Mr. Zhang pulled Doctor Zhou towards the main hall, instructing Mother Zhang as they walked, "The children's mother, have the eldest daughter-in-law make a couple of dishes, I'll have a drink with Brother Zhou."
Doctor Zhou quickly declined, noting that everyone was busy with the childbirth. He understood he was there just in case anything happened during the delivery. Since he was already there, he might as well chat for a bit.
Mr. Zhang ignored his refusal. It was rare to have someone join him for a drink, and he hadn't had any for several days—it was making his heart itch. With everyone waiting around, he also needed a little liquor, not only to relieve his craving but to calm his nerves.
Before long, the two were drinking. Mr. Zhang quietly asked, "Brother Zhou, you're well-informed and always about the countryside, you've helped everyone in the neighboring villages. Do you know if there are any new policies coming out lately?"
Doctor Zhou took a small sip of wine, picked up a peanut, and said, "No new policies have come out, it's still the same old stuff. The village cadres are quite anxious, I heard they have to carry out orders passed down from above."
In the main hall, the two old men were leisurely drinking and chatting...
Outside the west wing, Zhang Guoqing leaned against the wall. He remembered holding his wife when he was dying, only to open his eyes and find her still in his arms. But at that moment, he was so shocked that before he could utter a word to Jiao Jiao, the midwives had surrounded her with eager hands. However, judging from Jiao Jiao's expression, she seemed to have guessed it was him.
His wife was still his wife, even with such a large belly, but why did no one tell him? Why was his wife looking even smaller than during their university days, dressed in patched clothes? And her face was sallow and thin, which made him feel heartbroken. Ever since he met Zhou Jiao, he had worked hard to nurse her back to health, curing her stomach issues and malnutrition. So what's going on now?
As soon as he woke up, it was the time for Zhou Jiao to give birth. Women all around were busy, and before he could react, she was taken to the west wing to await the birth. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts through the dull ache in his head, then he realized that he and his wife had time-traveled with their child. Indeed, if they hadn't time-traveled, Jiao Jiao would have been due for labor anyway.
His wife was already calling out, curse this place for having no hospital—who would have known they'd end up in 1957? Thinking about the future, he sighed. Fortunately, the family he ended up with was poverty-stricken for eight generations, having no choice but to take it one step at a time.
Zhang Guoqing couldn't help but stand under the window of the west wing. He feared his wife might get confused. Unknown to her that he was also here, he shouted loudly, "Jiao Jiao, I'm waiting outside for you. We agreed that after our son, we'll have a princess, you can't leave me behind, I can't live without you."
Mother Zhang immediately stepped forward to cover his mouth, scolding quietly, "Are you trying to die? Now is the time to end feudal superstitions, and the people run the country—don't let anyone hear about a 'little princess.'"
"Mom, I know, I won't say it again, I was just blabbering because I was worried."
"Even if you're worried, you shouldn't say that. Luckily, not many heard you. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it would be trouble. Don't worry, childbirth isn't fast, you'll have to wait at least two more hours."
"Mom, another two hours? It's agonizing, please think of something."
"Silly child, childbirth can be quick as well. The baby will come when it's time. Jiao Jiao, don't shout, save some energy for later."
Lying on the kang bed inside the west wing, Zhou Jiao just wanted to laugh. She knew Zhang Guoqing had time-traveled just like her. Apart from appearing younger, nothing else had changed. And his sudden mention of having a "princess" confirmed it, as the Zhou Jiao of this body had never heard him say anything but "son, son."
Her belly seized with waves of pain, and when the pain finally subsided, she gritted her teeth and shouted, "Brother, don't worry, we'll talk after I deliver the baby."
"Hehe, dear, I'm just outside the window waiting for you. If anything happens, call me, don't be afraid," Zhang Guoqing felt truly relieved this time. His Jiao Jiao called him 'brother,' he understood, and so did his wife—that was enough.
In the yard and the main hall, Zhang Guoqing's uncle, aunt, and female cousin laughed heartily. This younger couple was truly interesting, making childbirth seem like a stage play. Their intimacy was so sweet it was almost unbearable.
Uncle Zhang Dafu looked down on the young man's antics, "The lad's gone mad, sticking his nose into childbirth." Aunt Zhang shot him a glance and, understandably, she felt annoyed that he hadn't shown any worry when she was giving birth to their four children. She was certainly going to discuss it when they got home, but she'd give him some face for now.
Zhang Guoqing's father, Zhang Dayou, invited everyone into the main hall since it was windy outside; it was a good time for the men to have a drink together.
Meanwhile, Mother Zhang instructed the eldest daughter-in-law, Zhang Cuilan, to pour some tea, her thoughts dwelling on the young lady in labor and wondering if it would be a son or a girl. If she asked Zhang Guoqing, he'd surely tell her it's a boy. They've known via ultrasound, but he never considered whether time-travel would affect the baby's identity.
That daughter-in-law is perfect except for her frail health. But Xiao Wu likes her so much, he insisted on marrying her. Heaven help them, she hopes it's a son so her Xiao Wu will have an heir. The old lady couldn't stay in the room any longer, so she stood by the window of the west wing with her silly son.
Spying the second family's wife with her arms crossed watching in the kitchen, she said, "You, second family's wife, quickly make a bowl of noodles with two poached eggs to nourish Jiao Jiao, so she has the strength to give birth."
The second daughter-in-law, Lin Juhua, nodded, then turned away with a pout, muttering to herself: How come when I was having kids, no one seemed so worried, simply playing favorites. If it turns out to be a girl, then what?
Zhang Guoqing glanced at his second sister-in-law but said nothing. From the original memories, he knew this second sister-in-law was problematic and perfectly matched his second brother—they were both very selfish. After all, his second brother had insisted on marrying her from Upper Lin Village.
Lin Juhua, one of four daughters and the third child, was adored in her household, only sparing her from being completely dowried off. But, she had a cherished son named Lin Baoshou. His mother-in-law's family had two older brothers with government jobs near the county town, leaving only his wife as the cherished little sister.
Sneakily working as a day laborer, she never contributed to household income but if the other siblings ate an extra egg, she would make a fuss. Thankfully, the eldest sister-in-law was kind and virtuous, or they would have had constant chaos.
The eldest brother did day labor alongside mason work with substantial income, contributing all earnings to the household. Meanwhile, his eldest sister-in-law's family lived near the county seat, her two brothers having government jobs, leaving her as the family gem.