Chapter 28: Little Auntie’s Own Dream

Yu Danxue did not understand why Xiaosheng asked such a question, but she replied, "I do! I want to earn lots and lots of money to buy wonderful things for Xiaozheng and Xiaosheng, and I want to help Xiaosheng have an even better career."

[Sob, my eyes are leaking. Xiaosheng, how can you have such a wonderful little great-aunt? Let me take your place!]
[The little great-aunt is so warm. None of the dreams she mentioned were for herself; they were all for Xiaozheng and Xiaosheng.]
[Just from this, one can tell how much she dotes on them.]

Yu Zhisheng felt a warmth in his heart and was very happy. "Little Great-Aunt, I meant your own personal dream." He gestured toward the three children, Feng Doudou, Luo Jian, and Xiao Yun. "They all have their own dreams."

"My dream is to have countless toys and no homework!" Luo Jian raised his hand and said loudly.

Xiao Yun thought for a moment and said, "My dream used to be to become a star, but now my dream is to get into a top-tier university."

Feng Doudou’s cheeks flushed a rosy red. "I want to be a painter and a children’s book author. My mom says the children’s books we read are all written by amazing authors, so when I grow up, I want to be an amazing author too."

The guests and those nearby applauded.
"Those are all wonderful dreams."
"Indeed, every child has their own pure dream, and they are all worth celebrating."
"The 'no homework' dream is a bit unlikely; even when you're working, you still have tasks assigned by bosses and supervisors."
"Don't say that, us poor working folks finally have a day off!"

Yu Zhisheng said, "Do you understand now, Little Great-Aunt? It’s about your own dream, not one related to us."

Yu Danxue knitted her small brows, murmured for a moment, and asked, "Does growing up safe and sound count as a dream?"

Yu Zhisheng’s eyes grew slightly damp. Only he truly understood that this dream of hers carried the profound hopes and expectations of their ancestors.

"It counts!"

Yu Danxue beamed. "Then my dream is to grow up safe, sound, and healthy, and to live until a ripe old age." She wanted to live just as her family hoped—well, healthy, and safe until the end of her days. She didn't ask for great wealth or status; she only wished to grow up well.

"You will," Yu Zhisheng promised. He explained to the people present and the viewers of the livestream, "Little Great-Aunt’s health wasn't very good when she was young."

Only then did everyone understand why the little girl had such a wish.

[Only those who have had poor health can truly understand how beautiful this wish is.]
[My health was poor when I was little, too; I was always sick. My parents’ biggest wish was just for me to grow up healthy. Thankfully, I’m doing quite well now.]
[I hope the little great-aunt grows up safe and healthy and is happy for the rest of her life.]
[+1.]
[+10086.]

"Here, Little Great-Aunt, have a sip of milk tea." Han Qian handed a milk tea with a straw to Yu Danxue. She smiled gently, "Little Great-Aunt will definitely grow up healthy."

Yu Zhisheng looked at the milk tea with a conflicted expression, hesitating whether he should let her drink it. Before he could decide, Yu Danxue took a quick sip. She was instantly amazed. Cupping her face, she looked at the cup with starry eyes. "Xiao Han, this milk tea is so delicious! It's sweet and has a milky flavor. I love it!"

Yu Zhisheng: "..." Well, no need to struggle anymore; she’d already had some.

Han Qian placed the milk tea in the little great-aunt’s hands and started introducing other items. "Little Great-Aunt, there are many other tasty things..."

"No, no!" Yu Zhisheng shouted urgently. "This really won't do. Snacks aren't good for children's health; Little Great-Aunt can't have them. My dad is definitely watching the livestream; if he sees me letting her eat snacks, I’ll be in big trouble."

[He is indeed watching. (Signed, Yu Zhisheng’s Dad)]

"Xiaosheng, I can just have a little bit," Yu Danxue said, thinking these snacks were the same as the ones from back home.

"That's right, Xiaosheng, a little bit is fine," Han Qian added with a smile. "The more you forbid her, the more she’ll envy other children for having snacks, which isn't good for her development."

Zhong Guoxing agreed. "Xiaosheng, Han Qian is right. You shouldn't forbid a child from eating this or that. When my daughter was in elementary school, there was a classmate whose parents forbade them from eating any snacks or outside food, only allowing them to eat what was made at home. Guess what happened?"

The guests and those around them were curious.

Zhong Guoxing did not keep them in suspense. "To get a bite of food, the child knelt on the ground and called a classmate 'Dad'—right in front of the whole class, just to get a snack."

Yu Zhisheng was shocked. "No way?"

Zhong Guoxing said, "How could it not be true? Adults like eating snacks and takeout, let alone children. If every other child has them and only yours doesn't, won't your child feel envious and want them? When children want something, they’ll find a way, sometimes even sacrificing their self-respect."

[What Teacher Zhong mentioned happened in my colleague's son's class. The student was in middle school and knelt on the bus to call someone 'Dad' just for a snack.]
[I’ve seen news reports like that. At the time, I was shocked, but now I find it terrifying. That child was truly ruined by their parents.]
[I once read about a kindergartner whose parents never allowed him to eat outside food. Because he ate a piece of birthday cake given by a classmate, his mother forced him to vomit using various methods when he got home, and then ranted in a group chat about how bad those things were and how much she suffered for her child’s sake.]
[I have goosebumps all over. That’s not being good to a child; that’s 'slow-motion poisoning.']
[I’m a mother too, and in my opinion, as long as it’s in moderation and doesn't affect the child's appetite or health, it’s fine to let them have snacks.]

Yu Zhisheng patted his chest and let out a long sigh. "But, eating too many snacks is bad."

Zhong Guoxing smiled. "In moderation, without affecting their normal meals, you don't need to worry so much."

Yu Zhisheng thanked him sincerely. "Teacher Zhong, thank you and Han Qian for your words. I will keep them in mind."

Yu Danxue was happily drinking her milk tea.

"Alright, it's time to sell our vegetables," Zhong Guoxing said.

The guests began to sell their produce. Perhaps because of the conversation earlier, or just because it was a variety show, many people in the market came over to buy vegetables.

"Oh, these potatoes are a great size, and they’re so fresh. You can tell they were just dug out of the ground."