Chapter 339| Chapter 340| Chapter 341
Chapter 339: Chinese Yam
“It’s already been sent out,” Sheng Wanyan replied.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng knew she had recently taken little Yi Yi into the city to visit a photo studio, so they had come over specifically to ask about it.
“That’s good,” Grandpa Sheng nodded. “Your father-in-law hasn’t met Yi Yi yet. He must be incredibly eager to see what she looks like.”
“And your parents, too,” Grandma Sheng added. “They mention Yi Yi in every single letter they write.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled. Her parents had spent some time with Yi Yi the last time they visited the military base. After returning home, Mother Sheng constantly talked about how much she missed her darling granddaughter.
Father Sheng was even worse. Whenever he came home from work, he would proudly show off to anyone who would listen about how cute and well-behaved his granddaughter was.
Many of the neighbors living in their tube-shaped apartment building in Chengdu had watched Sheng Wanyan grow up. When they first heard she had given birth to a daughter, some secretly gossiped that she would lose favor and her life would take a turn for the worse. They never expected that even with a daughter, she would still be living such a comfortable, blessed life.
Since Father Sheng was the deputy director of the factory workshop, no one dared to openly spout that outdated nonsense about girls being “money-losers.” They could only nod along with awkward smiles.
Every time he finished bragging, Father Sheng would stroll home in high spirits. One look at his face, and Mother Sheng instantly knew what he had been up to. He went out every day just to show off his grandchild, only returning home for dinner once he had soaked up enough of the neighbors’ envy.
———
Over the following days, Sheng Wanyan settled into a very comfortable routine. In the mornings, she would water the vegetable garden or stay inside to work on her translations.
At noon, she took a nap with Yi Yi. In the afternoons, she would push the baby out for a stroll and occasionally spend some time fishing by the water.
Other times, she would leave Yi Yi in Pan Yue’s care and head to the foot of the mountain to gather firewood. Sometimes, she and Pan Yue would join the other military wives at the base of the mountain to forage for wild mushrooms, adding a fresh dish to their dinner tables.
Sheng Wanyan had a craving for tart wild fruits lately, so she made sure to pick some every time she ventured up the mountain.
“Sister-in-law, you hold the basket. I’ll go pick them,” Pan Yue offered.
They had stumbled across a patch of wild grapes and worked together to harvest a large batch. After picking the fruit, Sheng Wanyan stood up and stretched her back. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something half-buried in the underbrush. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
She stepped closer, peering at the ground uncertainly. Pan Yue followed behind her, looking confused.
“Little Sister, what’s wrong?”
“Sister-in-law, we found something good,” Sheng Wanyan smiled.
When Pan Yue leaned in, Sheng Wanyan pointed to a small patch of Chinese yam. This was an excellent find. It was delicious whether used in stews, steamed plain, or tossed into a hot pot.
“What is this?” Pan Yue asked.
People in this era knew very little about Chinese yam and generally didn’t realize it was edible.
“It’s called Chinese yam,” Sheng Wanyan explained. “It’s similar to a sweet potato. You can eat it, and it gets wonderfully soft and powdery when cooked. It’s also highly nutritious, making it perfect for children.”
Pan Yue’s eyes lit up. “It’s really that good?”
“Yes! Sister-in-law, go back home and grab a shovel and some thick gloves. We can’t touch the yam’s skin directly with our bare hands.”
“Why not?”
“Its sap will make your skin severely itch, so gloves are a must.”
Hearing this, Pan Yue didn’t waste any time. She hurried back to the family quarters to grab the supplies and rushed back up the mountain. She returned with two large bamboo baskets, a pair of thick gloves, and a shovel.
Sheng Wanyan estimated there were about thirty yams in this small patch—not too many, but definitely enough to last them a good while. The two women got to work, each digging up a full basket before carrying their haul down the mountain.
When they got back, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng looked at the baskets in confusion. Why had they hurried back carrying these?
“Isn’t this just firewood from the mountain?” Grandpa Sheng asked.
The rough, bark-like skin of the yams made them look exactly like the dry branches they usually collected for the stove, so everyone naturally assumed they were just chunks of wood.
“Little Sister says it’s called Chinese yam,” Pan Yue explained excitedly. “She said that once you peel it, it’s edible—just like a sweet potato. And it’s packed with nutrients!”
