Chapter 98
Hu Yanni said softly, "Qingtang, don't comfort me. I tell you, this kind of situation really happens. There was a person in our steel plant last year. His test scores were not bad, but maybe he filled in the wrong application form, or something else happened. In the end, he didn't even get a supplementary admission. After that, he was very depressed. He was dazed when working in the workshop. He almost had an accident, which was very dangerous. I think every day now that I might be in the same situation as him. In the end, I didn't even get a supplementary admission... If I don't even get a supplementary admission, then... what should I do?"
Xia Qingtang said seriously, "If there is no supplementary enrollment, you don't have to worry. You have a job, what are you afraid of? Many of them work hard to take the college entrance examination in order to return to the city and have a job. Since you have a stable job, the worst that can happen is that you can shine in this job in the future, and then go to night school when you have the opportunity. You can still have a bright future. Yanni, don't be afraid. I heard from insiders that there will be various schools coming out one after another, such as night schools and weekend schools. In the end, there will be graduation certificates, which are also diplomas."
Later, various night schools and short-term courses did emerge one after another, and various universities also launched adult education programs with equivalent academic qualifications. Those who really wanted an academic degree could go and study for one, and they could also get promoted in their workplace.
Of course Xia Qingtang knew that Hu Yanni was not after a degree, she really wanted to go to college, but now that things had come to this, Xia Qingtang could only use this to comfort her.
Hu Yanni whispered, "I'm not worried about work. My current job isn't that hard. Although I really want to be a teacher, I won't have too many regrets if I can't do it. I just feel... it's a bit sad that I haven't achieved anything after all my efforts..."
Seeing her eyes slightly red and her voice trembling slightly, Xia Qingtang quickly parked the car, then hugged Hu Yanni tightly and patted her back gently: "You have reason to be sad. I know you have paid a lot. In order to prepare for the exam, you studied for so many hours every day and did not take a day off during the Chinese New Year. You have paid so much, I know it..."
Hu Yanni leaned on Xia Qingtang's shoulder and cried quietly for a while. When she gradually stopped crying, she said, "Forget it. If I really can't pass the exam, I can only say that I don't have the talent, or others have worked harder than me. Just like Comrade Xie in your family, he has worked harder than me, so he deserves to be admitted to the provincial capital university."
"Don't give up hope so early. I remember that some people didn't receive their admission letters until after school started in October last year. It's very easy to get lost in the mail, so it's normal for it to be delayed for a few days on the way. Besides, Gu Xing'an will go to the Normal College to check for you tomorrow, so don't be so pessimistic now, at least wait until tomorrow. If you check at the Normal College tomorrow and are sure that your name is not on it, then it's worth crying. Then I'll call Xiaoshuang over, and the two of us will cry with you. It's really too early to cry now."
Hu Yanni smiled bitterly: "I don't know if it's right to ask Gu Xing'an to go over and ask... If he sees that my name is not there, he will definitely be more disappointed than I am."
"What are you disappointed about? What should he be disappointed about?" Xia Qingtang said, "Did he come back and break up with you immediately because you didn't get into college? If that's the case, then break up. Who cares about him? With his family conditions, even if he becomes a cadre in the future, that family will be a bottomless pit. A family like that has a lot of burdens, and when he has some money in the future, he will take it back to support his family. So don't think too highly of him, he's not that popular. Let me tell you, you have good conditions. If you break up with Gu Xing'an, I can immediately introduce you to a very good person, and I guarantee that you will have a good life in the future."
Hu Yanni was a little sad at first, but she couldn't help laughing after hearing this. She said, "Qingtang, you don't have to say such things just to comfort me. I'm just an ordinary person. If there really is such a good person, why would he be with me?"
Xia Qingtang said, "Really, when have I ever lied to you? And the other person really asked me about you, but because you already had Gu Xingan, I had no choice but to help you reject him. Otherwise, I was planning to introduce you to a date after you took the college entrance examination. That person is better than Gu Xingan in all aspects, and I can also guarantee his character."
Luo Xiangqian had a very good impression of Hu Yanni, and he always remembered what Xia Qingtang had said before. As soon as the college entrance examination was over, Luo Xiangqian found a time to run over and ask Xia Qingtang: "When will you introduce your classmate to me? Now that the college entrance examination is over, she shouldn't have to study anymore, right?"
