Chapter 118 Moving
"Have Uncle Jiang and his family arrived yet?" Chen Yun draped a scarf over the baby's swaddling clothes to keep out the wind, and bent down to shield the baby from the cold breeze. "I'll ask Aunt Luo what she thinks later."
"No need to ask Aunt Luo, Jiang Heping and his wife are here too."
Jiang Heping and Zeng Suyun, who were being thought of by the couple, were strolling around the villa, muttering to themselves about what they saw.
They walked around the freshly turned garden, seemingly drawn by some view, and leaned against the railing to gaze at the lake.
He was only awakened by Aunt Luo's loud shout.
Where is Su Yun?
"I'm here!" Zeng Suyun quickly replied, smoothing her hair which had been ruffled by the cold wind. "Mom, what's wrong?"
Jiang Heping leaned on the stone railing with one hand, turning his body to look at his wife, whose temples were already graying, and felt a mix of emotions welling up inside him.
In the first few years after their marriage, Zeng Suyun was like a fiery sunset, with a passionate personality and a glamorous attitude in everything she did.
But ever since she found out the reason why they couldn't have children, she seemed to change overnight.
Ten years ago, Zeng Suyun would have rolled her eyes before slowly replying, unlike now where even a single sentence sounds cautious.
"Come help your Aunt Dong wash the vegetables. Isn't it cold outside? Stop slacking off outside."
"You're here!" Zeng Suyun turned around and glared at Jiang Heping, who was all smiles, then rolled up her sleeves and replied repeatedly, "I'm here."
"Old Dong, this thing is really great. It even provides hot water for washing vegetables in winter."
Aunt Luo was very curious about everything in the villa. First, she carefully touched the natural gas pipes, wondering how a single pipe could be used to start a fire and cook food. Then she noticed that the sink could even dispense hot water.
She had been fiddling with the light switch in front of the sink for several minutes. If she hadn't seen her second son and his wife freezing outside, she wouldn't have had time to think about washing the vegetables.
"Old Luo, you have such a big mouth..."
Dong Qiaoying passed by her carrying a bag of chopped chicken, shaking her head and sighing repeatedly.
The two women became neighbors after marrying into Guanming Hutong. If you do the math, they've known each other for almost fifty years. Aunt Luo is a good person in every other way, but her cold exterior and warm heart often cause misunderstandings.
What was clearly a concern that her son and daughter-in-law would catch a cold and suffer, came out as laziness.
Having earned a reputation for swearing, Dong Qiaoying rarely saw Zeng Suyun enter the kitchen anymore...
"I've been timid for most of my life, it's hard to change!" Aunt Luo shook her head with a smile.
Clang—
"It must be Erming and his wife who have returned!"
As soon as Dong Qiaoying heard the iron gate bang, she knew that Gao Ming had picked up Chen Yun and returned. The iron gate, a gift from the developer, was more effective than a doorbell; it made a loud noise like gongs and drums whenever it was moved.
"Such a big house, and only the four of them live there. It feels so empty," Aunt Luo clicked her tongue in amazement.
Having a big house certainly has many advantages, but after walking around this big house, Aunt Luo fully understood what Dong Qiaoying meant by "desolate".
The family members have to walk for several minutes to meet, otherwise they can forget about seeing each other's faces.
As the two were talking, Gao Tiejun's somewhat flustered voice suddenly came from the direction of the living room.
"Old Dong, come quick."
In all the years of their marriage, Dong Qiaoying rarely heard her husband speak with such flustered speech that his tongue seemed to be tied in knots, which indicated that he had encountered some major problem that he couldn't solve.
The next second, the child's cries rang out in the living room.
"Where did this doll come from?"
A tiny baby was lying on the living room sofa, its bottom covered in poop and pee from its unundone diaper. Chen Yun was directing Gao Nian'an to find a new diaper in his bag.
"Mom, make some formula for the baby first, he must be hungry!" Chen Yun had to take a moment to look up and ask Dong Qiaoying for help.
It was quite funny to see Gao Tiejun looking so helpless holding the baby bottle. This grown man had never handled a baby bottle before and had no idea how to prepare the formula or how much powder to use.
It was funny, but Dong Qiaoying didn't know either...
“You can make the formula while I change the diapers,” Dong Qiaoying said.
"This baby is so handsome, fair-skinned and fair-skinned." Aunt Luo bent down and touched the child's fair and tender face. "Listen to how loud his cry is. He will definitely grow up to be a strong young man."
"Whose child is this?" Dong Qiaoying asked.
"We don't know who the baby's parents are. They ran away after the baby was born and we still haven't found them."
Chen Yun shook the boiling water in the glass bottle, and while the water cooled down, she slowly explained the child's condition to everyone.
Aunt Luo paused in her work and began to unconsciously scrutinize the child's face.
