"Our little sister is truly considerate. Given the circumstances, my sister-in-law and I are eagerly waiting to see your culinary skills!" On such hot days, even good people wouldn’t willingly go into the kitchen, especially since both she and her sister-in-law are pregnant. As soon as Shuzhen expressed these heartwarming words, Su Hongying happily thanked her. "Yes, yes, we have everything we need at home. If we’re missing anything, just tell your older brothers to arrange it; you can direct the young boys as you see fit. Remember to make a spicy dish for your sister-in-law; your niece is craving it!" Wu Yinghong said with a smile, as she worked on a pink floral-trimmed sweater for the baby in her belly with a crochet hook. The sight of such joy made Su Hongying’s eyes sting with tears, not because of anything else, but because both sisters-in-law had an ultrasound together, and her sister-in-law got the results she wished for. In three months, she would be holding a sweet, soft little girl in her arms. But the little rascal in Su Hongying’s belly turned out to be another mischievous boy, completing her lineup of five sons! When the doctor continually congratulated her, she truly thought heaven had shown her favor by sending her a soft and considerate little girl! Turns out, the assumption was that at over thirty years old and clearly not having her first, second, or third child, she must be desperate for a boy — when in fact, she yearned for a daughter. The feeling of hopeful excitement becoming empty heartbreak was too harsh, and Su Hongying wanted no part in recalling it. They say when you wish to nurture a flower but it doesn’t blossom, and that might as well be speaking about her! She yearned for a daughter, but kept giving birth to sons, one after another. A cough — isn’t this a case of things not going according to her wishes? "Alright, sister-in-law, have my brother catch a big grass carp from the fish pond, and I’ll make boiled fish for you and my niece. As for you, second sister-in-law, is my nephew exceptionally picky? Just name the dish, and I’ll prepare it as soon as I step into the kitchen!" Both sisters-in-law were dearly loving and caring towards her, the little sister-in-law, so she had to be fair and equal in her approach. Don’t think small matters shouldn’t be concerned with, as often barriers arise from minor details like these. Asked about it, Su Hongying waved her hand, saying, "Anything will do; nothing to fuss over with that naughty boy. But make sure not to tire yourself out, or Zhi Zhi, Yue Yue, and Qingqing—that trio of little darlings—will be worried sick and glued to your side, with no time to come play with their second aunt." Without a sweet darling daughter of her own, her nieces were quite the treasure. The three little ones in Shuzhen’s family were greatly adored by Su Hongying, especially the youngest and cutest, Xinqing, for whom the second aunt often bought food, clothes, and toys. Whenever she saw them, she cherished them tightly in her arms, even causing her own fourth child, Jianwen, to feel a tad jealous. And with a sweet effort, he would act obediently around Shuzhen and Lianshan, jokingly claiming that since Xinqing was taking his parents, he’d need to take hers for fairness. Su Hongying found this particularly amusing and encouraged the little guy, suggesting that if he succeeded, the two households might as well swap the kids. This way, she wouldn’t have to endure seeing the naughty boys every day, and Jianwen wouldn’t have to envy his cousins having a good aunt and uncle as parents. Worried the second sister-in-law, resembling a radish pulled out in the dead of winter, might take this to heart, Lianshan was always taking his precious daughter with him everywhere. Afraid that a careless moment might really lead to the second brother and sister-in-law succeeding. Daughter or son, each was the product of love between him and his wife, the treasures of their hearts. He wasn’t one of those old-fashioned men who favor sons over daughters; he cherished every one of their six children! These days, life gets better, and people also become busier. Once gathering frequently for meals, the three siblings hadn’t had the chance for quite some time. With everyone in great spirits today, Liu Shouren and Liu Shouyi naturally did their best to make the meal sumptuous. Liu Shouren ventured to the fish pond, catching a big grass carp over five pounds, four catfish of over a foot long, and six one-pound crucians. He imagined Shuzhen would whip up boiled fish, catfish and eggplant stew, and crucian carp tofu soup. Liu Shouyi, on the other hand, went to the supply and sales cooperative, bought his sister’s favorite ribs, a large piece of pork belly, and grabbed a plump hen from his home. Shuzhen knew her brothers were joyfully letting go of years of tension all at once, genuinely delighted. Looking at the mountain of ingredients, she didn’t say much but had her older brother kill the fish and her second brother clean the chicken. The sister-in-laws picked vegetables, and having just been called over by the kids, Lianshan took charge of cutting and lighting the fire, while she busied herself in the kitchen. It wasn’t until one in the afternoon that this belated lunch finally made it to the table. Boiled fish, catfish and eggplant stew, crucian carp tofu soup, braised ribs, twice-cooked pork, stir-fried mushrooms, roasted eggplant and ten savory or vegetarian dishes filled the table to the children’s delight. Little Xinqing joyfully asked with expectation, "Mama, mama, with all these delicious foods, is it the New Year?" "Silly Xinqing, it’s still summer! We celebrate the New Year when it gets cold and snowy," Liu Shouyi’s fourth child, Jianwen, laughed as he tapped Xinqing’s little forehead slightly, bragging in a way. The expression and tone were like a teacher guiding kindergarteners who know nothing. The sight of such a young child pretending to be adult is incredibly endearing. "When will it be cold and snowy?" Xinqing asked Jianwen in a despondent tone. "Silly Xinqing, the teacher said there are four seasons in a year, each lasting three months. It’s still summer now; we have to wait until summer ends before autumn begins. After three months of autumn, it’s winter. The New Year falls halfway through winter! There’s still half a year and over six months until the New Year." Perhaps due to the cute and soft demeanor of the little girl, Jianwen couldn’t resist poking her fair forehead again after answering her question. He hadn’t anticipated that this would set off a bee’s nest, transforming Xinqing’s usual sweet and soft smile into a heart-wrenching cry! The scariest part was that when she started crying, Jianwen realized his finger was still positioned on her forehead. Seeing his parents’ knife-like gaze directed at him, Jianwen urgently defended himself, feeling his backside was at risk, "I was only teaching my sister about the seasons and months in a year, not bullying her. Really, really! I just gave a light poke, didn’t use any force!" However, in the eyes of parents who undoubtedly favored daughters over sons, such explanations weren’t viewed as trustworthy at all, leaving Jianwen feeling more wronged than the legendary Dou E as he watched his mom cradle the little crybaby cousin while expressing endless affection. With a voice filled with tenderness and indulgence, it was an absolute maternal portrayal the four brothers had never seen before.