Chapter 43

Li Han and Hutton discussed the pasture matters, then helped Dina tag the lambs. After leaving the pasture, they wandered around the farm, visiting George's farm, Dick's farm, and Decker's farm. This year was relatively easy, as three farms needed to lie fallow and did not require planting crops. The small farm had only a little corn and sugar beets, making irrigation quite easy. Lazily leading Little Red Date around the farm lake, he found a scenic spot to lie down and take a nap, while Little Red Date grazed.

Gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, feeling the gentle breeze, smelling the fragrance of grass and flowers, watching the horses graze, hearing the clear chirping of birds, and seeing the mischievous squirrels jumping out of the bushes, he lay back, biting a blade of grass, legs crossed, hands behind his head, pondering what to have for dinner. As for the drought in Montana or the United States, it wasn't as important as a good dinner.

"Decided, we'll have grilled meat for dinner." Li Han clapped his hands, startling the squirrels and birds, which scattered and flew away. A bold squirrel even threw a wild fruit at Li Han. "Little thing, next time I'll let Dudu teach you a lesson."

There were quite a few squirrels around the small farmhouse. Most of the squirrels around the small farm and George's farm had been tamed by Dudu. After muttering a few words, Li Han washed his face and the juice of the wild fruit at the lake, whistled, but Little Red Date just glanced at him and continued grazing, completely ignoring him. Li Han was speechless; he wasn't as important as Dudu. He had no choice but to walk a few steps, but fortunately, Little Red Date still recognized him as the little master's father.

Racing back, Little Red Date was now very clever and knew the way home better than Li Han. The little one had a bit of a temper, but only Dudu could command her. Back at the small farm, Li Han fetched a small bucket and caught a few fish at the small dock for grilling. The grill in the yard was ready, and there was plenty of beef and mutton. The best cuts for grilling were the leg of lamb and the rump of beef. Seasoning was Dad Li Pinghe's specialty. With over twenty spices and marinated with pineapple and tomatoes, the beef and mutton were fragrant and delicious, far better than Li Han's skills.

Dudu and Bao Bao, who hadn't seen the smell, were eagerly circling the grill, standing on tiptoe, eyes fixed on the dripping meat, drooling. "Grandma, is the meat ready?" Bao Bao tugged at Grandpa's apron, head tilted, full of anticipation, smacking her lips. "Almost," Dad said while flipping the meat.

"Oh." Bao Bao nodded in disappointment, while Dudu was still rubbing her little tummy, looking anxious. Li Han was curious about what Dudu was doing.

"Rumble." "Wow, Dad, Dudu is hungry." Dudu's tummy rumbled, and she happily ran to tell Grandpa and Dad, pointing to her tummy and making the rumbling sound. Li Han and Dad Li Pinghe were amused and laughed heartily.

"Dudu is so cute." The sister, who was bringing the skewers, laughed so hard she almost fell over, holding her stomach. "This little girl, I thought she was feeling unwell, but it turns out she was waiting for her tummy to rumble."

Li Han pinched Dudu's little nose. She was such a little glutton. Dudu pouted, as Dad's hands were greasy. "Good girl, Dad has a task for you. Help Dad pick some lettuce." "Okay, Dudu will pick the lettuce." Dudu was happy to help Dad, ran into the house to get a small basket from Grandma, and scampered up the hill. Bao Bao, seeing the meat couldn't be eaten yet, followed her sister to pick lettuce.

"Dudu is so well-behaved, unlike Bao Bao, who grumbles when given a task." The sister placed the skewers and vegetables on the grill, muttering. "Sis, Bao Bao is fine. Kids being a bit rambunctious is good. I wish Dudu would be more rambunctious. If she's not rambunctious when young, she might not be when she grows up, and that could be a problem."

"Dad, listen to this. Little Han says he wishes his kids were more rambunctious." Li Mei was amused by her brother's words. Li Pinghe, watching the siblings, said, "Little Han, I'm not surprised. He was a handful when he was young."

"Ha ha, that's true. Everyone found Little Han annoying when he was young. The last time I went to Aunt's house, she still complained about Little Han, who turned everything upside down and broke all the appliances."

"Sis, that's so long ago. Why bring it up?" Li Han blushed, feeling embarrassed. "Heh, you just said you liked Dudu being rambunctious, but now you're embarrassed."

"What are you talking about? I'm happy. I can hear the laughter from far away." Brother-in-law Zhou Bin came over with the skewers, curious. "Nothing, Brother-in-law is talking about Bao Bao and Dudu." Li Han laughed and changed the subject. Li Mei couldn't stop laughing, about to speak. "You don't know, I'll tell you."

