Chapter 61 Chapter 61: Labor and Delivery...
His bag was a little torn and had a patch on it. Rushing back from Xuzhou in such weather was extremely painful, not to mention having to sleep in the open air.
She saw a hint of fatigue between Xiao Xun's brows.
Lin Qiuran hadn't actually expected Xiao Xun to buy her a hairpin. She'd assumed someone like Xiao Xun would only buy practical donkey carts. She accepted the hairpin, but it wasn't easy to kick him out.
Lin Qiuran asked, "Have you had lunch? Are you hungry? I'll get you something to eat."
Xiao Xun's eyes lit up, and he looked at Lin Qiuran's stomach again. He said, "It's okay. Just a simple meal will be fine. We can eat it in the evening."
Lin Qiuran glanced at him. If she was hungry, she was hungry. If she was not hungry, she was not hungry. It didn’t matter what she said. If she wanted to show her appreciation, she wouldn’t say it at all.
Lin Qiuran: "I'm going to cook some food. You must be tired from the journey. Sit down and rest for a while. If you want to lie down on the bed, you need to change into clean clothes and wash your feet."
Xiao Xun nodded, "Yeah, I know."
Lin Qiuran went to the kitchen. With Lin Dong's help, cooking a meal was not difficult.
It was already past noon, and dinner was still over an hour away. Lin Qiuran took out wontons and broth from the ice tank and asked Xiao Dashi to kill a chicken. "Dad, drain the blood. I'll make Xiao Xun a meal."
Considering Xiao Xun's appetite, one bowl of wontons might not be enough. Lin Qiuran planned to make some white-cut chicken. He didn't know what he had eaten out. If he didn't eat well on weekdays and his stomach was empty, he shouldn't eat greasy food.
Xiao Dashi hadn't thought of this at all. He figured there were snacks and dried fruits at home, so he didn't know how to eat them when he was hungry. Just as he was about to say that he would make something simple and eat it in the evening, Sun glared at him and said, "Just kill me if I tell you to. Why are you wasting your time talking?"
Sun was happy because she saw that Lin Qiuran cared more about Xiao Xun than before and even wore a Ruyi hairpin on her head. This was not chosen by Lin Qiuran, so it must have been bought by Xiao Xun.
How nice.
Lin Dong was boiling water, plucking the chicken feathers, and then adding some broth to cook wontons.
Lin Qiuran found a large bowl and put dried shrimp, seaweed and salt at the bottom of the bowl. She remembered that Xiao Xun could eat spicy food, so she added a little chili oil.
I cooked sixteen wontons in total. I will start cooking them once the chicken is almost done.
Boiled chicken is easy to make. Put the whole chicken in water and cook it until done. Turn it over frequently while cooking and pour more hot water on the chicken skin.
Lin Qiuran doesn’t like to eat the chicken skin of ordinary stewed chicken because it is too greasy, but he likes the white-cut chicken and wants its firm and chewy texture, so it must be heated evenly. After cooking, put it in ice water to increase the chewy texture and make the meat firmer. Finally, use minced ginger and green onions to make a dipping sauce, and it’s done.
Lin Qiuran likes this dish very much, but few customers order it.
A bowl of wontons and a plate of boiled chicken. Lin Qiuran tasted them after they were ready and found them to be stable performances.
Lin Dong brought the food to the front hall. Now the kitchen occupied a separate room, so the dining area was moved to the front yard. This room was connected from front to back, so they ate here to avoid having the smell of food in the house.
Xiao Xun came out on his own without waiting for Lin Qiuran to call him.
Lin Qiuran said, "Eat it first. If it's not enough, tell Lin Dong later. We still have plenty of wontons. But we still have dinner tonight, so don't eat too much."
Xiao Xun nodded, "I'll go get a bowl, you can eat something too."
Lin Qiuran: "I won't eat. I'm not hungry."
She eats lunch at noon, and she is now controlling her food intake. The doctor said that eating less will not have much impact on the child, but eating more will make the child bigger.
