Divorce with three kids? I'll build a house and eat meat, driving my in-laws crazy.

Chapter 116 We'll agree to any conditions
"Chao Chao, Pei Pei, Yin Yin," Li Ruru called out as she ran to check on each room.

The women's rooms were all kept very clean, but no one was inside.

"Xiu'er, Yishan, Xiaowu." She ran to the boys' room to check, but there was still no one there.

Li Ruru was a little anxious, but the yard was neat and tidy, with no signs of a struggle, so it couldn't have been kidnapped by bandits; the person should be at home.

While Li Ruru was in a daze, she suddenly felt a cool, wet sensation on her hand.

She turned around and saw Qiqi standing at her feet, nudging her with its cold nose.

"Qiqi".

"Woof... Awoo~" Qiqi still hadn't learned to bark, and it gently nibbled at Li Ruru's sleeve, leading her towards the backyard.

"What's wrong?" Li Ruru asked, puzzled, but still followed it over.

The weeds and trees in the backyard have been trimmed, and potatoes have been planted.

Looking around, there were no children in sight.

"Mother~" Suddenly, Li Ruru heard a childish voice calling out.

It's...it's Yin Yin!

Li Ruru quickly arrived at the foot of the mountain, and she looked up blankly around.

"Mother~" Yin Yin's voice came again in a daze.

Qiqi jumped onto a platform more than two meters high in a few steps, and then turned to look at Li Ruru.

It was as if it was saying: Hurry up and come up.

Li Ruru looked at the high platform and frowned.

"Woof..." Qiqi barked again, as if mocking her.

What, you can't climb up?

Li Ruru was both angry and anxious. She tried her best to grab the scarce grass on the mountain and, after a long struggle, finally managed to climb up.

Upon reaching the top, you'll find yourself facing a small opening.

"Mom~" Yinyin stood there smiling.

Li Ruru squatted down and asked sternly, "Who told you to come here? Where are the others?"

Yinyin hadn't seen her mother angry in a long time. She pointed behind her and said, "They're all inside. There's a huge cave inside."

Li Ruru breathed a sigh of relief after finding one child and no one else was missing.

The two people and the dog passed through a small cave and arrived at a large place.

Li Ruru recalled the description of "Peach Blossom Spring" in her textbook: "At first it was extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. After walking several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a bright and spacious place."

"Mother~"

"Godmother"

The children were all happy to see Li Ruru, but Li Ruru wished she could give each of them a good beating.

"Why are you running around like this? Aren't you afraid of being kidnapped by bad guys?"

Seeing that her mother was angry, Peipei quickly took her hand and comforted her, "Mom, we were wrong, we won't do it again next time."

"Do you still want a next time?"

"No, no, I wouldn't dare."

Everyone obediently expressed their agreement, knowing that their mother (godmother) was only angry because she was worried about them.

Chu Xiu changed the subject, saying, "Godmother, this place is huge. Let me take you to see it."

Li Ruru followed the group around and found that the surrounding area was full of caves, and the space inside was very large.

At the highest point directly above the center of this cave, there is a circular opening through which you can see the blue sky.

Below the cave entrance is a natural spring with clear, transparent water.

"Yes, this place is nice," Li Ruru affirmed.

If it really rains heavily, the house might leak, so this place would be a good place to rest.

"Perfect for smoking cured meat," Li Ruru said, assigning tasks to everyone.

The children are always busy, and the chores at home don't wait for anyone either.

"Yishan, Xiaowu, Xiuer, the three of you go find some pine and cypress branches, rice husks, and corn cobs."

Pine and cypress branches produce a unique aroma when burned, and the smoked cured meat has a faint fruity fragrance. Rice husks burn slowly and produce soft smoke, while corn cobs provide a stable flame.

"The marinated pork is tied with hemp rope, and each piece of meat should be kept at a certain distance from the others. It should not be hung too low to avoid burning."

"There are so many caves here, just find one that is relatively small and has small holes in the top so that air can get in."

Back in the courtyard, the three men immediately got to work.

