Chapter 59
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather begins to cool down, and it is no longer terribly hot during the day.
Gu Xi really likes this kind of weather; the crisp autumn air is perfect for a stroll in the countryside.
However, she has been busy with carpentry work lately and hasn't had much time to go out. Plus, she's not familiar with the neighborhood, so she decided to stay home.
After finishing with the chicken coop and rabbit hutch, and making folding stools for others, Gu Xi had nothing to do. Since she had already finished reading all the books at home, she decided to go to Qiao Hui to borrow a few books to read.
Qiao Hui has a lot of books, and some of the storybooks are quite interesting.
I heard that Qiao Hui used to work at a publishing house, specializing in editing books, but she resigned from her job because she was with the military.
In the afternoon, Gu Xi took the rice cakes she had made to knock on the door next door.
Sister Zhu came to open the door and was very happy to see Gu Xi. She said, "Comrade Gu hasn't been here for a while. I heard you've been busy making small stools for people lately. I didn't know you could do woodworking. You're really amazing."
In her eyes, Gu Xi looked like a pampered young lady from the city, yet she could do this kind of work; appearances can be deceiving.
Like Qiao Hui, Sister Zhu didn't interact much with the people in the family compound.
Besides her cautious nature, the main reason was that she had to take care of her child and do housework, leaving her little time to interact with the people in the residential compound. If Gu Xi didn't go over, the two people inside were practically blind to the situation in the compound, knowing absolutely nothing.
I only found out that Gu Xi made small stools because I overheard her talking about it while I was buying groceries.
Gu Xi smiled and said, "We're not really familiar with each other, just some little trinkets." She handed the rice cake to Sister Zhu, and asked, "How are Qiao Hui and Nannan doing? Has Nannan grown a bit more?"
As soon as I entered, I saw a woman in her fifties inside. She was dressed appropriately and her hair was neatly combed. She looked like a women's director in a government-affiliated unit in the city.
Gu Xi was wondering who the other person was when the woman smiled and said, "Hello, I am Chief of Staff Gao's mother, Qian Rong. May I ask who this comrade is...?"
"Oh, it's Aunt Qian. I'm Gu Xi, the wife of Commander Shen from next door." Gu Xi introduced herself. "I made some rice cakes today and brought them over for you to try."
Qian Rong immediately said warmly, "So you're Comrade Gu! I heard from Qiao Hui that she had an accident the day she gave birth, and you helped take her to the clinic. Thank you so much!"
She excitedly grasped Gu Xi's hand, her face full of gratitude.
Gu Xi quickly replied, "We're all neighbors, it's only right that we look after each other."
Qian Rong thanked her profusely and kept talking to her.
Gu Xi was a little overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. Although she was Chief of Staff Gao's mother, she was still a stranger to her. Being held by the hand and thanked by a stranger was really uncomfortable for her, so she quickly made an excuse to go see Qiao Hui.
Upon entering the house, they found Qiao Hui lying in bed, keeping the child company.
She unconsciously moved more quietly, afraid of disturbing others.
To her surprise, Qiao Hui hadn't slept at all. When she arrived, she had already opened her eyes, sat up, and smiled at her, saying, "Gu Xi, you're here. I heard your voice earlier."
Gu Xi walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I made rice cakes. I'll bring them over for you to try."
Just then, Sister Zhu brought over some rice cakes and gave some to Qiao Hui. Breastfeeding mothers get hungry quickly, so this was a good opportunity to have a snack.
Qiao Hui ate a piece of rice cake. The rice cake was fresh out of the pot, still hot, fragrant, and soft—it was delicious.
"It's delicious," she praised. "The texture is so delicate, it's risen perfectly, and it's so soft and fluffy."
Gu Xi said, "As long as the rice is ground finely enough, everything will taste good."
She's strong, grinding rice is no problem for her, and she's quite interested in making this kind of food.
While eating, Qiao Hui chatted with her and asked with a smile, "Have you finished all your work?"
