Chapter 38: Manmei—A Little Fulfillment in Life Outweighs Perfection

The tension in the room finally eased as the baby was safely delivered.

The premature infant was tiny. Midwife Liu, unsure of the He Family’s preferences, still offered congratulations “Mother and daughter are both safe.”

The women assisting with the birth glanced at Madam He upon hearing it was a girl. In the village, sons were favored, and with so few members in the He Family, they assumed the family had hoped for a boy.

“Wonderful, wonderful! She’s a beautiful little girl,” Madam He said with a smile, picking up the baby and showing her to Wan Xu. The infant’s features were barely discernible in the swaddling, but Madam He was already smitten.

Wan Xu, exhausted from childbirth, couldn’t even lift her arm to touch the baby.

“Lie down and rest right away. You’re completely drained,” Midwife Liu urged.

Seeing the bloodstained bedding, Madam He quickly removed it and replaced it with thicker, clean layers before helping Wan Xu lie back down.

“It’s far too late to send you home tonight. Would you mind staying until dawn?” Madam He asked Midwife Liu once everything was settled.

Midwife Liu had already planned to stay the night. Now drenched in sweat from the exertion, she welcomed the chance to rest until morning.

Hearing this, midwife Liu agreed.

Yang Ersao, who had been standing nearby, washed her hands in the untouched warm water and smiled. “We’ll head back now. It’s just a short walk within the village.”

Madam He wanted to offer them something to eat in thanks for their immense help that day.

“No need, really,” the others insisted. “We still need to return home to keep vigil tonight.”

Seeing they wouldn’t stay, Madam He personally escorted them to the door.

Outside, Su Yi’an stood with He Ningwen, the two exchanging anxious words as they waited.

Ever since hearing the baby’s first cry, Su Yi’an had wanted to go inside, but worried her cold body might affect Wan Xu or the newborn.

“Sister Yi’an, do you think Sister-in-law and the baby are alright?” He Ningwen asked. She had been sent to check on them by her eldest brother.

“Doctor Wang prescribed medicinal broth before he left. Once Wan Xu drinks it, she’ll recover,” Su Yi’an replied, though her own heart was uneasy. Even in her past life with modern hospitals, childbirth complications could still arise.

“Did you tell Eldest Brother the news?” Su Yi’an suddenly realized she hadn’t sent word.

“Yes,” He Ningwen nodded, recalling the scene. “He was so excited he nearly got out of bed himself.”

He had immediately urged her to check on Wan Xu’s condition.

Those waiting outside only knew the child had been born—they didn’t know whether the mother was safe or the child was a boy or girl.

The door opened from within, and Madam He stepped out with the others, surprised to find people still waiting.

She didn’t recognize the two tall figures standing at the back.

As soon as Yang Ersao emerged, she spotted her son standing there, dazed. Furious, she strode over, grabbed his ear, and scolded, “What are you doing running around in this freezing weather?”

“Mom, it hurts! Let go!”

She gave his ear another tug before dragging him out of the courtyard.

The remaining women exchanged smiles, took their family members by the hand, and followed her out.

Snow had been falling for quite some time, blanketing the ground in a thick layer that crunched underfoot.

Yang Ersao let go of Yang Qiusheng’s hand. After all, he was her own child, and her heart ached for him. She touched his hand and, relieved to find it warm, asked, “How long have you been waiting? Are you hungry? Why didn’t you stay home?”

“I’m not hungry,” Yang Qiusheng replied. “That sister gave us noodles. There was a huge piece of meat in it—it smelled amazing!”

“She cooked noodles for you?” Yang Ersao was actually quite hungry herself, though pride had kept her from lingering at the He Family’s house. She had half-expected Madam He to send them off with some food.

A flicker of resentment crossed her mind, but hearing her son had eaten meat, she let it go.

“Really! All three of us had some. The meat was so fragrant,” Yang Qiusheng said, savoring the memory.

“You little glutton. It’s not like I’ve ever starved you,” she scolded, though her prejudice against the He Family softened slightly.

Su Yi’an cleared out the room she usually slept in, knowing she wouldn’t be getting any rest tonight.

He Xingchen, still young and unable to stay up, naturally slept on the kang with his father. He had drifted off soon after learning Wan Xu and the baby were safe.

In the kitchen, Su Yi’an pressed a red-paper-wrapped silver ingot into Madam He’s hand.

“We owe Midwife Liu so much today. This is just our family’s small token of thanks.”

Madam He was astonished that Su Yi’an had already prepared everything. She looked at her, surprised.

“Take it, Mother. Don’t be so polite. I’ll need your help making sausages soon,” Su Yi’an said with a smile.

Madam He’s eyes glistened slightly, and she nodded again and again.

In the village, midwives typically received two or three qian for a delivery, with half a liang considered generous. Su Yi’an had given a full liang.

Midwife Liu could tell by the feel of the ingot. Her face lit up in a broad smile—this trip had certainly paid off.

“Big Sister, this is far too generous,” she said, sitting on a wooden stool. She glanced around the humble room and felt a pang of sympathy.

Madam He brewed tea and brought out candied fruits and pastries, smiling. “If not for you today, my daughter-in-law and granddaughter might not have made it.”

Seeing Madam He’s genuine fondness for the child, her eyes red-rimmed, Midwife Liu kindly advised, “Your daughter-in-law had a difficult labor. If you don’t want to risk another, you really shouldn’t try for more children.”

“No more. Definitely no more,” Madam He said, shuddering at the memory of Wan Xu’s ordeal.

