Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 299 - 298: You’re Too Old

Qin Yao led the Hua’er family to the ancestral home of Liu Dafu.

Liu Dafu’s wife had already, along with their daughters-in-law, cooked a large pot of mixed grain and vegetable porridge. Upon seeing the newcomers, she warmly greeted them, making Hua’er and the others feel overwhelmed by the hospitality.

Liu Dafu’s wife said, "Don’t be afraid, we’re all the same. Who hasn’t faced difficult times? We happen to have some extra resources to lend a hand. Everyone, come inside, put down your luggage, and come get a bowl and chopsticks to have some porridge later!"

Qin Yao introduced everyone in the courtyard and particularly highlighted Liu Dafu, who sponsored their lodging, making him smile broadly at Qin Yao.

Qin Yao shrugged helplessly, not interested in gaining face from being the good person. Since Liu Dafu wanted to take the lead, she simply went along, which made things easier for her—a win-win situation.

The ancestral home of Liu Dafu was quite spacious, with five or six rooms, accommodating twenty-three people without any trouble.

Many villagers came, including the village chief and clan leader, to warmly welcome Hua’er and her group.

The aroma of food in the yard was truly enticing. Hearing the growling stomachs of Hua’er and others, Qin Yao suggested they eat first before chatting.

Hua’er and the others looked at her gratefully and awkwardly smiled at the people of Liu Family Village as they accepted the hot porridge handed over by Liu Dafu’s family, their eyes moistening.

After they finished a bowl of porridge, the village chief finally had an opportunity to ask about Hua’er and her group’s origins.

It turned out they all came from a place called Huangque Town. They had initially fled together to Kaiyang County and had been together for a long time, becoming familiar with each other.

After understanding the basic situation, Liu Dafu came over to help them choose a room.

Three or four families shared each room, and when there weren’t enough beds, they used wooden planks as makeshift ones. With walls and tiles, it was much better than the grass huts they previously stayed in.

The responsibilities of road construction had been entirely entrusted to Liu Dafu. After settling these people, Qin Yao informed Hua’er and her father, advising them to follow Liu Dafu’s arrangements in the future.

Hua’er and her father nodded gratefully, understanding, and wanted to kneel to thank Qin Yao for bringing them in.

Qin Yao hurriedly pulled them up, "Don’t thank me, thank Liu Dafu and the villagers. I’m just the messenger."

Though she said so, Hua’er and her father knew that without her as the messenger, the subsequent arrangements would not have happened.

Moreover, they had just noticed some subtleties: Qin Yao was highly regarded in the village. Everyone treated her with respect, be it the clan leader, the village chief, or Liu Dafu’s family, who was responsible for them.

"Madam, what’s your name?" Hua’er suddenly remembered they didn’t even know their benefactor’s name.

They only heard people from Liu Family Village call her General Manager, Yao Niang, or Miss Qin.

"My name is Qin Yao." After answering the girl’s question, Qin Yao waved her hand, signaling them to go inside as she also needed to go home.

"I noticed you and your father don’t have much luggage. Do you need any bedding? I’ll have Ah Wang bring you a quilt later." Qin Yao asked with concern.

Hua’er quickly thanked, "Thank you, madam."

"It’s nothing, I’ll be off then." Qin Yao smiled slightly, greeted Liu Dafu, called for Ah Wang, and headed home.

Tomorrow, she still had to go to town with the village chief, and she had four children coming home from school waiting for her, leaving little time to linger.

But seeing how considerate Liu Dafu’s family was, there was nothing more for her to worry about.

Qin Yao and her servant walked out of Liu Dafu’s ancestral home, holding a torch heading home. When they reached the riverbank, they heard a joyful shout: "Mother!"

It was Si Niang’s voice.

By the mill’s entrance, the four siblings held a lantern, standing there looking out.

Qin Yao quickened her steps to the mill’s entrance, gesturing them to follow, "Have you finished the homework left by the teacher?"

Sanlang replied, "Yes, we just need to recite a poem. Si Niang and I had already memorized it."

Second Lang proudly added, "I even previewed what we are going to learn tomorrow and the day after."

Qin Yao glanced at him with amusement, "You truly are the King of Quan."

Second Lang curiously asked, "Mother, what king did you say?"

Ah Wang also looked over, wondering if it was some title?

Qin Yao, with a serious face, explained, "It means you’re diligent in your studies."

Second Lang giggled, realizing Mother was praising him.

"Aunt Yao," Da Lang pointed to the brightly lit ancestral home of Liu Dafu, "Are those refugees going to stay in our village for good?"

Qin Yao opened the house door, taking Si Niang and Sanlang over the high threshold, and briefly explained to the children about the arrival of Hua’er and her group.

"Is our village going to build a road?" Si Niang asked with sparkling eyes. Despite being young, the little girl knew that road construction was a great event.

Because the villagers always said it would be nice if the village roads were wider and more solid, so they could go wherever they wanted.

Qin Yao nodded, "Yes, we’re going to rebuild the road from our village to Lower River Village. We’ll widen it, level it, and compact it, so when it rains, the road won’t be too muddy, and you won’t be late for school."

Sanlang curiously asked, "Then can I sleep in a little longer?"

Da Lang tapped Sanlang on the forehead, "Don’t always think about sleeping in. If you go to bed early in the evening, you won’t oversleep the next morning!"

Talking about it made Sanlang feel aggrieved. He just needed to get up and pee at night; he couldn’t help it, or he’d wet the bed!

"Mother, big brother always hits me~" Sanlang hid behind Qin Yao, tattling.

Qin Yao pulled him out, "Then hit him back." That settles it.

Da Lang laughed, offering his head for Sanlang to hit. Sanlang raised his little hand but hesitated to strike and finally just snorted at his big brother, considering it a truce.

However, regarding the little guy’s frequent nighttime peeing, Qin Yao thought it needed to be changed and instructed, "Sanlang, don’t drink water before bed tonight, then you won’t get up so often at night."

Sanlang pouted, murmuring an okay. He’d give it a try.

Si Niang eagerly volunteered, "Mother, I’ll supervise little brother."

Qin Yao pinched the little girl’s chubby cheek, "Alright! But it’s getting late. Is the hot water ready, Ah Wang? Time to wash up and go to bed."

The affirmation came from the kitchen, and with a wave from Qin Yao, the four siblings yelped and dashed toward the washroom.

Ah Wang helped mix the hot water, and the four siblings washed up in turn, yawning all the way back to their rooms to sleep.

Qin Yao went to her room, dug out the old bedding, which Liu Ji had washed and sun-dried for days previously, leaving it clean and odorless.

"Ah Wang, take this quilt to Hua’er and her father." Qin Yao instructed.

Ah Wang quickly zoomed over, grabbed the quilt, and dashed out the door, only to return in less than an hour.

"Did you fly there?" Qin Yao exclaimed in surprise.

Ah Wang closed the gate earnestly replied, "Yes."

Qin Yao was intrigued, "Can I learn?"

"No, you’re too old," Ah Wang retorted.

Qin Yao: !!!

Ah Wang added, "But Third Young Master and Fourth Miss can."

Qin Yao rolled her cool eyes, that’ll do.