Chen Lan then introduced her own arrangements to Sun Xiaomei.
Chen Lan explained, "I also have twin younger brothers who are just over seven years old this year. They are a bit younger than Datian, and perhaps half a year older than Xiaotian. I also have a younger brother-in-law who is over eight years old this year, probably around Datian's age, maybe even born in the same month. If we let these few boys of similar age live together, Datian and Xiaotian will have company. They can also read and study with my two younger brothers and my brother-in-law."
After speaking, she paused to observe Sun Xiaomei's reaction and took a breath before continuing, "Sister-in-law Zheng, I'm not just praising my brothers and brother-in-law, but don't underestimate them. Even though the three of them are young, they are the little teachers in our valley's reading society!"
As soon as Chen Lan finished speaking, she immediately called for Wenkai, Wenqi, and Mingzhe. The three brothers were currently tidying up the small study, moving things from the study into their bedroom. Upon hearing Chen Lan's call, they immediately rushed over. The three of them called out in unison, "Big sister, sister-in-law, what do you need us for?"
Sun Xiaomei looked at the three little boys who ran over. They were all robust and handsome, and very polite. Coupled with what Chen Lan had just said, she naturally agreed without hesitation.
Chen Lan then said very seriously to her brothers, "Take Datian and Xiaotian to play with you. Whatever you do, take Datian and Xiaotian with you! Of course, don't do anything bad. You will sleep in your room tonight and help big sister take good care of them."
The three of them nodded very seriously. Mingzhe grinned and replied loudly, "Sister-in-law, don't worry! We won't do anything bad, right? Wenkai? Wenqi?"
He then winked at Wenkai and Wenqi. The two younger brothers did not reply but just smiled.
Chen Lan smiled and patted his small shoulder, playfully scolding, "You're the only one who likes to joke. Take good care of them. They just arrived and are not familiar with anything. You need to be patient and teach them, like how to bathe, how to use the toilet, how to wash up, and so on. Do you understand?"
Mingzhe raised his hand and saluted, shouting, "Report, sister-in-law, mission guaranteed to be completed."
With that, he beckoned and called out, "Datian, Xiaotian, let's go!"
Shortly after, the boys ran off in a rush to the small study to continue moving things.
After chatting with Sun Xiaomei for a while, Chen Lan made an excuse to go upstairs. As soon as she entered the bedroom, she indeed saw her mother with the twins. At this moment, the twins were supporting themselves against the wall, shakily learning to walk.
Seeing Chen Lan enter, they immediately pounced on her and fell flat on their bottoms. They didn't cry from the fall. They got up on their bottoms and whined, "Mommy, hold me."
Chen Lan quickly picked them both up. After holding them for two minutes, she said, "Jiayao, Jiahui, Mommy has something to do. I'll hold you again later, okay?"
The twins, hearing that Mommy had something else to do, reluctantly nodded.
Chen Lan didn't dally. She quickly handed the twins over to her mother and began tidying up the bedroom. She put some small items that were not needed for the time being into the system's warehouse, and also put the twins' small wooden beds into the system's warehouse. She then checked carefully and found nothing inappropriate.
She then ordered a simple large bed and mattress, two meters wide and two meters three long, along with matching quilts, mattress pads, pillows, sheets, and duvet covers from the system.
Chen Lan knew her mother was not accustomed to being around strangers, let alone sleeping with them. So, while tidying up, she said, "Mom, I bought a bigger bed. You can sleep with me and the twins."
Her mother did not object. There were people everywhere in the house now, and they couldn't be picky about where to sleep. Having a place to sleep was already great.
After Chen Lan finished tidying the bedroom, she gave a few instructions to her mother and interacted with the twins for a while. Then, she turned and left the bedroom to tidy up the small single room for Doctor Guo's daughter and granddaughter.
The small single room was the former small study. Chen Lan did not move the bookshelf; it was still leaning against the wall. Only a small table and two small stools were left, and the rest of the items were moved to the system warehouse. She then ordered a small double bed and a four-piece bedding set. She also took quilts, mattress pads, and pillows from the system warehouse, made up the bed, and went downstairs.
As soon as she went downstairs, she saw everyone busily tidying up the living room. Uncle De was leading some people to move the children's seesaws, slides, and rocking horses into the outer courtyard.
Uncle Fu was leading some people who didn't know where to start with the carousel and children's playground. Seeing Chen Lan come down, Uncle Fu immediately called out, "Xiaolan, come quickly and see. Where can we start disassembling this children's playground and carousel? We need to move everything to the outer courtyard to lay down sleeping mats. It's getting warmer, so it's not a big problem to let the kindergarten children play in the courtyard."
Chen Lan didn't hesitate. She quickly went over and started to disassemble things. Since she had assembled them herself, she was able to disassemble them very quickly.
Chen Lan asked Uncle Fu to arrange for the disassembled items to be placed around the pavilion and not moved. There wasn't enough time to reassemble them today as it was getting dark. She would assemble them herself tomorrow when she had time.
By the time Chen Lan finished her work, it was completely dark. Sun Xiaomei was pacing back and forth, holding Bao Mei. Bao Mei was whimpering in her arms, likely fussing because she was sleepy.
Chen Lan walked over and asked solicitously, "Sister-in-law Zheng, is Bao Mei fussy because she's sleepy, or is she hungry?"
Sun Xiaomei said a little embarrassed, "Bao Mei is hungry and also sleepy, but I really don't have any milk for her now!"
Chen Lan immediately said, "Sister-in-law Zheng, wait a moment. I'll go to the kitchen to get some goat milk and pastries for the child." With that, she quickly ran to the kitchen.
Sun Xiaomei wanted to refuse, but looking at Bao Mei's pale and thin little face, she closed her mouth.
Before long, Chen Lan came out of the kitchen, holding a large bottle of goat milk in one hand and a small plate of small cakes in the other.
She handed the plate of cakes to Sun Xiaomei, took Bao Mei from her arms, and placed the pacifier in her mouth. Perhaps she was very hungry, or perhaps it was her innate sensitivity to food, but Bao Mei opened her little mouth, took the bottle, and began to drink glug-glug.
Chen Lan then said, "Sister-in-law Zheng, the child is too young to be left hungry. This can easily damage her stomach. Although our family is not wealthy, we have no shortage of food for the children. Next time Bao Mei is hungry, you can steam an egg custard, cook some noodles, or make some porridge in the kitchen, or even prepare a bottle of goat milk. Don't let the child go hungry again.
Since you've come to the valley, consider it your home. Besides, Mingxuan and Commander Zheng are sworn comrades. Don't be so polite with us, okay?"
Sun Xiaomei's eyes turned red as she nodded.