For example, those in the village who are not well off give birth quickly, while those in well-off families give birth slowly. If the child is too big, it will be the one who suffers. It is better to wait until after the birth to eat as much as you can.
After talking to Xiao Xun, Lin Qiuran went back to the house and Lin Dong also left.
Xiao Xun sat down and looked at the two dishes. He picked up his chopsticks, not knowing which one to eat first. Finally, he picked up a piece of chicken, dipped it in the sauce and put it into his mouth.
It was really delicious. He vaguely remembered that the last time he went home, except for breakfast, he ate at the restaurant. That afternoon when he came back, it was snowing. The two of them talked in the house for a while, and then Lin Qiuran fled to the kitchen.
Xiao Xun could see that Lin Qiuran was unhappy and ignored him at that time. He felt that this time was different, not only the taste of the food was different.
He ate them all and was about eight-tenths full, but he didn't ask for anything else.
After lunch in the afternoon, Xiao Xun had dinner again an hour later. He didn't eat much. After all, he was an adult, so he knew whether he had eaten enough or not, and no one cared about him.
After dinner, Lin Dong and Lin Xia cleaned up, and Xiao Xun followed Lin Qiuran back to the house.
When Lin Qiuran walked slowly, Xiao Xun also slowed down. When she walked fast, Xiao Xun also walked fast.
Lin Qiuran tilted his head to look at the shadow by the wall, and it seemed that there was a large dog following behind it.
After entering the house, Lin Qiuran took out a quilt from the cabinet. Last time at the restaurant, she and Xiao Xun shared a quilt. This time, she had already prepared the quilt. "I'll sleep inside and you sleep outside."
Xiao Xun: "Okay, I'll go get some hot water, you can wash up and go to bed later."
Lin Qiuran felt that this feeling was somewhat novel, as if he had a new hardworking roommate.
Xiao Xun brought some hot water and filled a hot water bottle. While Lin Qiuran was washing her feet, he added charcoal to the charcoal basin stove and water to the pot on the stove.
After soaking her feet, Lin Qiuran took the foot towel. Her belly was a little big, so it was difficult for her to bend over. She was going to wipe her left foot from the left side first. Just as she was about to move, a shadow fell in front of her. Xiao Xun half-knelt in front of her, took out a cloth towel, and helped Lin Qiuran wipe it clean.
After finishing, he went out to pour some water. He came back a little late. Lin Qiuran saw that he had rolled up his sleeves and there was still moisture on his body.
Lin Qiuran had already undone her hair, and the hairpins were placed on the dressing table. Two candles were lit in the room, and in the dead of night, the candlelight flickered faintly. Unlike the room in the restaurant, the room at home was large and fully furnished.
But Xiao Xun still felt helpless here, "I washed it clean."
Lin Qiuran said, "Then check if there's enough charcoal in the charcoal basin stove. Add some water to the kettle on the stove so it doesn't boil dry."
I guess the stove went out at night, and the water was warm the next day, just right for washing up.
She didn't get into bed immediately, but sat on the bed. Xiao Xun said, "I've seen it all."
That's quite clever. Lin Qiuran nodded, "Then go to sleep."
Lin Qiuran lay down, and Xiao Xun blew out the lamp. After blowing out the lamp, he changed his clothes, and there was a rustling sound.
The water in the house was still boiling, bubbling. Before going to bed, Lin Qiuran asked, "When are you going back?"
Xiao Xun said, "I'll leave in the afternoon of the first day of the new year, and I'll come back in the middle of the month."
If he could make it, he wanted to see the child being born, but if he really couldn't make it, there was nothing Xiao Xun could do.
Lin Qiuran nodded. She wouldn't force Xiao Xun to stay and wait for her to give birth. She slept a lot and fell asleep quickly. After she fell asleep, Xiao Xun touched her belly through the quilt.
The next day was New Year's Eve. Lin Qiuran was awakened by the sound of firecrackers early in the morning. It was still dark and Xiao Xun had not left, so Lin Qiuran fell asleep again. When she woke up again, she was surprised to find Xiao Xun still there.
