Hearing this, Sun Mei grew annoyed with Miss Zhu. She had a strong suspicion that Miss Zhu had previously beaten and scolded the children for accepting food from her.
Her expression turned serious, and feigning anger, she said, "Why? Don't tell me you also believe those rumors that my Tongtong is an Evil Star? That she's unlucky, so you won't eat our food?"
Zhao Zhitong also stared at the two boys with her big, round eyes.
The brothers quickly waved their hands. Zhao Zhitong also stared at them with her round eyes as they anxiously explained, "No, no, our little sister is definitely not an Evil Star."
The two weren't lying. Before their families had separated, their mother often neglected them, and it had been their Aunt who secretly looked after them. Even after the families separated, their Aunt would still secretly give them food whenever she saw them. Their Aunt's family were all good people.
Besides, their little sister is so adorable; how could she be an Evil Star? Those are just baseless rumors spread by others, they thought.
However, one time, their mother had seen them eating food given by their Aunt and had suddenly become furious. Not only did she throw away the food their Aunt had given them, but she also beat and scolded them, warning them never to accept food from their Aunt's house again. That was why they had refused.
Seeing the expressions on the two children's faces, Sun Mei knew her guess was correct.
So, Sun Mei firmly ushered the two children back into the room. "Since you don't believe those rumors, then stay and eat with us. Besides, if you don't say anything, and I don't say anything, how will your mother know you ate our food, right?"
Zhao Zhitong chirped, "Tongtong won't tell either, teehee!"
"Oh, you little clever clogs." Sun Mei reached out and rubbed Zhao Zhitong's small head, her face full of affection. "You stay here and play with your big brothers for a while, and Mommy will go cook, alright?"
Zhao Zhitong nodded obediently, affecting a mature air. "Mommy, don't worry. I'll take good care of my big brothers."
Sun Mei chuckled. "Alright, you take good care of your big brothers."
With that, she picked up her apron and went to the kitchen.
Once Sun Mei left, the room fell silent. The three children stared at each other blankly.
Taking her responsibility of caring for the sick seriously, Zhao Zhitong began to ask solicitously, "Big brother, are you thirsty? Here, have some water."
Zhao Zhitong picked up the cup of water Zhao Cheng hadn't finished. She scurried to the kitchen, added a spoonful of sugar to it, then ran back and handed it to Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Cheng unconsciously licked his dry lips. He took the cup, had a small sip, and then passed it to Zhao Yu, saying, "Here, have a sip. It's sweet."
Zhao Yu took a sip from the cup Zhao Cheng offered, and his eyes brightened. "Mm, it really is sweet! It's delicious!"
Seeing the two brothers finish the sweetened water, Zhao Zhitong blinked. She remembered her mommy saying their older brother had fainted from low blood sugar.
Doesn't that mean his body is lacking sugar? Adhering to the principle of replenishing whatever is deficient, Zhao Zhitong took out four candies from her pocket—in reality, from her space. She handed two to Zhao Cheng and two to Zhao Yu. "Big brothers, have some candy. It's very sweet."
Candy was a precious treat, so the two brothers dared not accept. They repeatedly declined, "Little sister, you keep them."
Seeing the two boys persistently refuse, Zhao Zhitong pouted. She simply climbed onto a stool and decisively stuffed the candies into their mouths, saying bossily, "I'm giving them to you, so eat up!"
The moment the candy entered their mouths, a delightful sweetness filled their senses. Both brothers' eyes widened in amazement. They felt this was the most delicious candy they had ever tasted, though they had probably only eaten candy twice in their entire lives.
"Is it yummy?" Zhao Zhitong blinked, asking happily as she watched them enjoy the candy.
The brothers nodded eagerly. "Yummy, yummy!"
Seeing them relish it so much, Zhao Zhitong was also tempted and popped one into her own mouth. After eating it, she smacked her lips, her face showing dissatisfaction. It's still this flavor, not tasty at all!
She disliked hard fruit candies, preferring soft milk ones. However, when Sun Mei had been stocking up, considering a potential apocalypse, she had prioritized high-calorie, easily portable items like hard candies and chocolate to replenish energy. But, since the space was with Zhao Zhitong, Sun Mei worried Zhao Zhitong wouldn't be able to control her sweet tooth. So, she hadn't bought any milk candies, only the most basic hard fruit candies.
Zhao Zhitong decided it was more fun to watch others eat. So, she offered the last piece to the two of them. "There's one more. You can have it."
However, neither of them reached for it.
She knew they would refuse, so Zhao Zhitong, sticking to her bossy approach, stuffed the candy directly into Zhao Yu's hand. "I've eaten too many. It's too sweet, and I don't like it much."
"Thank you, thank you, little sister."
Having been thanked, Zhao Zhitong felt absolutely wonderful. "You're welcome! I love doing good deeds!"
Holding the candy, Zhao Yu wanted to eat it but ultimately resisted. He took out a piece of cloth from his pocket, carefully wrapped the candy, and tucked it into his clothes. "I'll save it and give it to my little sister when I get home..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Zhao Yu suddenly froze, a wave of desolation washing over him.
That's right. He didn't have a little sister anymore.
「 」
By this time, Sun Mei had finished cooking the noodles. The hand-pulled noodles were garnished with chopped scallions and topped with four poached eggs. The aroma was so enticing it made one's mouth water and appetite surge.
RUMBLE~
The sound came from their stomachs, and Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yu's faces immediately flushed red with embarrassment.
Sun Mei laughed gently. "Go wash your hands. It's time to eat."
Zhao Zhitong took the lead, rushing out like a little cannonball, shouting, "Time to eat! Let's eat!"
Smelling the fragrant noodles, Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yu followed Zhao Zhitong to wash their hands, their eyes seemingly fixed on the noodle bowls, involuntarily drifting towards the table.
Aunt is such an amazing cook! they thought. Even simple noodles smell this good when she makes them.
More importantly, they didn't just smell good; they tasted incredible! The two brothers felt as if they could swallow their own tongues.
"Zhao Cheng! Zhao Yu!"
At this moment, the Zhu Clan's shout suddenly erupted from the courtyard. Both brothers jumped in fright, immediately put down their noodle bowls, sprang up from their chairs, and ran outside.
Hearing the shout, Sun Mei also put down her bowl and chopsticks and came out of the room. "Elder Sister-in-law, you..."
Before Sun Mei could finish, the Zhu Clan stormed forward, grabbed Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yu by their ears, and snapped furiously, "Are you two reincarnated from starving ghosts? You're embarrassing me! Get back home with me, now!"
Then, her verbal assault turned on Sun Mei. "Mrs. Sun, you've hatched quite the clever plan, haven't you! Constantly giving my sons food—what are you trying to do? Since you can't have children of your own, are you trying to steal my sons? You want my sons to become attached to you instead of me, don't you? So they'll be filial to you in the future and not to me? Well, let me tell you, not a chance! Don't even dream of it! The sons I bore will only ever be filial to me!"
After saying her piece, she dragged her sons away, slamming the door behind her.
Sun Mei stood at the doorway, her face livid. It was rare for her to curse, but she spat, "Pah! What a piece of work! Why doesn't Heaven strike her dead with a bolt of lightning!"
Turning around, she saw Zhao Zhitong standing behind her, hands on her little hips, perfectly mimicking her stance. In a cutesy, childish voice, Zhao Zhitong declared, "Ptooey! What a nasty woman! Why doesn't Heaven strike her down wif wightning!"