Many different possibilities occurred to Qi Qingyao, but she shook her head and all the ideas out of her brain. Whatever happened, that did not matter for now. She just knew that these branches were now her firewood!

She poured all the firewood into the bed-stove's hearth and made sure that the fire was crackling away before she closed the little door attached to it. After that, she went to the front door and had barely opened it when she saw the three babies looking at her tearfully.

"What happened?" Qi Qingyao said, walking to the bed.

"Mommy~~~" Dabao looked up at Qi Qingyao as she stood by the bed-stove, his eyes sparkling.

"Mommy~~ You're the best mommy in the world!" Erniu's face looked soft and squishy now that she was warm.

"Mommy, I love you!" Xiaobao wormed out of the blankets and hugged Qi Qingyao's leg, rubbing his cheek against her like an adorable little animal.

Qi Qingyao exasperatedly stuffed Xiaobao back under the covers and rubbed his head. "I just heated up the bed. Why are you all so excited?"

She tucked the three children in and ran her head down the blanket to gauge its warmth. "The bed is all warm now, so stay here. I'll go get some water so we can boil it, then we can slaughter the chickens, pluck them, and make chicken soup! How does that sound?"

The three children all raised their chubby, soft little faces and said in unison, "Whatever you say, Mommy!"

Qi Qingyao was certain that these three children were not naughty or spoiled, so they would definitely stay put. She heaved a sigh of relief and turned around to leave. As she stood in the cold at the door, though, Qi Qingyao lamented her fate. She had to serve these children as soon as she transmigrated here!

The three children lay on the hot bed-stove, savoring its warmth. It was the first time they had a warm bed to lie on, they thought, since they moved here to this hut.

"Mommy's changed so much!" Dabao could not help but sigh.

Erniu and Xiaobao tilted their heads, their red faces full of excitement.

*

Madam Guo was Qi Yuancheng's wife and Qi Qingyao's oldest sister-in-law. She had just carried the food to their dining room when she saw Madam Li sneaking inside, acting all mysterious. Madam Li went to her and whispered something in her ear, almost making Madam Guo drop the plate she was holding. Madam Guo forced herself to calm down and turned to look at Madam Li.

Her eyes were as large as saucers.

Madam Li patted her shoulder and said with certainty, "It's true, your youngest sister-in-law is back."

"What are you talking about? She died outside ages ago." Madam Guo glared at her.

Madam Li pressed her lips together and shrugged, "Don't blame us for telling you. I saw her with my own eyes, she walked back to their East Villageside place with her kids."

"What nonsense! I don't believe you. It's misty out today, you must have been mistaken!" Madam Guo said.

Madam Li hastened her. "Go see for yourself if you don't believe me."

Madam Guo looked at Madam Li in semi-disbelief. While she called her husband, children, and in-laws to come out and eat, she headed outside herself.

She had decided to see for herself.

Madam Guo walked to East Villageside. When she saw the smoke coming out of the hut's chimney, she frowned deeply.

"Is she really back?"

No way!

Her father-in-law and her husband had personally sent these dead weights away. It was the middle of winter right now! How could they be back?

This had to be a joke.

If they had really come back, that would truly be something else.

Madam Guo walked to the door, bewildered, and pushed it open. She immediately saw the three children sleeping on the bed-stove, all lined up. Their little heads stuck out from the blanket, and they seemed sound asleep.