Lin Qiuran felt that the two of them had gone from strangers to strangers who were somewhat familiar with each other.
She changed into new clothes and put on some of the jewelry she'd bought yesterday. She wore velvet flowers, butterfly hairpins, and a ruyi hairpin. She also wore a gold lotus bracelet on her wrist, and her pearl earrings were also pretty. After putting them on, she looked in the mirror. Her hard work paid off. While she couldn't quite transform herself, she looked much better than before.
When he came out of the house, the Sun family was busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, and Lin Dong made some wontons.
Lin Qiuran smiled, and Sun said, "How about some glutinous rice balls?"
Lin Qiuran nodded. This was bought from outside. It was filled with black sesame. The filling was sweet and the skin was sticky. It was very delicious.
New Year's Eve was the busiest day. In the morning, the Xiao family had visitors, including waiters from the restaurant and Aunt Yu's family. Because they were having a reunion dinner, they didn't invite any guests to eat.
Aunt Yu was very happy because Da Hu's marriage was settled.
Lin Qiuran was listening from the side. Aunt Yu said that this was a lucky and honest girl. The betrothal gift was given according to the custom in the county. Her family conditions were better than the Li family. She agreed to this marriage because she valued the Li family's hard work and diligence.
Just because something isn't available now doesn't mean it won't be available in the future. My stall is very profitable, and I've saved enough money to buy a house in a few months. We'll get engaged in the spring, and we'll get married in the fall of next year. We'll use these few months of family money to buy a house, so she can live in it when she gets married.
Aunt Yu also made two small dresses for the unborn child, using fine fabric. She was truly grateful to Lin Qiuran. Since adding the hot soup, business at the stall had improved. Lin Qiuran hadn't asked for a share of the hot soup, so she was repaying the favor elsewhere.
This time he also brought with him the share of the profits from these days, a total of three taels of silver.
Lin Qiuran accepted it and said, "Then I'll wait for the wedding banquet."
Aunt Yu was happy and talked with Sun for a long time. She also said that Mr. Dong, who sold sesame cakes, was also engaged. Several people left his stall and several came back, making South Street quite lively.
The sauce pancake stall had been running until yesterday, and she had resumed work on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Aunt Yu didn't want to miss such a good opportunity to make money. To find a wife for her son, she was very motivated. If she saved enough money one day, she might open a small shop like the Xiao family.
After seeing Aunt Yu off, Sun, with the smile still on her face, happily went to the kitchen to cook.
The family had a simple meal at noon, and the New Year's Eve dinner in the evening was very sumptuous and not very complicated. The abalone and braised pork were ready, and the chopped pepper fish head also had chopped pepper sauce. Lin Qiuran made squirrel mandarin fish, and Lin Dong made a few stir-fried dishes.
Ten dishes represent perfection.
Outside, the sound of firecrackers and fireworks continued to blare. Xiao Dashi even set off two strings of firecrackers. Sun was busy preparing to eat. "Hey, stop it, it's time to eat!"
Xiao Dashi: "Here it comes, put more to ward off the Nian beast, and you'll have a year without illness or disaster. Others put more, so we can't put less, otherwise the Nian beast will come to our doorstep."
Lin Qiuran and Xiao Xun came out of the house and couldn't help but laugh when they heard this. It made sense. "Dad, let's put it away after we finish eating."
The candlelight in the house was bright, and the delicious food on the table whetted one's appetite. Even after dinner, there was still no sign of people coming and going outside.
Sun murmured, "We have to stay up till midnight tonight. Xinghua said there will be a lantern festival these evenings."
When she lived in the village before, she wouldn't wait until dark to go to the street to see the lantern festival on New Year's Day because it would be difficult to go home. She wanted to go and see it later, but Lin Qiuran was pregnant and it would be inconvenient. If she went out, Sun was worried that she would feel bad.
Lin Qiuran said, "Mom, you and Dad go, and take Lin Dong and Lin Xia with you."