Xia Qingtang had no choice but to say, "Speaking of this, I want to say sorry to you. I thought my classmate was single, but I didn't expect that she got in touch with a former classmate of ours while she was reviewing for the college entrance examination. The two of them agreed to try to get along after the college entrance examination, so... I'm sorry, Lao Luo, I made you wait in vain."
Luo Xiangqian was disappointed at first, but he was a very easy-going person. Knowing that Hu Yanni already had a boyfriend, he didn't say anything else. He just said to Xia Qingtang: "If you have any female classmates or female acquaintances who you are close to, you can introduce them to me. I don't have any other requirements for finding a partner. The most important thing is that she looks good. Everything else is secondary. Anyway, it doesn't matter if she has a bad job or even no job. I can support her."
This year, many sent-down youth have returned to the city secretly, but there are not so many jobs in the city, so many young people are unemployed. Luo Xiangqian said this, which means that he is willing to find an unemployed educated youth who has returned to the city.
Xia Qingtang kept his words in mind, but until now she hadn't met any particularly suitable candidate, so she just gave up.
After hearing what Xia Qingtang said, Hu Yanni laughed even more exaggeratedly. She said, "Don't tease me. How could anyone ask about me? I'm not a popular person. I'm so ordinary."
"What's so ordinary about you? You're very pretty. Although you're not one of the most beautiful women in your steel plant, everyone praises you for being pretty. Since you're pretty, isn't it normal for someone to miss you? I'm not saying this because I hope you break up with Gu Xing'an or something. If you can be together with Gu Xing'an, and he can cherish you, take good care of you, and treat you well, I support you. I'm saying this just to tell you that Gu Xing'an is not as good as you think, and you're not as ordinary as you think. Even if Gu Xing'an leaves you, it's not a loss for you. And you're a very good girl, you have good conditions, good character, and good personality. You have to have confidence in yourself. It's very simple for you to go out and find a partner. Don't always think that Gu Xing'an is great because he's a college student, and you're not worthy of him. There's no such thing! You'll always be worthy of him, whether you're a college student or not. Moreover, even if you don't look at feelings when you're dating, you only look at suitability. Why are you not suitable for him? If he really thinks you're worthy of him only if you get into college, then he can just go away. What's so great about that? You don't have to be craving him!"
Xia Qingtang's tone was very sincere. Hu Yanni looked into her eyes, slightly absent-minded.
After a long while, she said softly, "Qingtang, thank you for always being so good to me. I know you said all this because you are so good to me. I have never been in a relationship before, and I feel a little uneasy. But don't worry, I don't think Gu Xingan is particularly important, it's just that he happened to be by my side, and I wanted to give it a try with him. If I really fail the exam and he wants to leave, it's up to him. There are some things I will control myself, and there are some things... I won't make any intimate moves until we get married. So you don't have to worry about me, if Gu Xingan leaves, I can live well. Just like you said, at worst I can find another partner."
Xia Qingtang was relieved. She patted Hu Yanni's shoulder again. "I'm relieved when you say that. Cheer up and go home to have a good sleep. Maybe you can bring good news from the Normal College tomorrow. I'll go to your house after work tomorrow. Maybe you'll be setting off firecrackers at home at this time tomorrow."
Xia Qingtang is a man who is sometimes quite powerful and his words are particularly effective.
The next day after work, she rode her bike directly to the steel plant. Sure enough, before she reached the door of Hu's house, she saw a lot of people standing outside the door. Neighbors and relatives were all gathered there. Hu's father was standing at the door, his face was rosy and he looked very energetic. It was obvious from his appearance that there was a happy event in the family.
Seeing this, Xia Qingtang also became excited. She immediately rode over and shouted, "Uncle, I'm here. Is Yanni home?"
Father Hu immediately shouted, "She's at home, at home! Our Yanni is inside, she's accompanying her sisters! Qingtang, our Yanni is a college student now! She was admitted to the Normal College, and she received the admission letter this morning!"
"Congratulations, uncle! I knew Yanni would pass the exam!" Xia Qingtang was extremely excited. After parking the car, he rushed over, shook Hu's father's hand, and said congratulations many times.
Xie Jinxuan received the admission letter, and now Hu Yanni has also received it. Xia Qingtang no longer has any worries in her heart.
