Mom said the diapers should be made of coarse cotton cloth to absorb moisture. Iâll go buy some from the market tomorrow after Han Yi leaves.
"No need, my mother-in-law and my mom will have it prepared. Just the two of them preparing will be more than enough."
Lin Wan realized and chuckled silently, realizing she was silly. Mom had already told me she prepared it, and my mother-in-law has been very attentive these days. She probably wonât forget either. "Han Yi, do you want to visit my mother-in-lawâs house and have a meal?" Speaking of mother-in-law, Lin Wan thought of Han Yi, and she really hoped Han Yi could be closer to his mother-in-law.
These years, Han Yiâs mother finally got a chance to relieve herself. Her thoughts were all about compensating for her son.
After Lin Wan spoke, she was watching Han Yi closely. He lowered his head, pondered for a while, and finally agreed.
Lin Wan was happy, recognizing that her mother-in-lawâs efforts werenât in vain.
At that moment, Han Yi was actually thinking, a woman in her postpartum confinement always needs someone to care for her, and since my mother is busy, she definitely canât be there for both sides. Having an additional person to look after Lin Wan is reassuring.
Mom-in-law and Uncle Hu were likely not off work yet, so they first went to the supply store and bought some gifts. On the way, they also bought some medicine for Han Yi, to treat inflammation and fever.
When on a mission and if truly injured, these two are the most crucial.
After returning home, Han Yi was busy helping Lin Wan wash clothes and bedding and tidying up the courtyard.
Early today, after the rain stopped, Han Yi brought the donkey to a spacious area in the courtyard.
Around five oâclock, Han Yi rode the bicycle with gifts and left.
While passing a vegetable stall, Lin Wan asked Han Yi to stop and bought a few items. After all, they hadnât informed anyone, suddenly visiting. The mother-in-law surely wouldnât be prepared.
Lin Wan had visited the mother-in-lawâs house before. It was Han Yiâs first time coming since she moved out. Looking at the suite-style apartment, Han Yiâs gaze flickered. Nobody knew what he was thinking.
When they arrived at the mother-in-lawâs house, Uncle Hu was in the living room listening to the radio, and the mother-in-law was in the kitchen cooking.
Hu Dong was in the bedroom doing homework. The whole family was happy.
Han Yi hesitated at the door for a moment, but Lin Wan still noticed.
Just hesitated for a moment, and quickly recovered as usual.
Going inside, he kept a cold face, but those who knew him knew he wasnât angry.
The sudden visit excited Hu Bin and Shen Qing, who never expected Han Yi would come at this time.
Hu Bin was better and quickly called Hu Dong out of the room, "Your brother and sister-in-law are here, call them quickly."
Hu Dong hadnât seen Lin Wan for a long time. His sister-in-law coming over made him happy, and he called out Sister-in-law quickly. Upon seeing Han Yi beside Lin Wan, he scratched his head shyly and called "Big Brother" with some embarrassment.
A nearby Shen Qing was at a loss, her smile growing bigger on her face. If not for Uncle Hu reminding her to quickly go buy groceries and cook, the mother-in-law didnât know how long sheâd stand there.
Luckily Lin Wan mentioned buying vegetables. With mother-in-lawâs enthusiasm, who knows how long itâd take to busy herself before eating.
Once inside, besides greeting everyone, Han Yi mostly sat quietly, with Uncle Hu doing most of the talking while he chimed in occasionally, not asking or saying much.
Hu Dong sat for a while but had to go back to the room to do more homework.
Lin Wan wanted to help in the kitchen, but the mother-in-law disagreed.
In half an hour, she briskly cooked quite a few dishes.
Han Yi rarely had a drink with Uncle Hu, which made Shen Qing extremely happy.
Nothing else mattered, Han Yi coming for dinner was the most significant affirmation of them â surely he still cared about this mom in his heart.
Throughout the meal, Shen Qing barely ate. She was busy serving dishes for the couple.
Han Yi explained that he had to leave early the following morning, so Uncle Hu advised against too much drinking.
Just enoughâ drank two cups to warm himself.
During the meal, Lin Wan asked Hu Dong about business at the cinema entrance. Hu Dong said it was fine, except for two more stalls selling seeds and roasted sweet potatoes. Everything else was fine, and although business decreased slightly, he still managed to earn thirty to forty yuan a month.