This only happens once a year. Seeing Lin Xia looking outside all the time, she probably wanted to go, but they were both young, and Lin Qiuran was still worried about letting them go by themselves.
Sun nodded. Xiao Xun was at home before her due date, otherwise she would definitely not go out.
After they left, the yard became even quieter.
Occasionally, a few fireworks would float over the courtyard wall. The fireworks of this era were not as beautiful as those in later generations, but the fireworks were not often seen on weekdays.
Lin Qiuran watched for a while, then heard Xiao Xun say, "Let's go out and take a look too."
Lin Qiuran: "But there are too many people outside."
She was afraid of squeezing her stomach and didn't want anything to happen during the New Year.
Xiao Xun said: "We can go to the second floor of the restaurant."
Lin Qiuran was stunned for a moment. Why hadn't she thought of the restaurant being on the street and being able to go in through the back door? Going upstairs would definitely give her a clearer view than going out to the street. She could take in all the lights below without having to squeeze with others.
Lin Qiuran smiled and nodded, "Okay!"
*
Lanterns swayed on the long street, and people on the street exhaled white air from their mouths from time to time. Many people who were not afraid of the cold stopped in front of the street stalls, holding snacks in their hands.
Some were laughing, some were playing and chasing each other, and some were children riding on adults' shoulders, holding small windmills in their hands. As they walked, the windmills turned.
Lin Qiuran leaned against the window, his eyes full of smiles. The scenery here was indeed beautiful. If only Sun and the others had come here as well. Now I don't know where they are.
She looked downstairs and Xiao Xun was looking at her.
Xiao Xun didn't know why, but when he saw Lin Qiuran smiling, he couldn't hear any sounds outside.
Lin Qiuran saw the lion dance again. She tugged at Xiao Xun's sleeve and said, "Look! You said that from above, the lion looks quite small, as if you could reach out and touch it."
Lin Qiuran tried to touch it, but she didn't reach down. The windowsill was high enough, and she didn't bend down, but Xiao Xun held her hand and said, "This is the second floor."
Lin Qiuran, "I know."
She looked at their clasped hands. Xiao Xun's hand was very hot, so she didn't pull her hand away.
The fireworks are more beautiful from the second floor, and you can see the iron flower making in the distance. Most of the people below are wearing red, especially the children, who look very festive. Some children even wear tiger-head hats.
"Xiao Xun, look at that. My mother said she would make one for our child as well." Lin Qiuran thought it would be very cute for a child to wear this, like a doll in a New Year picture.
Xiao Xun hummed, and Lin Qiuran saw something else, "That dress is beautiful too!"
When she gives birth to the child, she will also make a set of clothes.
Xiao Xun held Lin Qiuran's hand tightly. Whatever she saw was interesting, Xiao Xun would look at it again.
The Chinese New Year is great and really lively. Yu'an is much more lively than Xiaojia Village, but I have to leave tomorrow.
Xiao Xun wanted to stay a few more days, preferably until the second day of the Lunar New Year when he could accompany Lin Qiuran back to her parents' home, but there was really no other way. He felt that time was passing very quickly. After staying up all night, he woke up and it was almost noon.
I didn’t feel so reluctant to leave home last time, but this time I don’t want to leave.
Lin Qiuran changed his bag and packed some things, mostly snacks. Otherwise, it would be so uncomfortable if everyone else brought something back home but Xiao Xun didn't.
After sending the person away, Lin Qiuran put Xiao Xun's quilt into the cabinet. Since he usually didn't come back, leaving it outside would not only collect dust but also take up space.
After Xiao Xun left, Sun came over and asked, "Qiuran, did Xiao Xun say when he would be back?"
Lin Qiuran said, "They said fifteen times, but that's not necessarily true."
Sun kept praising it, but Lin Qiuran didn't understand why. However, if the child hadn't been born yet, perhaps she could have gone out to see the Lantern Festival. She quite liked that kind of lively atmosphere.
