Zhi Xia had been playing with the hamster doll in her space for a long time until the sound of a child's cry came from outside. She hurried out.
The one crying was little Pei Chenze, the third baby. In the month that had passed, the three babies had grown a lot bigger. Little Five was already ten jin, while Little Three and Little Four were a little lighter at around eight or nine jin.
She checked the diaper and it was still dry. Calculating when he had last fed, he was probably crying because he was hungry.
Zhi Xia had just picked up the milk bottle when Sister Zhang came in the door, “Oh my, these little ones have such loud voices. I could hear them all the way in the back yard!”
With triplets, as soon as one starts crying, the others join in with full voice, competing to scream louder.
But once one stops, the other two gradually stop crying as well.
Old Pei also came over, but didn’t enter, just standing in the doorway watching.
Zhi Xia called to them, "Dad, Sister Zhang, it's good you came. Hurry and help make some formula, all three little ones are crying at the same time. I was just thinking I’d have to feed them one by one."
Luckily each baby had their own bottle, and thanks to her trading device, Zhi Xia always had a steady supply of formula. Otherwise, going through a can every two days would be too much for an average family to afford.
Old Pei always assumed the formula came from Pei Jing figuring something out. Zhi Xia didn’t know what explanations he gave to others, but no one had asked her about it so far.
With three people each feeding a baby, it still took half an hour. If she was caring for them alone it would be extremely tiring.
Once the babies finished eating and fell back asleep, they were placed in their cribs.
Sister Zhang took the three bottles. “Zhi Xia, you rest well. I’ll go wash these bottles clean.”
But Old Pei didn’t rush to leave. Instead he asked, “It really isn’t easy caring for three babies. Your father and Sister Zhang can help during the day, so I think your grandmother or mother should come over at night to lend a hand. At least there would be someone else.”
"No need, Dad. They're pretty well behaved at night, usually only needing one late night feeding. I can manage that myself, so you don't need to worry. If it ever does become too much, I'll let you know."
With no one else around, she could easily put the babies in her space at night where the nanny bots could help care for them, allowing her more rest.
Since her son wasn’t home, it would be improper for Old Pei to insist, so he simply said, “Alright, try it yourself first. Call me if you need help at night.”
After school, An Zhiren brought the twins back. Before even entering, lively chatter could be heard inside.
Ever since the incident with Wang Caixiang, An Zhiren was noticeably more cheerful, already handsome features restored to his former refreshing charm.
“Brother Two, thanks for watching these two rascals,” Zhi Xia said, hugging the twins. “Were you good for Grandma today?”
The two vied to answer, “Mommy, mommy! We were good, very good!”
Zhi Xia smiled approvingly. An Zhiren grinned as well, deliberately praising them. “Chenye and Wanqing are big kids now. They even learned a poem today, so well behaved!”
“Really? What poem?”
“Spring Dawn...Mommy I’ll recite it for you...”
The room was soon filled with laughter and happy voices as Zhi Xia played with them.
After checking on the babies, the twins ran off to find Old Pei, saying they wanted Grandpa to take them next door to visit Grandma and Grandpa Liu.
“Mom wanted me to ask if you need her to come over tonight to help with the babies,” everyone was worried Zhi Xia would be overwhelmed caring for the infants alone. In a few more days they would hold the one month celebration and she could return to her maternal home for some rest.
“No need, Brother Two. I know you’re all worried about me, but caring for babies doesn’t happen overnight. I want to try managing myself first.” Zhi Xia gestured at the pile of books on the table. “Since you’re here, can you take this medical text to Brother Three? Pei Jing had a friend track it down and send it back. See if he finds it useful.”
“Alright, if you really want to try first then go ahead. But don’t push yourself too hard. We’re family so if you need help, just ask.” An Zhiren advised.
The twins soon came back inside. As soon as they entered, they asked “Mommy, where’s Daddy?”
The most stubborn was little Pei Wanqing. Zhi Xia sat them on her lap and asked “Do you want chicken legs for dinner tonight?”
“Yes, yes!” The two answered eagerly.
In this time period of two liang allotment per person each month, meat was hard to come by.
At the An family home, although fun to visit, Grandma only bought meat once in a long while. Naturally the twins, used to the military canteen, found this hard to adjust to. But since this was standard for everyone, they didn’t make a fuss over it despite drooling whenever meat was mentioned.
“Auntie Zhang went early this morning to line up for chicken, so you have to be good little ones and then you’ll get those yummy chicken legs for dinner.”
Hearing there would be meat, Pei Wanqing was ecstatic, but perceptive Pei Chenye wasn’t so easily fooled. Staring with round, innocent eyes he asked “But Mommy, you didn’t say where Daddy went.”
Zhi Xia sighed, coaxing them, “Daddy went to work of course, so he can earn money for treats like meat for his darling babies.”
Pei Chenye breathed out like a little adult. His words were resigned yet helpless. “It’s okay Mommy, you don’t need to placate us. We already know Daddy had to leave, so don’t worry. We’re big kids now and will be good and not make a fuss for him to come back.”
It was what Uncle had taught him. As the oldest, with Daddy gone, it was his duty to help Mommy take care of his little brother and sister.
Although still small, if he could distract his sister from fussing then it was enough to let Mommy focus on the babies.
“Chenye is really such a good boy.” Zhi Xia’s heart ached looking at them both. Having three more babies meant she inevitably overlooked the twins at times.
An idea came to Zhi Xia and she asked “Chenye, Wanqing, would you like a little pet? Let Mommy give you a small pet, so when Mommy is busy, the pet can be company.”
She recalled her own longing for a puppy when little.
But dogs ate up rations so she didn’t dare ask.
Once, an older neighbor boy had caught a turtle the size of her palm from the river and given it to her. She had treasured it dearly until Gao Dalin roasted it over a fire pit.
After that, she never kept another pet.
