“Third sister-in-law, these are the little clothes and blankets I made for the baby. You'll be starting school when we get back, and you're usually busy, so you won't have time to make them. We won't have enough time to make them when we visit you during your confinement, so I made them all for you in advance.”
The day before they left, Zhang Qin suddenly brought over a bundle. Chen Lishu opened it and saw not only small blankets, clothes, and pants, but even tiny shoes. The stitches were fine, and the seams were all on the outside. It was clear they were made with great care.
“Thank you, eldest sister-in-law.”
“Why be so polite with me? When you're in confinement, our house won't be busy, and Mom and I will come visit you.”
“Okay.”
Just as she saw Zhang Qin off, Zhang Xiaoju also brought over a pile of things.
“Third sister-in-law, these are all things my Gu Pan wore when she was little. I’ve kept them very well. Please don’t dislike them, third sister-in-law.”
Chen Lishu smiled, “How could I? Children grow fast wearing old clothes. Thank you, fourth sister-in-law.”
Seeing that these little clothes were specially washed and tidied, Chen Lishu felt a warmth in her heart.
Zhang Xiaoju knew she was a sensible person, and getting along with such sisters-in-law was not tiring at all.
Not long after, Li Xiuying also brought a large bag of things. Besides things made for the baby, there was also a large bag of food for her.
“I heard that eating walnuts makes children smart. Mom specially asked the village for some more for you, along with red dates and goji berries for replenishing qi and blood. This…”
There were about five or six kinds of food in total, all gathered for her by Li Xiulan during this period.
After finishing her conversation with Chen Lishu, Li Xiulan turned and instructed her son, “This is her first child, so you be careful. Don't let her do any heavy work, don't make her angry, and don't indulge her in her eating habits.”
Then she told Gu Xingdong everything she knew about what she couldn't eat and what to avoid.
As soon as she got up, Wu Chunmei and Chen Mantun arrived with another bag.
By the time they were leaving the next day, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong had four bags piled at their feet.
Li Xiulan said, “There's snow on the road, and it’s slippery. I'll have your dad hitch up the cart to take you to town.”
Fortunately, there were quite a few people traveling together, so Chen Lishu only had to take care of herself and Rui Rui.
Gu Xingdong had bought the tickets the day before. There weren't enough sleeper berths, so only some people could take the hard seats. However, it was only a day's journey, and they soon arrived at the provincial capital.
Since Gu Xingye had been to Wang Aixiang's house before, and it wasn't far from the warehouse, Chen Lishu asked him to lead everyone to find a guesthouse to settle down first. Then, she and Gu Xingdong returned to their home near the school.
Zhao Qiuyue did not expect them to return so many days in advance. Seeing the several large bags of things in Gu Xingdong's hands, she quickly went to help him.
“Sister, why have you brought so many things this time?”
“Auntie Xiaoyue, Mom has a new baby brother. I brought these for him,” Rui Rui said as he entered, taking off his hat and scarf.
Zhao Qiuyue was stunned for a moment. When she realized, she said with a face full of pleasant surprise, “Sister, you're pregnant?”
Chen Lishu smiled and nodded, “I’m over two months along.”
“Quick, sit down. You must be tired from the journey. Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? I'll go downstairs and buy it for you right away.”
“I'm not too hungry, just make something simple. I'm just a bit sleepy and want to take a nap after eating,” Chen Lishu said, yawning.
Being able to eat and sleep might be her only pregnancy symptom so far.
“How about making some hot noodle soup? I'll fry a couple of poached eggs, it'll be ready soon.” Zhao Qiuyue helped Gu Xingdong put the things in the room and then went to the kitchen to start cooking.
“It's been over two months now. I want to go to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow and have an ultrasound.”
Chen Lishu took off her coat, handed it to Gu Xingdong to hang up, and sat down by the bed.
She had stopped her medication not long ago, and she wouldn’t feel at ease without a check-up.
Gu Xingdong nodded, “Okay, I’ll accompany you tomorrow.”
Not long after, Zhao Qiuyue finished making the noodles. Chen Lishu went to the table to sit down. However, as soon as she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, her stomach churned violently. She hastily put down her chopsticks and ran to the bathroom.
Thus, Chen Lishu, who thought her entire pregnancy would be pleasant, had rejoiced too early. After enjoying half a month of peaceful life, she began to experience her first intense bout of morning sickness.
Once she started vomiting, it was like a floodgate had opened, uncontrollable.
“What? I didn’t put anything unusual in it? Why did she throw up?” Zhao Qiuyue was completely flustered. She had never been pregnant and didn't know what was acceptable and what wasn't, but she thought noodles and eggs should be fine.
Gu Xingdong poured her a glass of warm water and, while patting her back, asked with some concern, “How do you feel? Is anything uncomfortable? Should I take you to the hospital?”
Chen Lishu rinsed her mouth and stood up, “It's okay. Didn't Mom say that vomiting is a normal reaction? She vomited for four or five months when she was pregnant with you. This child is probably like you.”
It had been over two months before she started having symptoms, so she had been happy too soon.
“Mom, are you okay?” Rui Rui asked worriedly when he saw her come out, “Did the baby brother inside your tummy kick you?”
Chen Lishu couldn't help but laugh, “He sure did. When he comes out, you help me teach him a good lesson.”
“Mom, he definitely didn't mean to bother you,” Rui Rui looked up and began to intercede for the unborn ‘baby brother.’ “He was probably just bored. I'll tell him stories later, and he won't bother you anymore.”
Gu Xingdong couldn't help but chuckle, “I think that’s a good idea.”
After all, she had vomited once, and her stomach still felt uncomfortable. Chen Lishu could only manage to eat a little less than half a bowl before putting down her chopsticks.
After dinner, Rui Rui indeed picked up a picture book and began to read a story to Chen Lishu’s belly in a serious manner.
The winter afternoon sun shone through the window, warming the room. Chen Lishu had a blanket draped over her. Listening to Rui Rui's childish voice, drowsiness crept in, and she gradually fell asleep.
Gu Xingdong went out for a while and soon returned with a small stone mill and a small bag of soybeans and red beans.
When Chen Lishu woke up, he was sitting in a chair in the living room, carefully picking through the beans with a serious expression, as if he were doing something extremely important.
“You're awake? How are you feeling? Better?”
Chen Lishu sat down next to him, her gaze falling on the stone mill beside him. “Where did you get this?”
“I asked around at the market and bought it from someone. You always liked to drink it when you were home. I figured it would suit your taste.”
Gu Xingdong said, reaching out to touch her barely showing belly, “You better show me some respect, or if you trouble your mom again, I'll really spank you when you come out.”