PFC Chapter 425 I knew it
Chapter 425 I knew it
Over the next few days, the village was bustling with people visiting relatives and friends. Li Xiangyang's family was no exception; almost every day someone came to wish them a Happy New Year.
On the morning of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Li Xiangyang got up early and borrowed a donkey cart from his second uncle's house, preparing to send his mother and sister back to the city.
"Mom, have you and Xiaohua packed your things?" Li Xiangyang asked while eating breakfast.
Li's mother nodded: "It's all packed. Not much, just a few things."
Li Xiaohua held Li Xiaoyun's hand reluctantly, saying, "Sister-in-law, I want to stay with you a few more days."
Li Xiaoyun patted her head: "Wait until I give birth to the baby, then you can come see us again, okay?"
Li Xiaohua then stopped crying and smiled: "Okay, I'll definitely come see my little nephew."
After breakfast, Li Xiangyang drove his donkey cart, carrying his mother and sister, towards the city.
"Mother, when we get to the city, I'll take you home first, and then we'll stop by Uncle Wang's house to pay our respects for the New Year," Li Xiangyang said as he drove the donkey cart.
Li's mother nodded: "Okay, remember to bring plenty of things with you."
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "It's all prepared."
The donkey cart slowly drove into the city. The snow on the road had been cleared, and many pedestrians were busy visiting relatives and friends.
Upon arriving at his doorstep, Li Xiangyang helped his mother and sister carry their belongings inside. After giving them a few instructions, he drove the donkey cart to Wang Jingyun's house.
Upon reaching the door, Li Xiangyang knocked and called out, "Uncle Wang, Xiaoying, Happy New Year!"
The door opened quickly, and Wang Ying stood in the doorway with a look of surprise and delight: "Brother Xiangyang, you're here!"
Li Xiangyang smiled and took out a red envelope from his pocket, handing it to Wang Ying: "Happy New Year, Xiaoying."
Wang Ying accepted the red envelope and happily said, "Thank you, Brother Xiangyang! Dad, Brother Xiangyang is here!"
Wang Jingyun came out of the house with a welcoming smile: "Xiangyang, please come in."
Li Xiangyang took the New Year's gifts off the donkey cart and handed them to Wang Jingyun: "Uncle Wang, these are some New Year's gifts I prepared for you and Xiaoying. Please accept them as a small token of my appreciation."
Wang Jingyun accepted the gifts and quickly thanked him, saying, "You're too kind. Please come in and sit down."
Upon entering the house, the stove was burning brightly, making the room very warm. Several plates of snacks and fruits were laid out on the table, along with a pot of steaming tea.
"Here, have some hot tea to warm yourself up." Wang Jingyun poured Li Xiangyang a cup of tea. "How have you been lately? Is everything alright at home?"
Li Xiangyang nodded: "It's all good, it's just that Xiaoyun's belly is getting bigger and bigger, making it a little inconvenient for her to move around."
After being warmly received by Wang Jingyun, Li Xiangyang chatted with the father and daughter for a long time.
After lunch, the three chatted for a while longer. Li Xiangyang checked the time and realized it was time to go back.
"Uncle Wang, Xiaoying, I have to go now, I need to get back to the village."
"Leaving so soon?" Wang Ying asked, somewhat disappointed. "Stay a little longer."
Li Xiangyang patted her head: "I'll come see you another day, okay?"
Wang Jingyun saw Li Xiangyang to the door: "Take care on your way. Give my regards to Xiaoyun."
"Definitely, Uncle Wang." Li Xiangyang nodded and drove away in his donkey cart.
On the way back to the village, it was getting late and the cold wind was getting stronger.
Li Xiangyang wrapped his cotton-padded coat tighter around himself, and when it was completely dark, he finally made it back to Xiaoliang Village.
From a distance, he could see the lights on in his house.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Li Xiaoyun opened the door: "You're back? Are you tired?"
Li Xiangyang quickly stepped forward and helped his wife up, saying, "Why did you come out? It's so cold outside."
