"Huh? That can't be right."

The village chief's wife, recalling the various blunders her husband had caused during his pregnancy, nodded emphatically and said, "More than twenty years have passed, have you forgotten what you did?"

One sentence took Xiao's mother back to more than 20 years ago. She and Xiao's father were both novices. Her mother-in-law didn't have time to take care of them after finishing her work. The two of them worked while waiting for childbirth. When they had abdominal pain, they would go to the hospital. When the baby moved, they would go to the hospital again. They did this so often that the doctors found them annoying.

In the end, it was her sister-in-law who went to the commune to take care of them, and the two of them finally found their pillar of support and successfully gave birth to the child.

"So many years have passed, and I am not the same person I used to be."

Xiao's mother was not convinced.

"Yes, yes, but have you ever taken care of a pregnant woman over the years? Don't panic, An'an, you're startling her."

"Alright, alright. Not to mention that I've had two children myself, I also took care of Da Shan and Da Hai's wives when they gave birth. I'm more reliable than you. Besides, I get along well with An An, and I would never let her suffer any injustice."

"Besides, you'll be retiring in a few years. It would be such a waste to give up your job now, as your benefits will be much less in the future."

Xiao's mother looked at Xiao's father, and in the end, Xiao's father nodded. "Then, sister-in-law, I'll trouble you. I'll give you two hundred yuan later. Don't refuse. It's better to be frugal on the road than to be poor. That way, we can feel more at ease."

Just as the village chief's wife was about to refuse, Xiao's mother interrupted, "Sister-in-law, if you're not going to take it, then I'll go myself."

Both husband and wife have stable jobs, and their son is successful, so they don't have to worry about him at all. In addition, their parents-in-law often give them money and gifts, so they don't have to worry about their finances.

Now that their sister-in-law is willing to help them, they are not stingy with their help.

The village chief finished his last puff of cigarette, reluctantly stubbed it out, and said, "Alright, let's settle it like this."

And so, the village chief's wife packed her bags and boarded the train to the army.

"Cuicui, I heard your mother-in-law went to take care of An'an?"

Zhang Cuicui nodded as she worked, "Yes, my sister-in-law has no experience, so my mother-in-law went instead."

Everyone agreed with this answer; after all, they were from the same village, and everyone knew each other well.

"That's true. Besides being good at studying and working, your aunt is just average in other aspects."

"What nonsense are you talking about! They know how to find a man, how to raise their son, and they have better taste in choosing a daughter-in-law than we do."

Another woman said with a laugh.

"That's right, I never expected it. With Qiuju gone, Cuicui, you'll be so busy."

Zhang Cuicui said nonchalantly, "As long as An'an is alright, what does it matter if I'm a little busy?"

She was telling the truth. Now the village has industries, and every household can earn money with their own hands. All of this was brought about by An'an. What's a little help in taking care of her?

She didn't know what others thought, but she had no other thoughts at all.

Family compound.

"What? My aunt is coming to take care of me?"

Xiao Yuheng nodded, his face relaxed like never before. "Don't worry, your aunt is much more experienced than my mother, and you know her well, she doesn't like to meddle in other people's business. Just tell her what you need, and you don't need to worry about anything else."

Gu An'an smiled and her eyes crinkled. Of course she was willing. She had gotten along well with the village chief's wife before, and had spent more time with her than with Xiao's mother. "I know, you don't need to worry. Take me with you to pick up your aunt tomorrow."

Xiao Yuheng was about to tell her to stay at home when Gu An'an started to whine, "Let me go! I'm so bored staying at home every day. I want to go out for a walk."

A woman who knows how to be charming has the best life. Xiao Yuheng was completely disarmed by her sweet and soft words and immediately surrendered. "I can take you, but you have to listen to me. Be careful and put your safety and the child first."

Although the first trimester has passed, the baby has not yet been born, so the danger still exists.

"no problem."

The village chief's wife's train didn't arrive until the afternoon. Xiao Yuheng worked half a day, then went home to cook and eat for Gu An'an before driving to pick her up.

"Aunt, over here."

The village chief's wife got off the car with bags and packages. Xiao Yuheng offered to help her carry them, but she refused, saying, "You stay there and watch An'an. These are all dry goods; they're not heavy."

As she spoke, she quickened her pace and moved closer to the two of them.

When they got closer and saw Gu An'an's rosy little face, they finally felt relieved. "She looks good. It seems that Da Bao has been very well-behaved lately and hasn't been making a fuss with her mother."

"Yeah, she suddenly became well-behaved. Before, An'an would throw up everything she ate and lost several pounds. But in the past two weeks, she's been eating well and her weight has come back quickly."

"Yes, pregnancy is the hardest time for women, but An'an is lucky, everything will go smoothly from here on out."

Who doesn't like to hear nice words, especially Gu An'an, a pregnant woman who is emotionally sensitive? Hearing these words, she almost burst into tears. "Auntie, the car is outside, let's go back."

"Okay, sure."

Xiao Yuheng glanced at the two women who were leaving arm in arm, then at the several packages at his feet, and suddenly felt that he was the pitiful one, using and throwing things away as he pleased.

The two walked to the car, but the door was closed when they tried to get in. Gu An'an then realized she had forgotten someone and turned around to see Xiao Yuheng carrying a package and walking towards them.

"Aheng, hurry up!"

Seeing that his wife had finally remembered him, Xiao Yuheng happily quickened his pace and walked outside. As soon as he got closer, he heard his wife complaining to the village chief's wife, "Auntie, look at him. He dawdles even when he's walking. If I could drive, I definitely wouldn't wait for him."

Xiao Yuheng: ... What is he supposed to do with his wife's sharp tongue?

Seeing her nephew's frustrated expression, the village chief's wife struggled to suppress her laughter, but still chimed in to Gu An'an, "Then An'an, you learn to drive, and next time we won't wait for him."

Gu An'an knows how to drive, but there aren't many cars these days, so she hadn't really thought about it before. But after the village chief's wife said that, she felt that once she gave birth to these two babies, it would be really necessary to let everyone know that she can drive.

In a few years, when the country opens up to the outside world, she can find an opportunity to buy a car and go wherever she wants.

"Aheng, can I learn it?"

Xiao Yuheng dared not say no, for he was afraid Gu An'an would cry in front of him if he really said no.

"Sure, just tell me if you want to learn, and I'll teach you."

The arrival of the village chief's wife aroused the curiosity of everyone in the residential compound, and they all greeted her.

"An'an, is this your biological mother?"

Since Xiao Ma had lived in the family compound for so long, everyone knew her and could only guess that she was Gu An'an's mother.

But these two look so different. Does An'an look like her father?

"Oh my, I wish I could have a daughter like An'an. I'm Aheng's aunt, and I'm here to take care of An'an. Let's visit each other more often in the future."