Chapter 50 - Whoever Lies Becomes a Dog

It was late and Xie Yunjin urged them, “Go to sleep now.”

The three babies stopped conversing and closed their eyes.

Xie Yunjin listened hard to noises from the other bedroom. It was quiet so they must’ve gone to sleep too.

He then carefully checked out the three babies beside him. They now looked clean, their skin was no longer jaundiced, and they were much more active and gleeful now. So it appeared that children needed their mother’s love the most.

The next morning, Lu Jiao got up super early. She made some porridge and stir-fried some vegetables with mushrooms.

After breakfast was done, she packed them and started to make lunch. She braised the ribs first, then stir-fried the eggplants and steamed some rice. Once the rice was done, she put the ribs and eggplant on top so the steam could keep everything hot.

She really needed to get her hands on more pots and pans. She only had one usable pan and it was damaged. She had to get at least two good ones.

She started to heat up Xie Yunjin’s medicine when she heard the babies’ voices.

The Third Born was chasing around the Fourth Born and asking him what bedtime story he heard last night.

The Fourth Born retold the story very cleanly to the others.

The four babies then started to discuss the story together in the yard.

Soot and Marble made their way to their masters’ feet and whimpered for attention occasionally.

At once, the home grew lively.

Lu Jiao couldn’t help but smile. Just then, the four little ones ran to the kitchen and surrounded her.

“Mommy, how come the monkey and deer know how to speak?”

Speechless, Lu Jiao stared at them. So the four of them had the same way of thinking.

The Second Born very kindly provided explanations for her, “Mommy, it is because they became possessed. Right?”

Lu Jiao wanted to roll her eyes but decided to maintain her respectful image as their mother and endured. She explained to the children.

“This is simply a story. The point isn’t that the animals know how to talk. The story is made up by people. The reason why people make up stories is that people want to send a message. For example, the message from the story I told is that everybody has their own unique weaknesses and strengths. We cannot only see our strengths and deem ourselves the strongest.”

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The four little ones exclaimed after they heard the explanation. However, the Second Born was not satisfied, “So that’s what it is. Then why not use people in the story? Why must it be about monkeys and deers?”

He then lowered his head to look at Soot and Marble and got an idea, “Say, do you think Soot and Marble know how to speak?”

Lu Jiao ignored them. She poured out the medicine and divided it into two bowls. She put one bowl on the side to cool, and when the children weren’t looking, she snuck the other bowl into her space.

“Okay, go wash face and wash hands so we can eat breakfast.”

Lu Jiao had taught the children how to wash their own hands and faces earlier so they knew how to do that independently now.

Lu Jiao carried breakfast to the east bedroom. She told the children to eat themselves so she could feed Xie Yunjin.

“After breakfast, I am going to leave for my mother’s. As for lunch, I am keeping it in the pot. When I leave, I’ll ask the Second Grandmother to come over and feed you when it’s lunchtime.”

Lu Jiao suddenly remembered the last time she was away. She came back to the four children beaten and Xie Yunjin vomiting blood.

She glanced at Xie Yunjin and noticed that after conditioning him this past while, he was no longer as pale and his energy level had picked up. Even so, if someone were to come here to beat the four little ones, he couldn’t exactly do anything about it.

Lu Jiao was worried and Xie Yunjin noticed. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m away and leaving one wounded and four weak at home. What if bad guys invade again?”

The Fourth Born stood up, “Mommy, then don’t go to grandma’s.”

The other three nodded in agreement and gaped at Lu Jiao.

Lu Jiao ignored them and continued to discuss with Xie Yunjin, “What if I ask the Second Brother to come today?”

After she said it, she decided against the idea. If Xie Erzhu was here, Lady Ruan would be the first to come.

Lu Jiao added, “Okay no. How about I go ask Xie Xiaobao to come over and spend some time here? If anyone tries anything, I’ll ask him to run out and shout for people to come.”

Last time, Lu Jiao divided up the silver she got from Widow Li. That event tempted many villagers. She was certain that if someone tried anything again, more villagers would think to step out and be on her side.

Xie Yunjin saw how anxious she was and didn’t stop her, “Sure.”

The four little ones were very disappointed.

They didn’t want her to go. What if she left and never came back?

The babies were very worried and didn’t find the porridge tasty anymore.

Lu Jiao finished feeding Xie Yunjin and took out the dirty bowls. She then got some porridge for herself.

The children weren’t done eating yet. Lu Jiao scanned around and found all of them to be in a bad mood. She knew they were worried she would abandon them.

Lu Jiao was secretly happy about that. They haven’t spent that much time together but the children were already attached. Not bad at all.

She didn’t want to see them sad though so she calmly comforted them, “Why are you acting like this? Are you worried I won’t come back?”

The four little ones all looked up to her. Lu Jiao put down her bowl and patted their heads, “Don’t worry. I’ll come back in the early afternoon.”

The Fourth Born went to Lu Jiao and stared at her with watery eyes, “Mommy, if you don’t come back. I will cry. I will cry until you’re back.”

The First, Second, and Third Born looked at him in shock. Was he for real?

The Second and Third Born thought about it and then decided, “We will cry with him.”

The First Born walked to Lu Jiao and extended his hand. Lu Jiao didn’t understand so she just stared at him.

With a serious face, the First Born announced, “Pinky promise me. Whoever lies becomes a dog.”

Lu Jiao was speechless. Who taught him all this?

However, when Lu Jiao saw how serious he was, she knew that he wouldn’t trust her if she declined. So she too extended her hand and hooked her pinky against his.

The Second, Third, and Fourth Born all gaped at the First Born, “First Born, are you lying or telling the truth? Liars become dogs?”

The First Born was nothing but serious, “It’s real.”

The other three were no longer worried then. Happily, they requested, “Mommy, can you bring us the next time you visit grandma?”

They’ve never visited.

Lu Jiao agreed right away, “Sure!”

The four babies finally stopped obsessing over this. If their mom lies, she would become a dog. She wouldn’t want that so she’s definitely coming back.

Lu Jiao ate her food, washed the dishes, then fed Xie Yunjin medicine. She then left to ask Xie Xiaobao to keep an eye on the children in case someone causes trouble again.

Xie Xiaobao agreed. Lu Jiao gave him three pieces of candy as a thank-you gift.

Xie Xiaobao happily went to spend time with the quadruplets.

Feeling better, Lu Jiao put on her basket and left for her mother’s home.

The Fourth Born, who was already playing with Xie Xiaobao, suddenly rushed out of the front gate and started crying out loud. While crying, he waved around his little arm, “Mommy, promise you will come back!”