Chapter 523: Chapter 523: High Risk
But after the joy came the worry.
"Your Aunt Mu’s health..."
She couldn’t continue. Yi Chichi fell silent with her. Mu Da was nearly fifty, even in this era, let alone in the medically advanced future, she would certainly be considered an older pregnant woman.
High risk.
Moreover, Mu Da had been injured on the battlefield before, which increased the risk even more.
Thinking of this, Yi Chichi could only comfort Wen’s mother, "Uncle Yaozi and Aunt Mu are both doctors, they’re sure to have ways to take care of their health."
Wen’s mother found this reasonable but was still uneasy. However, worrying was of no use, and there was no way to persuade them otherwise.
If the couple had any other children, she might have tried to persuade them. But neither had living relatives, and this baby was their bloodline’s continuation.
It was impossible to suggest not having the child.
So she could only say to Yi Chichi, "Why don’t you prepare more bird’s nest for your Aunt Mu?"
"Sure, I’ll go to the village to buy some bird’s nest tomorrow."
She nodded, "Send some seafood over, there’s no need for anything else. Aunt Mu is as good as I am at taking care of herself."
Wen’s mother made a sound of agreement, "As you see fit."
So, Yi Chichi continued to open the letters from her grandpa and the others.
As with previous letters, her grandpa routinely reported on their daily life in Beijing, then asked if she and the child were well, and if Wen Shi was treating her well.
He then told her that Qin Jiu would be coming to spend the summer and that he would send a telegram when they were departing, so she could pick him up.
She would need to send him back before the end of summer vacation, and it would be best if she and the child went with Wen’s mother to live in Beijing for two months to keep him company.
He even feigned pity, saying he didn’t have much time left, so they should try to see each other as much as possible while he was still alive.
Mr. Song and the others also missed her and wanted to see the child as well.
He stressed at the end that they absolutely must visit, and if it weren’t for their busy schedules preventing it, they would have already come to the island to see the child.
Yi Chichi couldn’t help but laugh and cry, "Mom, Qin Jiu is coming over for the summer."
"Let him come, he can help take care of his brother, the two of them can bond."
Before she even finished speaking, she added a question, "When is Xiao Jiu coming?"
"I don’t know yet. Grandpa said he’ll send a telegram before they set off, and I’ll meet them at the station."
Wen’s mother’s eyes suddenly widened, "Is Xiao Jiu coming alone?"
Yi Chichi looked over, "I don’t know."
Grandpa didn’t mention it in the letter, only saying that Qin Jiu was coming to spend the summer and see his brother.
"Call your grandpa tomorrow and ask, we can’t let the child come alone. If something happens on the long journey, it would be unbearable."
That’s true.
"I’ll ask tomorrow."
After finishing all the letters, Yi Chichi took out pen and paper to write a reply when Wen Yi woke up.
He didn’t cry; he just sat up in his crib, clapping his little hands on the railing, cooing to remind his mom that he was awake.
Hearing the noise, Yi Chichi went to pick him up, "Baby, you’re awake."
Wen Yi let out a sound, and Yi Chichi cheerfully nuzzled his chubby little cheek, "Mommy will take you to potty."
The weather was hot now, and a diaper couldn’t hold it all, plus Wen Yi was over six months old and could be trained to pee.
After taking him to the bathroom and then feeding him his meal, she carried him to Wen’s mother, just as she was unpacking six cans of powdered milk from a package. Suddenly, her head throbbed, "Why are they sending milk powder again?"
Wen’s mother looked at the packaging, "Imported goods, still baby formula, let Wen Yi drink it."
The in-laws were really considerate, always thinking of her little Yi.
This kindness had to be remembered.
Whether the child understood or not, Wen’s mother kept talking to Wen Yi, telling him how his great-grandpa and the others always thought of him, sending him food, toys, and clothes, and saying he should be filial to them when he grows up.
Wen Yi was a very cooperative little one. Whether or not he understood Grandma’s words, he would respond with cooing and babbling, providing support where needed.
As Yi Chichi watched her mother and son chattering like a chicken talking to a duck, laughter filled her eyes.
Just then—
"Xiao Yi."
"Hey!"
Madam Lei’s voice suddenly came, and Yi Chichi, holding the baby, went out to see her coming over with two glass jars, "Our family sent over more than ten jars of rice wine, so I’m giving you two."
"Save some for Old Lei."
"We have some saved."
It was hard to refuse, and luckily Uncle Yaozi and the others had sent over plenty of dried goods, so when Wen’s mother accepted the rice wine, she gave some dried mushrooms and pine nuts in return.
Madam Lei didn’t refuse, taking them and leaving.
Mutual courtesy was nothing more than a give-and-take; in times like these, it’s better to accept, as being overly polite could affect the relationship with neighbors.
Ji Jian’s family also wasn’t forgotten; Madam Lei received rice wine, and Yi Chichi provided dried mushrooms and pine nuts.
Then Ji Jian brought over some dried fiddleheads and pickled bamboo shoots.
Yi Chichi liked pickled bamboo shoots, and that evening, Wen’s mother made a fish soup with them that was so appetizing and delicious, Yi Chichi couldn’t get enough.
As Wen Yi watched, he felt tempted and babbled for some.
However, he had his own baby food, a vegetable and fruit puree that Wen’s mother made to supplement his vitamins.
This little one was easily satisfied; once some baby food was spooned into his mouth, his interest in mom’s fish soup with pickled bamboo shoots vanished.
While feeding the baby, Wen’s mother watched Yi Chichi eat.
Seeing how much she liked the fish soup with bamboo shoots, she said with a smile, "You never said you loved this stuff before."
"I never had it before."
In the Northeast, not to mention bamboo shoots, you rarely even see bamboo. Basketry is mostly made from vines and straw; bamboo weaving is almost unseen.
The few you see came from other regions.
There’s bamboo on the island, but in the area where they’re located, the bamboo is very slender, and the shoots are thin as well.
Upon harvesting, they stir-fry it directly with meat, never pickling it; they eat it fresh.
Wen’s mother made a sound of understanding, "When shoots start growing next year, I’ll pick some for you to pickle."
Yi Chichi lifted her head from the bowl, "Mom, do you know how to pickle bamboo shoots?"
"No."
Wen’s mother confidently said, "But that’s alright, Madam Ji knows how to make them. I’ll just ask her."
That’s also a solution.
She responded, then quickly finished what was in her bowl, and took over the bowl and spoon from Wen’s mother, "Mom, you go ahead and eat, I’ll feed Yi Yi."
"Alright."
Wen Yi had a good appetite, a strong eater.
Never missing a meal, and eating as much baby food as given. When he first started with solids, Wen’s mother was cautious not to overfeed him, making small portions.
But once this little guy experienced new flavors, he discovered a whole new world, and the portions became too small, not satisfying him. After finishing, he’d still keep his mouth open, babbling for more.
When refused, he’d cry.
Cry non-stop, and not even milk could calm him.
In the end, Wen’s mother had to experimentally increase the portion little by little.
And now he was eating nearly half a bowl.
After feeding him the last spoonful of vegetable and fruit puree, Yi Chichi said, "All done, your extra meal is over for today."
She even showed the bowl to Wen Yi to prove she wasn’t lying.
Wen Yi pursed his lips and, clutching the bowl, cooed as if asking for more.
"No more, or your tummy will hurt."
Yi Chichi touched his little frog belly, "Look, your tummy is so full already. How about we go outside and watch the birds?"
