Chapter 39.3

The next day, Zhou Qingshan and his mother returned, and the Zhou family was reunited. Mother Zhou saw her missing husband and rushed over, laughing and crying at the same time. Luo Lan didn’t try to intervene. She let her express her emotions freely.

She moved closer to Zhou Qingshan and spoke softly, “How did the tests turn out?”

“She’s recovering well. She can basically stop taking medication.”

“This time, she should be completely fine.”

With her husband back, her emotional support restored, she felt confident that even if life threw them challenges, she could handle them. After an emotional reunion and a good cry with her husband, the next day she went out and bought a lot of fabric to make clothes for her unborn grandchild.

“Mom, you don’t need to make so many.”

“Kids grow fast. I’ll make each piece a bit bigger so they can wear them until they’re a year old.”

Well, since Luo Lan had never raised a child, she decided to listen to her mother-in-law’s arrangements. As her belly grew larger, she felt the baby’s movements more clearly and frequently. At night, Zhou Qingshan would lean on her belly and read stories for the baby.

“Once upon a time, during the Spring and Autumn period, the king of Chu…”

“Why do you only choose historical stories?”

“Reading history makes one wise.”

“Fine, you read. I’m tired and need to sleep.”

Since the baby was already in her belly, she left the prenatal education to him. Recently, it was increasingly inconvenient for her to do anything as her belly grew. On weekends, even washing her hair was something he helped with.

In the morning, as the sun rose in their small yard, the neighbor’s elder brother saw him preparing hot water and couldn’t help but tease, “Qingshan, when we vote for the best family on the street, I’ll definitely vote for you!”

The elder brother from the west side chimed in, “Yes, I’ll vote too. I’m voting because I’m truly impressed.”

Zhou Shichang came out of the house with a water bucket. The faucet was in the yard, and they had to carry water into the kitchen for cooking. Since he returned, he had started preparing everything for his daughter-in-law in advance.

“Remember what you said. My family must get the plaque for the best family next year.”

“Uncle, there’s no question about that. Your family’s harmony is evident to all of us.”

——

Luo Lan hesitated to spend her accumulated points because similar points would gradually decrease. She wondered if the system might suddenly disappear, and she needed to redeem her points in advance.

What should she exchange for? She thought about this question for a long time. She had to be careful not to make a hasty decision, and she had to avoid being too advanced for the times. To be honest, there were quite a few restrictions.

Luo Lan: System, do you have any antiques?

System: Host, I must say you’re really clever.

Luo Lan: People say that pregnancy makes you dull. I feel like I’ve become dull. It took me several days just to think of this question.

System: You’re already quite clever. You’re not seeking short-term gains and have a long-term perspective. You’re a person with potential.

Luo Lan: So, what kind of antiques do you have?

System: Bronze artifacts from the Warring States period, porcelain from the Han and Tang dynasties, paintings from the Song dynasty, jade from the Ming and Qing dynasties—pick whatever you like.

She looked for items that were small and exquisite. She chose paintings from Emperor Huizong of Song and Mi Fu, and for the Ming and Qing periods, she selected a complete set of jade jewelry.

System: You’re really crafty.

Luo Lan didn’t reply. She had her own plans. Paintings could be authenticated, so she wasn’t worried about losing the value of the antiques. The complete set of jade jewelry, even if it wasn’t an antique, would still be valuable during prosperous times.

“Mom, I have something to do this weekend and need to go back to my family’s home.”

Mother Zhou looked at her large belly. “Can’t Qingshan go instead of you?”

“Mainly, I want to get out and take a walk. I haven’t gone anywhere far since I got pregnant. The farthest I’ve gone is to work.”

“Then be careful on the road. Let Qingshan accompany you.”

Zhou Qingshan showed a troubled expression: “I have a business trip on Friday and won’t be back until Tuesday.”

“Then wait for Qingshan to return before you go.”

Zhou Qingshan agreed, “Just wait a few days. When I get back, I’ll accompany you wherever you want to go.”

She smiled, “It’s okay, I can go by myself.”

“No, I’ll go with you.”

Mother Zhou insisted that she wouldn’t let a pregnant woman travel alone, which made Luo Lan feel a bit helpless. Sometimes, being overly cared for could be a burden.

“Alright then, I’ll wait until Qingshan comes back to go.”

Originally, she planned to hide the items in a cave she knew of, but she suddenly had another idea. If the items weren’t close at hand, she wouldn’t feel at ease. Sometimes, places thought to be dangerous turned out to be the safest.

If the Zhou family were wealthy landowners, in this era, no matter where she hid things, they would be pried out by others. But the Zhou family was just an ordinary family, descendants of poor farmers. No one would come searching their house.

That night, when she was home alone, she put the items into an ordinary cloth bag and stored it in a box under the bed. After placing it, she gently touched her belly and nodded. Under her watchful eyes, she felt the most at ease.

