Chapter 81 He was afraid that if he told his wife, she would misunderstand and think he was forcing her...
Tang Mingli saw Tang Mingmei again a week later.
She has left the hospital and returned to the Li family home.
In just seven days, the baby changed a lot, not only growing much bigger, but also showing obvious reactions to the outside world.
Not only do babies change a lot, but adults change a lot too.
Compared to the day she gave birth, Tang Mingmei looked even more haggard.
No wonder people say that having a child is just the beginning; raising a child is the most tiring part.
However, I've been in the hospital all week, with my aunt taking care of me and nurses helping me, so I shouldn't look this haggard, unless something else has happened that's making me feel exhausted.
Thinking about a husband like Li Dazhu and a family like the Li family, it's perfectly normal for her to feel emotionally exhausted.
Back at the Li family home, without his aunt's care, life would be incredibly difficult.
Tang Mingli felt that if she could think of this, Tang Mingmei could definitely think of it too.
At this moment, the room contained only her, Tang Mingmei, and the child.
Today is a workday, and Li Baohua is at work.
As for Li Dazhu, Tang Mingmei said that he has become particularly fond of going to work since she gave birth, and he actively applies to work overtime even when he can take turns resting.
After finishing cooking, Li's mother seemed to have completed her task and dashed out the door to chat somewhere.
As for Li's father, he only appears during mealtimes; he's nowhere to be seen at other times.
The huge house was only occupied by Tang Mingmei, who was in postpartum confinement, and her newborn baby who was only seven days old, so Tang Mingli spoke very frankly.
"Have you ever thought about going back to your parents' home for postpartum care? If you do it there, at least you and your baby will receive better care."
Before Tang Mingli said this, Tang Mingmei had never considered this possibility. After all, unless a woman marries into her husband's family, what married daughter would stay at her parents' home for postpartum confinement?
So she was initially taken aback, but then replied matter-of-factly, "Who would sit out their postpartum period at their parents' home?"
Tang Mingli understood that this was indeed the reality in the country. Even decades later, when social attitudes had become much more open, most parents with sons still did not want their daughters to have their postpartum confinement period at their parents' home.
"Can one person take care of it?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Tang Mingli realized she had asked a ridiculous question.
Tang Mingmei pursed her lips, a hint of self-deprecation in her voice, "Isn't there also the child's grandmother, and Li Dazhu will be there tonight too? We'll have to lend a hand when needed."
When needed?
Looking at the tiny baby, Tang Mingli truly felt that she needed someone to take care of her 24 hours a day.
Putting aside changing diapers, bathing, and putting her to sleep, even when she's asleep like this, someone needs to watch her. Otherwise, I'm really worried that if I'm not careful, the blanket will cover her face and smother her.
Babies are so fragile, and their vulnerable period is also very long.
Tang Mingli didn't know what to say. Saying too much might only make Tang Mingmei feel worse, or even make her misunderstand that she was deliberately saying these things to provoke her.
However, if she didn't bring this up, Tang Mingli didn't know what else to say for the time being.
She and Tang Mingmei didn't have much to talk about to begin with. The reason she was here today was because she received a call from her aunt yesterday, telling her that Tang Mingmei had been discharged from the hospital, and the aunt's words implied her concern about her daughter returning to her husband's family home.
On the other end of the phone, she couldn't help but ask her aunt, "Why did you suddenly seem so much smaller in front of the Li family after my cousin had a child?"
Li Hong on the other end of the phone didn't think so, and asked in return, "Really? No, if they dared to treat Mingmei badly, didn't I go to their house a few times to teach them a lesson?"
Tang Mingli sighed and rubbed her forehead.
Okay, if she thinks it's not right, then it isn't.
Little did I expect that my aunt's even more outrageous words were yet to come.
"However, it is true that Mingmei did not give birth to a son in her first pregnancy, which is a bit of a disservice to the Li family."
Tang Mingli couldn't hold back any longer and loudly told her, "Whether a child is a boy or a girl is determined by the man."
Li Hong, however, thought she was joking and said in a tone of someone who had been through it all, "How could it be a man? The child is clearly inside a woman's belly. But it's normal that you don't understand since you've never given birth."
Tang Mingli: "..."
Literacy education is indeed a great undertaking; we are grateful for the country's nine-year compulsory education system.
