Coughing is a classic case of illness, proving the old saying, "Illness comes like a landslide, but recovers like pulling silk." It arrives suddenly and goes slowly. Zhao Mingyue never imagined she would be so helpless against a simple cold. For her child's health, she couldn't take medicine or get injections, and could only rely on rock sugar pear soup and her own immune system to slowly recover. She felt anxious and helpless. She had never felt spring was so unpleasant before. Spring, which should be the most beautiful and anticipated season, had turned out like this.
She wore a mask every day and replaced her drinking water with rock sugar pear water that her mother made for her. She practically ate pears as her meals. It took about seven or eight days for her cough to completely subside. After this experience, Zhao Mingyue treated every spring as if it were a major crisis, preparing masks well in advance to deal with the flying catkins.
Spring in Beijing is short; the true feeling of spring lasts only a little over a month before summer mode kicks in immediately, and by June, the weather is already very hot. Fang Zhen gave birth to a boy in June, and both mother and child were safe and healthy. This was the eldest grandson of the Shen family, and the whole family was overjoyed, with everyone doting on the little baby.
Zhao Mingyue was happy for them too. Her mother, Hu Nianchun, was happy but also a little worried after learning that Fang Zhen had given birth to a boy: "Daughter, did Xiao Shen tell you whether you wanted a boy or a girl?"
Zhao Mingyue knew her mother's worries: "He likes girls and said he wanted a daughter."
Hu Nianchun breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."
Zhao Mingyue comforted her mother, saying, "Mom, don't worry, he won't favor boys over girls. I think it would be better to have a daughter. Look, his older sister had a son, and his older brother also had a son. If I had a daughter, we would only have one girl in the family, and she would definitely be pampered. Besides, daughters are so sweet. If I had a daughter like me, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Looking at her daughter, Hu Nianchun sighed and said, "Mom knows you're a good and thoughtful daughter, but I'm worried that your in-laws might have those kinds of thoughts and have a bad opinion of you in the future." Hu Nianchun is a traditional woman with deeply ingrained ideas about raising sons to provide for her in old age and to carry on the family line. However, her daughter works for the government and can only have one child. Of course, she would like a girl, but if it were a boy, it would be perfect.
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "Mom, the baby's gender has already been decided. Whether it's a boy or a girl, it's our destiny, and I will love this child dearly."
“Of course, how could I not like my own child? It would be even better if your in-laws didn’t mind,” Hu Nianchun said.
Zhao Mingyue thought for a moment: "I asked his father once, and he seemed to say that boys and girls are the same. I don't know about my mother-in-law's attitude, but since she already has a grandson, she probably won't care too much whether I give birth to a boy or a girl."
Zhao Mingyue's belly was already quite large, over six months along. Her body was very heavy, and she walked with a swaying gait, like a crab. Zhao Mingyue thought to herself, "I've made a huge sacrifice for this child, but it's all worth it." Every evening, she and her mother would go for a walk on campus. The doctor had also said that appropriate exercise could help with a natural birth.
June in Beijing is already very hot, but the weather in the evening is very cool with a gentle breeze blowing from the south. There is very little dust. In fact, Beijing's air quality is better in both summer and winter.
The mother and daughter walked for a while and sat down on a bench to rest. Zhao Mingyue said, "Xuyue said it will take two months longer than expected, and he won't be back until August. By then, I'll be giving birth. I hope he won't really wait until I give birth before he comes back."
Hu Nianchun said, "Don't worry, I said I'd come back, and I definitely will. Just focus on taking good care of your pregnancy."
Zhao Mingyue took out a handkerchief to fan herself. Although it was still quite cool in the evening, she was in the late stages of pregnancy and her body tended to be hot, so she was particularly sensitive to heat. After walking for a while, she felt her vest getting hot. "Mom, let's go buy an electric fan this weekend. I feel too hot."
Hu Nianchun nodded: "Okay, let's go buy one."
Zhao Mingyue said, "I'll also go home to see my sister-in-law and nephew, and send them some clothes I made for the baby." Fang Zhen gave birth a few days ago, and Zhao Mingyue hasn't visited her nephew yet. She only heard Shen Qixue come to tell her the good news once. After giving birth, Fang Zhen had already returned to the Shen family to recuperate.
Hu Nianchun asked, "Where will you be staying for your postpartum confinement? Back at your mother-in-law's place? Or here?"
Zhao Mingyue thought for a moment: "It would be great if Xuyue came back before I gave birth. He could set up the house and we could move in directly. Otherwise, we'll have to go back to his parents' place. The two kids will be so noisy, we won't be able to rest at all." Then, Shen's mother will have to take Shen Qixue's child, and she'll have to take another one back with her. The two kids will either cry together or take turns crying, which will be a real headache.
Hu Nianchun said, "Yes, the worst thing about taking care of children is when they are all together. If one cries, the other will definitely cry too if the noise bothers the other."
Zhao Mingyue touched her belly: "I'll write to Shen Xuyue in a bit and ask him to come back before August no matter what."
