Door-to-door delivery
"Mom, have you packed up all the things you need to induce labor?"
Qin Wenli's voice came through the door curtain clearly.
The day before yesterday, Qin Xiaoqin's in-laws called and said that Xiaoqin would give birth in the next few days. According to the customs of Yang County, before the child is full-term, the mother's family will choose an auspicious day, bring the labor-inducing items prepared in advance, and go to the pregnant daughter's home to "induce labor", wishing the daughter a smooth delivery.
Hu Yufeng picked the eighth day of April, a good day, to "induce labor."
He checked the items in the bag one by one: bellyband, vest, blouse with slanting collar, padded jacket, cotton-padded clothes and trousers, tiger shoes, hat, bib, diapers...
All ready! Hu Yufeng methodically tied the knot with her hands and shouted back, "Okay, I'll be right out!"
In the courtyard, Yang Xiu handed two baskets to Qin Wenli: "This basket contains brown sugar, noodles, longan, steamed buns and red dates, and this basket contains eggs. They are all prepared for Xiaoqin. Be careful with them..."
"Okay, got it..."
Hu Yufeng hurried out with her bag, said a few words to Yang Xiu, and then walked out of the yard with Qin Wenli.
*
"Mother-in-law, Wenli, you are here? Come in quickly..."
Outside the rental house, Wei Ping took Hu Yufeng's hand with a smile and led her into the house.
Yang Xu also came out, greeted with a smile, and quickly took the two baskets from his brother-in-law.
After the Chinese New Year, Qin Xiaoqin's pregnancy became more and more obvious. Although Yang Huzi had already made arrangements with the section chief and a group of leaders, there were too many people to attract attention, so Qin Xiaoqin couldn't walk around the staff quarters openly.
Yang Huzi discussed with Yang Xu and his wife where to hide for the next four months.
In fact, according to his idea, Qin Xiaoqin's family is of course the most reliable. Although they are in the same county, Shangguan Town is remote and Xiaogou Village is sparsely populated. In addition, Hu Yufeng is very concerned about her daughter, so there is no need to worry about letting her take care of the family.
But seeing his daughter-in-law's reluctant expression, he still adopted his wife's suggestion: they rented a remote farmhouse on the outskirts of Yang County, and Yang Xu rode his bike there after get off work every day.
After living like this for two weeks, the couple got along well and Yang Huzi finally felt relieved.
*
"You just came, why do you bring so many things..." Wei Ping said politely.
"Well, these are just local products from home, not worth much, I just want to eat them with peace of mind... Where's Niuniu?"
"She came here in the morning, but her grandfather took her home to take a nap..."
"Oh...I was wondering why I didn't see the child..."
Hu Yufeng said this to her mother-in-law, but her eyes were looking in the direction of her daughter. Qin Xiaoqin stood on the ground, as if she was about to walk out. Hu Yufeng felt relieved when she saw that the man was plump and white and seemed to be living a good life. Seeing that her belly was as big as a basket, he took a few steps forward to support her and said, "You are not feeling well, don't come out..."
Qin Xiaoqin smiled: "It's okay, mom. Lying down makes you short of breath. You might as well take a walk..."
Perhaps because the birth date was approaching, her originally stern features actually softened when she smiled.
"Don't worry, mother-in-law. The doctor also told Xiaoqin to take more walks. We are all watching her. It won't be a problem..."
After hearing what Wei Ping said, Hu Yufeng said no more.
Yang Xu brought two glasses of water and placed them in front of his mother-in-law and brother-in-law: "Mom, brother, drink some water..."
Seeing him busying around, Qin Wenli asked, "Today is not the weekend, why didn't you go to work?"
Yang Xu smiled innocently and said, "Xiaoqin is about to give birth, and I dare not leave her alone, so I found an excuse to take a leave..."
Hu Yufeng nodded: "Although it is the second child, giving birth is a dangerous thing. Xiaoqin will feel more at ease with you around..."
Yang Xu nodded repeatedly.
*
After sitting for a while and chatting for a while, Hu Yufeng took out the things she had prepared to induce labor and said to Wei Ping, "Shall we put the things aside for a while?"
Wei Ping stood up with a smile and led Hu Yufeng into the inner room.
In Yang County, to "induce labor", the things prepared by the mother's family must be placed under the kang mat or quilt where the pregnant woman usually sleeps, and the pregnant woman must not be allowed to see them before giving birth. Hu Yufeng was speechless about this custom: If it is pressed under the quilt, then can the quilt still be covered? It is even more speechless to be pressed under the kang mat. What will the clothes look like after being burned by the hot kang every day?
Wei Ping and her mother-in-law agree on this point: customs must be followed, but they cannot be copied rigidly.
Just put one under your pillow as a token of your appreciation.
Hu Yufeng opened the bundle and saw small pieces of clothing with fine stitching neatly stacked.
Wei Ping immediately fell in love with the tiger-head shoes on the top. She couldn't let go and looked at them again and again, praising them constantly: "Mother-in-law, these shoes are so well made. Look at the stitching and the embroidery... Oh, how did you make these!"
Seeing that she really liked it, Hu Yufeng smiled and said, "How could I have such skill? It was all done by Xiu'er. This child is good at sewing..."
Wei Ping's eyes were full of admiration: "Xiu'er's craftsmanship is better than those sold in the store. Oh, we have the same hands, why is hers so much more dexterous?"
"It's not as good as you say. It's just better looking than usual..." Hu Yufeng felt happy but still spoke modestly.
