Han Zhen left the Qin family, and heavy rain poured down from the sky.

He didn’t look back to grab an umbrella and hurried home.

Yang Haiyan watched the downpour, wondering if Qin Fang would get soaked while on night duty.

Although Qin Fang had an umbrella and a raincoat, she still felt worried.

Yang Dahua had been staying here for a few days, and she did not refuse Mrs. Cui’s offer.

Having stayed here had already disturbed Yang Haiyan, so she felt too embarrassed to let the Qin family’s servants take care of her.

Thus, Mrs. Cui stayed here with her.

However, she no longer needed Mrs. Cui to take care of her meals; Aunt Fan would prepare food for her and include her meals as well.

Mrs. Cui only helped look after her and the child during the day and night.

Looking at the sleeping child, Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but say, “This child looks just like Centurion Han.”

Yang Dahua, hearing this, couldn’t help but smile, “It’s good that he looks like him.”

She felt happy that the child resembled Han Zhen since she herself didn’t have good looks, and Han Zhen was handsome.

Parents have always wished for their children to be good-looking.

Yang Haiyan understood her implication, “Is this a girl or a boy?” Looking at the child’s fair and tender skin, it was clear that the baby had received good nutrition in the womb. “Has Dr. Wang checked on the baby?”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger flashed in Yang Dahua’s eyes as she recalled Han’s stepmother’s actions from earlier: “It’s a girl. Dr. Wang has checked and said the baby is well-nourished in the womb. Although she is premature, there’s no major issue.”

Yang Haiyan sighed in relief, “That’s good.”

However, Yang Dahua said, “This matter isn’t over. If the Han family were here, it wouldn’t end. She clearly pushed me on purpose, and the strength she used still terrifies me when I think back on it.”

Mrs. Cui added, “It was indeed intentional. They suddenly appeared and tried to barge in. Mrs. Han stopped them from entering, and then that woman pushed Mrs. Han.”

Being there at the time, she was so frightened she almost couldn’t stand, especially after seeing Yang Dahua bleeding.

She didn’t know what to do then.

Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but ask, “Has Han Baifu been informed about this?”

In her view, such matters should be told to men, as it is their responsibility to handle them.

As the main woman involved, Yang Dahua wasn’t foolish.

She nodded, “I told him. He said he would handle the family affairs. So, I’ve disturbed you these days, but I’ll move back in a few days.”

She understood that staying at someone else’s home during the postpartum period wasn’t good.

However, she didn’t know when Han Zhen had told Yang Haiyan.

After she gave birth and Han Zhen brought the baby here, she still didn’t refuse because she didn’t want to stay anywhere that had Han family members.

For this, she was very grateful to Yang Haiyan for not turning her away.

But Yang Dahua didn’t know that Yang Haiyan had no understanding of the postpartum customs.

The original owner was a maidservant beside Miss Yang, and her upbringing and customs were different from those of lower-ranked maidservants.

She usually lived in Miss Yang’s courtyard so she could take care of her at any time.

Naturally, an unmarried young girl wouldn’t know about postpartum matters.

Yang Haiyan became an orphan at fifteen, and after her grandmother passed away, being unmarried and single, no one taught her these things.

As a single woman, she wouldn’t pay attention to such matters.

Granny Lian and others assumed that Yang Haiyan knew these things since the mistress didn’t oppose it.

What could the servants say?

Furthermore, Han Zhen, being a man, certainly wouldn’t know about women’s affairs.

Therefore, when Han Zhen suggested that Yang Dahua come to stay here, Yang Haiyan naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Even if she had known, she wouldn’t have turned her away.

Who in modern times still believes in such superstitions?

That coming to stay postpartum would leave bad luck for others?

If that were the case, why would there be postpartum centers?

If a mother goes to a postpartum center, would that leave bad luck there?

If she returns to her mother’s house for postpartum care, would that leave bad luck for her family?

Yang Haiyan said, “It’s okay; just stay here with peace of mind.”

“Madam…” Aunt Fan arrived holding an umbrella in one hand and a lunchbox in the other.

The sudden rain had delayed her while she searched for the umbrella.

Mrs. Cui stepped forward to help and took out a red date soft-boiled egg from the lunchbox.

The egg was still warm as she sat beside the bed, “You don’t have much strength now; let me feed you.”

Yang Da Hua nodded.

Yang Haiyan took the one or two silver coins that Yang Dahua had given her and handed them to Aunt Fan. “While Mrs. Han stays here, her meals will be separately prepared. This is the silver Mrs. Han provided.”

Aunt Fan accepted the coins. “Understood.”

Yang Haiyan thought for a moment. “Aunt Fan, for the first three days, make sure to prepare plenty of millet porridge, red date soft-boiled eggs, chicken soup, and fish soup for Mrs. Han. It’s better for a postpartum woman to eat liquid or semi-liquid food during those early days.”

Aunt Fan replied, “Yes, I understand.”

She had cooked for postpartum women in her previous household, so she knew a thing or two.

Yang Haiyan felt reassured, “That’s good.”