Father Hu was as happy as a little child. He laughed and said, "Congratulations, your Xiao Xie has also been admitted to university. I want to congratulate you too! Come into the house quickly. There are wedding candies in the house. You can grab them and eat as much as you want. I am so happy today! I never thought that there would be a college student in our family! I just sent a telegram to Yanni's brother to make him happy too. Now that we have a college student at home, we are just waiting for Brother Yanni to come back! I heard that our city is going to build a new factory and they will be recruiting a lot of workers. Brother Yanni should be able to come back!"
"Yes, when the factory is built, Brother Yanni will be able to come back, and it will be a double blessing for your family!" Xia Qingtang said and ran into the house.
Hu's mother was talking to relatives in the living room. Xia Qingtang came over, said congratulations, and then went into Hu Yanni's bedroom.
There were also many people sitting in her bedroom, all cousins. Xia Qingtang knew some of them and some of them not. But today was a happy day, and no matter whether they knew each other or not, everyone kept saying congratulations as soon as they met, and there was no sense of awkwardness at all.
When Hu Yanni saw Xia Qingtang, she rushed over and hugged her: "Qingtang, thank you! You were right, I really received the admission letter! It's really funny that I was so worried before. Thank you for always believing in me and thank you for always encouraging me. Qingtang, I'm so happy!"
Xia Qingtang also jumped for joy. She said, "I don't believe you, so who do you want to believe? I have watched you work hard all the way here. I not only believe in you, but I also believe in your hard work and sweat."
The two of them hugged each other and chattered happily for a while. Hu Yanni then pulled Xia Qingtang to the living room and stuffed two handfuls of wedding candies into her trouser pockets, saying, "Eat more. Take these candies to work and eat one when you have time. You are so thin and you sweat a lot in the summer. Eating a candy is good for your health."
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Summer is over. Don't you see what time it is? How can you sweat?"
"Then when the weather gets cold, you need to nourish your body even more and eat more sugar."
Xia Qingtang reached out and pinched Hu Yanni's rosy little face, saying, "You were crying yesterday, but you are so happy today. You are such a simple and straightforward person."
Hu Yanni laughed and said, "I'm just simple."
"Where's your boyfriend? Did he go to the Normal College this morning?"
"I went there in the morning. When he came to see me at noon, he told me that he had found my name there. I also told him that I had received the admission letter this morning and showed it to him. He was very happy for me. By the way, he also said that several classmates in our class, including the class monitor, knew that I was preparing for the exam. Now that I have passed, I may invite the class monitor and others to go out for dinner or something."
"We should celebrate the happy event, but inviting the squad leader and others to dinner? Where should we go to eat with so many people? Eating out is still quite expensive nowadays." Xia Qingtang said, "Even if we go to that restaurant to eat mutton soup, one bowl per person plus four pastries, it will cost a lot of money."
Treating people to a meal is definitely a luxury these days. Even Xie Jinxuan would only invite Luo Xiangqian and others to dinner at her home.
Hu Yanni said, "We won't go out to eat. Gu Xing'an said that his mother will be taking his younger brother and sister back to her parents' home in a few days. His father will also have to go to work that day, so the house will be empty. We can use his house and kitchen, cook a meal at his house, and invite the squad leader to have a meal. This will save money. Qingtang, you can come with us when the time comes. You are also very familiar with the squad leader."
Xia Qingtang whispered, "Yanni, have you two made your current relationship clear to your parents?"
"Of course not. We've only been together for such a short time. It's too early to break up now. I only told my parents that I'm dating someone, and they said we should date for at least half a year before bringing him home to meet. Besides, it's not convenient for us to get married while we're in college. We might as well stay together for two more years, and when the relationship is more stable, I'll bring him to meet my parents."
Xia Qingtang said quickly: "Since you haven't met his parents yet, how can you go to his house to cook? And invite other classmates to dinner...Won't they assume that you two are a couple?"
Hu Yanni was stunned, as if she didn't understand. She said, "But the squad leader and the others know that I'm dating Gu Xing'an. Aren't we a couple?"
"Oh, that's not what I meant. Dating is dating, but it doesn't necessarily lead to engagement, let alone marriage. You two have just started dating, and it's normal to break up if things don't work out. But if you go to his house and cook for other people, they might misunderstand that you two have already decided to get married, and you and Gu Xing'an will really be tied together."
