Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 294: Holding Favor

Chapter 294: Chapter 294: Holding Favor

Erxi’s eyes widened, "You still have a job?"

Yixiang nodded and said, "I have a job as a teacher, but my sister-in-law is what’s really important. It’s her first pregnancy and she has no elders around to watch over her. My mother is extremely worried. I’ve copied down all the precautions numerous times, I can even recite them now. I’m here just to take care of my sister-in-law and help her prepare."

Erxi sighed again, "So PeiMin is really lucky, isn’t she?"

"That’s true."

"It’s obvious that PeiMin is likable. Your parents are so pleased with her. Did she and your brother have an arranged marriage?" Erxi thought that during the match-making process, everything about the girl’s side would have been thoroughly checked before allowing a marriage proposal to proceed, which would definitely make the family more satisfied than a love match.

"It’s somewhat like that, mainly because my brother is very fond of her."

Erxi glanced at Yixiang and realized she meant it wasn’t through a matchmaking arrangement. He couldn’t help but laugh and said, "We’ve been interacting with PeiMin for half a year now. She’s gentle and polite, really likable. It’s no wonder your family likes her so much."

Speaking of which, Yixiang had to admit, she found her sister-in-law less annoying than before. Although still a bit pampered, her tolerance seemed to have grown; she wasn’t so easily bothered anymore.

She had come here primarily not to worry her mother, secondly out of consideration for her sister-in-law’s condition and thirdly to showcase a bit of military life. However, after spending these days alone with her sister-in-law, she realized how clear-cut her sister-in-law was: nice to those who were nice to her.

She knew that her sister-in-law wasn’t particularly fond of her before, but tolerated her because of her brother. Now, obeying an order from Chen Guizhi, her sister-in-law seemed particularly grateful and had become affectionate towards her. Though Yixiang didn’t care much for that bit of affection, having someone grateful and appreciative was certainly comforting and seemed quite alright.

Her sister-in-law’s gentle nature was only on the surface, Yixiang thought to herself. That politeness and grace she exhibited was exactly what she meant. When angered, her sister-in-law didn’t even spare her own husband from her scolding. Her mother always praised her sister-in-law’s filial piety. Sometimes even her own daughters didn’t compare. Well, looking at it, she guessed it passed muster.

When it came to housework, her sister-in-law wasn’t great, but at least she was willing to do it. That was enough for Yixiang not to be too picky. Overall, she considered her sister-in-law acceptable.

So at that moment, facing Erxi, she just nodded, "Indeed, her family is quite satisfied too, knowing how well our family treats their daughter. My sister-in-law was cherished and pampered at her parents’ home. Everyone in her family indulged her. Her mother would have loved to keep her in her mouth and never have her lift a finger. She only needed to think of eating a few eggs or buying some fancy hair ties..." And as she spoke, even she began to feel envious. The ideal for a woman was not just to be a princess at home but also to remain a princess after marriage.

All that was left on Erxi’s face was envy.

Then the car arrived, and the two of them ended their conversation and hurriedly got into the vehicle.

As for Yang PeiMin, since the school was aware of her situation, she had no stress requesting leave.

She still felt a faint pain in her lower abdomen, couldn’t move about carelessly or get out of bed, as there was always a risk of miscarriage. She had to take daily injections to stabilize the pregnancy and eat various nutritious, easy-to-digest foods. Under these circumstances, she needed to rest for at least a month. Whether she could go home to rest was yet to be seen, but for now, she definitely needed to stay in the hospital.

Shen Yiguang had taken a few days off to care for her. With him there, Yang PeiMin was incredibly spoiled and capricious, constantly demanding various things: his hands had to be washed three times before feeding her, the speed of feeding had to be just right, he wasn’t allowed to watch her while she ate, and when peeling apples, he must not break the peeling... She didn’t know if others felt this way during pregnancy, but she felt a deep imbalance. Women bear the children, give birth, suffer discomfort, and then she especially couldn’t stand the child’s father, always wanting to trouble him so that he could understand and appreciate her own greatness...

But Shen Yixiang could no longer bear to watch. However, before she even had a chance to speak, Shen Yiguang had already sent his sister away, instructing her to go back and make soup and cook, and then he closed the door to continue pampering his beloved wife.

He had been busy for two days, and when Xiao Xu arrived, bringing nutritional supplements, it was not only to see her but also to notify Shen Yiguang that he needed to return.

With various matters at the military base, Shen Yiguang had no choice but to go back, "You must listen, eat well, and rest well. I’ll come to see you right after training."

Yang Peimin blinked her eyes and didn’t answer.

Shen Yiguang sighed helplessly, bent down to kiss her lips, and whispered with a chuckle, "Now you look just like our son—wait for me to come home from work obediently, and I’ll bring you something tasty."

"My son looks like us?" Yang Peimin glanced at him sideways.

Shen Yiguang gently nudged her nose, "Isn’t he just like his mother? Alright, I have to leave now. I’ll have Yixiang handle everything else. Son, daddy’s going to work, you too must behave and not disturb mommy, understand?" Finally, he gently stroked her belly through the blanket.

Yang Peimin felt a particular softness in her heart at that moment, so she nodded her head and let him go generously.

The atmosphere in the school during the examinations was as tense as the weather, growing stricter by the day.

It was tough for Li Yue who ran through the snowy days for Yang Peimin every day.

That day after school, when Li Yue came over, it was snowing outside. Although she brushed off the snowflakes before entering, Yang Peimin noticed her wet hair and immediately felt sorry for her, "Why didn’t you wear a hat? Didn’t think to bring an umbrella? Aren’t you freezing? Come sit down, here’s a hot water bottle to warm your hands. Maybe you could save up a few days and then come over; how can your body take this?"

Li Yue sat down, took the water and the hot water bottle that Shen Yixiang had poured, and said without care, "What’s the harm in that? Walking in the cold is good exercise. If I wait a few days, I’d probably forget."

Yang Peimin shook her head, "I feel sorry for you."

Li Yue laughed heartily, "Then you better recover quickly and treat me to a meal out afterward."

"I can treat you right now; I’ll let my sister take you. You won’t have the same thing twice, just come with an empty stomach."

"Really?"

"Of course, go ahead. It’s my own earned money, I can spend it confidently, you don’t have to save for me."

"Then I shall not decline." Li Yue had no other hobbies but loved to eat. Having suffered during her childhood, she found hunger to be the most painful thing in the world. She didn’t act politely with Yang Peimin, knowing this classmate well enough that she was genuinely generous and insisting on politeness would only annoy her. Additionally, her own straightforward nature disliked beating around the bush.