The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 686 - 673: Slapping the Transmigrator (28) (Bonus for 650 Monthly Tickets)

Xiao Yuan named the three children individually.

The oldest child was named Xiao Yi, with Yi sounding like the word "one," to denote he was the first child. Yi also implies righteousness and grace, with a hope that he would grow up to be benevolent and righteous.

The siblings were named Xiao Ren and Xiao Tong.

Ren, which consists of the characters for "person" and "two," signifies that Xiao Ren was the second child, and carries the hope that the child would grow up kind-hearted.

As for Xiao Tong, the name was chosen with the hope that the child would have a lively spirit, representing a beautiful blessing.

Having grown up so much, the three children finally had their formal names, all overwhelmed with joy.

Seeing the three children happy, Anning had someone fetch paper and pen to write down their names, allowing them to recognize and know how to write their own names in the future.

After getting familiar with their names, Anning had the kitchen prepare warm porridge to first nourish their stomachs.

This was mainly because the children had been out in the cold and hungry for a long time; eating greasy or hard food suddenly could upset their stomachs, so porridge was the best choice.

Anning also advised the children not to drink too much at once, to start with a little and gradually increase the amount later.

The three children were reasonable; although they were starving, their eyes turning red at the sight of the porridge, they still sipped slowly, careful not to swallow too greedily.

Each had a bowl of porridge, and once they were finished, even though they were still hungry, none asked for more.

After settling the three children, Anning and Xiao Yuan discussed the matter with Ms. Ping.

Ms. Ping didn’t say much.

Mainly because the ancient practice of adopting adoptive sons and daughters differed from modern times.

In modern times, adopting children meant being responsible for their future, treating them as one’s own biological children, and even leaving them a part of family inheritance.

But it was different in ancient times.

Many households that adopted children actually treated them more like servants.

Adoptive sons and daughters were supposed to work, with many in wealthy families growing up to become stewards or shopkeepers in family businesses.

As for adoptive daughters, they were well-raised, potentially used later in strategic marriages or gifted to consolidate relationships.

Thus, Ms. Ping, knowing that Anning and Xiao Yuan had adopted three children, did not show much interest, merely nodding to acknowledge she was informed.

Ms. Ping essentially regarded the three children as house servants. Signing a contract for servants was customary, while adoptive children did not need a servitude contract.

However, Anning and Xiao Yuan didn’t see it the same way.

Having adopted the children, they felt responsible for their futures.

They had no intentions of treating them as mere servants. Although they couldn’t equate adoptive children with their own biological offspring, they still wouldn’t mistreat them; the children would have everything they needed. Anning was sure to teach them literacy and skills to earn a livelihood.

If when they grew up they wished to stay with the family, Anning would welcome them; if they wanted to venture out on their own, she would not hold them back.

Of course, Anning did not share these thoughts with Ms. Ping.

With different outlooks, even if she did speak, Ms. Ping might not understand or accept them.

Anning and Xiao Yuan went to rest in their room, but the three children in the guest room couldn’t fall asleep, too excited.

Anning had arranged two rooms for the three children, one for the two boys and another for Xiao Tong with a young girl-servant.

Yet, the three children gathered together to talk.

Perhaps because they were saved and adopted by Anning together, they felt close.

Being young and without concern for gender boundaries, they huddled together under a blanket on a large bed, chatting.

The children all wore thick cotton clothes, made from fine cotton fabric, which was exceptionally smooth and comfortable against their skin. The clothes were filled with fresh cotton, making them warm and lightweight. They had never worn such fine clothing in their lives.

Three children sat together, and Xiao Yi said, "Are we dreaming? How can such good things happen to us? We... we have parents now."

Wandering outside, the children who had always been lonely and helpless longed for a family, for parents in a way others couldn’t even imagine.

Even if they appreciated the clothes and food a lot, what made them happiest was having a home, having parents.

Even if they were just adoptive parents, they were still parents, people who would be good to them, who would raise and teach them.

"Brother, pinch me to see if I am dreaming?"

Xiao Tong timidly said to Xiao Ren.

Xiao Ren didn’t pinch his sister, but pinched himself instead.

"It didn’t hurt. It seems like a dream, but I hope it lasts."

Xiao Tong looked especially disappointed.

"Silly."

Xiao Yi said, "He pinched himself, of course you won’t feel it."

"Brother, did it hurt?"

"It really hurt."

Xiao Yi smiled, "In the future, we will all have a family, and parents to love and protect us. That’s wonderful, life is like a dream."

"From now on, we should be more filial to our parents."

Xiao Ren was still a bit anxious, "We should do more work here, and eat less during meals..."

Just then, the little girl who shared a room with Xiao Tong came looking for her, and hearing Xiao Ren’s words, she couldn’t help but laugh, "You guys are really funny, why eat less? Not to mention you guys, the Xiao Family employs so many people that even the servants are well fed and warm, let alone you two being young masters and mistresses of the home. They won’t let you go hungry."

Xiao Yi leaned over, "Sister, come, have a seat."

The girl sat down and gently explained to them, "You really are fortunate. Our Madam saw you by chance. Our Madam is exceptionally kind-hearted and felt pity for you, so she took you in. Ah, you will definitely have good days in the future."

"Mother, what kind of person is she?"

Xiao Tong, filled with admiration when mentioning Anning, said, "Mother is really beautiful, like a fairy."

"That’s for sure."

The little girl also greatly admired Anning, "Our Madam is the most beautiful of all, even in the palace I doubt there are many that could compare. Moreover, our Madam was born into the Ji Family, she’s the direct descendant of Mr. Ji. That’s why I said you two are lucky, you’ve immediately connected with the Ji Family."

"My goodness."

Being the eldest, Xiao Yi, who begged for food on the streets and sometimes listened to storytellers in teahouses, knew more, "Sister, are you talking about that Ji Family whose member once served as the Customs Director?"

The girl nodded, "Exactly."

This caused Xiao Yi’s heart to beat wildly, the impact of this information was just too overwhelming for him.

He originally just thought he had found parents and their home seemed well-off, but he never expected to suddenly fall into a nest of fortune and recognize a girl from the Ji Family as his mother.

He had once eavesdropped in the teahouse as the teacher narrated the stories of Mr. Ji fighting battles in the north under the Grand Ancestor, knowing who Mr. Ji was, and later he also inquired about the affairs of the Ji Family, knowing how wealthy their existence was.

Not to mention Mr. Ji and Young Master Ji, even the current Mr. Ji held an esteemed position close to the Emperor.

And his godmother was born into such a family.

Then, he need not fear facing the elements, wearing torn clothes, or going hungry in the future.

Xiao Ren and Xiao Tong didn’t know what the Ji Family was like, so they kept pestering Xiao Yi to tell them more.

Xiao Yi shared what he knew.

However, Xiao Ren and Xiao Tong were too young to feel much shock, but they were quite happy, because what Xiao Yi told them was that the Ji Family was impressive, and having a girl from the Ji Family as their godmother meant no one would dare to bully them.`);

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