Chapter 140 Complete
"As for baby bottles, glass ones are available, but rubber nipples are hard to find. However, we can just have one on hand in case... in case we have enough milk and won't need too many at once."
Seeing Gu Xiao listening attentively, she continued, "There's also baby powder, small towels, washbasins... a lot of odds and ends. For postpartum women... we need to prepare plenty of wide sanitary napkins, as well as brown sugar, eggs... we need to prepare all of these in advance."
"Okay, I understand." Gu Xiao nodded and was about to leave in a swift and decisive manner, even forgetting that it was raining outside.
"Hey!" Aunt Wu quickly called out to him, "It's still raining! There's no rush! We can go when the rain gets a little lighter! Besides, for many things, money alone isn't enough; you also need coupons and industrial vouchers!"
Gu Xiao stopped in his tracks, glanced at the rain outside the window, and forced himself to calm down.
He realized that welcoming a new life involves not only joy, but also so many tedious practical preparations.
"Tickets...I'll figure something out." He strode upstairs to ask Nan Zhiyi what else she needed.
Aunt Wu watched his figure disappear at the top of the stairs, then shook her head with a smile.
Over the next two days, Gu Xiao went out frequently and actually managed to buy all the things that Wu Ma had listed, with no shortage of anything.
White cotton cloth, new cotton balls, flannel, baby bottles, new towels, washbasins, toilet paper...
He bought two ready-made small blankets, one with a light yellow soft fleece surface and the other with a light blue cotton surface with small floral patterns.
Looking at the "spoils of war," Aunt Wu was both pleased and amused. She quickly reminded him, "Commander Gu, it's too early to buy these brown sugar, eggs, milk powder, and the like. They'll lose their freshness if left for too long. It's better to prepare them closer to the due date."
Gu Xiao then realized, "Let Zhiyi eat these first, and I'll buy more later."
Aunt Wu: "Okay."
But looking at the fabric, he said, "Aunt Wu, I'll have to trouble you to use this fabric and cotton to make a few more small quilts and blankets so they'll be easy to change and wash."
Nan Zhiyi, holding the small baby bottle, said softly, "I'll help make it too."
Gu Xiao: "Just watch and learn, don't overwork yourself."
He hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly to Aunt Wu, "Aunt Wu, I have to go back to the army soon. Zhiyi's belly is getting bigger and bigger, and I'm worried about leaving her alone at home. I'd like to ask you to move in with me for a while, and I'll give you an extra half of your wages. After the baby is born, I'll need your help to take care of her during her postpartum period."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Wu readily agreed: "Oh, you're being too polite. I'm more than happy to take care of Zhiyi and my future grandchildren! We can talk about wages later. Don't worry about my family matters. My children are all married, and my grandchildren are all in school. I don't need to watch over them every day. I'll just let them know later."
Nan Zhiyi gratefully grasped Wu Ma's hand: "Wu Ma, you've really gone to so much trouble."
"No trouble at all!" Aunt Wu patted the back of her hand.
When Gu Xiao saw that Wu Ma had agreed, a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders.
"Then let's stay in the guest room on the second floor, the one next to ours. My second and fourth brothers don't come back often, but I'll talk to Dad about it, and he won't have any objections. If we stay close, we can keep an eye on Zhiyi if she makes any noise at night."
"Okay! I'll follow your instructions."
Once the matter was settled, Wu Ma took some time to go back to her own home, packed a few everyday clothes and personal items, and moved into the guest room on the second floor that same day.
The day Gu Xiao left arrived in the blink of an eye.
Before leaving, he held Nan Zhiyi tightly in the bedroom, kissing her forehead and eyes forcefully, finally landing on her lips: "Stay home and listen to Aunt Wu. I'll definitely come back to see you whenever I have time. Call the army if anything happens."
Nan Zhiyi's eyes welled up with tears, and she forced back them, saying, "Yes, I know. You must be careful out there."
After Gu Xiao left, the house suddenly felt much emptier.
Nan Zhiyi felt empty inside, but looking at Wu Ma bustling around, she felt much more at ease.
The sun is shining brightly.
Wu Ma spread out the fabric and cotton in the living room and began sewing a small quilt.
Nan Zhiyi sat beside her, holding a needle and thread, and earnestly followed along, learning how to fluff cotton and how to quilt thread.
At first, Aunt Wu tried to stop her from doing it: "My little darling, you're not fit enough for this. Just rest and watch."
Nan Zhiyi insisted, "Aunt Wu, you have to learn something. I can't keep bothering you every time I need to mend clothes or quilts."
She picked up a small piece of cloth and practiced sewing straight lines.
Seeing her persistence, Aunt Wu liked her willingness to learn, so she stopped stopping her and slowed down her movements, teaching her little by little: "Good, it's good to learn. Look, the stitches need to be close together..."
The two were teaching and learning, and had just worked together to roughly fix the lining and outer layer of a small blanket when the courtyard gate opened.
Wu Ma went to open the door, and it was Zhou Anping who came.
She walked in carrying a small bundle, a smile on her face.
Seeing the fabrics and cotton spread out in the living room, she smiled and said, "We're busy preparing for the baby."
Nan Zhiyi put down her needlework and smiled as she invited her to sit down.
Zhou Anping handed over the bundle in his hand and opened it: "I made two little jackets and a small swaddle blanket for the baby. The needlework isn't very good, so please don't mind."
Inside were two monk's robes with diagonal plackets, and a small quilt made of the same fabric, with a few simple yet cute little flowers embroidered on the corners, showing that it was made with care.
Nan Zhiyi picked up the little garment, its soft texture touching her skin, and felt a surge of emotion: "Anping, you're so busy with work, why bother with this? You've done such a good job!"
Aunt Wu also took a look and exclaimed in admiration, "Oh my, Comrade Anping's skills are truly excellent! Look at these stitches, so even and neat! And these little flowers are so beautifully embroidered!"
Zhou Anping was a little embarrassed by the praise: "I just made this when I had nothing else to do. It can't compare to your skills, Aunt Wu. I'm glad it's useful."
After looking at the little clothes downstairs for a while, Nan Zhiyi pulled Zhou Anping upstairs to the bedroom to have a private chat.
Once inside, Nan Zhiyi went to get the thermos on the table to make tea for Zhou Anping.
Zhou Anping noticed her large pregnant belly and her clumsy, slow movements, and was so frightened that he quickly went over to support her arm and helped her sit down on the sofa.
"Please sit down! I can do it myself!"
Zhou Anping, still shaken, picked up the thermos, found a teacup, and brewed two cups of flower tea.
She placed two cups of herbal tea on the small table and squeezed down next to Nan Zhiyi, her eyes never leaving Nan Zhiyi's belly. She couldn't help but sigh, "Your belly... looks really scary. Now I finally understand what you said before, being pregnant... is a real burden for a woman, and no one can share even a fraction of it for you."
Her tone was full of sighs and awe.
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