Although it is this day and age, breakups are not uncommon. As long as you have not met each other's parents, everything is possible. But if you have met their parents or are considered engaged, the nature of the relationship will be different. If you break up again at that time, the matchmaker will mind this when introducing you to each other again.
Xia Qingtang certainly hoped that Hu Yanni and Gu Xing'an would talk about marriage, but what if they broke up? She always had to think about her friend.
"Besides, why did you go to Gu's house to cook for your classmates? You haven't even gotten married yet, and you're going to cook for someone else? Won't they bully you to death in the future?" Xia Qingtang said, "You haven't even met his parents, why are you going to his house? How inappropriate is that?"
Hu Yanni suddenly realized: "Yes, why didn't I think of this?"
"You are so silly that you can't even think of such an important thing. Fortunately, you told me. I tell you, don't go to their house to cook. If Gu Xing'an doesn't have money to treat, then don't treat them. The two of you can pool some money and buy some candy and soda for the monitor and others, which will show your love. No one is well off now. Although your family will spend money to treat you to a meal in celebration of your admission to college, you have to give red envelopes to relatives when they come over for a drink. You are treating the monitor and classmates to a meal, will they also give you red envelopes?"
Hu Yanni nodded seriously: "I understand. Then I will tell Gu Xingan that I will not cook for them. You are right. Since Gu Xingan and I can't afford to treat our classmates to a meal at a state-owned restaurant, we can do as you said. We can buy some candies and snacks and invite our classmates to the teahouse at the east end of the city to sit and chat. It won't be too shabby."
"Yes, that's what we should do. Also, I'm not saying that Gu Xing'an is a bad person, but he is indeed not very proficient in the ways of the world. Although he studies well and is a nice person, you still have to be more careful when getting along with him. After all, you are a girl, and girls are always more likely to suffer losses in dating. If your relationship is made public and known to many people, if you break up in the future, it will have an impact on your reputation, but it will have no impact on Gu Xing'an. Yanni, do you understand what I'm saying?" Xia Qingtang lowered his voice, and his tone became more and more serious.
Hu Yanni nodded seriously: "I understand, I know what you are talking about. Don't worry, I will be more careful in the future. If I am not careful, I will come to you when I encounter something I can't make up my mind about. With more people and more thoughts, I won't be stupid all the time."
"Yes, if you encounter any problems again, just come to me." Xia Qingtang transferred the candies in her two trouser pockets to her messenger bag, and then said, "Your family is too lively today, I won't disturb you here, you go and have fun with your sisters, I'm going home too."
"Aren't you staying here for dinner today? My mother wants to make hand-rolled noodles." Hu Yanni said.
"No, I won't join in the fun today. If you want to treat me to a meal, there will always be a chance. I've been to your house for dinner many times, haven't I?" After Xia Qingtang said this, he gave Hu Yanni another warm hug, then said goodbye and left.
After returning to the compound, Xia Qingtang immediately rode his bike to the bungalow where Xie Xiaoshuang lived. However, she was working the middle shift today and was not at home at this time. Xia Qingtang tore a piece of paper from her bag, wrote the words "Yanni has been admitted to the Normal College", stuffed it through the crack in the door, and happily rode home.
Xie Jinxuan knew yesterday that Xia Qingtang would go to the steel plant after get off work today, so she didn't wash or pick vegetables at home, but went directly to the cafeteria to get food and put it in the kitchen. When she saw her riding back, Xie Jinxuan immediately went out and asked, "How is it? Any news?"
"It's more than just news. Hu Yanni passed the exam. She got the admission letter this morning!" Xia Qingtang smiled brightly. "I knew she was worrying for nothing. Her score is high enough, so she will definitely be admitted."
"You can't blame her for worrying. The admission process of each university is different, and the workload is too heavy. Some people have received it long ago, while some may not have been sent out yet. We are from this city, so the speed at which we received it is considered fast. If we were from the counties and towns below, we don't know when we will receive the admission letter. If it is lost in the mail, it would be a waste of our life. They are not as close as we are, so they can't go to the university to check it themselves." Xie Jinxuan said.
Such things have indeed happened in real life. Xia Qingtang later read about several cases in newspapers and magazines, in which admission letters were mailed away and students went to school under someone else's name.