"By the way, Mingli, if you have some time these next few days, could you please take some time to visit your sister? You know, your sister gave birth to a daughter, which makes her feel inferior in front of the Li family. If our family doesn't give her some support, her in-laws will look down on her even more."
With the Fu family as her backer, Tang Mingli's status and position far surpass those of the Li family. If she were willing to support her daughter, that would be ideal.
Tang Mingli naturally understood as well.
Li Hong on the other end of the phone didn't say anything explicitly, so she kept giving evasive answers and didn't give a clear answer.
After hanging up the phone, Madam Fu, who had overheard most of what was going on, felt that she really should go to the Li family to visit Tang Mingmei.
Regardless, this must be the most difficult time in Tang Mingmei's life.
The word "most difficult" touched Tang Mingli.
In her past life, during the most difficult time, she did indeed long for someone to lend a helping hand.
She understood better than anyone the longing for a straw to grasp at when one is in despair.
It was precisely because of Madam Fu's persuasion and her own soft heart that Tang Mingli appeared at the Li family today.
Seeing Tang Mingmei's condition, it seems her breasts are a bit blocked.
It has nothing to do with whether you like or dislike Tang Mingmei, but rather with her current situation, which is the situation of almost all women. This realization is extremely distressing.
After a brief silence, Tang Mingmei was the first to break it.
“You know, when I first got pregnant, I felt really happy. But this happiness wasn’t because I was carrying Li Dazhu’s child, but because I got pregnant less than a year after getting married, while you’ve been married for so many years and still haven’t had any news.”
Tang Mingli was stunned by these sudden, heartfelt words.
Tang Mingmei's little scheme was obvious to her, of course. But seeing it was one thing, but suddenly being honest about it was another.
Even more so, Tang Mingmei's tone was not distinctive or boastful, but rather calm and composed that Tang Mingmei had never heard before.
Did you change your personality after a brush with death?
Faced with Tang Mingli's undisguised astonishment, Tang Mingmei smiled wryly, looked down at her daughter, and her eyes instantly became exceptionally gentle.
"But I don't feel that way at all now, do you know why?"
Tang Mingli blurted out, "Why?"
She had guessed whether it was because of Li Dazhu's change in attitude towards her after she became pregnant, or because Li Dazhu and his family openly disliked her since she gave birth to a daughter, but she never expected it to be for this reason.
"When I was wheeled into the delivery room and lay on that cold bed, I cried out in anguish, but could only let the doctors and nurses do as they pleased, and even placed all my hopes on them. The humiliation and despair I felt at that moment made me feel like I had no dignity left."
Tang Mingmei still trembles with fear when she recalls the day she gave birth.
Having gone through this experience, she suddenly realized that her previous assumptions of disdain and contempt were no longer valid.
Indifference and criticism are nothing to worry about.
Everything else pales in comparison to my experience in the delivery room.
Every minute and every second in the delivery room was beyond her control and choice.
She felt like God was a puppet, passively accepting everything God arranged for her.
At that time, she even felt that it wouldn't be bad if God could give her a quick end.
After leaving the delivery room, she no longer felt that giving birth was something to be proud of.
On the contrary, she would rather not go through it again if she could.
But she gave birth to a daughter, and her husband's family had always hoped that she could give birth to a son to carry on the Li family line, so how could she not have a son?
The thought of going through it again, or even several more times, filled her with a sense of utter despair, making her feel like she had no will to live.
Hearing Tang Mingmei say such things, Tang Mingli was filled with mixed emotions.
It is said that some people must go through certain experiences to change and grow. Does Tang Mingmei qualify?
Tang Mingli also spoke a few words of heartfelt advice to Tang Mingmei, which was quite rare for her.
“You might think I’m deliberately trying to provoke you, but honestly, I didn’t mean it that way. I think you having a daughter is perhaps a sign of God’s love for you.”
If a son is born, he will most likely be an only child.
Given the nature of the Li family and the uncle and aunt, who knows how much they might spoil their only grandson, potentially raising a little devil.
If you end up harming your parents and others, you'll have no tears left to shed.
Of course, Tang Mingmei couldn't possibly understand that implication. She simply thought in a normal way and said, "Because daughters are like warm cotton-padded jackets, right?"
But when she thought about herself, she realized she hadn't been very considerate of her parents.
Tang Mingli smiled and did not deny the statement.
Daughters are indeed their parents' little angels, provided they are not rebellious.