Hu Nianchun said with a smile, "Just let him do his best. There's nothing we can do if he can't do it."
"I don't think his problem is too serious; it's just that the guy who went with him is dragging his feet," Zhao Mingyue sighed.
Over the weekend, Zhao Mingyue, accompanied by her mother, took the bus to the Shen family's house. On the bus, some people looked at the mother and daughter, and some even offered them their seats. People these days are of high quality, warm-hearted and kind, and they actively help those in need. There is no need for the ticket seller to remind them.
When Zhao Mingyue arrived at the Shen family's house, she saw that the bamboo poles in the yard were covered with diapers. Inside the house, a child was crying softly. Zhao Mingyue went into the yard and saw Shen's father carrying the child out and standing under the corridor, waving his arm and saying, "Don't cry, baby."
Zhao Mingyue smiled when she saw the kind smile on Shen's father's face. The old man must be in a very good mood: "Dad."
When Mr. Shen looked up, he saw Zhao Mingyue and her mother: "Mother-in-law, Mingyue, you're back."
"Um, where are my mom and sister-in-law?"
"Your mom went to buy groceries, and your sister-in-law is making formula for the baby. Come in and sit down."
Zhao Mingyue walked over and looked at the baby. The baby had dark skin and small, squished features, looking more like Shen Qixue. The baby was crying loudly with its mouth open. Zhao Mingyue reached out and touched the baby's soft little face: "So cute, what's your name?"
Mr. Shen said, “His formal name is Shen Runsheng, and his nickname is Zhuangzhuang. His formal name was given by his father, and it’s very difficult to pronounce.”
"Which two words?" Zhao Mingyue asked.
Hearing the sounds outside, Fang Zhen walked to the door, still holding a baby bottle and shaking it. "Mingyue, Auntie, you're all back. Come in and sit down. Are you asking about Zhuangzhuang's name? Run means moisturizing, and Sheng means flourishing." She still had a handkerchief wrapped around her forehead, a traditional postpartum practice where a new mother's head shouldn't be exposed to drafts, otherwise she would have headaches later.
Zhao Mingyue thought for a moment, realizing that the characters were quite obscure. She wondered where the couple had found them, and then smiled and said, "The meaning is quite good."
Fang Zhen took Zhuangzhuang, who was crying and nursing, from Shen's father's arms: "Good boy, don't cry, come on, drink milk." She tasted it herself first to make sure it wasn't too hot before putting it in her son's mouth. As soon as the baby had milk, he immediately stopped crying.
Shen's father placed the child in Fang Zhen's arms and left.
Zhao Mingyue asked, "What's wrong? Is your breast milk insufficient?"
Fang Zhen said apologetically, "It's a bit too little. My mother made a lot of things to help with lactation, but it's still not enough. I can only drink it with formula."
Zhao Mingyue glanced at the milk powder on the table; it was imported from the United States. Fang Zhen followed her gaze and said, "This was bought by Dad through someone; it's imported American baby formula. Zhuangzhuang seems to like drinking it quite a bit."
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "If you don't have enough breast milk, I'll write to Xuyue and ask him to send some back from the United States. I don't know if he can send it."
Fang Zhen said, "I should have enough here, so I don't need it for now. He's over there, so you can ask him to bring some back for your child. Our country doesn't have infant formula yet."
Zhao Mingyue said, "I'll try my best to breastfeed myself. I'm afraid that if the baby drinks too much milk, it will cause them to get constipated." Back then, there were no milk powder supplements or similar products.
Fang Zhen nodded: "That's true, Zhuangzhuang has a bit of constipation."
"So you should try to eat more foods that promote lactation, as it's healthier to breastfeed yourself."
"Okay, sure."
Zhao Mingyue took the schoolbag her mother was carrying and took out a stack of clothes, five or six pieces: "Sister-in-law, these are what I made for Zhuangzhuang. You can take them and let him wear them."
Fang Zhen was holding a baby bottle in one hand and the baby in the other, so she couldn't free her hands. She glanced at it, nodded, and said, "Oh my, Mingyue's hands are so skillful. It looks so beautiful. Zhuangzhuang, quickly thank your second aunt."
Zhao Mingyue said with a smile, "I've washed all the clothes, so they're ready to wear. It's much better to take care of the child in the summer; it's hot, and I don't have to worry about the child getting cold."
Fang Zhen said, "Mom is still saying that we shouldn't wrap our legs when it's hot."
Zhao Mingyue asked her mother, "Mom, do babies have their legs bound after they are born?"
Hu Nianchun said, "The older generation said that children's legs should be bound after birth, because they were afraid that the child would grow up with bowlegs."
Fang Zhen suddenly realized: "So you were worried about bowlegs. Bowlegs are caused by calcium deficiency or standing and walking too early, which puts pressure on the bones. Then I'm relieved. I don't need to bind Zhuangzhuang's legs anymore."
Zhao Mingyue laughed: "That's how it is."
Father Shen came out of the kitchen and placed a washed apple on the table: "Mother-in-law, have some fruit. How has Mingyue been lately?"
