C19 I Won't be a Traitor!

Guohua immediately started shouting, "Chickens, chickens, chickens..."

Jiaojiao happened to come out just then. "What chickens?"

Pengcheng found it amusing. "They're worried the pots and chickens will be taken away."

Jiaojiao glanced at him, wanting to ask more but held back. Honestly, she was curious about what he said to make those three women leave so quickly. From her assessment, they weren't the type to give up easily. She thought for sure the things they brought back would be taken. After all, Pengcheng didn't seem like the kind to defy his mother.

But she decided it wasn't the right time to discuss this in front of the kids. She'd ask him privately later.

Jiaojiao crouched down to pick up one of the little ones. "Let's head back. It's about time for lunch."

Pengcheng picked up another child, while the two older ones had already dashed home to check on their pots and chickens.

Finding everything still there, Zhibing was thrilled and whispered to his sister, "This new mom is pretty tough, managing to get our stuff back from Grandma."

In the past, it was only Grandma who took their things. This was the first time they'd gotten anything back.

Zhihong's eyes sparkled. "Yeah, she's good."

Zhibing rubbed his smooth chin, deep in thought. "Who knows if she's just pretending? Remember, she's still our enemy. Even if she tries to win you over with sweet words, don't give in. Got it?"

Zhao Zhihong nodded firmly. "Yeah, no surrender."

Zhao Zhibing threatened his sister, "Remember, if you surrender, I won't consider you my sister anymore."

A flicker of fear crossed Zhao Zhihong's eyes. If her brother didn't want her, she'd have no one to play with.

The little girl nodded vigorously, "No surrender! Absolutely no surrender! I'm not a traitor! I won't surrender."

Zhao Zhihong patted her head approvingly. "That's my girl. I'll give you some candy later."

The little one conveniently forgot that the candy he had hidden away was actually given to him by his stepmom, whom he was still wary of.

Even after checking once, Zhao Zhibing was still uneasy. He placed a rock on top of the cage holding the two chickens, afraid they might escape.

With the chickens, they could finally have eggs. Their dad had been too busy just taking care of them to raise chickens before, but now with two chickens, he was determined to take good care of them.

As he led his sister out from between the main room and the west room, he saw their new stepmom busy cooking in the kitchen. His two younger brothers were playing in the yard, and their dad was trying to make a chicken coop with some sticks he had found somewhere.

Zhao Zhibing was a bit puzzled. "Didn't we already eat? Why is she cooking again?"

In those days, many families typically had three meals a day, though some with tighter budgets managed with just two. However, not every meal was a hearty one. Even with improved living conditions, they hadn't reached a level of abundance. Breakfast and dinner were usually light, just enough to fill the stomach with something warm, while lunch was the main meal. If it wasn't a busy farming season, lunch could also be something light, following the wisdom passed down through generations.

Jiaojiao continued her work without looking up. "So, you're not having any meat?"

Zhibing's lips twitched, but he stayed silent, glancing over at his dad. Truth be told, he wanted some meat, too.

His dad, who usually had a furrowed brow, looked more relaxed now. "Your mom said what we had before was just a snack. What we're making now is the real meal."

Zhibing was torn. "But what about our food supply..."