Lu Wanwan took the medicine for three days. One morning, she woke up, touched her stomach, and suddenly froze.
The acid reflux and dull pain that had been bothering her before had actually lessened considerably, and she even ate half an extra steamed bun for breakfast.
Two days later, her period ended.
In the past, at this time, she would always curl up on the kang (a heated brick bed) in pain, sweating profusely, and not even having the strength to speak.
This time, although I still felt a bit sluggish for the next few days, it wasn't unbearable at all. I was even able to help Gu Mingyue pick vegetables in the yard.
She sat on a small stool, peeling garlic in her hand, and couldn't help but exclaim to Gu Mingyue, "Sister-in-law, isn't it amazing? The medicine looked dark and tasted terribly bitter, but I never expected it to actually work. I didn't feel so bad for the next few days."
Gu Mingyue smiled and slipped a candy into her hand: "That old Chinese medicine doctor's prescription is indeed reliable. It seems you need to take your time to recover. After you finish this dose of medicine, we'll go see him again to consolidate the treatment."
Just then, He Xiao came back from outside, carrying a cloth bag. As soon as he entered, he called out, "Wanwan, I just came back from the county town. I bought you some red dates and longans. I heard that soaking them in water and drinking the water is good for a woman's health."
Lu Wanwan took the cloth bag and felt a warm glow in her heart as she looked at the plump red dates inside.
She peeled a piece of candy and put it in her mouth, the sweet taste mingling with the warmth in her heart.
The preparations for the New Year's Eve reunion dinner began in the afternoon.
A table full of dishes was arranged close together, and the family sat down around it.
Lu Limin raised his glass, his voice full of laughter: "Spending the New Year on the island this year, with everyone together and the food smelling delicious, is better than anything else. I wish our whole family peace and the children all the best."
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Gu Mingyue got up.
She changed into her newly made blue cotton-padded jacket and first wished Lu's mother and Zhong Yuxiu a Happy New Year, sweetly wishing the elders a Happy New Year.
The three elderly people smiled broadly and each gave her a small red envelope, saying it was for good luck.
Lu Lin also bowed to the elders, and He Xiao and Lu Wanwan came over. The family stood in the house, exchanging New Year's greetings, and the house was as lively as if it were in full bloom.
After breakfast, the residential compound becomes lively.
Everyone was wearing new clothes, visiting each other to exchange New Year's greetings, with candy and melon seeds in their pockets, shouting "Happy New Year!" as soon as they entered a door.
According to old custom, no one sweeps the floor or washes clothes on New Year's Day; everyone is idle.
The men gathered together to play chess and chat, while the women sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) knitting and gossiping. The children were the happiest of all.
Several teenagers, clutching small firecrackers bought for a dime each, ran and laughed in the yard, their laughter undeterred by the cold wind.
Gu Mingyue stood at the gate of the courtyard, watching the children's figures and listening to the laughter of her neighbors. She was still clutching the red envelope given to her by her elders, and her heart was filled with warmth.
Lu Lin walked over, quietly took her hand, and whispered, "Happy New Year, my wife."
Gu Mingyue looked up at him, nodded with a smile, her eyes full of laughter.
On the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Mingyue heard that the military arts troupe would be holding a performance in the auditorium that afternoon. She quickly returned home and pulled her family aside, saying, "There's an arts troupe performance this afternoon. Let's go see it together. I heard there will be singing, dancing, and even model operas. It'll be so lively!"
Xia Huiying became interested upon hearing this and quickly packed her things: "Great! I used to love watching plays back in my hometown, but I've never seen anything like this on this island before."
Zhong Yuxiu smiled and nodded, supporting Gu Mingyue's back: "Take it easy, you're pregnant, be careful on the road."
After lunch, the group headed to the auditorium early. From afar, they could see the makeshift stage that had been set up, adorned with red silk and a banner that read "New Year's Performance." Many people were already seated below the stage, mostly neighbors from the family compound and soldiers from the military.
I found a seat near the front and sat down. Not long after, the performance began.
First, several girls in military uniforms performed a group dance, with red ribbons fluttering with their steps, accompanied by powerful music, and the audience applauded continuously.
Lu Wanwan's eyes lit up as she watched, and she clapped her hands gently in rhythm.
Xia Huiying whispered in Zhong Yuxiu's ear, "These girls dance so well in unison."
Next came a male solo performance. The soldier, dressed in a crisp military uniform, sang with a loud and clear voice. The soldiers in the audience sang along, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.
The most anticipated performance was a selection from the model opera "Shajiabang". The actors looked spirited and sang with clear and accurate pronunciation. The "battle of wits" scene drew cheers from the audience.
Xia Huiying was captivated by the performance and hummed along softly. Zhong Yuxiu nodded from time to time, saying, "This opera is authentic, just as good as the one I hear on the radio."
Gu Mingyue leaned on Lu Lin's shoulder, watching the performance on stage and listening to the applause and laughter around her, feeling particularly at ease.
Lu Lin quietly handed her a piece of candy: "Are you tired? If you're not feeling well, let's go back first."
Gu Mingyue shook her head and said with a smile, "I'm not tired. It's so lively, it's a rare sight."
As the performance ended, everyone walked back with the crowd, still talking about the show.
Lu Wanwan said excitedly, "That dancing lady is so beautiful, it makes me want to learn to dance too."
He Xiao smiled and said, "When we have the chance in the future, I'll take you to see more performances."
On the morning of the tenth day of the first lunar month, the wind on the island was a bit cooler than in the previous days. Zhong Yuxiu and Xia Huiying were squatting in the courtyard packing their luggage, carefully folding the seafood that Gu Mingyue had packed and the gloves that Lu Wanwan had knitted, and putting them into cloth bundles.
Lu Limin helped Lu Lin move the coal, and every now and then he would turn around and say, "Take good care of yourselves at home. Mingyue is pregnant, so Linzi should take good care of her and not let her get tired."
"I understand, Grandpa. Don't worry," Lu Lin replied, neatly stacking the coal in his hands.
Zhong Yuxiu straightened up, patted the dust off her hands, and looked at the green plants in the yard and the tiger-head shoes on the windowsill. Her eyes were full of reluctance: "This trip to the island was really fun. We saw the sea, went to the market, and watched the cultural troupe's performance. It was much more lively than back home."
Xia Huiying laughed along, "That's right, I'm just thinking about Qinming. He's so stubborn. He must be counting down the days while we've been away. We need to go back and spend the Lantern Festival with him, otherwise he'll throw a tantrum."
Gu Mingyue came out carrying freshly boiled eggs and stuffed them into their hands: "Grandma, take these eggs with you on the way. Don't worry, when the weather gets warmer, Lu Lin and I will take the children back to see you."
Zhong Yuxiu took the eggs, touched her belly, and her eyes were full of relief: "Don't worry about us. Your well-being is more important than anything else."
"Look at you now, your complexion is rosy. Lu Lin has taken good care of you, Wanwan has recovered, and He Xiao dotes on her. We elders can finally rest easy."
Lu Wanwan stood to the side, her eyes a little red: "Mom, be careful on your way back, and let us know when you get there."
Xia Huiying took her hand and smiled as she wiped the corner of her eye: "Silly child, why are you crying? We'll come back in a few months, and then you'll be able to see Mingyue's baby."
The jeep stopped at the gate of the courtyard. Lu Lin carried the luggage into the car, and Zhong Yuxiu and Xia Huiying took one last look at the courtyard before slowly getting into the car.
As the car started moving, they waved from the window, saying, "Remember to write to us."
Gu Mingyue and Lu Wanwan stood at the door until the car disappeared at the end of the road before slowly returning to the house.
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