After Xu Fugui gave her some pointers, Xu Lianxiang and her daughter-in-law left the movie theater satisfied.
On the way back to the courtyard house, Xu Lianxiang did not forget to give her daughter-in-law some instructions.
“Jingru, go back and do as your father says. Keep this to yourself and don’t let it slip.”
"Okay, Mom." Qin Jingru nodded quickly.
After all, she's not that stupid; she wouldn't go around talking about something like this.
It's probably a case of letting Xu Damao know that her life is over.
...
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law walked and chatted like this. When they passed by the vegetable market, Xu Lianxiang bought two old hens from an old farmer in the countryside without using a ration coupon, intending to take them home to nourish her daughter-in-law.
Soon, the two returned to the entrance of the courtyard house. Seeing several middle-aged women at the entrance, Xu Lianxiang knew it was her turn to perform.
"Hey! All the aunties are here!"
The older women at the door saw Xu Lianxiang come back just now.
Now, looking at the old hen she was carrying, Aunt Yan's eyes lit up.
"Yes! We've been chatting idly since we had nothing to do. Speaking of which, Aunt Xu, you haven't been back to the hospital for a long time. What brings you here today...?"
As she spoke, Aunt Yan kept her eyes fixed on the two old hens, wondering if she could get something out of them.
Xu Lianxiang knew exactly what she was thinking; she just wanted to take advantage of the situation.
But she was actually planning to let Aunt Yan take advantage of this today; it was part of her plan.
So she began her performance according to the script she had prepared in advance.
"Hey! Ladies, isn't this my daughter-in-law pregnant? I bought two chickens for her to eat to help her recover."
After Xu Lianxiang finished speaking, the entire doorway fell silent. The several middle-aged women looked at each other, wondering what they were thinking.
As everyone knows, Xu Damao is infertile, like a rooster that never sets foot on its roost.
But what's with this Qin Jingru getting pregnant? And how did she even get pregnant?
Seeing everyone's reactions, Xu Lianxiang knew what they were thinking, but she didn't panic and continued making things up.
"You all probably don't know this, but my son has fully recovered since he started taking Chinese medicine. I asked the doctor, and he can have children without any problem."
"Really?" Although Aunt Yan was a little skeptical, she still hoped it was true.
Because her eldest son also has this problem. Even if her son doesn't get along with them, he is still their child. Who can watch their son die out?
"Why would I lie to you? This is the hospital's diagnosis. My daughter-in-law's pregnancy is the best proof. If you don't believe me, take a look."
As she spoke, Xu Lianxiang pretended to be a ghost and pulled out a hospital diagnosis from her pocket, ready to show it to everyone.
But the old ladies at the entrance are all illiterate; what can they possibly read?
Next, Xu Lianxiang continued to beat and slap her, saying that she would not be in the yard anymore and asked the older women to help take care of her daughter-in-law.
For example, when someone is killing a chicken or a fish, you could help hold it up, etc.
Of course, there are also many benefits. You can take the chicken giblets if you help kill the chicken, and you can get some cornmeal if you patronize the business. They'll also give you a couple of eggs later to share in the good fortune...
With so many benefits, these middle-aged women, being considerate, all expressed their willingness to help.
...
As they chatted, Xu Lianxiang noticed that her daughter-in-law was getting sleepy, so she greeted her and went to the backyard.
Back home, Qin Jingru was puzzled as she thought about the benefits she had promised to give to those older women.
"Mom, I can kill that chicken myself. It's not that delicate and doesn't need help. Why let outsiders take advantage of it?"
“Jingru, how could your mother not know what you’re saying? I’m doing this to shut them up and stop them from spreading rumors outside.”
Think about it, they'll get the benefits, and they'll definitely speak well of you outside. Then who will doubt that the child in her belly isn't Da Mao's?
It must be said that Xu Lianxiang is indeed shrewd; this move, though seemingly simple, is actually very effective.
Therefore, as time passed, by the afternoon, the surrounding neighbors already knew about the news, and it wasn't anything negative.
When people were talking about it, they consciously ignored the fact that Xu Damao was infertile, and instead praised the Chinese medicine.
...
In the evening, it was time for the workers to get off work. Because of the nature of his work, Xu Damao always came home earlier than others, unless he was showing movies.
Today was no exception; he rode his old bicycle back to the courtyard gate early in the morning.
When Yan Bugui saw the person in question return, and remembering his wife's words, he quickly went to greet him, ready to flatter him first.
"Da Mao, slow down, slow down! Congratulations, grandpa! Why did you keep such a big thing a secret?"
"Uh...?" Xu Damao's brain froze for a moment. "No, Uncle Yan, what am I hiding? And what's this good news? How come I didn't know?"
Seeing that Xu Damao seemed clueless, Yan Bugui guessed that he might not know the answer, so he became even more enthusiastic.
"Da Mao, congratulations, Grandpa! It's because you're going to be a father soon. Why are you pretending?"
"Yes! Damao, we've all seen your wife's pregnancy diagnosis. Your mother accompanied her to the hospital, so it can't be fake."
Aunt Yan, still hoping for a good reward, quickly chimed in to lend a hand, hoping to bring good luck.
"My wife is pregnant?" Xu Damao fell silent, his feelings complicated.
You'd think he'd be happy? If it were his own child, he'd definitely be happy, happier than anyone else.
But his mother and father are infertile, so whose child was he carrying?
"Thank you for letting me know, Uncle Yan and Aunt Yan. I'll go back and check first."
With such mixed feelings, Xu Damao did not say anything on the spot, but thanked him tactfully and prepared to go back to the backyard to find out the truth.
"Da Mao, don't forget the eggs you promised for such a happy occasion, so that we neighbors can share in the joy."
Seeing that Xu Damao was about to leave, Yan Bugui didn't forget to remind him, and then turned to his wife with a cheerful smile.
"Da Mao must be overjoyed."
Xu Damao ignored all of this and hurriedly walked towards the backyard.
Before he even reached the backyard, he could smell a rich aroma; without even looking, he knew it was chicken soup.
This further confirms what Yan Bugui said: his wife is pregnant, and he must have been making chicken soup to supplement her nutrition.
Soon, he returned to his front door. Suppressing his inner impulse, Xu Damao simply called out to the house as usual.
"Jingru, I'm back."
Hearing the call, Qin Jingru, who was inside the house, came out happily like a cheerful lark.
"Brother Da Mao, I have good news for you. I'm pregnant. Here's the hospital report. Take a look."
Looking at the report form with the big red stamp in his wife's hand, Xu Damao's brain was rushing with blood, like a volcano that could erupt at any moment.
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