The sweet potato porridge simmered slowly in the iron pot. Fu Yucheng stirred it gently with a spoon, and fine bubbles rose to the surface of the porridge. The sweet aroma mixed with the soft and glutinous scent of sweet potatoes slowly spread throughout the courtyard.

"The porridge is almost ready," he called to the eaves. "Yinyin, Second Sister-in-law, stop sewing and come over to rest. Have a bowl of porridge to warm yourselves up."

Jiang Jianhua put down his needle and thread and helped Yun Tangyin to her feet: "I was a little tired from sewing, and my wrists are sore."

The two walked to the kitchen, and Fu Yucheng ladled out two bowls of porridge and handed them to her. Yun Tangyin blew on them, took a sip, and felt the warm porridge slide into her stomach. She squinted her eyes comfortably and said, "It's so delicious, even sweeter than yesterday's. Did you add some brown sugar?"

Fu Yucheng smiled and nodded: "I know you like sweets, so I added some. But don't drink too much, or your blood sugar will go up."

He then handed Jiang Jianhua a spoonful of pickled vegetables, saying, "Eat them with the porridge to cut through the greasiness."

Jiang Jianhua picked up a piece of pickled vegetable, which was crisp and delicious, and said with a smile, "This pickled vegetable was made last year. It tastes even better than the ones you buy in the city. We'll pickle some more in a few days and save them to go with porridge in the winter."

After tidying up the yard, Aunt Zhang came over and took the bowl of porridge that Fu Yucheng handed her: "Let me try some too, it smells delicious."

She took a sip and couldn't help but sigh, "Homemade porridge is still the best. It's soft, sticky, and sweet, and even my old teeth can eat it without any trouble."

She called out to Fu Yuanshan, "Yuanshan, come and drink your porridge, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

Fu Yuanshan was oiling the wheels of the cradle when he heard this. He put down the oil can and came over: "I'm here. The wheels are oiled now, so they'll be smoother to push, and the baby will feel more secure lying in them."

He took the bowl of porridge and took a big gulp.

When the children got tired of playing, they gathered around and asked for porridge.

Fu Yucheng served each child a bowl. Xiao Lan held her bowl and sipped the porridge slowly, popping a dried strawberry into her mouth as she said, "Brother Fu, this porridge is so delicious. Can you make it again tomorrow?"

Fu Yucheng nodded with a smile: "Of course you can. You can cook it every day if you like."

After finishing his porridge, Fu Yuanshan picked up the oil bottle and squatted back down beside the cradle. He dipped a cotton cloth in the oil and carefully wiped the wheel axle seams: "These wheels need to be oiled several times, otherwise they will easily get stuck when it gets cold, and the child will be jostled around inside."

Fu Yucheng came over to help steady the cradle and said with a smile, "Second brother is so thoughtful. When Nian'an is born, she will definitely be very comfortable lying in this cradle."

Yun Tangyin leaned back in the rocking chair under the eaves, her hand gently resting on her round belly, when suddenly she cried out, "Ouch!" Fu Yucheng quickly turned around and ran over: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Yun Tangyin smiled and shook her head, pulling his hand to her stomach: "Feel it, he's kicking me again, much harder than before. Maybe he's eager to come out."

Fu Yucheng felt a clear fetal movement in his palm. His eyes softened, and he leaned down to touch his belly, whispering, "Don't rush. Let's wait until the locust flowers in the yard bloom before we come out to meet everyone, okay?"

Jiang Jianhua came over and patted Yun Tangyin's belly with a smile: "This child is really strong, he will definitely grow up to be a sturdy young man."

Aunt Zhang came out carrying a bowl of freshly steamed pumpkin cake, cut it into small pieces and put it on a plate: "Try it quickly, it's fresh out of the steamer, it's soft, Yinyin, eat more to fill your stomach."

Looking at Yun Tangyin's belly, she said, "You need to be careful these next few days. I see your belly has dropped a bit, so you might be going to give birth in the next few days. I've sterilized the scissors and cloths for childbirth and put them on the cabinet in the inner room."

Yun Tangyin picked up a piece of pumpkin cake, took a bite, and savored the sweet and glutinous texture with the refreshing aroma of pumpkin: "Thank you, Aunt Zhang, you're so thoughtful."

Jiang Jianhua also picked up a piece: "This pumpkin cake is even better than the ones in the city's pastry shops. Aunt Zhang, please teach me how to make it so I can make it for Nian'an in the future."

Aunt Zhang smiled and agreed: "It's not difficult. Just steam the pumpkin until it's cooked, knead it together with flour, add some sugar, and steam it for half an hour. I'll teach you in a few days."

In the afternoon, the sky became overcast, and the wind carried a chill.

Fu Yucheng gathered the dried strawberries drying in the yard into a bamboo basket, and moved Yun Tangyin's rocking chair under the eaves to avoid the wind: "Don't sit in the wind, be careful not to catch a cold."

Yun Tangyin nodded, then suddenly felt a soreness in her lower back. Jiang Jianhua quickly helped her up, saying, "Are you tired? Let me help you back to your room to lie down and rest for a while."

Just as she reached the doorway, Yun Tangyin suddenly stopped, her face turning slightly pale: "Second sister-in-law, I...I think my water broke."

Jiang Jianhua's heart tightened, and he quickly called out, "Acheng! Yuanshan! Yinyin seems to be going into labor!"

Fu Yucheng and Fu Yuanshan rushed over upon hearing the noise. Fu Yucheng picked up Yun Tangyin and carried her into the house, his voice trembling, "Don't worry, I'll go get a doctor right away!"

Fu Yuanshan also got busy, bringing all the birth supplies that Aunt Zhang had prepared into the house, and boiling water into a copper basin.

Aunt Zhang held Yun Tangyin's hand and gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid, this is how all women are when they give birth. I'm here for you. Take a deep breath with me and don't use brute force."

Yun Tangyin gritted her teeth, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, her hands gripping the bed sheet tightly.

Jiang Jianhua stood to the side, wiping Yun Tangyin's sweat and bringing her warm water to drink in small sips: "Yinyin, hang in there, Nian'an will be out soon. Didn't you want to hold him and look at the locust flowers?"

Yun Tangyin nodded, her eyes showing a newfound determination.

Fu Yucheng's footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard. He led Doctor Wang in hurriedly: "Doctor Wang, please take a look!"

Dr. Wang put down his medicine box, carefully examined the patient, and said to everyone, "The cervix is ​​almost dilated. Don't be nervous, just follow my instructions and push."

Fu Yucheng stayed by the bedside, holding Yun Tangyin's hand tightly: "I'm here, Yinyin, hang in there!"

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