“When Jingyu was five years old, he went to the Northwest with his grandparents. He was just a little boy when he left, and when he came back he had grown into a young man. We haven’t seen each other for more than ten years, and he has become estranged from us.” Yang Yuelan felt sad when she recalled this past event. “These days, I can see that he likes you. I’m relieved that you two get along well.”
If she had known this would happen, she would never have let her son leave her.
No matter how hard or tiring it is, I will keep him by my side and raise him. But it's too late to say all this now.
“Mom, you had no choice but to do those things in the past.” Xu Qingning understood her mother-in-law’s feelings and comforted her, “You are his biological parents. He will gradually understand and will take good care of you.”
Zhao Jingyu is a person of intense emotions; he either likes something or he dislikes it, and he is not good at hiding his feelings.
She couldn't fathom his feelings for his parents, nor could she speak for them.
After all, no matter how bad their relationship is, they are still family connected by blood. When it's time to make up, they will naturally make up.
As a daughter-in-law, she has already done more than enough by trying to persuade both sides.
“He has such a good wife like you. Even if he never forgives us for the rest of his life, we will be content.” As Yang Yuelan spoke, she became relieved. “We can still live for a few more years. As long as you two live in harmony, that’s enough.”
"Mom, please don't say that. I'll still need your help taking care of the child in the future!" Xu Qingning knew about this hidden plot and was more and more surprised the more she dug. She felt completely at ease leaving the child with the elderly couple.
“As long as you don’t mind my clumsiness, I’m willing to take care of the children.” Yang Yuelan’s mood instantly improved when she mentioned the children. “Once the kang (heated brick bed) is dry, I will start preparing the children’s quilts, cotton-padded jackets, bibs and so on, thick ones and thin ones, I will prepare them all. Whether it is a grandson or a granddaughter, they are the apple of my eye.”
“Mom, when it gets cold, I’d like to sleep on the kang (heated brick bed). Let’s change the sheets and blankets on the kang; it’ll be more comfortable to sleep on then,” Xu Qingning said. “After we have children, we’ll be spending most of our time on the kang, so we’ll have to change them sooner or later.”
She knew that Yang Yuelan was used to being frugal, but being frugal was one thing, but she couldn't be too stingy.
Putting aside her salary, Zhao Jingyu's earnings alone could easily buy ten new sets of bedding.
“If you want to sleep on the kang, then let’s change it!” Yang Yuelan immediately agreed when she heard Xu Qingning say that. “Let’s change to the kind made of fine cotton cloth. It’s soft to lay on and cover yourself with, but it’s a bit more expensive.”
"Mom, don't worry, we can get a new set of bedding without any problem." Xu Qingning then told her about her job as a fashion designer at a clothing factory in the provincial capital. "I have a job now, I can earn money, and I also have Jingyu's salary, so I won't have to worry about the future."
She told Yang Yuelan about it simply so that she could accept the new bedding without any worries.
Of course, she wouldn't tell anyone about her share of the profits, including Zhao Jingyu; it was her private savings.
"So that's why those two came to see you!" Yang Yuelan was quite surprised, but after the surprise came some worry. "What will happen as your pregnancy progresses? Does Jingyu know about this?"
If anything were to happen to his daughter-in-law, his son would never forgive her for the rest of his life.
She couldn't forgive herself either.
“Mom, I’ll tell him when I get the chance.” Xu Qingning didn’t expect Yang Yuelan to react this way. “I just stay at home and do some writing and drawing. It’s okay that I’m more pregnant. You don’t need to worry about these things. I know what I’m doing.”
"That's good." Yang Yuelan nodded and then instructed her, "You should also take care to rest and not overwork yourself. Right now, you just need to focus on your pregnancy. Nothing else is important."
“Okay, I understand,” Xu Qingning readily agreed.
Yang Yuelan originally wanted to persuade Xu Qingning to sit down and have a good talk with Xu Jianguo, as the stalemate between the father and daughter was not a good thing.
