At the family home, Mother Qi flipped through the album Father Qi brought back over and over again, touching her grandsonâs face in the photo lovingly, even picking it up to give it a kiss. Watching this, Qi Fengping couldnât help but roll her eyes.
"Mom, youâve looked at it countless times already. Itâs still early in the morning, and all youâve been doing is holding that album. Can you really get full from looking?" Qi Fengping teased.
Mother Qi replied, "Mind your business. Look at your eldest nephewâisnât he just adorable? Itâs a pity my leg wonât cooperate; it just had to give out now, or Iâd still be holding that album while looking."
Just by looking at the photo, she knew her grandson was born clever and cute, making her adore him. Unfortunately, she couldnât see him with her own eyes, let alone hold him. Ah, itâs all her fault for not being capable!
"Your grandson isnât going to run away. When your leg heals, you can go see him all you want!" Qi Fengping said. "Come have breakfast first!"
"Who knows when this leg will be able to move?" Mother Qi said sourly. "Now your sister-in-lawâs mother is helping to take care of him. Sheâs the lucky one."
Mother Qiâs words revealed envy she couldnât hide.
Qi Fengping covered her mouth, chuckling secretly.
When Father Qi returned from the fields, Mother Qi asked him several times about her grandson again.
"Old lady, you asked several times yesterday," Father Qi said wearily. "Xiao Qi is doing well. Eating well and sleeping soundly, rest assured. The in-laws are taking great care of him!"
Mother Qi pursed her lips, suddenly remembering: "What did you say the babyâs name is?"
"Xiao Qi, itâs the nickname they gave him."
"Why Xiao Qi? The number seven is bad luck, inauspicious," Mother Qi frowned upon hearing this. "A down-to-earth name is better; it keeps the child grounded, avoiding calamity."
"Itâs just a play on words; seven sounds like Qi. Itâs just a nickname, nothing special," Father Qi didnât mind.
"What about the formal name? Did you tell them the baby is lacking in the Metal element?" Mother Qi got a bit anxious.
Father Qi replied, "His name is Qi Fang. I heard our daughter-in-law had a dream while pregnantâa garden in full bloomâso they picked this name!"
"Whatâs this nonsense? Qi Fang, what kind of name is that? Thereâs not even a âMetalâ character." Mother Qiâs expression darkened. "Didnât you tell them? I told you names are important; a man fears a bad name the most. They canât just do what they please!"
The more she thought about it, the more displeased she became, and said, "No, I must go and have a word with them. Qi Fangâthatâs not good, doesnât sound right!"
Father Qi saw her grabbing the crutches and said, "Just sit down quietly. Theyâre the parents; they can name their child however they wish. Besides, Qi Fang rolls off the tongue quite nicely. What do you think, Fengping?" He looked at his daughter, winking.
Qi Fengping caught the cue and said, "Yeah, Mom, the name is pretty trendy, sounds nice."
"Bah! Not nice at all. No need to say, this is definitely your sister-in-lawâs idea. What âgarden in full bloomââitâs just a joke. Let Xiao Qiâs nickname be, but they canât mess around with the formal name. Your eldest nephew is our familyâs first grandson. If his name isnât picked well, what will happen in the future?" Mother Qi was unhappy and was intent on talking to her son.
"Youâre so superstitious. Thereâs nothing wrong with this name. Youâre better off not looking for trouble. Your daughter-in-law is still doing her confinement, and if she gets upset and doesnât rest well, how will her health be afterward?" Father Qi calmly said. "Your grandson is with her now. If you upset her and she refuses to bring the child to see you, will you regret it?"
Mother Qi stiffened after hearing that.