Chapter 522: Chapter 522: Good News
When Wen Yi turned six months old, Ye Sang’s handcrafted kirin was completed.
The chubby kirin, lacking in majesty but full of charm, was utterly adorable to Yuan Chu and the others.
They all expressed their desire to Ye Sang.
However, there were too many children who wanted it, and there was only one kirin, making it inappropriate to give to any one child.
Most importantly, this was her first completed paper craft, and this little kirin had a special significance for her.
She couldn’t bear to send it away.
So, she gently negotiated with Yuan Chu and the others, "This aunt wants to keep it for herself. Can I make the next one for you?"
Yuan Chu and the others readily agreed.
They even started discussing with her what the next craft should be.
Yi Chichi didn’t join the discussion. Although they are children, it doesn’t mean they’re not sensible.
The children in the courtyard, due to the environment, don’t have the luxury to mess around, as the cost is too high for them to bear.
The fathers are very strict with their children. Any bad habits are disciplined out of them.
Ye Sang is not social and has a bit of social anxiety, but that doesn’t mean she’s not good at interacting with others; she has her own measure in dealings.
Therefore, she doesn’t need to worry about the future developments between both sides.
That day, Ye Sang routinely strolled to Yi Chichi’s house to do some crafts, and to play with the children.
Considering her large belly, it’s inconvenient for her to eat alone at home, so Wen’s mother had been having her over for meals for a while now, not eating for free.
Instead, she brought rice, flour, meat, and vegetables over, sort of like a different kind of partnership.
After lunch, Yi Chichi asked her, "Do you want to nap with Wen Yi?"
Ye Sang, feeling energetic, replied, "I’m not sleepy."
Saying this, she picked up scissors to cut the paper shells that had been glued and dried, but Yi Chichi swiftly stopped her.
"No need to rush, I’ll teach you a set of exercises to relax your body first."
"...Alright."
Though not very keen on moving and preferring to sit quietly, Ye Sang hesitated for two seconds and agreed.
Then, Yi Chichi began teaching her exercises in the courtyard.
Ji Jian and Madam Lei came home from work, saw them exercising in the courtyard, and entered with a smile to watch.
Watching for a while, Ji Jian remarked, "Xiao Ye, you haven’t been exercising much lately, have you?"
"I’ve been exercising."
Ye Sang felt her arms and legs growing sore from the exercises and was panting heavily, yet it didn’t deter her persistence.
While following Yi Chichi’s movements, she explained, "I take walks twice a day, morning and evening, and Aunt also encourages me to move around."
"Not enough exercise, your body is too sluggish."
Yi Chichi laughed, "With her big belly, can’t demand too much, as long as she’s moving, it’s fine."
This made sense too.
It’s not like the countryside where one has to work with a big belly; for Ye Sang now, staying healthy is the main fortune.
With this in mind, the two stopped talking about it, and went over to look at Wen Yi’s sleeping face in the mosquito-net-covered crib.
"This child is so well-raised."
Every time Madam Lei sees the child, she can’t help but sigh. Having lived so many years, she’d never seen such a good-looking baby.
So fair and chubby, simply delightful.
"Makes one want to take him home."
Ji Jian countered her, "You already have two kids, if anyone should take him, it should be me."
Wen’s mother was twining grass ropes, and hearing this, she reminded them without looking up, "I’m still nursing the child here, take my feelings into consideration."
"We can’t be blamed, it’s because you and Chichi are so good at raising kids. Our kids weren’t raised as well back then."
As they spoke, the two picked up dry grass from the ground to help twine the ropes.
While chatting about other topics.
"There’s mail and packages being delivered today."
Wen’s mother paused in her work, and Yi Chichi also looked over.
"Is there any being received at the delivery room?"
Yi Chichi asked, calculating that her grandfather’s letters and packages should be arriving soon.
Madam Lei responded, "The post office brought a truckload of packages and letters over, Xiao Ning and the others are signing and checking them, and should be delivered to the recipients within a day or two."
She looked expectant, "I wonder if there are any letters or packages for us."
One has to wait to find out if they receive any.
In the evening, packages and letters arrived. Not only did Yi Chichi’s family receive them, but the two neighboring households also did.
Compared to the neighbors, the number of packages and letters received by Yi Chichi’s family was disproportionately high.
They were sent by Grandpa in Beijing, Uncle Yaozi and Captain from Kao Shan Village, and Wang Nan and the others.
There were over a dozen packages and only four letters in total.
She first opened the letter from Wang Nan and Bai Chen to read it, sighing as she went through it.
Wen’s mother was opening a package and noticed her sigh, asking, "What’s wrong?"
"Yang Yang’s meningitis treatment is nearly complete, but there are aftereffects."
This wasn’t good news, and Wen’s mother, who had held and helped care for Bai Yang before, felt a bond with the child.
Her mood became heavy upon hearing this.
"What are the aftereffects? Can they be cured?"
"Motor dysfunction, mainly manifesting as myoclonus."
A question arose in Wen’s mother’s eyes, "What is myoclonus?"
Yi Chichi explained in detail what myoclonus was in simple terms, making it easy for Wen’s mother to understand, "Can it be cured?"
"It can be treated with medication."
Whether it can be cured is uncertain, specific details depend on the doctors.
Wen’s mother sighed in relief, "As long as it can be treated."
At least there’s hope, "Do they have money to treat the child?"
"Yes."
Yi Chichi nodded, "Bai Chen has a talent for languages and has started taking translation jobs with guidance from his teacher, earning quite well. Nannan also sold her imperial jade."
She pulled out a money order, "All the money has been repaid."
Wen’s mother was surprised, "Why did they repay the money so quickly? They’ll need plenty of money for the child’s ongoing treatment."
"It’s uncomfortable owing debts."
Yi Chichi understood Wang Nan’s eagerness to repay the debt. This couple wasn’t one to enjoy owing debts, previously they had no choice but to ask for help.
Now, with the jade sold and their finances more stable, repaying the money became their priority.
"We’ll monitor the situation further, I’ll send them a response letter tonight."
There wasn’t much more they could do.
Wen’s mother, staying silent, focused on opening her packages.
Yi Chichi then folded Wang Nan’s letter, placed it back in the envelope, and moved on to Uncle Yaozi’s letter, which brought unexpected joy, "Mom, there’s good news."
"What good news?"
"Aunt Mu is pregnant."
"Pregnancy is good, pregnancy..."
Wen’s mother, absorbed in opening a package, instinctively responded, stopping halfway as she processed the significance of what she’d heard.
"What did you say?"
She raised her head to look at Yi Chichi, a face full of shock, "Your Aunt Mu is pregnant?"
"Yes."
Yi Chichi nodded, handing over the letter, "If you don’t believe me, check it yourself."
Wen’s mother took the letter and quickly perused it, good heavens, it was indeed true.
"It is indeed a joyful event."
Her face blossomed into a smile, genuinely feeling happy for Uncle Yaozi and Aunt Mu.