Chen Yun was looking at Aunt Luo, and everyone else in the room was also looking at her.
A smile slowly spread from the corners of her mouth, her eyes sparkling as she stared intently at the child, as if she were caressing some precious treasure.
"Go and call Suyun and her husband to come and take a look." Gao Tiejun gestured with his chin toward the kitchen, and Old Jiang hurried off to the kitchen.
After the baby was put on a dry diaper, he immediately stopped crying. His little mouth was moving, as if he knew that he would be fed soon, so he waited very obediently.
"What a pitiful baby." The more Aunt Luo looked at the baby, the more she loved him, and she couldn't help but push past Dong Qiaoying to wrap the baby in swaddling clothes herself.
"Such a good child, it would be so pitiful to send him to an orphanage!"
“Oh my gosh—look, he smiled at me.”
"Those bright eyes! She's clearly a smart child, and her hair is beautiful too..."
The more an old woman looks at a baby, the more fascinated she becomes. This perfectly describes Aunt Luo; she even finds the stench in the air to be pleasant.
Don't worry!
This is what Gao Ming saw when he entered the room. Chen Yun handed over the prepared milk bottle, and Aunt Luo naturally took it.
Chen Yun nodded.
Aunt Luo is a good person! Although she knew that her daughter-in-law had problems and couldn't have children, she didn't encourage her son to divorce her. Instead, she turned around and advised Jiang Heping that adopting a baby would be just as good.
Jiang Heping and Zeng Suyun followed him into the living room, completely bewildered.
"Suyun, don't you think this baby is cute?" Aunt Luo held the swaddled baby close to Zeng Suyun and said, "Doesn't it look like a child from a New Year's painting?"
Zeng Suyun was puzzled.
“Suyun, this child was abandoned at the hospital by his parents. What do you two think…” Old Jiang asked tentatively.
"An unwanted baby?" Jiang Heping took two steps forward nervously, so close that he could see the milk dripping from the baby's mouth when he looked down: "Such a beautiful baby, and nobody wants her!"
Chen Yun nodded and then explained the child's situation in detail again.
"If no one is willing to adopt them, the hospital will have no choice but to send them to an orphanage..."
"Try holding her." Seeing that Zeng Suyun was standing there blankly without any reaction, Aunt Luo simply handed her the swaddled baby: "Whether the baby is meant for you or not depends on you!"
"..."
Zeng Suyun stood stiffly, as if she were holding a fragile piece of porcelain, and she even forgot to close her hands.
Aunt Luo was terrified, fearing that the child might fall if she didn't hold him properly, so she quickly grabbed Jiang Heping's hand and held him on the other side.
Gao Tiejun coughed twice and waved to everyone: "Those who need to cook, cook; those who need to rest, rest."
The people in the living room gradually dispersed, leaving the living room to the two adults and the child.
Before leaving, Chen Yun handed the baby bottle to Jiang Heping: "Raising a child is not a spur-of-the-moment decision. You should think it over carefully. If you're not ready, that's okay. It just means the time isn't right yet."
After saying that, he patted Zeng Suyun on the shoulder and went upstairs to change his clothes.
This was Chen Yun's first time going upstairs after the house was furnished. The four rooms on the second floor had been converted into two suites by Gao Ming, giving the two children their own space on either side.
As for the third floor... it's entirely the couple's space.
Currently, mahogany furniture is the most popular, but Gao Ming knew that Chen Yun didn't like somber colors, so he chose furniture with light wood grain, making the entire third floor feel very warm and inviting.
The bedroom is not large, but the light-colored wood-grain walk-in closet has four large wardrobes, enough for the couple to store all their clothes for spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Gao Ming, keeping up with the times, followed the designer's advice and installed a fish tank in the bathroom. Its square shape makes it look just like a fish tank.
After touring the bedroom, Chen Yun took off her sweater, which was too hot to wear, and tossed it to Gao Ming. Then she went around to the French windows on the bedroom balcony.
"Why don't you rest for a while?"
"I haven't seen enough of my new home yet, I can't sleep at all."
The curtains have two layers. The outer layer is a heavy dark green, while the white lace curtain filters out most of the sunlight, allowing a vague view of the garden.
"You brought the radio too?"
On the low cabinet sat a 24-inch brick-sized color TV, and Chen Yun immediately noticed the old, unusable rotary radio next to it.
This radio was a dowry gift for the couple's wedding, and it accompanied and witnessed their journey from Panshui County to Beicheng over the decades.
"I had a repairman fix it, and it still works." Gao Ming smiled and turned the knob. The radio crackled and soon came on with melodious music.
The music sounded familiar; it was the same waltz that was played at the Hongxing Machinery Factory's staff dance party more than a decade ago.
"Do you remember the ballroom dancing that was popular back in the factory club?" Chen Yun extended a hand and invited him to join in.
