After the New Year, Xia Liang's holiday was coming to an end. The atmosphere in the Gu family had been rather somber lately. Han Yulan often sighed, reluctant to part with her granddaughter and worried that her daughter-in-law would be too busy with work to take care of her and the child. That evening, back in their room, Gu Weiguo noticed his wife's low spirits and knew she was reluctant to leave their granddaughter. He asked, "Do you remember what I told you before?" Seeing his wife's puzzled look, he knew she had forgotten. Gu Weiguo continued, "The higher-ups intended to transfer me to the provincial capital, but I declined because I had some unresolved matters. Now that my daughter-in-law is taking Yunxi to the provincial capital, I feel it's time for me to take a step up." Han Yulan's eyes lit up instantly. She grabbed her husband's hand and said, "That's wonderful! We can both go to the county town then, and we can take care of them closer to home." Gu Weiguo nodded.
On the day Xia Liang set off, Wu Ma still went with her. After all, Xia Liang couldn't take care of the children while she was at work. The whole family carried their luggage to the station and watched Xia Liang and the others head to the provincial capital.
Since Xia Liang started working, Wu Ma has been taking care of Xiao Yunxi. Xia Liang feeds her once before leaving for work in the morning, gives her formula at noon, and breastfeeds her again in the evening. When Xiao Yunxi was three months old, she could already roll over. One evening, after dinner, Xia Liang was lying in bed reading and keeping an eye on Xiao Yunxi. Xia Liang felt a little thirsty and rolled over to get a drink of water. Unexpectedly, the little girl rolled over as well. Because she couldn't roll over before, Xia Liang hadn't put her too far back in, and she almost fell off the bed. Xia Liang was quite frightened and hugged the little girl to comfort her, unsure whether she was comforting Xiao Yunxi or the girl herself.
When Xiao Yunxi was six months old, she could sit up without any external help. Xia Liang made a beanbag chair that would later become a modern-day version, but with a slight modification to the back to make it a little firm so that the little one could lean against it. Xiao Yunxi especially liked this sofa. When she was put on the sofa, she would sit obediently and nibble on her toes. Xia Liang even bought a camera to record her daughter's growth moments.
When Xiao Yunxi was eight months old, she could already crawl. Gu Weiguo and Han Yulan were transferred to the provincial capital and were allocated a large courtyard, unlike the one in the county town. It was a detached house with a small yard. Every day, besides looking at the little rabbit that her grandfather bought for her in the yard, the little one would crawl around in the living room. Wu Ma had to mop the floor many times a day. Han Yulan also prepared shoes for the family, stipulating that shoes worn at home could not be worn outside and could not dirty the floor.
When Xiao Yunxi was eleven months old, she could already call out "Mama." That day, Xia Liang came home from get off work. Before she even opened the door, little Yunxi pointed at the door and said, "Mama, Mama." Han Yulan wiped the drool from her granddaughter's chin and said, "Your mother isn't home yet. Grandma will play with you." Just as she was about to pick up her granddaughter who had crawled to the door, she suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed, "Baby, you can talk now!" She scooped up the little one and kissed her chubby cheeks twice, excitedly saying, "Say it again, baby." The little one didn't understand what was wrong with her grandmother and kept pointing at the door, calling, "Mama, Mama!" At that moment, Xia Liang pushed the door open and just heard her daughter calling "Mama." She took her daughter from her mother-in-law's arms, kissed her a few times, and said, "Baby, Mommy's little baby! Mommy loves you so much." She then went to the room to get her camera and took pictures of her daughter—her daughter sitting on the floor, crawling on the floor, her mother-in-law holding her, and so on.
On the day Xiao Yunxi turned one, Gu Yanxiao went to the entrance of Xia Liang's factory early to wait for her. They had arranged to meet the night before, and he had taken the afternoon off to celebrate his daughter's birthday. Han Yulan and Wu Ma had gone grocery shopping early that morning, and Wu Ma was busy all day. Gu Yanxiao had deliberately scheduled his leave to coincide with his daughter's birthday. After dinner, Gu Weiguo prepared writing materials: pen, ink, paper, an abacus, a scale, a large sum of money, and even a seal. Gu Yanxiao also added his own epaulets. The house in the provincial capital was heated, so the little one wouldn't get cold sitting on the floor. They arranged the prepared items in a circle around her and let her choose one. At first, she didn't understand, so she sat there motionless, watching everyone in the family smile and look at her as they let her choose. Xia Liang saw her daughter first crawl towards the 10-yuan note, reaching out but not taking it. Then she grabbed a stamp and tried to put it in her mouth, but Xia Liang snatched it away. Han Yulan smiled and said, "Our good granddaughter will be like your grandfather in the future!" Gu Yanxiao picked up his precious daughter and said, "Baby, don't you want to protect the country like your father?" He was immediately slapped by Han Yulan: "Do you want Yunxi to come back only once a year like you?" Gu Yanxiao thought about it and realized it was true; if his daughter also went to the army, how often would he see her? Han Yulan took her precious granddaughter and said, "Baby, don't be like your father. If I can only see you once a year, how sad will Grandma be?" Unexpectedly, the little one wrapped her tiny arms around Han Yulan's neck, saying, "Grandma, Grandma." Han Yulan was overjoyed! You see, the little one started saying "Mama" a month ago. She and Old Gu had been holding and soothing her every day, hoping she would call them first. But the little one hadn't said anything until today, when she suddenly called "Grandma." Of course, Han Yulan was overjoyed. Gu Weiguo, over there, also realized what was happening. He took his granddaughter from his wife, picked her up, and bounced her around, saying, "Good granddaughter, say 'Grandpa,' say 'Grandpa' after Grandpa." Little Yunxi imitated him, saying "Grandpa." Gu Weiguo laughed heartily, "Baby, say it again." Gu Yanxiao, standing nearby, was displeased and stepped forward... The father snatched his precious daughter from his arms, saying, "My daughter can't even say 'Daddy' yet. I have to teach her today." He then held her on his elbows, facing him, and said, "Baby, say 'Daddy.'" The little girl looked at this unfamiliar person without speaking, then turned to look at Xia Liang beside her, reaching out her hands as if wanting a hug. Xia Liang stepped forward and took her daughter into her arms. The little girl turned to look at Gu Yanxiao, who was a little sad, his eyes slightly moist. He knew his daughter wasn't familiar with him, which was why she wouldn't call him that. Gu Weiguo, standing nearby, also suppressed his smile and sat quietly to the side, while Han Yulan was already in tears.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com