Su Yi’an busied herself in the kitchen, but her mind kept drifting back to Wan Xu. Eager to check on her, she handed over stove duty to He Yunhuai.

“The meat and sausages are still hot. Once the noodles are done, crack an egg into the broth. Don’t put the meat on the noodles—serve it separately. Let Midwife Liu eat whatever she likes.”

He Yunhuai, now confident in cooking noodles, nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

He was her youngest uncle, so it wasn’t appropriate for him to visit Wan Xu at night. He could see her during the day.

Su Yi’an brought a bowl of sweet egg soup into the room. Seeing Wan Xu slightly more alert, she felt reassured.

“Sister-in-law, have something to eat,” she said, placing the bowl and chopsticks on the table and helping her sit up.

Wan Xu, pale-faced, turned to gaze at the tiny bundle beside her, eyes full of tenderness.

Since they were alone, she didn’t hide her worries.

“Yi’an, she’s so small,” she said hesitantly. “I don’t even know if she’ll grow up.”

“Don’t say that. Our little one will be safe and healthy,” Su Yi’an said, gently tickling the baby. “Have you named her yet?”

Wan Xu shook her head. The baby had come early, and they hadn’t decided on a name.

“Why don’t you name her? Let her share in her youngest aunt’s good fortune.”

Su Yi’an paused, then chuckled. “What if my brother doesn’t like the name?”

“We don’t need to worry about him. He can’t even get out of bed,” Wan Xu said with a faint smile, gently stroking the baby’s cheek. “How about letting her youngest aunt give her a nickname?”

As if in response, the baby whimpered softly in her sleep.

“See? She agrees,” Wan Xu said, looking to Su Yi’an.

“A little contentment is better than seeking perfection,” Su Yi’an thought. All they wanted was for the child to grow up safely.

“How about Man Mei?” she suggested.

They had considered “Manman,” but it sounded too complete, as if tempting fate. “Man Mei” felt more balanced.

Wan Xu repeated the name, “Man Mei, Man Mei… Then Man Mei it is.”

That night, He Ningwen couldn’t stay awake and slept beside Wan Xu. Mother He and Su Yi’an took turns keeping watch.

They made it through the night.

At dawn, Su Yi’an prepared two steamers of meat dumplings. It was the New Year, and since the dough and filling had been ready from the night before, they came together quickly.

After eating a bowl of dumplings and some noodle soup, Midwife Liu announced she was ready to leave.

Mother He rented an oxcart, paying double the usual fare to convince the driver.

“Head back. I can manage myself,” Midwife Liu said cheerfully, full and content, silver jingling in her pocket as she climbed aboard.

The regular village cart driver was at the reins. He hadn’t wanted to make the trip during New Year, especially with the snow, but the silver had been too tempting to refuse.

As the oxcart trundled away from the He Family’s home, early risers began to take notice.

“Oh, Midwife Liu, whose family did you attend to?” Granny Lu asked. She immediately thought of her own granddaughter-in-law and wondered if the baby had been a boy or girl.

“The He Family at the foot of the mountain,” Midwife Liu replied as the cart moved along.

The two villages were far apart. The driver eventually asked, “Eternal Sun Village has its own midwife. Why did the He Family call you?”

Midwife Liu, unaware of the He Family’s social standing in the village, answered casually, “I heard your village’s midwife left yesterday. That’s why the He Family called for me. They’re quite generous, too. They gave me a full tael of silver, even though it was just a girl.”

The driver’s hands trembled on the reins. He asked again to be sure.

“The birth was difficult, and the baby was premature. Maybe they wanted to bring her good fortune,” Midwife Liu said. She thought of their modest home. They might be poor, but they had good hearts.

A hardworking family like that was sure to prosper eventually.

Everyone in the family knew the baby girl was now named Man Mei.

He Xingchen circled her curiously, then finally asked, “Mother, why does Man Mei look like a little ol’…”

Mother He quickly clapped a hand over his mouth. “Our Man Mei is beautiful! Don’t talk nonsense.” She gazed at her granddaughter with love. Though premature, the baby was gentle—she whimpered when hungry and drifted off to sleep with a pat, never crying loudly.

“Mother, Second Aunt He…” Wan Xu glanced at her before lowering her gaze.

The events of the previous day had left no time to deal with Second Aunt He, who had faked madness before fleeing. Now she was surely hiding at home in shame. Mother He feared confronting her would lead to nothing but denial.

“Focus on recovery. I’ll make sure she doesn’t get away with it,” Mother He said, tucking the quilt around Wan Xu.

Su Yi’an listened silently, a plan already forming. She got up and headed to the kitchen. He Ningwen followed closely behind.

Unable to help much elsewhere, she decided to assist Su Yi’an with cooking.

“Sister Su, why did you take out so many eggs?”

To survive in the village, they needed to ease tensions with the neighbors. Though Second Brother Yang’s family wasn’t kind, his wife had stepped up when needed. That kindness deserved repayment.

“We’ll deliver these to the families who helped us last night,” Su Yi’an said, placing three eggs into a bowl.

Three eggs was a generous gift. In the cold, hens had stopped laying, and a single egg sold for eight wen in town.

Su Yi’an led He Ningwen on a round of deliveries, saving Second Brother Yang’s house for last.

Yang Qiusheng opened the door. Recognizing them, he eagerly welcomed them inside.

“We troubled your mother yesterday,” Su Yi’an said politely. “Our family is poor, but these eggs are a small token of thanks. We won’t stay long.”

Yang Qiusheng accepted the bowl, then turned and went to call for his mother.

Truthfully, Su Yi’an’s conspicuous deliveries had another purpose—but that would be revealed in time.