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Chapter 34: Another Year of Urging for Children
◎ Family Gossip ◎
Wei Xuan’s little uncle has one more son than her second uncle. The eldest son is already married, while the younger son, who is the same age as Wei Xuan, is planning to get married this year. Right now, everyone is sitting in the living room discussing his wedding dowry.
Wei Xuan’s second eldest cousin, Wei Yue, also came with her husband today and is now sitting next to Wei Xuan.
Probably feeling bored by the adults’ conversation, Wei Yue tugged at Wei Xuan’s sleeve and signaled her to go outside and talk.
Wei Xuan glanced at Jiang Che and saw that he was surrounded by several older brothers and cousins, speaking with enthusiasm and completely forgetting to look for her. She then stood up without worry and followed Wei Yue outside.
The cold winter of the twelfth lunar month could freeze someone if they stayed outside for too long, so Wei Xuan took Wei Yue to her room. Worried that the two of them might feel awkward, Wei Xuan took out some sunflower seeds she had brought back and handed a handful to Wei Yue. She also grabbed a handful for herself and began nibbling on them aimlessly. She thought that if her mouth was occupied, it wouldn’t seem strange if she didn’t speak.
To Wei Xuan’s surprise, her second cousin and her second cousin-in-law truly lived up to the saying “Birds of a feather flock together,” as they were quite talkative, and their curiosity was strong. They asked Wei Xuan many strange and unusual questions, and the awkward silence she had been worried about never occurred.
Wei Xuan didn’t mind this straightforward cousin who said whatever came to her mind. It helped that Wei Yue was well-mannered and didn’t ask any overly private questions. Wei Xuan answered whatever she could, and no matter what she said, Wei Yue always responded. Before long, the two were chatting happily.
When they returned home after dinner that evening, Wei Yue said to her husband, “I didn’t expect Wei Xuan to be doing so well after moving to the city, and her personality has really improved as well.”
“Really? Wasn’t her personality good before?” her husband, Hao Qing, asked curiously, putting down the footcloth in his hands.
Although Hao Qing was from the same village as Wei Xuan and should have been familiar with her, he was several years older than Wei Xuan. Furthermore, since Wei Xuan didn’t usually hang out with the village boys, most people didn’t know her well. After hearing his wife’s comment, Hao Qing became curious about this capable sister-in-law of his.
“Well, it’s not that she was bad…” Wei Yue wasn’t sure how to explain, “It’s just that she had a bit of a temper. In our family, there are only three girls: me, the eldest cousin, and Wei Xuan. Before we got married, the eldest cousin and I used to hang out together a lot, but Wei Xuan never joined us.”
Hao Qing laughed, “What’s wrong with that? You’re older than her, it’s normal not to hang out together.”
Wei Yue felt her husband’s response was off, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong. After frowning and thinking for a moment, she gave up and shifted the conversation to the things Wei Xuan had brought back today.
She sighed with envy, “Look at Wei Xuan, she even bought milk powder for my uncle and aunt to drink. I didn’t even know adults could drink milk powder to boost their health. Isn’t it just for kids? She didn’t just buy one box, but two! Tsk tsk, it’s really something. I’ve never even tasted milk powder in my life.”
Hao Qing was curious to try it, but unlike his wife, he didn’t say it out loud. He just thought about it quietly in his heart.
Meanwhile, in the rooms of Wei Xuan’s brothers, they were also talking about the things she had brought back today.
Wei Xuan’s older brother was quiet and didn’t think much. Wei Xuan’s sister-in-law didn’t like to talk to him, and every time they did, she felt like she was talking to herself, so she just kept her thoughts to herself.
In Wei Xuan’s second older brother’s room, he did have something to say, but he couldn’t get a word in. Wei Xuan’s second sister-in-law didn’t need anyone’s response. She talked non-stop like a machine gun, and after finishing her speech, she made her own conclusions.
“You see, our younger sister is living such a good life now because she married into the city. Our lives will stay the same; we have no great abilities, but we must raise our son well. The best would be for him to pass the college entrance exam so that he can stay in the city just like our younger sister.” Of course, what she didn’t say out loud was that it would be even better if she could also be brought into the city to enjoy a good life for a while.
Wei Xuan’s second older brother’s lips twitched as he was about to say that he thought he was quite capable, but before he could speak, Wei Xuan’s second sister-in-law pulled the blanket over herself and lay down to sleep, giving him no chance to speak.
Only in Wei Xuan’s third older brother’s room did the couple manage to have a conversation.
Wei Xuan’s third sister-in-law said she wanted the snowflake cream that Wei Xuan had bought for her mother-in-law. She immediately noticed that it wasn’t the cheap kind sold at the supply and marketing cooperatives; the packaging was different.
Wei Xuan’s third brother ignored her subtly expectant look and continued to immerse himself in his own world. After a while, he regretfully spoke, “The leather shoes that younger sister bought for dad—I’ve never seen anyone wear them in the county, they must be a style only available in the city. If I could wear them and take a walk in the village, I’d definitely make everyone envious.” Unfortunately, his feet were one size bigger than his father’s.
He looked at his big feet with resentment, wondering if his father would let him wear them for a walk if he didn’t mind the tight fit.
The couple sighed together and lay down in bed, knowing that the things weren’t for them and could only think about it in their minds.
After a while, Wei Xuan’s third sister-in-law sat up in bed, “Why don’t you ask if younger sister can find a job for you in the city?”
