Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 312: Going Home

Chapter 312: Chapter 312: Going Home

Shen Yiguang’s movements were quick. He was originally scheduled to return to his hometown on the twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month, but due to Shen Yixiang’s matter, he had specially advanced his vacation by three days, which meant he would also come back three days earlier.

Lu Haijun had been on external training all the time, and Shen Yixiang had not been able to see him at all, temporarily severing their contact. Shen Yiguang didn’t necessarily consider Lu Haijun to be a good match; his abilities were mediocre, his prospects for advancement were limited. Although he had some cleverness, in many cases, it still came down to technical strength. In addition, his family’s situation was unclear. These were not matters to be taken lightly. Letting them break off contact for a while, Shen Yixiang was soon to return home. If they were to have further interaction in the future, it would depend on fate. Additionally, he needed to ask the Shen family elders for their opinion—they might not agree to their youngest daughter marrying so far away, being unable to see her all year round, or in harder circumstances, not seeing her for several years. Not seeing her, the elderly would always worry, so he would make Shen Yixiang consider her parents’ feelings.

Yang PeiMin’s belly was already three and a half months along. After finishing her exams, she had nothing much to think about and could really rest assured in nurturing her pregnancy. She did not need to do any housework; she would visit neighbors, take walks after meals, knit sweaters, and so on. She felt that her whole spirit had calmed down, no longer tensely strung like a tightrope. Her appetite had improved as well. Following the doctor’s suggestions of eating smaller, more frequent meals, she would eat five times a day, in addition to soups, fruits, and dried nuts. She could feel the flesh on her face, which had thinned before, was starting to fill out again.

There had been a letter from home, and of course, the first and only subject of concern was about Yang PeiMin’s pregnancy, asking her how she felt at the moment, about her eating habits, rest, and reactions—everything was inquired about. Furthermore, they mentioned that there was nothing much happening at home, the elders were in good health, and if the pregnancy was not stable, she did not need to come back. They would visit after the child was born to see the grandchild.

Yang PeiMin handed the letter over to Shen Yiguang, "This letter was written ten days ago, yet it took so many days to arrive; we’re all ready now."

In fact, Shen Yiguang was also concerned for her health, inspecting her complexion daily and keeping up with her eating habits and so forth. But these could not completely reassure him that nothing was amiss with Yang PeiMin. The child they had so difficulty preserved now truly could not afford any mishaps.

Seeing him like this, Yang PeiMin was truly moved by the thought of not returning home. She hurriedly said, "You don’t need to worry about me. I’m truly fine. Besides, nowadays, trains are very stable. Aren’t Yixiang and you with me? We’ve prepared for this long ago. I’m thinking about our relatives; perhaps until the end of next year, I won’t be able to return home. But your leave for this year has already been approved, and I’m afraid that next year there might not be any, which would push things back to the year after next, when the child will have already grown up."

Shen Yiguang was worried about Chen Guizhi’s health. If he went back alone, he couldn’t come back so quickly, and he also felt uneasy leaving Yang PeiMin and Shen Yixiang behind. Besides, he did not wish to spend such a festive occasion as the New Year away from his wife and children, nor did he want Yang PeiMin to feel a sense of loss, given that she had felt so insecure since getting pregnant.

Before going back, Shen Yiguang especially took her to the military hospital for one more checkup.

The doctors there repeated what they had said before: pay attention to rest, avoid overexertion, eat nutritious food, and if traveling a long distance, be careful not to carry heavy objects or be bumped or knocked. There wasn’t any major problem.

Shen Yiguang’s annual leave lasted ten days. After notifying the neighbors, they were ready to head back home with their luggage.

Xiao Xu would take them to the train station.

On the way, Shen Yixiang was somewhat silent. Yang PeiMin looked at her and asked, "Did you forget to bring something?"

Shen Yixiang shook her head, glanced at Shen Yiguang, then lowered her eyes and said softly, "Now that we are all going, my brother hasn’t transferred Mr. Lu back yet..."

With a hint of helplessness, Yang PeiMin said, "Yixiang, you see, this is a matter for the army, not something your brother can decide alone. You can’t blame him for this. Plus, haven’t you promised your brother?"

