Jiang Hu picked up the bamboo basket and carried the big child, rushing home with large strides, wanting to put the fish into the bucket as soon as possible.
Back in the kitchen, he first put the big child down: "You start the fire and warm up, I'll take this to your mom to have a look."
Saying this, he poured a few fish into the wooden basin, then scooped two more ladles of water in.
"Er-Niang, look what I caught, it's fish, so many fish!" The moment the voice came, it had arrived before the person did.
Xiao Mi quickly pulled back her hand, and Er-Niang opened her eyes blankly, smacking her lips a couple of times. She had dreamt of eating something earlier, and the feeling was so real she hadn't quite come back to her senses.
Fortunately, Jiang Hu pushed the door open at that moment, bringing in a cool breeze, though he didn't hurry to come in but stood at the door.
"Er-Niang, I caught lots of fish using sparrow innards, both big and small fish!" Jiang Hu's expression could hardly contain his excitement.
He had to maintain an image in front of his son but not with his wife.
Er-Niang's attention was immediately drawn away from the dream, happily sitting up: "Really? Hu, you're amazing!"
With that, she wanted to get out of bed, but Jiang Hu stopped her: "Er-Niang, just stay there. I'll stand here for a bit. I'm cold and I don't want to bring the chill to you and the child. I'll bring it over to you later."
Er-Niang indeed stopped, but still sat at the bedside peering around, meanwhile, San Ni was awakened by the noise.
In the afternoon, the mother and daughter wove straw mats together, and when tired, they lay down to rest. Children usually sleep deeply, so they get up late.
Hearing about the fish, San Ni, disregarding Jiang Hu's obstruction, put on straw sandals and ran up, tiptoeing to look. Jiang Hu hurriedly lowered the wooden basin a bit: "Oh, so that's what fish look like, I've heard fish meat is delicious. Dad, can we have fish for dinner?"
Jiang Hu nodded repeatedly, "Of course we can. Dad will cook for you at night, but fish has bones, so you have to eat slowly and carefully, okay?"
San Ni nodded quickly, "Uh-huh, I got it, Dad."
Xiao Mi also stretched out her arms, babbling, asking just how many fish there were, urging her father to bring them closer.
Er-Niang reached out to pick up Xiao Mi, "San Ni hasn't seen fish either, right? Dad's bringing them over to see right now."
Jiang Hu stood at the door for a while until the chill on his body faded, then carried the wooden basin closer to the bedside, proudly presenting it to Er-Niang.
"Look, Er-Niang, five big fish and many little fish."
With Xiao Mi being held by her mom, a small nod allowed her to see the fish in the wooden basin. The so-called big fish was not even as big as her dad's palm.
But those little fish came in various kinds, including some small carp about two fingers wide, indeed quite a lot.
Xiao Mi felt a whim, taking advantage while her parents were not paying attention, she secretly stretched her arm and touched the water surface with her finger.
A small amount of Spiritual Spring water was added into the water, almost instantly attracting all the fish.
"Ah, San Ni, the little fish wants to eat San Ni's hand!"
Oops, she actually forgot San Ni!
In a flash, Xiao Mi quickly collected a small carp into her space and then flailed her hands randomly, babbling and shouting aimlessly in the air.
"Oh, how did Xiao Mi's fingers touch the water?" Er-Niang quickly grasped Xiao Mi's hand, wiped off the moisture on it, then breathed warm air onto it, "Better not catch a cold."
Jiang Hu quickly moved the wooden basin a bit further, "It's all my fault, I forgot how naughty Xiao Mi can be. Is it alright, is Xiao Mi cold?"
Not cold, not cold, mom has warmed me up.
Xiao Mi grinned and responded to her dad, though sadly Jiang Hu didn't understand, but Er-Niang laughed and tucked Xiao Mi's hand back into the swaddle, "All fine now, only her fingertips touched a little water."
Jiang Hu immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "Scared me to death, it seems I should keep these things away from Xiao Mi in the future."
After all, she was only born a few days ago. If she caught a cold from touching cold water, even a doctor might not be enough to help.
Then Jiang Hu picked up the basin again, "San Ni, let's go, Dad's going to cook the fish, do you want to come to watch?"
The two children have not had a good day since they were born, and Jiang Hu felt guilty in his heart, so he was particularly patient with the two children, both the big child and San Ni.
Of course, this also had a lot to do with both children being exceptionally well-behaved and sensible.
"I want to!" San Ni hurriedly followed along, "I want to watch Dad cook fish!"
After father and daughter left, only the mother and the two children remained in the house. Er-Niang habitually touched the bottoms of the two children, then picked up and cuddled Tie Dan, mainly to check whether the little one was still breathing.
"Oh sigh, Tie Dan, you must grow up well." Er-Niang worried habitually.
Each time she saw the lively Xiao Mi happy, the more worried she became when she saw the quiet Tie Dan, fearing the child might not survive if she didn't keep an eye on him.
Mom, don't worry, Tie Dan's fine. Xiao Mi comforted her mom.
Sure enough, hearing Xiao Mi's cheerful voice, more than half of the worry on Er-Niang's face instantly vanished, and she simply embraced Xiao Mi too, "Xiao Mi also thinks her brother will grow up well, doesn't she."
Xiao Mi quickly nodded and babbled, oh yes, with milk powder and the nourishment of Spiritual Spring water, Tie Dan will surely grow strong!
But Xiao Mi began to glance over at Tie Dan. Although they are twins, due to the swaddling that obscures the view and the fuzzy vision of infants, it was hard to see clearly.
But these days, thanks to the nourishment from Spiritual Spring, Xiao Mi noticed her eyesight and hearing improved a lot.
Just like now, being held up by Er-Niang, she happened to see the other half of Tie Dan in her mother's embrace, and suddenly Xiao Mi was shocked.
So dirty!
All over his forehead and hair were yellow birth scabs, all dried up!
Oh dear, thinking of herself possibly being this filthy too, Xiao Mi felt extremely uncomfortable. She had forgotten; she hadn't bathed since she was born.
Being so dirty, how come Dad and Mom could still kiss and cuddle them? Why did brother and sister say they looked cute instead?
Xiao Mi felt a pang of sadness, feeling unclean.
However, Er-Niang apparently misunderstood Xiao Mi's reaction, smiling as she let the siblings get a bit closer, "Xiao Mi also wants to see her brother, right?"
Fine, Xiao Mi reached out to touch Tie Dan, Mom, when will you bathe us? Are we going to wait till the month is up too?
Er-Niang thought Xiao Mi must like her brother very much, "Hehe, your brother is also very good, oh. Your brother's body is weak, so when you grow up, you have to take good care of your brother."
Rest assured, Mom, Tie Dan is so frail because I must have taken more nutrients in the belly. I will take good care of Tie Dan!
Xiao Mi soon forgot about Tie Dan being dirty, happily promising her mom, regardless of whether her mom understood.
Er-Niang watched Xiao Mi waving her hand gleefully, couldn't help but kiss Xiao Mi's cheek again. As for what was said just now, she said it offhandedly, not thinking Xiao Mi could understand.
Hence, this beautiful promise informally took shape.