La lluvia primaveral es como el vino, los sauces son como el humo

Capítulo 98

That's already very good.

During Pregnancy

The afternoon air was slightly warm, and the courtyard was bathed in bright sunlight. The lotus flowers in the pond drooped their heads listlessly, and occasionally a bright red dragonfly would pause for a moment before quickly hiding under the lotus leaves to cool off.

When Yichun woke up from her afternoon nap, her back was covered in sweat. Because she was four months pregnant, she was much more clumsy. She struggled to sit up in bed, and before she could say anything, Shu Jun had already come over from under the window and was fanning her with a fan.

"Is it hot?" He wiped the sweat from her head and tucked her messy hair behind her ears.

Yichun took a sip of tea, her face flushed slightly, and she touched her head, saying softly, "Uh, I think... I'm hungry again."

She ate a lot before going to bed. If she keeps going like this, she'll turn into a pig before the baby is even born.

Shu Jun didn't mind her eating like a pig at all; in fact, he was hoping she would eat more. He asked softly, "What do you want to eat?"

Yichun coughed, a little embarrassed, and said, "I want to eat alkaline noodles."

Since becoming pregnant, her eating and behavior have been different from others. She doesn't experience any of the morning sickness that most pregnant women experience. While most pregnant women crave sweet and sour foods, she prefers strange and unusual things.

For example, baking soda, cucumbers mixed with sugar, or boiled chicken breast and eaten with a white dipping sauce.

Shu Jun immediately turned around and shouted, "Little Winter Melon!"

Soon a handsome little boy ran in from outside. He looked to be about eleven or twelve years old. Unlike Little Pumpkin's cleverness and wit, he looked very honest.

They met this child in Yunnan. Because of a famine in the village, his parents had no choice but to sell him outside to exchange for firewood, rice, oil, and salt. They happened to be passing by, and since Little Pumpkin was not with them, they bought him to be their servant.

Although he wasn't as clever as Little Pumpkin, he was honest and considerate. Since settling into his new house, he cleaned it every day, keeping it spotless inside and out. Shu Jun trusted him completely.

"What are your orders, Master?" Little Winter Melon asked the two of them with great respect.

"Go outside and buy a bowl of alkaline noodles, the best one."

Little Winter Melon was slightly taken aback: "Baking soda? Master, it's all the same, there's no good or bad. I can make it all."

Yichun was really craving it, so she quickly said, "Then you make it, add more lard and scallions, and don't add anything else."

Little Winter Melon was quick and efficient, and soon brought her a bowl of fragrant alkaline noodles.

Yi Chun picked up her chopsticks to pick at the food when Shu Jun suddenly got up and walked to the door, saying softly, "It seems like we have a guest."

As she spoke, she walked out. After a while, Yichun suddenly heard her parents talking in the courtyard. Overjoyed, she ran out and saw that her family of three had come and were pointing at the newly grown holly tree in the courtyard.

"Sister!" Erniu was the first to see Yichun, and she was extremely surprised. "How did you get so fat? You look like a ball!"

Shu Jun led his parents-in-law into the house with a smile. Little Donggua had already gone to the kitchen to boil water and make tea. As soon as Yichun's mother saw her daughter, her eyes reddened. She grasped her hand and said repeatedly, "Your son-in-law has taken such good care of you. You've gained so much weight. Are you doing well? Has the child been bothering you?"

The mother and her two daughters went into the inner room to talk privately, while Shu Jun chatted with Yi Chun's father in the outer room.

It is said that on the day Yichun brought Yang Shen home for the New Year, he played a few games of chess with the old man. From then on, the old man couldn't forget Yang Shen. When he learned that his daughter was going to get married, and that she was pregnant before the marriage, the old man's dislike for Shu Jun was endless, and he never gave him a good look whenever he saw him.

This was the first time Yichun's father had visited his daughter's in-laws since the wedding. He saw that the house was brand new and comfortably furnished, and he couldn't find anything wrong with it. He just kept a straight face and didn't say a word.

Shu Jun didn't mind at all. As soon as Xiao Donggua served the tea, he smiled and said, "Yichun once told me that my father-in-law's favorite tea is Lao Jun Mei. This is this year's new tea. Please have a taste, my father-in-law."

Yichun's father snorted, picked up the cup, and took a light sniff. He was immediately captivated by the fragrance.

He was always proud and unwilling to show weakness, so he muttered incoherently, "The tea is just so-so! Nothing special."

Shu Jun was still smiling, about to speak, when he suddenly saw Yichun's father frowning at a bowl of alkaline noodles on the opposite table and asking him, "What's that?"

Shu Jun rolled his eyes but did not answer. However, Xiao Donggua next to him kindly said, "The mistress is picky about food due to morning sickness and wants to eat alkaline noodles. I just cooked them, but the master and mistress came before we could eat them."

The old man flew into a rage, jumped up, pointed at Shu Jun's nose, and roared, "You've ruined my daughter like this! She's pregnant and you've only given her baking soda?!"

The mother and her two daughters, who were chatting in the inner room, heard the commotion and, not knowing what was going on, quickly ran out to mediate.

The old man was still heartbroken: "Daniu has never suffered a bit of hardship at home! Although the family is poor, we don't have to feed her baking soda! What's the point of making the house so beautiful? You can't even afford to make her chicken soup? Isn't the child in her belly yours?"

Yichun hurriedly explained, "Dad, it's because I want to eat alkaline noodles. I'm so tired of chicken soup, and what about pigeon soup, cuttlefish soup, turtle soup... It's hot, I want to eat something light!"

The old man grew even angrier: "My daughter was kind enough to defend you! What kind of soup is 'turtle soup'?! Just from the name, it's no good!"

Yichun was getting anxious. Her father had a strong aversion to Shujun and always thought the worst about everything. She opened her mouth wide, ready to say something more.

Shu Jun coughed and winked at her: I'll handle this.

He smiled and said softly, "Your arrival is just in time. Since Yichun became pregnant, she has often said that she wants to eat home-cooked meals. Why don't you two stay here for a while? My mother-in-law is more thoughtful than I am, and Yichun will naturally be happy to do so."

Yichun's mother was tugging at her husband's clothes and rolling her eyes at him when she heard this, so she quickly nodded in agreement.

She was quite satisfied with this son-in-law. As the saying goes, a mother-in-law's love for her son-in-law only grows stronger with each passing year. This young man was far superior to Yang Shen in character, appearance, and manners. He was also more worldly-wise and incredibly considerate towards her daughter. If she wasn't satisfied, where in the world could she find someone better?

Besides, Yang Shen is already dead. There's no point in constantly thinking about a dead man.

"Xiao Shu, your father-in-law drank a few ounces of alcohol when he came and was talking nonsense. Don't take it to heart. It's broad daylight now, and you must have things to do. Go and do your thing."

Yichun's mother was busy giving Shu Jun a way out.

Shu Jun stood up and said, "In that case, I will take my leave now. Please excuse me."

He gave Yichun a smiling look, then went out on his own, seemingly busy with something.

Yichun's father was still angry and muttered something unintelligible. Yichun's mother slapped him and scolded, "Our daughter is clearly living a happy life, why do you always interfere? You only make your son-in-law feel annoyed and speak coldly to our daughter, and then you're happy?"

Her father was also speechless, so he could only gulp down the tea.

Yichun's mother took her daughter's hand and went into the inner room, whispering, "Daniu, you said last time that your husband's family is in business, but why do I see him lounging at home in broad daylight? What kind of business is he in?"