After Cheng Su sent the old man to the guesthouse to rest and returned home, she felt the atmosphere was a bit subtle, especially with her mother-in-law, whose face was so unpleasant that Cheng Su suspected she might have swallowed a fly.
But she couldnât worry too much, the time for the banquet was near, and she still had to organize things at the restaurant.
"... Iâll feed Xiao Qi first and then go to the restaurant to prepare. You, Elder Sister, can bring everyone over later!" Cheng Su said, taking Qi Xiaoqi from her motherâs arms.
Qi Fenglian naturally agreed.
"Iâll pack a bag and take it over too." Mother Cheng followed her daughter into the room and closed the door.
"Whatâs going on? My mother-in-lawâs face seems quite ugly?" Cheng Su asked as her mother busied herself.
Mother Cheng picked up the backpack Cheng Su had prepared for taking the child out and stuffed a couple of small clothes inside. She sat down and, in a low voice, mimicked what Sister-in-law Song had said.
"... Itâs just not right. You know Xiao Qiâs temperament; since he was born, when has he ever made trouble for you or me? All the neighbors praise him for being obedient and easy to handle. He rarely cries, but today, you see, as soon as he gets in your mother-in-lawâs hands, he cries miserably. This afternoonâs crying spells in this month of confinement combined donât even match todayâs. Donât dismiss Sister-in-law Songâs foul mouth, but some children really can see unclean things!" Mother Cheng said reverently, "Do you think itâs possible..."
"Mom! Things like that donât happen, stop saying that!" Cheng Su, surprised, quickly stopped her, saying, "I guess itâs just the ointment smell on her leg that the child doesnât like!"
Mother Cheng murmured, "I donât think so. Didnât they say your mother-in-law was crushed by the old lady when the accident happened?"
Women in the countryside are very superstitious and scrupulous about these things, so Mother Cheng was convinced that Sister-in-law Song was telling the truth.
Listening, Cheng Su felt even more displeased, saying, "Mom, letâs not talk like that, none of itâs true."
Mother Cheng pouted, "Fine, then we wonât say it, anyway, the child knows whatâs what." She mumbled for a while and then busied herself collecting the bottle and other things.
After she left, Cheng Su looked at her son and asked, "Whatâs the matter with you, really? Did you see something bad like your grandma said?"
Qi Xiaoqi stared back at her, his eyes bright and innocent.
Seeing this expression, Cheng Suâs heart softened, she couldnât help but pinch his chubby little cheek, and said, "Itâs about enough, donât let your dad feel bad, she is his mother after all. Your grandmaâs leg ended up like this because she suffered while trying to take care of us."
Itâs not that sheâs generous, but she remembers this kindness.
Qi Xiaoqi babbled, reaching for her hair, giggling loudly.
Cheng Su laughed too, saying, "But son, Iâm really quite pleased, youâre standing up for your mom, it wasnât in vain that I walked through Ghost Gate to give birth to you, suffering all the pain, you know how to care for your mom!"
Whether Qi Xiaoqi understood or not, he just laughed.
Cheng Su patted his forehead, feeling deeply satisfied; having a son, this little creature connected to her by flesh and blood, perhaps now she wanted nothing more, even if she didnât get along with her mother-in-law or whether the relationship may lead to divorce.
Thatâs probably how Hualing felt back then, having a child and everything else didnât matter, she understood now.