She said: "If it is really sent, there is no way to check it. That is fate and we can only accept it. But today we will not talk about those things that have nothing to do with us. Today we just need to be happy that Yanni was admitted to the Normal College. From now on, she will be a teacher!"
Xie Jinxuan asked, "What subject will she be a teacher of in the future?"
"I checked, it should be middle school mathematics, a main subject!"
"It is indeed a main course, and a very busy one. I might even have to be the class teacher, so I will be very busy every day."
"That's not a problem. Teachers have winter and summer vacations." Xia Qingtang ran to the bathroom, and after a while he came out and said, "I'm so hungry. What are we going to eat today?"
"Let's have braised tofu, stir-fried vegetables, and fermented tofu." Xie Jinxuan brought out the food while she was talking. "You're so happy today, do you want something to drink? I haven't finished the soda that Xiang Qian brought last time."
"No soda, let's drink beer." Xia Qingtang clapped her hands on the table, "We are happy today, let's all drink beer!"
So, Xie Jinxuan accompanied Xia Qingtang to drink beer. After dinner, Xie Jinxuan quickly took Xia Qingtang to the bathroom and let her take a simple bath. Then she happily rushed into the bedroom and fell asleep.
The next day, Luo Xiangqian, who came to visit, also learned the good news that Hu Yanni was admitted to the Normal College.
After listening to this, he laughed and said, "Xiao Xia, your classmate is really amazing. She is good-looking and has been admitted to university. Fortunately, you didn't introduce her to me at that time. If you had introduced her to me, I would not be worthy of her."
Xia Qingtang said, "Old Luo, stop saying that. What's wrong with not being worthy? If we really talk about it, your family is so much better than others. Is that how you say worthy or not? In my opinion, you two are not destined to be together for now. It doesn't matter. Don't worry. I will introduce other good comrades to you as soon as I meet them later."
Luo Xiangqian joked: "Don't just talk about it, you have to take action. I'm not rushing you, but I'm really not young anymore."
Xie Jinxuan said: "You are not that old, don't be so anxious, Leng Feng is still single anyway, there is someone to accompany you, why are you panicking?"
"Leng Feng deserves to be single. He's the kind of person that even cats and dogs would turn around and run away from. If I compare myself to him, wouldn't I be single for the rest of my life? Oh, by the way, it looks like he'll be back next year. Did he write to tell you?"
"He told me in the letter that although his injury has healed, he couldn't keep up with the previous training after returning. He has a strong self-esteem and couldn't keep up with the training. How could he agree to be transferred to a civilian position? So he decided to come back to work. Anyway, he would be sitting in an office, so he might as well sit at home." Xie Jinxuan said: "I also comforted him and asked him to think more positively."
Xia Qingtang was not interested in anything about Leng Feng, so ever since the two of them mentioned Leng Feng, she had been sitting beside them with her head down, conscientiously mending the pocket of her coat.
After Luo Xiangqian finally finished talking about Leng Feng and said goodbye, Xia Qingtang let out a long sigh and said, "I really don't want to hear any news about Leng Feng. I won't be happy if he comes back next year. I wish he would stay in the army forever. Coming back once a year is too much."
Xie Jinxuan said helplessly: "It doesn't matter. Even if he comes back, I won't meet him more often than Xiang Qian. Besides, if you two can't get along, Leng Feng won't make trouble for himself. Otherwise, I promise you that when Leng Feng comes back, I will take the initiative to find him and try to let him into our house as little as possible, okay?"
Xia Qingtang chuckled: "Okay, I'll remember this."
She mended the coat in her hand, then took out a thin coat of Xie Jinxuan's, found a safe place inside the coat, and carefully sewed a secret pocket on it.
The formalities at Xie Jinxuan's unit are already being processed, and he has also bought a train ticket. He will leave from here immediately after completing the procedures. He will take the admission letter to his grandmother's grave to tell her the good news, and also stay there for two days to accompany his grandfather.
The secret bag that Xia Qingtang is sewing now is used to hold the admission letter. These pieces of paper are more valuable than gold and silver, so the secret bag must be sewn well, preferably one that cannot be torn even if pulled.
Xia Qingtang is not a person who is particularly good at needlework, but he still knows how to do simple repairs in daily life, and making a secret bag is no problem for him.
After she finished sewing it, she pulled it a few times and then handed it to Xie Jinxuan, asking him to try it too.
