Chapter 551 - 547: Paying a New Year’s Visit
After Chen Xiaoli and Gu Jiaojiao checked on Yu Fangfang, they left and headed for the Zhao family’s home.
Aunt Zhao was home. Seeing Gu Jiaojiao and Chen Xiaoli arrive, she immediately smiled and said, "Tie Zhu was just called away by Chen Jianshe and the others. Xiuhua is in her room. Go on in!"
Gu Jiaojiao wished Aunt Zhao a happy new year, then went to Wang Xiuhua’s room.
Wang Xiuhua was now eight months pregnant. Her due date was in February, so her situation wasn’t as urgent as Yu Fangfang’s.
As Gu Jiaojiao and Chen Xiaoli walked in, Wang Xiuhua immediately stood up, her baby bump prominent, a happy look on her face.
"You’re here! Quick, have a seat."
Even though she wasn’t due yet, she wasn’t allowed to go out. It was freezing cold outside and crowded with people; what if she wasn’t careful and had an accident?
Wang Xiuhua was also afraid something might happen to the baby, so she obediently stayed in her room.
Normally, she could do a bit of embroidery, but on the first day of the Lunar New Year, work was forbidden. Wang Xiuhua was starting to feel bored when she heard Gu Jiaojiao and Chen Xiaoli’s voices, which made her delighted.
Upon entering the room, Gu Jiaojiao and Chen Xiaoli quickly urged her to sit back down.
"Don’t get up. Jiaojiao and I aren’t strangers; there’s no need to welcome us formally."
Wang Xiuhua sighed in resignation. "You have no idea. I haven’t left the house in so long. I used to have things to do, but now I can’t even work. I’m going stir-crazy."
Chen Xiaoli laughed and teased, "What’s so bad about not working? Only the young ladies of rich families get that kind of treatment."
Wang Xiuhua quickly waved her hands. "Oh, please. I’m not destined for that kind of comfortable life."
To be blunt, she was the type of person who felt restless if she didn’t work for a single day.
"Come on, your baby is being good to you. It hardly gives you any trouble. If you had a fussy one, forget working—you’d have all your energy drained."
Chen Xiaoli had three children. The first two pregnancies were fine, but when she was carrying her daughter, she was listless all day. She had severe morning sickness that didn’t let up until she gave birth, and it absolutely exhausted her.
Although Gu Jiaojiao knew how to help people recuperate, she was completely clueless about pregnancy. She was a little surprised to hear what Chen Xiaoli said.
"Is it that serious?"
She’d always heard that morning sickness only lasted for the first three months before getting better.
Chen Xiaoli smiled and explained, "It depends on the pregnancy. Some babies cause a stronger reaction. When I was carrying my daughter, I threw up from day one until the day I gave birth. I was stuck in bed every day and nearly had a difficult delivery."
Thinking back on the dangers of her daughter’s birth, Chen Xiaoli felt a wave of fear even now.
Wang Xiuhua nodded. "That’s true. You really had a tough time when you were carrying your daughter."
It just goes to show how incredible mothers are!
Some babies really can take half their mother’s life.
After saying this, the two women couldn’t help but look over at Gu Jiaojiao.
"Jiaojiao, you’ve been married for a while now. Are there any signs yet?"
They figured it was about time for Gu Jiaojiao to be pregnant, too.
Gu Jiaojiao calmly shook her head. "No. I was pretty healthy when I was a child, but after my father married my stepmother, she treated me poorly. I often had to wash clothes in cold water, which damaged my health over time. I need to spend some time recuperating."
Both Chen Xiaoli and Wang Xiuhua knew about Gu Jiaojiao’s medical skills. Seeing how calm and composed she was, they understood it wasn’t a major issue.
"You’re only eighteen. It’s no problem if you wait a couple of years to get pregnant."
To be honest, for someone in their village, Gu Jiaojiao had married quite young.
Gu Jiaojiao blinked and said earnestly, "I’m nineteen now."
Chen Xiaoli and Wang Xiuhua froze for a second, then burst out laughing together. "That’s right, you’re nineteen now! It’s the first day of the New Year."