Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 337: 337: Ah-Huang’s Desire

“Is her condition today abnormal? I couldn’t wake her up earlier when I tried…”

Liu Zhi’er still looked worried.

“It’s normal. A lot has happened in her family recently, and pregnant women should avoid extreme emotions. She might have had too much emotional fluctuation today. Let her rest and let her body adjust. On the other hand, you.”

Zhang Peng’s topic shifted to Liu Zhi’er.

Liu Zhi’er was surprised, “Me?”

“Yes, your throat is badly injured, and if you don’t take care of it, it’ll be difficult for it to recover after it heals. When we get back, I will prepare some medicine for you to apply externally first. It’s getting late, and you’re also a patient, so go back and rest. I visit the Di Family regularly, so there’s no need for you to see me off.” With that, he left with big strides.

Liu Zhi’er gently closed the courtyard door and listened to the low voice of Di Yelei, who was soothingly talking to the two children to sleep; she felt a wave of loneliness wash over her.

She couldn’t help but squat down and hug her arms, burying her head in her elbows, thinking of her lonely situation, and feeling the chill in her heart growing stronger.

Suddenly, she heard a whimpering sound and couldn’t help but look up.

She saw Ah-Huang peeking around from his dog house, his mouth letting out low whines, his half-drooping tail wagging, sniffing and sniffing in the dog house before reluctantly walking toward the main entrance, whimpering and looking up at Liu Zhi’er.

He walked back to the opposite dog house, lying down again, his lost gaze fixed on the doorway where Liu Zhi’er was.

“Sigh! Are you missing Ah-Hua, Ah-Huang? Tell me, are our situations the same?”

Of course, Ah-Huang wouldn’t reply. He instinctively darted out of his dog house upon hearing Ah-Hua’s name but gave up and returned with his head hanging when he couldn’t find her, ignoring Liu Zhi’er.

“Being a dog has its own troubles, and being a person also has its own difficulties. Living is not easy for anyone!”

Liu Zhi’er sighed as she passed by the stable; she noticed there was no more fodder, so she got some hay and added a ladle of oats to the feeding trough. She had planned to continue boiling medicine, but her brother-in-law had already taken over her work.

Seeing this warm couple, she tactfully didn’t disturb them and went back to her room to rest.

While boiling medicine, Di Yelei also prepared plain rice porridge. When the medicine was ready, the plain porridge was almost cooked; he called for Liu Sisi to take the medicine.

“After taking the medicine, do you want to drink some plain porridge? I specially cooked it in a stewing pot. There’s also some beast meat stewed on the bonfire, why don’t you eat some?”

Liu Sisi also felt her stomach empty and uncomfortable.

“No meat, that smell is unbearable.”

After thinking for a moment, Liu Sisi suddenly said, “I want to eat pickled cabbage, pickled young ginger, pickled garlic, pickled turnips, pickled chilis, pickled Chinese cabbage…”

As she mentioned these foods, saliva began to flow in her mouth, wishing she could have them immediately.

“This…”

Di Yelei was in a dilemma, thinking whether they had any of these items at home, but it seemed they didn’t.

After thinking for a while, he tentatively said, “…What about some natto? I remember that last time you opened the lid, you left half of the pot uneaten.”

Liu Sisi lay dejectedly back down on the bed head: “Fine! No fish or shrimp is fine too. Let’s eat natto.”

The plain rice porridge and natto arrived quickly, Liu Sisi picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, then nodded her head. This combination of plain rice porridge and natto is quite good!

Watching Liu Sisi eat happily, Di Yelei had an idea.

“Sisi, what’s that pickled turnip thing you mentioned before? How do you make it? I remember we still have quite a few turnips, garlic, and chilies at home. You teach me, and I’ll make it for you.”

Liu Sisi thought about it and realized it made sense. Making pickled vegetables is simple and hassle-free. Especially with turnips, you can put them in today, and they’re ready to eat early tomorrow morning – very convenient.

“Just wash the vegetables clean, wait for the water on their surface to dry, and then put them in a jar with added salt…”

Di Yelei nodded repeatedly, hurriedly memorizing the steps one by one.

By the time Liu Sisi saw the bottom of the porridge bowl, she handed over her bowl and chopsticks, shaking her head to signal she was done eating. She then continued to ask, “By the way, you went to the government office to borrow money today. Did you get enough silver?”

Speaking of this matter, Di Yelei immediately laughed!

“I got enough a long time ago! I remembered what you said and deliberately borrowed a few taels from several acquaintances, as well as some from the Land Officer and Zhang Peng. Here, it’s all here, you take it.”

As he spoke, he took out the silver and handed it to her.

“You don’t need to give it to me. You’ll need it when the day breaks, won’t you? Keep it with you for now. Oh, right, Uncle Land Officer helped a lot with this. When you go, don’t go empty-handed, remember to bring two pieces of beast meat and additionally, seal a red envelope and give it to him, along with a silver hairpin as a thank-you gift.”

As Liu Sisi spoke, she yawned sleepily.

Di Yelei lovingly hugged her: “Look at you, you’re so tired, and you’re still worrying about these things. Sleep well and don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything! Even if the sky collapses, your husband will be there to support you! Rest assured!”

“You? Can you hold up?”

Liu Sisi pursed her lips with amusement, laughing!

Don’t mention it, his heartwarming words made her feel warm inside and unusually comfortable.

He raised his eyebrows with surprise, flexing his arm muscles and patting his chest with a resounding thump: “With a chest like mine, can’t I protect you? Can’t I build a warm home for you?”

True enough! The man before her was not the type to admit defeat.

“I believe it! We’ll definitely live a good life…”

As she spoke, she drifted into dreamland.

In her dreams, she and Di Yelei were standing in front of an extraordinarily luxurious mansion, laughing joyfully.

At that moment, a little girl with braids ran over happily, threw herself into her arms, and called out sweetly, “Mom…”

Even after Liu Sisi woke up, she was still reluctant to open her eyes, lost in the little girl’s sweet call of “mom” in her dream, unwilling to wake up.

How wonderful it would be if the child in her belly were truly that adorable little girl! In the future, she could also be a playmate for YingEr, so she wouldn’t be lonely and alone!

Liu Sisi secretly sighed.