Chapter 44

The next morning, when the alarm rang, Wen Nuan woke up.

Gu Qinghan had just returned from a training session. He had stayed out a bit late the previous night, and Wen Nuan did not want to get out of bed today.

Gu Qinghan walked to the bedside and looked at the lazy Wen Nuan with a smile. “Didn’t sleep well?”

Wen Nuan glanced at Lele, who was sleeping in the innermost part of the bed. Surprisingly, she had also woken up early, playing with her own stinky socks, and was not causing any trouble.

Wen Nuan then wrapped her arms around the man’s waist from behind, yawning sleepily, and murmured, “Mmm, I want to sleep a little longer.”

Gu Qinghan rubbed her hair and laughed, “Well, if you don’t want to go to the cafeteria, that’s fine. After all, it’s not like I can’t afford to take care of you all.”

As soon as Wen Nuan heard this, she immediately felt more energized. She released Gu Qinghan’s waist and said, “Then let’s go to work after all.”

Being able to support herself was different from relying on a man’s wealth.

Besides, their savings were not rich at the moment; Wen Nuan was still thinking about buying a large courtyard house in the capital in the future!

Now that she finally had a job, she had to earn money diligently!

She also needed to think about other ways to make money.

When the soft and fragrant weight in his arms suddenly left, Gu Qinghan’s raised arm hung in the air as he looked at Wen Nuan, who had already gotten out of bed, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Gu Qinghan had no choice but to say, “Then after you’re ready. Let’s go to the cafeteria together later.”

Meanwhile, Wen Nuan was already brushing her hair. She responded with a few hums. “I’m going to the cafeteria today, to have the meal with you.”

“Okay.” After Wen Nuan finished styling her hair, she began to braid it. The previously messy strands were instantly transformed into a neat arrangement under her skilled hands, and then she expertly twisted them up into a bun at the back of her head.

Noticing Gu Qinghan’s focused gaze on her, Wen Nuan said, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and fetch some water. I’ll help Lele wipe her face and change her diaper.”

Gu Qinghan shifted his gaze away, then picked up Lele’s basin from the neatly arranged enamel bowls. Before long, he brought back a basin of hot water.

Wen Nuan walked toward the bedside, intending to pick up Lele. To her surprise, Lele immediately ran to the corner of the room, using her small hands to cover her eyes.

It seemed like they were playing hide-and-seek.

Wen Nuan looked at her with annoyance. “Lele, come out. Mommy is going to change your diaper.”

The more Wen Nuan called her, the more Lele hid, standing up and turning her back toward her in the corner. Yet, she couldn’t help but peek back at her, and that adorable expression made Wen Nuan want to pinch her cheeks!

Unable to resist, Wen Nuan climbed onto the bed and scooped up Lele, who thought she was well hidden. “Silly girl, Mommy saw you a long time ago!”

Lele continued to giggle, clinging tightly to Wen Nuan’s neck, rubbing her head against her chest as if she wanted to drink milk.

Wen Nuan had bought some malted milk powder, but it seemed Lele wasn’t particularly fond of it.

She had mixed some for Lele to try the night before, but after a couple of sips, Lele had refused it. While sleeping, she had kept burrowing against Wen Nuan, still wanting milk.

Wen Nuan thought for a moment, then sat back down on the bed with the child and said, “Let’s feed you first before changing your diaper, so you won’t wet it again later.”

Lele was pleased, her eyes sparkling with delight. As she drank, she stared wide-eyed at Wen Nuan.

Seeing the white powder in the basin, Gu Qinghan rubbed his nose and picked up the enamel basin again, heading out to the living room.

After finally getting Lele cleaned up, Wen Nuan heard the sound of crying coming from the next door, where Sister Guihua lived.

It seemed that Zhou Jianshe had indeed acted on his words and was going to send Wang Xiaoxia back to her hometown today. However, Wang Xiaoxia was crying and yelling, hurling all sorts of curses at Zhou Jianshe.