Xie Jinxuan stretched out her hand and pulled it a few times, then said, "It's really tight. It must be safe to put it in there."
"That's fine. You can wear this coat when you take the train. The other things are ready. Please bring some food for my aunt and cousin's wife."
"I'm only going for two days this time, so I don't need to bring any luggage. I can only pack one set of clothes. The rest of the space in my bag is available for you to bring as much as you want."
Xia Qingtang laughed: "No, no, I'm not a millionaire, how can I afford to bring so many things. I just picked a few unique ones and brought them to let everyone try something new."
She packed up her sewing box, took her coat into the bedroom, and hung it back in the closet.
As soon as I turned around and walked out, I saw a security guard at the gate. He said, "Secretary Xie, there is a young man here to see you. He said he is your wife's elder brother and he came here to give you some wedding eggs."
"Xidan? The baby is born soon?" Xia Qingtang was a little surprised, but after calculating the month, it seemed that the baby would be born soon, though a little early.
But considering that Wu Jinfeng was a thin person and had tried to preserve her pregnancy before, it was probably normal for the baby to be born prematurely.
Xie Jinxuan said, "Qingtang, how about I go out and take a look? Since my elder brother came here specially to deliver the wedding eggs, it is also kind-hearted. It would be impolite not to go out."
"I'll go. Xia Qinghai hasn't offended me for a long time. If he comes here sincerely to send wedding eggs, I will also sincerely congratulate him." After saying that, Xia Qingtang followed the big brother from the guard room out.
As expected, Xia Qinghai was standing next to the guard room. He was wearing a decent white shirt, dark gray trousers, a pair of Liberation shoes, and his hair was cut short. He looked very energetic, but his chin was a little sharper than before, and he seemed to have lost weight.
"Qingtang, you're here!" Xia Qinghai waved at her with a smile on his face.
Xia Qingtang said: "Congratulations, when was the baby born? Is it a boy or a girl?"
"She was born yesterday. We were so busy and confused after the birth. Dad is still recovering, Mom can't stay in the hospital for a long time, and your sister-in-law was born prematurely, so we didn't have time to tell anyone yesterday. Today, they are doing okay and someone is taking care of them, so I took the time to come out and tell you the news. But Jinfeng's condition is not very good. The doctor said she will have to stay in the hospital for a while, but don't worry, she should be fine. The baby is a boy. Because he was not born full-term, he is underweight, but he still looks pretty good. His facial features are like mine, but he is too thin. Dad has been urging me today to come over and tell you the good news. But now you go to the Municipal Labor Union to help, so I can only come to your house to find you. How is it? Are you used to your work now?"
Xia Qingtang said: "I'm used to this job. Thank you for sending us the wedding eggs. You're so busy, you could have come over later."
Xia Qinghai took out a paper box made of two layers of old newspapers and handed it to Xia Qingtang carefully: "I am just too happy, so I wanted to let you know earlier. After all, the baby is your nephew."
Xia Qingtang took the paper box and found six red-dyed eggs lying side by side inside. He immediately said, "Why did you prepare so many? It's too expensive."
Eggs are definitely a good thing in this era. For people like them, two eggs are usually enough, mainly to express happiness. Giving six eggs is indeed quite expensive.
Xia Qinghai said, "It's okay, don't be polite to me. My father-in-law and mother-in-law came over and brought some money and tickets. I thought it was a happy event, and the first child was a boy, so I prepared a few more eggs. If you want, you can also take them to Xiao Xie's grandparents to have a taste."
"Okay, I think grandma will be happy for you too. Giving birth to a child is a great joy. In a few days, Xie Jinxuan and I will prepare some things and go to see the baby. I just don't know when it will be convenient for you. If it's not convenient to see the baby in the hospital, when will Wu Jinfeng be discharged? I'll go with Xie Jinxuan after she's discharged."
Xia Qingtang is still quite interested in Xia Qinghai's current son. After all, his wife has changed, and the child born should be completely different from the one in the previous life.
Xia Qinghai said, "It will probably take another week before she can be discharged from the hospital. Jinfeng is too weak and the baby was born prematurely. The doctor said we can't be impatient and need to observe. Don't worry, you can always visit the baby before the full month. Don't go to the hospital, the food doesn't taste good. How about this, let's make an appointment for next Sunday, and if you are free, come to where we live. You know where I live, right?"