Gu Xi has been busy with carpentry lately and hasn't had much time to come over. If it weren't for the fact that she hasn't finished her postpartum confinement, I would have liked to go and see what she was doing. I think whatever Gu Xi is doing is quite interesting.
Life with the military was very boring. During the day, only she and Sister Zhu were at home, and there was no one to talk to. It was rare to have someone she could get along with, and she really enjoyed spending time with Gu Xi, talking and chatting.
Most importantly, it seems that no matter what I say, Gu Xi can always respond.
She never knew that she could find like-minded friends who would not be prejudiced against her because of her stunning appearance, and who could even keep up with her ideas and not think she was too aloof.
"I've finished everything, and no one's asking me to make stools anymore, so I'm quite free and want to read some books," Gu Xi said. "I've already finished the books I borrowed last time, and I'd like to borrow two more."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Hui immediately said, "Then I'll take you to the study to choose one."
As she spoke, she got up and went out to call Sister Zhu to come and help take care of the child, but little did she know that it was her mother-in-law who came in.
Qiao Hui said, "Mom, I'm taking Gu Xi to the study to pick out a book. Could you please look after Nannan for me?"
"Okay, you guys go ahead, I'll keep an eye on things," Qian Rong said with a smile. Seeing that the child on the bed had woken up because her mother wasn't there, she picked her up and rocked her gently. "Our little darling's awake! Grandma's here with you, okay?"
When Gu Xi followed Qiao Hui to the study next door, she turned to look at Qian Rong, who was holding a child, and noticed that she seemed to really like her granddaughter. She couldn't help but feel happy for Qiao Hui.
The preference for sons over daughters has existed in every era, and it is even more common these days.
Although people in the future will know that the sex of a child is actually determined by the man, this is not the case these days. If a daughter is born, people will blame the woman for not being able to conceive, and conflicts between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are inevitable.
Upon entering the study next door, one sees a shelf against the wall filled with books and newspapers.
The study was decorated warmly, with all four walls painted white and several large characters pasted on them. The beige curtains were hooked up, and on the desk by the window was a vase of unknown origin with a few handmade dried flowers in it. A rug was laid on the floor, and on the desk, besides writing brushes, ink, and books, there was an inkstone, a pen holder, and a pen rest...
This is a very standard women's study, with a touch of bourgeois charm, but not over the top.
Gu Xi really liked coming to Qiao Hui's study, as if she were surrounded by books and knowledge. She heard that Chief of Staff Gao had specially arranged it for Qiao Hui. After Qiao Hui came to join the army, she spent most of her time at home, but spent the most time in the study.
Because she was pregnant and liked to go barefoot, a carpet was laid on the floor to keep her from catching a cold.
This shows how much Chief of Staff Gao values her.
Qiao Hui asked Gu Xi to pick out books while she organized the old newspapers on the shelf.
Before giving birth, she had a habit of reading the newspaper every day, and she would have Chief of Staff Gao bring it back to her.
Since she started her postpartum confinement, she has hardly touched any books, and she's not even allowed to read newspapers, for fear of damaging her eyes. If she really wants to read the newspaper, she has to wait for Chief of Staff Gao to come back and read it to her.
Gu Xi picked up a book, then turned around and saw her reading a newspaper. She quickly said, "Don't read it. If Chief of Staff Gao comes back and finds out you're reading the newspaper, he'll probably scold me."
Qiao Hui said helplessly, "It's just a quick look, not long." Then she pouted and said, "If we don't tell him, he won't know."
Gu Xi laughed, "What if he becomes suspicious and interrogates you?"
Qiao Hui said confidently, "I'm not afraid, I'll ignore him!"
Gu Xi knew there were many taboos during postpartum confinement and was really worried that reading would damage her eyes, so after finding the book, she pulled her away from the study.
As Qiao Hui went out, she saw Qian Rong holding a child standing in front of the main room. She frowned and said, "Mom, it's windy here. Don't bring Nannan out in the wind."