It was the first year of their marriage. They were standing by the dance floor watching others dance. Chen Yun was too shy to join in, so she quickly glanced at them and left.
“I thought you didn’t like dancing.” Gao Ming casually tossed his sweater aside, grabbed Chen Yun’s hand, and twirled her around.
"Wearing pants at the time wasn't suitable for dancing," Chen Yun said with a smile.
Neither of them had learned waltz; they simply held hands and swayed to the music, like two trees huddled together in the cold wind, swaying in sync with the breeze.
Chen Yun's hands still smelled of disinfectant mixed with a faint shampoo scent—familiar and comforting.
She leaned on Gao Ming's shoulder, the fabric against her cheek warm, and the fatigue of the whole day slowly dissipated with each step.
The music on the radio had stopped sometime earlier.
"Mom has stepped on Dad's feet several times, doesn't Dad feel pain?"
Gao Nianping's question, brimming with doubt, made Chen Yun burst out laughing, instantly dispelling any tenderness or affection she might have felt.
Chen Yun is still Chen Yun. She couldn't dance the waltz twenty years ago, and she still can't dance it twenty years later.
"You don't know anything! This is called romance!" Gao Nian'an tried to cover her brother's mouth to stop him from talking nonsense, but it was too late. She could only roll her eyes in annoyance: "It's all your fault!"
"Stop laughing at Mom and Dad!" Chen Yun waved her hand at the two of them, as if to dismiss them: "If you have nothing to do, go downstairs and call your Aunt Ruanqiu, and ask her when she's arriving?"
"I just called, and Shuai Shuai said he's leaving right away," Gao Nian'an reported, raising his hand.
The siblings didn't plan to go downstairs. Instead, they set their sights on the sofa in the bedroom and started pulling and tugging at it to grab the widest spot.
"What's the point of Dad installing such a big room for you guys!" Gao Ming patted Gao Nianping's bottom, both helpless and amused. "I just hope you won't always be clinging to your parents."
Xiao Mu often complained to Gao Ming that his daughter had become rebellious after entering high school, and insisted on leaving a thick fringe in front of her forehead to cover her eyes.
The couple argues with their daughter every time they try to discipline her, but they're afraid she'll go astray if they don't discipline her.
I heard that teenagers experience this... I think it's called puberty.
Gao Ming was worried that his two children would turn out the same way, so he even asked someone to get him a copy of "Qualified Parents" to read.
The book says to give children enough private space and not to interfere excessively with their interests and hobbies.
Gao Ming remembered it well, but the siblings' relationship didn't develop at all like the one described in the book.
Both of them are very attached to their parents, and they couldn't wait to come back after only ten minutes apart, not giving the couple any time alone.
Gao Ming would never admit that he had any personal motives involved... He absolutely could not admit it.
***
As the aroma of food wafted through the villa, Chen Yun finally finished touring the new house.
Someone in the living room turned on the TV, and coincidentally, the news was broadcasting the city government's awards ceremony that had just ended not long ago.
"Look, it's my mom!"
The person who turned on the TV was Gao Nianping, and he was also the one who knew exactly which channel and when the awards ceremony would be broadcast.
Wearing a pristine white coat, Chen Yun led the entire medical team onto the stage to receive their award.
[Next, please welcome the mayor to present awards to the medical teams that participated in disaster relief efforts... Let's give these admirable angels in white a warm round of applause.]
The television broadcast was filled with enthusiastic applause.
Off-screen, Gao Nian'an waved his hand and shouted, "Applause!"
The adults were amused by her serious demeanor and clapped along with her, laughing and giggling.
Surrounded by them, Chen Yun felt quite embarrassed.
The confident doctor on TV just hoped that the elders wouldn't look at her with those smug, smiling eyes.
Ruanqiu nudged Chen Yun with her elbow and whispered with a smile, "How does it compare to receiving awards on stage at the factory before?"
What do you think?
The factory's prizes were two meat coupons and a ten-thousand-yuan note, but this time the medical team's bonus was over ten thousand yuan, part of which was government subsidies that had not yet arrived.
Of course, the amount of the prize money was secondary to Chen Yun. After this experience, her research project application proceeded smoothly in the city and was directly sent to the next level for review.
If nothing unexpected happens, the project should be approved next year, which would be the most meaningful reward for Chen Yun.
"What's wrong with Zeng Suyun? She seems like she's lost her soul," Ruanqiu asked quietly again.
Zeng Suyun sat in the corner, seemingly oblivious to everything happening in the outside world, her heart completely focused on the swaddled baby in her arms.
She stared intently, appearing to outsiders as if she were mesmerized.
"Ask?" Chen Yun said.
Ruanqiu hurriedly waved her hand.
"Suyun," Chen Yun spoke up, quickly drawing everyone's attention to the corner of the living room, "What are you and Heping thinking?"
