Sure enough, when Xia Rong got home, he called out twice and found no one at home and no tricycle. He knew that his wife had given birth. He turned around, got on his bicycle, and pedaled like crazy. When he arrived at the hospital, he asked someone for directions to the obstetrics and gynecology department and ran there as fast as he could. Seeing his wife lying on the hospital bed, her face deathly pale, Xia Rong felt a pang of heartache. Before he could catch his breath, he asked, "Xiaohui, are you alright? Is it very painful?" Zhou Xiaohui had grown accustomed to the pain, but Xia Rong's question amplified it a thousandfold. She pouted, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "It hurts so much! Childbirth is so painful! I'm never having another baby!" As she spoke, large tears streamed down her temples, soaking the pillow. Xia Rong tenderly wiped away her tears, saying, "Okay, we'll only have this one. We won't have any more." Zhou Xiaohui nodded, her voice trembling with tears, "Mmm." Xia Liang, standing nearby, felt both heartache and amusement. She exchanged a glance with Gu Yanxiao, and the two left the hospital for the state-run restaurant.
The two rode their tricycle to the state-run restaurant. Xia Liang thought he was going to say something, but he didn't ask anything and remained silent the whole way. When they arrived at the restaurant, they brought five dishes and a large six-pack of lunch boxes. They figured her father would be at the hospital by the time they got back. Sure enough, when they arrived at the hospital, Xia Dahe was already in the ward, carrying his granddaughter and gently rocking her as he walked, humming softly. Xia Liang saw that his smile was almost reaching his ears and said, "Mom and Dad, Aunt Zhou, brother, come and eat." She pulled over the table in the ward and placed the food on it. At first, Zhou's mother was a little uncomfortable, but Xia Rong saw her standing there and called out again, "Mom, eat first! You've been busy so late and haven't eaten yet, you must be starving." Zhou's mother smiled and said, "Okay," and walked towards the table.
Xia Liang's wedding was originally scheduled for the next few days, but due to Zhou Xiaohui's childbirth, things became complicated. As Xia Liang's close friend and sister-in-law, the two had previously agreed to attend each other's weddings. However, Zhou Xiaohui was still in her postpartum period and couldn't leave the house, and Xia Liang and Gu Yanxiao didn't have much vacation time either. In the end, Xia Dahe made the decision: "Let's hold it at home, and your sister-in-law can stay home for her postpartum period." The Gu family had no objections; they weren't the rigid, traditional type of parents, so they agreed to Xia Dahe's suggestion. After setting the date, the Xia and Gu families began to notify relatives and friends. Just like Xia Rong had done before, they didn't plan to invite too many people, only those with close relationships. Gu's parents went to invite the guests, and Gu Yanxiao invited Xia Liang to go with his friends. Xia Liang took Gu Yanxiao to Xia Xiaogu's house. Xia Xiaogu was unemployed, and the two houses were not far apart. Xia's mother said that Xia Xiaogu used to come over often, but after one day her mother-in-law came with her, she rarely came anymore. Xia Liang knew that Xia Xiaogu's mother-in-law was not easy to get along with, so she knew that the old hag was probably up to something again.
The two arrived at Xia Xiaogu's house with their gifts. Her father-in-law and husband were at work, her mother-in-law was sleeping inside, and her two sons hadn't come home from school yet. She was sitting alone in the yard sewing. Xia Liang called out from the doorway, and Xia Xiaogu looked up and saw her. She quickly went to greet her, and seeing Xia Liang carrying gifts, she scolded her a couple of times: "You, why did you bring all this? You're here, not going anywhere else." Xia Liang smiled and said, "I didn't bring these gifts because I'm a guest; I just wanted to show my respect." She then pulled Gu Yanxiao aside and introduced him: "This is my husband. We've already registered our marriage, and we'd like to invite you to our wedding banquet." Thinking back to how she had used her aunt's name to go into the city to buy and sell things—it seemed like only yesterday—it was now that she was married. Xia Xiaogu looked at the tall young man before her and said with great satisfaction, "Not bad, you two are a perfect match. Auntie wishes you a long and happy marriage." "Let's work together, help each other, and live a good life." Gu Yanxiao nodded and said, "Thank you, Aunt." Aunt Xia seemed to just realize what was happening and said, "Hurry up and come inside for some water. Look at my memory, I left you standing in the yard like this." Saying that, she led the two into the main room. Gu Yanxiao put the things he brought on the table. Aunt Xia saw the malted milk powder and said unhappily, "Why buy such expensive things? Your sister-in-law is about to give birth, right? This is for her to nourish her body. I'm perfectly fine, why would I need to drink this?" Xia Liang said, "Don't worry, I've already prepared what my sister-in-law needs. My brother will also prepare some for her. By the way, my sister-in-law has already given birth. You should go see her when you have time. She's a very well-behaved little girl." Aunt Xia was both happy and sighed, "Time flies so fast. I remember you were so small when you were little, so well-behaved and obedient. In the blink of an eye, you're already an aunt."
The two left Xia Xiaogu's house after a short while. At a public phone booth, Xia Liang called the garment factory in the provincial capital and told Zhao Weiting the time of her wedding banquet. Zhao Weiting said she would definitely be there. After hanging up, Xia Liang and Gu Yanxiao went home. Xia's father said he would pick up Grandpa and Grandma Li from the village the next day. Xia Liang said, "Why don't we call the brigade headquarters and tell my second grandfather directly? It'll be better if they come together; more people means more support. We can pick them up at the station." Xia Dahe clapped his hands and said, "Great idea!" and went out to make the call.
In the days leading up to the wedding banquet, Gu Yanxiao had been carrying things to the Xia family's house, load after load on his tricycle. The neighbors were all curious whether Xia Rong was having a baby and they were holding a banquet. Gu Yanxiao had even hired a master chef from a state-run restaurant to cook for the banquet. The chickens, ducks, geese, and fish he bought were already being raised in the Xia family's yard. He'd also somehow acquired a sheep, which was now tied up in a corner of the yard. Seeing his cartload of cabbages and radishes, Zhao Danxiang worried it might be too much, but Gu Yanxiao said it was fine; they could eat whatever they couldn't finish, he'd bought plenty. Then, the day before the banquet arrived. Xia Youshun and his wife, along with Old Man Xia and his entire family, came from the village. Xia Dahe had said he'd reimburse their travel expenses, so why not come? They could stay in the city for a couple of days without spending a penny, have a good meal, and then brag to their neighbors when they returned. Gu Yanxiao rode his tricycle, and Xia Liang rode her bicycle to the station to pick them up.
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