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "That's good, Dad." She gave an apple to her mother and took one for herself.
Father Shen said, "Xu Yue hasn't come back yet, but don't worry. He must be anxious too. He'll definitely come back as soon as possible. Just focus on your pregnancy. Come back here for summer vacation. Your apartment isn't as cool as home, and the room is too cramped. It's too stuffy."
Zhao Mingyue hesitated because Fang Zhen was at home with the child. Fang Zhen, being very understanding, said, "Dad, Mingyue should come back to live here, but I'm worried that Zhuangzhuang will disturb her rest."
Mr. Shen thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense. Come over after you have the baby. When Xu Yue comes back, your room won't be big enough."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Dad, if Xuyue comes back late, I'll come home to have my postpartum confinement. If he comes back early and he's prepared his apartment at work, we'll move there. My mom will take care of us, so it'll be fine. Otherwise, with both kids at home, it'll be noisy and disturb your peace."
Father Shen nodded: "That's fine."
Mother Shen returned from outside carrying a vegetable basket: "Mingyue and your mother-in-law are here."
Zhao Mingyue stood up and said, "Yes, I've come to see my parents, my sister-in-law, and my nephew."
"Sit down," said Mrs. Shen. "Don't move around. I've been so busy lately, I haven't been able to visit you. How are you doing?" Although Zhao Mingyue had her mother taking care of her, Mrs. Shen would still visit her every few days, bringing her food and necessities. Both her daughters-in-law were pregnant, so she always prepared double portions of anything good to eat or use, showing no favoritism. Deep down, Mrs. Shen felt a slight bias towards her younger daughter-in-law, Zhao Mingyue, whom she had spent more time with and who was more cheerful and sensible. However, she couldn't just ignore her older daughter-in-law, who had come all the way to Beijing alone without any family by her side.
"Great, Mom. My nephew is so handsome and cute, just like his older brother." Zhuangzhuang had finished his milk, yawned, and wiggled comfortably, ready to go to sleep.
When talking about her grandson, Mother Shen couldn't help but show her loving expression: "Yes, his eyebrows, eyes, and nose are like your eldest brother's, and his mouth is like Fang Zhen's."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Can I have a hug?"
Fang Zhen gently rocked her son and then carefully placed him in Zhao Mingyue's arms. Zhao Mingyue held her little nephew, who rested comfortably on her protruding belly, which looked quite amusing. The little guy was tiny, soft, and seemed almost weightless. "Oh my, so good," Zhao Mingyue said, her face radiating a gentle maternal glow.
Fang Zhen said, "He's okay when he's not crying, but taking care of a child is so hard. He gets hungry and wet after a while. It's the same at night. When he's hungry, he opens his mouth and cries for food. I can't get a full night's sleep at all. Look at my eyes, they're always swollen and I can't open them at all. I wish I could sleep all day long."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Really? Then I'd better be mentally prepared." It is said that most people can only understand the hardships of their parents after they become parents, because raising a child is really not easy. Anyway, Zhao Mingyue found it difficult to get pregnant, and she knew that raising a child from an infant who knew nothing was a long and arduous task.
Summer vacation has started, but Shen Xuyue still hasn't returned. Zhao Mingyue guesses he probably won't be home until August. She feels especially apologetic to her mother: "Mom, you've really gone through a lot."
Hu Nianchun shook his head: "What's so hard about that? I don't have much to do, I just cook for you every day. It's your dad who's home alone, I wonder how he's doing. There's so much to do at home, farming, picking tea, feeding the chickens and pigs, I don't know if he can manage."
Hearing her mother say these things, Zhao Mingyue felt even more guilty. Her mother missed home; it had been almost half a year since she left, and she missed her father. Her father must be very tired, working so hard all by himself at home. Although her father's letter said that everything was fine at home and that her mother shouldn't worry, telling her to stay in Beijing in peace, he must also want her to come home soon.
Zhao Mingyue said, "Mom, after I give birth, I'll have Xuyue take you back."
Hu Nianchun looked at him and said, "I'll help you take care of the child here."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Either I bring Dad over, or I find a nanny to help take care of the child, and you go home to be with my dad." She had also thought it over carefully. From the time the child was born until he started daycare, there would be at least two years. She couldn't let her parents be separated for so long, and her father also needed someone to take care of him.
Hu Nianchun hadn't thought about it yet: "Let's talk about it after the baby is born."
Zhao Mingyue then thought that she had three older brothers. Her second brother was going to have a son, and her third brother was not married yet. It was unreasonable for her mother to take care of her children. This was unfair to her two brothers, and especially unfair to her parents. They had worked hard all their lives, and now they had to be their children's caregivers in their old age. She needed to discuss this matter with Shen Xuyue.
Before Yu Youqing returned to his hometown, he came to visit Zhao Mingyue. He didn't come alone; he came with Mao Jianlan, and both of them were a little shy. Zhao Mingyue looked at them, blinked, and seemed to understand something, and couldn't help but smile.
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