"Sis, the meat is ready. Let's eat." Li Han quickly stuffed a skewer into Li Mei's mouth before she could speak. "Cough, you, the meat isn't ready yet, and you're already stuffing it in my mouth." Li Mei glared at her brother.

Brother-in-law Zhou Bin laughed and took the skewer from Li Mei, taking a bite. "Not bad, Little Han, how well-done is this?"

"Dad, you two are ganging up on me." Li Han showed a rare hint of embarrassment.

"Alright, Little Mei, stop. Little Han was indeed not very likable when he was young. Zhou Bin, give me the meat." Li Pinghe laughed, and Zhou Bin joined in, knowing a lot about Li Han's childhood. Li Han rolled his eyes, feeling exasperated.

On the other side, Dudu and Bao Bao were picking lettuce, their little baskets now full. "Dudu, let's pick more and hide them, okay?" "Baby, are we hiding them to feed the calves?" Dudu asked, often being quite innocent.

"Uncle is a bad person, asking Baby to pay back the money." Bao Bao pouted, muttering to herself.

"Dad isn't a bad person. Dudu won't talk to Baby anymore." Dudu turned away, giving Bao Bao a little bottom. Bao Bao giggled and quickly coaxed Dudu, who soon calmed down. Bao Bao was quite skilled at comforting others.

"Dudu, let's pick more lettuce and put it in the cart to sell to Miss Maddy and Miss Mira. Miss Mira said she would give Baby fifty cents." Bao Bao looked proud. "Wow, Baby is so amazing." Dudu looked admiringly at Bao Bao.

"Um, Miss Cynthia gave Baby a dollar too." Bao Bao pulled out a dollar from her pocket. In the afternoon, Bao Bao and Dudu went to English class, where they picked over ten small bundles of lettuce. They gave two small bundles to Mrs. August and the rest to the children and teachers at the kindergarten. Bao Bao had secretly received some rewards. Dudu blinked and pulled out two one-dollar bills from her pocket. "Dudu's."

"Dudu is lying to Sister. Baby won't play with Dudu anymore." Bao Bao was upset, having only one dollar while Dudu had two. Dudu blinked and pulled out two coins, giving one to Bao Bao, who immediately cheered up.

The two little ones were full of energy. Li Han had only asked Dudu to pick two small bundles, but they had picked at least ten and showed no signs of stopping. The people in the yard, busy with the barbecue, didn't notice until Mom brought out the skewers and asked, "Where are Dudu and Bao Bao? The little gluttons were just complaining about eating meat. How come you're eating without them?"

"Right, I forgot. Dudu and Bao Bao went to the hill to pick lettuce. They might be chasing squirrels and rabbits. I'll go check." Li Han took a few skewers and said.

From a distance, Li Han saw the two little ones on the hill, their little bottoms up, diligently picking lettuce. "What's with these two today? They're not chasing squirrels." Li Han approached and saw a pile of lettuce, at least twenty to thirty small bundles.

"Dudu, Bao Bao, that's enough. Come and eat the grilled meat." Li Han laughed, looking at the two little ones.

"Wow, Uncle is here." Bao Bao stood up, arms outstretched, forgetting about the meat.

Dudu hid behind her fingers, clearly having a secret. "Here, grilled meat, it's very fragrant." Li Han didn't ask, respecting the children's privacy, and helped them pack the lettuce.

Bao Bao and Dudu were still young. When they returned to the yard and saw the meat, they forgot about the lettuce. Li Han and Mom helped wash and bundle the lettuce. Li Han thought the two little ones planned to give it to their friends and teachers the next day.

However, the next day, Cynthia called and told Li Han that Dudu and Bao Bao had become little tycoons at the kindergarten, selling lettuce to many teachers. "These two little ones, I'm sorry, Cynthia. I'll talk to Dudu and Bao Bao."

"It's fine, Han. The lettuce actually tastes good, but everyone prefers to buy certified organic lettuce from the supermarket." Cynthia said. Li Han realized why the two little ones had money to 'borrow' from him. He thought it was from his sister or parents, but he had given them a dollar in pocket money that morning. He thought it was from his parents or sister-in-law.

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Yesterday, my computer system crashed and I couldn't open it. I installed the system early this morning and will try to update three times today to make up for the missed chapter. Finally, I ask for your support, recommendations, and clicks.