Of course, the parents also have to be decent people.
Can Tang Mingmei be a good mother?
Thinking of her past, Tang Mingli lacked confidence, and her gaze towards the baby was filled with pity.
Poor child.
I often heard a saying online in my past life: people born in the 1980s have the hardest life.
They missed out on the economic benefits of their parents' generation, only experiencing the fierce job competition brought about by the expansion of education, and facing soaring housing prices at the age of marriage. If their parents cannot provide resources and assistance, they may spend most of their lives struggling under heavy burdens.
Even if it's mostly in vain, she still wants to say to Tang Mingmei, "You are a mother now, so you need to set a good example and think from your child's perspective on many things."
Tang Mingmei hummed in agreement.
Although she doesn't yet understand what it means to be a role model or to stand from a child's perspective.
However, although everyone was disappointed that she gave birth to a daughter, and she was also disappointed when she first found out, after spending a few days with her daughter, she liked her more and more every day.
Perhaps Tang Mingli is right; having a daughter isn't necessarily a bad thing. At least it allowed her to see the true colors of her in-laws.
Tang Mingli wondered if she was seeing things.
Just now, she actually saw her mother's radiance in Tang Mingmei?
Perhaps it's not an illusion.
Isn't it said that maternal love is innate?
Tang Mingmei may be eccentric in other ways, but she might actually be a good mother.
-
Tang Mingli stayed at the Li family's house for half a day.
For so long, she hadn't seen Li's mother and father, who didn't have to go to work, come back.
Fortunately, the child was really well-behaved, sleeping most of the time and only crying a few times when hungry or wet. Tang Mingmei was also able to detect the child's needs immediately and take care of them without showing any complaints on her face.
Tang Mingli was deeply moved by what she saw.
She may not be a good daughter, a good sister, a good wife, or a good daughter-in-law, but she can most likely be a good mother.
When I left the Li family's house, many families had already started preparing dinner.
She suddenly realized that Fu Ci hadn't eaten dinner at home in a long time, and she missed him a little.
I wonder if they'll call back today.
Longing made Tang Mingli quicken her pace, but she didn't expect to run into Li Baohua at the alley entrance.
She should still be at work at this time.
Li Baohua also noticed her, a look of panic flashed across his face, and his eyes immediately turned in one direction.
It's funny, this reaction made Tang Mingli think it was like being caught having a puppy love.
However, she is not young anymore, and in this day and age she can be considered an older unmarried youth. Even if she is on a date, she doesn't need to be so flustered.
Moreover, he had no intention of greeting her.
In a panic, Li Baohua watched as Tang Mingli suddenly appeared and floated past him.
that's all?
She breathed a sigh of relief, but was also a little angry.
The two are relatives, how could they do this?
However, she didn't greet me first. Does that mean we're even?
As she was thinking this, the person she had been waiting for appeared.
Upon seeing the other person, Li Baohua immediately greeted him sweetly, "Brother Qingyuan."
The visitor was none other than Deng Qingyuan, the neighbor I grew up with.
As Deng Qingyuan approached, he asked anxiously and with concern, "Have you been waiting long?"
Li Baohua shook his head. "I only took an hour off. How early can I arrive?"
The other person then smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Let's go."
"Um."
The two walked side by side toward the bus stop; they were going to watch an open-air movie in the park that night.
However, after taking only two steps, Li Baohua remembered Tang Mingli, who had just left, and quickly grabbed her.
"Brother Qingyuan, let's wait a bit."
"What's wrong?"
"My sister-in-law's cousin just left, and she probably hasn't boarded the bus yet. Let's wait a bit before we go over."
Upon hearing this, a hurt flashed in Deng Qingyuan's eyes, and he almost wanted to ask if they didn't want others to know about their relationship.
But it was only for a moment.
They've been together for a while now, and she's always been trying to hide it, not wanting others to know about their relationship.
Deng Yuanqing knew very well that his family had a bad class background in the past, and he himself had even spent several years in labor reform on a farm. Although he had been exonerated and returned to his teaching job, he was still held back by his age and was still looked down upon by many people.
Li Baohua also noticed Deng Qingyuan's sudden low spirits and explained in a low voice, "Brother Qingyuan, I didn't mean anything by it. You may not know, but my sister-in-law's cousin is my classmate, and we don't get along very well."
Deng Qingyuan smiled and said, "I understand."