Wen Nuan carried Lele into the courtyard and peeked out, spotting Zhou Jianshe holding a large bag of luggage as he prepared to help Wang Xiaoxia into the car.

However, Wang Xiaoxia was still clinging to the railing at the entrance of the courtyard, refusing to get in the car with Zhou Jianshe no matter what.

Zhou Jianshe seemed to have said something to Wang Xiaoxia, and after a while, she finally quieted down and obediently followed him onto the pre-arranged minibus.

As the vehicle pulled away from the compound, Wen Nuan carried the child over to Sister Guihua’s house and knocked on the door. “Sister Guihua, are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here.” Zhang Guihua likely stood behind the door, and upon hearing Wen Nuan’s voice, she opened it directly. “Why are you here so early? Are you going to work today?”

“Not yet. I came to check on you. Are you alright?” Wen Nuan noticed that Sister Guihua’s eyes were red, indicating that she probably hadn’t rested well last night. She must have talked with Zhou Jianshe late and had cried.

Zhang Guihua smiled faintly and invited Wen Nuan inside, saying, “I’m fine. It’s just that Lao Zhou has already sent my mother-in-law back to her hometown.”

She sighed. “Well, it’s better that she goes back. I’ve had enough of this lately. I mean, before, I could tolerate her old remedies and such, but my mother-in-law is becoming more and more unreasonable. I…”

As she spoke, Zhang Guihua’s emotions started to dip again, her eyes becoming misty.

Wen Nuan patted Zhang Guihua’s hand reassuringly and said, “I know, Sister Guihua, your stress is too much. Since your mother-in-law has gone back, try not to think about it too much. Just take a few days to relax.”

Being watched so closely regarding her belly every day was undoubtedly a strain on Zhang Guihua. Even if she was willing to drink all sorts of medicines, over time, it would still weigh heavily on her.

Although Wen Nuan wanted to suggest that Zhang Guihua go visit Old Zhao at the cattle shed, after what had happened last night, she decided it would be better for her to relax for a few days first.

Zhang Guihua nodded at this and then looked at Lele in Wen Nuan’s arms. “Since I have nothing to do, and you’re going to work, let me take care of Lele for you.”

Upon hearing this, Lele smiled brightly at Zhang Guihua and reached out her little hands, calling out, “Hug~”

Seeing Lele wanting her to pick her up, Zhang Guihua instantly brightened up. “Auntie will hold you! Our Lele is so good! Let’s play together today, okay?”

Lele was definitely up for it. If she followed Wen Nuan to the cafeteria, her activity would be limited to a small office space in the back kitchen.

Now that Lele could walk, she loved to run around in front of the courtyard gate, and she could squat down and play with stones for hours.

Seeing this, Wen Nuan reached out and pinched Lele’s cheek. “Little one, are you not going to work with Mommy?”

As soon as Lele heard Wen Nuan’s words, she turned her little head away and hugged Zhang Guihua’s neck, refusing to look at her.

Zhang Guihua patted Lele’s back and said, “Since you’ll be back by noon anyway, I’ll take her for a stroll to the cafeteria. She can play for a while by the side of the cafeteria.”

Seeing that Lele seemed unwilling to go with her, Wen Nuan decided to ask Zhang Guihua for help.

Wen Nuan went back home to grab some snacks and a bit of money before returning to Zhang Guihua’s yard.

Noticing what Wen Nuan was carrying, Zhang Guihua asked, “What do you have in your hands?”

Wen Nuan exclaimed, “Oh!” and handed over the snacks and money, smiling as she said, “Sister Guihua, since I often bother you to take care of Lele, this is her food. She doesn’t really like the cafeteria food anyway… Hey, hey, hey, Sister Guihua, why are you…”

Before Wen Nuan could finish, Zhang Guihua had already picked up a feather duster she usually used for dusting and waved it at her. “You little girl! How much can Lele eat? You—how could you even bring money over? What do you take me for?”

