Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

“I remember your last pregnancy didn’t go well, and you lost the baby. This time, you need to be extra careful. Just outside the door is Heji Clinic, and Dr. He who runs it is very skilled. You should go see him, and let him help you adjust your health. Make sure to give birth to your child safely.”

Ms. Xin still bowed her head, bowing again: “Thank you for your concern, Third Sister-in-law. Cui’er will make time to visit him. Goodbye.”

“Walk slowly. Things aren’t like they were before.”

Liu Sisi couldn’t help but add another sentence.

“Cui’er knows.”

Not until she left the residence did Ms. Xin loosen the embroidered handkerchief that had been nearly torn to pieces. She raised her head and let out a sigh of relief.

She could not help but recall the humiliation she had suffered at Heilong Mountain, and slowly raised her hand to touch her lower abdomen, unsure of whether the child inside her was truly Ah-Bao’s.

Oh, heaven!

How can you play with me like this? Since you’ve given me a new life, why do you make me experience such things?

Oh, heaven, you’ve blinded yourself!

She closed her eyes tightly as she twisted the silk in her hand, and two tears involuntarily rolled down her cheeks.

“Ms. Xin, what are you looking at? Hurry up and go, it’ll be dark by the time we get home!”

Ahead, Miao Cuihua repeatedly urged her.

“Coming! I’m coming!”

She gently flicked away the two tears that had accidentally overflowed from her eyes and put on a gentle smile as she hurried to catch up.

“Didn’t I just look up at the sky? It’s getting late, let’s hurry up!”

As the two of them left, Liu Sisi sat down on the chair by the window, staring blankly outside.

A vague sense of crisis surfaced in her heart. These days, even men like Shou Hou, who had no talent, money, or power, were tempted to cheat. What about Di Yelei? How honest is he, really?

She let her thoughts run wild for a long time until it started to get dark and her father-in-law returned from the clinic. That’s when she snapped back to reality.

She got up and went to the guest room to check on Mother Zuo, whose eyes could only see a blurry shadow. At the moment, Granny Hu was helping her sew a new garment.

The fabric for the clothes was left by Liu Sisi last year. Her sewing skills were terrible, so these fabrics were naturally set aside. Now Granny Hu and Ms. Gao both had excellent embroidery skills, and the fabrics came in handy.

Liu Sisi generously took out two rolls of fabric and handed them to Granny Hu, letting her sew suitable clothes for them.

When Liu Sisi entered, she happened to see Granny Hu sewing clothes while chatting with Mother Zuo.

“Madam.”

Granny Hu hurriedly stood up to greet her.

“Never mind, you go to the kitchen and start the meal. Leave this to me.”

Liu Sisi dismissed Granny Hu and stepped forward to help Mother Zuo: “Auntie, let Sisi help you outside for dinner.”

Mother Zuo obediently stood up, her face full of guilt: “Sisi, I want to go back tomorrow. This old woman has been living with you, causing so much trouble these days. So I want to go back earlier, so I can wait for my Yu’er to come back.”

Liu Sisi supported her, not minding the other’s words, and only chuckled lightly.

“Auntie, you can rest assured here. As for your thatched hut, Sisi has already asked someone to help take care of it, so don’t worry!”

In the process of speaking, she had already helped her to sit down at the edge of the dining table.

Mother Zuo groped as she sat down on the chair and couldn’t help but continue to say, “That’s not what I mean, Sisi! What I mean is…”

“Auntie Zuo, just rest assured and stay here. Sisi is very filial…you don’t have to worry.”

Elderly Mr. Di beside couldn’t help but join the persuasion team as well.

Upon hearing his voice, Mother Zuo quickly got up to pay her respects, “So brother Di is here too, this old woman has been disrespectful.”

“Don’t worry, Auntie Zuo, sit down, sit down!”

Elderly Mr. Di’s speech had become more and more organized recently, and his words were accompanied by laughter, “Xingyu has gone to help find someone, my Di family will take care of Auntie, don’t worry!”

Mother Zuo knew that Elderly Mr. Di’s speech was not organized, but she understood his meaning as soon as she heard it.

She smiled a little embarrassedly, “Although my house is dilapidated, it is still a nest, isn’t it? As the saying goes, ‘golden and silver nests are not as good as one’s own dog nest,’ I really can’t get used to living here…”

“It’s okay. After living here for a long time, you’ll get used to it. Let’s eat! Let’s eat!”

Elderly Mr. Di called for several people to have dinner.

During the conversation between the two, Liu Sisi had already called several children over, and the table suddenly became lively.

Naturally, the main seat belonged to Elderly Mr. Di. To his left were Di Xuan and Zhang Yun, and below them were YingEr and Da Mao; to his right were Mother Zuo and Liu Sisi.

Di family didn’t follow the rules of wealthy families by having servants serve meals, but only left Granny Hu to take care of Mother Zuo, who couldn’t see clearly. Even Da Mao ate by himself.

The reason was simple: Liu Sisi felt that everyone should not be lazy. If something could be done by themselves, they shouldn’t bother others.

However, where servants’ help was needed, she didn’t hesitate at all.

For example, in taking care of Di Xuan and Zhang Yun’s studies, she had high expectations of Le Ping; grinding ink, organizing book bags, making beds, etc., no mistakes were allowed.

She also modeled after the way servants here placed their attendant students and maids in each of the children’s rooms to cultivate relationships.

As usual, she supervised the two children’s studies for two hours before getting up and returning to her room.

As she passed by YingEr’s room, she heard YingEr and Xue Yi chatting happily inside.

Shaking her head, this was like finding a playmate for YingEr!

In the room, Ms. Gao had already made the bed. Seeing her big belly, Liu Sisi couldn’t help but frown: “Ms. Gao, you should rest earlier. Your pregnancy is getting bigger, don’t tire yourself out. It’s important to take good care of your body.”

Ms. Gao straightened her back and stood up: “It’s nothing! I’m only a little over six months pregnant, and it’s not time to give birth yet. Besides, this is already my fourth child; I have an idea, and I won’t joke about my own health.”

While speaking, she insisted on making the bed.

“That’s true, you know much more about pregnancy than I do. I should be the one asking you for advice.” Liu Sisi laughed sincerely.

She was originally very confused about pregnancy, and she also had a stepmother who gave her no guidance. Now that she had someone to discuss motherhood with, Liu Sisi was naturally happy.

“…Madam, if you feel uncomfortable, just let me know, I do know a few things.”

Ms. Gao was also rare to talkative, happily telling her about some matters to pay attention to during pregnancy.