Chapter 85 - Second Update

There was nothing Qin Yao could do since her mother-in-law, Liu Shuqin, didn't believe her. Maybe the truth would come out naturally one day; after all, Qin Yao had never learned how to embroider. The cross-stitched ducklings had already exhausted all her effort.

Liu Shuqin took the little duckling to mock her son, Gu Cheng. He admitted without hesitation, "Ugly, right? I think it's pretty ugly too."

Liu Shuqin: "..."

Her son's response left her speechless. Compared to his father and elder brother, the younger son was the least concerned about appearances and also the most carefree.

Oh, and the second daughter should learn a thing or two from her younger brother.

"This is my small way of showing I care as a dad," Gu Cheng said with his arms crossed, fully justified. "Mom, why didn't Dad show you any consideration back then? As his son, I've never felt much love."

Liu Shuqin: "Talk about this? We never discuss such things in our family."

Gu Cheng incited, "Back then, you should've made Dad embroider something. In a few years, when he retires, he can wear his reading glasses and fully contribute at home, making a beautiful handkerchief for your granddaughter, Miaomiao."

Liu Shuqin: "..."

Gu Cheng's father was still alive and had been retired for some time. He doted on his great-granddaughter. These retired officials, even after years away from their jobs, still reminisced about their glory days and often held small meetings or organized activities at home.

In other words, they looked for things to do.

Her younger son had a point. Next time, she should rally the whole family to embroider something to cultivate their sentiments.

She couldn’t control the old man, but she could certainly control her own husband. She needed to prevent him from causing trouble when he retired, so she had to act now.

"Don't busy yourself in the kitchen. I'll handle it. As a husband, I should spend more time with Yaoyao while I'm home," Liu Shuqin said, eagerly taking over the kitchen.

There were many fresh fish and shrimp on the island, ingredients that Liu Shuqin and Shen Guixiang had never handled before. Both women were intrigued by how to prepare these unfamiliar seafood dishes. Since Qin Yao was pregnant and couldn't enter the kitchen, only Gu Cheng stood at the door, giving remote instructions to the two mothers.

Shen Guixiang was very good at mixing sauces and taught Liu Shuqin a few secret recipes.

"So much seasoning? I'll give it a try and let Old Gu taste it," Liu Shuqin said.

Gu Cheng chimed in, "Mom, we have a local product here called oatmeal. You should take some back and cook it for Dad. It's quite coarse, but it's good for recalling the tough days by changing the flavor."

At Gu Miaomiao's school, they ate 'bitterness-remembrance' meals a few times a year and went on an annual field training exercise, along with agricultural classes—experiences that future students wouldn't have.

"If you're not into the whole 'bitterness' thing, just add some milk, salt, and pepper, and make it into porridge. It actually tastes pretty good," Gu Cheng said, wrapping his arm around his wife's waist without any guilt.

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow. "What’s this?"

Was he really trying to pass off something he didn’t like? What was he up to?

"Alright, I'll remember to make it for your dad to try," Liu Shuqin said, not doubting him. In her eyes, her younger son's cooking skills were already top-notch among the men in the family.

Milk, pepper, and salt oatmeal porridge? It sounded strange. Why not add sugar? The family could certainly afford white sugar.

Could this be the unique taste that men loved?

Liu Shuqin decided to note this recipe carefully and have the men in the family taste it together.

Liu Shuqin and her daughter-in-law, He An, preferred sweet porridge, so they would skip this recipe.

"Yaoyao, come sit, sit here and eat. Xiao Cheng, help your wife."

"Yaoyao, I made your favorite dish today."

"Yaoyao, was the child bothering you today?"

……

Qin Yao sat at the dining table, living a life where everything was done for her. Her status at home could almost be described as "the center of attention, pampered like a queen." Being pregnant came with its perks and special treatment.

However, because of this, Qin Yao secretly worried, telling herself not to get too carried away and to relax. A lot of new moms end up feeling down after the baby comes, probably because of this kind of thing.

The attention she received from her family before giving birth was immense. Everyone treated her like a treasure. But once the child was born, the family’s focus would shift to the baby, leaving her feeling neglected.

It was hard to put that feeling of loss into words.

"Mom, I'm so happy you all care about me now. After the baby is born, you have to keep caring about me too, or I won’t be able to handle it." Qin Yao shook her mother Shen Guixiang's hand. As the only daughter in the family, she had the confidence to act coquettishly.

"You're a mother now; you should care more about the child."

Qin Yao said, "Then I'll care about the child, and you care about me."

Gu Cheng nodded, "I only care about you, regardless of the child."

"No!" Qin Yao gave him a sideways glance. "If you don’t take care of the kid, how are you going to be a good dad? You’re responsible for half of the child’s education."

