you steal my things? I’ll beat you to death!”
As he spoke, he began kicking her.
“That’s right! Everything in this family belongs to my brother!” Xiao Daya echoed, also planting several kicks on Niu Xiaocao while standing with her hands on her hips.