After walking for a while, Jian Dan's spirits had improved considerably. As she reached the door, she saw Sister Wang looking out.
"Oh, Jian, you're back?"
"What did the doctor say? Is everything alright?"
She actually had her suspicions.
"Are you pregnant?"
"Um?"
The couple were both stunned, and Jian Dan quickly denied it.
"No, no, sister-in-law, you've misunderstood. It's really not like that."
I had a fever a few days ago, right? I thought I was better, but the doctor said the illness was being suppressed. I was also angry at the time, and now it's brought all that suppressed illness out."
Once they arrived home, Qin Qinghuai felt no unease and readily opened the door to go inside, where Liu Xi and the other woman were talking.
"You're really not pregnant?"
Sister-in-law Wang's tone held a hint of regret, which made Jian Dan chuckle.
"Sister-in-law, it's really nothing, you'll be fine after some rest."
"Speaking of which, I should thank you, sister-in-law. If you hadn't caught me and taken me there, I might still be lying there right now."
Sister-in-law Wang grinned, a hint of reproach in her eyes.
"What are you saying? We all live in this compound, we're neighbors, why are you being so polite with me? Besides, I treat you like my own sister, how could I possibly keep an eye on you?"
Besides, this isn't just your problem. We're all family members, living in the same compound. Everyone has a responsibility for harmony in the compound; it can't all fall on your shoulders.
"Sister-in-law, you are so understanding and righteous,"
To Jian Dan's simple ears, it was like a savior; finally, someone understood her.
"There are quite a few aunties, grandmas, and sisters-in-law in this compound, and they are all more experienced than me. I haven't experienced much at my age, so I'm really clueless about some things."
After saying goodbye to Sister Wang and entering the house, the fireplace was already warm, and the stove in the kitchen was lit. Upon seeing her come in, she immediately began to speak.
"Hurry up and take off your clothes, come over and warm yourself up to get rid of the cold. I'm boiling water to cook it, and it'll be ready to eat in a little while once you're warmed up."
After quickly changing into a vest, she sat by the stove to warm her hands, watching the man methodically add ingredients to the pot one by one. Once the pot was steaming hot, he drizzled a ring of aged vinegar, sprinkled on some cilantro and chopped green onions, and the aroma of the kitchen immediately filled the air.
She simply smiled foolishly as she watched Qin Qinghuai carefully serve the food, and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"If this continues, I feel like I'm going to be spoiled and ruined."
"Is that enough? I married a wife to pamper and cherish, not to do anything for you. I want to treat you well, to make you feel that leaving me would do more harm than good, that leaving me would be a loss, that you can't live without me. Otherwise, I'm a failure as a husband, understand?"
Simply tilted her head.
"Do all men take marriage this seriously?"
“I don’t know about other men, but I know for sure that I’m marrying you to spend my whole life with you. My love, my love, it’s only natural that I treat you well.”
"Looks like I've struck gold."
Qin Qinghuai didn't expect to make Jian Dan fall in love with him in such a short time.
"Then we'll see how they perform in the future."
Anyway, it's almost Chinese New Year, so Jian Dan didn't feel obligated to work. Besides, Qin Qinghuai works during the day and can't be home all the time, so it's ultimately up to her to decide.
This incident really frightened Qin Qinghuai. For several days in a row, he came home almost on time, afraid that she would cook the meal in advance.
After a few days, Jian Dan couldn't stand his constant busyness anymore and simply refused to let him gain weight.
"Alright, alright, go on with your work. Do you really think I'm Lin Daiyu? Go, go, go do what you're supposed to do. I'm fine, don't be like this, I'm just too lazy to move."
"Why don't you rest for a couple more days?"
Qin Qinghuai was uneasy, always feeling that his wife was like a fragile porcelain doll that couldn't be touched, and he wouldn't feel at ease unless he kept her under his watchful eye.
"No, let's go, let's go, let's go. If you keep staring like this, I'll be fat enough by the time we don't even need to slaughter a pig for the New Year."
Don't worry, there's no heavy work at home, everything is readily available, I don't even have to wash clothes, I just cook a meal, how could I get tired?
Let's go!
By the way, shouldn't we go and thank the ladies who took me to the clinic the other day?
Seeing her resolute attitude, Qin Qinghuai stopped trying to persuade her.
"Alright, alright, but you can't overwork yourself."
You get your things ready first, and I'll go with you after get off work.
You know Sister Wang, right? Sister Li has two children, one ten years old and the other six, both boys.
That Mrs. Liu, her mother-in-law is old and seems to have a cough, and she also has a young daughter at home.
"Wow, that's great, Political Commissar Qin, so thoughtful! I was just wondering what to send him."
"Thank you for the compliment, but that's all I'm capable of."
"Is there anything you need me to bring back?"
Simply push the person out.
"You know perfectly well why I'm asking this!"
Back in the village, around this time of year, the whole village was filled with the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. She would also follow the trend, steaming dry food, making frozen dumplings, stocking up on meat, and making all sorts of local snacks. Sometimes she would even grit her teeth and fry some radish balls, make steamed buns, and spread pancakes.
Like last year's winter fishing, when we were allocated fish, no matter how much or how little, it was still a pleasant surprise – it was meat.
These are things we wouldn't normally eat, but we bring them out during the New Year to satisfy the cravings of the elderly and children. Especially towards the end of the year, the village is filled with their delicious aroma.
Perhaps because she was new to the place, these family members were unfamiliar with it, and she didn't feel that atmosphere.
Perhaps due to the shortage of supplies during this period, although the festive atmosphere of the New Year is still very weak, you can still see hardworking housewives cleaning the yard or busy in the kitchen when you walk around the residential compound. In short, there are traces of life everywhere.
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