On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Qi Taiguo, who had been out for holiday preparedness, finally returned home, which delighted Mother Qi and the others. They hurriedly arranged a sumptuous meal, and the family truly had a reunion dinner, sitting together to chat about domestic matters, making the most of the remaining festive atmosphere.
It wasnât until nearly dawn that Cheng Su, yawning repeatedly, that everyone dispersed to rest.
With Qi Taiguo back, the house got a bit cramped, so Xiao Yun wisely squeezed in with Qi Fenglian and the others, instead of sleeping with Cheng Su.
"That little girl has a good sense, giving you back to me!" Qi Taiguo said with a smile, hugging Cheng Su.
"What do you mean giving back?" Cheng Su rolled her eyes at him and said, "She just knows whatâs appropriate."
"Yeah, yeah, appropriate." Qi Taiguo kissed her and straightened her face.
"What are you doing?" Cheng Su winced as her face hurt from his tugging.
"Donât move, let me have a good look at you," Qi Taiguo said. "Iâve missed you so much being away, wondering every day if youâve eaten well, if youâve been nauseous. If I werenât worried itâd be inappropriate, Iâd call you every day."
Cheng Su felt warmed inside, but she snorted outwardly, "Youâre probably not thinking of me, but the big cabbage or little pig in my belly, right?"
Qi Taiguo was stunned, and after realizing, he laughed heartily, hitting the bed, "How are you so adorable? Big cabbage and little pig, haha, youâre killing me with laughter!"
"Laugh, keep laughing, but youâre the one who said it!" Cheng Su pinched the flesh on his arm and pouted, "Youâre the one who started it."
"Yes, yes, I said it. I was wrong, okay?" Qi Taiguo smiled softly.
Only then did Cheng Su stop, touched her belly, and said, "I wonder if the one in my belly is a boy or a girl. Your mom was saying to me the other day that I absolutely must have a son!"
She then shared the domestic chatter from New Yearâs Eve.
Qi Taiguo also sighed, saying, "Women in rural areas donât have much insight, donât take it to heart, just let it go in one ear and out the other!"
Cheng Su pouted her lips.
"Iâm not excusing her; you saw how Zhang family acted when the eldest sister had Baobao? Rural people are just like this, even if they say daughters are good, itâs just sour grapes; theyâre surely hoping for sons in their hearts!" Qi Taiguo said. "Anyway, just listen and not take it to heart. The childâs gender is already determined; we canât change it, just donât listen to her."
"And you? Do you also want a son?" Cheng Su glanced at him.
"Of course I do. Didnât I say before? But I also love daughters, itâs not about valuing sons over daughters. Itâs just that if itâs a son, I can discipline him harshly if needed; if itâs a daughter, Iâd be reluctant. Having a son also eases our pressure!" Qi Taiguo said.
Cheng Su actually understands the rural mindset, not that she wants to say anything; sheâs just mentioning it.
"Let me tell you, when the time comes and itâs really a little girl, if you or your mom donât treat me well and show me attitude, I wonât care for her when sheâs old."
"Got it, whether itâs a little pig or big cabbage, theyâre our precious ones, and I love them all." Qi Taiguo kissed her again, "Donât overthink, okay? Itâs bad for the childâs development and temperament."
Cheng Su then stopped dwelling on the topic, changed the subject, but after chatting a bit, she was overcome by sleepiness and fell asleep.