Chef Hua
Chapter 589: Episode 314: Reluctant_2

Chapter 589: Episode 314: Reluctant_2

Hua Xiaomai made an appearance on the sixth day in the east village and inevitably exchanged a few earnest words with everyone before she stopped going to the shop.

Now her belly had indeed grown very large; she could hardly see her own feet when she lowered her head, and moving around was particularly laborious. She simply stayed home all day long, except occasionally going out for a walk with Old Madam Meng or waiting for Meng Yuhuai to come home in the evening to accompany her on a stroll; she basically never left the house.

After the 15th day of the first lunar month, the new year was considered over, and the villagers once again began their day-to-day hard labor.

Jing Taihe’s blacksmith shop in Fuzhe County was ready, planning to open during the first lunar month. Since Hua Xiaomai was not moble and could not personally go to the town, she had Meng Yuhuai go in her stead to congratulate him and also visited the old Jing Family home on the first night, wanting to talk more with her sister.

After all, since the couple had opened a blacksmith shop in town, they would have to settle there, and it wouldn’t be as easy for the sisters to see each other as before.

The items that Jing Taihe and his wife wanted to bring to the city had been packed up two days earlier. They borrowed an ox cart from Daoxiang Garden and would take everything to the city in one go the next morning. Even before they moved, the courtyard already seemed much emptier. Old Father Jing and Old Mother Jing sat on the threshold, mumbling softly about something unknown; seeing Hua Xiaomai approaching, they greeted her and moved aside.

After exchanging greetings with them, Hua Xiaomai chuckled and said as she entered the courtyard, "Uncle, Aunt, my sister isn’t busy at the moment, is she?"

"She’s not busy." Old Mother Jing looked up at the sky and muttered, "It’s good that you’re here, Xiaomai. Maybe you can help persuade your sister—she’s been clinging to that hammer all day and is probably still shedding tears in her room even now!"

As a mother, to separate from a child who’s only seven or eight months old, anyone would be reluctant. What Hua Xiaomai often saw was that her sister truly loved little Tie Chui to the marrow of her bones. Having to part suddenly, how could her heart stand it?

Although the child in her belly had not yet been born, Hua Xiaomai was already beginning to understand her sister’s feelings. She smiled at the elders and stepped into the east wing room.

In the room, both Jing Taihe and his wife were present. One stood somewhat helplessly by the table, seemingly speaking in a soft tone to comfort, while the other sat silently by the bed, tightly holding little Tie Chui in her arms, as if afraid the child would be taken away.

When Jing Taihe saw Hua Xiaomai, he seemed to see a savior, hurrying over and lowering his voice, "Little sister, you see... Please talk to your sister. It was all agreed upon, but now she just won’t budge—We’re going to the town to deal with the blacksmith shop, and we might be busy from dawn till dusk. It won’t be relaxed at all, and Tie Chui is still so small. How can it be good for him to follow us?"

"Brother-in-law, don’t worry." Hua Xiaomai pressed her lips together and gave him a reassuring smile, then walked over to her sister. She had just touched her shoulder when Hua Xiaomai’s sister flinched back as if scorched by fire.

"Why?" Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but be amused, "I’m not going to snatch your little Tie Chui away. Can’t I hold him?"

"Don’t make trouble!" Her sister glared at her fiercely, "You’ve got one of your own, soon enough you can hug him all you want!"

Not to push her sister, Hua Xiaomai plopped down beside her and cheerfully said, "What, are you regretting? Don’t want to leave Tie Chui to be cared for by Uncle and Aunt? Actually... it can be easily solved. Let brother-in-law alone go to the town to work, and you stay at home. That way, you won’t have to separate from little Tie Chui, right?"

"Don’t use words to choke me!" Her sister spat back sourly, "You know I can’t just ignore your brother-in-law. What’s the use of talking nonsense now? I’m just feeling... We can probably only come back once a month at most. The forgetfulness of small children is the greatest. If he no longer recognizes me after not seeing me for a while, how would I be able to bear it?"

"I know..." Hua Xiaomai patted her sister’s back, speaking softly.

"I’m not being unreasonable, and since we’ve agreed, I’ll follow through. Moreover, although my in-laws and I don’t get along, they do truly love little Tie Chui. I’m aware of that, I just can’t let go. What’s wrong with holding him a little longer? Tomorrow we head into town, and today they still want to fight me over this? They mentioned we should get up early tomorrow to avoid disturbing the child, nonsense!"

Her sister sobbed a few times as she spoke, nodding towards the doorway.

So that was the reason!

Honestly, Hua Xiaomai thought, Old Father Jing and Old Mother Jing meant well, but the current situation was probably hard for her sister to accept.

She reassured herself, softly persuaded her sister a bit more, then smiled at Jing Taihe, "Brother-in-law, don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Go and speak kindly to Uncle and Aunt. Let Tie Chui sleep with you tonight, and hand him over in the morning just the same. Everyone cherishes the child; there is no right or wrong. Given the special circumstances, please ask Uncle and Aunt to understand more."

Jing Taihe hastily agreed and hurried out of the room.

Since it was an awkward moment in their family, Hua Xiaomai felt it was inappropriate to stay long. After talking with her sister for a while and promising she would frequently visit Tie Chui, bring him goodies, and calming her sister down, she returned to the Meng family courtyard. As soon as she entered, she relayed the situation at the old Jing home to Old Madam Meng.

At that moment, Old Madam Meng was sitting in the courtyard making a pair of soft cotton shoes. Upon hearing this, she nodded, "It’s normal to be reluctant; every mother feels the same. They treat their children as their heart’s flesh. You don’t understand now, but once the child in your belly is born, you’ll naturally understand." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Just then, she remembered something. Seeing it was not too late, she put down her work and hurried out.

"I need to go alert Liu Wenpo in the village and ask her to clear her schedule at the beginning of the second month, to avoid the trouble of not finding her when it’s urgent!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit qidian.com to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)