"..."
Aunt Luo's smile vanished with nervousness, fearing that Zeng Suyun would return the child to Chen Yun at any moment. She hurriedly assured her, "Suyun, don't worry, from now on, Mom will definitely treat this child as her own grandson."
“Suyun and I have discussed it…” Jiang Heping cleared his throat, trying to sound as serious as possible: “We are willing to adopt this child.”
“We are willing,” Zeng Suyun echoed.
"If you're willing, then you're willing!"
With a weight lifted from her shoulders, Aunt Luo was overwhelmed with emotion as she thought about how the matter she had been worrying about for so many years had finally been resolved. She couldn't help but shed a few tears.
"Thank you, sister-in-law." Zeng Suyun hugged the swaddled baby tightly, pressing her face against the sleeping little face: "We have something to look forward to now!"
"Don't be so happy yet. Tomorrow you need to go to the hospital with me to complete the discharge procedures. We also need to wait for the police station to issue the certificate before you can officially apply for the adoption certificate."
"Okay!" Zeng Suyun nodded heavily, tears welling up in her eyes and choking back sobs.
This scene was heartbreaking; those with sensitive eyes couldn't help but wipe away tears. Everyone was happy for them.
Only Gao Nian'an quietly pouted in dissatisfaction.
Putting aside the significance of her adoption of the child to Jiang Heping, it's just that everyone's attention was diverted shortly after her mother finally appeared on television.
Little did they know... Chen Yun was doing it on purpose!
"Today is not only a housewarming celebration for Erming and Xiaochen, but also a day of double happiness for Heping and his wife, as they have an heir..." Gao Tiejun said.
Gao Ming chimed in, "I'll go get a couple more bottles of good wine, so Uncle Jiang can have a good time tonight."
When the food was served, Gao Ming invited everyone to take their seats.
Ruanqiu looked around, somewhat puzzled: "Why don't I see Gao Fei and his wife, or Gao Lan and her husband?"
It's a bit unreasonable that neither the older brother nor the younger sister came when the brothers moved.
"Gao Lan and her husband have to look after the restaurant, and this is their busiest time."
"And what about your sister-in-law's family?"
“My brother also has to look after the shop, and my sister-in-law has difficulty walking and has to stay home to take care of Wang Xueli. She could go into labor at any time, so she can’t go far away.”
"I was shocked just looking at Shirley's belly." Ruanqiu couldn't help but mention Wang Shirley's excessively large belly.
“It’s no use saying it.” Chen Yun sighed.
Wang Xueli is like a bouncy ball; no matter what Chen Yun tries to persuade her to do, she always acts like she'll change immediately, but then she turns around and goes back to eating and drinking as usual, not taking anything to heart.
After trying to persuade him once or twice without success, Chen Yun stopped saying anything.
"Let's ignore them and just enjoy ourselves."
Those who want to come will come, and those who don't want to come won't come no matter how much you call them. Both of them understood this principle, and they naturally got through it with a few words and laughs.
The two round tables were packed full. Although there were no elaborately plated dishes, a pot of glistening, reddish-brown braised pork was enough to whet one's appetite.
The essence of this lively dinner was not about tasting delicious food, but about the rare sense of fulfillment.
Old Jiang didn't need anyone to urge him to drink; he quickly downed several cups of baijiu, and the intoxication made his tongue start to tangle.
“We won’t have to worry about the second son and his wife anymore… From now on, you’ll be the ones worrying about the next generation. Let you experience just how much it takes to be a parent!”
Before I knew it, I blurted out what was on my mind.
"Uncle Jiang, don't be so happy yet. You'll still have a lot to do as your grandfather in the future!" Gao Ming joked with a smile.
"Hehe, I'm happy no matter how busy I am."
Jiang Heping and Zeng Suyun, who had just become parents, could only smile foolishly, while Chen Yun and Ruanqiu, whose children had grown up, were busy serving food to their picky eaters.
"Eat some green vegetables, you can't just eat meat."
Gao Nian'an thought no one had noticed, so he quietly put the carrot into Gao Ming's bowl. He was smug for only a few seconds before he found the carrot back in his own bowl.
Not only did Chen Yun bring back the carrots, but she also gave the siblings some chicken.
Seeing this, Li Shuaishuai could only retract his chopsticks, which he had just reached out to pick up with stir-fried pork with chili peppers, and obediently ate the steamed egg that had been specially prepared for him.
No matter how old their children are, parents will never stop worrying about them...
Ring ring—
Chen Yun's pager, which he had placed in the living room, suddenly went off.
"The hospital is trying to save him!"
The pager provided by the hospital went off, and without even reading the message, Chen Yun knew that a critically ill woman was giving birth and the baby had high-risk factors that required immediate resuscitation.
She never expected that... the person being rescued would be Wang Xueli.
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