“What in the world?” Grandma Sheng was surprised. It was her first time hearing that these wood-like roots could be eaten. Curious, she quickly grabbed a kitchen knife and prepared to peel one.
Remembering Sheng Wanyan’s warning, Pan Yue quickly caught Grandma Sheng’s hand. “Grandma, wait! You can’t touch it directly. You have to wear gloves!”
Taking the warning to heart, Grandma Sheng slipped on a pair of gloves and carefully peeled a section of the yam.
“Is this really edible?” she asked, still a bit skeptical.
“Little Sister said it is.”
Grandma Sheng had absolute faith in her granddaughter’s judgment. After all, Wanyan was skilled enough to compound her own medicine. If she said it was edible, it definitely was.
“Alright then,” Grandma Sheng decided. “Let’s cook some for dinner tonight.”
That evening, Grandma Sheng prepared the yam exactly as Sheng Wanyan had instructed. The root vegetable had a subtle, natural sweetness to it. All she had to do was steam it until it was fully cooked; it didn’t even need any extra seasoning.
It was the family’s first time trying it. As soon as they took a bite, the texture was delightfully soft and powdery, melting in their mouths. The taste was excellent.
“It really is edible, and it’s quite sweet!” Grandma Sheng marveled.
“Yes,” Pan Yue nodded happily. “Little Sister said it’s highly nutritious, so it’s perfect for Huzi.”
“I’ll mash some up until it’s nice and soft tomorrow and feed it to him,” Grandma Sheng agreed. Since Chinese yam was filling, nutritious, and easy to chew, it was an ideal food for little Huzi.
Sheng Wanyan also used some of the yam to make a rich chestnut, yam, and chicken soup—a classic, nourishing combination. She made sure to bring a large bowl of the soup over to her in-laws’ side of the house.
Seeing how versatile the yam was, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng were absolutely thrilled with the new ingredient.
After dinner, Sheng Wanyan took the remaining unpeeled yams and stored them safely in the cellar. Later, she slipped into her spatial dimension to take a refreshing shower before finally coaxing Yi Yi to sleep.
The days passed by at a slow, peaceful pace. Meanwhile, the photographs Sheng Wanyan had mailed finally arrived in the capital, the Capital, and in Rong City.
Capital, The Gu Family Home.
“Mom, Dad! We received a letter from Yan’er,” Mother Gu announced, holding up the envelope.
When Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu saw the thick envelope, their hearts skipped a beat, briefly worrying that something had happened.
“Hurry, hurry! Open it and see what’s inside!” Grandpa Gu urged, practically blowing on his own beard in his impatience. He had yet to meet his precious great-granddaughter and worried about her constantly.
Mother Gu quickly tore open the seal, and two photographs fluttered out.
“It’s pictures!”
“Quick, let me see!” Grandpa Gu hurried forward.
Mother Gu handed the photos to the two elders, who immediately leaned in to examine them. Father Gu also craned his neck from the side, eager to catch a glimpse of his granddaughter.
“Oh my! Look at how fair and chubby our little Yi Yi is,” Grandma Gu cooed, her face breaking into a massive, joyous smile at the sight of the plump, rosy-cheeked baby.
“She really is,” her sister-in-law chimed in. “Third Sister-in-law is so attentive and careful in raising her.”
Seeing how healthy and chubby Yi Yi was in the picture, Mother Gu couldn’t help but sigh in relief. They had all been a little worried that Sheng Wanyan would be overwhelmed, given it was her first time being a mother.
To their delight, Sheng Wanyan had done a spectacular job. Not only was the baby thriving, but Sheng Wanyan herself looked radiant and healthy. The photographs were clear proof that she was living well, and that both mother and daughter were in excellent condition.
“Fair and chubby is wonderful! This little darling is truly blessed,” Grandma Gu said, gently caressing the image. “Just look at this little face. So full of life and spirit.”
“Yes, both Yan’er and the baby look wonderful,” Father Gu agreed with a warm nod.
“It must be hard on Yan’er, though,” Mother Gu said softly. “Managing the household and taking care of the baby all by herself, yet she does such a flawless job.”
The Gu family was well aware of Gu Tingxiao’s current mission; in fact, several soldiers from the Capital had been dispatched to rescue him.