The system didn’t directly comment on her actions but concluded based on its accumulated data that this host was indeed capable. This approach was indeed foolproof. Storing the items in an ordinary bag meant that no one would come looking in their room. Zhou Qingshan was straightforward and wouldn’t go searching around.

With each having their own thoughts, soon it was time for Luo Lan to give birth. Late at night, as her stomach began to hurt, the family hurriedly took her to the hospital.

System: Do you want to exchange for painless delivery?

Luo Lan: Is there such a method? Can I give birth without pain and still be a mom?

System: Of course.

Luo Lan: How many points?

The price the system quoted was all her remaining points. Initially, she was a bit reluctant. Now that she was just starting to feel contractions, it didn’t seem too painful. She thought she might be able to endure it. If others could do it, she didn’t believe she couldn’t. Rather than exchange for that, it was better to redeem something else.

System: I’m leaving now. If you don’t exchange your points, they will disappear.

Luo Lan: What?

System: I’ve collected enough of the family drama from your side. Next, I’m going to another time and space.

Luo Lan: Then exchange all my points for…

System: Don’t hesitate, don’t be reluctant. You only live once, so treat yourself well.

Luo Lan: Exchange for painless delivery.

Once the system transferred painless delivery to her, the contractions that hadn’t been too intense completely vanished. She wasn’t sure if the medication shortened the labor process, but she felt that today would go smoothly.

Zhou Qingshan was quite nervous. He had heard how painful childbirth could be. But seeing his wife appear to be fine, he kept asking worriedly, “If it hurts, just shout. Don’t hold back.”

Mother Zhou added, “Childbirth is painful. If you’re in pain, just shout. It’s tough to endure it silently.”

Luo Lan truly wasn’t in pain, but she pretended to be unaffected. “Mom, I’m hungry.”

Mother Zhou quickly took out the boiled eggs, letting Zhou Qingshan peel them, and prepared a glass of milk powder. After eating and drinking enough before entering the delivery room, she didn’t forget to remind them.

“Mom, I want to eat the steamed dumplings you make.”

“Well, I…” She wanted to say she would rush home to make them but felt uneasy leaving her in the hospital. “After you give birth, I’ll go home and prepare. For now, let your father-in-law go back and get the ingredients for the dishes and dough.”

Once Luo Lan was taken into the delivery room, Mother Zhou instructed her husband to head home. “You can’t cook. How about this, go call Junhui to come and make it for you, and you can bring it back.”

“Okay, got it.”

Having given birth to five children, Mother Zhou had plenty of experience and had heard from others that, based on experience, this labor would be slow. She estimated that it would at least go until the morning or even the afternoon of the second day.

However, at five in the morning, a nurse came out holding a swaddled baby. “Luo Lan’s family. Six pounds and two ounces, both mother and baby are safe.”

So fast! Both mother and soon were initially surprised, but hearing that they were safe made them forget everything else. Their hearts finally relaxed.

“Your wife is really brave. She didn’t make a sound the whole time.”

When Luo Lan emerged, her complexion was rosy, and she didn’t look too fatigued. She appeared to be in good condition. “Sleep now, we’ll take care of the baby.”

“Okay.”

After a deep sleep, when she opened her eyes again, she realized that the system had already left. This guy had come quietly and left just as silently, disappearing without a trace.

Suddenly, she felt something beneath her. It was a bit uncomfortable. After being trained by the system to be very cautious these days, she had taken out the items only after making sure everyone was away.

It was indeed a book titled Forty Years of Change. She hadn’t guessed wrong. Opening it, she found it was about the country’s development from the 1980s to 2023, covering over forty years.

Knowing what was going to happen in advance was invaluable. With this, she essentially had foresight for three thousand years and hindsight for over forty years. And these were the fastest years of development, economic boom, and rapid change. With this in hand, she wouldn’t have to worry about the future!

The system had left her with such a great gift. Actually, the system hadn’t stated it, but this was a reward for completing hidden tasks.

“What’s making you so happy?”

Zhou Qingshan came in to wash the clothes that had gotten dirty yesterday and saw her smiling alone as if she had obtained an immeasurable treasure. She didn’t respond but instead pulled him closer and kissed him several times on the face.

Her straightforward husband felt a bit embarrassed, instinctively glancing toward the door. “What if someone sees? It would be embarrassing.” He then added softly, “I want to kiss you at home.”

“Hahaha,” she laughed.

The sunlight streamed in, illuminating the room brightly. The newborn baby was quite handsome, sleeping soundly with his eyes closed. Luo Lan glanced at her son, and a sense of maternal love overflowed from her heart.

***

Ayalee: This is the end guys. Thank you so much for reading and enjoying TLWOTS. See ya on my other translation projects. ( ＾◡＾)っ ♡

Btw guys, if you are finding other novel for some quick read. Do check out my other translation project, The Villain’s Spoiled Daughter. It is completely translated.

The Villain’s Spoiled Daughter