RYEY – Chapter 156 Finally Learned Cheng Liguo’s Address

“Baby, why are you crying? Let Mommy tell you, this is Mommy’s secret base. Only you and Daddy know about it. In the summer, it’s not as hot as outside, and in the winter, it’s not as cold.”

Little Cheng Li struggled to turn his neck to see this so-called base his mother was talking about, but he was simply too small—so small that he couldn’t even turn his head properly.

Cheng Qiao picked him up, carried him around the room, and whispered softly as she introduced things to him: this was the bed for sleeping, this was the desk for writing, and that was the wardrobe for clothes.

Of course, there was even a place for bathing. With his big round eyes, little Cheng Li stared curiously at these things he had never seen before, his heart filled with joy.

Now he was finally certain that this mother would never abandon him again. Otherwise, how could she possibly let him know about such a secret base?

Looking at Cheng Qiao, Cheng Li’s eyes shone with happiness. At last, he could have his mother’s attention, his mother’s love.

“Baby, I’m sorry. Mommy wants to apologize for the stupidity of my past life. Something like that will never happen again. Please believe Mommy.”

Cheng Li wanted so badly to kiss Cheng Qiao, but he was far too little to do it. Fortunately, it seemed Cheng Qiao understood his thoughts—she bent her head down and showered him with kisses. After all, this was her son.

Cheng Li closed his eyes in bliss. He was so sleepy. This time, at last, he could sleep soundly and in peace.

When Li Huan returned to the house and found no one inside, he immediately knew Cheng Qiao had taken their son into that immortal treasure of hers. His heart soured a little—there were three of them in this family, but he was the only one who couldn’t enter that magical treasure. So unfair.

“Huan’er, where’s Cheng Qiao?”

“Mom, she and Cheng Li fell asleep. Let’s not wake them.”

Li Huan quickly stepped out and carefully shut the door behind him. Mother Li nodded happily. Today was the day Cheng Qiao was officially out of confinement; she should get a good rest.

By midday, Chen Weidang, Uncle Niu, Ye Jun, Aunt Wang, along with educated youths Qian Longkun and Han Xuemei, all came to Cheng Qiao’s house to celebrate baby Cheng Li’s one-month milestone.

When Cheng Qiao brought little Cheng Li out, Aunt Wang was in the kitchen giggling with Mother Li as they cooked, while Han Xuemei and the others busied themselves with chores.

The moment they saw the little baby, already freed from swaddling and dressed only in a light blue cotton outfit, staring at them with big, curious black eyes, their hearts melted on the spot.

“Cheng Qiao, you promised me I could be his godmother. Come, let godmother hold him!”

Han Xuemei hurriedly scooped up a ladle of water from the vat, washed her hands and face clean, and came over eagerly to take Cheng Li.

Afraid her son might misunderstand, Cheng Qiao first introduced Han Xuemei’s identity with a smile, then asked him if he wanted to be held by his godmother. Cheng Li tried to recall from his previous life—this person had once given him a steamed bun.

He laughed and waved his little hand. Cheng Qiao understood the little one’s consent, and quickly handed him over. Han Xuemei took a one-yuan bill from her pocket and stuffed it into Cheng Li’s hand.

“Godson, your godmother doesn’t have much now, but one day, when I have money, I’ll give you a hundred yuan.”

Cheng Li grinned, showing his toothless smile. That smile completely melted Han Xuemei’s maternal heart. From now on, she resolved to work harder, earn more work points—at the very least, to buy this little one a set of clothes.

Everyone gave baby Cheng Li gifts, but the most precious came from Ye Jun. In his heart, this little one was his grandson, and what grandfather would give his grandson anything less?

When the others grew curious about the carefully wrapped gift, Cheng Qiao swiftly tucked it into her pocket—in truth, into her space. She already knew it was a fine piece of white jade. In a few decades, it would fetch at least seven figures. She planned to wait until Cheng Li turned eighteen before giving him this treasure to wear.

The table was piled high with dishes. There weren’t many vegetables—just smashed cucumbers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and tofu with century eggs.

But the meat dishes were plentiful. Mother Li showed off her skills, even making pine nut bass, earning endless praise from everyone at the table.

The greasy braised pork went largely untouched. On a hot day like this, even if people craved meat, with such delicacies before them, who would still want plain pork?

Zhao Xiaobao’s heart stirred—if only his parents could taste these dishes too. Uncle Niu saw right through his thoughts and openly told Li Huan to pack some up so Zhao Xiaobao could bring them home as a treat with wine.

Li Huan glanced at Zhao Xiaobao, knowing full well that Uncle Niu was covering for him. Zhao Xiaobao’s face flushed bright red, but inside, he felt grateful to Uncle Niu and the Li family. They had secretly helped him so much.

Seeing everyone eat with gusto, little Cheng Li smacked his lips too. Ye Jun dipped a chopstick in white liquor and carefully touched it to Cheng Li’s lips.

But Cheng Li had the intelligence of a three-year-old. He wasn’t falling for that trick. He buried his head in Cheng Qiao’s arms, belly hungry—he wanted food!

Ye Jun roared with laughter. “A clever child! He’ll study Chinese medicine with me in the future. I’ll make sure the Ye family’s ancestral arts are carried forward!”

After everyone finally left, Mother Li took out the letter from Li Bing she had hidden away for a month. Cheng Qiao had wanted to read it earlier, but Mother Li wouldn’t let her.

The reason was simple: once she read it, she would definitely want to visit her father. But with such a tiny baby, and confinement not yet over, how could she possibly travel far?

Now that Cheng Li had turned one month old, if Cheng Qiao wanted to see her father, she and Li Huan could take the baby along. They had plenty of milk powder at home, so the child wouldn’t go hungry.

“Mom, let me write a letter to my dad first, to tell him I’ve given him a grandson. When the baby grows a bit older, I’ll take him to visit.”

Cheng Qiao dared not entrust Cheng Li to Mother Li. After all, Xu Laidi was still in Xiangyang Village, and neither Mother Li nor Lele could handle her. Besides, Li Huan was now the village head; he couldn’t possibly leave for one or two months.

“Alright, alright. I just worry you miss your father too much. How about you and Huan’er take Cheng Li to the county to take a family portrait? You can send the photo along with the letter.”

“Mom, that’s a wonderful idea. We’ll all go. With you here, it will be a true family portrait. It’s just a pity Eldest Brother isn’t here, or else everyone would be complete.”

Hearing that she was included, Mother Li was so happy that tears welled up in her eyes. Yet her hands waved nervously—at her age, she had never taken a photograph before. What if she looked ugly?

Little Lele clapped her hands excitedly. They were going to take photos! She even wanted a solo portrait for herself. After all, her class monitor had one and flaunted it all the time.