“I wonder when our little Yi Yi will be able to visit the Capital,” Grandpa Gu murmured longingly.
“I don’t know if Third Brother and his family will be able to make it back this year,” her sister-in-law replied.
Grandma Gu was getting older, and her deepest wish was to finally hold the great-granddaughter she had only seen in pictures.
“Looking at the dates, she’s already nine months old. They should be able to make the trip back next year,” Father Gu reasoned.
Staring at the mother and daughter in the photograph, Grandma Gu fell into a wistful daze for a long time.
Mother Gu gently comforted her, though her own eyes were misting over. She missed her granddaughter dearly too! But little Yi Yi was still only nine months old, and it simply wasn’t safe or comfortable for a baby that young to endure such a long, grueling train journey.
Chapter 340: Children Need a Good Spanking Sometimes
“I’m fine, there’s no need to comfort me,” Grandma Gu said, quickly composing herself. Her health was visibly better than it had been over the last two years; living another ten or fifteen years wouldn’t be a problem at all.
Ever since Sheng Wanyan married into the family, Grandma Gu had viewed her as their lucky star. Since her arrival, both she and Grandpa Gu had felt their health steadily improve, leaving behind the constant fatigue and aches of previous years.
Not only that, but the Gu family’s political standing had grown even more secure thanks to Sheng Wanyan’s talent for formulating medicine. Even Gu Tingxiao’s foundation for future promotions had become rock-solid because of her. When the time came for him to be transferred back to the Capital, anyone who might have wanted to object wouldn’t dare utter a single word.
On top of all that, she took wonderful care of her household. It only proved how vital it was to marry a virtuous wife.
“Let me see,” Father Gu pleaded from behind them. He had been waiting patiently for a while now, lingering in the background without daring to interrupt. He was genuinely afraid that if he spoke out of turn, the two elders would slap him down—or worse, his father would beat him with the sole of a shoe.
Seeing him hovering so eagerly, Grandma Gu finally handed the photograph over.
Father Gu took it carefully, staring intently at the tiny baby in the picture. “Good, very good! What a plump, healthy little girl.” He beamed. “Look at those bright, watery eyes—they look exactly like my third daughter-in-law’s.”
Yi Yi’s facial features truly favored Sheng Wanyan, though her brow and the bridge of her nose were identical to Gu Tingxiao’s. The rest of her face was like a miniature version of her mother.
“It’s wonderful that she looks like Yan’er. She’s definitely going to grow up to be a great beauty,” Mother Gu said with satisfaction. She loved the idea of the girls in their family being pretty; it meant they would look beautiful in any clothes they wore.
“I never said it was a bad thing,” Father Gu muttered cautiously.
Mother Gu shot him a sharp look.
“Wife, you are absolutely right,” Father Gu corrected himself instantly, quickly falling into line.
Mother Gu gave a cold snort. He had better stay sensible, or she would make him sleep on the floor tonight!
“Frame the pictures and put them in the living room so everyone can see them,” Grandpa Gu commanded.
Father Gu didn’t waste a second and hurried off to find a photo frame. After placing both pictures inside, he set the frame safely on the display cabinet in the living room, right where any family member could see them whenever they pleased.
The two younger children in the house had also been clamoring for a look at their new cousin. Gu Jingjing and Gu Jinfang took the frame into their hands, admiring it intently.
“Wow, my little sister is so fat,” Gu Jinfang blurted out.
The words had barely left his mouth when Father Gu smacked him across the back of the head. “What did you just say, you little brat? You were twice as fat as this when you were a baby! How dare you criticize your sister? I’ve really spoiled you rotten.”
Hissing in pain, Gu Jinfang rubbed his head and clamped his mouth shut, not daring to argue back.
Gu Jingjing, who had been right on the verge of cooing over how cute and chubby her baby cousin was, silently swallowed her words. She didn’t dare say a thing.
———
While the atmosphere in the Gu household back in the Capital had grown incredibly bright because of the photographs, over in Bing City, Sheng Wanyan was currently being driven to her wit’s end by her own daughter.
“Gu Jinsheng!” Sheng Wanyan gritted her teeth, calling the baby by her full name. One could easily guess how dire the situation was.
Hearing her mother’s stern voice, little Yi Yi froze, instantly looking startled.
