The morning sunlight, as usual, streamed through the somewhat worn window, dappling the simple bed in the room. Lin Yue was already awake. She sat quietly by the bed, her eyes fixed on the baby in the cradle. The baby was sleeping soundly, its rosy face like a blooming flower, its slightly pouting lips occasionally twitching, as if having a sweet dream. Lin Yue's eyes were full of love, but deep within that gentle gaze lay a lingering worry.
Lin Yue wore a floral top, its once vibrant colors faded slightly after countless washes, much like their mundane yet arduous life. The fabric at the neckline was somewhat loose, and the cuffs were worn from frequent movements, with a few loose threads peeking out in the sunlight. Her hair was casually tied into a ponytail, a few strands falling unruly beside her cheeks, further emphasizing her slightly haggard face, a result of long hours of hard work. Faint dark circles clung to her eyes, traces of countless nights spent awakened by her child's cries, but this did nothing to diminish the overflowing love in her eyes for her child.
Chen Yu tiptoed into the room, carrying a bundle of firewood he had just gathered from outside. Seeing Lin Yue and the child, a warm smile immediately bloomed on his slightly tired face, a smile like the morning sun dispelling some of the gloom in the room. "Yue'er, how's the child? Did he sleep well last night?" Chen Yu asked in a low voice. He carefully placed the firewood in the corner, then slowly walked to Lin Yue's side, making sure every movement was as quiet as possible, afraid of waking the child. He wore a dark, old cotton-padded coat, the neat patches on it particularly noticeable in the sunlight, each patch seemingly telling a story of life's hardships. Lin Yue had carefully mended it stitch by stitch, each stitch containing her love for her family. Chen Yu's face had become more resolute from years of labor, his well-defined features and deep eyes revealing a sense of responsibility and commitment to his family.
Lin Yue frowned slightly, her worry deepening. "The child woke up several times last night, always crying. I feel like he's not feeling well, but I don't know what's wrong." Her voice was a little hoarse, carrying a hint of helplessness and anxiety. As she spoke, she gently placed her hand on the child's forehead, trying to feel if he had a fever. Her movements were as gentle as a breeze brushing against a flower, her eyes filled with worry.
Chen Yu crouched down, looking at the child with Lin Yue. His brows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with worry. "Why don't we go ask Aunt Liu? She's experienced; she should know what's wrong with the child." He reached out and held Lin Yue's hand tightly, trying to offer her comfort and strength. He knew that in this era of scarcity and limited medical resources, raising a child was extremely difficult, and every small problem could leave them helpless.
Aunt Liu's house was at the other end of the village. Chen Yu and Lin Yue hurried towards Aunt Liu's house, carrying their child. Along the way, Lin Yue held the child tightly in her arms, as if he were her most precious treasure. Her eyes never left the child's little face, filled with tension and worry. Her steps were hurried, each one frantic, and her footsteps were particularly clear on the quiet morning path. Chen Yu supported Lin Yue closely, his eyes also fixed on the child, his worry no less than Lin Yue's. He frequently glanced at the surrounding road to ensure the safety of Lin Yue and the child. His brow was furrowed; even the usually composed man was somewhat flustered because of the child's condition.
When they arrived at Aunt Liu's house, she was feeding the chickens in the yard. Seeing their hurried arrival, Aunt Liu immediately put down what she was doing and rushed over. "What's wrong? What happened to the child?" Aunt Liu asked anxiously, her eyes filled with concern. She quickly walked to Lin Yue's side and looked at the child in her arms.
Lin Yue's eyes were a little red as she said anxiously, "Aunt Liu, my child cried all night and woke up several times. We really don't know what's wrong. Please help us take a look." Her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes were full of expectation for Aunt Liu, hoping she could find a way to solve her child's problem.
Aunt Liu took the baby and skillfully held him in her arms. She first carefully examined the baby's complexion, then gently touched the baby's tummy, and checked the baby's hands and feet. "Hmm, the baby might have a little gas. Did you feed him too quickly? Or did the baby catch a cold?" Aunt Liu said as she examined him, her eyes gentle and kind as she looked at Lin Yue and Chen Yu, as if she were looking at her own child, her tone comforting.
After hearing Aunt Liu's words, Lin Yue said with self-reproach, "Maybe I was too tired last night and didn't pay enough attention when breastfeeding." Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt that her negligence had caused her child to suffer, and she was filled with guilt.
Chen Yu quickly comforted her, "Yue'er, don't blame yourself. We're both first-time parents and have no experience. Aunt Liu, what should we do now?" He looked at Aunt Liu with anxious eyes, hoping to alleviate the child's discomfort as soon as possible.
Aunt Liu smiled and said, "Don't worry too much, this is very common in children. When you get home, gently massage the baby's tummy in a clockwise direction. Be careful when feeding the baby; don't let the baby eat too fast or swallow too much air. Also, make sure to keep the baby warm." As she spoke, Aunt Liu handed the baby to Lin Yue and personally demonstrated how to massage the tummy; her movements were gentle and skillful.
After returning from Aunt Liu's house, Lin Yue and Chen Yu immediately followed Aunt Liu's instructions to care for the child. Lin Yue sat on the edge of the bed, carefully placing the baby on her lap, and then gently massaging the baby's stomach clockwise with her warm hands. Her gaze was focused and tender, as if nothing else in the world mattered except the child. She softly hummed an old lullaby, the melodious tune echoing in the room, filled with love. The baby seemed to sense its mother's comfort, gradually calming down, ceasing its crying, and its little face softened considerably. Before long, it fell into a deep sleep again. Lin Yue looked at the baby's peaceful sleeping face and breathed a sigh of relief, but she knew that this was just a small bump in the road of parenting; many more challenges awaited them in the future.
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