"This one is not prettier at all, this one is much prettier..." Wei Ping put down her shoes reluctantly and started looking through the small clothes.
"Is this also done by Xiu'er?"
"The coat was made by me, and the singlet was made by Xiu'er. It's not good, I hope you don't mind..."
"What are you saying? I can't even begin to love you, but you're still disgusted with me? Well, we're all human beings, but what you have are hands, and what I have are two claws..." Wei Ping sighed with envy.
"Everyone has his own strengths... Which one do you think is suitable?" Hu Yufeng asked.
"Let's just take this cotton coat. The baby can't wear it for now. When Xiaoqin is born, I'll put it away in the closet so it can be worn in winter..."
"Okay..." Hu Yufeng handed the cotton coat and trousers to Wei Ping. Wei Ping lifted the pillow at the head of the kang and pressed in.
The two of them packed the rest into a bundle and put it in the cabinet.
*
Seeing that her daughter was fine and the induction process was complete, Hu Yufeng finally relaxed and looked around the yard.
There are three main rooms in the whole yard and a side room that looks like a kitchen. There is an apricot tree growing in the yard. It is now lush and leafy, with clusters of green apricots poking out from the leaves. The whole yard looks compact, not very new but not shabby either.
To be honest, she was a little worried when she heard that the Yang family rented a house on the outskirts of the city. How good could the house be for someone who came out to avoid childbirth? It would be good enough if it could keep out the wind and rain. But the result she saw today was completely beyond her expectations.
"Thank you two for taking such trouble to find this place for Xiaoqin..." Hu Yufeng thanked them sincerely.
"No way, they are all our own children. I'm just running errands for them. As long as Xiaoqin lives comfortably, that's more important than anything else..." Wei Ping felt relieved when she saw that Hu Yufeng didn't seem to be pretending.
The couple really put a lot of effort into finding a house that would not make the difference for Xiaoqin.
This house belonged to a friend Yang Huzi knew in his early years. His child was promising, so Yang Huzi went to live with his child. He only agreed when he heard that Yang Huzi wanted to rent the house to his son.
Although the price is not low, as long as my daughter-in-law lives happily and doesn't make trouble, and gives birth to the child safely, the money will be worth it.
Hu Yufeng nodded: Although she always felt that Wei Ping was hypocritical, she had to admit that this man was a rare decent person. It is not easy for others to be tolerant and patient with their daughter's naughty temper.
Her expression softened again, and she asked, "So is this also where I'll be staying during my confinement period?"
"Yes, it's quiet and comfortable here, and the room isn't as stuffy as upstairs. Don't worry, mother-in-law. When the baby is born, I'll move in and help take care of it..."
Wei Ping was afraid that Hu Yufeng would be suspicious, so she quickly made the assurance.
Hu Yufeng smiled and said softly, "I also think it's good to have the confinement here. After all, we are giving birth in seclusion, and we can't cause trouble for Yang Xu's work. Besides, I know how you work, and Xiaoqin is lucky to have you."
Wei Ping's eyes became hot when she heard this. Who understands? Marrying Xiaoqin's daughter-in-law is like marrying two ancestors. The whole family has done their best to support her, but the daughter-in-law still goes crazy and throws tantrums from time to time, and the in-laws find fault with her from time to time. When her son just got married, she still put on some superficial effort in order to gain a good reputation in front of others. Now she no longer cares about who can see her good side. As long as there is no chaos at home, that is more important than anything else.
But just when I had given up, this old relative seemed to suddenly come to his senses!
Hu Yufeng felt a little hot on her face when she saw this. Hey, the sun in May is too scorching!
*
Wei Ping insisted on letting her mother-in-law eat at home and leave today.
After calming down, she got up and started cooking. Qin Xiaoqin looked at her mother-in-law who seemed to be full of energy and felt a little confused: "Mom, please stop working. My mom and her friends are leaving at 3 o'clock. Who can eat so early..."
Wei Ping: Oh, how come such a pretty face has such a big mouth?
Hu Yufeng also hurriedly stopped him, "That's right, stop struggling. I haven't digested my breakfast yet, and I can't even eat anymore..."
Wei Ping pulled her out and sat her under a tree. She said to her son and daughter-in-law without further ado, "Chat with your mother for a while. I'll make some simple meals. It will be done quickly..."
She rolled up her sleeves and went into the house swiftly, leaving the four people in the yard staring at each other.
Yang Xu hurried into the house and served tea and water: "Mom, big brother, have a drink of water..."
Seeing that her mother-in-law insisted, Hu Yufeng didn't want to just stand there and watch, so she said to the others, "You young people can chat, I'll help your mother..."
As he said this, he rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen.
"Mother-in-law, please sit in the yard and take a rest. I can handle it by myself..." Wei Ping scolded her when she saw her come in.
"I'm free anyway, so I'll help light the fire..." Hu Yufeng sat in front of the stove, and the two of them chatted casually.
In the courtyard, Yang Xu refilled Qin Wenli's water and said with a smile, "Brother, how's business been these past few months?"
Qin Wenli smiled when he heard this: "Not bad. I bought a car for the New Year, so it's more convenient to go anywhere. I've also added a few more shops to order from, so it's better than last year..."
"That's good, that's good... Brothers, you guys are methodical in your work, you will definitely succeed..." Yang Xu praised repeatedly.
Qin Xiaoqin strolled in the yard with her bulging belly, glancing at her husband and brother from time to time. Ever since I learned that my mother's family bought a car and a TV, their stall has been doing very well. She always felt a little less confident when speaking in front of Qin Wenli and his wife.
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