Chapter 90
Ever since Ye Qingzhi had said she might be pregnant, He Qiming hadn’t let her do any work. He got food from the canteen, and he would wash the clothes when he came back. She just had to eat well and drink well. When she had nothing to do, she would crack melon seeds on the heated brick bed and read a book.
When Yang Xiaorou and Gu Yao came to find Ye Qingzhi, they both felt that her life was very comfortable.
“What’s been going on with you recently? You look like you can’t wake up. You’re not pregnant, are you?” Gu Yao asked bluntly.
Ye Qingzhi yawned again. “That’s what I suspect.”
“Are you really pregnant? How long has it been since your period?” Yang Xiaorou asked quickly.
“Almost ten days. I’ll go to the hospital for a check-up in a few more days if it still doesn’t come,” Ye Qingzhi said, so sleepy she couldn’t keep her eyes open.
“It’s been almost ten days since your period, and you’re so sleepy. I think you’re definitely pregnant. Alright, you should get some rest. We won’t disturb you,” Yang Xiaorou and the other woman said, getting up to leave.
On the way back, Gu Yao said happily, “I was worried for Qingzhi before. I didn’t expect her to get pregnant so soon.”
“What’s there to worry about? They don’t lack children. But what about you? You’re not planning to have another one?” Yang Xiaorou asked with a smile.
“I have a son and a daughter, a perfect pair. You’ve only had one. You’re not having one yourself, so why are you rushing me?” Gu Yao retorted.
Yang Xiaorou was silent. Recently, seeing them have one after another, to be honest, she also wanted to have another one.
After the Lantern Festival, He Qiming took Ye Qingzhi to the hospital for a check-up. After confirming that she was pregnant, they went to find Old Hu’s parents and confirmed that both she and the child were fine. Only then did the two of them go home happily.
“Are you pregnant?” Gu Yao and Yang Xiaorou knew that she was going to the hospital for a check-up today and had been waiting at her house early.
“I am,” Ye Qingzhi nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile.
“I told you you must be pregnant,” Yang Xiaorou said, looking Ye Qingzhi up and down. “Are you feeling uncomfortable in any way?”
“I’m fine. I can eat and sleep. No, wait, I’m sleeping too much. I just feel very sleepy now,” Ye Qingzhi said with a yawn.
“Then you should go and sleep. We’ll come and see you again later,” Yang Xiaorou said, seeing that Ye Qingzhi was very sleepy, and quickly left with Gu Yao.
Ye Qingzhi took off her clothes and got into the quilt. The heated brick bed was warm, and she fell asleep in no time.
When she woke up again, it was already noon. He Qiming had come back with food. Ye Qingzhi wanted to get up, but He Qiming didn’t let her. He set up a small table on the heated brick bed and had her eat directly on it.
“Mama, are you also going to have a baby? Just like Little Aunt?” Yangyang asked, leaning against Ye Qingzhi.
“Yes. Does Yangyang think it’s a little brother or a little sister?” Ye Qingzhi asked with a smile.
“A little brother,” Yangyang said loudly.
The smile on Ye Qingzhi’s face stiffened a little. “A little brother? Are you sure?”
Yangyang stole a glance at Ye Qingzhi, not understanding why his mother was not happy when he said “little brother.” Clearly, the other aunties who were having a baby would be very happy whenever he said “little brother.”
“I was wrong. It’s a little sister,” Yangyang said, raising his small hand.
Ye Qingzhi pinched Yangyang’s small cheek with a laugh. “It’s fine. Whether it’s a little brother or a little sister, Mama will love it. Does Yangyang like it?”
“I do. I’m finally going to be a big brother,” Yangyang said excitedly.
Of course, Ye Qingzhi preferred a daughter, but if it was a son, she would still dote on him.
In the afternoon, Yang Xiaorou and Gu Yao came to find Ye Qingzhi again. Seeing that she was in good spirits, especially her rosy complexion, they all guessed that she was carrying a daughter.
“When I was pregnant with Xiaoxiao, my skin was particularly good,” Gu Yao said with certainty.
Yang Xiaorou nodded. “It would be good if it’s a daughter. I want a little daughter.”
Never mind that there were already four smelly boys at home. Even if there weren’t, Ye Qingzhi also wanted a little daughter, to make all kinds of pretty little dresses for her and to tie all kinds of cute braids.
“I know you want a little daughter. You’ll definitely get your wish,” Gu Yao said with a light laugh.
Staying on the heated brick bed for too long could easily cause internal heat. Ye Qingzhi put on her leather coat and went with Gu Yao and the others to light a fire. They also roasted some potatoes and sweet potatoes, chatted, and the winter passed just like that.
