Chapter 56: Teaching Big Brother

**In the following part of the journey, no one spoke, only the sound of their family's footsteps echoed.

Finally, they arrived at their doorstep. As expected, there were around ten bags piled up at the entrance, and two workers in uniforms were standing there.

Upon seeing their return, Tang Lao Tai Tai (Grandmother Tang) became excited and remarked, "This New Year's gift is even more generous than yesterday."

Seeing Tang Ai Lian and the others return, the two workers immediately stood up and saluted, saying, "Thanks to Comrade Tang Ailian for using all the elixirs to assist the workers in our factory. We, on behalf of XXX Factory, have brought you New Year's goods and wish you a happy and prosperous New Year with joy and happiness!"

After their words, they pointed at the piled-up items for Tang Ai Lian and the others to see. "These are five hundred kilograms of rice and three hundred kilograms of flour from our factory. This half a pig is raised by our factory, and the chickens and ducks, ten of each, are also raised by the factory."

Tang Ai Lian knew that even the factory's food was rationed, and this newly developed secret factory, which seemed to have fewer than a thousand people, had sent them so much food that they would probably have to tighten their belts themselves.

Tang Lao Tai Tai didn't care about the factory workers' hardships; she was just excited and started calculating. The rice and flour would be kept for themselves to eat, but she didn't intend to keep all the meat and live chickens and ducks. Instead, she planned to sell them since meat was precious now.

Tang Lao Ye Ye (Grandfather Tang) stiffly reached out his left hand and shook hands with the two workers to express his gratitude. He said, "You've worked hard. Please convey my thanks to your factory manager."

The two workers saluted again, saying, "It's our duty, it's our duty."

Then, the two workers handed a large package to Tang Ai Lian. "These are New Year's gifts for you from our big brothers."

Tang Ai Lian accepted the package with delight. Inside were toy tanks made from bullet casings, wooden granaries carved by workers, bamboo swords, bamboo flutes, mouth organs, and even a self-made erhu.

Tang Ai Lian was sure that these items must be the most precious possessions of the workers themselves. She expressed her gratitude repeatedly, saying, "Thank you all, my big brothers."

When the workers saw that Tang Ai Lian liked the gifts, they smiled satisfactorily. They saluted once more and then left.

However, they were called back by someone. "Don't leave yet!"

The two workers turned back and saw that it was Tang Lao Tai Tai who had stopped them. They saluted her again and asked, "Do you have any other business, Madam?"

Originally, Tang Long Tai Tai wanted to ask why they had New Year's goods but no money. However, she was given a stern look by Tang Lao Ye Ye, so she quickly smiled and said, "It's already noon. Would you two brothers stay and have a meal?"

"No need." The two workers declined the invitation and left directly.

Aiwens eyes were fixed on the package in Tang Ai Lian's hands, and he stared at it intently. When the workers left, he immediately reached out to grab it. "I want this, and this, and this, and this."

He took away the bullet shell tank, the wooden granary, the bamboo sword, and more.

Tang Ai Lian quickly snatched them back. "These were given to me by our big brothers."

"But these are obviously toys for boys." Aiwens protested, his eyes filled with reluctance.

"Who said that only boys can play with them? These were given to me, not to you." Tang Ai Lian stood her ground.

Tang Lao Ye Ye was originally going to ask for an explanation, but he didn't say anything.

If it were in her previous life, faced with her grandfather's gaze, Tang Ai Lian would have given in and willingly given these things to Aiwens. But this time, she met her grandfather's stern eyes and firmly refused to compromise.

"These things were given to me by others, and you are my big brother. You should take care of your little sister. How can you take things from your sister? Do you want to take things from others when you grow up? I'm your sister, and if you want something of mine, you can discuss it with me. If I'm willing, I'll give it to you. If I'm not, you can't take it."

Tang Lao Ye Ye was stunned for a moment, looking at Tang Ai Lian. It seemed that he didn't expect this not-yet-three-year-old little girl to say such words.

Although Tang Ai Lian had always acted like a little adult, these words were still shocking to her mother. Was this really something her daughter would say?

Aiwens seemed bewildered for a moment, but then he slowly lowered his head and apologized to Tang Ai Lian. "I'm sorry, sister. You're right; I shouldn't take your things."

Tang Ai Lian smiled and handed the three items back to him. "Since you like them, you can have all three. They're all things that boys like, and since you're my only big brother, who else should I give them to? Of course, when you have a little brother in the future, you can play with him."

In her previous life, Tang Aiwens didn't like his little brother at all.

Tang Aiwens became happy again. "When I have a little brother, I'll play with him." He took the three items that his sister gave him and ran off.

No doubt, he was going to show off to Little Tiger and the others.

Tang Ai Lian gave the mouth organ to her sister and kept the bamboo flute for herself. As for the erhu, she remembered that in her previous life, her father seemed to like playing the erhu. He had bought one and often played it on the doorstep after dinner.

So she decided to give the erhu to him, but not now.

(End of this chapter)