Qi Xiaoqiâs baby shower was very lively, with plenty of dishes at the Qi familyâs banquet, once again stealing the spotlight; no one mentioned the distressing incident with Qi Fengping from before, and even if it came up, it was just in private conversations.
At noon, when the banquet dispersed, the Qi family was still bustling. The Qi siblings and Cheng Suâs family were all gathered together, drinking tea and chatting.
"I still have matters to attend to at the base, I only have a two-day leave, and I need to return the day after tomorrow." Qi Taiguo looked at Cheng Su to see her response.
This New Year, they had already stayed long enough, and all the businesses in Qing City had resumed, Cheng Su also had to return, so she said, "Iâll head back with you, there are plenty of things to do."
Father Qi and the others were very reluctant, especially Mother Qi, who was most reluctant about Qi Xiaoqi.
"Weâre leaving tomorrow," Qi Fenglian said. "The shop needs to open, and Chu Zhengâs leave is about to end."
Everyoneâs gaze shifted to the young man talking to Qi Jianguo, and Chu Zheng quickly said, "I need to return to work at the factory after the fifteenth, canât stay in Qing City for the Lantern Festival."
"Work is important, thatâs how it should be; young people need to strive more," Father Qi commented.
Chu Zheng smiled and acknowledged, then glanced at Cheng Su and said, "I heard that Aunt is very good at business, Iâll need to learn from her so I can seek her advice in the future."
Cheng Su raised an eyebrow, the young man was quite articulate, so she laughed and agreed, and Chu Zheng took it all to heart.
Mother Qi couldnât help but interject, "Everyone is busy with their own matters, what about Xiao Qi? Why not leave Xiao Qi with us, and his grandfather and I can help take care of him!"
Cheng Su was taken aback.
Before she could respond, Father Qi said, "Did you drink too much today and get confused? Xiao Qi is just a little child, still nursing, can he be separated from his mother?"
"Isnât there baby formula?" Mother Qi muttered.
Cheng Su glanced at Qi Taiguo.
"Mom, Dadâs right, the child is still small, canât be away from his mother for long. Youâll be helpful once your leg fully recovers and you come to Qing City to help us," Qi Taiguo smiled and then looked at Mother Cheng, "For now, we still need to rely on Mother-in-law to lend a hand!"
Father Cheng responded, "Whatâs so tiring about it? Thereâs nothing much at home, just a few chickens; this year we didnât even raise piglets, your Mother-in-law said she didnât have time to deal with it."
"If youâre going to help them with Xiao Qi, whereâs the time to farm? Can we count on you?" Mother Cheng scoffed lightly.
Qi Taiguo expressed his gratitude again.
Mother Qi felt disappointed, it sounded like she was being excluded; a grandmother not being able to take care of her grandson and leaving it to the maternal grandmother, what does that count for?
"My leg isnât unusable," Mother Qi said a bit unhappily, "On New Yearâs Eve when you all went out, wasnât I the one who took care of him, and everything was fine."
This was a complaint.
Cheng Su looked at Qi Xiaoqi, thinking that the contest to take care of the grandson would actually fall on her.
In her heart, she naturally preferred her mother to come along, as it avoided many conflicts.
"Alright, letâs discuss when your leg isnât limping anymore," Father Qi said casually, "You canât be carrying him all the time, the city isnât like here, thereâs hustle and bustle; theyâre all staying in the new house for the New Year, arenât they?"
Qi Taiguo confirmed.
"Then even more, their house is on the fourth floor, can you climb up and down?" Father Qi glanced at her, "The child canât stay home all day, you yourself canât walk well, climbing stairs all day, what if you fall?"
Mother Qiâs face turned sullen.