After speaking, Hu Dong excitedly told her that apart from the monthly handed-over money, he had saved quite a few tens of yuan himself, especially emphasizing âstash moneyâ.
Lin Wan was embarrassed, unable to comprehend how at such a young age, this guy loved money more than her. He already had his own little treasury.
Fortunately, Hu Dong was a good kid and wasnât one of those rebellious teenagers.
By the time they finished eating, it was already past eight, Shen Qing worried about Han Yi drinking and riding a bike with Lin Wan. She insisted they sit for another half hour and drink some tea to sober up.
When they left, Uncle Hu, mother-in-law, and Hu Dong escorted them a long way.
Their arrival had clearly brought joy to the whole family.
Although Han Yi didnât show much enthusiasm, Lin Wan knew he was in a good mood. Seeing his mom doing well made him worry less.
Though he hadnât told me, Lin Wan just knew.
Han Yi was on a two-month business trip. When Lin Wan asked where he was going, he said it was inconvenient to disclose. Lin Wan felt helpless and didnât ask more. But she packed two sets of thin clothes thoughtfully for him.
That night, Han Yi held her close, as if reluctant to part. He touched her belly and "played" with the child a bit before they both drifted into sleep.
Early next morning, around three oâclock, Han Yi quietly took the donkey and a flashlight and left. Lin Wan woke up feeling a bit lost, but she received Han Yiâs call, learning he arrived safely, easing her worries.
Su Ling was home waiting for delivery, both factory and school were on leave, with a few days left before giving birth. Feeling bored, she called Lin Wan, insisting on going to the movies. But Lin Wan didnât dare to take the risk and placated her through the call, sharing gossip and comforting the expectant mother.
At the end of March, early April, Su Ling gave birth to a healthy seven-pound, eight-ounce baby boy. It was tough for Su Ling to deliver her son; the baby was too big, exhausting her for a whole day and night until the doctor helped push him out.
Luckily, mother and son were healthy. After two days in the hospital, they returned home for confinement.
Twelve days after starting her postpartum, they threw a banquet.
With the mother and baby not having a full month, it was unsuitable to go to a hotel outside, so they decided to organize it at home.
They invited neighbors to help. Lin Wan was still happy for Su Ling having a baby boy when she received news from Yin Peibai. Zhang Hanfu said Little Yin miscarried.
It had been a week since she rested at home.
Lin Wan quickly visited Peibaiâs house with two pounds of brown sugar and canned goods. Miscarriage is no different from childbirth, requiring confinement without skipping a day. "When did it happen? How come you were so careless?" Lin Wan noted Yin Peibaiâs spirits seemed fine and her complexion rosy, indicating Zhang Hanfu had cared for her well.
Yin Peibai shook her head helplessly. "Alas, itâs been over two months, and I didnât even know. I rode my bike myself every day for work. At first, when I saw red, I thought it was my period coming, who would have thought..."
She was already upset over losing the child, but the mother-in-law came over only to say hurtful words instead of comforting her.
She was deeply grieved and couldnât help but cry in front of Zhang Hanfu.
Zhang Hanfu didnât take kindly to her momâs remarks and rebuked her briefly. Unexpectedly, his mom started wailing, claiming Zhang Hanfu forgot his mother for a wife.
This incident was seen by Yin Peibaiâs mom. Understanding what happened, she felt her daughter wronged and argued with Zhang Hanfuâs mother. These days, Zhang Hanfu has been managing relations between both mothers, finally pacifying both. He was busy with work; worried Peibai might feel bored at home, he asked Lin Wan to come over and chat.
Lin Wan didnât anticipate such outcomes. Marriage without a good mother-in-law meant enduring more frustration.
"Even if angry over this, you shouldnât dwell on it. Confinement doesnât tolerate such thoughts or overthinking as itâs harmful to the body. Youâre both young, thereâll be children in the future. Now, the crucial thing is to recover well."
"Thatâs what I thought too. Honestly, I didnât mind. That day, Han Fu completely leaned on my side. I didnât really suffer a loss. Ah, I blame myself for not knowing I was pregnant."
Lin Wan didnât know how to comfort Yin Peibai; after all, it was their first child. Such an event is hard for anyone to accept.