What does it really matter whether we get along or not? In the end, I just feel that he's not presentable.
Thinking about it, it makes sense; he was seven years older than Li Baohua.
Li Baohua silently estimated the time in his mind, figuring that Tang Mingli should have gotten on the bus and left, before walking to the bus stop with Deng Qingyuan.
Little did she know, the beauty of a bus is that you never know when it will arrive.
Li Baohua thought Tang Mingli had gotten into the car and left, but in fact, she had just gotten into the car when she saw her walking side by side with a man.
Tang Mingli wasn't a gossip, but having lived two lives, she could spot the undeniable intimacy between a man and a woman at a glance.
It turns out that Li Baohua was dating someone.
However, this person looks a bit old.
Tang Mingli merely sighed and didn't take it to heart. Especially after starting the car, she kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, worried that she would get stuck in rush hour traffic.
Today, she seems a little eager to go home.
Fortunately, the journey went smoothly and there was no traffic jam as she had worried.
As soon as she got home and opened the door, she couldn't wait to say, "I'm home!"
Normally, Madam Fu would definitely respond to her, but this time she didn't reply immediately. Instead, she held the phone receiver and said with a smile into the microphone, "The person you missed the most has returned."
With just that one sentence, Tang Mingli knew who was on the other end of the phone and ran over happily.
Madam Fu was quite tactful and handed the microphone directly to her granddaughter-in-law.
Tang Mingli took the phone, said "hello," and a familiar voice with a smile and gentleness immediately came from the other end.
"Bright and beautiful".
She hadn't heard from Sheng Li for many days, and she almost felt envious.
It must be because the weather is getting hotter.
Tang Mingli took a deep breath to calm herself and asked, "Are you still in Shenzhen?"
Fu Ci hadn't called home for several days, and she wasn't sure if he was still on a business trip in Shenzhen or had already gone to another city.
It's highly likely it's still in Shenzhen.
I thought I would get a positive answer, but Fu Ci said instead, "No."
Tang Mingli responded with an "oh," seemingly unsurprised by the answer.
He's always on the go, and he's been to Shenzhen quite a few times this year.
Fu Ci was not satisfied with his wife's indifferent response and laughed, "Aren't you curious about where I am?"
"Where?" Tang Mingli wasn't entirely uninterested.
"Hongkong."
"Hongkong?!"
Tang Mingli was shocked.
Can I get a visa to go to Hong Kong at this time?
She wasn't sure; her knowledge in this area was very limited. All she knew was that in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, many people would smuggle themselves across the border using various methods.
So she joked, "You didn't abandon me and smuggle yourself out, did you?"
Fu Ci laughed, then said to her in a half-serious tone, "You're being naughty, you don't know when to stop joking."
Tang Mingli obediently said "oh," knowing that this joke was indeed inappropriate, after all, the Fu family was that kind of family.
She asked curiously, "So, are you making an international call now?"
Fu Ci nodded.
Tang Mingli immediately thought, "The phone bill must be very expensive."
Fu Ci hummed in agreement again, this time with a broad smile.
Although it was expensive, he made the call with great excitement.
I came to Hong Kong on business, but I made an unexpected discovery.
He was eager to tell his wife, but he never expected that she would coincidentally go to the Li family's house. He also learned from his grandmother that Tang Mingmei had given birth.
Fu Ci asked about his wife's cousin's situation.
Tang Mingli said the same thing, and she sighed with emotion when talking about Tang Mingmei's transformation.
"I really can't imagine what I went through in those few hours in the delivery room." As she spoke, Tang Mingli glanced at her grandmother and watched her go into the kitchen before half-covering the microphone and whispering, "I was also deeply moved when I heard this. If there were other ways to bring life into the world, women wouldn't have to suffer like this."
Those last few words were spoken casually by Tang Mingli, but Fu Ci took them to heart, especially when she used the word 'suffering'.
He thought that although his wife didn't particularly want to have children soon, the way she cried so bitterly when she found out about her health problem during the medical checkup meant that she probably wanted to have children.
But hearing her say that today, Fu Ci couldn't help but have doubts.
He wanted to ask clearly, but felt that these things couldn't be explained over the phone.
The good news he had intended to tell his wife became somewhat hesitant because of this doubt, and he didn't know whether he should tell her or not.
He was afraid that if he told his wife, she would misunderstand and think that he desperately wanted her to have a child soon.
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