“Gu Jinsheng, I have really spoiled you!” Sheng Wanyan’s hands trembled with pure exasperation as she stared at the yellow mess smeared all over her fingers. This naughty little girl had actually reached down and played with her own poop!
Yi Yi blinked, staying completely still as if she finally realized she had done something wrong.
“Fine, just stay dirty then,” Sheng Wanyan snapped. Refusing to clean her up just yet, she marched out of the room to scrub her own hands first.
She had just been changing the girl’s diaper when the little rascal decided to pull this grand finale. Sheng Wanyan was so angry her head spun; she felt like she hadn’t suffered this kind of terrible luck in either of her two lifetimes combined.
Watching her mother walk away, Yi Yi’s lower lip trembled, and she burst into loud, tearful wails a second later.
Hearing the crying, Sheng Wanyan felt utterly helpless. She could only walk back in to clean up the mess. “You little terror,” she muttered, wiping the baby down.
The moment Yi Yi was clean and fresh again, she immediately beamed up at her mother with a bright, innocent smile.
Sheng Wanyan stood there, speechless. In the end, she was the only one who suffered in this relationship.
To keep herself from doing something she’d regret, Sheng Wanyan placed the baby in her crib to play by herself while she went to clean the rest of the house. She figured it was best to stay away from the little girl’s annoying, mischievous face until she could calm down.
Clueless to her mother’s internal struggle, Yi Yi happily grabbed her new toy and began playing on the mattress.
Once Sheng Wanyan finished cleaning the rooms, she returned to the bedroom. Seeing that the baby was happily occupied, she left her to it and sat down at her desk to work on her translations.
It was already June, meaning Gu Tingxiao had been away on his mission for an entire month. She had been keeping up with the newspapers and knew the rescue operation was proving to be highly difficult; he likely wouldn’t be back anytime soon.
On a brighter note, the new cold medication had finally hit the market. Sheng Wanyan had spotted it during her last trip into the city to buy supplies. The price was very reasonable—ten packets for a single dollar—making it accessible for ordinary working-class families.
Sheng Wanyan bought a few boxes to keep on hand just in case, as she really didn’t want to go through the trouble of brewing medicine from scratch if anyone fell ill. The modern, finished medicines stored inside her spatial dimension were all wrapped in future commercial packaging, making them far too risky to bring out into the open.
She had noticed long lines of people queuing up to buy the medication. In this era, the citizens placed immense trust in the government. If the state declared a medicine was effective, everyone believed it. Most families were eager to have some stocked away, knowing that medicine was a precious commodity that could save a life in an emergency.
Once home, Sheng Wanyan locked the medicine securely away to keep Yi Yi from accidentally grabbing the packets to play with.
Looking out the window, she saw the weather was beautiful and sunny. Deciding to get some fresh air, she carried Yi Yi out to the small courtyard pavilion, spreading a small blanket across the ground. She scattered the baby’s toys around her and let her sit on the floor to play.
Maodou flopped down right beside the blanket, and before long, Yi Yi crawled over and used the dog’s soft belly as a pillow. Maodou didn’t mind at all, content to act as her personal cushion. The two shared a wonderful bond.
At one point, Sheng Wanyan noticed Yi Yi was gripping a fistful of Maodou’s fur tightly, but the dog didn’t make a sound. She quickly stepped over and gently pried her daughter’s tiny fingers open so she wouldn’t hurt him.
A moment later, Yi Yi scrambled onto Maodou’s back, trying to ride him like a little horse. Witnessing the entire scene, Sheng Wanyan couldn’t help but chuckle. This girl really knew how to live in comfort.
Sheng Wanyan did a quick mental calculation of her daughter’s age. Yi Yi was nearly ten months old now; in just two more months, she would be a year old. Time truly flew; her tiny newborn was already turning into a toddler. Once her first birthday passed, the political climate would soon begin to shift and clear up. When that day came, she would finally be able to truly spread her wings and show what she was capable of.
Maodou adored Yi Yi. As long as the baby was awake, the dog never left her side, playing with her and tolerating whatever antics she put him through. If Sheng Wanyan didn’t know any better, she would have thought the dog was trying to raise her daughter as his own little bride.
“Woof, woof, woof!”
Maodou suddenly barked toward the front gate. Sheng Wanyan knew someone must be approaching.