Wen Nuan truly didn’t expect Zhang Guihua to “get rough” with her. She quickly dodged to the side of the door and laughed, “Sister Guihua, don’t underestimate this little one. She’s a little meat-eater! It’s fine once or twice, but look, you take her out three or four times a week. Every household is struggling these days; just accept it! If you don’t, I’ll just take Lele to work with me instead!”

Lele sitting on the kang didn’t know what the two adults were doing, but when she saw one person hiding and the other chasing with a chicken feather duster, she squinted her eyes and laughed heartily, clapping her hands as if saying, “Fight! Fight!”

“You’re still talking? How many times have you come to my house bringing meat and fish? Can Lele eat that much? Just look at the rice you brought! And on top of that, you brought money?! What do you think I am?!” Zhang Guihua had her hands on her hips, looking at Wen Nuan, “Comrade Wen Nuan, let’s go to war!”

Wen Nuan sat on the kang, holding little Lele as a shield, and laughed, “Sister Guihua, spare me! This is something my husband Qinghan instructed me to give you. Even if you’re willing to give these freely, you still need to keep some food for yourselves!”

When necessary, Gu Qinghan was the best excuse, but the couple had actually discussed it beforehand; if they really bothered her by bringing Lele, they had to provide food!

Zhang Guihua looked at Wen Nuan’s cunning eyes and snorted, “I don’t believe you! You let Vice Captain Gu come and talk to me!”

Wen Nuan held the giggling little girl, wrapped her arms around her small belly, and really raised her voice, calling, “Qinghan! Qinghan!”

Zhang Guihua widened her eyes as if to say: Good heavens, you’re really calling for him!

What do men have to do with women’s matters?

In less than half a minute, Gu Qinghan’s tall figure rushed over, worriedly asking the two women who were quarreling, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

After what happened with Wang Xiaoxia last night, Gu Qinghan seemed to be worried that something else might happen, and his expression was very serious.

Wen Nuan chuckled, carrying Lele as she walked over to the man.

Then she said to him, “Sister Guihua doesn’t want Lele’s food. How can that be?”

Gu Qinghan nodded seriously, saying, “Sister Guihua, we really can’t accept that.”

Zhang Guihua found it both amusing and frustrating. “I can’t take you two anymore! You’re both on the same page; how can I argue with you? Just let me take it.”

Then, Zhang Guihua put the chicken feather duster back on the dresser and muttered, “You trust me and let Lele play with me; I’m grateful enough. You two are really something, even bringing money. Next time, don’t mention it again!”

Wen Nuan handed Lele over to Gu Qinghan’s arms and walked toward Zhang Guihua, linking her arm with hers, saying, “Okay, I understand. Thank you, sister-in-law.”

In fact, it was clear from watching Lele interact with Sister Guihua that she certainly cared for Lele a lot, which was why Lele was so comfortable with her.

Last night, when she saw Wang Xiaoxia make Sister Guihua cry, that little girl even knew how to help by throwing the chestnuts at Wang Xiaoxia.

Therefore, Wen Nuan was very willing to let Sister Guihua take care of Lele.

She felt that Sister Guihua probably had even more patience than she did!

Zhang Guihua smiled and said, “Who told Lele to be so cute? It’s not for you!”

In the past, she never realized that interactions between people could be so harmonious. Although Wen Nuan had only known her for a short time, she trusted her enough to leave her child in her care—something she had never expected.

After all, she could see that both Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan treated Lele with utmost love and care, unlike others who thought about having a second child as soon as they had a daughter—insisting on having a son to carry on the family line.

However, Lele was indeed adorable and obedient. The days with her helped her get through her previously dark and depressed period.

If it weren’t for Lele, she probably would have gone crazy by now.

So, taking care of Lele wasn’t a burden on her; it was a blessing.

Lele had brought her happiness and sunshine back into her life.