Shen Yixiang sighed, "I’m not blaming my brother. I just thought that I would say goodbye to him before leaving. Anyway, we are friends. Leaving without a word isn’t polite behavior."

"Yixiang, I think that your current thoughts are inappropriate. Also, I feel like after you meet him, you’ll be even less willing to leave..."

Shen YiXiang’s face turned red, and she gave her a look, "Am I that kind of person?"

Having said that, she no longer paid attention to Yang PeiMin, sulking on her own.

Yang PeiMin shrugged her shoulders and closed her eyes, planning to sleep all the way back.

Upon arriving back at her county, Shen Yiguang fetched the jeep she had been assigned and drove herself back home. When she reached Daji Village at a little past two in the afternoon, Shen Erniu, Chen Guizhi, and Shen Yidong came out happily upon hearing the noise.

Shen Yiguang hurried to assist Chen Guizhi, "Mom, look at you, you shouldn’t have come out."

"It’s fine; I’m feeling good. It’s because I’m so happy. Hurry inside where it’s warm. Pei Min, come on, inside quickly; it’s warm in there." Chen Guizhi, looking at Yang PeiMin’s belly, showed a face full of warmth and excitement. She pushed her son’s hand away, directing him to help Yang PeiMin, "Help your wife along carefully; the ground is slippery."

Shen Yiguang then called over Shen Yixiang to take care of Chen Guizhi while she obediently went to assist her wife.

Everyone entered the house, took off their shoes, and climbed onto the heated brick bed.

Chen Guizhi, though moving with a bit of difficulty, was full of spirits. As soon as they got inside, she repeatedly urged Shen Yidong to fetch a quilt from Yang PeiMin’s room to cover Yang PeiMin’s feet, "Carrying a child, you mustn’t catch a cold. Hurry up and go."

Shen Yidong rolled her eyes and couldn’t help muttering, "Mom didn’t fuss like this over me when I was back." Even though she murmured, she turned around and left.

Chen Guizhi, helped onto the heated bed by Shen Yixiang, didn’t let her daughter sit, but immediately ordered her, "Go and pour a cup of hot brown sugar water for your sister-in-law. It’s been so cold this snowy day, and after being out on that trip, who knows how cold you got. Hurry up and pour it; use her cup, I’ve cleaned them all already..."

Yang PeiMin, watching Chen Guizhi’s bustling about, hurriedly called out to her, "Mom, it’s alright; I’m fine. Let Yixiang sit down and rest. Don’t you know she barely rested in the car because she was too busy taking care of me?"

"It doesn’t matter, that’s what she should be doing. Let her do it while you sit still, don’t move around. Are you hungry? What did you eat on the car? Did you have anything warm? Even if you did, at this time you’d be hungry by now. I’ll tell your fourth sister to cook something for you; what would you like to eat? You’re not being picky anymore, are you?" Chen Guizhi’s attention was now solely on her daughter-in-law who was carrying her precious grandchild.

The others automatically became part of the background.

Shen Yixiang made a face at Shen Yiguang and whispered, "Brother, your place in mom’s heart has slipped down the ladder."

Shen Yiguang chuckled.

Meanwhile, the fuss continued, "How are you feeling now? You must be exhausted after sitting in the car for two days. Let’s not sit out here; have Ah Guang help you back to your room to lie down. When the food is ready, I’ll have your fourth sister bring it to your room. I heard you fell last time and I was so scared I couldn’t sleep all night. For days, I had nightmares about you getting... pah, look at me talking nonsense. You’re all fine. Your father and I said not to let you come back... Just go rest now, lie down; your fourth sister and the others are here at home..."

Shen Yiyue, who had appeared from nowhere, barged in the door heading straight for Yang PeiMin, exclaiming, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, you’re back..."

But she hadn’t even reached close by when Chen Guizhi, quick with her hands, grabbed her, scolding, "Are you out of your mind, charging at your sister-in-law like that? Don’t you know she’s pregnant? Such a big person, yet no sense of steadiness, bustling around like what? Off with you, don’t block the way, let your sister-in-law go back to her room and rest..."

Shen Yiyue froze for a moment; she hadn’t been charging at her...

Everyone: "..."