Second Mother was feeding Tie Dan, listening to the two sisters chatting back and forth. Although she couldn't understand what San Ni was saying, she could feel that she was also very happy.
After Tie Dan had enough and burped, Second Mother said to Er Ni, "Er Ni, bring your sister over. It's time for her to nurse."
"Okay." Er Ni quickly carried Xiao Mi over and let out a long sigh of relief when she handed her to Second Mother.
Seeing Er Ni's little adult manner, Second Mother laughed, "Er Ni, don't hold your sister for too long in the future. You're still young, and if you get tired and your arms get sore, you might drop her."
Er Ni wrinkled her nose, "Then can I carry my brother? He's small and not heavy."
I'm not heavy! Xiao Mi waved her arms in Second Mother's arms, I'm a normal-sized baby; Tie Dan is the weakling! He's not even a match for me!
Second Mother quickly patted Xiao Mi's back and fed her, "Alright, enough complaining. You're about to eat."
They still assumed Xiao Mi was hungry.
Xiao Mi hummed and drank her milk, deciding that when she grows up, she must tell her second sister that she isn't heavy, not at all! It's clearly her second sister's lack of strength!
Seeing Xiao Mi's cute little face, Second Mother smiled even more warmly, "Alright, from now on, Er Ni can hold your brother. He's light enough for you."
The food had been good lately, and there was plenty of milk, so the two children had grown quite a bit. But compared to Xiao Mi, Tie Dan was still lagging behind, even smaller than when Xiao Mi was born.
However, Second Mother was not discouraged. The children she had feared wouldn't survive not only survived but were healthy, too. Although Tie Dan wasn't as lively as Xiao Mi, Second Mother was very satisfied.
Hearing her mother's approval, Er Ni happily picked up her brother, "Tie Dan, Second Sister will take you to see the bunnies."
She cheerfully ran to the basket and began introducing him, as she had done for her sister, only changing buying food for Xiao Mi to buying food for Tie Dan—the rest was exactly the same!
Hearing this, Xiao Mi pouted to herself, thinking her second sister was a bad sister, always using the same sweet-talking lines! Annoying!
Fortunately, her stomach growled, bringing her focus back to her breakfast, her cheeks puffing as she ate.
Ah, breastfeeding was surely better. Her mother's improved diet made the milk taste better, unlike formula which always tasted the same. If there was a choice, it really would become tiresome.
She grumbled while happily nursing, not wasting a single moment.
After she was full, her eldest brother had already brought the family's breakfast into the room.
Previously, they all ate in the kitchen and Jiang Hu would bring Second Mother her meal.
At some point, it became the whole family eating in the bedroom around a small table, and with that, everyone's mood seemed to improve.
Second Mother felt she had recovered enough. Before, in the village, many could rest for only three or four days after childbirth and considered themselves lucky. She had already rested for more than twenty days and felt she was well.
So after breakfast, she wanted to go outside and tidy up the vegetable garden.
But as soon as she reached the door, Er Ni grabbed her leg, "Mom, where are you going?"
Second Mother patted Er Ni's head, "Didn't you just say the weeds in the garden were growing fast? I'll go weed them."
"No, no," Er Ni shook her head like a rattle, "Dad said you still hadn't recovered yet. You can't go outside."
Second Mother sighed, "I've been fine for a while. Look, I'm full of energy now."
She tried to step out, but Xiao Mi was having none of it!
Wanting to work before the month was up? Wasn't she thinking of her health?
Just as Xiao Mi was about to cry her ultimate weapon—crying—Er Ni beat her to it!
"Waa waa waa~ I'll lose my mom, Dad said if Mom went outside to work without recovering, she'd fall sick. Then there would be no more Mom. I'd become an orphan and get beaten by a stepmother, waa waa aa~~"
Crying her heart out, Xiao Mi shut her already open mouth. No chance to show her bravery!
And what about losing their mom and a stepmother? What was this nonsense? Couldn't her dad teach something better?
Still, this approach seemed more effective.
Xiao Mi was surprised again by her dad's education methods, quite avant-garde.
The eldest brother washing dishes quickly ran over. Seeing their mom at the door, he hurriedly pushed Second Mother back inside.
"Mom, go back inside. Dad said you couldn't go outside, you need proper rest!" His face was pale with fear.
Seeing how intense her two children's reactions were, Second Mother didn't insist and retreated into the room, only after the eldest brother closed the door did she embrace the breathless crying Er Ni and looked at the eldest.
"What's wrong? I just wanted to check the garden and pull some weeds. Why are you all crying like this?"
She thought Er Ni was just being childish, but seeing eldest brother's reaction the matter seemed more serious.
The eldest brother stood guard at the door, fearing their mom might leave.
"Mom, Dad said if you don't rest properly after having a baby, you'll get sick, a serious and painful illness."
Xiao Mi nodded urgently, indeed, postpartum ailments last a lifetime. Overworking during this period could shorten lifespan!
Luckily, her dad instructed her older siblings on time. Otherwise, it would have been up to her divine intervention!
Second Mother was both amused and annoyed. Tiger Brother, using such stories to scare the kids into keeping an eye on her.
No wonder, when she mentioned Tiger Brother was away, the kids refused to go out even when invited by village friends; they wanted to stay home and watch over her.
Seeing her eldest look nervously, she feared if she insisted further, he might cry as fiercely as Er Ni. She put aside going out.
"Alright, fine, Mom won't go out. Don't worry. Wait until your dad says it's okay for me to go out, alright?"
Second Mother sighed, but felt a warmth in her heart. Even back when in-laws ruled over them, Tiger Brother secretly cared for her as much as possible.
Now separated, he openly treated her well without worrying about criticism.
But thinking about her in-laws, Second Mother felt concerned, uncertain of how they were doing, if they were settled.
They had initially fled together. During a rest, enemies attacked suddenly, causing everyone to scatter, with her lagging due to her pregnancy symptoms, ultimately finding her Tiger Brother with two kids.
Since then, they lost contact with in-laws and relatives, having been separated for over half a year.
Tiger Brother never mentioned searching for them, and she sensed there might be other reasons but didn't push for answers.
Getting lost in thought, as if sitting with Er Ni on the bed spacing out, the eldest brother felt relieved.
"Mom, you have a proper rest, I'll go weed the garden." He told his mom and sternly looked at the sniffling Er Ni, "Er Ni, stop crying and watch over mom, got it!"
He did command some eldest brother authority.
"Sniff~ Okay!" Nodding vigorously, still sniffing, cutely.
Big brother and second sister, you're awesome! Xiao Mi gives you a thumbs up!
Then Xiao Mi started babbling, "Second sister, don't cry, Xiao Mi will play with you~"
Er Ni indeed quickly got distracted by her sister.