After leaving the Qin household, Han Zhen ran home in the rain.

He felt completely at ease knowing Yang Dahua was at the Qin family, so upon returning home, he had no more worries—especially after hearing from Yang Dahua about the circumstances of her premature birth.

He wished he could strangle that woman.
But he knew he couldn’t.

Due to the heavy rain, the Han family had all retreated indoors.

However, they didn’t go to the room where Yang Dahua and Han Zhen were; the stench of blood from the childbirth still lingered there, and they found it unclean, so they entered another room instead.

The family quarters for the officers had three rooms.

After looking around, Han’s stepmother said, “From now on, we’ll live here. We’ll take one room, and Niuzi and his wife will take another.”

Niuzi was Han’s stepmother’s son, Han Zhen’s younger brother.

With a Dogzi and a Niuzi, their names reflected their brotherly bond.

Old Man Han had no objections.

Han’s stepmother then examined the kitchen and other areas.

She scoffed, “Look at the food they have—eggs, meat! We never had it this good back home. Old man, I told you that this son of yours has lost his conscience. He’s living so well while abandoning his parents. You have to teach him a lesson.”

She feared confrontation, but Old Man Han was his real father; what could he do?

No one could drown him with a single drop of water.

At that moment, the previously silent Niuzi spoke up, “Dad, Mom, I’m really hungry. I’m both hungry and sleepy; let’s make something to eat.”

Han’s stepmother agreed, “Yes, yes, let’s make some food. I’ll cook for you.”

The kitchen had vegetables and rice, so Han’s stepmother got started on the meal.

When Han Zhen returned home drenched from the rain, he found them all huddled in the kitchen and walked in directly.

Han’s stepmother shrank back slightly but quickly spoke up, “Oh, Dogzi, you’re back. You’re really living the good life here; we haven’t even had a meal like this in a year back home.”

Niuzi chimed in, “Exactly, big brother, you’re really unfilial.” He added this while hiding behind Old Man Han.

Han Zhen’s face was cold, treating their remarks as mere nonsense. “You guys eat first. Afterward, we can talk.”

Seeing him remain calm, Han’s stepmother and the others grew bolder.

They expected him to say something, yet he remained stoic and silent.

As a result, Han’s stepmother began to formulate ideas, but no matter what, eating came first.

The four of them devoured all the vegetables and meat that Mrs. Cui had bought that morning, especially Niuzi, who was eating so greedily that oil was spilling from his mouth.

After finishing their meal, Han’s stepmother instructed Niuzi’s wife to clear the table, understanding that Yang Da Hua was in confinement and couldn’t do it.

While Niuzi’s wife cleaned up, Han’s stepmother pulled Old Man Han aside and glanced outside.

The rain continued to pour outside, while Han Zhen stood under the eaves.

Old Man Han received the cue and stepped outside. “Dogzi…”

“Let’s talk later.” Just as Old Man Han began speaking, he was interrupted by Han Zhen, who turned and entered the kitchen, sweeping his gaze across everyone before taking a seat. “You all sit down.”

Everyone except Niuzi’s wife, who was washing dishes, took a seat.

Han’s stepmother was the first to speak, “Dogzi, Niuzi is tired from the journey; let him sleep first. You have something to say to us.”

Han Zhen glanced at her. “No need; as your son, he should listen.”

Han’s stepmother’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you want to say? Dogzi, you’re really living well here. Look at your living conditions; they’re much better than ours back home. And the food, rice and pork—back home, we’ve been poor for a year and haven’t even seen any minced meat. Not even rice soup can we afford.”

As she said this, she stole a glance at Han Zhen, who remained unresponsive.

She kicked Old Man Han discreetly.
Old Man Han swallowed hard, slowly responding, “Dogzi, your mother is right. You’re very unfilial. You only think of yourself and don’t consider us. Just look at your life; you’ve even hired help. We can’t even afford to hire anyone. We can’t even afford minced meat.”

While saying this, he also glanced at Han Zhen. “Dogzi, we’ve decided to live here from now on. We’re going to stay together as a family and won’t be separated anymore.”

After saying this, he looked at Han Zhen again, but unfortunately, Han Zhen remained silent.

Old Man Han glanced at Han’s stepmother, who shot him a glare, urging him to continue speaking.

He wasn’t very articulate, leaving everything at home to Han’s stepmother.

Han’s stepmother was not pleased with him; why should she, the stepmother, have to speak when the father wouldn’t say anything?

Seeing Han Zhen’s lifeless demeanor and lack of response made her even angrier.

“Dogzi, say something! If you have nothing to say, we’ll go rest. It wasn’t easy for us to get here.”

Han Zhen listened to them speak endlessly, without a single mention of Yang Dahua.

His patience had worn thin.

He turned to Han’s stepmother, “Do you have anything to say about pushing my wife?”

Han’s stepmother was taken aback for a moment before yelling, “Didn’t I just say? It wasn’t intentional! I tripped over a stone. Dogzi, what do you mean by saying this? Huh? What do you mean?”