"I knew it was you when I heard the donkey cart." Li Xiaoyun smiled and took his hand. "Your hands are so cold, come inside and warm them up."
Upon entering the room, the kang (a heated brick bed) was warm, and steaming hot food was already laid out on the table.
"Wash your face first, then eat while it's hot." Li Xiaoyun brought over a basin of hot water.
After washing his face, Li Xiangyang sat down at the table, where Li Xiaoyun had already served him rice.
"Are Uncle Wang and Xiaoying both alright?" Li Xiaoyun asked while serving food to Li Xiangyang.
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Everything's fine. Xiaoying has grown quite a bit taller. Uncle Wang asked me to give you his regards."
Li Xiaoyun smiled and said, "That's good."
After dinner, Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun sat on the kang (a heated brick bed). Li Xiaoyun leaned on his shoulder and softly asked, "Were you tired from driving all the way here?"
"I'm not tired, the journey was quite smooth." Li Xiangyang held his wife's soft hand, looking at her pregnant belly, his eyes full of tenderness. "I'm just a little worried about you. Won't you be bored at home alone?"
Li Xiaoyun smiled and said, "How could I be bored? This afternoon, Aunt Zhang came over and chatted with me for a while. She even embroidered some tiger-head shoes for me."
"That's good." Li Xiangyang nodded, looked up at the sky outside the window, and said, "I have to go to my second uncle's house to return the donkey cart. You rest for a bit."
Li Xiaoyun nodded: "Go ahead, don't take too long."
Li Xiangyang put on his cotton-padded coat, stepped out of his house, and felt the biting wind, but the air was fresh. He led the donkey cart, trudging through the snow, towards his second uncle's house.
The door to his second uncle's house was ajar, and voices could be heard coming from inside. Li Xiangyang walked into the yard and called out, "Second Uncle, I've brought the donkey cart back."
Hearing the sound, Li Jianbo came out of the house: "You're back? Have your mother and Xiaohua arrived home yet?"
"We've arrived, everything is fine." Li Xiangyang handed the rope to his second uncle. "Thank you for lending me the donkey cart, second uncle."
"No need for formalities, we're family." Li Jianbo took the rope. "Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"
Li Xiangyang glanced at the sky: "No, Xiaoyun is home alone, I need to hurry back."
"Okay, then you should go back quickly. A pregnant woman can't stay alone for too long." Li Jianbo nodded and took the reins.
When Li Xiangyang got home, he saw Li Xiaoyun sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) mending clothes, with a serene smile on her face.
Li Xiangyang took off his coat, walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and sat down: "I'm back."
"Well, most of the relatives have left. What are your plans for tomorrow?" Li Xiaoyun put the sewn clothes aside and poured Li Xiangyang a cup of hot water.
Li Xiangyang took the water glass, took a sip, and said, "I'm thinking of going to the mountains. I'm getting bored staying at home these past few days."
Li Xiaoyun pushed the sewing basket to the side of the kang (a heated brick bed), glared at him, and poked his chest in annoyance: "I knew it! You can't stand sitting on a warm kang, it's like you're covered in weeds, you can't sit still at home at all!"
Li Xiangyang grabbed her hand with a grin: "Don't you trust my abilities? Whenever there's danger, I don't even need to look; I can smell it from afar..."
"Stop being so glib!" Li Xiaoyun grabbed the knee pads from the kang (heated brick bed) and threw them at his chest. "Zhang Sao taught me how to sew these. They're padded with three layers of cotton. If you dare not wear them, your knees will be trembling with pain when you get back, and don't expect me to rub them!"
As night deepened, Li Xiangyang held Li Xiaoyun in his arms, his mind wandering.
Since his wife became pregnant, he has had no outlet for his energy and has been having a very tough time.
Unable to fall asleep, he tossed and turned, gently taking Li Xiaoyun's hand...
Li Xiaoyun blushed and slapped his hand away: "Behave yourself."
She moved a little closer to the kang (a heated brick bed), but still complied with him.
After a long while, Li Xiangyang let out a comfortable sigh, and the two fell asleep in each other's arms.