After lunch, Qi Fenglian led the group to Cheng Suâs place to settle down. Mother Qiâs legs still couldnât walk, so she relied on crutches, and Qi Jianguo carried her all the way. When they arrived at Cheng Suâs place, some people were already chattingâneighbors, who smartly decided to head home upon seeing Cheng Suâs family arrive.
Mother Qi was put down on the sofa by her son. She was so excited she didnât even bother to take a sip of tea before shouting, "Whereâs my grandson?"
Mother Cheng had already gone into the room to bring out Qi Xiaoqi. The child was still asleep, but she knew his grandmother; even asleep, it was worth a look.
"Come on, Xiao Qi, say hello to grandma!" Mother Cheng said with a smile, carrying him over.
Mother Qi had already craned her neck forward. If her legs werenât giving her trouble, she would have long ago snatched the grandson over. Now, as she eagerly took him into her arms, she showered him with terms of endearment, saying how much sheâd missed him.
After a month of breastfeeding, little Qi Xiaoqi had already grown. During Cheng Suâs pregnancy, she ate two apples a day and drank milk, so his skin was fair at birth, and his eyebrows grew thick. He resembled Qi Taiguo in appearance, with a similarly handsome nose.
As he slept, his eyes were closed, remaining unseen. Yet, his long eye corners assured that they were beautiful.
Mother Qi gazed affectionately at him, unable to take her eyes off, saying, "My dear grandson, oh, youâve grown so clever-looking, truly beautiful, even better than the pictures, Iâve missed you so much, grandma!"
She kissed the little oneâs forehead twice. Not far away, Cheng Su, who was making tea, noticed and furrowed her brow slightly but said nothing.
"Dad, Aunt, have some tea." Cheng Su brought the tea over and called to a round-faced woman sitting nearby, "Is this Jianmingâs wife?"
Qi Jianming was married because of the baby; his wife was only three months pregnant. But they hadnât held a wedding yet, planning to wait until the baby was born to celebrate together in a double happiness ceremony.
In the countryside, this wasnât uncommon, and Cheng Su wasnât surprised, so this was her first time meeting her cousinâs wife.
"Yes, Taiguoâs wife, this is your sister-in-law, named Lai Rong." The aunt took the tea and introduced her to her daughter-in-law, "This is your eldest cousinâs wife, and sheâs quite capable!"
Lai Rong smiled and greeted Cheng Su, "Came with mother-in-law to get acquainted, sorry for the trouble, big sister-in-law."
"Weâre all family, what trouble could there be? Did you get tired from the car ride?" Cheng Su chatted with her for a while, quickly getting a sense of her cousin-in-law.
"Mom, let me hold the little nephew too!" Qi Fengping also adored the little nephew, fair and tender, more beautiful and clean than the newborns in the village, and simply endearing to look at.
Unfortunately, Mother Qi wouldnât let go of her grandson, so she just admired him.
"You donât know how to hold him, just look!" Mother Qi glared at her.
Qi Fengping rolled her eyes, not bothering to argue.
Better yet, Mother Qi delighted in the attention, and the others, seeing her mood, wisely just crowded around to look at the child, praising him all along.
Lai Rong also saw Qi Xiaoqiâs delicate appearance, finding it very likable, and said to Cheng Su, "This little nephew is truly handsome, such fair skin; seems he inherited his big sister-in-lawâs fair complexion!" She wondered if her own child would be as beautiful in the future.
Cheng Su advised her to eat more apples and, if possible, drink milk daily, saying they were beneficial. Lai Rong responded with a smile.
Cheng Su noticed Mother Qi was bouncing Qi Xiaoqi and kissing him, and said, "Mom, heâs asleep, donât bounce him."
Itâs heard that shaking a baby too much isnât good for their brain, and kissing him too often could lead to bacterial infections since babies have weaker immune systems than adults. Thatâs why sheâs strict in telling Qi Taiguo and others not to kiss the childâs lips often.
Mother Qi, hearing this, felt a bit unhappy and wanted to say something, just as Qi Xiaoqi opened his eyes.