Chapter 78

After giving the meat to Dahua, Shen Yiyi went to Chen Qiang’s house.  

Chen Qiang was capable of earning money and never lacked a meal. He still ate three meals a day.  

At that moment, Lin Daniu was busy in the kitchen. Shen Yiyi watched her moving around with a big belly, taking care of things inside and out.

She glanced at Chen Qiang, who was playing in the courtyard with the Three Baos, and couldn’t help but say: “Qiangzi, you should help your wife cook! She’s carrying your child, you know!”  

“Sister-in-law, my wife is fine!” Chen Qiang placed Xiao Bao on his shoulders, letting him ride like a horse while spinning around in the courtyard. Xiao Bao hugged his head tightly, laughing gleefully.  

After Xiao Bao, it was Er Bao’s turn. Da Bao, being more mature, refused the invitation to ride.  

Wangcai stood on the side, watching enviously. He tugged at the hem of his clothes but didn’t dare to say that he wanted a turn as well.  

Shen Yiyi looked on, unsure of what to say.  

Chen Qiang was good in many ways and was quite diligent, but he was deeply influenced by the traditional male-dominated mindset of the time. He firmly believed that household chores were a woman’s duty.  

Even when his wife was pregnant, he didn’t think there was anything wrong with letting her continue working.  

After all, women in the village still had to go to the fields and earn work points while pregnant. Doing some chores at home was nothing in comparison.  

As for his brother, Chen Qiang thought of him as an anomaly.  

And when it came to Wangcai, his stepson, it was hard to say how he truly felt. If one were to say he treated Wangcai as his own son, he still seemed much closer to the Three Baos.  

But if one were to say he didn’t treat Wangcai as a son at all, he had never truly mistreated him either.  

Regardless, it was someone else’s family matter, and Shen Yiyi had no right to interfere.  

However, since Lin Daniu had always been good to her, she couldn’t help but say one more thing: “Qiangzi, whether your wife can handle it or not is her business, but as her husband, she’s about to give birth soon. You should at least help share some of the household chores.”

Because of Li Chen’s influence, Shen Yiyi’s words still held some weight with Chen Qiang. He laughed and let go of Er Bao, saying: “Alright, alright, I’ll do it.”  

He then headed into the kitchen and told his wife to come out.  

In the past, Lin Daniu would have refused. But perhaps after witnessing how Li Chen treated Shen Yiyi, she hesitated for a moment before finally handing over the task to Chen Qiang and stepping outside.  

Shen Yiyi glanced at her large belly and couldn’t help but ask: “It should be any day now, right?”  

Lin Daniu gently touched her stomach, her face full of warmth as she smiled. “Yes.”  

But as soon as she finished speaking, her expression dimmed. She lowered her head slightly, rubbed her belly, and whispered to Shen Yiyi: “I think it’s a girl.”  

“What’s wrong with that?” Shen Yiyi replied. “I think having a daughter is great. Don’t fall into that old thinking of favoring boys over girls.”  

“I don’t have that mindset.” Lin Daniu quickly said. She glanced toward the kitchen, where Chen Qiang was working, and added in a lower voice: “I’m afraid he does. And my mother-in-law too…”  

After all, Lin Daniu had brought her son into this marriage. If she gave birth to another son, it would be more beneficial for her position in the family.  

“Don’t stress over it. Whether it’s a boy or a girl isn’t something you can control.” Shen Yiyi comforted her. “If Qiangzi treats you badly just because you gave birth to a daughter, you tell me, and I’ll have Li Chen talk to him. As for your mother-in-law…”  

Shen Yiyi glanced at the room where Mother Chen lived. “I thought she treated you quite well?”  

Come to think of it, Shen Yiyi had visited this house many times but had never actually seen Mother Chen.

Mother Chen had injured her leg and spine, so she had been bedridden for many years.  

Previously, when Shen Yiyi had come over to learn how to make clothes from Lin Daniu, she had seen Mother Chen. Aside from calling for Lin Daniu when she needed help with eating, drinking, or using the chamber pot, she never troubled her much. She also spoke in a gentle and soft voice.  

“She really is very kind.” Lin Daniu said with a smile. If she had to name the thing she was most satisfied with after remarrying, it would definitely be her mother-in-law. She had a good temper and never made things difficult for her.  

As for Chen Qiang—he didn’t hit or scold his wife, never let her go hungry or cold, worked hard and diligently. If one didn’t compare him to Li Chen, then compared to the other men in the village, he was already a very good husband.  

“As long as things are good, that’s all that matters.” Shen Yiyi said. “Besides, it’s not like this will be the only child you ever have.”  

Lin Daniu felt much more reassured by Shen Yiyi’s words and gave her a grateful look.  

Shen Yiyi glanced at her large belly again, then at her thin limbs, and hesitantly asked: “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital for the delivery?”  

“No need. The clinic costs extra money. I’ve already given birth once before, so I have experience. I’ve also arranged for a midwife, so it’ll be fine.” Lin Daniu said nonchalantly. “Besides, my mother-in-law needs someone around.”  

If she went to the clinic, Chen Qiang would have to choose—either stay with her or take care of Mother Chen. If he looked after one, he wouldn’t be able to tend to the other. Staying at home was simply more convenient.  

Most people in this era gave birth at home, so Lin Daniu’s thinking wasn’t unusual.  

Shen Yiyi couldn’t say much more about it. After chatting a little longer, she took the Three Baos and went home.  

Not long after the meal was prepared, Li Chen finally hurried back, covered in dust from his journey. With an apologetic expression, he said: “Wife, I’m sorry, I had to go out for something…”  

Shen Yiyi pretended not to know and asked: “Was it about that matter?”

Li Chen nodded. “That’s right.”  

“Then go ahead.” Shen Yiyi said understandingly. She even picked up a piece of meat and placed it in his bowl, smiling warmly. “I support you. It’s all for our family, after all.”  

Li Chen then told her that he would have to go out again tomorrow.  

Shen Yiyi continued to smile and nodded in agreement.  

Seeing that she showed no signs of being upset, Li Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he eat the piece of meat she had given him, feeling a warmth spread in his heart.  

His wife was truly wonderful.  

Scooping up a mouthful of rice, he asked: “Wife, has a letter from my parents arrived?”  

“Not yet!” At the mention of this, Shen Yiyi found it strange. It had already been a month. Even if her letter had taken half a month to arrive, the reply should have come by now. “Maybe they’re really angry this time.”  

Li Chen took her hand and reassured her: “It’s alright. Old Zhao’s shipment will reach them within a week at most. Once they receive the letter, if they still don’t reply, then I’ll go back with you and personally apologize to them.”  

“What about the Three Baos?” Shen Yiyi glanced at the three little ones, who were eating earnestly. She had thought about going back too, but in order to return home, they needed an introduction letter. Taking the Three Baos along would undoubtedly make things more complicated.  

With his cheeks puffed full of food, Er Bao mumbled: “I can go with Dad and Mom to see Maternal Grandparents!”  

“I can too!” Xiao Bao quickly followed.  

“I also want to see my Maternal Grandparents!” Da Bao chimed in right after.  

“We can ask Dad and Mom to watch them for a few days.” Li Chen ignored their protests.  

“No, I don’t want that!”  

“I don’t want that either!”  

“Mom, I want to go see Maternal Grandparents with you!”  

Seeing that the Three Baos were about to throw a tantrum, Shen Yiyi had no choice but to calm them down and urge them to finish their meal first.