Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 305 Discussion

Chapter 305: Chapter 305 Discussion

Yang PeiMin thought about it, and realized that for some time she had been eating pickles that tasted like Luo Dahua’s handiwork.

Her taste buds had become really weird lately: she craved spicy foods for a while, and then sour, giving Shen Yixiang a headache since she was the one cooking.

Later, during her downtime, she even murmured to Yang PeiMin about the issue of having a boy or a girl, "Sister-in-law, it’s really hard to tell with you. It would be great if you had twins, one boy and one girl."

Yang PeiMin chuckled, "Twins, huh? That would be such a blessing. Anyway, it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s a boy or a girl; I just hope they’re healthy."

Shen Yixiang nodded vigorously, "Right, as long as it’s healthy, that’s what matters."

Yang PeiMin: "..."

Luo Dahua came over with a net bag of eggs, "We don’t have much to offer at home, so I brought some eggs over to help you nourish your body."

Yang PeiMin shook her head, "No need to be so formal, our families are not strangers. We don’t stand on ceremony. We’re not short of eggs at home. Did you not know my mother-in-law had my sister-in-law bring over fifty or sixty eggs? We’re still eating those. You should take them back and let Ziming and the others have them to grow taller."

Luo Dahua insisted on leaving a few anyway.

She then told Yang PeiMin about her plans to return home, "I recently took leave, so I’ll be staying with the unit this year and won’t be going back."

Yang PeiMin understood, but noticed that Luo Dahua seemed quite happy about it, which puzzled her.

Luo Dahua explained, "Going back home for the new year is another expense. Even if my nephews don’t express anything, I still have to give extra to the elders. Despite sending money home every month, visiting relatives and such costs more. Before that one trip when my relation was seriously ill, we did want to go back, despite the expenses. I wanted to see my mother, and the child is grown so they should recognize people. But after that trip, when those who needed to be seen were seen, and those who needed to recognize had recognized, and the money was gone, there really wasn’t any need to go back."

"I’ll tell you, my Mr. Lu doesn’t think the same as I do. If the military would grant leave, he’d definitely go back."

Yang PeiMin laughed, "Of course, his sense of responsibility is strong. Being away from home for so many years, it’s natural to think about the family."

Then the conversation shifted back to her pregnancy. Luo Dahua, with a gossip-hungry tone, asked, "Your belly’s all covered up in clothes, can’t make it out. Tell me, what shape is it? What’s your appetite like? Let me guess if it’s a boy or a girl."

Yang PeiMin expressed skepticism, "Who can say for sure?"

"There’s no certainty, but there’s a ninety percent chance. I’ve carried both a boy and a girl. I don’t need to listen to others; I can tell on my own," Luo Dahua said confidently.

Yang PeiMin just shook her head, "Let’s not guess. It’s unnecessary trouble. You don’t know my husband; he’s only prepared boys’ names. If you guess it’s a boy, he’ll become even more arrogantly confident. If it’s a girl, he might still try to brainwash me. So, let’s just drop it."

Luo Dahua’s eyes widened with concern, "Oh no, how do we deal with this? Nobody can guarantee you’ll conceive a son. I mean, if—if you have a girl, he wouldn’t get angry, right?"

"He wouldn’t dare!"

If he dared, she wouldn’t be in the mood to have another child for him.

However, she knew that he too was only hoping; it was just certain ideas that mattered to him.

Luo Dahua hesitated to speak.

Yang PeiMin knew what she wanted to say and couldn’t help but laugh, "Sister-in-law, you don’t need to worry. Aren’t all men like that, thinking it’s so impressive to have a boy?" She said as a look of contempt appeared on her face.

Luo Dahua slapped her thigh and laughed, "You’re absolutely right. I wasn’t like that back then, always fussing about having sons, even for the two younger ones. But even if I had a girl, he’d be just as happy. They’re all our own kids, what’s there to be dissatisfied about?"

Yang PeiMin nodded.

After they moved on from the topic of having boys or girls, Yang PeiMin started discussing inviting guests with her, "I’ve been following the military for nearly a year now, and I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Due to various reasons, it hasn’t happened, but I just want to invite a few close comrades over for a meal. Yixiang happens to be here as well, and she can lend a hand. My health has also stabilized, but I’ve never arranged something like this. I wanted to ask your opinion, and if you’re free to come over and help with the cooking, that would be even better."

Luo Dahua nodded with a smile, looking more and more delighted, "Of course, I was actually going to suggest it to you. Not to mention anything else, your husband is a battalion commander. As his wife, it’s only right for you to do this. Otherwise, how can you build a rapport with the rest? Let’s pick a date for this event, also to celebrate your pregnancy. As for whom to invite, you and your husband can decide. I’ll come up with some dish ideas, and then I’ll come over and show off some of my cooking."

Afterward, more people came to visit her, so their conversation came to a halt.

Apparently, the news of her pregnancy had spread throughout the compound.

It seemed like everyone was concerned about her belly.

Some even brought up how she previously helped Luo Dahua take care of her children, "Oh my, that method really works! Sister-in-law, you should really thank Lu Family’s Sister-in-law. Thanks to her two girls, you got lucky, didn’t you? You’re about three months along now, right? It matches up perfectly with the timeline."

Luo Dahua hurriedly said, "What are you talking about? PeiMin hasn’t been married that long? They’re both young and healthy; getting pregnant was bound to happen sooner or later. She kindly helped me look after my children, and now you’re suggesting she should thank me? To be blunt, you’re making it sound like I’m someone of great importance! Are you mocking me?" She looked half seriously and half mockingly at Kong Ya.

Kong Ya pursed her lips secretly, thinking that her words were a compliment in disguise, but she just chuckled twice and said, "I was just saying your daughters are very capable. Shen family’s sister-in-law is also lucky with this pregnancy. I was just saying, not sure how many months along you are. Do you prefer sour or spicy? I have pickles and chili sauce at home. Tell me which you like, and I’ll bring some over for you."

Shen Yixiang was also there, entertaining the Military Wives, and she replied with a smile, "Thank you, but that’s not necessary, we’ve got plenty at home. My sister-in-law eats everything."

Kong Ya’s face paused for a moment, then she also smiled and said, "That’s quite rare."

Mrs. Cui, who never missed out on any fun, chimed in, "I think it’s likely a girl. Didn’t she previously take care of two girls? She wouldn’t look after my grandson, so it seems like ’what you take care of is what you’ll have.’ She was sitting by herself since she knew she wasn’t welcomed; she had been given the cold shoulder a few times before and hadn’t said much today, just listening with perked up ears. However, now she couldn’t help herself; Yang PeiMin’s pregnancy had provoked her as her own daughter-in-law had yet to show any signs.