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Chapter 133: The Pregnant Daughter-in-Law
Chapter 133: The Pregnant Daughter-in-Law
Early spring is the perfect time for planting. Every day, farmers in Shuangwang are busy sowing seeds, from one field to another. And in Naye Village, besides planting, many families are also dedicating manpower to developing orchards, keeping them even busier.
Deng Shirong wasn’t idle either. Although Litchi Mountain was primarily planted with Guiwei litchis, he had also reserved several spots for other fruit trees like longans, jackfruits, mangoes, starfruits, wax apples, plums, and persimmons.
By the time he had planted all the common fruit trees of Bobai County, it was already late February.
One evening, after dinner, Jiang Dehu said, "Uncle, the time is just about right. Should I go back tomorrow and bring back those five puppies from Uncle Sixteen’s place?"
Deng Shirong nodded. "Sure, bring them back." He then pulled out five yuan and handed it to his nephew-in-law.
Jiang Dehu quickly protested, "Uncle, you don’t need to give so much money. Just a few cents would be fine to show your appreciation!"
In Shuangwang, it was customary to pay when bringing a puppy home. Especially if the puppy came from the wife’s family; not paying would be considered bad luck, as it would be seen as "cutting off the path to the wife’s family."
Of course, any amount, even a single cent, would suffice to show that the puppy was bought, not taken for free.
Deng Shirong pushed the money into his hand, smiling. "We’re family, but we shouldn’t let others lose out. Uncle Sixteen took care of those five puppies for over two months. One yuan per puppy is a fair price."
Since the puppies weren’t from his own family, Jiang Dehu didn’t argue further and accepted the money.
The next morning, Jiang Dehu rode his permanent bicycle back to Uncle Sixteen’s place and brought the five puppies home. Deng Shirong kept two at home and had Jiang Dehu take the other three to Litchi Mountain.
...
On the first day of the second lunar month, the Awakening of Insects, the third of the twenty-four solar terms, Deng Shirong’s household received some good news: his eldest daughter-in-law was pregnant!
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"
Hearing the news, Deng Shirong was so elated that he repeated "excellent" three times.
"This is wonderful news, congratulations, Auntie!" Deng Yunzhen exclaimed with joy.
Zhang Xiuping gently reminded her, "Yunzhen, keep your voice down. We don’t want outsiders to hear!"
In those days, as well as in modern times, the first three months of pregnancy were considered a delicate period. People usually didn’t share the news with anyone outside the immediate family until the third month, when the fetus was more stable.
Deng Yunzhen understood and sheepishly stuck out her tongue.
Deng Shirong, with a broad smile, gave his daughter-in-law instructions. "Xiuping, from now on, don’t do any heavy work. Take care of yourself, stay warm, and avoid getting too emotional. In the morning, have Yunzhen accompany you for a walk, and in the afternoon, when Yuntai comes back, have him do the same..."
He didn’t mention early to bed and early to rise, as everyone in the countryside already followed that routine due to the lack of electricity. As for diet, he didn’t need to say much, as he, as the head of the household, would decide what they ate each day.
Zhang Xiuping felt the concern in her father-in-law’s words and replied with a happy smile, "I understand, Father!"
In those times, rural families often had several children, so pregnancy wasn’t considered a major event. The first three months required some extra care, but after that, life continued as usual. It wasn’t uncommon for women to give birth while working in the fields.
Deng Shirong, having experienced a future life, naturally had a very different mindset from the typical rural villagers. After giving some instructions, he began to think about what dishes to prepare for his eldest daughter-in-law in the afternoon. As a pregnant woman, she needed a balanced diet, so he decided to make a variety of dishes, just reducing the portion sizes for each.
After a moment's thought, Deng Shirong took out five yuan and handed it to his eldest daughter, saying, "Azhen, go to Changwang's place and buy a chicken. I'll stew it for your sister-in-law this afternoon. Chicken soup is very nutritious."
"Sure thing!" Deng Yunzhen took the money and prepared to go buy the chicken.
The number of chickens raised in the village had been steadily increasing since last year, with each household keeping at least a dozen. Buying a chicken was a simple matter.
Zhang Xiuping quickly interjected, "Dad, we already eat well at home. There's no need to go out of your way to buy a chicken for soup."
Deng Shirong smiled, "From now on, you're not just eating for yourself. The little one in your belly needs nourishment too. I'll stew a soup for you every day, regardless of your appetite. Try to eat a little of everything to ensure a balanced diet. It's good for the baby's growth and development."
Zhang Xiuping was deeply moved. She knew exactly how her sisters-in-law were treated when they were pregnant, and how other pregnant women in the village were treated. They might have done a bit less work during the first three months, but their diets remained the same as usual, with no special treatment.
But hearing her father-in-law's words, she realized that he planned to stew a soup for her every day. Anything that required "stewing" was bound to be good.
Other pregnant women might only get to drink stewed soup a few times from the moment they conceived until their child was born. But she could have it every day from the moment she found out she was pregnant. Even in the city, she doubted a pregnant woman would receive such treatment.
Tears welled up in Zhang Xiuping's eyes as she said, "Thank you, Dad!"
...
In the afternoon, when Deng Yuntao returned from work, his wife pulled him into the room to talk.
Deng Yuntao smiled and asked, "Pinging, what's the matter? You're acting so mysterious."
After closing the door, Zhang Xiuping smiled and said, "Yuntao, I have some good news for you."
"What is it?"
"I'm pregnant!"
Deng Yuntao nearly jumped with excitement. His face lit up as he asked, "Pinging, is this true? Are you sure?"
Zhang Xiuping caressed her belly and smiled, "The doctor told me, and my period is more than a week late. It's almost certain."
Deng Yuntao immediately grew anxious, "Did you see a doctor? Are you feeling unwell?"
Seeing her husband's worried expression, Zhang Xiuping couldn't help but giggle, "Don't worry. I just felt a bit nauseous, so I went to see the doctor. After checking my pulse, the doctor confirmed I'm pregnant."
Deng Yuntao relaxed and then instructed, "Pinging, now that you're pregnant, don't do any housework. Let Azhen take care of it!"
"Dad has already made those arrangements and told you to take me for a walk after dinner every day!"
"Alright, then I'll take you for a walk after dinner today!"
(End of Chapter)
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