Knock, knock, knock…
Sheng Wanyan quickly put away her translation papers, walked over, and opened the door. Auntie Xie was standing on the threshold, clearly stopping by for a chat.
“Auntie, please come in,” Sheng Wanyan greeted her warmly, leading her inside and pouring her a fresh cup of sweet sugar water.
“Oh, Yan’er, don’t go to any trouble,” Auntie Xie said with a smile. “There’s an art troupe performance at the military base tonight, and I came over to see if you wanted to go watch it with me.”
Chapter 341: Taking Yi Yi to the Show
Despite Auntie Xie’s protests, Sheng Wanyan poured the sweet water anyway and invited her to sit in the pavilion.
Auntie Xie noticed little Yi Yi playing on the blanket and leaned over to tease her for a moment.
“Wha—” Yi Yi cooed, looking up at Auntie Xie with curious eyes. Lately, the baby had started making sounds other than her usual “ah”s, carefully mimicking the chatter she heard from the adults around her. Though her babbles were far from proper words, it was a huge leap forward from before.
“Oh my!” Auntie Xie gasped, wondering if she had misheard until the baby babbled again.
“Ma…”
Sheng Wanyan sat down and handed the cup to Auntie Xie. “Drink some water, Auntie. Yi Yi can’t actually talk yet; she’s just experimenting with different sounds.”
Even so, Auntie Xie found it remarkable. For a child not yet ten months old, it was impressive. “You really know how to teach her. Intellectuals are just different; you raise your children so much better than regular folks.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled politely. “Auntie, you flatter me. Children develop at their own pace. As long as she’s healthy, that’s all I care about.”
Yi Yi was simply a bit more energetic and robust than average, and Sheng Wanyan preferred it that way. She deliberately avoided letting people label her daughter a prodigy. Once a child gets a reputation for being exceptionally smart, it becomes a burden. If they don’t maintain that impossible standard, the same people who praised them will start asking, “You were so bright as a baby, how come you aren’t as smart as so-and-so now?” or “Why are your grades slipping?”
Adults rarely realize how deeply those casual comments can scar a child and shape their self-esteem.
Auntie Xie, of course, was just making innocent conversation. To the older generation, raising children didn’t require such careful emotional treading, and mental well-being wasn’t something they gave much thought to.
After playing with Yi Yi a little longer, Auntie Xie brought up the evening’s plans. “The performance starts at seven o’clock tonight. I’ll head over early and save a block of seats for your family.”
“Alright, thank you so much, Auntie.” Sheng Wanyan appreciated the gesture; Auntie Xie was incredibly warm-hearted and always made sure their household was included in base events.
Auntie Xie waved off the thanks, swallowed the rest of the sugar water so as not to waste a single precious drop, and stood up. Setting her cup down, she stretched her weary back and walked home.
Once she was alone, Sheng Wanyan tidied her desk and secretly brought out some fresh fruit and her translation materials from her spatial dimension. The moment Yi Yi spotted the fruit, her eyes flashed with excitement. Laughing at her daughter’s eagerness, Sheng Wanyan fetched some homemade apple puree.
She fed the baby spoon by spoon. With every sweet mouthful, Yi Yi’s eyes narrowed into joyful little crescents, making her look exactly like a traditional New Year’s good-luck doll.
“How did you turn out so greedy?” Sheng Wanyan teased, gently tapping the baby’s nose. “You’re a carbon copy of your father.”
Naturally, she completely ignored the fact that her daughter’s love for food came directly from her own genes.
With her little ancestor content, Sheng Wanyan let her play with Maodou while she focused on her translation work. Yi Yi crawled happily around the pavilion, and Maodou functioned as her loyal shadow, shifting whenever she shifted.
At one point, Yi Yi reached out and grabbed Maodou’s large paw. The dog obligingly collapsed onto his side. Seizing the opportunity, Yi Yi flopped onto his soft flank, rolling onto her back with her arms and legs pointing toward the sky. She let out a tiny, dramatic sigh.
Climbing is hard work… Time for a break.
Amused by her daughter’s antics, Sheng Wanyan reached into her space and pulled out an illustrated children’s storybook. Even though Yi Yi couldn’t understand a single word, she was instantly captivated by the bright, colorful pictures and settled down quietly.
