"Yue'e...is pregnant?" Lin Wanqiu murmured to herself, her voice slightly unsteady, her eyes instantly reddening. Her son, her once frail and timid little Nian'an, who dared not even speak loudly, was now not only holding up the sky for himself, but was also going to be a father?
"Yes!" Aunt Wang beamed, clapping her hands as she said, "Nian'an is going to be a father! You're going to be a grandmother! Wanqiu, this is such a joyous occasion! Our brigade was the first to open a factory overseas, and now we have such a wonderful addition to the family. It's truly a double celebration!"
Aunt Wang's words were like a key, unlocking the floodgates in Lin Wanqiu's heart. Hot tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks, splashing onto the telegram paper and blurring the words. She wasn't sad; she was excited, relieved, a joy that welled up from the very core of her being, almost overwhelming her.
She recalled how Nian'an, pale and thin from hunger, clung to her leg and timidly called out, "Mom, I'm hungry"; she remembered how she took him to hide in the space, secretly nibbling on white steamed buns, and how he carefully licked up every crumb; she remembered how he first went with her to the workshop, clumsily learning to wrap osmanthus cakes, his face covered in flour like a little kitten... Scene after scene flashed before her eyes, so clear as if it had happened just yesterday.
Now, that little boy has grown into a capable young man, with his own career, a beloved girl, and is about to welcome his child. Her grandson, her bloodline, is about to be born into this world.
"I...I'm going to be a grandma..." Lin Wanqiu covered her mouth, choking back tears, but the tears flowed even more fiercely, while a radiant smile curved her lips.
Shen Tingzhou stood to the side, watching his wife's tearful face, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He gently put his arm around her shoulder, wiping away the tears from her cheeks with his fingertips, his voice low and hoarse, yet filled with undisguised joy: "Don't cry, you should be happy. Our son has grown up."
"Mmm!" Lin Wanqiu nodded vigorously, leaning against his chest, crying like a child. All the hardships and difficulties of the past years had transformed into overwhelming joy at this moment. Her life, having climbed out of the mud and walked step by step to this day, had finally received the most perfect gift.
Shen Nianxi ran over, tugged at Lin Wanqiu's sleeve, tilted her head, and asked curiously, "Mom, why are you crying? Does your brother have any good news?"
Lin Wanqiu wiped away her tears, squatted down, and hugged her daughter tightly in her arms. Her voice was so gentle it could melt your heart: "Xixi, you're going to be an aunt. Your brother is bringing your sister-in-law back, and he'll also be bringing you a little nephew."
"A little nephew?" Shen Nianxi's eyes lit up instantly, and she clapped her hands and cheered, "Great! I have a little nephew! I'm going to braid his hair and buy him lots and lots of candy!"
Seeing her daughter's overjoyed expression, Lin Wanqiu's mood brightened even more. Aunt Wang, standing nearby, said with a smile, "Wanqiu, this is a momentous occasion! We must celebrate! I'll go tell everyone right now, so the whole village can share in the joy!"
"Thank you so much, Aunt Wang." Lin Wanqiu quickly thanked her, unable to hide the smile on her face.
Aunt Wang waved her hand, turned around and left with a cheerful smile. Before long, cheers from the villagers echoed through the courtyard. Everyone had come running over after hearing about the great joy the Shen family had received, carrying eggs they had grown themselves and pickled vegetables, their faces beaming with genuine smiles.
"Congratulations, Late Autumn!"
"Director Shen, this is double happiness for your family!"
"Nian'an is such a good man. He managed to marry such a wonderful wife abroad, and she's even pregnant!"
A cacophony of blessings echoed through the courtyard. Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou busied themselves greeting everyone, their smiles never faltering. Sunlight bathed everyone's faces, warm and comforting, and the air was thick with joy; even the winter wind seemed to soften.
After seeing the villagers off, the house finally quieted down. Lin Wanqiu picked up the telegram again and read it over and over, each word seeming sweet as honey, reaching her heart. She looked up at Shen Tingzhou, her eyes sparkling with anticipation: "Tingzhou, shall we go to Singapore in the spring? Or should we wait for Nian'an and the others to return?"
Shen Tingzhou walked to her side, reached out and pulled her into his arms, his gaze gentle yet firm: "Wait for them to come back. That way, Yue'e can take good care of herself during her pregnancy. The long journey might tire her out." He paused, looked down at her, a smile playing on his lips, "You're going to be a grandmother now, you should think carefully about what to prepare for our grandson."
"Yes!" Lin Wanqiu clapped her hands suddenly, a hint of urgency flashing in her eyes. "I need to prepare baby clothes, blankets, and those soft and sweet little cakes for the baby... Oh right, there's still some fine cotton cloth I stored in my space, which is perfect for making baby clothes. And those imported milk powders, they're so nutritious, they'll be just what we need when the baby is born."
The more she talked, the more excited she became, and the image of a delicate, beautiful little child began to appear in her mind. That child would have bright, sparkling eyes, just like Nian'an when she was little, and would call her "Grandma" in a soft, sweet voice. The child would sit on her lap, listening to her tell stories of the past.
Shen Tingzhou watched her beaming face and couldn't help but chuckle softly. He knew that from this moment on, her heart held an extra heavy burden of concern. That concern was the bond of blood ties, a longing that transcended mountains and seas, and the tenderest expectation of a mother and a grandmother.
Lin Wanqiu seemed to remember something, and suddenly grabbed Shen Tingzhou's hand, her eyes sparkling: "By the way, Tingzhou, who do you think our eldest grandson will look like? Will he look like Nian'an, or like Yue'e?"
Shen Tingzhou lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his voice full of laughter: "No matter who she looks like, she is a treasure of our Shen family."
Lin Wanqiu nestled in his arms, looking up at the window. The warm winter sun bathed the earth in golden light. She seemed to see Nian'an leading Yue'e by the hand into this courtyard in early spring. Yue'e's belly was slightly protruding, and her face wore a gentle smile. Beside her stood her husband, her daughter, and her soon-to-be-born grandson.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment, and all the beauty gathered in this small courtyard.
Lin Wanqiu's fingertips gently traced the words on the telegram, her heart filled with boundless anticipation. She knew this was just the beginning of another happy chapter. After spring arrived, Nian'an and Yue'e would return to the land that had nurtured them, carrying their new life. And she would welcome them home with boundless joy. She would personally sew the softest clothes for her grandchild, prepare the sweetest pastries, and bring out the best resources from her spatial storage, all so that the little life could grow up healthy and strong in an atmosphere overflowing with love.
The wind outside the window still carried a chill, but it couldn't dispel the cozy warmth inside. The fire crackled, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the sweet scent of osmanthus cake lingered. Lin Wanqiu leaned against Shen Tingzhou's chest, a happy smile on her lips, her eyes sparkling with boundless anticipation for the future.
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