Shen Xue could clearly feel the change in Chen Yang's emotions, from initial excitement and happiness to panic, even a trace of fear.
She didn't know what had happened to Chen Yang, but his current state made her feel he was very helpless.
"What's wrong? Big sister is pregnant, this is good news," Shen Xue asked tentatively, hugging Chen Yang and touching the envelope in his hand.
Chen Yang looked at Shen Xue. At this moment, he realized he had truly changed a lot in his life.
But it was only regarding his nephew that he felt a sudden jolt of realization.
He embraced Shen Xue and the two children without saying a word, afraid that all of this was just a dream, and when he woke up, he would still be alone.
Shen Xue didn't understand why Chen Yang suddenly hugged her and the children so tightly, but she could feel his sudden helplessness and fear.
She also hugged Chen Yang tightly.
"I'm here."
Shen Xue gently patted Chen Yang's slightly trembling body, pressing close to him, wanting to use the warmth of her embrace to make him feel secure.
"Daddy, I'm here too."
"Daddy, I'm a big boy, I will protect you."
The little ones, Chen Hao and Yan Yan, didn't quite understand, but they also hugged their father.
Hearing the voices of his wife and children, Chen Yang gradually regained his senses from his dreamlike state.
He took a deep breath.
His wife and children were still in his arms!
This feeling of completeness finally dispelled the fear in his heart.
He gently wiped away two tears from the corners of his eyes.
"I'm sorry, little nephew," Chen Yang apologized silently in his heart.
Even in the same place and at the same time, if his elder sister and brother-in-law were to conceive again, it might not be his nephew from his previous life. With a one-in-billions chance, how could he guarantee it would be exactly the same as before?
The moment he was reborn, the butterfly's wings had already begun to stir the future trajectory off course, and he could no longer prevent this from happening.
All he could do now was to make sure his family lived better lives.
"The letter isn't finished yet, I'll keep reading," Shen Xue said, holding the letter. She knew Chen Yang had something on his mind, but since he wasn't saying anything, she wouldn't pry.
She knew her husband; he couldn't keep secrets from her, and he basically discussed everything with her. If he wasn't saying anything, it must be something he couldn't tell her.
"Your brother-in-law is so happy, he pampers me like I'm precious, won't let me wash clothes, won't let me cook, it's making me so anxious."
"It's only been a few months, but I already feel like I'm a furball, just eating and basking in the sun every day."
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, Maomao is the name of our pet cat. This guy is super lazy, and besides eating, the biggest movement he makes each day is shifting from one brick in the yard to another to bask in the sun."
The elder sister's letter seemed like a complaint, but anyone could hear that she was clearly showing off to her younger brother.
Listening to his elder sister's happy words, Chen Yang's烦闷 (fánmèn - vexation) was dispelled considerably.
No matter what, in this life, his elder sister and brother-in-law were truly living very happy and joyful lives.
He, as the younger brother, had at least not made a mistake in this regard, hadn't he?
His elder sister was pregnant now, and the new nephew or niece would also be well-behaved and adorable.
Because their parents had excellent personalities, and with such parents guiding them, the children's personalities would surely resemble theirs, as parents were indeed the best teachers for their children.
"Looking forward to meeting the little one."
"Also looking forward to meeting you, Xue'er, and our little niece and nephew. Then Yan Yan and Hao Hao can play with their little brother or sister."
"Your loving sister, Chen Juan."
In this last part, Chen Yang could feel his elder sister's joy and anticipation for the arrival of the life within her.
His mood also slowly calmed down.
It was good this way too.
"When Mom and Dad get here, we'll ask about Big Sister's condition."
"But it looks like Mom and Dad might not be able to come over after all. Although Brother-in-law is a good person, he's a man, and he doesn't know how to take care of a pregnant woman. We still need Mom and Dad to help out."
Shen Xue muttered. Chen Yang thought so too. It had been almost half a month since his parents had written, and they hadn't started their journey yet. They were likely worried about his elder sister.
Both hands are flesh, they missed their grandchildren, but their daughter needed care. After all, his brother-in-law's parents were not in Jinling, so they couldn't rest assured.
"Let's write back first and ask about the situation. If they really miss the children, it's not a hassle for us to take the children to Jinling again. We can also visit Big Sister then."
Chen Yang put away the letter, folded it, and put it back in the envelope.
He kept every letter sent from home carefully.
This was a memory unique to this era. In a few decades, hardly anyone would write letters, and this beautiful memory couldn't be preserved.
"That's fine too."
"I was thinking we'd treat Mom and Dad well when they come over. Last time, Dad said he wanted to go fishing with my dad on the dam."
"My dad and second uncle even went into the mountains to chop bamboo to make fishing rods. I asked you to buy fishing line and hooks earlier. Everything is ready."
Shen Xue had genuinely taken to heart what her father-in-law had said. Since they were traveling so far, they should try to fulfill his wish.
"Dad will be overjoyed to know how filial his daughter-in-law is."
"It's okay, let's just have them prepared. Traveling from Jinling to An Province doesn't take long. Big Sister just got pregnant, and she'll probably still be working. They can't just sit at home all day."
"Staying here for a week or so and then going back won't affect their ability to take care of Big Sister later."
Chen Yang wished his parents could come to An Province. His own father, who came from a rural background, had lived in the city for so many years and wanted to spend a few days in the countryside.
People are like this.
If you stay in the countryside all the time, you'll get bored and envy the prosperity of the city.
If you stay in the city for a long time, you'll feel out of place and miss the taste of home.
Chen Yang's father wasn't that he couldn't integrate into Jinling, but as he got older, he would reminisce about his childhood memories. His father grew up in the countryside and hadn't lived there for decades.
Moreover, his grandchildren were all in An Province, so he would definitely be happy to visit and relive the rural atmosphere.
"I want to take Grandpa to the fields to roast sweet potatoes."
"And I want Grandpa to catch fish for me to eat. I want braised fish. Grandpa said he's a great fisherman. If he comes to An Province, I'll have endless fish to eat."
The little one tugged at Chen Yang's pants. He still remembered not getting to eat braised fish last time.
"My good grandson, it's just braised fish, your grandpa will get it for you right away."
The little one's words had an effect, and his father-in-law became a little jealous, grabbing his fishing rod and bamboo basket and heading towards the river.
Looking at the stubborn old man, Chen Yang couldn't help but laugh.