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The next day, as dawn broke, only a faint layer of pale white light floated on the eastern horizon.

The courtyard was already lit with dim yellow lights.

Tao'er and Dongkui got up before dawn and quietly worked in the kitchen for most of the day.

A thick millet porridge was bubbling away in an iron pot on the stove.

Steam rose from the steamer next to them, carrying freshly steamed white flour buns and meat dumplings.

"Little sister Tao'er, aren't you making too many steamed buns and meat buns?"

"You couldn't even finish one meal this morning?"

Dongkui looked at the steamed buns and dumplings and said.

"It's okay if we can't finish it all. We made extra anyway."

You can take it with you to eat on the road.

The temperature isn't high now, so it won't spoil in a couple of days.

You can just heat it up on the way.

We'll boil twenty more eggs later for you to take on the road.

Tao'er considered that there might be times when she couldn't find an inn to stay in on the road.

You can light a fire, boil water, and steam buns and mantou, which is better than eating biscuits or the like.

"Sister Tao'er is so thoughtful."

I'll boil the eggs now.

Dongkui praised, then turned to get the eggs.

On the cutting board were several small dishes. The pickled radish was cut into thin strands, drizzled with sesame oil, and mixed with shredded green peppers. It looked so appetizing.

There's also the pickled cucumber that Tao'er asked Dongkui to make, which is a great side dish for porridge.

As dawn broke, everyone gradually sat down at the table.

Looking at the sumptuous breakfast before them, they knew perfectly well that Tao'er had prepared it to see them off.

But this breakfast was eaten in unusual quiet.

No one spoke; even the sound of chopsticks touching the rim of the bowl seemed exceptionally crisp.

Ayan lowered his head and sipped his porridge slowly, only managing to eat one of his favorite meat buns.

He also knew that his fifth uncle and the others were leaving him.

Tao'er sat down next to him and gently patted his head. "Ayan, be good. Eat another egg. You're growing and need to get more nutrition."

Ayan nodded, took an egg, peeled it, and ate it.

Xiao Yi ate quite a lot; he finished a bowl of porridge in no time and also ate several meat buns.

He knew that the meat buns he had eaten this morning were made by Tao'er herself, and he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to eat her meat buns for a long time.

Tao'er's meat buns are the best. They're filled with meat broth, and the juices flow out when you eat them—they're so fragrant!

No one can make such delicious buns, not even Dongkui Girl.

He wanted to remember the taste of that meat bun and savor it slowly.

Dongkui sat opposite Tao'er, her eyes already red-rimmed. She tried her best to hold back, constantly adding porridge and vegetables to everyone's bowls, but her hands were trembling slightly.

Xie Jingchen sat to the side, his back ramrod straight, his expression unreadable. He ate his porridge slowly and gracefully as always.

But those deep eyes would occasionally sweep over Tao'er, their gaze deep and thoughtful, as if they were pondering something.

Elder Li sat next to Xiao Yi, holding a bowl of porridge. He only drank half a bowl, a meat bun, and a steamed bun from beginning to end.

No one really tasted the meal.

After the meal, Dongkui quickly cleared away the dishes. Tao'er was about to help when Dongkui gently pushed her away, saying, "Don't move. Go talk to Ayan. He seems very down."

Dongkui's voice was very low, but the last syllable trembled involuntarily.

Tao'er turned to look at Ayan, who was standing in the courtyard.

With her little hands behind her back and her lips pursed, her large, clear eyes stared straight at Xiao Yi, her eyes red-rimmed, but she stubbornly refused to let the tears fall.

"I don't need to. With Brother Xiao here, that child is just reluctant to see his fifth uncle leave."

Tao'er shook her head and began packing up the remaining white flour buns, meat buns, and boiled eggs.

Because she saw Xiao Yi waving at A Yan.

Ayan immediately jogged over, stood in front of Xiao Yi, and looked up at him.

The child has grown taller than last year, but standing in front of Xiao Yi, he still looks like a thin little seedling.

Xiao Yi squatted down to be at eye level with A Yan, reached out and touched the top of his head, his voice soft and gentle: "A Yan, don't be sad, Fifth Uncle's departure is only temporary."

While I'm gone, you must behave well and listen to Sister Tao'er. Don't make her angry, okay?

Ayan nodded vigorously, her little mouth pursed tightly.

"Don't be naughty, don't run around, or you'll get kidnapped by bad guys. Your sister Tao'er will be worried and sad, and your fifth uncle will also be concerned about you."

You should also study hard so you can have a bright future.

Xiao Yi's voice carried a rare touch of gentleness.

He usually treated his nephew with a balance of leniency and strictness, but today his tone was unusually gentle.

"Understood, Fifth Uncle."

I will definitely listen to Sister Tao'er and not let her worry.

I will study hard and protect Sister Tao'er in the future.

Ayan's voice was thick with nasal tone, as if there was a wad of cotton stuck in his throat, making each word difficult to utter.

Seeing his younger brother's red eyes as he tried to hold back his tears, Xiao Yi felt a sharp pang in his heart. He squeezed Ayan's little shoulders tightly and asked, "Ayan, you're such a good boy."

"Fifth Uncle, once you get there, will you have a chance to see my father and mother?"

After hesitating for a long time, Ayan finally asked the question.

"Yes, Fifth Uncle can see your father and mother."

Don't worry, your fifth uncle will tell your father and mother that you are fine and that you have Sister Tao'er protecting you.

Is there anything else, Ayan, I should pass on to them?

This child always thought about his parents.

It's truly remarkable for someone so young, and it must have been quite a challenge for him.

I rarely mention it, but it turns out I've been thinking about it all along.

I was just not careful enough and didn't notice it.

"Fifth Uncle, please tell my father and mother that I am doing well and that they don't need to worry about me."

Tell them to eat well and take good care of themselves.

"Okay, Uncle Wu will remember this. Uncle Wu will definitely tell your parents every single word."

Xiao Yi felt something stuck in his throat, so he turned his head away and forcefully held back the tears in his eyes.

This child is so sensible it breaks my heart.

"I drew this myself. Please give it to my parents, Fifth Uncle."

Ayan took out a painting, which depicted him, Tao'er, and Huanhuan.

The person in the story was incredibly cute, a style Xiao Yi had never seen before.

"Did you paint this yourself?"

Or who taught you to draw?

Xiao Yi asked happily.

"It was Sister Tao'er who taught me to draw this."

I drew it five times, and this is the best one I've ever done.

Ayan said somewhat embarrassedly.

"No, Ayan is only five years old. It's already very good that he can draw like this."

Ah Yan is awesome!

Do you still have those four paintings you drew before?

Xiao Yi praised without reservation, and then asked eagerly.

"I have a fourth one here; the others have all been burned."

Ayan took out another painting from his pocket, which was slightly inferior to the previous one, but it was still quite good.

"Ayan, how about we give this one to Fifth Uncle?"

"If your fifth uncle misses you over there, he can take it out and look at it."

Ayan nodded, scratched the back of his head, and smiled. "If Fifth Uncle doesn't mind that Ayan's drawing isn't very good, then you can take it."

"I'll paint a better one for you when Uncle Wu comes back."

"This one is quite good. Fifth Uncle, you don't mind. It was painted by Ayan himself."

Xiao Yi couldn't help but smile.

With this painting, he can look at it whenever he misses Tao'er.