Chapter 87: Little Generals' Secret Plans
As dawn painted the sky a soft pink, the Su family courtyard bustled quietly under the triplets' command. The three identical boys—Yu Jin, Yu Rui, and Yu Lei—stood atop a stool, their little faces serious as they surveyed the preparations.
"Big Brother, we have to make everything perfect so Aunt Yue won't worry when she comes back!" Yu Lei said, his voice squeaky with determination.
Yu Rui nodded sagely. "Yes, Aunt Yue always looks tired after dealing with those big city people. We'll show her that we can take care of things here."
Yu Jin, the eldest by mere minutes, puffed up his chest. "Everyone, remember! Aunt Yue's tea must be brewed exactly the way she likes it. And if anyone tries to cheat us, we'll use our… special tactics!"
Behind them, the villagers watched with mixed amusement and awe as the three little boys barked orders at adults twice their size. Shop assistants hurried about cleaning the storefront, wiping counters until they gleamed, and arranging baskets of fresh tea leaves.
Old Aunt Lin, who often helped Su Yanyue, leaned close to the other villagers. "These triplets really are her little generals. Have you ever seen children so fierce?"
One of the men chuckled. "I tried giving them extra sweets yesterday. They made me sign a 'supply contract' for their secret candy stash before accepting. Smart little devils."
The boys' mischief, however, had its purpose. Yu Lei darted from stall to stall with his brothers, inspecting each jar of tea, sniffing the leaves, and scolding workers if anything was amiss.
Meanwhile, they quietly slipped notes to trusted villagers: instructions to keep an eye out for strangers or anyone suspicious. They might be three years old, but they had learned fast from both Yu Shiming and Su Yanyue.
After all, their father had taught them survival, and Aunt Yue had shown them how to protect their home.
"Big Brother, I think the sign is crooked!" Yu Rui cried, pointing at the wooden board hanging above the tea shop.
Yu Jin climbed onto Yu Lei's shoulders, wobbling dangerously before setting the sign straight. When they finally stepped back, they admired their work: the characters for Fragrant Moon Tea House stood proud and elegant against the morning light.
Satisfied, they gathered their little friends in the courtyard. "Listen up!" Yu Jin announced. "When Aunt Yue comes home, we're going to shout 'Welcome home!' really loud so she knows we missed her."
"Yes!" the other village children chorused, eyes shining with excitement.
As the sun climbed higher, customers began arriving. Seeing the triplets managing everything so seriously, they couldn't help but smile. The village women pinched the boys' cheeks, praising them, while the men ruffled their hair.
From a distance, Yu Shiming leaned against a tree, arms crossed, a rare smile touching his usually cold face. Watching his sons protect what Su Yanyue had built made his chest warm in a way he hadn't felt in years.
When the noon bell rang, the boys gathered in a huddle, cheeks flushed with pride. "She'll be so happy," Yu Lei whispered.
They didn't know it yet, but their little efforts would ripple far beyond the village, strengthening the bonds of loyalty around Su Yanyue—and earning the admiration of many who thought her just another tea seller.