Chapter 22: Teaching Them to Climb Trees

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Xiaoxiao Fu watched Lu Chen below, his face full of excitement. Even without looking at Lu Lin, she could sense his mood; his little tail was wagging like a propeller. Supporting Lu Chen as he grabbed onto a tree branch, Lu Chen tried to swing his body like Xiaoxiao did. But as soon as he moved, his grip loosened.

Just as he was about to fall, Xiaoxiao quickly grabbed his clothes, suspending him in midair. Lu Chen, who had been closing his eyes bracing for pain, felt himself held steady. Carefully opening his eyes, he realized he was only a short distance from the ground.

"Better be good and rest a bit more," Xiaoxiao warned, not daring to let him try again; the little one didn’t have the strength to hold on yet.

"Alright," Lu Chen pouted, realizing for the first time that he really needed to eat more.

"Lin, want to give it a try?" Xiaoxiao looked toward Lu Lin, whose eyes gleamed. He obediently stepped forward.

Xiaoxiao placed her hands on Lu Lin’s waist and lifted him up to the branch at once. After grabbing the branch, Lu Lin glanced at Xiaoxiao, recalled her movement climbing the tree, and imitated her swing. He let go midair but, unfortunately, bent his legs a little too late and missed the next branch. Just as he was about to fall, Xiaoxiao caught him in midair, swinging him back onto the tree.

Suddenly standing on the branch, Lu Lin was a bit stunned.

"Remember this feeling," Xiaoxiao said with a gentle smile, watching the dazed Lu Lin.

"Mm," Lu Lin nodded. If climbing the tree could be this easy, then all those times his hands got scraped before were nothing...

In fact, he found himself somewhat fond of this feeling.

"Now try coming down," Xiaoxiao prompted as she saw him savoring the moment.

Coming down was even simpler. Lu Lin sat on the branch, grabbed hold, leaned back, spun once, and landed lightly on the ground.

"Not bad," Xiaoxiao smiled, ruffling Lu Lin’s hair.

"Big brother is amazing," Lu Chen said with envy, wishing he could be like his brother.

"Can you do it again?" Lu Lin, still reveling in joy, asked Xiaoxiao.

"Strike while the iron’s hot. Let’s do it a few more times so you remember well," Xiaoxiao agreed.

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Time after time, Xiaoxiao lifted Lu Lin up and down. Lu Lin even learned to apply what he’d seen, using his flexibility to climb higher and higher.

Xiaoxiao watched him reach for higher branches until near the treetop before coming down.

"I did it!" Lu Lin beamed brightly, hugging Lu Chen.

"Lin learns fast!" Xiaoxiao said, seeing Lu Lin so excited. It was the first time she’d seen him smile like a child.

"Don’t lose heart—you can do it too. But your most important goal now is to stop being hungry. Build yourself up strong, and you’ll be just like your brother," Xiaoxiao encouraged Lu Chen, who looked a little downcast.

"Really?" Lu Chen looked at Xiaoxiao.

"Have I ever lied to you? I promise," Xiaoxiao said, gently stroking his soft hair, feeling reluctant to let go.

She reached to ruffle Lu Lin’s hair too, but Lu Lin sensed her intention and dodged first.

Xiaoxiao withdrew her hand with a sigh.

One day, she vowed, he would obediently lean in and let her touch his head!

"Let’s go! It’s mealtime. Time to head home and cook," Xiaoxiao said, leading the two children down the mountain. Chen Xiu, picking vegetables by the door, waved when she saw them return.

"Where were you just now? The kids came back but didn’t see you—they were worried sick," Chen Xiu said, having just seen Lu Lin and Lu Chen return and asked if she had seen Xiaoxiao. She was genuinely surprised.

The two children were usually indifferent to everyone, but Xiaoxiao had only been here two days, and they already cared so much?

"They thought I got lost in the back mountain and went looking for me!" Xiaoxiao laughed as she explained.

"Not at all! I was just worried you’d hurt yourself and make Dad Lu worry," Lu Lin blushed and pushed the door open, refusing to admit he was concerned.

Xiaoxiao and Chen Xiu exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile at Lu Lin’s awkwardness.

"Seems we were really misled by Aunt Li before. These two kids are indeed good kids," Chen Xiu admitted, feeling a little embarrassed for having misunderstood them and looking unfavorably upon them before—even telling her own children not to play with them.

"I told you, they’re good kids. You’ll grow to like them even more," Xiaoxiao said confidently, winking at Chen Xiu.

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"Today, the kids insisted on eating dumplings. I’ll make some extra vegetarian ones and bring some over later. You don’t have to cook," Chen Xiu said, pointing to the vegetables she was washing.

"Really? Sister-in-law, then I won’t hold back. We’re in for a treat today!" Xiaoxiao accepted generously.

"Really, really," Chen Xiu nodded with a smile, liking Xiaoxiao more and more. Talking with her felt straightforward and comfortable.

"The kids found some mushrooms in the back mountain. I’ll make soup with them, and our families can eat together," Xiaoxiao leaned in with a playful smile.

"Good," Chen Xiu agreed warmly.

"By the way, sister-in-law, where do your kids go to school? What are the enrollment requirements? I want Lu Lin to start going too," Xiaoxiao asked while helping Chen Xiu wash vegetables.

"It’s simple—just pay two yuan, but lunch isn’t included, so the kids have to bring their own," Chen Xiu answered candidly.

"Thanks, sister-in-law. I was just worrying about that!" Xiaoxiao expressed her gratitude.

"No need to thank me or be so formal. From now on, you’re like my own sister. Come to me anytime if you need anything," Chen Xiu patted her hand and smiled.

"Yes, then you’re my real sister from now on," Xiaoxiao smiled back.

Once the vegetables were washed, Xiaoxiao returned to her courtyard. Lu Lin and Lu Chen were hanging the herbs they’d collected to dry. Xiaoxiao cleared her throat.

"Sister Chen invited us to join them for dumplings tonight. Do you two agree?"

"Stone’s mother doesn’t like us," Lu Lin glanced at Xiaoxiao, then lowered his head to continue working.

"She told Stone not to play with us because she thinks we’re bad kids," Lu Chen said gloomily. There were hardly any children around, and it was rare to find kids their age, yet they couldn’t play together.

"She just told me to apologize to you for her. It was Aunt Li spreading bad rumors about you outside, making them think you were bad kids. Now that it’s cleared up, she won’t stop you anymore," Xiaoxiao repeated what Chen Xiu had said.

Lu Lin and Lu Chen looked up, shocked. "Really?"

"I’ll cook the mushroom soup soon and bring it over. Then you’ll see if I’m lying," Xiaoxiao said with a smile as she headed into the kitchen to wash the mushrooms they had gathered, preparing a fresh soup.