Upon hearing, Xinyan said with excitement: "Wow, Second Brother is really generous. Just giving me feels a bit awkward. Why not buy more, then gift some to each family, so I wouldnât feel awkward."
To make his wife and sister happy, Han Chaoxu said: "Sure, during the New Year, Second Brother will definitely fulfill your wish."
So, they set off immediately. He Jinxuan drove, Xinyan sat in the passenger seat, while Han Chaoxu and his wife sat in the back, heading out together.
When they arrived, three or so stamp-collecting enthusiasts were already there buying, though most only bought a sheet, some just a single stamp, for collecting purposes.
As they approached, without waiting for Xinyan to speak, Han Chaoxu boldly said: "Comrade, give me forty sheets of the newly issued monkey stamps."
The staff member looked at him like he was crazy: "Comrade, are you joking or seriously buying this much? That would cost quite a bit."
The staff saw him stunned: "A whole sheet of monkey stamps has eighty stamps, each costing eight cents, a sheet totals six yuan forty. Forty sheets, in total, would cost two hundred fifty-six yuan."
Xinyan didnât intend to make such a high-profile purchase, just wanted to buy a few and give them to family as a surprise. As for whether this fortune could be preserved, it depended on each personâs fate.
She didnât intend to disturb the future of this world, at most sheâd buy a few more sheets later and store them in space, not wanting to be too greedy.
Xinyan didnât want to draw attention, so she smiled as she stepped forward: "Comrade, donât listen to him. Thereâs someone in the family who likes stamp collecting, and coincidentally the country is issuing its first zodiac stamps, so I thought to buy a few more to gift."
Eventually, they bought fifteen sheets and left the post office. Apart from giving two full sheets to their two families, the remaining sheets were split among each big and small family, a sheet per household. As for who could hold onto them till the end, it was up to them.
After lunch, the people from the big house left.
They agreed to return to the old house the next day, where Aunt and Uncleâs family would also come over.
He Jinxuan had days off recently, and since heâd be alone going back anyway, he decided to stay.
In the afternoon, while He Jinxuan was helping Aunt Chen in the kitchen, she drove to several post offices and bought ten whole sheets of monkey stamps to store in space, waiting for them to appreciate in value later.
The next day, after having lunch at the old house, Han Jingchen didnât dare take Gu Wanqing out, as her due date was in these few days.
Though, every day heâd support her for a walk. Even if Gu Wanqing got upset or acted coy, heâd find ways to persuade her to walk more. As the due date approached, he was actually more nervous than Gu Wanqing, fearing any mishap.
On the night of the fifth day of the lunar New Year, Gu Wanqing felt uncomfortable: "Jingchen, I keep feeling somethingâs off with my body."
Han Jingchen immediately sat up from bed: "Is it because youâre about to give birth?"
Gu Wanqing touched her belly: "Not really, the belly doesnât hurt, just my waist feels uncomfortable."
Han Jingchen didnât dare go back to sleep: "Anyway, since the due date is in these few days, why donât we go to the hospital early for delivery? This way, I can be more at ease."
Gu Wanqing laughed and gave him a light slap: "Youâre so quick to react. Donât forget Xinyan knows medicine, and before sleep, she checked my pulse. Itâs probably just normal reactions before labor."
But Han Jingchen couldnât stop being worried: "No, youâre uncomfortable. I canât sleep well either. To be safe, letâs go to the hospital."
He said, and went to put on shoes to knock on Xinyanâs door, then called He Jinxuan.
Xinyan was startled, rushing out the room: "Dad, is mom about to give birth?"
He Jinxuan quickly stopped Xinyan running towards their room: "No, no, your momâs waist feels really uncomfortable, she couldnât sleep, so I thought it best to go to the hospital early for delivery, so I can be at ease."
He didnât disbelieve his daughter. Given the distance to the city, he didnât want his wife to experience any mishap.
Since he insisted, in order for everyone to feel at ease, the few of them quickly packed and set off for the hospital.