Chapter 1353: Good News
After lunch, Li Yunqiao found Li Yungui, "I’m heading back."
"Big Brother, take it slow."
"I know, I didn’t drink. I’m going to Lin Family Village, your sister-in-law is pregnant and I have to inform them."
Li Yungui was stunned. He had thought his older brother having a child at his age was already very difficult, and didn’t expect there could be a second?
"Is my sister-in-law’s health okay?"
"Not too good, the morning sickness is quite obvious this time, whatever she eats she throws up. She mentioned wanting to eat the soy sauce her mother makes, so I’m not just bringing good news but also some soy sauce."
"Big Brother, I’ll be going to the city to make a delivery the day after tomorrow, I’ll bring you some eggs and a big rooster."
"Alright, I’ll head out first, let your sister-in-law know."
Li Yunqiao rode his bike to Jin Family Village. The Lu Family men weren’t home, and Aunt Wang was a bit puzzled to see her son-in-law there. This son-in-law held a high position and was very busy, rarely visiting.
"Mom."
"Yunqiao, why are you here? And what’s with the things you bought?"
"Mom, I don’t usually have time to visit. Bringing gifts is the least I can do."
Aunt Wang entered the house with Li Yunqiao, "Shanzi, go call your dad and your uncles back, tell them your brother-in-law is here, and call your mom and aunties too."
Aunt Wang, after instructing her grandson, immediately asked, "Yunqiao, how is Fengzhen?"
"She’s alright, the kid is fine too, this time I’m here to bring good news."
"Good news? Could it be Fengzhen is pregnant again?"
"Yes, it’s almost three months now."
"Really? That’s wonderful, having a daughter would be even better." Aunt Wang’s eyes twinkled with joy, her daughter had been widowed before, with no children. She had often cried in the night, wondering how she would manage without a husband or children.
Heaven blessed us, now she married a capable man. Soon she’ll have a second child, my daughter showed great courage—first a son, maybe a daughter next, having both would be so fortunate.
"Yunqiao, I’ll come back with you today."
"Alright, Mom, we’ll ride back in a car." There’s no way I’d risk the elderly riding on a bicycle.
Just then, Lu’s eldest and Third came back.
"Yunqiao, you’re here?"
"Yes, Big Brother, Fengzhen is pregnant, I’m here to inform the family."
The brothers smiled, fearing that their sister’s blended family might not be harmonious, but had interacted with Li’s kids and found them all good, very kind to their sister. Now, their sister is expecting a second child, this is good news.
"Yunqiao, we’ll visit Fengzhen tomorrow."
"Alright, Mom, are you coming back with me today or tomorrow?"
"I’ll take the ox cart tomorrow, I get carsick and feel unwell."
Li Yunqiao decided not to wait for others. He still had to ride back, feeling uneasy about leaving Lu Fengzhen alone at home.
After Li Yunqiao left, the Lu Family started preparing. Several sisters-in-law truly felt that the younger sister-in-law was very fortunate.
Lu went to borrow a bull cart from Wang Shulin.
"Fengzhen is expecting again, good news. I’m relaxing nowadays, you should go visit."
Third pushed wheat to grind into flour, Old Fourth also pushed corn to the electric mill for corn grits.
Several sisters-in-law were at home peeling peanuts, preparing gifts for the younger sister-in-law. They didn’t feel dissatisfied. During the New Year, Li Yunqiao had given each child two yuan and a piece of cloth, a big gift in the village, their response wouldn’t be stingy either.
"Remember to pack my homemade sauce, Fengzhen’s morning sickness is severe, she wants to eat my sauce."
"Grandma, my Fifth Aunt wants to come back but won’t now."
"Indeed. If it weren’t for Fengzhen struggling alone, even now, it’s uncertain, given Fifth Aunt’s age and two mischievous boys."
Aunt Wang listened to her eldest son and felt a bit anxious.
"What to do? Your Fifth Aunt is too old to handle two mischievous boys."
"Mom, don’t worry yet—wait till we see Fengzhen and Fifth Aunt."
"Right, maybe my brother-in-law is already looking for someone."
"Can anyone he finds be up to the task?"
"Think if there’s anyone suitable, start preparing in advance."
The daughters-in-law kept pondering but couldn’t immediately recall anyone.
"Mom, truthfully letting Chunhong come over is feasible. Fengzhen having a second child already has experience, Chunhong working there can also keep an eye on those naughty boys." Especially Third’s family had a personal motive, their eldest daughter was already fifteen; if they could find a suitable match in the city, it’d be perfect.
"That’s not impossible, let’s decide after seeing Fengzhen."
Li Yunqiao returned home, his eldest son’s couple was already back.
Zheng Lihong has been feeling down these days, wondering why she hasn’t had a second child. Even her stepmother-in-law is pregnant again, yet there’s no movement for herself.
Though the father-in-law and mother-in-law are truly loving, at such an age they can still have a child.
But it makes sense, the stepmother-in-law is beautiful. Chosen by the father-in-law himself, certainly he cares deeply.
"Aunt Lu, how was today?"
"Still not good, why is this pregnancy so vexing?"
Zheng Lihong had only had one child, no morning sickness during pregnancy, unsure why this was happening.
"Aunt Lu, you went to the hospital, the doctor said there’s no issue, right?"
"Yes, the doctor said my health is good, nothing’s wrong."
Their son is two now, ready to start kindergarten. She still has to oversee the three at home, not to mention unwillingly burdening Fifth Aunt with more work due to her age.
"Aunt Lu, I was thinking of sending Zhibin to kindergarten. Otherwise, Fifth Aunt can’t handle it alone."
"Better not, keep him at home, there’ll be a way."
Wang Wugu, cooking in the kitchen, was contemplating returning home. Age was catching up, feeling weak doing chores, yet responsible for overseeing two boys and a pregnant niece seemed too much, returning might be better to avoid problems.
Niece pregnant now, shouldn’t bring it up but must inform them to find someone soon, really can’t manage.
"Aunt Lu, I’m going to the kitchen to help Fifth Aunt with dinner."
Lu Fengzhen nodded weakly; why was this time so overwhelming?
Li Yunqiao returned, dinner was already prepared, everyone waiting for him.
Just seating, Wang Wugu spoke, "Yunqiao, I’m too old now, can’t manage anymore, so you’d best find someone. Fengzhen, it’s not heartless of Fifth Aunt, but standing itself tires me—we need someone robust to take care of you."
"Fifth Aunt, let’s visit the hospital tomorrow."
"No need, it’s just old age—tired easily when working."
"No, we must visit the hospital tomorrow." Fifth Aunt treats me well, maintains this household—how could I let the elderly be uncomfortable?