But considering that this was her daughter-in-law's family matter, she swallowed her words, knowing that as a mother-in-law, she shouldn't get involved.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted for a few minutes before going to sleep.
Yang Yuelan couldn't sleep in the new place. She kept getting up to cover Xu Qingning with a blanket, but as soon as she did, Xu Qingning would kick it off.
The third son's wife always kicks off the covers while sleeping.
On the calm, waveless sea, the cargo ship moved forward at a leisurely pace. Moonlight streamed quietly through the portholes, casting a pale white glow on the bedside table.
Zhao Jingyu lay in bed, unable to sleep. When he closed his eyes, all he could see was Xu Qingning's image—her every smile and frown, the faint fragrance emanating from her—stirred his heartstrings.
He never dreamed that during this vacation, he would not only get married and have a child, but more importantly, he would fall in love with her.
So this is what it feels like to have someone you love.
He wanted to see her immediately, but he was also worried about upsetting her. The long night was both sweet and agonizing.
He picked up the cushion and hugged it to his chest. Her scent still lingered on the cushion. If only she were here!
Touching the little ears on the pillow, he inexplicably recalled his first time with her. The memory was hazy, and he didn't know how she got into his bed. It felt like a dream.
He had no recollection of what she looked like in his dream; he couldn't remember at all.
He never dared to ask her what exactly happened that night, or how much she remembered...
She must remember everything, otherwise, how could she say that the scratches on his arm were from her, and how would she know about the marks on his body...?
Thinking of this, Zhao Jingyu felt his ears turn red again.
He's about to become a father, yet he can't remember the only time he was intimate with her; it seems unbelievable.
The thought of her carrying his child filled him with hope and anticipation for the future.
He didn't want to live apart from his wife; he wanted to be with her every day, spending his days in love and affection.
For example, I definitely can't continue doing this job.
As for what job he should do in the future, he needs to think it over carefully. He wants a job that pays well, is close to home, and ideally can go home every night.
He has a wife and children now, so he needs to plan his future development carefully.
After tossing and turning for a while, he still couldn't fall asleep, so he simply sat up, took some letter paper and wrote to Song Tao at the jade factory, asking him to come to Jiaodong City at the end of the year, as he had something important to discuss with him.
Xu Jianguo and Jiang Yumei started arguing about Tang Wenya as soon as they got off work, and the argument went on until evening.
Jiang Yumei was so angry that she wanted to divorce Xu Jianguo, saying that he was selfish and irresponsible.
Xu Jianguo was also enraged and said, "Let's get a divorce then, we'll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow."
The two were arguing so fiercely that they disturbed their neighbors, Li Chunhua and her husband.
The couple understood perfectly and advised Xu Jianguo and Jiang Yumei to think more positively, saying that going to the countryside was a good thing, and they would be assigned jobs when they returned.
Jiang Yumei usually despised Li Chunhua's petty, bourgeois attitude, all she did was spread rumors and gossip. She didn't hold back and retorted a few times, saying that Li Chunhua was talking about her family's affairs. Without Li Chunhua saying anything more, Jiang Yumei kicked the couple out.
Li Chunhua was no pushover either; she actually cursed her for half the night in the hallway, saying she was biting the hand that feeds her, ungrateful for kindness, and that she was a heartless stepmother. She even brought up how she had abused Xu Qingning before.
Jiang Yumei was so angry that she wanted to go out and fight her.
Xu Jianguo stopped her, telling her not to go out and embarrass herself.
Later, the neighbors came out and persuaded Li Chunhua to go back. If she kept cursing, no one would be able to sleep.
Just as the hallway quieted down, there was another knock on the door. Jiang Yumei was still sulking with Xu Jianguo and lay there without moving. Xu Jianguo yawned and said impatiently, "Who is it in the middle of the night?"
He paused for a moment as he opened the door, then exclaimed with delight, "Wenya, you're finally back!"
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