“What good is that idea?” Wei Xuan’s third brother didn’t even look at her and extinguished her hopes, “Even if younger sister had that ability, with so many people in the family, why would she help me? Just because you eat more than others?”
Wei Xuan’s third sister-in-law wasn’t bothered by her husband’s remark. She was thick-skinned and didn’t take offense. The reason she ate more was because she had been afraid of hunger in the past, and she didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.
But after hearing her husband’s words, she knew it was unlikely to happen.
After thinking for a while, she said, “If my sister-in-law had a baby, I could go to the city and take care of her. At least then, I’d be able to eat well.”
Wei Xuan’s third brother didn’t expect his wife to have such an idea. He turned over and reached out to pat her head.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“I’m just checking if you’re daydreaming at night. Mom has been waiting for younger sister to get pregnant and go to the city to take care of her. What’s that got to do with you?”
Wei Xuan’s third sister-in-law didn’t mind, “My mother-in-law is getting old, but I’m still strong and can do anything. If my mother-in-law goes, she won’t make me work. There’ll be one less person to work, and then I’ll have my chance.”
Wei Xuan’s third brother saw she was so stubborn, so he didn’t bother with her. Anyway, thinking about it didn’t really affect anything. Just like how he often thought about the day he’d get to live a life full of good food and wine.
Wei Xuan didn’t expect that besides her mother-in-law and Jiang’s mother, there would be others concerned about her having a baby.
This year when she returned to the Wei family, Wei Xuan was constantly tormented by her mother-in-law’s pressure to have a child.
Even when they boarded the bus back to the capital, Wei Xuan’s resentment hadn’t dissipated, and even Jiang Che could feel it.
Jiang Che knew his mother-in-law was anxious for them to have a baby, and it wasn’t just his mother-in-law; his own mother was also eager.
What he hadn’t told Wei Xuan was that on New Year’s Eve, his mother had already pulled him into a room for a talk. Even his father, who usually sided with him, hadn’t helped him out this time, instead just reminding him that it might be time to start planning.
Jiang Che did think it was about time for them to have a baby, but when he looked at his wife, who still seemed unhappy, he was afraid she wouldn’t want to, so the words he was about to say remained unsaid.
Did Wei Xuan not want to? Actually, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to. It was just that, in the past few days, her mother-in-law’s constant nagging had made her a little annoyed.
Now, thinking about it seriously, she thought it was probably the right time. She was nineteen this year, and if she got pregnant now, she would be twenty by the time the baby was born, so her age wasn’t an issue.
The most important thing was that during the one and a half years since marrying Jiang Che, their relationship had become more stable. Whether she loved him or not, she wasn’t sure, but she was certain that they both now had a basic sense of belonging and responsibility for this family, and that was enough.
As for love, what’s the use of seeking so many elusive things? Only when the heart feels at ease, and when we can accompany and support each other through every obstacle, does that truly matter.
At least, now, Jiang Che is willing to let her try depending on him!
The two of them returned home, each with their own thoughts. After dinner, they lay in bed, silently, without speaking.
After a long time, Wei Xuan spoke first: “Jiang Che, how about we have a child?”
“What?” Jiang Che immediately flipped over from the bed, staring at Wei Xuan intently.
Wei Xuan was startled by his sudden movement, but once she realized what had happened, she saw his mouth was almost stretched to his ears, clearly indicating his happiness. So, Wei Xuan repeated, “I said, let’s have a child…”
“Have one, let’s have one now.” Before Wei Xuan could finish speaking, Jiang Che pulled the blanket over them.
Soon, a flustered voice came from under the blanket: “Jiang Che, why are you in such a hurry? Be gentler.”
Jiang Che’s heart was burning with passion; how could he not be in a hurry? He responded, his voice rough and urgent, “Wife, just pity me a little!”
The harsh winter wind blew outside, creating a sharp contrast with the warmth inside.
Before long, snowflakes began to fall from the sky, occasionally one or two blowing onto the windowsill, as if tiny people were blatantly peeking into the scene inside. But it didn’t take long before they melted into tiny droplets, sliding down the glass and eventually gathering into a pool of water on the floor, waiting for the owners to discover it the next day.
After the New Year, Wei Xuan and Jiang Che went back to their routine, just like last year. The small business they ran only picked up once the weather started to warm up.
As for having children, they decided to let nature take its course.
The biggest change was with Jiang Che. Whenever he was home, Wei Xuan had to stay within his line of sight.
Like now, Wei Xuan was standing in the kitchen cooking, and he had to stay by her side and watch.
The moment Wei Xuan moved to step outside to pick some green onions, he asked, “What are you going to do?”
Wei Xuan helplessly put her hands on her hips and looked at him, “I’m going to get some green onions.”
“I’ll go. You stay here and don’t move.” He said and rushed out.
If he was working, Wei Xuan would follow him, but she really couldn’t stand him looking at her like she was a prisoner. Wei Xuan even suspected that if he knew how to cook, he would try to take over the cooking too.
She wasn’t even pregnant yet. If she really were, that would be a different story.
So after dinner, Wei Xuan called Jiang Che to sit down because she wanted to have a serious talk with him.
Seeing her serious expression, Jiang Che thought he must have done something to make her angry, and he felt uneasy. The words that came out of his mouth were hesitant, “Wife, I haven’t done anything to make trouble recently, right?”
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