Lin He patted Mo Chen'er’s head and smiled; the little girl had learned to offer comfort too. But Chen'er was right, it was still early, no need to rush. Instead, now that she was back at her parents’ home for this rare visit, she shouldn't dwell on bothersome things.

With that thought, she walked with Chen'er toward the courtyard. In the yard, she watched Xiao Bao chasing the two younger ones around. The house was filled with laughter and joy. Seeing Lin He emerge, the two little ones immediately flocked to her, demanding that Big Sister make them delicious food.

Xiao Xiong pouted in front of Lin He, complaining, "Big Sister, ever since you left with Brother-in-law, we haven't had anything good to eat. What Mother makes tastes awful."

Lin He looked at his mischievous expression, tapped his head, and said, "How dare you speak ill of Mother? When she gets back, I’ll tell her, and then see what you do when she stops giving you things!"

Xiao Xiong immediately clung to Lin He’s waist, whining and begging Big Sister not to tell Mother, lest Mother beat him upon her return. Lin He laughed, told the older girl to watch them, and took Chen'er, Zi Qing, and Zi Yu to the kitchen to prepare treats.

Lin He and the others caused a delightful stir in the kitchen, making the younger children several kinds of snacks—things like French fries, fried chicken drumsticks, and small egg pancakes—items they had never tasted before. Not only did the two little ones devour them with gusto, but even Chen'er and Xiao Bao kept exclaiming how delicious everything was, insisting Lin He make them these treats every day she stayed.

When Huang Shi and Er Niu returned from outside, they saw the children in the yard eating, talking, and laughing, the whole family looking incredibly happy. Seeing the beaming faces of the children brightened Huang Shi’s mood considerably; she let go of the worries that had plagued her over Yun Qi these past few days. With a smile gracing her face, she walked into the yard.

Xiao Xiong saw his mother approaching and quickly offered the French fry in his hand to Huang Shi, as if presenting a treasure. "Mother, try this. Big Sister made it for us; it’s so tasty."

Huang Shi smiled, took the fry from Xiao Xiong to taste it, and sat down, saying with a warm smile, "Mmm, it is good. Better than all the usual snacks we have. If you all like it so much, I'll have Big Sister teach me later so I can make them for you when she’s not around, alright?"

Hearing his mother’s words, Xiao Xiong nodded obediently. "Okay, Mother can make them when Big Sister isn’t here, and we’ll eat Big Sister’s when she is."

The moment Xiao Xiong spoke, Chen'er looked at him and laughed. "Mother, did you hear that? He only wants yours when Big Sister isn't here. Just now, Xiao Xiong even said..."

Before Chen'er could finish, Xiao Xiong rushed over and clamped a hand over her mouth. "Second Sister, don't you dare! Second Sister, you are not allowed to repeat that Xiao Xiong said Mother’s cooking is bad."

Xiao Xiong’s words erupted, and the entire yard burst into laughter, with Huang Shi joining in. "This little rascal truly has no conscience. I cook for him, and he still says mine isn't good enough. From now on, Mother won't cook for you anymore. Don't even bother asking Mother if you get hungry!"

Xiao Xiong thought his mother was truly angry and immediately ran back to her side, shoving a fry into Huang Shi’s mouth while looking up with a flattering smile. Huang Shi affectionately stroked his head and said, "He'er, now that you're back, this yard is so much livelier. And this boy isn't as naughty either. Those two little ones have been quite a handful when you weren't here."

"Yes, Big Sister, you must come back often. Since we moved here, Brother-in-law's house isn't far away either, so you must visit frequently," Chen'er chimed in, nodding eagerly.

"What are you saying, child? Your brother-in-law's family is not the same as ours; it’s not as simple as your sister wanting to visit whenever she pleases," she said, then turned back to Lin He. "He'er, you are married now. Don’t always be thinking about your parents’ home, or the Wen family will start gossiping. You can stop by occasionally to check on us, but don't worry too much about things here; Mother can manage. Oh, right, you’re staying a few days this time—will the Wen family have anything to say about that?"

Lin He smiled. "Yes, Mother, I know what I’m doing. Although the Wen family is a bit different from ours, they are agreeable enough. Besides, there’s no rule saying a married woman can’t visit her parents. You worry too much about these things."

"That’s good, as long as you know where the line is," Huang Shi nodded in relief.

The younger children, finding the conversation between their mother and sisters dull, ran back to the yard to play. Lin He watched the two little ones turning about, looking immensely happy. Huang Shi, watching Lin He beside her, smiled. "He'er, you’ve loved children since you were little. Now that you are married yourself, hurry up and have one with Ning Xuan. Look how handsome Ning Xuan is; any child you have will likely be far superior to ordinary children."

Lin He’s face flushed crimson upon hearing her mother’s words, and she murmured softly, "Mother, what are you saying? I’ve only been married for a month! Why are you rushing me to have a child? I’m not planning on having one so soon."

"Ah? No children? He'er, are you saying you don't plan to have children? Child, what on earth are you thinking? Why are your ideas so different from everyone else's? It took ages to agree to the engagement, and now you won't have children. Do you have some kind of physical ailment like Yun Qi?" Huang Shi exclaimed anxiously upon hearing Lin He’s statement.

Lin He felt a mix of exasperation and amusement at her mother’s words. "No, Mother, there is nothing wrong with me. Don't worry. I didn't say I wouldn't have them—I just meant in a year or two. I feel I am still young, and it’s better for my health to wait a bit before conceiving."

Huang Shi let out a breath of relief. "It’s better if it’s not an ailment. However, He’er, I won’t agree to this about delaying. What do you mean, still young? You’ve already reached your coming-of-age! Once a girl is married, she must bear children. People say the sooner you give birth, the easier it is to recover your health. How is it that when it comes to you, you come up with such twisted logic?"

"You say you want to wait two years for a child—that’s absolutely out of the question. What is the Wen family like? If you don't conceive within a few months, they might start finding ways to find Ning Xuan another woman. By then, you won't be able to stop anything. Don't be foolish here."

"Mother, don’t worry about that. Ning Xuan and I have already discussed it; nothing like that will happen," Lin He gently soothed Huang Shi.

"What? Ning Xuan agreed too? That child Ning Xuan just spoils you too much, agreeing to all your strange logic. It truly gives me a headache," Huang Shi said, pressing a hand to her forehead. She continued after a moment, "He'er, it’s best to have children sooner rather than later. Every woman must bear children; it’s not as frightening as you make it sound."

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