Early in the morning on the second day of the New Year, Sun and Xiao Dashi went to Linjia Village to deliver New Year gifts to Lin Qiuran's parents.
There was wine, snacks, and pork, and Sun had even given Liu some money. Lin Qiuran hadn't mentioned this; it was Sun's own idea. After marrying her daughter off, Xiao Xun had something wrong. Lin Qiuran, pregnant, stayed at the Xiao household. Although life was improving, communication was difficult, and Liu was worried.
Now that they have moved to the county town, Lin Qiuran can't show filial piety to Liu on a daily basis. He bought a bracelet for Sun, but Liu was his biological mother, so he didn't buy her a bracelet. It should have been a gift.
This was the money that Sun had saved herself, and Lin Qiuran would give her money on a daily basis.
After two concessions, Liu accepted it. She asked Sun if Lin Qiuran had made any moves yet. Sun shook her head and said, "I guess we'll have to wait another ten days."
While the two were talking, Yu was serving tea and water on the side, smiling at Sun. Sun felt scared and just laughed dryly twice without paying any attention.
Mrs. Liu invited her to stay for dinner, but Mrs. Sun said she had to go back to see Lin Qiuran because she was worried about him at home. It was fine as long as the things were delivered. Even though Lin Qiuran didn't come back, it would still make her proud.
The restaurant opened for business on the sixth day of the New Year. Lin Dong had been chopping wood and cooking at home these days. His cooking skills had improved and he had learned a few new dishes. Lin Qiuran could make the remaining two or three dishes, and she was able to learn them before she gave birth.
Sun made the stew, and Lin Qiuran also went to the shop every day. Since the baby hadn't been born yet, she thought of continuing to work on the second floor.
Who wouldn't like to make more money? But the Chinese New Year has just passed, and no matter whether the family is rich or poor, everyone has eaten well during these few days and doesn't want to eat meat.
The restaurant on the first floor is still mediocre, with only old customers who want to eat here willing to come. No one has made a reservation on the second floor for several days. The firecracker debris in the snow at the door has turned brown. The business of Jin Ruyi next door is not as good as before the New Year, and the teahouse business is even worse.
Shopkeeper Shi felt a little regretful. If he had done business during the New Year holidays, with Lin Qiuran's skills, he would have made a lot of money and would have been able to entertain many guests. Moreover, he would have been happy to go out for drinks with friends during the New Year holidays when he had some free time.
But there is no other way. It is not convenient to work with a big belly.
So Lin Qiuran felt that it was okay that there were no guests on the second floor. After all, it was really inconvenient for her now. Her waist hurt from standing all the time, her stomach felt heavy, and she couldn't even see her feet when looking down.
When she first came here, Lin Qiuran was afraid of giving birth. People said that giving birth was like going through the gates of hell. She was afraid of the pain and afraid of accidents. But now, Lin Qiuran is looking forward to giving birth sooner.
Sometimes I think, if it were modern times, she would definitely choose a cesarean section. Madam Yin was pregnant for three years, how difficult it must have been.
Lin Qiuran was eager to give birth soon, but the child's temperament was more calm than she had expected. Even in the middle of the first trimester, the baby still hadn't started. She asked the doctor and midwife, but they both said, "Just walk around more these days. It will come out when it's time."
Lin Qiuran sighed in his heart. He could only wait. What else could he do?
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Xiao Xun came back.
Lin Qiuran said, "Then let's go to the lantern festival tonight."
You definitely can't go out during the confinement period. Lin Qiuran certainly wants to do what she should do during the confinement period, but this is ancient times, there are no air conditioners or hair dryers, and it is winter, so she might as well just finish the confinement period.
After eating dumplings in the evening, Lin Qiuran packed up and planned to go out with Xiao Xun.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, she felt a pain in her stomach. Lin Qiuran grabbed Xiao Xun's hand and said, "Xiao Xun, my stomach hurts."
-----------------------
The author has something to say: Irrigation with nutrient solution can help a baby be born! [Cat head][Sprinkle flowers][Rabbit head with erect ears]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
