Try to think about it: when He Xuezhu was struggling with her pregnancy, her mother-in-law was fond of another woman, who had likely been romantically involved with her husband. If something were to happen to the child in her womb…
Miao Xing stood by the door with a basin in her hands, slowly raising the corners of her lips.
Li Chunhua looked at the plucked chicken and stood up in satisfaction. Just as she straightened her back, she noticed a woman standing in front of a small house across from her.
Standing there for so long in such cold weather, wearing so little, it was amazing she wasn’t shaking from the cold; instead, she was smiling.
What’s wrong with her head?
Li Chunhua couldn’t help but think of the village madwoman and quickly pierced the chicken with chopsticks. She needed to tell Xuezhu to stay away from such people, lest she scare the baby.
***
The next morning, Lin Shiheng placed his wallet in his mother’s hands and began to remind her.
“Mom, keep the money safe. Xuezhu knows the way, she can manage, and she knows the army’s phone number. There’s a phone booth by the roadside; if anything happens, just give me a call.”
“And if you see women wearing makeup on the road, don’t get too close. I’ve heard that some cosmetics can harm a baby if a pregnant woman inhales them—though I’m not sure if that’s true. It’s better to be cautious.”
“Also, don’t always focus on buying for Xuezhu and me; you should buy something for yourself too. It’s been so long since you bought new clothes for yourself. I have money; I’m not worried about you spending it. Mom, don’t save for me.”
His tone carried a hint of complaint, but Li Chunhua wasn’t at all upset.
Her son was caring about her!
See? He told her not to buy for Xuezhu but to buy for herself instead.
She felt like she was about to burst with joy inside, yet Li Chunhua kept a stern face: “What are you saying! You’re not even thinking about your wife!”
“Xuezhu is already uncomfortable being pregnant; what’s so wrong about buying her some new clothes? I enjoy buying new clothes for Xuezhu!”
He Xuezhu, who had just finished tidying up and was coming out of the house, heard this and felt touched instantly.
How could her mother-in-law be so good?
As soon as Li Chunhua caught the affectionate look from her daughter-in-law, she straightened her back even more.
Lin Shiheng smiled helplessly, “Xuezhu has new clothes; recently her belly got big, and she couldn’t wear her old ones, so I just bought her some.”
“So what if you just bought them? Xuezhu is so young; she should wear pretty clothes more often.” Li Chunhua dismissed this idea. The house was small, and even the wardrobe was tiny — how many clothes could fit in that little wardrobe?
“Just listen to Mom.”
Lin Shiheng said as he turned to look at his wife: “Did you hear that? Mom also insists you get new clothes. Next time I’ll take you to the mall; please don’t say you don’t want this and don’t want that.”
“Mom, I’m leaving now. Remember to buy yourself a few outfits, too.”
Li Chunhua felt a sense of comfort inside but pretended to be annoyed as she waved her hands: “I know, I know. Go and be busy.”
Really, how could her son be so filial!
She turned around happily, her mood excellent as she linked her arm with her daughter-in-law: “Xuezhu, let’s go.”
“Today, Mom will buy you some nice outfits…”
Just then, the opposite house suddenly opened, and Miao Xing, dressed beautifully with light makeup, came out, waving towards them: “Xuezhu!”
He Xuezhu turned in confusion, watching Miao Xing approach with a smile, and then turned to Li Chunhua with a grin: “This is Team Leader Lin’s mother. Hello, Auntie, I’m Miao Xing, I live in the house across from yours.”
She looked beautiful, her smile kind, and her demeanor friendly — enough to garner some goodwill from a rural woman.
However, Li Chunhua hadn’t forgotten about what she saw last night and her suspicion that this person wasn’t quite right in the head.
Feeling wary, she nearly wanted to pull her daughter-in-law away, still managing a smile on her face: “Hello, hello.”
“Anyway, I’m taking Xuezhu to the mall to buy clothes.”
Miao Xing’s surprise grew deeper: “Perfect, I need to go, too. Shall we go together?”
Li Chunhua’s eyebrows twitched imperceptibly as she turned to look at her daughter-in-law, only to see her face full of confusion, clearly unfamiliar with someone named Miao Xing.
She couldn’t understand why a stranger was trying to join them to have a good time chatting!
Miao Xing, oblivious to the reluctance in the older woman’s eyes, counted on the insecurity inherent in women from rural backgrounds.
Even if they were unhappy inside, they wouldn’t dare refuse her.
Sure enough, Li Chunhua hesitated for a few seconds and finally said: “Well, if that’s the case, let’s…”
As she spoke, her actions suddenly halted. “What is that red stuff on your lips?”
“Oh, it’s lipstick.”
Miao Xing smiled warmly: “This is makeup. Auntie, if you like it, I’ll buy you a set at the mall later.”
What should have been a conversational bridge instead made Li Chunhua pull her daughter-in-law back a significant step.
Her son had said that cosmetics were harmful to the baby in a pregnant woman’s belly!
“No, no! I suddenly remembered something private; we won’t be going together.”
“Um, Miao Yue, just go shopping by yourself. What a coincidence, right? Xuezhu, come on, let’s go!”
Li Chunhua hastily pulled her daughter-in-law to retreat, appearing as if she was avoiding trouble.
Miao Xing stood there, her smile frozen on her face.
My name is Miao Xing!