As the weather gradually warmed up, Ye Qingzhi’s belly also slowly grew bigger. But Ye Qingzhi controlled her diet and did not eat excessively, so her belly was not particularly big. And besides her belly, she had not gained much weight anywhere else.
“Qingzhi, you’re getting more and more beautiful. It seems the one in your belly is a daughter,” Li Jinfeng said. It was a rare day off for her, so she had come to see Ye Qingzhi.
“I think so too,” Ye Qingzhi said with a chuckle, stroking her belly. “I heard that Zhang Xuewen’s wife is pregnant?”
“Yes. You don’t know, Zhang Xuewen is so careful. He even holds her carefully when they walk two steps in the yard, afraid that she will fall. Sigh, he used to be so disgusted with Liu Yuqin. The contrast is really obvious,” she said. At the mention of Zhang Xuewen, she couldn’t help but think of Liu Yuqin.
“They were childhood sweethearts to begin with. Of course their relationship is good,” Ye Qingzhi said. She also thought of Liu Yuqin. “I wonder how the daughter she gave birth to is doing. To be born so prematurely, it must not be easy to raise her.”
“I’m not sure. It’s not easy to inquire about this matter,” Li Jinfeng said, shaking her head. “I’m planning to go back to my hometown at the end of the month. I haven’t been back for several years. I don’t know how my eldest and second are doing now. And my parents, I also have to see them. Is there anything you want me to bring? I’ll bring it back for you when I come back.”
Li Jinfeng’s hometown was by the sea. Ye Qingzhi wanted kelp and seaweed. As for other seafood, it was not easy to bring even if she wanted to eat it.
“Alright, I know,” Li Jinfeng said. She knew that Ye Qingzhi loved to eat seafood. She would bring her some dried shrimp and dried squid later.
With nothing to do, Ye Qingzhi made small clothes and knitted sweaters for the child. The four older children also needed clothes. They were at a growing age, and most of last year’s clothes could not be worn.
But they were of different ages. What He Jingyan couldn’t wear was just right for Ye Anmin. Ye Anmin’s was for Ye Anjie, and Ye Anjie’s could be altered a little for Yangyang to wear.
At this time, there was no such thing as being picky. The younger ones would always wear what the older ones had outgrown. But Ye Qingzhi would also make them new clothes. They couldn’t always wear old ones.
“Wife, Junjie just called. Little Lan has given birth, a big fat boy of six catties and seven liang,” He Qiming said happily.
“She’s given birth? Oh my, Gu Yao and the others were just saying that Little Lan was due these few days. It turns out she gave birth today. I’ll go and pack some things to send to Little Lan,” Ye Qingzhi said, getting up happily.
“Slow down,” He Qiming said, holding Ye Qingzhi with a look of alarm. “I’ve asked. Junjie’s mother is in Yunnan taking care of Little Lan. She’s been there for four or five days.”
Ye Qinglan had told Ye Qingzhi about this in a letter. She had not expected that Little Lan’s mother-in-law had already gone.
“That’s rare, to go all that way to take care of Little Lan and the child,” Ye Qingzhi said, taking out two cans of milk powder and two catties of yarn. She packed them carefully and would send them to Little Lan tomorrow.
“It is quite a feat. I heard she’s not very good with cars,” He Qiming said, pouring Ye Qingzhi a glass of warm water. “When you give birth, I’m afraid my mother won’t be able to come.”
Ye Qingzhi shot him a look. She wouldn’t be happy if Yang Fuzhen came. It was just a month. She would ask Gu Yao and the others for help. It would definitely be no problem.
“I don’t need her. I’ve already told Gu Yao and Yang Xiaorou. I’ll also ask them for help during my confinement.”
“Alright. I’ll try to make time to take care of you and the child,” He Qiming said, gently stroking Ye Qingzhi’s belly. He was suddenly kicked. He looked at Ye Qingzhi with excitement. “The child just kicked me.”
“It’s not your first time being a father. Why are you so surprised?” Ye Qingzhi asked with a laugh.
“I was back at the base at that time. I didn’t even know Xu Baoli was pregnant. By the time I went back again, Yangyang had already been born,” he said. At that time, his missions were heavy, and he really couldn’t go back. In this sense, he had indeed wronged Xu Baoli.
Therefore, after Xu Baoli had run off with someone, He Qiming had not pursued the matter.
“Hey, it moved, it moved! You should feel it again,” Ye Qingzhi said with a very bright smile.