Qian Rong said, "What's the big deal? The weather is nice, the children should come out and get some sun."
“Sister Zhu took her out to sunbathe this morning, so she doesn’t need to sunbathe now.” Qiao Hui walked over nervously. “Mom, I’ll take Nannan back.”
Qian Rong felt a little embarrassed by her words, but seeing that Gu Xi was still there, she didn't know what to say.
Gu Xi pretended not to see them and politely said goodbye.
Qian Rong said warmly, "Comrade Gu, won't you stay a little longer?"
"No, I need to go back and cook, so I won't bother you any longer."
Qian Rong quickly grabbed a bag of pastries and stuffed it into her hands, saying, "These are local specialties from our area. You should try them too, don't be shy with your auntie."
Gu Xi couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to accept it.
After seeing Gu Xi off, Qian Rong went inside and saw Qiao Hui breastfeeding her child. She sat down and chatted with her daughter-in-law.
She asked curiously, "Where is this Comrade Gu from? He doesn't look like someone from the countryside."
Qiao Hui said, "I heard he's from Beijing."
"No wonder!" Qian Rong slapped her thigh and said with surprise, "She looks like a cultured city girl, but she's from Beijing! She's really something else! But she's so thin, you wouldn't guess she's so strong, able to carry you to the clinic..."
She had heard her son and daughter-in-law talk about this before, and she thought that Commander Shen's wife was a big, strong country woman. But when she saw her for the first time, she was so beautiful that she was almost blinded.
Moreover, this kind of beauty is not the kind of flamboyant, vixen-like beauty that her daughter-in-law possesses, but rather a kind of beauty that elders would like—quiet, well-behaved, and reassuring to look at.
Girls who grow up in this capital city are indeed different.
Qiao Hui was quite pleased to see her mother-in-law praising Gu Xi so highly. She and Gu Xi were friends, and her mother-in-law's praise of her friend made her feel honored.
Just then, I heard my mother-in-law say, "Luckily, she brought it in time, otherwise you and Nannan would be alright and your bodies wouldn't be hurt! You should take good care of yourself and try to get pregnant again soon. Nannan is a girl, and it's a bit of a loss that she doesn't have a brother to help her..."
Qiao Hui's smile faded, and she remained silent.
After her daughter finished drinking milk, she held the baby upright in her arms and patted her back to help her burp and prevent her from choking on the milk.
Qian Rong spoke for a while, but seeing her daughter-in-law remain silent and quietly doing her own thing, she felt a sense of powerlessness.
She just couldn't get along with her daughter-in-law, and she couldn't stand her daughter-in-law's taciturn and stubborn nature. On top of that, she was also so eye-catching. Ever since her son married her, their family had been the subject of a lot of sidelong glances and whispers behind their backs. But she still refused to go with her son to the military camp...
Thinking about the past gives Qian Rong a headache.
If it weren't for her daughter-in-law's insistence on quitting her job to join her husband in the military, her son wouldn't have had a daughter until he was twenty-nine. If the first child had been a son, it would have been fine, but it turned out to be a girl. They have to hurry up and have another one, otherwise what will they do when they are both too old to have a son?
She told her daughter-in-law, "I've heard that whether you're a man or a woman, you should have as many children as possible while you're young. Otherwise, when you get older, after thirty, your physical functions decline, and the children you have won't be very smart... By the way, isn't our neighbor, Comrade Gu, newly married? I wonder when she'll have her baby. It's best to have a few while you're young..."
Qiao Hui finally spoke up, "Mom, when Gu Xi gives birth is her business. Don't mention it in front of her."
What if next time Gu Xi comes over, her mother-in-law pulls Gu Xi aside and talks about this kind of thing? Wouldn't that be embarrassing for her?
Newlyweds, no woman is in a rush to have a baby.
Qian Rong was startled by her sudden remark and was somewhat displeased: "I'm not a gossip, I certainly wouldn't say that in front of her, what kind of person do you take me for?"