Gu Cheng couldn’t help but laugh. "I care about you and the child, but you’re my main focus, alright, sweetheart?"

"Stop fooling around."

……

At the other end of the table, Shen Guixiang and Liu Shuqin exchanged glances, their eyes filled with smiles. The young couple was so cute together.

As Qin Yao’s household became lively, Chen Baozhen’s home was not quiet either. Her mother-in-law had also come over. At the same time, the mother-in-law of Bai Qiuling next door had arrived too. In the original story, the two mothers-in-law were a contrast.

Compared to Chen Baozhen’s mother-in-law, Bai Qiuling’s mother-in-law was more of a typical troublemaker. There were occasional disagreements, but Chen Baozhen was still treated like royalty.

As her pregnancy progressed, Qin Yao became increasingly sleepy, wishing she could hibernate like a bear, staying in bed all day without moving. While the island wasn’t usually cold, January and February could get chilly. At night, the wind grew stronger, making it even colder. Cuddled up in bed, you might find yourself thinking, "What a perfect fall night."

Indeed, for both Shen Guixiang and Liu Shuqin, the winter on the island felt like autumn, comfortably cool. The sea breeze was gentle and refreshing. At night, there was a slight chill, but with a good blanket, you could sleep soundly until morning.

On New Year’s Eve, Third Brother Qin and Xie Hongni came together, bringing a variety of farm fruits, especially sugarcane, tied in a large bundle.

They brought good news—Xie Hongni was also pregnant. Shen Guixiang was overjoyed. "I’m going to have another grandchild."

Xie Hongni smiled shyly, looking at the man next to her, never having imagined she would marry this "goofball" and now have a child with him.

"Congratulations, sister-in-law." Qin Yao supported her large belly with a maternity band hanging over her shoulder to save some strength.

Pregnancy was uncomfortable, but now that she was about to give birth, she felt a sense of pride, as if she had completed a major project.

"It should be soon." Xie Hongni looked at her large belly with both envy and trepidation.

"I hope the baby arrives soon."

On New Year’s Eve, the six of them gathered together to wrap dumplings and stayed up until midnight to welcome the new year. Although there were no fireworks on the island, they set off firecrackers for an hour. The loud noises, accompanied by the children’s excited shouts, finally brought some festive atmosphere.

Chen Baozhen’s due date was approaching, and Qin Yao’s was a month later, but she went into labor first. The two little ones in her belly were in a hurry and hadn’t even made it to the Lantern Festival. On the morning of the twelfth day of the first lunar month, Qin Yao’s labor started.

At that time, Gu Cheng was not at home. Shen Guixiang quickly called the military doctor, and they took Qin Yao to the military hospital in an ambulance. Liu Shuqin hurriedly sent someone to notify her son.

Gu Cheng arrived at the hospital around 4 PM, staying by Qin Yao’s side. The nurse initially tried to stop him from entering, but Qin Yao pleaded to let him in. She was familiar with the doctors and nurses in the hospital. The nurse, hearing Qin Yao’s plea, let Gu Cheng in to stay with her.

"Yaoyao, don't be afraid."

"You are afraid."

Qin Yao smiled. She wanted to say, "You're such a coward," and despite having nothing wrong with him, Gu Cheng looked as pale as a sheet, as if he were the one giving birth.

She checked the affection system, where the affection gift was timing. Staying by Gu Cheng's side for twenty-four hours would earn her the affection gift. Thanks to the "photographic memory" skill she obtained from him, Qin Yao had read plenty of literary works at work, remembering them firmly in her head.

Maybe with this, she really could become a literary writer.

……Half-dazed, Qin Yao, although lacking strength, managed to hold on.

Around 7:30 PM, Qin Yao gave birth to two children.

After the umbilical cords were cut and they were cleaned, the two children were brought to Qin Yao to see. She had already heard them crying. The first one was smaller, while the second let out a powerful cry. She was extremely tired but forced herself to stay awake, curious to see the babies.

"Come and see the children. Two boys. This is the elder, a little over five pounds."

Qin Yao was very tired. She had mentally prepared herself, thinking that even if she saw them, they would just be two "little red-faced monkeys." Newborns, who can really tell what they look like at first?

As every new mom knows, newborns aren’t exactly picture-perfect, but they’re still your precious little ones.

Qin Yao summoned the courage to glance and was greatly surprised: "Oh my, this child looks like her!"

Perhaps because Qin Yao had been well taken care of and the child was well-nourished, the two children didn’t look bad at birth. Their features vaguely resembled their parents. Qin Yao immediately recognized that the elder looked like her.

When the second son was brought over for her to see, Qin Yao’s face lit up with joy.

Seeing her second son, Qin Yao felt a sense of fulfillment. He looked just like his father.