At night, Yun Tangyin lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Fu Yucheng noticed her unease and gently put his arm around her waist: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Yun Tangyin snuggled closer to him, her voice trembling slightly: "I'm not feeling unwell, I'm just suddenly a little scared. Do you think childbirth is very painful? What if something happens to me during the baby's birth?"
Fu Yucheng tightened his arms around her and placed a light kiss on her forehead: "Don't overthink it. Doctor Wang in town is very experienced, and she will come to help. I will also stay by your side. Our child is so well-behaved, it will definitely be born smoothly."
He reached out and touched her belly. "Look, he's still moving. He's definitely telling you not to be afraid."
Yun Tangyin felt the baby moving inside her belly, and her anxiety gradually dissipated.
She held Fu Yucheng's hand and whispered, "What should we name the baby after he/she is born?"
Fu Yucheng thought for a moment and said, "If it's a boy, we'll name him Fu Nian'an, hoping he'll have a peaceful and smooth life. If it's a girl, we'll name her Fu Niantang, so she'll remember our family and everyone's good wishes."
Yun Tangyin smiled and nodded: "This is a good name. It can be used for both boys and girls."
The two snuggled together, listening to the chirping of insects outside the window, and slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Fu Yucheng was awakened by a knock on the door.
He put on his clothes and opened the door, only to see Zhou Desheng standing at the door carrying a bundle of fresh bamboo: "Brother Fu, my mother said you built a grape trellis. This bamboo was cut from the back mountain. It's sturdy. I brought you some. If it's not enough, I'll go cut more."
Fu Yucheng quickly took the bamboo: "Thank you so much, this bamboo will be perfect for reinforcing the grape trellis."
Zhou Desheng smiled and waved his hand: "Don't mention it. We're all neighbors, it's only right to help each other out. By the way, my wife steamed some buns and asked me to bring you a few. They're fresh out of the steamer and still warm."
He pulled a cloth bag from his pocket, which contained several plump, steaming white steamed buns.
Fu Yucheng took the steamed bun, his heart filled with warmth: "You guys are so thoughtful. Come in and sit down for a while, have a cup of hot tea."
Zhou Desheng shook his head: "No, I have to go check on the fields. You guys eat your steamed buns while they're hot." With that, he shouldered his hoe and hurried away.
Fu Yucheng walked into the house with a steamed bun, just as Yun Tangyin woke up. "Who is it?" Yun Tangyin asked, rubbing her eyes.
Fu Yucheng handed her the steamed bun: "It's Desheng who sent us bamboo and steamed buns. They're freshly steamed, so try them."
Yun Tangyin picked up a steamed bun, took a bite, and found it soft, sweet, and full of wheat flavor: "It's so delicious, even softer than the ones I steam."
Jiang Jianhua and Fu Yuanshan also woke up. Fu Yucheng handed each of them a steamed bun: "Desheng sent these, have some."
Jiang Jianhua took the steamed bun, took a bite, and said with a smile, "Desheng's wife's cooking is really good. This steamed bun is even better than the ones you can buy in the city."
Fu Yuanshan nodded: "Yes, we'll put the bamboo on the grape trellis later to reinforce it, so it will be more sturdy."
After breakfast, Fu Yucheng and Fu Yuanshan began to reinforce the grape trellis.
Jiang Jianhua and Yun Tangyin sat under the eaves, collecting the dried mushrooms and shepherd's purse they had dried earlier and putting them into a bamboo basket woven by Fu Yuanshan.
“These shiitake mushrooms are really dried,” Jiang Jianhua said, picking up a mushroom. “Adding a few to stewed meat in winter will definitely make it more fragrant.”
Yun Tangyin smiled and said, "Yes, we'll send some to Aunt Zhang and Desheng's family later so they can try some too."
Aunt Zhang came in carrying a bamboo basket filled with fresh strawberries, bright red and glistening with an enticing sheen.
"I picked some strawberries on the back hill. They're just ripe. I brought some over for you to try." Aunt Zhang handed the bamboo basket to Yun Tangyin. "Yinyin, you're pregnant, so eat more fruit to get your vitamins."
Yun Tangyin took the strawberries, picked one up and tasted it. It was sweet and juicy, and her mouth was full of fruity aroma: "So sweet! Aunt Zhang, how did you know there were strawberries on the back hill?"
Aunt Zhang said with a smile, "I used to go to the back mountain to pick strawberries often. They're sweetest at this time of year. In a few days, we'll go pick some more, dry them into preserves, and save them for the children as a snack in winter."
Jiang Jianhua picked up a strawberry, took a bite, and said, "It's so delicious, even sweeter than the strawberries you buy in the city. Aunt Zhang, if you go strawberry picking, take me with you, I'd like to try some too."
Aunt Zhang nodded: "Okay, let's go together tomorrow when the weather is nice."
Around noon, the grape trellis was finally reinforced.
Fu Yucheng wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at the sturdy grape trellis in front of him, and felt a sense of accomplishment: "Now it's great, we won't be afraid even if there's a strong wind."
Fu Yuanshan smiled and said, "Yes, when the grapes grow next year, they will definitely cover the vines."
Aunt Zhang stewed a pot of corn and pork rib soup, and the aroma filled the entire yard.
"Come and have some soup!" Aunt Zhang called to everyone. "The corn is sweet corn bought from town. It's been stewed all morning, so it's soft, tender, and sweet. You should all try it."
Everyone sat around the table, drinking delicious pork rib soup and eating sweet corn, their hearts filled with warmth.
Jiang Jianhua took a sip of the soup and said with a smile, "Aunt Zhang, your cooking is really good. This soup is even more delicious than the ones in restaurants in the city."
Aunt Zhang waved her hand: "Silly child, drink more if you like, there's plenty left in the pot."
In the afternoon, the sun was shining warmly, and Jiang Jianhua accompanied Yun Tangyin for a walk by the stream.
The stream was crystal clear, and the willows on the bank sprouted tender green branches that swayed in the wind.
“Look, the willows are sprouting; spring has truly arrived,” Jiang Jianhua said, pointing to the willow branches.
Yun Tangyin nodded: "Yes, once the baby is born, we'll see the whole yard full of locust blossoms. They must smell wonderful."
The two walked slowly along the stream and suddenly saw several ducklings swimming around in the stream, their fluffy fur making them exceptionally cute.
“So cute,” Yun Tangyin said with a smile. “When the child grows up, we’ll raise a few ducks so he can play with them.”
Jiang Jianhua nodded: "Great! We can let the kids run with Xiaolan and the others in the yard chasing ducks. It'll be so lively."
When they got home, Fu Yucheng and Fu Yuanshan were putting wheels on the cradle.
“You’re back,” Fu Yucheng said, looking up and smiling. “These wheels were bought in town; they’re smooth, and it’s easy for us to push the child around with him lying in them.”
Jiang Jianhua walked over and touched the wheels of the cradle: "That's great, now the child can sunbathe in the yard."
As evening fell, the setting sun bathed the courtyard in a warm red hue.
Fu Yucheng started a fire in the courtyard to cook sweet potato porridge.
Jiang Jianhua and Yun Tangyin sat under the eaves, sewing small clothes for the child.
Aunt Zhang was tidying up the yard and putting away the dried radish slices.
Looking at the heartwarming scene before her, Yun Tangyin touched her belly, her heart filled with anticipation.
She knew that her child would be born soon, and then the little courtyard would be even more lively, filled with laughter and joy.
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