The baby lay on the small bed, waving her tiny hands and feet, playing joyfully.

Her eyes were directed toward the window.

Even though she couldn’t see clearly, her eyeballs were moving around excitedly.

Her little mouth was making sucking motions as if she were enjoying something delicious.

She looked extremely well-behaved, as if she hadn’t cried just moments ago.

Cheng Rushan got up from his seat, placed the stool properly, and felt Jiang Lin’s body, which was indeed damp.

Jiang Lin snuggled against his neck, playfully and coquettishly, “Smell me, do I stink?”

Cheng Rushan gave her a deep kiss, “You smell like milk now. Don’t try to tempt me.”

He chuckled, got up, and went to fetch water to clean her up.

Wensheng, Dabao, and Xiaobao were already gathered around the small bed interacting with the baby.

Xiaobao: “Baosheng, call your brother.”

Dabao: “She’s too small to call anyone.”

Wensheng: “But she’s looking at us.”

The baby wasn’t really looking at anyone, just reacting to light and sound, but they felt as if she was looking at them.

Xiaobao: “Can I hold her?”

Dabao: “No, the doctor said she should lie down. Her bones are very soft; holding her might hurt her.”

Xiaobao: “Then let’s feed her something. She’s making sucking motions as if she’s hungry.”

Wensheng: “I’ll go buy some milk powder for her.”

After Jiang Lin finished cleaning up, she walked around for a bit and then lay down on the bed.

Cheng Rushan poured some warm water for her to drink.

Jiang Lin: “Let’s go home soon. You still need to go to work.”

Cheng Rushan: “Don’t worry about it.”

Meanwhile, Dabao had already prepared warm water in a bottle to give the baby.

They asked Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan, “Can we give her some water?”

Jiang Lin: “The doctor said it’s okay, just a little bit.”

They eagerly went to work, placing the nipple at the baby’s mouth.

Her lips moved and she took a sip, but immediately spit it out with a look of disgust.

Xiaobao: “Maybe you’re holding it wrong. Let me try.”

The baby refused to open her mouth.

Wensheng: “She must not like the taste of the water.”

Xiao Bao: “I have candy.”

Da Bao: “The doctor said she can only drink milk and water, nothing else.”

Xiao Bao stuffed the candy into Da Bao’s mouth, then gave a piece to himself and Wen Sheng, “Baosheng, I’ll eat it for you. You can have candy when you’re older.”

The little baby opened her mouth and cried loudly, but there were no tears.

At this moment, Yan Runzhi arrived with Fang Chengguang to bring food.

She handed the food to Cheng Rushan and then went over to see the baby, smiling, “Oh, she’s upset. She must want milk. Wait until Mommy finishes eating.”

She wiggled her finger, and the baby immediately grasped it.

Yan Runzhi said to Cheng Rushan, “Dong Sheng, go check on the formula application. With formula, you won’t have to get up all night to feed.”

Cheng Rushan said he would go later.

Jiang Lin drank a bowl of red sugar millet porridge, then had a small bowl of egg noodles, and then held her daughter to breastfeed.

The little one ate with audible sounds, her brows and eyes showing a smile, her rosy little feet also sticking up in a satisfied manner.

After she finished eating, the nurse came to take the baby for a bath.

Yan Runzhi led the three older kids to watch and learn, also showing them how to apply medicine to the umbilical cord.

Xiao Bao: “I’ll be responsible for giving the baby a bath in the future.”

Da Bao: “Grandma will wash her; you can apply the medicine.”

Wen Sheng: “Then I’ll help by getting the water.”

Xiao Bao: “I’ll wash her little feet.”

He thought the baby’s feet were especially cute—small, red, and tender.

He couldn’t resist kissing the soles of her feet.

Unfortunately, the little foot gave him a strong kick right on the nose.

Xiao Bao: “Ouch, she’s so strong!”

Suddenly, they smelled an unpleasant odor. Xiao Bao asked, “What’s that smell?”

Yan Runzhi: “Quick, get the diapers.” She had prepared plenty of them.

After cleaning the baby again, applying some baby powder, and putting on a fresh diaper, the little one was clean and comfortable.

The nurse taught them some care tips, and Wen Sheng, Da Bao, and Xiao Bao listened intently.

They learned how to burp the baby, be cautious of jaundice, avoid exposing her eyes to light, prevent diaper rash, and manage eczema, remembering everything clearly.

Since it was summer and very hot, they kept the baby in a diaper without additional clothing to prevent heat rash.

When they wheeled the baby back to the ward, Jiang Lin discussed going home.

She had been here for a while, and with the whole family involved, Cheng Rushan couldn’t focus on his work.

It was better to return home.

Since they were not far from the hospital and had a car, it was easy to come back if something happened.

Seeing that she insisted, Yan Runzhi agreed that going home was fine.

It was more convenient to prepare food at home, and Jiang Lin would be more comfortable there.

They drove home, where the door frame was already adorned with red cloth and a new couplet written by Cheng Yunzhi celebrating the arrival of a baby.

This was an old tradition: hanging red cloth and posting couplets celebrating the birth of a child on the door, informing others that the family had just had a baby, and discouraging visitors unless they were close relatives.

The roses and sweet potato flowers at the entrance were blooming brightly, and the red flowers and green leaves against the black door and red couplets created a particularly festive atmosphere.

The house had been thoroughly cleaned and tidied up.

When they arrived, Cheng Yunzhi was very happy.

