Chapter 78: The Triplets' Day of Schemes
Back at the small courtyard, the morning sun cast dappled shadows over the stone path as the triplets watched the gate where their mother had disappeared. Su Lin was the first to break the silence, puffing out his tiny chest.
"Mama told us to help Auntie Hua," he declared importantly.
Auntie Hua appeared with a broom almost as tall as herself, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I'd rather you three didn't 'help' at all," she muttered, memories of their last "assistance" still fresh—like the time they'd tried to wash the chickens with soap.
"But Auntie," Su Rui insisted, his eyes big and pleading, "we need to make sure everything's perfect when Mama comes home!"
Su Zhi pulled out a scroll of Su Yanyue's handwritten recipes. "Let's cook her favorite porridge!"
Auntie Hua nearly choked on her own gasp. "No cooking! Not after last time!"
But the triplets were already scurrying about the kitchen like eager puppies. Pots clanged, rice scattered across the floor, and a flurry of squeals and giggles filled the air.
Su Lin climbed onto a stool with a determined frown, trying to light the stove. "Mama makes it look easy…"
Su Rui, meanwhile, dumped rice straight into cold water, stirring vigorously. "Isn't this how you do it?"
Su Zhi tasted a pinch of raw rice, immediately making a face. "Needs sugar."
Auntie Hua yanked the ladle from Su Rui's hand. "Out! Out, all of you! Go outside before you burn the house down!"
Banished from the kitchen, the boys regrouped under the old plum tree. Su Lin sat with his arms crossed. "We can't let Mama come home to nothing."
Su Rui's eyes lit up. "What if we teach the other kids in the village how to sell things, like Mama does?"
Su Zhi nodded sagely. "Yes! Then they'll all be better, and Mama will be proud of us."
Before Auntie Hua could react, the triplets sprinted to the village square. By the time she arrived panting behind them, they'd already gathered half a dozen wide-eyed village children.
"Step one," Su Lin began, pacing dramatically, "you must shout loudly so everyone knows you're selling something!"
"Step two," Su Rui added, "smile big—like this—so people trust you."
"Step three," Su Zhi finished with a smug grin, "never sell for less than it's worth!"
Their raucous demonstration filled the square with laughter. Even the adults paused from their chores, shaking their heads in amusement at the identical, bossy boys giving "business lessons."
Auntie Hua sighed, hands on her hips, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "At least they're not burning anything," she muttered.
As the morning wore on, the triplets' "class" turned into a game of pretend market. Children traded pebbles for sticks, shouted out imaginary prices, and mimicked the triplets' dramatic arm gestures.
From the edge of the square, Auntie Hua watched with a soft chuckle. Though chaos seemed to follow these three wherever they went, their hearts were always in the right place. And with every peal of laughter echoing through the village, it was clear: Su Yanyue's sons were already leaving their own mark on the world.