"I know. OK, then next Sunday, if Xie Jinxuan is not free, I will go over to see the child by myself. Anyway, congratulations, do you want to come to my house and have a cup of tea?"
Xia Qinghai was a little surprised: "Would you like to invite me in for tea?"
"You came to deliver the wedding eggs, so I have to say something polite." Xia Qingtang said, "How about it? Do you want to come in?"
Xia Qinghai laughed, "What a pity! I would like to go in and have a cup of tea, but I really don't have time today. I will go back to the hospital to take care of your sister-in-law soon. I am her lover, and I should be the one to keep her company at night. I don't want to trouble my mother-in-law and the others. The child is not easy to take care of now, he is as thin as a little mouse. As for drinking tea, there is no rush, there will be opportunities later."
"Don't worry too much. Didn't the neighbors say that I was as thin and small as a mouse when I was born? But didn't I grow up to be this tall? Don't worry. I won't keep you here anymore. Go back to the hospital and take care of them."
After seeing off Xia Qinghai, Xia Qingtang returned home holding the wedding egg: "Xie Jinxuan, Wu Jinfeng gave birth to a boy, but because it was premature, she has to stay in the hospital for a while."
As she said this, she placed six eggs on the table: "Let's keep two eggs for eating and send the rest to grandma. These eggs are good for bringing good luck, so they're good to eat."
"Okay, then you can send it over." Xie Jinxuan said, "I'll boil some water so you can take a bath when you come back."
Xia Qingtang went to the small western-style building alone, holding four wedding eggs.
Before entering the house, I heard laughter coming from the room on the first floor. Xia Qingtang walked in and said softly, "Grandma, Sixth Aunt, I'm here. Are there any guests at home?"
As expected, there was a guest at home. It was the cousin of the Xie family whom Xia Qingtang had met before. She remembered to call this person aunt.
Grandma immediately said, "We are here, Qingtang. Come and sit down. Your cousin is free today and brought her grandson to visit us. I will let them stay here for one night. There is an empty room at home anyway."
"Hello, aunt." Xia Qingtang greeted her and quickly took out the wedding eggs and handed them to her grandmother.
Grandma looked at the eggs dyed red with red paper and couldn't help asking, "These are wedding eggs. Where did they come from?"
"My brother just sent it over, saying that my sister-in-law gave birth to a little boy yesterday. Both mother and child are safe, but they just need to be observed in the hospital."
"Really? It's a boy? Congratulations to him, he will be a father from now on. By the way, when will you and Jinxuan go to see the child?" asked grandma.
"My brother said that because the mother is weak, the hospital has to take care of both the adult and the child, so they don't allow us to go to the hospital. Jinxuan and I will wait until next Sunday to go to his house to see the child."
"That makes sense. It's really inconvenient to go to the hospital, and there's a strong smell. It will be more convenient after the adults and children are home safely. You should bring more things and some money. Don't be impolite. This is your little nephew. I don't think it will be embarrassing." Grandma said with a smile.
Xia Qingtang said: "My brother said that the child was born prematurely, so he is thin and small like a little mouse, but his facial features are like my brother's."
"Your brother is good-looking, and the child will surely be good-looking in the future too. As for premature birth, that's not a big deal. As long as you have enough milk later and drink it well, you can still grow tall and strong."
My cousin's aunt also nodded and said, "Isn't it? Our child was also born prematurely when he was little, like a little mouse. Look at him now, he has grown up to be big and strong."
Grandma smiled and nodded: "Yes, so don't worry about it. As long as the mother and child are safe, that's a good thing."
My cousin's aunt immediately said, "Qingtang, your brother already has a son, when can you share the good news? Look, you and Jinxuan have been married for more than a year, why is there no movement in your stomach? Have you gone to the hospital to check it out? There are specialists in hospitals now. If there is any problem, it can be treated."
The room suddenly became quiet. Xia Qingtang was still smiling, but her mind was thinking rapidly, thinking about how to get away with it.
You don't see this kind of relative very often, so there's no need to say anything nonsense to them. It's best to just fool them.
Before Xia Qingtang could say anything, her grandmother immediately said, "I'm sorry to have made you worry. But our Qingtang is not in a hurry. She is still young. She is only twenty-one this year. It's too early for her to have a baby. I think it will be just right when she is twenty-three or twenty-four."
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