At the beginning, he took his seven younger siblings to join Yi Zhonghai.

The second child and his kids are probably new to this place.

They haven't gotten used to the environment yet.

They were making a ruckus all night.

Just like a gourd ladle.

Press this button and that one floats up.

As a result, the three adults also had to take turns resting.

Until morning.

The babies finally fell asleep.

"Phew, taking care of a baby is no easy task, but at least things are finally settled."

Yi Zhonghai rubbed his aching back, his eyes bloodshot with fatigue, but a satisfied smile on his face.

He then added:

"It's still a bit shy since it's in a new place, but it'll get better. Dingya, go to sleep now. Your sister-in-law will wake up soon, and she can help keep an eye on things."

"Brother, you should go to sleep first. You still have to go to work. I'm young, I don't feel sleepy."

Yi Zhongding said with a smile.

"I've taken the day off today. I'll arrange a banquet for you all tonight so the people in the compound can get to know you."

Yi Zhonghai said with a smile.

"Next weekend is fine too. Chinese New Year is just around the corner, no rush."

Yi Zhongding replied.

"Some things are better done sooner rather than later. My children are so adorable, and I won't stand for it if anyone carelessly hurts them."

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, speaking with a pointed meaning.

"My older brother is very thoughtful; the children are all very perceptive."

Yi Zhongding nodded thoughtfully.

"Haha, clever, as expected of a descendant of the Yi family, that makes perfect sense."

"Although I'm not an official, I have a lot of connections and reputation that I've built up over the past ten years, and I'm still someone people have to think twice before I speak."

Yi Zhonghai puffed out his chest with a hint of pride.

The two brothers were talking.

The curtain was lifted.

"What are those two brothers talking about, laughing so happily? The dolls must be asleep."

Tan Xiulian approached with a smile and asked softly.

"She's asleep. Sister-in-law, you should go back and continue sleeping. I can take care of things here."

Yi Zhongding knew she had a heart condition.

"You've already slept. I'll go get you something to eat, then you can go back to sleep."

Tan Xiulian looked at each of the dolls one by one, smiling with great satisfaction.

"I just went to find Zhu Zi and asked him to go to the market early to see if he could buy some pork offal to make porridge for the kids. He should be here soon."

Yi Zhonghai looked at the sky and said.

Said that Cao Cao Cao Cao arrived.

"Uncle Yi, I'm back."

Sha Zhu knocked on the door from outside.

"Why is he shouting so loudly, you idiot?"

Yi Zhonghai put on his coat and hurriedly went outside.

What if his loud voice startles the child?

He must be heartbroken.

"Zhu Zi, keep your voice down, the kids have just fallen asleep."

Yi Zhonghai lowered his voice and said.

"Hehe, I didn't expect that. The kid's new here, probably not used to it yet."

"Let me tell you, I went through a lot of trouble to get as many items as possible; I contacted everyone I knew."

"Look, one set each of pig liver, small intestine, bitter intestine, pig tongue, and pig kidney, plus a pig tail, a pig heart, and half a slice of pork belly."

"Enough for the children to create freely."

Sha Zhu chuckled sheepishly, then went into the house and proudly opened the bamboo basket lined with oiled paper.

"Zhu Zi, quickly drink some hot water to warm yourself up. It must be tough helping to buy all this stuff so early in the morning in the dead of winter."

Yi Zhonghai looked at the things in the basket, and his face lit up with joy.

Although he had some reputation in the steel rolling mill.

But it doesn't work in other places.

These days, it's hard to find something delicious to eat.

Only a chef has some skill.

So he made the right choice in looking for Sha Zhu.

"Speaking of which, when my father passed away, you and Auntie helped us a lot."

"And besides, I did as you said and made arrangements with them to keep these things for you for the past two weeks."

"From now on, around 7 or 8 o'clock, when they're packing up, go get it. I'll tell the lady where it is in a bit."

"These kids have found themselves in a lucky place just like Old Man Yan from the front yard said, thanks to you and your older sister-in-law."

Sha Zhu held up the teacup.

The scalding heat instantly dispelled the chill from his body, and once he recovered, he began to talk incessantly.

"Thanks, Zhu Zi. Uncle Yi's help wasn't in vain."

Yi Zhonghai patted his arm and said sincerely.

"Sigh, let's not talk about that. I have to go home now. I don't know if my sister is awake yet."

Sha Zhu said with a simple, honest smile.

"Alright, then, you don't need to cook it yourselves. When the porridge is ready, bring Yushui over to eat it."

Yi Zhonghai nodded and said.

"Then why don't I do it? It'll be a good opportunity for your younger siblings to try my cooking."

"If they have good fortune from this meal, and later they get into a prestigious university and get married, they'll all be happy to have us cook their banquets. Wouldn't I benefit from that?"

Sha Zhu stopped in his tracks, turned back, and smiled.

Yi Zhongding listened to the conversation between the two people outside from inside the room, feeling quite puzzled.

Is this Sha Zhu?

That's quite impressive in terms of emotional intelligence and eloquence.

Knowing that Yi Zhonghai would love to hear this, they only said the good things.

"Haha, Zhu Zi, you have such a mouth! Sometimes you can say something that's so sharp it'll shut you up, and other times you can say something that really touches your heart."

Yi Zhonghai was indeed pleased to hear this.

"Hey, you know me well. I say different things depending on who I'm talking to. Even good words need to be heard by the right person."

Sha Zhu said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Then I'll trouble you. I'll have your sister-in-law help you tidy up."

Yi Zhonghai stopped making polite remarks.

"Okay, I'll go back first and bring some materials with me."

Sha Zhu nodded.

When he came back, he was carrying several bottles and jars.

A sleepy-eyed little girl was with him.

"The pillar is here."

Yi Zhongding stood up to greet him.

"Hey, Uncle, Xu Damao was right yesterday. According to the rules, I should call you Uncle. I'll call you that from now on."

Sha Zhu scratched his head and said embarrassedly.

"Either way, let's follow the old ways."

Yi Zhongding said with a smile.

"Zhu Zi, you are not Dong Xu, and you have not become my disciple. Even if we consider your age, it doesn't mean you are being unruly."

Yi Zhonghai chimed in from the side.

"No, that would lower your seniority. I'll just call you Uncle."

Sha Zhu said with a simple, honest smile.

"That's fine, I'll help you. The water's cold, let my sister-in-law rest."

Yi Zhongding said with a smile.

"Okay, let's go outside to wash it. Pig offal smells terrible." Sha Zhu nodded, then turned and said:

"Uncle Yi, let the rainwater stay here. Your house is really warm. When I finish my apprenticeship and start making money, I'll build a kang (heated brick bed) for my house too."

"Don't worry." Yi Zhonghai nodded, then said to He Yushui, "Yushui, are you still sleepy? Why don't you come inside and take a nap?"

He Yushui didn't reply, but just shook her head, looking like she was still half asleep.

Yi Zhonghai smiled, went back into the house, and got some candy, putting it in her hand.

He definitely wouldn't have done this before, and there was no candy at home.

But now I have so many children in my family.

He was thinking that in the future, he could let a child like He Yushui, who was already a teenager, take care of his younger siblings.