Wu Linlin looked at Xie Sui's anxious expression, and it was indeed hard not to envy him. Every woman, after getting married, wished for a loving relationship with her husband.
Especially during pregnancy, when progesterone levels are low and emotions are volatile, companionship becomes even more crucial.
However, her uncle's wife's eyes flickered, sensing something was amiss. How could Lin Wanwan look as if she were pregnant?
Xie Sui was so tense, could she really be pregnant again?
She pulled Xie's mother and asked, "Is Wanwan pregnant again?"
Xie's mother was a mixture of surprise and joy, "I don't know, they haven't said anything. If she's pregnant, having two more grandsons, what are we going to do?"
Uncle's wife: "..."
She suspected you were showing off, and with evidence, too.
"Alright, you go and ask. We're heading back too."
"Oh, you guys take the food Xie Sui brought back for Linlin to nourish her. Don't be stingy, eat meat when you should, kill chickens when you should. This isn't a famine year anymore, where food is scarce. If you lack anything, just come to me."
Xie Sui's family had more food than they could eat. He sent some home every few days, and Xie's mother was no longer as thrifty as she used to be, giving generously.
Uncle's wife had come for this very reason. She pretended to refuse, "That would be too embarrassing, always taking food from your house."
"It will go bad if left out, it's not a waste to eat it."
Wu Linlin glanced at his family's big black dog. Its food bowl was filled with half a chicken cake, and even the dog was tired of it. Suddenly, she felt her mother-in-law was rather pathetic.
The dog didn't even want to eat it, yet they cherished it like a treasure and shamelessly came begging for favors.
After returning home, Wu Linlin said to her mother-in-law, "Don't take things from Xie Sui's family anymore. We're not short of money, why should we take advantage of this?"
"Isn't it foolish not to take advantage of freebies? Xie Sui isn't short of money. His factory produces this, so does he have to buy it himself?"
"But I always feel uncomfortable, it makes us look so greedy. I don't want to eat this."
"Fine, you don't eat it, I will. If you want to eat something, Mom will buy it for you. Did you notice? Lin Wanwan is pregnant again."
"Really?"
Wu Linlin couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Was Lin Wanwan a rabbit? Giving birth to litters one after another. This time, wouldn't it be twins again?
"If they have two more sons, Xie Sui's family will have six sons."
Uncle's wife said, "So, you must have a son this time too, otherwise you'll always be overshadowed by her. When your mother was young, she used to overshadow your aunt. She only had Xie Sui, her precious boy, after three daughters. Xie Sui was always getting into trouble and was unreliable. Xie Chen was always good at his studies and well-liked by his teachers. Every time she met me, she was on the defensive. Now, in old age, she's surpassed me. Xie Sui is successful, and his grandsons were born earlier and there are more of them. My reputation relies on you to bring it back for me. However, Xie Sui is just a private entrepreneur, how can he compare to our Xie Chen, who is a cadre? What's the point of having some money? In the future, our Xie Chen will bring honor to our ancestors."
Wu Linlin didn't want to speak anymore. This is an era of economic development. Plenty of money is no less than being a cadre. Xie Sui's friends include the county secretary and the county magistrate, and people from Hong Kong. Xie Chen couldn't compare.
"I'm tired, Mom, you go and cook."
"Okay, you go and rest. I'll stir-fry eggs for you."
Stir-fried eggs were already good food. Wu Linlin saw a pork leg and a rack of ribs in Xie Sui's kitchen. Their family ate meat every meal, and eggs were for the children.
She pursed her lips and went to rest. As she lay down, she suddenly remembered that inspections are strict now. If they returned at this time, were they trying to evade the authorities? It was very likely. Wu Linlin felt as if grass was growing in her heart, thinking they definitely had problems.
After lunch, Wu Linlin wanted to go back to her parents' home in the city. There was now a bus service in the village, sponsored by Xie Sui. It ran twice a day, going and returning, making trips to the county town more convenient.
Uncle's wife saw her off on the bus and chatted with the old women at the village entrance. They couldn't help but talk about Xie Sui's return. Everyone in the village was curious. Why did he come back when it wasn't a festival?
Uncle's wife really wanted to say that Lin Wanwan was pregnant, but she swallowed it back. The matter wasn't confirmed yet. If she said it, the old woman would scold her again. She was a mother-in-law and still got scolded, she had her pride.
Lin Wanwan woke up in the evening. She felt a bit better. She walked out of the room. The setting sun cast a layer of golden light in the courtyard. Xie Sui was teaching their son to walk. The chickens, ducks, and dogs in the courtyard were all filled with the vitality of life.
"Ma, ma..."
Little San saw Lin Wanwan and called out for his mom. He toddled towards her. Xie Sui quickly picked him up. "Wanwan, you're awake. Sit down before you hold the child."
"Be good, don't be naughty, or I won't let you hold Mommy anymore."
Xie Sui placed the child's feet facing outwards, so he wouldn't kick Lin Wanwan's stomach. A child's legs have a lot of strength, and a kick is no joke.
Little Six also wanted the baby. Lin Wanwan had a child on each leg, and she couldn't help but worry, "The children are still small. If two more are born, and they all come to their mother, what will I do? Just split me into four. Thinking about it makes my head hurt."
"I would never bear to. Don't worry, when the babies are born, these two older ones can go to nursery school. Send them to nursery school, and you can take care of the younger ones. If not, hire two more nannies. Why would you have to work so hard?"
"Hiring so many nannies will make people laugh at us for being rich and wasteful."
"I'm happy to. They're jealous. Let them talk, as long as my wife and children aren't wronged, right?"
"Baba."
Little San reached out for him and went to play with the big black dog.
Little Six followed. Lin Wanwan watched the children play with a smile. They didn't mind getting dirty, even naked, and soon turned into little mud monkeys.
"Director Xie, are you home?"
The bodyguard stared at the approaching person and stepped forward to block them. Xie Sui walked out. The group were all dressed as cadres, with fawning smiles. "Director Xie, we have something we'd like to understand. We are cadres from the town, in charge of family planning."
"Oh, what is it? Go ahead."
Xie Sui's eyes flickered slightly. They were also here for Wanwan. How did they get the news? This was quite strange.
"It's like this, we received a report that your wife is pregnant again. We're here to verify. Is it convenient for you?"
"It's not convenient. My wife is not feeling well and cannot receive guests. If you have any questions, ask Secretary Chen. Do you need me to give you his number?"
Upon hearing this, the men knew Xie Sui had already made arrangements. They weren't afraid of being investigated, nor did they dare to offend him. "No need, this is our job, a necessary procedure. Director Xie, please understand."
"I understand. However, you don't need to keep an eye on my house. If you have this much energy, put it elsewhere. I won't be inviting you in. Please take your leave."
He didn't even offer them a cup of tea. Xie Sui didn't ask who reported it; he would investigate this matter himself. Could it be the Yan family? They still hadn't given up and had followed him all the way back to his hometown? That shouldn't be the case. The Yan family didn't have the guts, and they knew this matter wouldn't become a handle against him. They shouldn't be this foolish.