Chapter 8: Not Three Years Old

“It was… taught to me… by an old grandfather in my dreams.” Tong An’nian lowered her head and hesitated for a moment before speaking in a soft, gentle voice. Old Master Tong and Old Madam Tong exchanged glances, then hurriedly picked up Tong An’nian and carried her back to their own room.

“Nianbao’er, what did you just say?” Old Madam Tong placed her on the bed and asked cautiously.

“It was… taught to me… by an old grandfather in my dreams.” Tong An’nian repeated what she had just said.

In truth, she didn’t know how else to explain these things. She couldn’t tell them that the Tong An’nian they knew had been replaced. People in ancient times believed in supernatural phenomena, so she used this excuse to silence any further questions.

“Nianbao’er, you must never tell anyone else about this, do you understand? Even if it’s true, you cannot let anyone else know. Do you hear me?”

Although they found it impossible that she could learn such things in a dream, Old Master Tong and his wife dared not be careless. They could only warn Tong An’nian, who nodded with a sweet smile.

For dinner, they ate wild vegetable buns and drank turtle soup. Tong An’nian only ate half a bun before stopping; the turtle soup was too nourishing and not suitable for her current state.

The others, however, ate until their mouths were glistening with oil, looking thoroughly satisfied.

******

“Grandpa, Grandma, we’re going to dig for wild vegetables.” Tong Anxin slung his small basket over his back, ready to head out. This was the daily task for the little ones.

Since they couldn’t do the heavy farm work, they could only go out to dig for wild vegetables.

“I want to go too.” Hearing Tong Anxin’s words from inside the room, Tong An’nian ran out on her short little legs.

“Oh my, slow down, slow down, don’t rush.” Old Madam Tong watched Tong An’nian run out, her heart trembling with fear, terrified that the child might trip.

Tong An’nian slid to a steady stop right in front of Old Madam Tong and looked up at her. “Grandma, I want to go… dig for wild vegetables… with Fourth Brother.”

“Nianbao’er, your health isn’t good, so let’s not go. Stay home and get some rest.” Old Madam Tong couldn’t bear to see Tong An’nian work hard. She had finally regained some spirit over the past two days; if anything else happened to her, it would be the death of her.

“Grandma… I want to go.” Tong An’nian’s gaze was exceptionally firm.

If she didn’t go, what would she do about the sweet potatoes in her space?

She needed to find a pretext to bring those sweet potatoes home.

“Then let her go. Anqi, you all go along with her. Take good care of Nianbao’er on the way and don’t let her get bumped or bruised.”

Tong An’nian’s health had improved slightly compared to before, and Old Master Tong didn’t want to keep her trapped at home forever. With Tong Anqi and the others accompanying her, he felt more at ease.

Since Old Master Tong had agreed, Old Madam Tong, despite her worries, didn’t say anything more.

“Understood, Grandpa. Little Sister, Big Brother will carry you.” Tong Anqi put on his bamboo basket and walked toward Tong An’nian.

“Little Sister, Fourth Brother will carry you.” Tong Anxin was even faster than Tong Anqi, covering the distance to Tong An’nian in a few strides.

“Little Sister, let Third Brother carry you instead.” Tong Anxiang smiled as he bent down to look at Tong An’nian.

“Don’t fight me for it! Little Sister, Little Sister, Second Brother is strong, Second Brother will carry you.” Seeing Tong Anqi and the others walking over, Tong Anhe hurriedly followed.

“Little Sister, Fifth Brother will carry you.” Tong Ankang ran over on his short legs, reaching out his small hands.

“Ankang, you don’t need to carry her. You’re too small and won’t be able to hold her steady; don’t go dropping Little Sister.”

Tong Anqi reached out and ruffled Tong Ankang’s hair, causing the boy to pout in dissatisfaction.

“Little Sister, Little Brother… I don’t think I can carry you either.”

Tong Anle had wanted to offer to carry Tong An’nian as well, but after thinking about what Tong Anqi said, he lowered his head in disappointment, causing the others to burst into laughter.

“Don’t want to be carried… Nianbao’er… will walk herself… not a three-year-old… little kid.”

Tong An’nian’s serious tone made the group laugh even harder. It was true that she wasn’t a three-year-old anymore, but she was only four. Was there really any difference between being three and four?

(End of chapter)