Chaochao asked, "Mom, what will my sisters and I do then?"

Li Ruru said, "You and Peipei make lunch. Yinyin... go play with Qiqi."

"Mother is going to take a nap. Wake me up when the food is ready."

Li Ruru flicked her sleeves and went back to her room. Ever since she transmigrated, she had been busy taking care of everything, like a mother hen. This morning, she was badly frightened by the bandits, and just now she thought the children were lost, which made her both worried and scared.

She felt dizzy and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

I don't know how long I slept, but I vaguely heard someone talking beside me.

"Why isn't Mother awake yet? She's been asleep for over an hour."

"Mom must be exhausted. Let's keep our voices down so we don't wake her."

"Let's skip lunch and eat together when Mom wakes up."

Li Ruru recalled the scene when she first transmigrated. At that time, she was still in the Chen family, and a group of people were talking about her.

However, at the time, the Chen family members were all cursing her and even wanted to sell their daughter.

At this moment, the children were all concerned about her, and even stopped eating so as not to wake her.

She knew very well that the thing the children looked forward to most each day was mealtime.

Yin Yin was craving food, and Chu Xiu and Xiao Wu stayed here just to freeload a meal.

Peipei and Chaochao have been busy all morning and are probably starving.

Thinking of this, Li Ruru lifted her heavy eyelids, sat up, and said, "Let's go eat."

"Mother, you're awake? Are you alright?"

"Should we call Dr. Chen over to take a look?"

Li Ruru rubbed her face and said, "Mother is fine, just a little tired."

She felt much better after a nap and stretched.

After changing her clothes, she came out to find the children already seated at the large table, waiting for her.

"Eat."

Li Ruru picked up the bowl; the white rice was piled high with meat.

The children all looked at her eagerly.

"Mom, eat quickly, eat more meat."

"Godmother, you've lost weight, you need to eat more to nourish yourself."

Li Ruru said cheerfully, "Everyone should eat, everyone should eat."

She didn't say that she hadn't lost weight, but had actually gained weight, and her belt was even a bit tight.

Today, Chaochao and Peipei made a large plate of braised pork belly, a dish of Mapo tofu, two stir-fried wild vegetables, and a dish of minced meat and eggplant.

Li Ruru praised as she ate, "The cooking is excellent, it's delicious."

Peipei and Chaochao were very happy and said in unison, "Mom, let us cook from now on."

Let Mom rest more; we can't let her get too tired.

Li Ruru nodded and said, "Okay."

Turning to Chu Xiu, he asked, "Is everything for the smoked meat ready?"

"Everything's ready. We'll go after dinner. Godmother, don't worry about it," Chu Xiu said.

My godmother has already explained the procedures and precautions.

Li Ruru was very satisfied. In the past, she had treated everyone too much like children, and she had done many things herself.

I only realized today that the children are all very capable and each one can handle things on their own.

While Li Ruru's family was enjoying a harmonious meal, the Chen family's situation remained chaotic.

Chen Jinbang still hadn't raised enough money for his tuition, so Chen Bingxiao, hoping his grandson could bring honor to the family in the future, shamelessly approached the clan elders.

"Elders, you have all watched my son Jinbang grow up. I, an old man, am hoping that he will amount to something."

But now the family is really poor and can't afford the tuition.

But if this child loses the opportunity to study, his life will be ruined. I have no choice but to shamelessly ask everyone for help.

"If this child becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination in the future, it will bring honor to our Chen family."

Chen Bingxiao thought that after he finished speaking, the people in his clan would definitely take out their money and donate generously.

Unexpectedly, everyone only offered verbal concern.

"Yes, no matter how hard life is, we can't let our children suffer; no matter how poor we are, we can't neglect education."

"This child has the potential to be a good student; he should continue his studies."

After talking for a long time, no one offered to pay.

Chen Bingxiao asked anxiously, "Then this silver..."

Stop saying nice things without paying.

An old man with a white beard spoke up: "I can give Jinbang the money, but I have one condition."

"What conditions? We'll agree to anything," Chen Bingxiao said happily.

(End of this chapter)