Qiao Hui was extremely annoyed, and her voice turned cold, "It's not good to talk behind people's backs! Gu Xi came to see me out of kindness, but we're talking about her behind her back. What kind of behavior is that?"
After being harshly criticized, Qian Rong's face instantly stiffened, and she felt extremely embarrassed.
She was so angry that she got up and left the room, not wanting to stay any longer and be driven crazy by this daughter-in-law.
They make it sound like she's some despicable person who always talks behind people's backs. Does this daughter-in-law really think of herself as that kind of person?
Qian Rong was furious, and her anger didn't subside until her son came home from get off work.
When Chief of Staff Gao saw her mother's expression, his heart skipped a beat.
Did he get angry with Qiao Hui again?
His expression remained unchanged as he smiled and said, "Mom, why are you sitting here? It's windy here, come inside and sit down."
Qian Rong said sarcastically, "What would I do if I went inside? If I go in, who knows what people will say about me, that I'm a gossipy woman who talks behind people's backs. I can't stand that."
She's the factory director, and everyone praises her, saying she's efficient and straightforward in her work.
This is the first time I've been criticized like this, and I'm really angry.
Hearing this, Gao Wenbin understood.
Well, it seems the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are indirectly fighting again.
Although they don't usually argue, these cold wars happen frequently. Even though he used to spend less time at home, every time he went back, he would hear his father complaining that his mother and daughter-in-law would have a cold war over the slightest disagreement, and he was caught in the middle, which was very difficult and unpleasant for him.
It wasn't until Qiao Hui agreed to go with the army that her father happily opened a bottle of wine to celebrate that night, finally freeing her from the torment of being caught between her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Gao Wenbin put his arm around his mother and led her back to the main room, saying, "Mom, what are you saying? Don't you know Huihui's personality? You've lived with her for five years, you know what kind of person she is! She didn't mean it. No matter what she said, don't take it to heart. If you're angry, just yell at me."
Qian Rong asked, puzzled, "Why would I scold you?"
She was sulking with her daughter-in-law, so why did she have to scold her own son for no reason?
"You scolded me for being incompetent, for not handling your conflict properly, and for causing you all to misunderstand each other!" Gao Wenbin took the blame upon himself. "Mom, if you're still angry, you can hit me. Your son is tough and doesn't feel pain..."
Qian Rong's anger was quickly dispelled by her son. She glared at him and said, "I know you protect your wife, but did you listen to what she just said? Is that reasonable? Wasn't she pointing her finger at me and calling me a gossipy woman who talks behind people's backs?"
I immediately recounted what had happened to him, but he was still angry.
Upon hearing this, Gao Wenbin was not at all surprised that his mother and mother-in-law would fight over this matter. He said, "Mom, you know that Huihui has a high sense of morality. She is the kind of person who would rather suffer a loss herself than take advantage of others, and she would never speak ill of others..."
"You mean I like to take advantage of people?" Qian Rong angrily scolded him.
Gao Wenbin quickly replied, "Of course not, Mom. I know you're not that kind of person. You're just overly concerned."
"That's more like it."
Qian Rong was finally coaxed by her son and decided not to argue with Qiao Hui.
Anyway, now that my daughter-in-law has finally joined the army, the two of them won't live together anymore, and they won't have to see each other all the time like before. I'll be leaving soon anyway, so there's no need to argue with her.
However, Qian Rong was still concerned about one thing. She pulled her son aside and said, "This baby is a girl. We want a son next time. Your father and I only have you as our son. We can't let the Gao family line die out..."
Gao Wenbin said, "Mom, you're wrong. Great people have said that women hold up half the sky, and it doesn't matter whether you have a boy or a girl! Mom, you're a woman yourself, so women shouldn't make things difficult for other women, right? Whether you have a boy or a girl is determined by fate, so let's not force it!"
Qian Rong: "..."
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