He went up to Jiang Lin to express his appreciation for her hard work, giving her a thick red envelope, as well as one for the baby.

Jiang Lin smiled and said, “Thank you, Father.”

Xiaobao also thanked him for his sister: “Thank you, Grandpa. What about me?”

Cheng Yunzhi laughed heartily, “I knew you were waiting for this.” He gave red envelopes to Dabao, Xiaobao, and Wensheng, one each.

Xiaobao was delighted and was about to tuck his envelope away when Dabao snatched it and stuffed it into the baby’s arms.

Xiaobao was taken aback, not even having had the chance to warm it up.

The baby had already clutched the envelope, holding onto it as if it were hers and no one could take it back.

Xiaobao laughed again, “It’s all yours, all yours.”

Yan Runzhi urged Jiang Lin to rest on the kang (a traditional Chinese heated bed), “You must take care during your confinement period. It might not seem important now, but it will be troublesome when you’re older.”

Jiang Lin, being obedient, quickly climbed onto the kang, avoiding the window as instructed by Yan Runzhi, and wrapped a handkerchief around her forehead.

Yan Runzhi had Cheng Rushan close the back window to prevent any draft, “It’s fine to open the windows during the day, but keep the back window closed. Don’t be tempted by the cool air. Even if it’s hot, it won’t harm you, but a draft can be painful later.”

Jiang Lin agreed and promised to comply.

Xiaobao asked, “Grandma, does the baby feel hot? Can she stay with us in the south room?”

Yan Runzhi replied, “The baby is not afraid of the heat. Don’t move her around. Let her stay in the main room.”

If Jiang Lin was sleeping, the baby would be moved to the west room where Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi would watch over her.

This way, Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan could rest without interruptions.

Yan Runzhi no longer suggested moving Cheng Rushan to the south room, knowing he wouldn’t listen anyway.

Since it was summer and there were mosquitoes, mosquito nets were hung over the kang.

Yan Runzhi directed Wen Sheng and Da Bao to change the large mosquito net, allowing them to roll around on the bed.

She also set up a smaller mosquito net with a frame for the baby, which could be used during daytime naps to keep flies and bugs away.

Cheng Yunzhi had already prepared the meal as requested, so Cheng Rushan and the others quickly ate before heading to work.

Cheng Rushan kissed Jiang Lin and their daughter before leaving for the office.

At this time, Wu Shuxian and other neighbors came over to offer their congratulations.

They were familiar faces, seeing each other almost every day.

They didn’t go inside to see the baby to avoid disturbing Jiang Lin’s rest.

Instead, they chatted with Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi under the grape arbor in the courtyard, congratulating them before leaving.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao noticed how the adults had such manners and decided they should notify their classmates to also offer their congratulations.

They thought that the more congratulations, the better their sister would be.

They quickly took action, bringing a bag of candy with them.

When they returned, they each had a gift—flowered handkerchiefs, a dime, a pencil, notebooks, hair ribbons, and so on.

They put all the gifts in a small basket and presented it to Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin smiled, “The big brothers are so thoughtful.”

She then discussed with Yan Runzhi about having Grandpa choose a name for the baby.

Yan Runzhi smiled, “Grandpa has already thought of several names for you to choose from.”

When naming girls, the elderly often choose names that reflect health, beauty, and happiness, rather than profound meanings as for boys.

Cheng Yao, Cheng Yan, Cheng Sheng, Cheng Kang… Cheng Yunzhi wrote down the names on a piece of paper for them to vote on.

Jiang Lin smiled, “There’s no rush. School is still far off. Let’s first decide on a nickname.”

Usually, during pregnancy, family members come up with names, but they had just been calling her “sister” or “Bao Sheng,” without deciding on a specific name.

Xiao Bao, hearing this, was anxious, “Mom, isn’t it called Bao Sheng?”

Jiang Lin: “Is it really Bao Sheng? Don’t you think it sounds like a boy’s name?” She was teasing them.

Da Bao: “Then let’s call her Bao Mei. Baby sister.”

Xiao Bao: “Call her Bao Sheng.” In fact, he no longer remembered why they initially chose Bao Sheng as the name, nor did he think of it as the name for a boy.

He was deeply attached to this name and thought it was the right one.

Seeing his insistence, Yan Runzhi said, “Bao Sheng sounds nice. Calling her Bao Sheng is also good.”

Even though it seemed similar to Dong Sheng and Wen Sheng’s names, there was no need for much fuss over a child’s nickname.

As long as they were happy with it, that was enough.

Yan Runzhi wanted to fulfill the children’s wishes as long as it didn’t involve any principle issues, not wanting to make Da Bao and Xiao Bao unhappy.

Seeing how much Xiao Bao liked it, Jiang Lin agreed.

Yan Runzhi added, “Bao Mei is also appropriate. We can call her that as well.”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao then played with their sister, saying, “Bao Sheng, Bao Mei, Bao Zhongbao! Little Lucky Bao! All you, haha.”

They laughed, and Bao Sheng turned her head towards them.

After a while, she was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.

Despite trying hard to stay awake, she couldn’t fight off sleep and quickly dozed off.

Xiao Bao: “Look, Bao Sheng even blows bubbles while sleeping.”

He found it all so magical that it would keep him fascinated for a long time.

They watched her for a long time, not wanting to go out and play at all.

Instead, they planned to read stories to their sister when she woke up.

They thought since she could hear them while she was in the womb, she would surely want to listen now.

The three of them took turns reading, finding it both fun and a way to soothe the baby, not knowing how happy it made them.