Li Xiujuan dared not imagine what would happen if this happened to Zhaoniang...
Therefore, just in case, she resolutely stayed outside Huichun City, even though she knew the hope was slim.
Of course, she had considered settling in the city first, but given the precedent of Shou'an, even though Huichun was extremely friendly to the refugees who had fled the famine, she still left room for maneuver.
"Oh, so you're still here, in-laws? Are you waiting for your daughter whose fate is unknown, or are you just a nobody? If you're unregistered, I might help you out because of your in-law status, as long as you're willing to be servants of the Zhang family." Zhang the eldest, who had been a coward a few days ago, was now arrogant and domineering towards the Li family.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Old Zhang was still shouting. Seeing the Lin and Li families suddenly get emotional, he thought he had a chance. But Zhang Dandan thought he was blocking the way, so she shoved him aside and he fell on his backside.
"Zhao Niang, Yang Yang."
"Yunyun".
"She gave birth?" Li Xiujuan looked at Lin Zhaozhao's flat stomach and the baby in her arms, tears welling up in her eyes. "Zhaoniang, you've suffered so much."
"It's a boy, nicknamed Ping An. I only experienced pain during labor. I mainly relied on Yang Yang and Xiao Yun. Without their help, it would have been truly agonizing." Lin Zhaozhao spoke of the birthing process lightly, while Li Yunyun, who witnessed the whole thing, felt her hands and feet turn ice cold. Given the level of danger, anyone else would not have survived to this day.
Li Yunyun knew Lin Zhaozhao's intentions and didn't dare to interrupt. When the elders asked, she followed the person in charge's words and kept it all a secret.
After chatting for a while, Ping An was held in Li Laotai and Lin Laotai's arms in turns. Seeing that the little boy was so sleepy that he kept yawning, they decided to register him for entry into the city first.
After registering, the group headed towards the city gate. Boss Zhang remained seated on the ground, feeling like a clown.
In a fit of impotent rage, he kicked the ground, sending sand flying. A pebble struck a passing burly man right between the eyebrows, causing Zhang Laoda's legs to buckle and he was met with a punch.
Having successfully entered Huichun City, and seeing the bustling streets and the cleanly dressed, simple people, Lin Zhaozhao felt a real sense that the famine was finally over.
Sensing the disdainful and annoyed looks they received from the city dwellers, Lin Zhaozhao suggested that they stay at the orphanage temporarily until they were settled in before moving out.
The whole family went to the almshouse in a grand procession. After confirming the registration documents, the government arranged temporary accommodation for them.
Because of the large number of people affected by the disaster, each household, regardless of its size, consists of only one small house.
There were only a few bed boards inside, and families with many members had to sleep on the floor.
Although the house was small, neither the Lin nor the Li family were picky. As soon as they got their assigned rooms, they couldn't wait to get busy. Some were washing, some were fetching water, and once the house was almost cleaned up, the whole family started cleaning themselves.
It's been almost two months since I've had a proper bath. Now that I have water and free time, I'm scrubbing myself vigorously. The men don't care much and go shirtless, leaving the water murky. The women, on the other hand, are more discreet and wash in the house, fetching and emptying the water at least four, five, or six times before it's finally clean.
By the time the almshouse quieted down, it was already dark, and only a few slivers of light remained inside.
Ping An, who had just woken up, kept whimpering. Before Lin Zhaozhao could come over, Li Xiujuan had already brought water and picked up the little one to wash him. During the washing process, she touched his ticklish spot, and Ping An giggled.
Lin Zhaozhao took out the prepared baby bottle. As soon as the diaper was changed, the little one couldn't wait to reach out for it. Li Xiujuan took it and fed Ping An. The more she looked at him, the softer her heart became. "Ping An's eyes are like yours, and his eyebrows and mouth are like Li Jue's. If Li Jue were still here, you wouldn't have suffered like this."
“Throughout history, childbirth has always been a brush with death for women. This is your first pregnancy, and how can two young women help you? Don’t think I didn’t see you two exchanging glances. Your personalities are practically identical to your brother’s.” Li Xiujuan wiped away her tears, her voice trembling with sobs. “It’s alright, it’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
