Xiao Bao was a little scared. When he saw Xu Li, he whispered, "Little Daddy," and then huddled in his arms.
It's likely that the wound on Xu Li's forehead frightened him.
Xu Li brought his son inside and warmed his hands. The child's hands were icy cold. Xu Li said, "From now on, how about you live here with me?"
Xiao Bao nodded.
Xu Li touched Xiao Bao's ear and whispered something to see if his son could hear him.
Xiao Bao probably sensed that Xu Li was speaking, so he immediately put his good ear close and said, "Huh?"
Xu Li's eyes reddened. He said, "I will definitely find a doctor to cure you."
Xiao Bao, still innocent and carefree, said, "It's okay, I can hear clearly with my other ear. When is Dad coming to find us?" He didn't know what had happened yet; although he felt wronged, he didn't harbor any hatred.
Little did he know that Xiao Bao's casual remark would make Xu Li even more heartbroken. The baby in his womb was already unstable, and the emotional fluctuations caused him to experience a dull pain in his abdomen.
Xu Li's mother, standing nearby, said, "Good little Bao, when you grow up, you can go find your father. For now, stay with your little daddy. Your little daddy is going to have another baby, and then you can be a big brother."
Xiao Bao has always been the youngest in the family. His two older brothers are always at school and don't spend much time with them. It was alright when he was in the village, but now that he's in the county, nobody plays with him. The thought of being an older brother makes him happy: "I'll give him all the good food from now on."
Xu Li stroked Xiao Bao's hair, feeling a pang of sadness, but he held back and simply said softly, "Good boy."
...
Qiu Yu made some cornbread and some grains at home. She also took the village chief's live chicken back with her. Her family still had more food than others, but now that Old Xu's family had two more people to feed, life would definitely be difficult.
Qiu Yu left, and He Zifeng didn't stop her.
He returned after a long time. The family accepted the grains he had given them, but they refused to accept the live chicken, so Qiuyu took it back. He was somewhat moved; the young couple, who used to have such a good relationship, had become like enemies.
Thinking about all this made me tear up.
Xiao Heran saw this and a hint of worry appeared in his eyes. He then took the initiative to ask for a hug.
Holding my own child, I can feel the child's little hands gently patting my back.
He Zifeng asked, "How is it?"
Qiu Yu said, "When I left, Aunt Xu said that Xu Li's pregnancy doesn't look good, and she might not be able to keep it." He went to deliver food and met with Xu Li briefly. They exchanged some polite words, but since they weren't close, they couldn't speak too deeply. Qiu Yu simply told Xu Li to take care of himself and that was all.
Qiu Yu said, "Ever since he separated from Wan Hai, it's as if his energy and spirit have been drained away." Although he can cry and laugh, his brows are always furrowed, and even Xiao Bao's presence can't cheer him up.
He Zifeng said, "After all these years together, how could it not be painful?" The two of them ended things in the most undignified way.
He Zifeng said, "This matter still comes down to Lai Wanhai."
Wan Hai was once considered a promising young man in the village. When Xu Li's father was still the village chief, he even wanted Wan Hai to succeed him.
He is considered one of the best among the younger generation in the village.
Everyone in the village, young and old, held him in high regard. He and Xu Li were a harmonious couple, the envy of many.
But ever since He Zifeng stopped wanting to associate with him, Wan Hai felt resentful that his former stepping stone had risen to power. He made mistake after mistake. If it weren't for the Gong family connection, he would have died after that accidental killing. After escaping death, instead of living a good life, he always felt that the world was unfair to him.
With such an ingratitude, it's no wonder they squandered a winning hand.
Qiu Yu said, "It's better that we've broken up."
He Zifeng said, "Xu Li's family has money and land, so raising a child won't be a problem."
Because of this incident, Fang was called out several times by the group of women in the village. They liked to visit each other's homes. A group of them sat on the heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove) doing needlework and talking. Coincidentally, there was also the important matter concerning Xu Liwanhai, so it was easy to imagine that they wouldn't be able to escape this topic for the foreseeable future.
Fang didn't return until dinner time.
There were still some leftovers from yesterday at home. They won't spoil in winter; I can just steam them. I took a simple bite. It gets dark very early in winter.
He Zifeng heated the kang (a traditional heated brick bed) until it was nice and warm, and little He Ran lay down on it and became drowsy.
He Zifeng carried him to the inside against the wall, and let Qiu Yu sleep in the middle.
Qiu Yu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
He Zifeng put his arm around Qiu Yu's waist and whispered something in his ear: "I'm different from Wan Hai." Qiu Yu and Xu Li were both boys, so it was natural for them to feel a sense of kinship when something like this happened.
Qiu Yu gave He Zifeng a sweet kiss, then rested her head on his arm. He Zifeng held her waist tightly. This enveloping feeling made Qiu Yu feel very safe.
The night before, He Zifeng had made several trips to get grain from the old town mayor and was very tired, so he fell asleep soon after. Today, He Zifeng held the person he had been longing for in his arms, but he couldn't bear to sleep.
He Zifeng said, "I'll be busy in a few days."
Qiu Yu was also reluctant to part with him. She didn't light a lamp at night, but he looked up and said, "Then I'll go to the city to take care of you." As soon as he finished speaking, he heard He Zifeng's light laughter. Qiu Yu was a little annoyed and didn't want He Zifeng to see his thoughts, so she deliberately said, "I'm afraid you won't eat well over there." The communal meals that the yamen runners ate were definitely not as refined as the meals prepared by the private kitchen.
He Zifeng said, "No, those houses over there are just for pickling and storing vegetables. No one lives there, and it's extremely cold inside. No matter how much you burn, it's never warm." He had stayed there for three nights, and the rest of the time he stayed at the yamen (government office). He didn't want to trouble Qiuyu.
Even in the dark, He Zifeng could accurately kiss his lips and said, "After this year of disaster is over, I will take a long break and stay home with you every day."
Qiu Yu was clearly tempted, but she said the opposite of what she meant, "I don't need you to come with me."
"Really not going to do it?" He Zifeng wanted to punish Qiu Yu every time he found that Qiu Yu was not being sincere.
Qiu Yu hid in He Zifeng's arms and refused to speak.
He Zifeng's hand slid up his waist, and Qiu Yu shuddered. Ranran was still sleeping peacefully beside him. Qiu Yu said, "Stop fooling around."
"Do you miss me?" He Zifeng knew all the secrets of his body.
Qiu Yu could only beg for mercy. Even in the darkness, Qiu Yu could feel his face burning. His breathing changed tone. He said, "I miss you."
He Zifeng was happy when he heard his words.
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