When Sheng Wanyan finally finished her work, she gathered the baby for an early bath. It was easier to wash her now so they could simply rest when they returned from the show. She pulled out a custom wooden baby bathtub—one that Gu Tingxiao had lovingly built for her based on a sketch she had drawn.
Yi Yi’s hair was fine and soft, so Sheng Wanyan slipped a protective shampoo visor over her forehead to keep the soapy water out of her eyes and ears. As she gently towel-dried the baby’s hair afterward, the static electricity caused the fine strands to stand straight up. No matter how much Sheng Wanyan tried to smooth it down, the baby’s hair remained spiked up like a pair of radar antennae scanning the room.
Completely oblivious to her ridiculous hairstyle, Yi Yi giggled and splashed happily. Finding the look too precious to pass up, Sheng Wanyan pulled out her camera from the space and snapped a few candid, funny photos for the family archive.
Unaware that her future leverage was being documented, Yi Yi’s stomach let out a tiny rumble. She turned her wide, watery eyes toward her mother, begging for her milk.
“Hold on, let Mommy clean up first, then I’ll feed you,” Sheng Wanyan cooed.
Her own clothes were damp; the little girl had recently discovered how fun water was and spent her entire bath splashing around. Initially, Yi Yi had hated baths, but once she realized how warm and soothing the water felt, she turned it into her personal water park. Still, she didn’t fuss or cry. As long as Sheng Wanyan was within sight, the baby felt perfectly secure, flashing a wide smile that prominently displayed her two tiny bottom teeth.
Sheng Wanyan quickly changed into a dry shirt and sat down to nurse her. Yi Yi latched on, gulping down her milk while keeping her eyes fixed trustingly on her mother. Sheng Wanyan rhythmically stroked the baby’s back, and within minutes, the little girl’s eyelids grew heavy. Once she fell into a deep sleep, Sheng Wanyan gently transferred her to the bed.
Since she was home alone, Sheng Wanyan bypassed cooking entirely. She pulled a pre-made dinner from her space’s extensive stock of cooked meals and ate quickly.
By the time she finished cleaning up and checked the clock, it was already 6:30 PM. She had originally decided that if Yi Yi didn’t wake up, they would skip the performance altogether. However, as if sensing the excitement in the air, the little girl opened her eyes promptly at 6:40 PM.
Resigned to her fate, Sheng Wanyan quickly changed the baby’s diaper and dressed her in a light, long-sleeved shirt. Bing City’s evening air carried a distinct chill, and infants could easily catch a cold if they weren’t bundled up properly. Packing a small blanket and a thermos of warm water, she lifted Yi Yi into her arms and walked out.
As luck would have it, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng were just coming down the path to call for her, so the family walked toward the auditorium together.
The moment Huzi saw his cousin, he bounced with excitement. He trotted over, took Yi Yi’s tiny hand in his, and began babbling to her in his toddler language. Then, reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a piece of hard candy and proudly offered it to her.
It was his single candy ration for the week. Instead of eating it himself, he was generously giving it away to his baby sister. The adults were stunned; Huzi usually guarded his sweets like they were his life, so seeing him part with it so willingly was a beautiful surprise. Grandpa and Grandma Sheng beamed with pride.
Pan Yue was equally touched to see her little boy displaying such a protective, caring instinct toward his younger cousin.
Sheng Wanyan’s heart melted. She gently pinched Huzi’s chubby cheek and said, “Huzi is such a good big brother! But Sister is still too small to eat hard candy.”
Huzi blinked, looking at Yi Yi to confirm. Yi Yi, having no concept of what candy was or how wonderful it tasted, made no move to take it. Seeing that she wasn’t interested, Huzi carefully tucked the treat back into his pocket.
To reward his sweet behavior, Sheng Wanyan reached into her bag and handed him five White Rabbit milk candies. Huzi’s eyes went wide with joy.
Pan Yue, however, knew better than to let a toddler have free rein over that much sugar. She immediately knelt down to negotiate with her son. She proposed storing the candies for him and distributing one White Rabbit milk candy every two weeks. Huzi pondered the terms gravely for a moment before nodding his agreement.
Even though Huzi was only a year and a half old, Pan Yue made a point to communicate and reason with him about decisions. She didn’t worry about whether he understood every single word; what mattered was establishing a parental foundation of mutual respect and good habits early on.
